“You lost them when you stuck your hairy ass in my face.”
“Cady? You okay?” Josh walked over, holding the kid with his good arm. His shoulder was still bleeding and he looked pale.
“Hey, she’s got him by the balls.” The kid laughed.
“Oh, I’m just peachy,” she replied.
“I’ve called Hunter and told him where we are. He should be here any minute.”
Were his lips twitching?
“Think you can hang tight until they get here?” he asked.
Yep, he was definitely about to burst into laughter.
Great. Just great.
“You got a lot to answer for, pencil dick,” she muttered to Leonard.
“Please let me go, I have money. I could pay you.”
“You have money you stole from sick children. You’re scum. Now shut up, your voice makes me angry and when I’m angry I tend to squeeze my hands, if you get my gist.”
He whimpered but stopped talking. There was the sound of footsteps pounding down the alleyway then a bright light was in her face.
“Hey, do you mind!” she said grumpily. “You’re blinding me.” The light was immediately aimed at the ground.
Glancing up, she saw Hunter scowling down at her.
Her day was just getting better and better.
“Is she squeezing his balls?” That was Jaron. He let out a howl of laughter as he crouched beside her.
“What sort of takedown methods you been showing her, Tiny?” Jaron asked as Tiny hauled Leonard to his feet, snapping some cuffs on him.
Tiny shook his head. “Nasty but effective.” He winked at her.
Hunter reached down and pulled her up. Her ankle gave way and she cried out, nearly falling. He swept an arm around her waist.
“What is it?” he asked urgently.
“Just my ankle. I think I twisted it.”
Hunter swung her up into his arms.
“Let me down!” she ordered.
“No,” he replied.
Tiny was hauling Leonard down the alley. The other man wouldn’t stop crying and whining. Jaron grabbed hold of the kid, pulling him along.
“Josh is the injured one, not me,” Cady protested.
“Josh, can you walk by yourself?” Hunter asked.
Josh snorted. “Why? You offering to carry me too?”
“In your dreams.”
“He’s lost a lot of blood,” Cady said, trying to wriggle her way free. “He needs an ambulance.”
“They’re on their way,” Hunter told her as he walked with her down the alley. Sure enough, on the street were two police cars and an ambulance. Leonard was being pushed into one cop car, the kid into the other.
One police officer pulled away as he saw them coming, walking toward them.
Hunter ignored everything and headed toward the ambulance.
“She’s hurt her ankle and he’s been stabbed. Take them to the hospital.” He turned to glare at her. “I’m going to talk to the cops. I don’t want them talking to you until you’ve been checked over. Stay at the hospital until I get there.”
Orders imparted, he turned away, dismissing her entirely. Ass.
***
Cady sat on the bed in the emergency room, her leg raised, an icepack resting on her ankle as she waited for the doctor to return. It had been over an hour since they’d arrived and she was ready to leave. If it had been up to her, she wouldn’t have come here in the first place. She hated hospitals; they brought back memories of Rusty’s death. This was the first time she’d been in one since he’d died.
Just as well her job at Black-Gray came with good benefits, because there was no way she’d be able to afford this.
“Where is she?” a voice thundered from down the corridor.
She grimaced, recognizing the voice instantly.
“Sir, please keep your voice down. She’s in this cubicle.”
A harassed looking nurse swept her curtain aside and Hunter stepped through, his gaze instantly settling on her.
“I thought they only allowed family through,” Cady muttered.
“I told them I was your fiancé,” Hunter said, stepping toward her. He glanced down at her ankle.
“Where’s the doctor? What does he have to say? Have they taken an x-ray? Are you hurt anywhere else?”
“I’m fine, just a few bruises and the doctor thinks I just twisted my ankle when I fell. I just had an x-ray. I’m waiting for the doctor to return and release me. How’s Josh? Is he okay?”
Hunter paced up and down the small cubicle as she watched him warily. She could see the tension in his shoulders.
“Josh is fine. He’s been stitched up and he’s finishing his statement to the police.”
“We caught the guy so why are you so angry?”
“You disobeyed a direct order.”
“I acted how I thought was best. You weren’t there, Hunter. Josh was injured; he was going after Leonard Doran. It was my job to back him up.”
“It’s your job to do what I say,” he said with alarming calm. His voice was cold, quiet and she didn’t like it. She’d rather he yelled at her.
“Just think about what would have happened if I hadn’t, Hunter. Josh could have died. He was my partner, I had to back him up.”
“Do the two of you really think this is the place for this conversation?” Gray asked as he stepped into the cubicle.
“I did what I thought was best at the time, I’m not going to apologize for that.” She swung her legs around, tired of being yelled at. The icepack slipped onto the floor.
“Don’t even think about it,” Hunter growled, pointing at her. “Sit back up.”
Hunter crouched and picked up the icepack, putting it back on her ankle. He scowled at the bruising.
“What were you thinking, chasing him with a busted ankle? You could have made your injury worse.”
“Josh was injured. Leonard was on the run. It all worked out in the end. I don’t know why you’re so angry.”
“I’m angry because you should have listened to me. Because once you hurt yourself you should have stopped and waited for back-up.”
“And Josh might have died.”
“Both of you give it a rest,” Gray ordered, capturing their attention. “The police are about ten minutes away. So let’s get this sorted out. Hunter, she’s right. You weren’t there and you need to trust her enough to make calls on the fly.”
She sighed, relaxing slightly, glad to have someone on her side.
“And you,” Gray turned to her, pointing his finger at her, “should not have kept going while you were injured. Yes, helped Josh out of a dangerous situation, but with your injured ankle you could have been a liability rather than a help. Hunter, why don’t you go and see about getting us some waters before the cops get here. Cady is probably thirsty.”
“I am. Thanks.”
Hunter gave them both a hard look but then he turned and left without speaking.
“I’m a very cautious man, Cady,” Gray said, sitting on a chair beside her bed. “I don’t like surprises or being caught off-guard. Which is why I do extensive backgrounds on anyone before employing them.”
She stiffened.
“I know you’re using a false name. I couldn’t find anything about you up until eight months ago.”
“I suppose you want to know my real name. I’m surprised you hired me on, knowing that I was using a false name. Weren’t you worried I was a criminal or on the run?”
“Yes, I was. Which was why I dug deeper and discovered who you really are.”
“You know,” she whispered.
He nodded. “It’s my job to know. It’s my job to protect everyone I employ. Including you.”
“Does Hunter know?”
“No. I haven’t told anyone.”
She stared at him. “Why not?”
“Because I figured it was your story to tell. I was going to give you time to come clean. But now you’ve run out of time. You need to
Hunter returned then, stopping further conversation. A tall policeman entered a few minutes later. Cady gave the policeman her full name, there was no use hiding anymore. She saw Hunter’s frown of confusion and the look he sent to Gray, but the cop quickly began questioning her and she had to concentrate on her answers. Every so often she glanced over to where Hunter was standing, his arms crossed over his wide chest, his blue eyes practically arctic with his anger. Disapproval came off him in waves.
By the time the policeman left, Cady was feeling exhausted and her ankle was throbbing. The doctor came in with some crutches and a set of instructions she paid little attention to. Although she noticed Hunter nodding his head a few times.
“Well, it sounds like you’re going to be out of action for a while,” Gray said. “Stay at home for the next week. If your ankle is feeling better after that you can do some office work. Would you like a ride home?”
“I’ll take her home,” Hunter growled.
Gray just nodded and left. Cady couldn’t help but feel a bit like Little Red Riding Hood left to face the wolf all on her own.
“Hunter,” she began, but he held a hand up, cutting her off.
“Save it. I’m still too angry. We’ll talk about it later.
***
The ride home was quiet. Hunter could feel her staring at him, but he wanted to wait until they were at her apartment to talk. He’d managed to calm down considerably. He knew he was acting irrationally, but he’d been scared for her and once he’d heard the whole story from Josh, his fear had morphed into fury.
He needed to think through why he was so angry. He wasn’t mad at Josh for running after Doran with an injured shoulder, so why was he mad as hell that Cady kept going on a twisted ankle?
Sure, she’d disobeyed his order, but he also knew Gray was right. She’d been the one on the field, she’d made a decision. But she didn’t have the experience any of the other guys did. This was the first dangerous situation she’d been in. She should have listened to him.
And if she had, Josh might be dead.
He swallowed heavily, tightening his hands around the steering wheel.
Everything had worked out all right. This time. But that didn’t mean he was going to get over this anytime soon and he really didn’t want to examine why he was so angry. He was starting to think that hiring her had been a really stupid idea.
When they reached her apartment, he had to park halfway down the block. Climbing out, he walked around and opened her door. She swung her legs out, prepared to stand on her own when he scooped her up into his arms.
“I can walk.”
He just grunted and shut the door with his hip, before locking the truck with the keys he still held.
“What about the crutches?” she asked.
“I’ll get them later. Stay still.”
She was wriggling in his arms and he didn’t want her moving around while he negotiated the stairs to her apartment.
“It’s just a twisted ankle. I’d really rather walk.”
“And I would rather carry you. Guess who’s going to win?”
She glared up at him, but stopped moving around. Damn, she felt right nestled against his chest. He wished he could give in to the urge and bury his face in her hair, lick the skin behind her ear, kiss his way down her neck.
He groaned.
“What’s wrong? Is it your back? I’m too heavy for you.”
“I’m pretty sure I can handle your weight,” he told her dryly. He stopped in front of her apartment. “Where are your keys?
“In my pocket.” She wriggled around, as she tried to get her hand into her tight pocket. Her breasts brushed against his arm and his cock hardened even further, painfully pressing against his jeans.
“This would be easier if you put me down,” she said grumpily, finally pulling out the key and leaning down to unlock and open the door. He walked in and moved to the security control panel so she could put in her code. Then he strode to the sofa and sat her on it.
He stepped quickly back, walking into the bedroom to grab some pillows. As he moved back into the living room, he found her attempting to stand.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he growled, walking around so he stood in front of her. He dumped the pillows on the sofa before gently moving her so she was lying flat.
“Hunter!” she exclaimed, trying to wriggle free.
“Lie still,” he growled, using his Dom voice. Her eyes grew wide as she stared up at him. “The doc said you need to stay off that ankle for a few days. That is exactly what you’re going to do. Have you got an ice pack?” he asked.
“No, but there’s ice in the freezer and a ziplock bag in the cupboard. First, though, I’m going to the bathroom. I need a shower.”
“I’ll run you a bath.”
She sighed, throwing her hands into the air in defeat. “Fine, whatever.”
He moved into the bathroom and put the plug in the tub before turning on the faucets. He grabbed a bottle of bath salts from beside the bathtub, pouring some in.
Huh, he couldn’t smell anything. He poured in more. Then a few more for good luck.
He walked back into the living room, frowning as he found her standing. “Do I have to tie you to the sofa?” he barked. Actually, the thought of tying her down wasn’t a bad one at all. He could see her spread-eagled, naked and at his mercy.
“I was going to get a drink of water. Hunter, it’s just a twisted ankle and a mild one at that. I’ll be fine in a few days.”
“If you stay off that ankle and look after yourself,” Hunter countered. He walked over to the kitchen. “Where do you keep your glasses?”
“In the cupboard next to the fridge.”
He opened the cupboard, his eyebrows rising when he saw there were only two glasses sitting in there. He grabbed one and filled it with water. Unable to help himself, he opened a few other cupboards and drawers. Although he’d been over here a couple of time he’d never been nosy and looked through her cupboards. They were pretty much empty.
He didn’t like the loneliness those bare cupboards conveyed. He carried the glass back over and handed it to her.
“Thank you. Hunter, really, you can go now. I promise to rest.”
He ignored her, waiting until she put the glass down then he picked her up, holding her against his chest again.
“What are you doing?” she screeched.
“Carrying you into the bathroom. The bathtub should be almost full.”
Cady just shook her head as he placed her on the countertop then reached down and turned off the water.
“You can go now,” she said. “I can get into the tub by myself.”
He looked at her sceptically.
“Hunter, leave!”
“Fine, I’ll just be in the other room. Call out if you need any help.”
Cady lay back in the bath with her eyes closed. A bath had never felt so good. She rested her throbbing ankle up on the edge, grimacing as some of the bath salts dug into her skin, how much had Hunter poured in?
She could just go to sleep right now. She might have if she hadn’t known Hunter was in the other room. Just knowing he could step through at any moment sent both trepidation and arousal through her body.
There was a knock on the door. “Cady, you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute.”
Time to pay the piper. She knew that was why he was still here, so he could hand her ass to her for today.
She let the water out, waiting until it had drained away before she got her good foot under her and heaved herself out. Grabbing a towel, she dried herself off then pulled her robe off the back of the door.
Wrapping it around herself, she opened the door and limped into the small living room.
“Damn it, Cady, I told you to call for me.”
“And I told you I’d be fine.”
Hunter shook his head as she made her way to the sofa. “You’re just lucky you’re not mine, girl.”
“Oh?” she said as she sat and put her ankle back up. “What would you do if I was yours?”
“I’d have you over my knee, spanking your ass bright red.” He placed a makeshift icepack on her ankle.
Her eyes widened. “You’d spank me?”
Arousal and shock coursed through her. She wasn’t a stranger to a bit of kink, but the image of Hunter spanking her had need stirring inside her. A need she thought she’d long since buried.
“Just as well I’m not yours then, huh?” She tried for horrified and knew she’d failed when he looked at her in interest.
“Hmm, I wonder. I think maybe the idea of that intrigues you. Does the idea of my taking charge turn you on, sugar?”
“Sugar? Do I really seem sweet to you?”
He sat down on the sofa, facing her, his leg flush against hers. Her pussy clenched at his closeness, need rushing through her. “I bet you taste sweet. Have you ever dreamed of being tied up, of having someone strip you down and tie you to a bed?”
“N-no.” Liar. She’d never allowed anyone to tie her down, before. She couldn’t allow herself to trust someone that much. But it didn’t mean she hadn’t thought of it.
“No? Are you so sure of that? Because your heartbeat is racing, your breathing has gotten faster.”
He clasped his hands behind her neck and leaning in, took her lips with his. Cady melted against him. She wanted more. He tasted delicious. He ran his free hand through her hair, tugging lightly. She gasped as the slight sting raced through her body.
“Are your nipples hard? If I touched your pussy right now would my hand come away soaked in your juices?”
She closed her eyes.
“Look at me.” His voice had grown harder. Demanding.
She couldn’t fight the need to please him. She opened her eyes.
“Do you want me to touch you?”
“Yes.” Shit. She hadn’t meant to say that.
His eyes darkened, grew more intense. Suddenly he stood and she almost cried out, thinking that he was leaving. But he swooped down and picked her up, carrying her into the bedroom.
Hunter laid her back on the bed. “If your ankle hurts at any stage, you let me know,” he commanded, reaching for the tie to her robe.
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