“Hello?” she answered.
“Tilly!” A panicked voice said. “It’s me…” There was a crackling noise.
“Hello? Who is this?” Tilly asked, puzzled.
“Miller.”
“Miller? Are you okay?” Her friend sounded so different, almost unrecognizable.
Miller had been her best friend since they were seven and she’d come to live with her grandmother.
“Tilly, oh thank God I got through to you. Listen to me.”
“What’s going on? This isn’t your phone number.”
“I’m on a friend’s cell,” Miller whispered. “I don’t have much time.”
“What’s wrong?” Tilly asked, alarmed by the fear in her friend’s voice.
“I’m in trouble with the Vipers. But that doesn’t matter.”
“Where are you? I’ll come get you.”
“San Antonio. Listen, Tilly, you have to…oh no…”
“Miller? Miller?” There was just a dial tone and Tilly’s stomach dropped in fear. She gaped up at Dylan. “She’s gone. Oh God, she sounded terrified.”
She tried to call the number back, but it went instantly to voicemail. Someone called Tori told her cheerfully that she’d call her back as soon as possible. “What am I going to do?”
“Who was it? What did they say?”
“That was my best friend, Miller. She said she was in trouble with the Vipers. They’re a gang, aren’t they? What do I do? Should I call the cops?”
And tell them what exactly? She didn’t even have any real idea of what sort of trouble Miller was in.
“She said she was in San Antonio. I have to go there. I have to find her.”
“Wait a minute,” Dylan said. “Let’s just think about this for a second.”
“I have to help her, Dylan. She’s like a sister to me. She doesn’t have any family.” Her grandmother was dead. Miller’s mother had abandoned her when she was little and her father was a criminal who was in and out of jail.
“How would she get mixed up with the Vipers? Does she have some ties to the gang?” he asked.
“Not that I know of. She doesn’t even live in San Antonio.”
“Did she sound drugged?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe? She definitely sounded odd.” Tilly tugged the blanket tighter around her, needing its warmth.
“Could she have a drug problem?”
“Oh God,” Tilly said, running one hand through her hair. “I don’t think so.”
Dylan placed his hands on her shoulders. “We’re going to find her. We’ll help her.”
She knew he was just trying to comfort her, but she wasn’t fooled. “Do you think she’s in a lot of trouble?”
“Could be. The Vipers aren’t people to mess with.”
Tears dripped down her face and she wiped them away impatiently. There was no time to fall apart. “I’ve got to get to San Antonio. I’ve got to find her.”
She could call her brothers for help, but they’d insist that she wait for them and that would take too long. She pulled away from Dylan, glancing around her apartment frantically. She’d need cash and her phone. What would get her to San Antonio quickest?
“Tilly. Tilly!”
She jumped as Dylan grabbed her shoulders again and shook her. “Calm down.”
“Calm down? How am I supposed to stay calm?”
“Because getting worked up is not going to help your friend. You need to remain rational and think.”
Tilly took a deep breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry I went a bit crazy.”
“Go get changed and pack a bag,” he told her calmly. “Pack enough for a week just in case. Don’t forget your phone and the charger.”
“Wait, what?” She gazed at him in confusion.
“I need to make some phone calls and stop quickly at my place to grab some stuff, but we should make it to San Antonio in a couple of hours.”
Tilly shook her head. “I don’t expect you to come with me. This is too dangerous.”
His disbelief was clear. “Do you seriously expect me to just wave goodbye as you go head to head with the Vipers? What kind of man do you think I am? You don’t know that world, Tilly. You wouldn’t survive five minutes before you found yourself locked in a room, servicing man after man, shot high on drugs.”
“This is my problem,” she insisted. “Just because we’ve been on a few dates and we’ve played together doesn’t make you responsible for me. And what makes you think you’d fare any better than me?”
His face grew cold and she immediately regretted her words. “Hello! Marine. Remember? I’m not a five-foot-nothing butterfly.”
She narrowed her gaze. “Isn’t that a bit sexist?”
“It has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with experience and expertise.”
“I’ll call my brothers. They’ll help me.”
“You’re willing to wait for them? Do they know San Antonio well? Are they familiar with the Vipers?”
Tilly swallowed. “No.”
“I grew up in San Antonio. I have friends there who could help us. You need to let me help you. I cannot sit by and let you head into a dangerous situation. Understand?”
She did. Dylan was protective and honorable. She was an idiot to think he’d just sit by and let her walk into this alone.
“Okay. You can come with me and help,” she said.
“No, that’s not the way things are going to work,” he said in a soft voice. “I want you to promise that you will do everything I say. I can’t do this while I’m worrying about you. I need to know that you will follow my lead. The most important thing to me is keeping you safe. If it comes down to a choice between keeping you safe and helping your friend, I will choose you every time. Promise me.”
She knew she was in over her head and she didn’t want to risk Dylan or Miller’s safety. “Okay, I promise.”
Tilly raced around her apartment and grabbed some stuff as Dylan talked quietly into his phone. His shoulders were stiff, his face stern as he paced up and down her small living room. She didn’t want to eavesdrop so she hung back until he was finished.
“I’m packed.”
Dylan nodded, and placing a possessive hand on the small of her back, he steered her outside, making sure she locked up first. She loved the way he kept her close as they walked, keeping one hand on her at all times. It made her feel safe and protected and she really needed that right now.
***
Dylan was silent as he drove to his house. He’d left San Antonio when he was seventeen and he hadn’t been back since. He never imagined returning under these circumstances.
He glanced down at his phone, but it remained silent. He’d left messages with both Rogan and Aedan. He wasn’t sure whether they would return his calls, but they were his best shot at finding Tilly’s friend. Things would have changed in the fifteen years since he’d lived in San Antonio. He knew he certainly had. Eight of those years, he’d spent in the Marines. While he was in the service, he’d discovered BDSM. After leaving the service, he’d settled in Austin and joined Club Decadence. When the previous manager had quit, Roarke had offered him the job and he’d jumped at the chance.
Turning into his driveway, he used the remote to open the automatic garage door. After parking in the garage, he jumped out of the car and ran around to open Tilly’s door.
Tilly followed him silently through his house to the living room.
“I’ll just grab some stuff,” he said gruffly. “Get a drink or something to eat if you want.”
He was still smarting from her earlier comment that a few dates didn’t mean anything. She was right, they hadn’t made a commitment. But in his heart, Tilly was his.
When he walked back into the living room he found her sitting on the sofa, just staring at the wall.
“Tilly? Tilly, are you okay?”
“What?” She glanced up at him then rubbed her head. “Sorry, I’m fine.”
“You’re exhau
sted and stressed,” he countered. “Unfortunately, you’ll have to try and rest in the truck. Come on, we need to get going.”
“Dylan.”
He turned as she called out, a note of distress in her voice.
“What is it?” he asked, walking back toward her. If there was something she needed, he’d do his best to provide it. “Are you scared for your friend? I’ll do everything I can to get her back.”
What state she would be in was anyone’s guess.
“No, it’s not that. I mean, yeah, I’m scared, but I…” She gazed up at him with frustration. “You don’t have to help me. You could just turn your back and walk away and no one would blame you. I’m sorry for what I said before. I didn’t mean it, about how we mean little to each other. I was just trying to protect you.”
Dylan frowned. Protect him? “I don’t understand. Why would you need to protect me?”
She stared at him incredulously. “Because this could be dangerous. Somehow I don’t think you’re going to just locate Miller and then call the police in to rescue her.”
He grimaced. Call the cops? Even as a law-abiding citizen he still had a gut reaction to avoid the police. It had been drummed into him as a child that cops couldn’t be trusted and he had a hard time overcoming those beliefs.
“The cops will just make things messy and bring the Vipers down on our heads. I’ll go in quietly and get her out.” Hopefully alive and well. He still hadn’t heard back from Rogan or Aedan. If they wouldn’t help him, then he would be on his own. Correction: he’d have Tilly to protect while trying to help her friend.
Maybe he should tie her up and have a friend babysit her.
“I don’t like that look in your eyes.” Tilly watched him suspiciously.
Dylan merely raised his eyebrow, trying to look innocent.
“This is my problem, not yours and I-I care about you. I don’t want you to get hurt. That’s why I said what I did.”
He gaped at her in surprise. She really had been trying to protect him. Him. Of course, she had it all wrong, he was the protector, not her. But he felt himself falling in love with her just a little bit more. When was the last time anyone had tried to protect him?
Dylan dropped his bag then walked up to her and clasped her around the waist.
“I’m sorry if I hurt you,” she whispered. “But I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”
He lifted her until they were eye-to-eye.
“Nothing is going to happen to me.”
Tilly gazed at him intently from wide, brown eyes. “Do you think she’s okay?”
Much as he wanted to lie to protect her, he knew that could just cause more heartache in the long run and make her doubt him. He wanted her to know that he was the one person in the world who would always have her back.
“I don’t know, babe. But I hope so.”
She nodded and blinked back tears. “Umm, you should probably put me down.”
He smiled. “I’m thinking of carting around a crate for you to stand on. Tonight when I was spanking that delicious ass of yours, I almost had to bend myself in two to reach it.” He lowered her to the ground and led her out to the garage. When they were back in his truck, Tilly reached over and grabbed his hand.
Thank God he’d been with her tonight. The thought of her trying to tackle this by himself made him feel ill.
“Promise me you won’t get hurt,” she said. “I don’t think I could handle that.”
“I’ll try my best, a mhuirnín.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s Gaelic for darling or dearest.”
“Gaelic?”
“My parents were Irish. They moved to the U.S. before I was born, but they often used Gaelic endearments for each other.” He glanced over at her. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep?”
She snorted. “I don’t think that’s happening. Especially with the way my ass is throbbing.”
He winced, realizing how hard this trip was going to be on her. “I should have grabbed a cushion for you.” How could he have forgotten she’d be tender?
“Shh,” she told him. “Not everything is your responsibility, Dylan. I’ll be fine.”
She’d be better than fine. He’d make sure of it.
Chapter Four
About forty minutes into their journey, Dylan’s phone rang. He peered down at Tilly, who was slumped against him, but she didn’t stir. Poor thing had fallen asleep as soon as they’d left the city.
He answered the call. “Hello?”
“Dylan.” Rogan’s cold voice was calm. “You need me?”
“Yes. I’m sorry to call out of the blue like this.”
“Don’t be,” Rogan replied. “What do you need?”
Dylan quietly explained the situation.
Rogan was silent for a long moment. “You’re on your way here?”
“Yep.” Dylan checked the time. “We’ll be there in forty-five. I know I’m asking a lot—”
“You want my help finding the girl.”
“Yes. It’s been a long time since I was in San Antonio. I don’t know who’s who anymore.”
“And I do,” Rogan said dryly.
Dylan winced. “If you can’t help, I understand.”
Rogan grunted. “I have some contacts. If we do this quietly it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“I don’t want to cause issues for you.” Rogan was the boss of the Cavan gang. If anyone could help them, it was him.
“The Vipers aren’t going to go to war with us over a drug whore.”
Dylan grimaced at that description of Tilly’s friend.
“You must care about this girl.”
Dylan glanced over at Tilly. “Yes. A lot.”
“I’ll start looking into it. Come to my house.” He quickly rattled off an address.
“We’ll be there soon.”
Old memories threatened to unravel his control, but he clawed it back. He needed all his concentration focused on the job at hand.
He couldn’t stand to see Tilly look so afraid. He would do anything to wipe that fear from her face.
Including facing his past.
When they were ten minutes from Rogan’s place, Dylan ran his hand up and down Tilly’s thigh, squeezing lightly. She stirred, sighing. Despite the eventful night and his stress over returning to San Antonio, he still wanted her.
“Babe, wake up.”
“Tired,” she mumbled.
“I know. But soon you can sleep in a bed. You need to wake up now.”
Her eyelids fluttered and she stretched. Her full breasts pressed against her t-shirt and he had to force his gaze back to the road. Was it healthy to have a near-constant erection?
“Are we in San Antonio already? Sorry I fell asleep. I should have offered to drive some of the way.”
“It’s not a long drive and you were tired.”
“You must be tired too,” she said with concern.
“I’m used to going long hours without sleep.” He pulled up to the address that Rogan had given him.
There were only a few lights on so he couldn’t tell much about the house other than it appeared to be large.
“Where are we?” Tilly asked.
“A friend’s house.” He undid their belts.
She nibbled on her lip. “Shouldn’t we be out looking for Miller?”
He shook his head. “We can’t just go on a fishing expedition. Not unless we want to end up in a world of trouble. Rogan is an old friend and he has connections that could help us.”
“I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“Don’t worry; he can take care of himself. I want you to remember that no matter what he will not hurt you.”
“Why would I think he would hurt me?”
“Rogan can be… intimidating.”
“Are you sure we need his help?” she asked with some alarm “We can find another way.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I grew up with Rogan. He was like a br
other to me.”
“Was? You’re not close anymore?”
“No. I haven’t seen him in a long time. I haven’t been back to San Antonio in fifteen years. Sometimes it’s hard to go home.”
“You don’t need to tell me.”
As Tilly climbed up the stairs beside Dylan, a shiver of apprehension ran down her spine. This place was intimidating and it didn’t help that Dylan was acting a bit odd. He was hiding something.
The door opened as they approached and a huge man stood in the doorway. As they got closer, she realized he was at least half a head taller than Dylan. She gulped as he stepped aside and nodded them in. Dylan placed his arm around Tilly’s waist and steered her through the house, following the big, silent man.
“Wait here,” the guy rumbled after he’d led them into a large sitting room. He had a slight accent. Scottish, maybe? “The boss is on the phone.”
The man left, shutting the door behind him. She looked over at Dylan nervously.
He smiled reassuringly. “It’s all right. Don’t look so scared.”
Miller was going to owe her big time for this.
A door off to the side of the room opened and another man walked in. He wasn’t as tall or wide as Dylan, but there was something about him that caught her attention. Whether it was his dark eyes or the cold look on his face, Tilly just knew that this was a man you shouldn’t cross. Ever.
She resisted the urge to take a step back. Dylan wouldn’t have brought her here if it wasn’t safe. She glanced up at him, but he was staring at the other man intently. Dylan stepped forward and held out his hand.
“Rogan.” There was an odd note to Dylan’s voice. She couldn’t quite pinpoint it. Regret? Relief?
Rogan shook his hand. “Dylan. It’s good to see you.”
“Thanks for helping us. I appreciate it.” He turned to look at her. “This is Tilly. Tilly, my old friend, Rogan.”
She took a few steps forward and held out her hand. Rogan stared at it for a moment then he clasped hold. She’d expected his hand to be cold and hard. Instead, he was warm.
Rogan moved over and opened a cabinet door. He grabbed a bottle and two glasses. He looked over at Tilly then to Dylan.
Sinfully Yours, Sir Page 4
