by Aliyah Burke
“Just get my damn groceries.”
Because Zane was an ass and he loved nothing more than tormenting his brothers, he grabbed some condoms as well. On his way back to his truck, he stumbled and reached out to steady himself against the side of his truck. Condoms. He and Zoë hadn’t used them a single time. Nor had he withdrawn from her heat. It never occurred him to do so. Could she be pregnant? With his child?
He pointed his truck to home, replaying the long talks he and Zoë had in her bed. It had been a new thing for him to open up about his service. She never pressed him for details about the situations, merely encouraged him to share the good times.
She was unique. She was special.
He detoured to the shop, wanting to know if she was staying there late or if he could get her to go to dinner with him. Pulling into the shop parking lot, unease settled around his shoulders. He killed the lights and the engine. After he hopped out, he gazed about, searching for what didn’t feel right to him. Her vehicle sat parked in its typical spot and the bay doors were shut.
Refusing to ignore his instincts, he jogged toward the door and found it smashed open; it had just been pushed back to give the appearance of being properly shut. And from a distance it did as intended, but up close, he saw the truth. Zane slid effortlessly into the warrior he’d been for the past twenty-two years.
On silent feet he moved, ears attune for any sound out of the ordinary. A clank followed by a muffled cry. He recognized Zoë’s voice and increased his speed. Once he’d cleared the offices he snuck into the garage.
There, Zane, saw a shade of red he never knew existed. Raw fury replaced the blood pumping in his veins.
Three men had Zoë on the floor of the shop and were fighting to rip off her clothing. While she fought back, they were simply too much for her and were overpowering her. There were two others in various stages of undress with disgusting lust on their faces. With a loud roar, he sped across the space, utilizing the speed he’d honed in the service to accomplish his objective.
He plowed into them, tossing them off her like sticks in the wind. His fist crunched cartilage as he broke noses. One of the men ran for the bay door and Zane threw a wrench at the back of his legs, dropping him. No one was getting away until he had his pound of flesh. Soon the air was full of their cries, as they rolled into the doors, rattling them and knocking over tools. He dodged attacks and retaliated in swift succession.
“Zane.” Zoë’s tone broke through the haze surrounding him.
He turned his head and stared at her, she sat pressed against the back, holding her tattered clothing together with one hand, her cell in the other. Her hair in disarray and eyes wide with fear.
Sirens pierced the air as he moved toward her. The battering and blood on her face and body had him longing to kill each one of them. Slowly. Painfully.
He reached out for her and struggled to keep his composure when she placed a trembling hand in his. He pulled her close and kissed her lightly on the lips. “It’s over, Zoë. They won’t hurt you again.”
“Zane.” The way his name wobbled off her tongue shattered what remained of his heart.
“Here,” he said, reaching for a car cover to wrap around her.
The bay door screeched open and lights from the cars could no longer be ignored. He stepped away from her only to pause when she gripped him tighter.
“I’m right here.” He moved again, holding her gaze when the cops ran in, shouting.
He had no problems with what he’d done. The men had far worse intentions toward her. They were lucky he hadn’t killed them.
“On the ground! On the ground!” a man yelled.
Eyes locked with hers, still so full of fear, Zane, spread his hands out, showing he was unarmed. He sank to his knees, lacing his fingers behind his ears.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m about to be arrested,” he said.
“For what? You saved me.”
“I know. But I’m also a trained killer. It’ll be okay. I’ll be out in no time.”
One man kneed him in the back, launching him toward the ground. “I said, on the ground.”
“Stop!” she cried. “He saved me from the others.”
Zane looked up at the renewed fear in her tone. Nate arrived, shoving through the uniforms to Zoë’s side where he slipped an arm around her waist.
“Stay here, Zoë,” Nate said. “He’s barely in control and if you get shoved by a cop, it’s going to get much uglier. Let me take you to get this looked at.” Nate looked at him and Zane knew she was safe.
The zip cuffs were applied and two cops began to lift him. Over the people he sought out Zoë. She stood surrounded by her brothers and his. He captured her gaze, hating the stark fear present there. Zoë was strong. Unflappable. This side of her…he despised not being to comfort and protect her.
Her eldest brother, Eric, was arguing with a uniform. The fact five other men who would protect without fail were around her was the only reason he was allowing them to take him to the back of a car. He shared a look with his brothers, both of whom nodded. Then he was being driven away, the men he’d whipped being attended by EMTs.
He gave brisk answers, working on merely not losing his temper and ending up with a charge that would stick. While waiting to be booked he sat by a desk, secured to it.
The sheriff, Todd Gavin, a man he’d known as a boy, straddled a chair facing him.
“Hell of a homecoming you’re giving me, Zane. Didn’t even stop by for a visit before you’re here to be processed.”
“Gavin.”
He stroked his moustache—now white with age. “You’re lucky you didn’t kill any of them. As it is, you beat them damn near to it.” Todd’s blue eyes were still sharp.
He didn’t flinch. “They’re lucky. They were attacking Zoë with every intent of raping her.” New rage built inside him.
“The two who can talk claim that’s not how it went down.”
“And?”
Todd sighed. “I’m looking for your side.”
“I just gave it to you.” Zane shifted, aware of the officers near. He’d already figured out how he could escape if he truly wanted out. “Did you see what they did to her? The cuts? Bruises? Torn clothing?” His voice was low and dangerous as renewed fury pushed along his veins with each pump of his heart.
“You nearly killed three men and the other two aren’t much farther off.”
Zane held his stare. “They were attacking her. My woman. I will defend any woman in that situation but none more so than when she’s mine and possibly pregnant with my child.”
His voice remained low and icy. Chilling the room into silence. To the left he saw her with her brothers, a shocked expression on their faces and disbelief on hers. He met their gazes without flinching. It was the truth.
***
Her brothers wouldn’t stop yelling. She remained numb as they escorted her, along with Cade and Nate, to the ER. Her body hurt from the attack and all she wanted was Zane. He’d shocked her by saving her as well as what he did to all the men who’d attacked her.
Let’s not forget his announcement. He felt it necessary to say what he did in front of the whole police station. She licked her lips, trying not to wince at the sting from the cut there.
She lay on the bed as a nurse directed, allowing them to finish the prodding. Matt approached her and took her hand. “Mom and Dad are on their way.” Her expression must have given away her feelings on the matter. “You knew there wasn’t any way to keep this from happening. They were going to be called, if someone else hadn’t alerted them we would have as soon as we heard.”
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“I’ll be right outside.” Matt kissed her then backed out.
She tried to make sense of what happened but stopped when the tremors began. Her parents had been on a vacation and she couldn’t explain the guilt gnawing at her gut that they had to come home. Cora hastened i
n shortly after the exam was over. Her space was full of her family and the Kendrick men. Cora never hit on Cade, just spoke with him like he was any other person visiting someone in the hospital.
“I want to leave,” she whispered, her throat still sore from being hit there.
The men talked over her.
A sharp whistle pierced the air. “Oy!” Cora’s voice rose above them. Five men stared in amazement at her. “She’s talking. Listen up.” Cade crossed his arms, glaring at her. “Can it. You can try to impress and intimidate later. She wants to leave.”
Zoë loved her for this.
“You should stay for the night.”
“No, Eric. There’s no reason for me to stay. I’m leaving. Cora?”
She was there immediately, reaching out to help her. At the door, it finally sank in to the men and they understood she wasn’t staying. All of them surrounded her and Cora on the way out to her friend’s car.
As she lowered herself to the passenger seat, Thomas crouched before her. His hands were on her thighs and she met his gaze. Rage simmered in his dark eyes.
“You should stay with us at Mom and Dad’s.”
She shook her head. “No.” She covered his hand and squeezed, the bandages pulling taut on her injured one. “It’s bad enough they’re cutting their vacation early because of this. They earned and more than deserved that trip.”
“You’re their daughter. You didn’t think they would finish a trip when this happened to you, did you?”
She shrugged.
“What happened, Zoë?”
Tears pricked her eyes. “Not now, Thomas. Please. I…I just can’t.”
He kissed her cheek. “I’m thrilled he was there but you know you have some serious explaining to do about his statement.”
“I’m taking her home, Thomas. Close the door.” Cora’s voice rang with authority.
Zoë shut her eyes as they drove away, mad at the tears which hung around. Low music thrummed around her. Cora pulled off the road and Zoë cracked open her eyes.
“What are we doing?” She angled her head to look at her friend. “I thought you were taking me home.”
“Change of plans.” She pointed forward. “You’re getting a better offer and one I think you need more than you need me.”
“What are you talking about?” Zoë stared out the windshield. A large truck pulled up before them and her heart sped up at her recognition of the vehicle. “Zane.”
He strode from the driver’s side and walked to her door, opening it. “I’m taking you home, baby.” He flashed a look to Cora. “Thanks.”
“Take care of her,” Cora said. “And, Zane, thanks for being there.” Cora gave her a quick hug and kiss before Zane undid her belt and carried Zoë to his truck.
He sat her on the driver’s seat and cupped her face, staring at her in the glow of his interior light. Cora’s lights swept over them as she continued on her way, leaving them alone.
“Zoë.”
Her name fell from his lips like the first snow—soft, gentle, and purifying. She trembled with the extent of the raw emotions pounding her shoulders with unrelenting waves, weighing her down. He leaned close, lips by her ear, his warm breath fanning over her skin.
“Hold on, baby.”
Three words that began to tilt her world to rights. She didn’t argue or even speak when he slid her over just enough to get behind the wheel. As he drove, she rested her head against his upper arm, wanting to be held by him. Wrapped in the safe cocoon he provided. Where nothing could harm her or scare her.
Zane didn’t demand conversation and she was grateful. She needed to regroup, shore up her defenses.
Her cell lit up with an incoming call and she worried her lower lip as she stared at the bright screen. MOM. She ignored the call, put the phone down only to pick it up again. Slicing her gaze to the large, silent man beside her, she noticed he merely glanced to the screen but didn’t say a word.
She rubbed her throat before texting. I’m okay. Going to bed. Love you both. Then she turned it over on her lap and stared out the windshield as he drove them down the dark road.
Her eyes fluttered open when his truck rattled over the cattle grate. She sat, comprehension settling in on how she’d fallen asleep.
After he parked, Zane lifted her in his arms, carrying her to the large three-story house he grew up in. His strides were sure as they approached the front door. She pushed her face into his chest and listened to the solid firm beating of his heart. It soothed her.
“How are you doing, Zoë?”
“Leave her alone, Cade. You can talk to her in the morning.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Zane.” Cade’s tone was rough with worry.
“I have absolute confidence in what I’m doing.”
After he carried her up the stairs, she opened her eyes when the sound of a door swinging to, reached her. He placed her on the floor by his bed and cupped her face once more.
“Are you okay, Zane?” she asked, touching the slight bruise on his right cheekbone.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Can I get you anything?”
She shook her head. “Just hold me, please.”
Zane didn’t make her ask again. He stripped her and after a brief shower, covered her with one of his shirts. It fell to mid-thigh on her and smelled like him. He took her hand and guided her to the bed where together they climbed beneath the blankets. He pressed her to him and she got as close as she possibly could, all the while wishing she could just crawl inside him. He was strong. He would keep her safe.
“Let it go, baby, just let it go.”
Like that was all her body had been waiting for, the tears crested the spill gate, streaking down her face, soaking the pillow and his skin. He didn’t pull away, in fact, he held her closer.
“They knocked on the door,” she began, her voice halting. “I went to answer it but didn’t open because I was there alone. When I saw who it was I opened the door. I knew them, they’d been customers for at least a year. Bringing their cars for oil changes, tire rotations, that kind of thing. They have three vehicles between the lot of them.”
Her chin wobbled and her teeth chattered. Zane’s warm hands caressed her skin, offering the support she craved.
“I never should have opened the door. If I hadn’t—”
“No,” he interjected, voice harsh. “Don’t go there, Zoë. This is not your fault in any way. Not in any fucking way. It’s on them. Not you.”
“I didn’t want… I tried to…” The tears flowed faster and she shook as the beating replayed in her mind, followed by the knowledge of what they wanted from her afterward. “If you hadn’t…”
“Shhh,” he said. “I’m so sorry this happened to you.”
“What about you? The cops took you away. What’s Sheriff Gavin going to do?”
“Nothing.”
“I saw what you did to those guys.”
“They’re lucky they aren’t dead for daring to lay a hand on you,” he growled. Zane moved back just enough so he could look her in the eyes. “You have nothing to feel guilty about, or ashamed for, Zoë Duncan. You called the cops, you saved them despite what they were going to do to you.”
“You would have stopped.”
His gaze was solemn. “No, Zoë. I wouldn’t have.”
Truth rang through each of those words. He would have killed for me. “I don’t want you in jail because of me.”
“Don’t worry about that. I know they gave you something for the pain, is it working? Do you need something else?”
“You’re trying to get me to stop thinking about it, but it won’t work.”
“I want to know if you’re hurting and if you are what can I do for you.”
She touched his chiseled jaw, allowing only her fingertips to graze the stubble along his skin. “Always so hard and gruff with everyone else, Zane. Yet, you show me a completely different side of you. Why?”
He kissed the palm of her ha
nd, not touching her skin for the bandages that lingered there. “It was always you, Zoë.”
“What was?” He looked uncomfortable and she pushed, needing to hear the words. “What was, Zane?”
“The one who could get through my shell.”
The first smile since the entire attack had begun graced her face. Small and tentative but there. “I like being that one for you.” Zoë shut her eyes and allowed the steady pounding of his heart to mesmerize her to near slumber. “I like it a lot.”
“You know I’m not letting you go, Zoë. Not now.”
Those words of his followed her into sleep where he kept her safe, battling back the demons who dared pop up in her dreams. She woke the same way, in his embrace.
Chapter Seven
The mortar fire wouldn’t cease. In fact it grew closer and closer. Zane searched for somewhere to take cover. To his left. He bolted and waited for the next one to hit. The building just down the street turned to rubble as smoke and dust exploded out from where it used to stand. The next hit closer. They were moving up from the front and back, pinning them down, not giving them any retreat.
“Move out!” The yell came and he fell in with the rest of the men he fought and served beside.
Something caused him to look back over his shoulder just before they moved around the corner. Standing in the street was a little girl, no more than five. Her big brown eyes wide with fear, the stuffed animal she held in one hand drug along the ground. It only had three legs but anyone could tell it was important to her, for she wouldn’t let it go.
He skidded to a stop and wheeled around.
“Kendrick. Where the fuck are you going?”
He readjusted his weapon so he could grab the girl and keep moving without slowing. A crater appeared in the street to his right as he zigged and zagged back toward her.
The nearer he got the easier it became to see the streaks of tears on her dirty face. In her eyes he could read her desire to be saved. He reached out an arm just as the explosion hit, knocking him off his feet.
“Zane.” The gentle voice brought him back from the dream.
