by Desiree Holt
* * * *
As she always did when she arrived, she reached for Brianne’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. She hoped each time there’d be a response, but so far nothing. She brushed Brianne’s hair back from her face and rearranged the worn pink plush elephant lying next to her. Petal had been with her sister since her emergency appendectomy years ago. It had gone everywhere with her—college, work, into her marriage. The only time Peyton had been in the Hollister house was the day after she’d arrived, when she’d gone to retrieve Petal, hoping it would somehow reach her sister. She’d found it sitting on her dresser and had to swallow back a hysterical laugh as she wondered how Dane had liked having a threesome with the stuffed elephant.
Giving Brianne’s hand one more light squeeze, she dropped into the chair beside the bed, opened her coffee, bit off and chewed a mouthful of blueberry muffin and began her usual monologue to a silent Brianne. She liked to think that reminding her sister of their childhood, their parents—taken from them much too early—old boyfriends, Brianne and Dane’s wedding, would help to reawaken her brain. She’d been doing it in bits and pieces, but today she pulled everything she could think of out of her head.
The morning moved along and she never stopped talking. Her voice grew hoarse, but her sister never moved, never responded, never opened her eyes. From time to time, she glanced at the picture she’d found at Brianne’s house, a double frame with pictures of her sister and Dane. She’d hoped maybe somehow it could send silent signals, even as she realized how foolish that was. There was so much love shining from them that she had to work hard not to burst into tears.
Peyton finished her third bottle of water since lunch and threw the empty into the wastebasket. She sat back in the chair, trying to force herself to relax. Anguish was her constant companion. How long could a human being remain in a coma before reaching the point of no return? She’d spent the first two days at the hospital researching everything she could find online. She’d learned comas could last from days to years and there was no way to predict them. Some articles said there was some evidence that people could hear and understand words spoken to them—one of the reasons she talked until her voice was hoarse.
She’d also read somewhere that a person could transfer anxiety to a patient. She had no idea if that was true, but she wasn’t taking any chances.
She wanted to rail against the situation, to curse loudly and beat the wall with her fists. How the hell had this happened? Dane and Brianne hadn’t lived a wild life or hung out with off-the-wall people. They hadn’t gotten involved in things they shouldn’t and had lived a really good life. They’d even been talking about having a baby.
Peter Kendrick and his son had both been at the funeral, appropriately solicitous and saddened. At that time, they’d given her their cards in case they could be of any help. He’d repeated it the first time she’d called him. By the second call, he’d sounded more reserved.
The last conversation she’d had with him had been far from satisfactory. At first, he’d been just as considerate and comforting as he’d been when he’d called her about the disaster, as well as in their first conversation. But when she’d started to probe for any additional information that could help her, maybe something to do with a lawsuit Dane was working on, his tone of voice had hardened and he’d shut her down. He’d reminded her they were all grieving the loss of her brother-in-law, and more so because it looked like whoever did it might never be located. Told her the police had done what they could. If the police couldn’t find anything, then sadly and unfortunately, it meant the person responsible had become invisible. She needed to focus all her energies on her sister’s recovery.
It hadn’t taken her long to realize she’d reached a dead end with the man. He wanted this over and done with, whether because he knew something or he just didn’t want the firm involved any more than it already was.
Which of course only made her more suspicious.
She’d met plenty of people like Peter Kendrick in her life. Wealthy, powerful, privileged. Rules didn’t apply to them, and if they were in the legal profession, they could bend them to their own advantage. What she’d managed to find about the firm told her little to nothing. And of course, client lists were private, so she couldn’t learn anything that way.
But she had a feeling. She’d been an author for fifteen years, a pretty successful one at that, and had developed a good sense of intuition. In preparing her books, she’d conducted a lot of interviews, so she’d learned to read people pretty well. She didn’t know for sure if Peter Kendrick was hiding something that involved him, but she knew he wanted her to go away. Maybe he was just worried about blowback on the firm, but whatever it was, he definitely was trying to get her off the tack she was taking.
She kept thinking this had to involve one of Dane’s clients, but how could she find out?
That’s what you hired Galaxy for, remember?
And she’d do well to keep that in mind. She opened yet another bottle of water, took a deep swallow and leaned forward.
“Hey, Brianne. Let me tell you about this guy I met yesterday. I had to find someone who could get at the truth about the accident and your sexy Dr. Hamilton turned me on to his brother. Believe it or not, he runs some kind of civilian black ops operation.” She chuckled. “It was like being in an episode of a television show. They don’t even have an office. Their office is on a plane that I think was designed for gazillionaires.” She paused. “Oh, wait. They are gazillionaires. They won the Powerball lottery. Anyway, so far, I’ve only met Dr. Hamilton’s brother. He’s taking the lead on this. I think you’d really like him. His real name is Scott, but his nickname is Blaze. They all use their military code names.”
She took a sip of coffee. “I have to say, his suits him. He’s definitely one hot guy.”
She studied her sister. Did her eyelids just move? Maybe a teeny bit? Was she trying to smile? God, she was going to drive herself crazy.
Just keep talking.
“What’s that? What’s he like? Oh, well. Incredible. Big. Athletic. Lots of muscles. Carries himself with that military bearing that turns women on. But smart, too.” She leaned in a little closer. “And very, very sexy.”
“So my patients tell me.” The deep voice came from behind her, breaking into her little speech.
“Oh, my god. Dr. Hamilton.” How embarrassing. She felt heat creep all the way up her body and was sure her face was bright red.
He winked. “That’s okay. I assume that’s my brother you were talking about.”
Peyton took a deep breath and managed to settle herself.
“You never know. I might have been talking about you.” Could she be any more embarrassed?
His laugh was warm and friendly. “That’s okay. I’m used to second place in the beefcake sweepstakes after women meet Scott. Uh, that is, Blaze.”
“I think you’re both winners.” There. Maybe that took her foot out of her mouth.
“I was glad to hear you talking to your sister.” Nolan Hamilton eased smoothly into a new conversation. “Nothing’s been proven as to the value of it, but a lot of medical people, including me, think it has an effect. That the voice of a family member or close friend can reach the patient’s subconscious.”
“I’d like to think so. This is just so devastating.” She looked up at Nolan. “I hope your brother can find out what’s behind all this.”
“He will. I haven’t a doubt. Blaze specializes in doing the impossible. That’s why he and his friends were such outstanding SEALs.”
“Thanks for putting me in touch with him.”
He nodded. “I knew if anyone could get answers, it was Galaxy. Well, I’m just going to do a quick check of Brianne here, then I’ll leave you to your conversation.”
Peyton watched Nolan Hamilton check Brianne’s vitals and test her reactions, lifting her eyelids and checking her pupils, then finally examining her uninjured arm and leg.
“Did the nurse tell you we X-
rayed her arm and leg and they’re healing nicely?”
“She did. What do you think about—everything else?” She tried to keep the anxiety out of her voice.
“I think she’s no worse, and that in itself could be a good sign. Her vitals are good, her arm and leg are healing properly.”
“But she’s not any closer to waking up, right?”
“It’s really hard to say. There’s no hard and fast rule about comatose patients. Brianne sustained a head injury when she hit the pavement and it caused swelling in the brain. We’re giving her medication intravenously to hydrate and nourish her. As long as she’s in this state, her brain can continue to heal. Next week we’ll do another scan to see how much the swelling has gone down.”
“Last week you said she was improving,” she reminded him.
He nodded. “That’s right. And I believe she’s continuing in that direction, but there is just no hurrying the brain.”
Peyton swallowed back the retort that wanted to pop out. “I know you’re doing all you can for her,” she assured him, “and I really appreciate it. It’s just so…hard.”
“Don’t I know it. Well. I understand Blaze is taking you out for a little target practice today.”
“Yes. He’s picking me up around four.” She managed a grin. “I think I shocked him when I told him I had a carry permit.”
“If you did, that’s a bonus for you. Hardly anything ever shocks him.”
“Thank you again for putting me in touch with him.”
“Like I said in the beginning, if anyone can help you, it’s the men of Galaxy.” He glanced at his watch. “Sorry to run, but I need to check on some of my patients. If you need anything, the nurses are here to help you.”
“I guess so is the hospital security guard who makes a circuit on the floor every so often.”
Nolan laughed. “My brother’s way of unobtrusive protection.” Then his face lost all humor. “But better safe than sorry. I’d be very upset if someone tried something in my hospital. We pride ourselves on running a secure place for our patients and their visitors.”
“I’d say that there’s probably nothing to worry about, but after what happened to Dane and Brianne, I don’t believe anything anymore.”
“Blaze and his friends will take good care of you. That’s a guarantee.”
Peyton had to believe that. It was her only chance. Hers and Brianne’s.
About a quarter to four, her phone buzzed with a text from Blaze.
On my way. Making some arrangements regarding your sister. All is good. See you shortly.
Arrangements? What kind? Had he learned something that made whatever this was a necessity? She was tempted to text him back and ask him but decided to wait until he got there. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, intent on pulling herself together before he got there. She was stunned when an image of Blaze popped into her brain, especially since he was naked.
Naked?
What the hell?
But she kept her eyes closed, enjoying the vision, at least for a few moments. He was just as muscular as the clothes had hinted at, not an inch of spare flesh on him. His chest was dusted with hair as dark as that on his head, barely covering the flat male nipples that peeked out. And there, between his strong thighs, in a nest of ebony hair, was truly the most magnificent cock she had ever seen.
Not, she told herself, that she had seen all that many. She was choosy about her relationships. One-night stands didn’t appeal to her and the men she’d been involved with had been just okay. Sometimes she wondered if her writer’s mind had glorified a possible lover too much and no flesh and blood man could live up to her dreams.
That was before she’d met Blaze.
Damn!
How was it that in less than two days, she’d become so attracted to this man? Oh, well, besides the mouthwatering body, the electric presence and the sharp brain, he had also treated her with the utmost respect. She wrote about men like this but hadn’t ever met one. She hoped she could keep herself together and not do something stupid.
She had no idea how much time had passed until she heard a knock at the door and turned to see Blaze standing in the opening. Her breath caught at the sight of him, his hardened, muscular body clothed in a tight T-shirt and jeans that outlined his legs. She had to force herself not to glance at his fly and imagine what was behind it.
Holy shit!
She was pretty sure her brain had never taken a side trip like that when she’d looked at other men. She felt as if she’d swallowed some kind of pill when they’d met yesterday that had turned her into someone she didn’t know.
“What’s the latest word on your sister?”
Peyton sighed. “Still the same. Your brother was in here a while ago and said she’s doing as well as can be expected.”
“My partners said to tell you they’re all thinking good, positive thoughts.”
She managed a smile. “Please thank them for me.”
He nodded at the bed. “What’s with the stuffed animal?”
“I grabbed it from her house.” She told him the history of Petal and how she hoped it would make a difference.
“So.” He studied her. “Ready to show me what a sharpshooter you are?”
“I think I might surprise you.”
“Let’s go and find out.”
She leaned over the bed, kissed her fingertips and touched her sister’s cheek.
“Pleasant dreams,” she whispered. “Wake up soon.” Then she turned to Blaze. “I’m ready.”
Before they could leave the room, a nurse and an orderly walked in.
Peyton looked from one to the other. “What’s going on?”
The nurse pulled a sheet of paper from her pocket and handed it to Peyton. “Dr. Hamilton’s having her moved to the room at the end of the corridor. I think because it’s quieter.”
Quieter? Peyton frowned. She hadn’t noticed all that much noise.
Blaze took her arm to nudge her out of the way.
“It’s all good. I know about it. Peyton, let’s get out of their way.”
“But—”
“Come on. I’ll explain.”
If Blaze hadn’t been standing there with her, she’d have protested the whole thing, doctor’s orders or not. But then at the end of the corridor, near Brianne’s new room, was a small waiting area with a couch, coffee table and two chairs. A man in hospital scrubs was seated on the couch, holding a tablet, but somehow she didn’t think he was reading from it.
Blaze steered her over to him.
“Peyton West, meet Chuck Wagner.”
When the man stood, she realized he was lankier than Blaze but just as tall. Do they grow giants somewhere?
“Pleasure to meet you, Peyton.”
He shook her hand, and when he turned slightly, she noticed the hem of his top catching on something at the small of his back. A gun? Here in the hospital?
“Chuck and his brother, Alan, do contract work for us sometimes,” Blaze told her. “He’ll be guarding Brianne. We didn’t want him sitting in her room. Invades her privacy, for one thing. For another, it gives him no warning if someone who looks out of place comes down the hall.”
Peyton looked from one man to the other, a chill suddenly trickling down her spine.
“You think whoever this is would try to kill her here?”
“I think that to do what they did and also use all that power to try to squash it shows me they’re desperate and might try anything. We’re not even sure if your sister knows anything, but they might not want to take a chance.”
The increasingly familiar taste of fear invaded her mouth. She swallowed hard to force it back. The idea that someone would be bold enough to attempt to kill Brianne here in the hospital scared the hell out of her.
Chuck Wagner had reseated himself with his tablet and nodded to Blaze.
“Good to go. Don’t worry.”
Blaze nodded. “Thanks. Alan’s taking the alternate shift with you,
right?”
Chuck nodded. “We’re set.”
“Call if the least little thing seems out of place.”
“Don’t worry. I will.”
Peyton hurried to keep up with Blaze as he strode down the hall.
“Now I’m afraid to leave her.”
“She’ll be fine,” he assured her. “Chuck is the best. Although he wasn’t on my team, he was in my platoon. I know for a fact he’s an expert both with handguns and rifles and knows six ways to kill a man with his hands.”
Peyton shuddered. “I don’t know whether to be afraid or grateful.”
Blaze chuckled. “Definitely grateful. I’d want him guarding any member of my family.”
“I trust your judgment, then.” She stepped into the elevator. “I assume Nolan was instrumental in letting you arrange this?”
“He was. He wants Brianne Hollister protected as much as you do. But Viper also pulled a few strings with the director of the hospital. We helped him outwit a little jam last year and he was only too glad to repay the favor.”
Peyton could only begin to imagine what that favor consisted of.
“Good. That’s very good. Relieves my mind a lot, or as much as it can. Thank you.”
She breathed a little easier as they rode down in the elevator. At least she could be assured that while she was gone this afternoon, her sister wouldn’t be unprotected.
God. How did we get into this nightmare, anyway?
Chapter Six
Peyton and Blaze said little to each other as they left the hospital and drove to the same location where she’d boarded the plane.
“Are we flying somewhere?” She glanced over at him. “I thought we were going to a gun range. Don’t tell me there aren’t any locally, because I wouldn’t believe it.”
“No.” He shook his head. “It’s local all right. When we set up Galaxy, we knew we’d need to keep in practice. We wanted to avoid public ranges, indoor and out, so we set up our own.”
Of course they did, she thought. When you have all the money in the world, you can even build your own little city if you want. Truth be told, however, she was just as glad they wouldn’t be out in the public eye, under all that scrutiny. Someone could be watching them. Watching her. And that might not be as farfetched as it sounded. Two weeks ago, she would have considered it a great plot point. Now everything was suspect and everyone could be spying for them, whoever they turned out to be.
