by Hélène Soper
Avery’s heart broke for this beautiful man. First, he shared how he wished he was in the car with his wife and daughter when they died, then he found his family’s dog seemingly near death. She took his fur-covered hands, led him to the waiting area, and guided his muscular body into an uncomfortable plastic chair. She tried to sit next to him, instead he pulled her down onto his lap and curled his body into hers. An occasional hitch in his breath from silent sobs was the only movement his wooden form allowed. Avery wrapped her arms around his neck and held on, held him while he waited, held him as he rebuilt his armor.
It could’ve been minutes or hours, Avery wasn’t sure, when the doors to the treatment area finally swung open. Luc latched onto her hand, his grip telegraphing his concern for his buddy and his thanks for her support.
“Do you know where Merlot could have gotten a large quantity of acetaminophen?” the vet asked with both anger and concern lacing his voice.
Luc was taken aback. “Acetaminophen? How could he have eaten pain medication?”
“That’s what I’m asking. The blood work shows Merlot is suffering from acetaminophen poisoning.”
Avery watched, helpless, as Luc tried to process the news. He paced, ran his hands through his hair, cursed more than she had ever heard from him before.
“Tom, you know my dad is a responsible pet owner. He would never leave medication accessible to Merlot, or anything harmful to pets for that matter. You’ve known our family for decades. You know this.”
Luc’s terse response forced the vet’s shoulders to drop a few inches. Both men stood down from their righteous stance, recognizing love for sweet Merlot in each other.
“You’re right, Luc. But I had to ask. Merlot’s been otherwise healthy. He’s a strong dog. We just need to flush his system and he’ll be OK. I’m not sure how much he ingested so we’re also going to administer activated charcoal to see if we can stop any more from entering his bloodstream from his digestive tract. He’s going to need around-the-clock care for a few days to make sure his body doesn’t have any reactions to either the acetaminophen or the medication we gave him to counter the poison. We also need to closely monitor his liver to make sure there’s no permanent damage. Do you want me to call your dad and let him know?”
“No, I’ll tell him.” Luc shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you for everything, Tom. We know our boy is in good hands.”
Luc pulled out his phone as soon as the vet returned to the treatment area. Avery figured he would want some privacy, so she headed for the door. Fresh air would help her sift through the barrage of thoughts screaming in her head. She didn’t make it to the door before a muscled arm banded around her waist and hauled her backward into a solid wall of muscle.
“Please.”
She barely heard the plea. But she did feel the tension uncoil in Luc’s chest as he held her, back-to-chest, and rested his forehead on her shoulder as if its weight was unbearable. She knew how that felt.
Warmth spread behind her breastbone. Luc needed her. Needed her strength. Needed her to be his solid ground. Other than Cassie, no one had ever leaned on her. Resolve fortified her spine, strengthened her resilience, bolstered her bravery. She could be the woman Luc needed. For now.
Avery placed her hand over Luc’s and stroked the back of his hand with her thumb in a cadence that reminded her of Cassie’s favorite Gaelic lullabies Closing her eyes, she focused on bringing her breathing and heartbeat into sync with the gentle rhythm.
“I know, Dad. I’m just as shocked as you are. How the hell did he get enough acetaminophen to cause this?”
Luc paused, listening to his father over the phone, his chest rising and falling in shallow, stiff, staccato beats.
“No, Tom knows we wouldn’t leave anything harmful where Merlot could get into it.”
His arm anchored her tightly against his side as if she was his lifeline and he dared not let go.
“He’s got to stay here at Tom’s for a few days. He’s hooked up to an IV to flush the crap out of his system. They need to watch him closely in case he has a bad reaction to the medicine. The next twenty-four hours will be critical to see how he’ll respond.”
Luc finished the call and shoved his phone in his jeans pocket. Anger whipped through his body, hardening each muscle like drying concrete. Avery forced her body to remain supple, soft to his hard, calm to his turmoil, quiet to his dissonance. Words between them were redundant.
Patiently, she stood there. Her body recited a monologue worthy of any Shakespearean tragedy — hopeful Luc heard every word.
Slowly, Luc’s breathing fell in lockstep with hers. Each inhale and exhale were purposeful cycles of cathartic release.
Gradually, tension in his body dissolved. Shoulders, pecs, abs, biceps each relinquished their excess energy back into the ether.
Luc stood to his full height, spun her in his arms, and gifted her with eyes that were wide open. For her. In their depths she saw vulnerability and in equal measure determination.
Avery palmed his rugged jaw, stubble prickling her fingertips. A gentle smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “Thank you for trusting me enough to be here for you and to allow me to see another side of the man you have become. I’m also thankful Merlot is getting the care he needs and hopefully he is on the road to a speedy and full recovery.”
“I’m so grateful we found him and not my dad, so he didn’t have to see Merlot lying by the ditch like that. I’m not sure he could handle losing his sidekick so soon after losing my mom.”
“You’re a good son, Luc. I’m sure your dad appreciates having you back home, so he can lean on your broad, strong shoulders.”
Luc rubbed the back of his neck, exhaustion evident in his face. It had been a night of heavy emotions — from sharing his guilt about the car accident that claimed his wife and daughter to rushing his four-legged family member to the vet only to learn the dog had been poisoned.
“My shoulders don’t feel all that strong at the moment. But you, beautiful girl, were a rock. I can’t thank you enough for staying here with me. You must be exhausted. Let’s get you back to your car.”
Gentle lips along her jawline punctuated Luc’s words of thanks. Warmth infused her muscles and bones and veins. This man. Even though he had to be still processing what happened with Merlot, layered on top of the ragged edges left behind from his outpouring, he still soothed her. Was concerned about her. Needed to take care of her. It was a thoughtfulness born out of caring about each other for many years, not a stifling possessiveness that threatened to eradicate who she had become. And, in equal measure, Luc was man enough to allow her to be the lifeline he depended upon to guide them to a safe haven. Give and take. Complimentary moments in time. Reciprocal sharing of burdens. All foreign concepts in her former marriage, yet oddly befitting with this man.
19
Luc needed to change the subject away from his so-called strong shoulders. He certainly didn’t feel like that guy she’d just described after breaking down in front of her like a blithering idiot. Master Luc didn’t lose his shit. Master Luc was solid. This was exactly why he shut himself down. Why he only played with subs once. Feeling meant all the guilt and grief would bubble to the surface again like a geyser about to blow. Tonight, he peered into the abyss that was his heart to let Avery get a glimpse of the darkness that had invaded every inch, her compassion scratched the surface and he blew like Old Faithful. Then, seeing his dad’s devoted companion lying helpless in the ditch crushed him.
He didn’t deserve her compassion or forgiveness. Yet he longed for it, ached to feel whole again. Avery’s strength was an unexpected and welcome gift. No doubt she was still healing from the trauma she’d endured at the hands of her fucker of an ex-husband. Some people never completely put that kind of crap behind them. But the way she took control, without hesitation, when they found Merlot was totally badass. She was strong enough to let Luc drop his he-man walls to exorcise some of the demons festering in his soul. Avery
stood by his side while he crumbled. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t wither. Didn’t bolt. He was exhausted but felt lighter than he had in years.
Shafts of warm oranges and yellows blazed across the sky casting Sky Hill’s vineyards in morning light. Dawn. New beginnings. Dark circles had appeared under her eyes from being up all night but to him, in that moment, she was simply stunning. Tenderness, strength, and something else he couldn’t or didn’t want to name glowed from within her sky-blue eyes, turning them an iridescent, clear blue, like precious gems that captured the light surrounding them.
Avery infused his soul with purpose. What was it about this woman that made him begin to feel again? He needed to matter to someone again. And, he wanted to be the man Avery needed.
The hair on the back of Luc’s neck started to tingle. Avery’s car was the lone vehicle in the parking lot. As they pulled up next to it, Luc’s attention was caught by something stuck under her windshield wiper.
Luc grabbed Avery’s forearm. “Stay in the car. Call Gryff and tell him to get over here, now.” The command came out curter than he intended, but he was in full Dom protective mode in a heartbeat.
Luc reached for his door handle and cautiously got out of the car as he scanned the parking lot and beyond. He closed the gap between the cars in two strides. It was a blackened, dead Stargazer lily with a gooey, red liquid oozing down the windshield. Another note flapped in the breeze, trapped under the windshield wiper.
The dog was lucky.
Next time you won’t be.
It looked just like the note left in Avery’s purse inside the winery. He pulled out his phone, took a picture, and sent it to Gryff. His friend didn’t waste any time calling back.
“Yeah, it’s Avery’s car. It’s in the parking lot at the winery. Fucking prick.” Luc didn’t try to hide his anger and frustration from Gryff.
“I’m en route. ETA ten minutes. I’ll alert forensics. Don’t touch anything. Get in your car and move away but keep her car in sight.”
“Got it.”
Luc jumped back into the driver’s seat, sped to the loading dock of the winery to tuck his car behind some semblance of protection while still keeping her car in view.
He looked over to Avery. Her face had drained of all color, her hands clasped so tightly together the knuckles were white, and her eyes blankly stared out the windshield.
“It’s another message, isn’t it?”
The monotone of her voice barely concealed the cauldron of emotions brewing inside her stock-still body. Shit. She had that remote, depersonalized look like just before another panic attack. Could he keep her grounded in the present?
The click and whirl of the retracting seatbelt echoed inside the car. Luc slipped his hands under her thighs and behind her shoulders and pulled her across the console into the cradle of his lap.
“Yes, beautiful girl, it is. Gryff and the forensics team will be here any minute. I’ve got you. Breathe with me. You’re safe in my arms.”
He gently swiveled her head so she faced him. Fear, raw and jagged, had taken up residence in her eyes. But he also saw anger. That was her steel backbone showing and it was so damn attractive. Luc knew he needed a sub in the bedroom, however, in the rest of life he wanted a woman who could stand on her own two feet. One who allowed herself to be cared for with grace and humility when the occasion called for it rather than one who needed to be taken care of 24/7. A partner.
“L…let me see the picture of it.”
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea,” Luc said as he palmed her face, rubbing his thumb back and forth across her jawline.
“Please don’t try to protect me from this. It’s my life. I need to know.”
His beautiful girl was a strong woman. But she shouldn’t have to deal with this shit. Luc relented at the sight of the determined look in her eyes. He pulled up the picture on his phone and passed it to her. Her eyes flared, and her hand covered her mouth as she shook her head.
“No! Not Merlot! Oh, Luc. I’m so sorry this has now involved your family. It’s all my fault.” Sobs came freely as she buried her face in her hands.
“This is not your fault. Gryff will get this asshole behind bars where he can’t threaten or hurt anyone again.”
Avery pulled away with a start, her spine stiff.
“Oh my God. I have to get to Cassie. What if they go after her? Luc, I have to get to her.”
Gryff’s car barreled around the corner and down the driveway toward them. Luc pulled up to where Gryff stopped. Before he could put the car in park, Avery opened her door and was mid-stride toward Gryff. What was that churning in his gut? Why would the vision of Avery practically leaping into his buddy’s arms for consolation get to him? Pretending he wasn’t jealous was more of a challenge than he thought. It must have been written all over his face. Gryff saw it and silently told him to stand down.
“Shhh. He’s getting bolder. It means he’s about to make a mistake, and then we’ll have him,” Gryff reassured Avery, stroking up and down her back as she sobbed in his arms.
Luc needed to keep his shit together. Avery needed him too. He walked toward the two friends and quietly caressed Avery`s arm. Gryff nodded with approval.
“This fucker is seriously pissing me off, Gryff. We need to get his ass behind bars now.”
Avery was grateful for her steadfast friendship with Gryff, but she was utterly and completely done with the victim role. She allowed herself to cry in Gryff’s arms. Just to get it out of her system. Now she was done.
As she lifted her weary head from Gryff’s solid chest she was struck by the magnificent sunrise casting an ethereal glow over Sky Hill’s vineyards. When she was up this early it was for her morning yoga and meditation routine. Rarely had she simply stopped to soak in the sheer beauty of this time of day, particularly this close to such a pristine vineyard. She spun to face the sun’s fortifying rays, drinking in the energy as they warmed her face.
The chaotic white noise of fear clanging in her head dulled to a manageable roar and her breath was no longer shallow and labored. She absorbed the gold and amber hues of sunlight washing over the vines and felt renewed. Her inner warrior goddess was finally waking up from her much-too-long slumber.
She took one last fortifying deep breath, blew it out, and looked to Gryff then to Luc, and with an emphatic wave of her arms marked her line in the proverbial sand.
“I’m done. I’m so frikin’ done letting this asshole run my life with fear. He did it for too long when we were married and as soon as he got out of jail he started up again. Well, Mister Thinks-he’s-the-man-Winters, I’m not playing your mind games anymore. Boys, I’m taking my life back. To hell with Cal Winters.”
The look of pride shining in both men’s eyes fueled her adrenaline rush even higher than it already was from her impassioned little speech. But just as quickly, that pride morphed into concern, even fear. She caught Luc and Gryff exchanging knowing glances — silent communication that used to bug her when they were kids, now it kind of intrigued her — to a point.
“Cut it out, you guys. I’m standing right here. If you have something to say, out with it.”
“OK, OK. We’re proud of you for standing your ground,” Luc said with both his hands up in a sign of surrender.
“But?”
Gryff jumped in. “But, it’s clear whoever’s trying to scare you is getting bolder. This latest incident with Merlot is a step up. Until now, no one was hurt. The previous messages were designed to catch you off guard, shake you up, but not hurt you. Also, we’re not completely convinced it’s actually your asshole of an ex-husband who’s trying to scare you.”
She looked from Gryff to Luc with newfound concern and more questions. “If not Cal, then who would want to scare me and hurt Merlot? I can`t imagine anyone other than him doing this.”
“That’s the million-dollar question. The fact remains, Avery, we don’t have any proof one way or the other it’s Cal. It seems a little too convenient to p
in this all on him. We need to be open to all possibilities.”
Avery’s shoulders sagged, and she let out a sigh that sounded like she was about to give up. Luc’s big hands gripped her shoulders and gave a gentle shake.
“Come on now, we’re not giving up and neither should you. Where’s that determined woman who stood in front of us two minutes ago proclaiming she was done with fear running her life?”
She straightened her spine, threw her shoulders back, lifted her chin, and flashed Luc her best warrior goddess glare.
The corner of Luc’s sultry mouth curled up. “She’s baaaack.”
Gryff nodded with approval. “That’s our girl.”
“So,” Avery challenged them both, “what’s the plan?”
20
Luc followed Avery back to her place once the forensics team released her car. Of course, she insisted she didn’t need a babysitter, but both he and Gryff would not let her go home alone. In fact, going forward, she and Cassie would have a shadow with them at all times. In the fifteen-minute drive between Sky Hill and Avery’s home, Luc and Gryff hammered out the plan over the phone. Gryff headed back to his office to call in a few favors from a couple of buddies on the force, as well as his brothers. Now it was up to Luc to convince Avery to accept what they had arranged.
He pulled into Avery’s driveway behind her car, noting the unmarked police car at the curb. Reaching for his Glock in the glovebox, Luc checked the magazine and safety, shoved extra ammo in his pocket and jumped to open Avery’s door before she had a chance to unbuckle her seatbelt.
“Seriously, Luc? Is the gun necessary? You’re freaking me out, here.”
“Yes.”
Master Luc was the personification of cool and calm. He called upon his years of martial arts training to regulate his breath, heart rate, and focus while his eyes methodically scanned the area. He also used his body to shield her from the street with his larger frame as they walked up the front steps. At the front door, Luc held out his hand like he had the first night he brought her home. She shook her head, her eyebrows pinched together, and her lips pursed but handed over her keys anyway. So far so good. He wasn’t sure if it was the submissive responding to the Dom or that she was too exhausted to argue. Either way, he’d work with it. The possibility that she felt the need to please him, even in the fallout of another scare, had his cock twitching.