by Tl Reeve
Caden came up behind her, startling her as he wrapped his arms around her middle. His content sigh had her skin tingling. His energy infused the tiredness easing at the edges, something she hadn’t realized she felt until that moment. However, when his lips touched her neck along with the rough lick of his scruff against the sensitive flesh, she gasped. She couldn’t exactly explain what she experienced, other than being close enough to a live electrical current and being able to feel the waves of power emanating from it.
Every hair on her body stood on end as goose bumps formed everywhere. Yes, everywhere. Danielle’s heart gave a heavy thump as liquid arousal pooled low in her belly. Her mouth went dry, and she worried she’d never be able to speak properly again. Her brain was heading straight for a short out. She could feel it. Danielle slid her gaze toward Caden and found him staring at her intently. His features were neutral, and his blue eyes were clear. She didn’t know what to say or do.
“Dinner is almost done,” he whispered.
“Be right there,” Danielle answered.
“Don’t be long.” Caden bit the lobe of her ear—not hard enough to break skin, but enough to assert himself.
Danielle shivered. It shouldn’t turn her on. It shouldn’t have her conjuring up images of him scraping those strong teeth over her neck while he took her from behind. And, she sure as hell shouldn’t be having these thoughts while watching her boys sleep. Yet, she couldn’t stop them. They tumbled through her mind at a rapid pace, causing her to tremble where she stood. Her nipples pearled against the material of her shirt, becoming ultra-sensitive. What is wrong with me?
“Danielle?” Caden murmured, pulling her from her thoughts.
She faced him. He stood near the kitchen. His features were twisted with a mixture of arousal and pain. He’d taken the towel he’d placed over his shoulder while cooking and twisted it between his hands, winding it from one hand to the other. Every inch of him was on alert as well. He looked ready to pounce on her if she gave him permission. Do you want to give him permission? She didn’t know.
“Sorry. Weird day.” She crossed to him. “Smells great.” Nervous energy cooled the building need within her. Danielle didn’t have a clue on how to handle any of this. It’d been such a long time since he’d been in her house, minus the night he stayed to take care of the boys. That had been a lark of needing a babysitter and him being available, this was... Permanent.
“Come here,” he said, motioning her towards him.
“Uh...” She flicked her gaze to the door then to his stuff before landing on him. “I’m not...”
Caden sighed. “I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.”
Jesus, why did he have to be so dang open with her? He didn’t hide his emotions, instead wearing them on his sleeves for her to pick up on. He was being honest with her. Hopeful. It would be rude of her to deny his request. Danielle closed the distance between them. “I’m here now.”
He lifted her with ease, and Danielle gave a soft squeak of surprise. “I’ve got you, pumpkin.” Caden placed her on the island in front of him. “You talked to Mrs. Martin, didn’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Heat filled her cheeks. She’d never really been a good liar. As someone who could read emotions like she could, she never mastered how to hide anything. Keeley affectionately dubbed her a human mood ring.
“Bullshit.” He chuckled, stepping between her opened legs. “She told you all about how us Raferty boys became their wards.” He brushed a short lock of her hair behind her ear. “I’m not embarrassed by it anymore.”
She’d been furious even if he wasn’t. She waited for him to tell her the rest, but when he didn’t, she also didn’t press him either. “You didn’t deserve what happened to you.”
He shrugged off her words. “It’s in the past. I’ve had to reevaluate everything in the last few months.” Caden placed his hand on her thigh and began to caress the flesh, warming it. “I can’t keep being angry at the world for something my parents did. I also can’t keep comparing everyone to them. I also can’t hold you responsible for what happened to Mackenzie and Marjorie.”
Danielle blinked at him. What about what happened to him though? She couldn’t find the proper words to say what she needed to. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Nothing, pumpkin. You have nothing to say. I have to say it.” He gave her a soft smile. “This is my fence to mend, then rebuild the home laying in a heap behind it.”
“Caden...” She lowered her gaze.
“Shh...” He brushed his lips over hers.
She moaned, grabbing his face between her hands. She liked the way his beard tickled her palms as she tilted his head a bit to kiss him better. The first tentative stroke of his tongue over hers had her growing taut. The second unleashed a torrent of pleasure. She’d been the aggressor this time, taking from him. She explored him, allowed his heated taste to linger on her tongue before tangling with his again. Caden gripped her hips as he snarled. The low rumbled growl accompanying it had her clit pulsing. The slickness of her desire covered her slit, and she worried she’d have to change her panties before long.
When Caden reached for the hem of her shirt, she had some reservations of going farther than kissing him. However, all rational fled when he urged her to take his off as well. She missed staring at his tattoos and taking in his beautiful body. Unlike the last time they did this, he waited for her. Allowed her to make the decision on whether she wanted to continue their make out session. A pang of warmth filled her chest.
Determination laced the bit of anxious energy flowing through her. She tugged at his shirt, revealing an inch of his inked skin at a time, until she dropped the offending material on the floor. Caden followed suit, removing her flowing blouse. He raked his gaze over her, causing her already aching nipples to tighten exponentially. Heat filled her cheeks again as a wave of embarrassment filled her. She didn’t have big boobs like Keeley or even full hips. Since she’d woken up, actually seeing herself since being released from the hospital, she’d tried to eat three times a day, but gaining weight would be a long-haul thing. She already had an overactive metabolism.
“Perfect.” Caden groaned while adjusting himself. “Fuck. I could eat you all day.”
He launched himself at her, wrapping his arms around her at the last minute so not to hurt her back on the lip of the island. His mouth claimed hers in a searing kiss. It was all teeth and tongue and desperation. It bubbled up in her, demanding she stop messing around and get naked. She fumbled with the tab of his jeans, silently cursing her shaking hands for not wanting to function properly.
“Hey,” he whispered, nuzzling her cheek. “We have all the time in the world, pumpkin. Easy.”
She whimpered. “Sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”
Caden chuckled. “Full moon is coming. You feel it. You want what only I can give you.”
Might be true, but he didn’t have to be so smug about it. “I think it’s hormones. Mine are out of whack.”
“Sure.” He kissed her collarbone. The gentle caress of his lips along the bone had her wiggling in place. “It’s all about hormones being out of whack.” He grabbed her hand and placed it on the bulge in the front of his pants. “Do you want to see what happens?”
She absently rubbed the thick ridge. Boy did she. She could still remember the perfect shape of his cock. The way it leaked pre-cum when she stroked his shaft. She wanted to taste him this time. See if she could reenact their little scene the night Nicolas had been conceived. It’d been one of the best nights of her life. It was before things became complicated and she and Caden were still on the same page.
“Yes.” She opened his pants. This time her hands were steady. She allowed them to fall to the floor as she gripped him.
Caden grunted, then hissed out a curse. His head fell back on his shoulders while his hips flexed into her grip. “Fuck, yes. I missed this, pumpkin.”
So did she, Danie
lle admitted to herself. “I—” Her phone found the perfect moment to ring, and she gave a soft curse. It was as if the universe was telling her she shouldn’t be enjoying Caden’s body like she did. She pulled the device from her back pocket and frowned. “Charisma?”
Automatically Caden went on alert. He pulled his pants up and grabbed their shirts. His body tensed as she sat there across from him, as though he expected something. What, she had no clue.
“I’m sorry to call you. I didn’t know who else to tell,” Charisma rushed. “Can you come out here? I think Crow needs you. For... you know.”
She did. “I can be right there. Do the best you can for right now, okay?”
Charisma let out a sigh. “Yeah. Thanks. I owe you.”
“Pfft. Not even close. I’m on my way.” She hit the end button. “I have to go.”
“Is Crow okay?” Caden helped her off the counter.
“I’m not sure.” Danielle frowned. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Anything.”
“Make sure I have backup. I’m going to get Keeley so we’re together.” She went to where she left her bag. “Save dinner for me too. I’m sure I’ll be starving when I return.”
Caden gave a curt nod. “Will do. I’ll have Jace or Royce meet you at the apartment. Call if you need me?” There’d been a note of hopefulness in his tone.
“I will,” she answered.
* * * *
Once she picked up Keeley, they were on their way to Charisma’s house. The drive didn’t take long—it never did, but her sister kept giving her weird looks and she had to know what was on Keeley’s mind. Call it paranoia or whatever, it nevertheless freaked her out, especially when her sister cut off their link.
“Okay, spit it out. You’re chomping at the bit. I can feel it. You’re practically vibrating over there,” Danielle said, glancing over at her sister.
Keeley rolled her shoulders. “It’s nothing.”
If Danielle could have rolled her eyes at that particular moment, she would have. “Want to try again?”
Keeley sighed. Her shoulders sagged. “Kalkin said I can’t get involved.”
Was that a pout Danielle saw? “Oh? How come I’m only hearing about this now?” It wouldn’t be any fun if she didn’t goad her sister a little bit.
“Because it was the deal Kalkin and Caden made to help get you back on track,” she muttered. “I agreed in protest because I had a feeling you’d need me, but they said to stay out of it.”
On one hand, she appreciated Kalkin allowing her to do what was necessary for the boys and Danielle’s wellbeing. On the other hand, Keeley and she were inseparable. How could they not see it, when they, themselves, depended on each other for strength? “Caden kissed me.” Danielle shrugged. “Okay, more than kissed.”
“And,” Keeley prodded.
“We got interrupted by a phone from Charisma.” She wondered what would have happened had her phone not rung. You can’t dwell on what ifs.
“That’s horrible.”
“Tell me about it.” Danielle pulled up to the small picturesque house and noted two different vehicles already in the driveway. One belonged to the Sheriff’s Department and the truck... She didn’t recognize it. “Looks like the cavalry is already here.”
She got out of her car just as the door opened and Charisma joined them. The girl seemed to be beside herself. Waves of worry and anxiousness rolled off of her in sickening waves. Charisma’s gaze shifted from one side of the road to the other, constantly scanning for something that might hurt her or worse, Crow. Danielle lifted her hand and waved, trying to ease some of the tension from the young woman’s body. Charisma smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. It was tight, almost too polite. It set Danielle on edge.
“They just arrived.” Charisma hooked her thumb at the vehicles in her driveway. “Been doing checks of the neighborhood. We should go inside.”
Danielle slide her gaze to Keeley. What do you think?
Her sister snorted. Something scared the shit out of them. At least we can safely say it’s not Simon.
True, nevertheless, it didn’t make this situation any less dangerous or upsetting. “You’re right, Charisma. We should. Then you can tell us what happened.”
They followed the girl into the house. Crow sat stone still on the couch. His features were blank, his body was loose, not relaxed. Beside him, Penelope whispered soft words of encouragement. Plans of what they would do later and the next day. He appeared to tune it all out. Poor boy. Danielle and Keeley sat at the table where Charisma joined them. It was then Danielle felt it, the exhaustion. The girl had done well to hide it when she first approached Danielle, but now, inside her home, she could feel it.
“What happened?” Danielle touched Charisma’s shoulder, infusing some strength into her weary form.
“We went to the park.” Charisma pointed towards the eastern side of the house. “It’s only a couple of blocks away, and it’s specifically for the sub-division. I thought it would be good exposure for Crow to play with other children.”
“It is,” Keeley said. “What happened next?”
The back door opened and Royce, followed by another man, entered the kitchen. Both wore identical expressions. Royce closed the distance between them. The hard set of his jaw and the steeliness of his blue eyes alerted Danielle. The only time a Raferty looked like they were ready to kill was when someone was in danger. What the hell happened here?
“Perimeter is secure,” Royce said. “We couldn’t find ‘them’.”
The other man stepped forward. He was good-looking. Not Caden Raferty hot, but still, he held his own. He had short blond hair and hardened grey-green eyes. Unlike Royce who wore his uniform, this guy was wearing a suit, three-piece no less, in ninety-degree weather. A perma-scowl had been etched between his brow, and he didn’t appear to like being there. So, why stay.
He can stay for as long as he wants. He’s hot.
Danielle slid her gaze over at Keeley. I’m telling Kalkin.
Go ahead. I like it when he goes Alpha on me. Ugh. Of course she did.
“Agent Maxwell Steele,” the man said, extending his hand. “FBI.”
Keeley propped her chin on her palm. “I once wrote a book with a character named Maxwell Steele.”
The man’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink. “My mother had a thing for romance novels and Fabio.”
“It’s a billion-dollar industry for a reason.” Keeley winked at him. “It helped me when I needed it most. I could escape everything and recreate myself. Plus, it gave Danielle and I extra cash when we were in a crunch.”
Max nodded. “IreadmyfirstonewhenIwassixteen.” He talked so fast Danielle didn’t think she heard him correctly.
“Oh?” Keeley arched a brow. “Did you?”
The pink tinge coloring his cheeks darkened as he cleared his throat. “Uh, everyone calls me Max. Or Mad Max.”
“Why Mad Max?” Danielle quirked a brow, shaking his hand.
“My specialty is victim recovery and I got into the child sex trafficking unit after my training. Let’s just say, I’ve had a few fist-to-face meetings with child molesters and rapists when we’ve finally caught them.” He grimaced. “Not my finest moments, I’ll admit, but the nickname stuck and here we are. Agent Blackhorn said you guys could use a few good agents, so I volunteered.”
Yes, there they were. “It’s good to meet you, Max. We’re glad you’re here.”
He nodded. “Thank you. As for the park, we found nothing as well. No one saw anything and quite frankly after the boy’s episode, a few of the mothers were terrified.”
Danielle frowned. “Keeley, stay here. I think I need to be the one to speak with Crow.”
“Go. I think I can handle Mad Max and my nephew for a few minutes.” Keeley winked at her.
You’re impossible.
Meh, Keeley said. Maybe we’ll get a little Thunderdome action. Two will enter. One will leave.
Oh. Dear. Sweet. Baby. Je
sus. Her sister was out of her mind. It had to be because of the twins and the coming full moon. It was the only rational explanation for Keeley wanting to play with fire. Danielle excused herself and went to find Crow, who still sat on the couch staring out into space while Penelope continued to whisper to him. She hated the lost look on the boy’s face and the way he seemingly retreated into himself. Whatever or whoever he saw really scared the crap out of him.
“Crow,” she whispered, kneeling in front of him. “Can you hear me?”
Penelope stopped talking.
The little boy blinked. Then blinked again before his little bottom lip began to quiver uncontrollably. “They were here.”
“Who?” Danielle wanted to gather him up in her arms and tell him it didn’t matter, and she’d protect him for the rest of his life. However, she couldn’t. In order to keep Crow safe, they had to know everything. “Who was here?”
“Them,” the boy whimpered. “The bad people. They were here.”
“The bad people?” She took his hand in hers. “Who are the bad people?”
“The ones who hurt me.” He dissolved into heartbreaking sobs, climbing into Penelope’s arms for comfort. His body shook with each cry, and it broke a piece of Danielle’s soul. Whoever hurt him would pay dearly.
* * * *
Danielle gave a tired sigh as Keeley pulled into her driveway. It was late, and they were both exhausted. Crow’s anguish, both mental and physical, had drained her and Keeley. Danielle had made sure to touch the little boy as often as possible while at Charisma’s. Sending him little bits of healing bursts as often as she could to help take away his pain. Keeley, ever watchful, had caught on and instead of admonishing her for draining herself, her sister ended up helping, leaving both of them exhausted. When they finally left, he had been sleeping soundly, thanks in part to both of them putting him there.