by Vella Day
Drake patted the sofa next to him. “Why don’t you sit next to me, darlin’, and we can talk.” And I’ll hold you and comfort you.
She stiffened. “I’m not your darlin’.”
Ouch. He shouldn’t have let that slip out. But she was wrong. She was going to be his darlin’, and she was going to love it, if it was the last thing he did.
* * *
The warm shower helped rinse away some of the stench, but the trauma remained. Even after Chelsea’s wounds healed, the scars on her heart would still be there. Sooner or later, Mendez would find her. The idea of staying with Kurt and Drake held some merit, but if she let Mendez dictate her next move, he’d win. She’d always held her ground. For her own sanity, she wanted to stay here.
Knowing Drake was out there waiting, she hurried. Once she dried, she put on her most comfortable clothes and stepped into the living room. Both Drake and Kurt turned to face her, and she debated turning around and hiding in her bedroom. Her face looked hideous, her arm hurt, and she was still shaken from the attack.
She glanced at Kurt, who kept his gaze focused at the ground. His hands were clenched by his side. She was torn between giving the man a hug and keeping her distance. When her grandfather had passed away, she’d been inconsolable, and it had taken months before she adjusted to life without him.
“Do you have any news on that man?” She couldn’t bring herself to say his name. She desperately needed to know Drake and Kurt’s werewolf clan was doing everything possible to apprehend that skunk.
Kurt shook his head. “We know who he is, and the alerts to apprehend him went out immediately after I left you.”
That helped. She looked back at Drake. “What did you want to talk to me about?” She hoped this wasn’t about getting counseling for her near-rape. She’d been to enough shrinks in her lifetime after her sister died in a car crash to know they didn’t help much. Stupid drunk driver.
Once more, Drake patted the sofa seat next to him. She figured the sooner they said what they’d come for, they’d leave. Only then did she spot the suitcases. “What are those for?”
“Chelsea, please come sit.”
Stubborn man. She joined Drake and waited for Kurt to sit in the chair opposite them, but he remained standing with his body rigid.
Kurt dragged a hand down his mouth and moved toward her. “I need to explain who we’re dealing with.”
“Okay.” They couldn’t scare her more than she already was. “I do get that I was a witness to a murder and that the murderer wants me dead.”
I also know he’s a werewolf, which maybe scares the shit out of me more than the fact that he’s after me.
His chest seemed to cave. “Good. That’s a start. Do you know about the Colters?”
“Only what Liz told me. They’re bad werewolves who can’t be killed by normal means.” Both Drake and the doctor had explained about the poison and the bullet to the heart stuff.
Drake squeezed her leg once and her body took notice.
“That’s right,” Drake said. “I only winged the man when I shot at him, and all he has to do is take the same antidote you did, and he’ll be good to go in a day or two.”
Damn. “So now what?”
Kurt answered. “We wait here, unless you’re willing to come with us.”
“I’m not going to let that jerk ruin my life. I’m staying put.”
“Then I guess we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”
It took a minute for the information to sink in. The local anesthetic the doctor had given her must have messed with her brain. “You think you’re going to stay here?”
Kurt sat down on the edge of the chair and faced her. “Listen. Mendez is evil. As soon as he’s fit, he’ll come after you. We need to protect you.”
She opened her mouth then shut it. “Fine, but I only have one bedroom.”
Drake grinned. “I figure Kurt will want to stay in wolf form, and I can share your bed.”
If he hadn’t winked, she’d have been scared. Truth be told, cuddling up to that body would be a dream come true. Just not right now. The memory of Mendez touching her made her shiver.
“What is it, Chelsea?”
“Nothing.” She stood. “Let me get you a pillow and a blanket. The sofa pulls out to a bed. It’s big enough for you both if the floor gets cold.”
Drake laughed and the sound rumbled in her chest. Why couldn’t two ugly men have saved her? It would have made her life so much easier. She stepped over to the closet next to the half bath and took out a set of linens. She returned and placed them on the sofa. “Are either of you hungry? Because I’m starving.”
Both men glanced at each other. She didn’t know why they always seemed to confer with each other. Either they were hungry or they weren’t.
Kurt nodded. “It’s better to call and order delivery.”
“Fine.” She didn’t like the idea of going out in public knowing she looked abused. People would look at her and wonder. Her stomach turned. If she remained here, no one would know she’d been shot, beaten, and almost raped. “Do you think if we went out, Mendez and his men might break into my house and lie in wait?”
“We wouldn’t put anything past him,” Kurt said. “As a precaution, I suggest you pack a bag and some spare toiletries to keep in Drake’s car. That way, if—”
She held up her hand. “I get it. I’m in danger. You believe it’s inevitable, but you don’t know when.”
Drake tugged on her hand. “You are one smart cookie. We’re going to get along just fine.”
Fine indeed.
She needed to focus on staying alive.
Chapter Three
Chelsea was tired and stuffed from eating too much pizza. It was nice having dinner with two such virile men. During their meal, Drake worked very hard to keep the conversation upbeat, but unfortunately, Kurt seemed too focused on his brother’s death to enjoy himself. Her own mood swung radically, and by 9:00 P.M., her face hurt, her arm throbbed, and she was more confused than ever.
She stood. “I’m going to hit the hay. Is there anything I can get you two?”
They’d helped her pack a bag in case the worst scenario occurred, but she wasn’t happy even thinking about being attacked again. They’d also insisted she keep an ice pack on her face for twenty minutes out of every hour. The doctor was right. It had brought down the swelling.
“We’re good. Sleep tight.”
As she headed back to her room, she was tempted to ask Drake to stay in her room with her, but that would be inappropriate. After Liz’s Christmas party last week, where she’d first met them, her dreams had centered around these two. While Drake had only lightly kissed her on the cheek after she agreed to go on a date with them, he seemed to go out of his way to touch her arm, her back, and her hip. Twice, he’d replaced a strand of hair behind her ear that had fallen on her face. Both had been so charming and seemingly carefree. Now all that had changed.
They were here, not to seduce her, but to lure and capture Mendez. Not surprisingly, she actually felt safe with those two keeping watch.
Once she entered her room, she checked to make sure her windows were locked and her drapes drawn. Though if someone really wanted to get in, they could break the window and turn the sash lock. The thought gave her chills.
For her own safety, she left her bedroom door ajar, in case one of the men needed to warn her. She turned off her light and crawled into bed. She heard them talking, but after a while, their low voices lulled her to sleep.
Too bad she kept waking up thinking a floorboard had creaked or a window rattled. She’d strained to hear noises that shouldn’t be there. When all appeared normal, she’d dozed off again. Then she’d imagined two certain men in her bed and she’d awoken. By the time morning came, she was a total mess and completely exhausted. She was pleased she hadn’t relived the attack, as she feared she would. Her face throbbed and her body ached, but her arm wasn’t in as bad of shape as she had anticipated.
> As she stepped into the living room, the aroma of bacon, eggs, and coffee teased her nostrils. She didn’t have eggs in her house. That implied one of the men had gone to the store. Wasn’t that nice? Unlike most of her friends, she’d never had a live-in boyfriend. Even if she had, she doubted he would’ve taken the time to go to shop before she woke so she’d have food.
She padded into the kitchen and found Drake at the stove, stirring the scrambled eggs.
He turned and grinned. “Good morning.”
“Is it?”
“Darlin’, didn’t you sleep well?”
She refrained from commenting on his nickname for her. “On and off. You?”
“We’re not quite like humans. We sleep hard and wake quickly. Kurt and I took turns keeping watch.”
That made her feel better. “Where is Kurt?”
“He’s getting briefed on what comes next.”
She sorted through her own plans. “I’m supposed to show that house to Bob and Mary Campbell today at 4:00 p.m.” But first she had to catch up on some work in the office. “If I do, will the place look like someone was murdered there?”
“If you’re worried about it looking like a crime scene, I assure you, it won’t.”
That was a relief. “Do you have a problem with me working today?”
“I don’t see why not.” He looked up from the frying pan. “As long as you promise not to mention what happened there to anyone.”
She swallowed. “That won’t be a hard rule to follow. I’ve already wiped my brain clean.”
He quirked a brow. “How’s that working for you?”
As much as she didn’t want to like the man any more than she already did, she fell for him a little more each time he made her laugh. “Not well, but I’m trying.”
“That a girl.”
He piled a heaping mound of eggs on two plates, leaving about a third in the pan. Then he took the bacon out of the microwave and pulled four slices of bread out of the toaster. He brought the plates to the table, where he’d already placed jam and butter.
“Were you a short order cook or something?”
“No, darlin’, not me. I just have years of practice. Come on, let’s eat.”
Years of practice? He couldn’t be much older than she was.
She pulled out a chair, sat, and dug in. Once more she enjoyed sharing a meal with him. As long as she didn’t think about poor Jeffrey, or how she’d almost been violated, she would do just fine. “Oh, shit.”
“What?”
“How am I going to explain this black eye and bruised cheek to my coworkers and my customers?”
“Can’t you put some makeup on it or something?”
He had no idea the limits of cosmetics. “I don’t have anything heavy enough.”
“There’s always the old standby. You walked into a door.” He shrugged. “Or tell them that two hot guys came over last night and, while you were having hot, sweaty sex, one of them elbowed you in the face.”
She smiled and palmed her cheek to rub it. “Don’t make me laugh.”
“Well, you can tell them you’d rather not talk about it and move on as if nothing happened.”
“I may try that.” She finished her meal and felt a lot better. As she was clearing her plate, Kurt barged into the kitchen, and her hand raced to her chest. “You scared the crap out of me.”
“Sorry.”
Drake’s cheer seemed to evaporate. He placed his plate in the sink and walked over to his partner. “What did the general say?”
“I’m off the case.”
Her heart spun. Did that mean two different men would be her bodyguards? She liked these two and felt comfortable around them. She embraced Drake’s ability to make her laugh.
“Who’s going to be in charge, then?” she asked.
“Clay and Dirk.”
She remembered them from the party. They seemed nice enough.
Drake nodded. “What’s your next move?”
Kurt shrugged. “Well, I’m not sitting with my thumb up my ass, waiting for Mendez to strike down someone else.”
She appreciated his attitude. “So you’re investigating behind your boss’s back?”
“Fucking A. It’s my brother he murdered. I want that son-of-a-bitch Mendez as much as you want him.”
She liked that he had a personal stake in this case, and she appreciated the way he included her feelings. Too bad the circumstances sucked.
“Come have some breakfast.”
She hoped once Kurt found out she wanted to show the house, he wouldn’t forbid her from doing her job.
* * *
Chelsea found it a little strange having Drake with her when she brought clients through the homes, but at least she wasn’t looking over her shoulder thinking some evil werewolf would be there, ready to take her down. Drake suggested she explain to her clients he was in training. Given his combat boots, worn jeans and pullover sweater, which he claimed was his dress attire, she wasn’t sure many of the potential buyers would believe her.
On a positive note, Drake made insightful comments about the quality of the home and what potential upgrades could be made. When she’d brought the Campbells back to the house, she found it hard not to walk past the area where Jeffrey had been slain and remember what he looked like lying there.
When they asked to see the yard, Drake offered to take them around. For that, she’d be forever indebted to him. The Campbells seemed interested, but they wanted to view a few more homes before making a decision. By the time she and Drake returned to her house, it was close to five.
He placed a hand on her arm. “Mind if I check out the place first?”
She appreciated his conscientiousness. “Be my guest.” She handed him the key.
While he was inside, she glanced around the neighborhood. Fortunately, nothing looked out of place, but would she notice a wolf hiding behind a bush if he were there? Goose bumps raced up her spine.
He stepped out on the porch. “You’re good.”
Having Drake around made her more comfortable. She snapped her fingers. “We should have gone to the grocery store.” Kurt didn’t want them going out to a restaurant.
“I can call Kurt. He can pick up something on the way here. What do you want?”
“Could he pick up stuff to make spaghetti and meatballs? And maybe some veggies, too?” Spaghetti was a meal that didn’t require much effort to prepare.
He grinned. “You got it, darlin’.”
His endearment didn’t bother her anymore. Her fondness for him grew the more time she spent with him. “Mind if I take a little nap before dinner? This poison stuff is kicking my ass.”
He chuckled. “Go for it.”
As soon as she reached her room, she kicked off her shoes and suit and pulled on lightweight sweats and a heavy T-shirt. When she crawled into bed, she groaned at the luxury of the cool sheets and warm blanket.
“Chelsea?”
She jerked awake. Drake stood over her. The T-shirt molded to his body and showed off his many muscles. Although he’d shaved this morning before the showing, his stubble had grown back, giving him that rugged look she found so appealing.
“I guess I fell asleep.” She rubbed her eyes.
“Bed looks comfortable.”
You want to join me?
The rich smell of spaghetti sauce reached her and pulled her from her fantasy. “Dinner’s ready?” She twisted to pull the comforter back, and her arm twinged.
“Yes.”
When he turned and left, her stomach swirled. Oh boy. If they didn’t catch Mendez soon, she might jump into bed with a werewolf. Before she reached the door, her cell vibrated on her nightstand, and she picked it up. A full-blown smile crossed her face for the first time in days.
“Hey, girlfriend.”
“Oh, my God. Why didn’t you call me?” Liz sounded just like Chelsea had when she’d found out about the attempt on Liz’s life.
“I’m still in a fog.”
“They said you were attacked and shot—that he tried—but he didn’t—”
“No. He didn’t. Kurt and Drake arrived in time to scare him off.”
“I need the deets. Now!”
She loved Liz. The girl cut to the chase. “Drake just made us dinner and it’s ready. Can I call you back after we finish?”
“Sure.” There was a long pause. “So, how do you like them?”
“They seem like excellent bodyguards.”
“You know I didn’t mean that way.”
Right now she wasn’t ready to talk about having sex with them. “I gotta go.”
Liz laughed. “You better call me.”
“I will.”
She disconnected the call and ducked into the bathroom to make sure her hair wasn’t all tangled. Naturally, it was. She ran a brush through her long strands to smooth them out, and then decided she looked like a blue whale in her casual gear. She changed into a black lace push up bra and a V-neck pullover that conformed to her body.
I so want to impress them.
“Do not.”
“Chelsea, you coming?” This time it was Kurt who called.
“Be right there.”
Feeling refreshed, she headed out for another night of waiting. The table was set and they had the food ready. A girl could get used to this service. Kurt had even clicked off the overhead lights and lit candles. The glow filled the room with warmth.
Her mouth opened before her brain registered. “Are you trying to seduce me?” Shut up, Chelsea.
Drake pulled out her chair. “Is it working?”
“No, but the thought is nice.” Liar, liar.
“Drake!” Kurt shot him a look she couldn’t quite decipher, but it appeared to be one of frustration.
Drake ignored him. “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
Her mom always said that. She probably should call her, though relaying what happened would be hard even if she left out the werewolf part.
Both men dug in and she did, too. “This is amazing.”