Empowered [Sexual Magic 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Jennifer August

  “Look,” he whispered.

  He knew the instant they saw what he saw.

  Madelyn cried out and Noah issued a vicious curse.

  Krista was slumped against the trunk of a tree, right hand pressed to her left shoulder. Ralston stood over her, two guns in his hands. He tucked one in his holster and motioned them forward.

  As they rose and approached, Krista thrashed on the ground. “No,” she whimpered. “Not like this.”

  “Is this the woman who shot Natalie?” Ralston asked Madelyn.

  “Yes,” she said, voice firm. “She killed her and then kidnapped me.”

  Ralston nodded and looked at Krista’s gun. He pulled latex gloves from his pocket and picked it up. He removed the four remaining bullets, ejected the chamber round, and then slipped the weapon into a plastic evidence bag.

  “I didn’t do anything,” Krista snarled, trying to stand.

  Noah lurched forward, and Gabriel caught his arm. “Let the authorities handle this.”

  He felt the fury and tension riding Noah and wondered if he’d have to physically restrain him.

  Ralston helped Krista to her feet and, with one hand wrapped on her upper arm, directed her down the path. “The magistrate will decide punishment.”

  Noah and Gabriel both converged on Madelyn, shoving her behind them as the man led Krista past.

  “Madelyn, don’t let them do this to me,” she pleaded, craning her neck.

  “Go to hell,” Madelyn whispered softly.

  When the cop had his prisoner a safe distance ahead, Gabriel stepped aside and really looked at Madelyn.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  Noah, too, had moved aside and was stroking her cheek. His fingers trembled and he breathed harshly.

  Madelyn captured his fingers in her hand and pressed his palm to her cheek. “I’m fine, chéri. She did not hurt me. I swear.”

  “Are you coming?” Ralston called from the end of the path.

  Gabriel turned away, loathe to interrupt their tender moment, but found himself jerked back by a strong hand.

  He landed hard against Noah’s chest. Then Madelyn’s arms wrapped around him, and he heard her sigh.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you both for finding me.”

  Noah squeezed and Gabriel grunted at the strong hug.

  “You found us, Madelyn,” Noah said. He let go and stepped back, planted his hands on his hips, and stared at them both. “When I think of what almost happened, it turns my stomach.”

  “But nothing really happened to me,” she soothed. “Come on, the constable is waiting, and Krista needs medical care.”

  “Tough shit,” Gabriel muttered.

  Noah clapped him on the back. “My thoughts exactly.”

  Madelyn pushed through them and headed for Ralston. “Come along, you two, I’m sure we’ll have a lot of paperwork to fill out.”

  * * * *

  Four hours and a never-ending supply of coffee later, Ralston finally allowed them to leave police headquarters.

  Noah herded Madelyn and Gabriel into the hotel. Mario was working the desk, and he smothered a groan.

  “Good evening, Mr. Bishop,” the clerk said, face tight. “I apologize for the disturbance in your room.” His Adam’s apple bobbed on the apology. “We are, of course, happy to offer a discount for your stay.”

  Noah waved his hand. “Not necessary.” He only wanted to go upstairs, take a hot shower, and fall into bed and hold Madelyn all night long. He needed to listen to her breathe as she slept and make sure she was safe.

  Most of all, Noah needed to figure out how to tell her he was leaving.

  Hot flashes ran through his veins, and tears stung his eyes. “We’ll be checking out in the morning,” he said hoarsely then cleared his throat. “Please have a car waiting to take us to the ferry.”

  He looked at Gabriel, saw the contemplative frown on his face, and shook his head. “Let’s go upstairs,” he said.

  “Mr. Bishop,” the clerk said. “You can’t go up there. The room is still sealed from earlier. But,” he hastened to add when Noah glowered. “We were able to retrieve your belongings from your room and move them to another suite.” He held up a key card.

  Noah didn’t give a damn where they were as long as he could collapse in the next ten minutes.

  “Thanks,” he said and took the card from the clerk.

  “You’re in the penthouse suite. Top floor, so you’ll need this.” He handed over another silver card. “Swipe this when you get in the elevator, then press the button marked ‘P’.”

  Noah nodded again. He shepherded them down the hallway and into the elevator. Gabriel settled against the mirrored wall with a grim look. Madelyn swayed before she leaned against Gabriel’s shoulder and closed her eyes.

  Noah followed the clerk’s instructions. The car swooped silently up the shaft until they reached their floor. The doors opened to a luxurious cream carpet, tasteful, muted coral walls, and subtle lighting dotting the walls. Two doors were at either end of the long hallway.

  “Which one?” Madelyn asked.

  Noah checked the card, but it had no markings. “Hell, I don’t know.”

  Gabriel sighed, hands shoved in his pockets and looking sheepish. “Left.”

  “How do you know that?” Noah asked.

  Gabriel’s smile was wide and boyish. “Cause the other one is mine.”

  He shook his head. “Should have known.” He headed down the left hallway. “First class all the way, eh, Fleming?”

  “Damn straight,” he replied. “Why settle for second best when you don’t have to? I think you’ll like the suite. It’s very impressive.”

  “I don’t care as long as I can sit down and have some wine,” Madelyn muttered.

  Noah glanced at her. Her pale skin was ashen and wan. Dark circles smudged the hollows beneath her eyes, and she sported a new set of lines bracketing her beautiful mouth.

  His poor baby was tired as hell.

  Not surprising, considering she’d gone through hell.

  “One more minute, Maddie,” he said. Inserting the key, he waited for the green light and then pushed the door open.

  Stepping aside, he ushered them in then hung the “Do Not Disturb” placard on the knob, shut the door, and flipped the dead bolt.

  “Wow, this is pretty stellar,” she said.

  She stood at the edge of the small foyer, one shoulder propped against the wall. He grabbed her hand and tugged her into the living room. “Yeah, it’s all right.”

  Gabriel laughed as he plopped onto the luxurious brown microsuede sofa. “King of the understatements,” he ribbed.

  Noah settled Madelyn on the couch next to Gabriel.

  She craned her neck up, her hand held out. “Aren’t you going to join us?”

  “Nah,” he said. “I’m going to get in the shower. Unless you want to go first?”

  She shook her head, curled her legs beneath her, and leaned into Gabriel. “Non, mon coeur. Après tu.”

  His heart pinched at their easy cuddling. Gabriel’s arms looped around her, his thumb stroking lightly along her bare arm. Gabriel would take good care of her.

  “I’ll be out shortly.” He headed for the bathroom and opened the shower door. He gave a cursory glance at the inside and then stopped short. His gaze roamed the tiled walls and the multitude of showerheads sprouting from them. Every wall held at least four heads at various heights.

  Madelyn was going to love this.

  The thought tugged a grin from him. He reached in and twisted the knob, heading more for hot than cold. He needed the heat to help release some of the tension. If that was even possible.

  Steam billowed in the enclosed shower, and he shucked his clothes then stepped inside.

  “Ah,” he groaned in appreciation as water rained down on him from every direction.

  He figured out in quick order that some of the heads were turned to a harder, more massaging volume, and he made sur
e they pounded along his back and shoulders. As he stood under the spray, he closed his eyes and thought of Madelyn. He thought of the years they’d spent together and the things they’d learned about each other.

  His heart ached at the thought of leaving her. She’d been his own sweet love, the light of his soul for so long. He didn’t know if he could survive without her.

  If he even wanted to.

  He grabbed the tiny bar of hotel soap, peeled off the wrapper, and scrubbed hard at his chest and abdomen.

  Madelyn.

  His throat thickened, and he bowed his head, forcing away useless tears.

  The choice was hers. Had always been hers. If she wanted Gabriel, and he knew her well enough to know she did, he would walk away. It was all he could do.

  Staying and watching them love each other, knowing how she gave her heart fully but no longer to him, would kill him by inches.

  Noah shut down his mind, shoving away the pain that beckoned. He finished washing, ran the soap through his hair, and rinsed it out.

  Shutting off the tap, he opened the door, grabbed a towel, and roughly scoured himself dry.

  No sounds came from the living room. Maybe Gabriel had coaxed her into bed already. He was the kind of considerate guy who would do that. He’d shown gentleness time and again.

  A trait he’d never quite mastered.

  Wrapping the towel around his waist, he opened the door and walked across the cool tiled floor to the kitchen area.

  “Noah?” Madelyn’s soft voice stopped him as he opened the fridge.

  “Yes, love?”

  “Is there any wine in there?”

  He checked and found three bottles. “Red, white, and blush. Which would you like?”

  “Blush, please.”

  “Gabriel, you want anything? There’s beer, soda, and water.”

  “Water, please.”

  Noah bent and his towel slipped. He caught it, readjusted it then assembled the drinks. When he made it to the living room, Madelyn patted the cushion next to her. He set the drinks down on the table.

  “Sit by me, mon coeur. I need to feel you beside me.”

  His mouth went dry.

  “I’m right here, love.”

  She snuggled into his side, her palm covering his chest. She looked up at him. “Noah, I love you.”

  He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. God, how he loved hearing those words.

  “I love you, too, Maddie.”

  Her eyes were wide and filled with tenderness. She stroked his jaw then held her other hand out to Gabriel. “Come here,” she ordered.

  Noah smiled at her imperial tone but said nothing.

  Gabriel scooted closer, his hand settled on her thigh.

  She sighed, her sweet breath wafting warmly over Noah.

  “I want to talk to you both.”

  He froze. He could feel the tension spring up in Gabriel, too.

  “You’ve been through a lot, Maddie,” Noah said. “This isn’t the best time for talking. We should get you into bed so you can rest and recuperate.”

  She frowned and shook her head. “No. Now is the perfect time. When I was holed up with that madwoman, I knew I had to tell you this.”

  “You don’t have to say anything,” he rasped. He withdrew his hand and started to rise, but she held him down, her grip strong and sure.

  “I do, mon coeur. It is most important.”

  Reluctantly, he settled back to the couch, wishing he’d grabbed a beer instead of water. Screw that, he wished he had some twelve-year-old Scotch to toss back right about now.

  “Noah, you know how much I adore you. How you’ve been everything to me these last ten years.”

  He nodded, incapable of speaking, fearing his voice would crack and reveal his weakness.

  “Your mastery of my body, my emotions, my soul makes me very happy. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  She turned to Gabriel. “You are so different. I’ve experienced things with you that take my breath away.”

  Noah closed his eyes.

  “Where Noah is demanding, commanding, you are gentle and instructive. He rains blows upon my body, finds all my touch points, and exploits them with ruthless passion. You touch me with firm hands, lash me with such reserve and tenderness.”

  “Maddie,” Noah said, but she shushed him.

  “Gabriel, I have so enjoyed our time together.”

  Noah’s eyes opened slowly, and he looked at the couple.

  Gabriel’s face held the same guardedness he felt inside. “I’ve enjoyed it, too, Madelyn. I’ve never know anyone like you.” He met Noah’s gaze. “Like either of you.” He gave a self-deprecating smile. “I’ve never been one to have a lot of guy friends.”

  “Why not? You’re a likable enough guy,” Noah said.

  “Gee, thanks.” Gabriel shrugged. “When I was a kid, I was more interested in electronics and taking stuff apart then putting it back together. In junior and high school, I hung out with the other geeks, but my passion shifted toward making money. When I got to college, I figured out how to marry technology and income.” He shook his head, lips turned up in a small smile. “When you’re scrambling to the top of the heap, you make more enemies than friends.”

  “What about baseball? Didn’t you hang out with those guys?”

  “Nah. I was a stats geek, not a player. Too small, too slow, too blind.”

  “Blind?” Madelyn asked.

  “Horrible eyes. Had laser surgery years ago.” His hand slipped up and down her leg. “Why don’t you tell us what this is about, Madelyn?”

  She smiled and caught his hand in hers and then snared Noah’s and settled it atop their joined hands. “Gabriel, I love Noah, it’s very true. Can’t imagine life without him.”

  Noah’s heart started again in a rush of blood and joy. He squeezed her hand.

  “Moi, aussi.”

  “I always knew that, Madelyn.” Gabriel’s voice held a tense note.

  “But,” she said. “I have come to love you, too. You make me feel small and cherished and safe.”

  Noah stilled, looked at her, then Gabriel, then back to her. “What are you saying?”

  “You love me?” Gabriel asked at the same time.

  “Yes, I do,” she said, clearly exasperated. “Both of you. I love both of you. I know how Noah feels about me, the question is, how do you?”

  “Why?”

  She blinked. “Pardon?”

  “Why do you want to know how I feel? What’s behind the question?” He shifted his hand from under hers and rose, looking down at them. “I won’t be the one responsible for breaking you and Noah up. You love each other too much.”

  “Merde alors! Who said anything about breaking us up?” She took a deep breath and her fingers dug hard into Noah’s palm. He could feel the nervous tremors wracking her body. “I want it all. I want you both.”

  Noah stared, uncertain he’d just heard her correctly. “Did you just…?”

  She clenched her hand tighter and he fell silent. He would let her run this strange, unbelievable conversation for a while.

  “So, you see, I need to know how you feel about me. And about Noah.”

  “I sure as hell am not in love with him,” Gabriel drawled, eyes glittering.

  Noah chuckled. “Up yours, man.”

  “No, thank you. Exit only.” Gabriel looked down at Madelyn. “You, however, are something very special. A treasure meant for someone much worthier than me.”

  “Bullshit,” she said bluntly.

  His brow lifted and he grinned. “Point well taken. All right, Maddie, you want the truth?”

  “Yes.”

  “Incredible as it sounds, in four days, I have fallen head over heels for you. I think about your laugh, your smile, the way your emotions twinkle in your beautiful eyes and my heart swells. I was dreading the day we had to part because I knew my love belonged to you and you alone.”

  “Oh my,” she whispered.

>   Noah slipped his hand out and put his arm around her, hugging her close. He kissed her head.

  “As for you, Noah, you’re one of a kind. A gruff pain in the ass, but you’re a hell of a guy.” Gabriel looked sheepish. “I guess you’d say I kind of think we have a good bromance going on.”

  Noah couldn’t contain the happy laughter filling his every pore. He grinned up at Gabriel. “So, yes or no?”

  “I’m afraid I still don’t understand the question.”

  Noah looked down at Madelyn. His heart filled with tender happiness. “We want to know if you’ll be our partner, form a life triad. Share our lives, share Madelyn with me.”

  Light sprang into his eyes and he dropped down to face level with them. “Really? You want me to stay?”

  Madelyn cupped his cheek. “Oui, forever.”

  He closed his eyes for a long moment, and Noah found himself holding his breath.

  Then, he looked up again, and all the love and happiness he felt shone from his hazel gaze. “Yes,” he said hoarsely. He wrapped them both in a tight hug. “Yes, I’ll stay.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “I’m glad Krista is getting the help she needs,” Madelyn said and tossed the communiqué from Constable Ralston on Clarissa’s wide desk. “She might have killed Natalie and Oscar, but she’s dealing with a much greater sickness.”

  “Let’s hope the damn mental institution is as secure and as good as they claim it is,” Noah said gruffly.

  “I have every assurance that she will neither escape nor be released,” Clarissa said smoothly. She steepled her fingers and stared at them. “Good work with Mr. Fleming. I’m very pleased with the ideas and systems he’s already put in place.” A smile touched her eyes, and she tipped her head. “How are you adjusting to being a triad?”

  “Very well,” Noah said. “He’s a great guy. Doesn’t know beans about baseball, but no one’s perfect.”

  Madelyn chuckled, reached over, and squeezed his hand.

  “I must say, Noah, you look much more…approachable.”

  “Hey, I’ve always been easy to get along with,” he protested.

  Madelyn laughed. “Not so, mon coeur. You’re a bear. A big, growly bear.” She rose and cupped his face, the urge to kiss him so strong it took her breath away. She didn’t even care that Clarissa watched.