Falling for Shifters: A Limited Edition Autumn Shifters Collection

by Lacey Carter Andersen

  “Wait.” Ryan stepped forward. “What are you talking about? What happened?” His blood began to heat; if he didn’t calm down, he’d change right here and the doctor’s blood would coat these white walls and ceiling.

  “Sorry, I thought you knew.” The doctor paled and swallowed, his heartbeat speeding up like a frightened rabbit. Ryan could feel it. “H-he was in a motorcycle accident. We had to amputate below the knee. With rehabilitation and pain medication, he should be ready to leave the hospital in two to three weeks. Our main concern now is his coma and infection at the incision site. We are doing everything we can to make him comfortable and we hope he will rouse soon.”

  Coma? Amputation? Ryan’s legs felt glued to the floor. Why had his brother insisted on riding fate? His manager loved pushing his brother to do these off-season stunts to stay in the limelight and now look where it had gotten him.

  The doctor’s shoes squeaked across the vinyl flooring as he left. “We’ll keep you posted, Mr. Taylor. In the meantime, get some rest.”

  Easy for him to say. He didn’t have a wolf beating against his flesh and bones for blood.

  “Hey, you okay?” Jessica poked her head into the room.

  “No.” His brother would never be the same. Never play the sport they both loved again. Why hadn’t he been more forceful with his brother and insist he stopped the dangerous daredevil acts? For months, his brother had begged him to tell him what new regimen of vitamins and training he’d switched to. But he hadn’t desired this for his brother. Now, though, the idea that it could make his brother whole with a bite… and awaken, made Ryan clench his fists.

  How would his brother react to the truth? With terror and loathing? Or acceptance? Not knowing the answer to that question had caused Ryan to hide his secret. Now, if he had taken a chance, would his brother be lying unconscious in a hospital bed with half his leg gone?

  God help Mills, ‘cause when he caught the guy, he was going to kill him.

  Chapter Five

  Jessica

  An air of danger permeated from Ryan, chilling Jessica. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop about Ryan’s brother, but the acoustics had provided her with most of the details. Ryan looked ashen, yet the anger vibe off him was tangible, like if she got too close, she’d feel heat baking her skin.

  “Come on.” She adjusted her purse strap over her shoulder. “Visiting hours are over and you need to eat something.” Her stomach growled and she gave him a small smile.

  “Right.” He rumbled, but even though he softened his words, it didn’t take away the intensity. “But I’m coming back here later.”

  She didn’t doubt it. The guy would probably handcuff himself to his brother if he was able to. For now, though, he’d have to wait until morning to see his brother. Ryan walked slightly in front of her with his hands in his front pockets. Everyone they encountered on the way outside gave him a wide berth. She couldn’t blame them. With his shoulders hunched forward and his steel-gray blue glares, she’d fought the urge herself to back up a few feet. He reminded her of a stray dog she’d come across once in fifth grade. It didn’t cower like others she’d discovered, the dog had snarled and bristled at her approach. Its fur had been matted from bites and dried blood. It had been used in dog fights and she had to be kind but firm with it. Don was with her parents now in heaven. Last year, he’d gone peacefully in his sleep and she’d balled her eyes out for weeks.

  Outside the hospital, Ryan marched to her rental car and slid inside when she unlocked the doors. “So, any preference as to where you want to eat?”

  “No. I’m not hungry.”

  Like hell he wasn’t. She was starving and pretty sure if she put a steak in front of him, he’d inhale it. Don was the same way, not eating for almost a full day even though his ribs showed.

  “Okay. I’m new here, so if we pull into a horrible place, it’s your fault.”

  He let out a chuckle. “Fine. Euro is always a good choice if you don’t mind fancy French food.”

  “Sounds good.” She punched in the name of the restaurant into the GPS on her phone and followed the directions. Part of her wanted to have Ryan open up to her and tell her about his brother and what the doctor had said, but she didn’t want to pry. It was bad enough she already knew what had happened. Ryan would talk when and if he was ready.

  She pulled up next to a white building with white tables and umbrellas that glowed in the moonlight and lights that were strung across the outside patio.

  A valet opened her door and handed her a ticket. Damn, this place looked expensive. There went her dream of a big dinner, better to stick with an appetizer or small salad. Or, if she was ruthless, she could expense this as schmoozing Ryan to get him to open up for her interview. She bit her lip as Ryan led her inside.

  Candles flickered on the tables and soft violin music drifted overhead. White table clothes covered tables spread through the restaurant. A garcon led them to a cozy table for two near one of the windows. New Zealand’s night sky twinkled in the distance.

  Jessica peered over the menu. Where were the prices? Shoot! Looks like a glass of water was the only thing in her budget. Until she got the reporter job, she couldn’t justify expensing her meals, even if she was with Ryan for an in-depth interview.

  “I can’t think about anything but my brother.” Ryan set the menu aside without a glance.

  With what she hoped was a sympathetic smile, she tapped his menu. “I know it’s hard, but you have to eat something. Wouldn’t your brother want you to keep up your strength?”

  “What are you getting?” He lifted his chin.

  “Water.” She leaned back. “Do they serve rolls here?” All her frequented non-fast food places did. Sometimes that was her meal… water and free bread.

  “Yes, but I thought you were hungry.” He raised an eyebrow and glanced down at her stomach, which let out a gurgle. “I think part of you agrees with me. Order whatever you want. I’ll have the blue oysters.”

  Well, she could splurge once for this trip, right? Maddy, her best friend, would be so envious. “All right then. I’ll have the filet mignon and salmon plate.”

  He nodded. When their waiter stopped by to take their orders, Ryan gave him both their requests and added a bottle of wine.

  When the server left, Jessica scooped up a piece of French bread and dipped it into the silver cup of whipped butter. “Thanks, but I could’ve ordered myself.”

  “It’s faster this way. Besides, I didn’t want you chickening out and not getting anything.” He shrugged. “I think your stomach would eat me if we don’t get you food soon. And something more substantial than bread and water.”

  “Right, what would the tabloids say? But really, I’ll be fine.” Done many meals with less before.

  “And have them think that Ryan Taylor is cheap and can’t take a gorgeous woman out for real food?” His eyes pinched at the edges.

  He must still be worried about his brother. Maybe she could cheer him up a bit. “True.” She popped the bread in her mouth, loving the salty flavor melting in her mouth. “Though if you want a really good review, you might have to splurge for dessert and coffee too.”

  His crooked smile made her breath catch. “The night’s still young.”

  “I don’t know, I’ve got expensive taste.” Oh my God, I’m flirting with Ryan Taylor! A week ago, anyone who’d told her she’d be here now and sitting across from this tall muscular bad boy, she’d have never believed them.

  “Well, then you’re in good hands.”

  The waiter brought the wine and poured the crimson liquid into crystal goblets. Jessica took a sip and it was tangy and dry, coating her tongue in a smooth aftertaste.

  Ryan watched her over the rim of his drink, then set his glass down. “So help me get my mind on something else besides hospitals for the moment. Tell me about yourself.”

  “Me?” She fiddled with the edge of her napkin. “Not much to tell. Folks passed away a few years ago. One from dementia and
the other a heart attack within eighteen months of each other.”

  Like most people, she watched his expression change from concern to pondering.

  “I was an only child. Took them thirty-six years to conceive me and then I was a surprise.” She’d never forget her mom weeping when her first-grade teacher asked why her mother didn’t come to the class play with her grandmother. While all of her friends had had young mothers, Jessica spent her high school years taking care of her folks. By then, her parents were in their sixties.

  “Lucky. Mine more trouble than he’s worth sometimes.” His tone was mingled with teasing and regret as his hands fisted on the table. “This should’ve never happened. I-I could’ve prevented this somehow. Convinced him to stop being a daredevil… something.”

  She placed her hand over his on the table. “Don’t blame yourself. All you can do is be there for him now.” Drat, she didn’t want to admit she knew what was going on with Kevin. “What did the doctor say?”

  When his face twisted into a grimace, she withdrew her hand. “Sorry, you don’t have to talk about it.”

  “They chopped off his goddamn leg!” He rubbed his face. “And he’s in a coma. They don’t know when he’ll wake up.” His fist slammed down on the table and she flinched, along with half the people near him. “And they won’t let me see him.”

  Her heart hammered in her chest, guessing that he was reaching his breaking point now. She’d done the same after her mom died. A mail courier had asked her to sign for a package, but his pen had been dried out. Jessica had ranted at him until the man had dropped the package and run. Seconds later, she’d felt horrible for her actions. But she’d kept everything bottled up until then.

  An idea hit her and she leaned forward, whispering, “Then we’ll just have to sneak you into his room.”

  Chapter Six

  Ryan

  The woman had balls, Ryan had to give Jessica that. Still, he debated his options. The doctor’s face had been grim. Breaking in to see his brother might get him arrested for trespassing. He couldn’t be in jail. The full moon was just days away. So close he could feel its baying call, just under his pulse. Soon he wouldn’t be able to hold off his transformations. He and all his men would shift and roam the woods. Howling and hunting.

  But he had to see Kevin. His bite could heal him… bring him back.

  Quietly, they tiptoed through the parking lot. She removed her broken shoe, then limped toward the emergency room doors.

  “What are you doing?” He grasped her elbow. The security cameras would pick her up long before the nurses and doctors inside did and, by his guess, they’d be in range soon.

  At his touch on her arm, her body heat rose under his hand, bringing out the scent of rose and apple.

  “Trust me. If we get caught, pretend you’re my boyfriend and, when I wink, you’ll excuse yourself to the bathroom and conveniently get lost.”

  And how was he going to get past security to reach his brother’s floor? The hospital had bathrooms for visitors and intensive care had badge restrictions. A nurse or doctor would have to buzz him inside. Wandering the corridors wouldn’t bring him closer to his brother. He had to see him. Know that he was okay, despite his amputation. Maybe he could talk to him. It might induce him out of his coma.

  Leaning heavily against him, she bit her lip, her brow pinched. Hell, she nearly convinced him she really had hurt her leg.

  The hospital doors swung open automatically and Jessica hobbled even more, a painful moan escaping her lips as they entered the lobby.

  “Take me to the check-in desk,” she whispered and inclined her head to the young man sitting behind a computer.

  “I need a doctor.” She pressed her elbow on the counter. “Is this where we sign in?” Her breath grew raspy and even her cheeks colored. Was it from embarrassment or exertion of attempting to appear injured? Damn, she was convincing.

  “Y-yes miss.” The young man rose, then handed her a clipboard. “Just fill this out and someone will be with you shortly.”

  “Okay.” She forced a smile, then pressed her hand to her head. “Oh God, everything’s going dar—”

  Before Ryan realized what she was doing, she fell. His werewolf speed was the only thing that kept her from smashing the back of her head on the counter and then the floor. He caught her in his arms, her head lolling to the side.

  “Help me. She’s fainted.” Give the lady an Oscar, maybe she’d missed her calling as an actress and should change her profession.

  “Did she hit her head? I mean before you and she came here?” The man frowned as he looked down on her.

  “Do you have an examination room or something where I can lay her down?” Ryan tilted his head to the waiting room behind him filled with other patients. Guilt gripped him at seeing a young boy with rags covering his bleeding arm while his mother held his squirming infant sister. “Somewhere we can wait until it’s our turn?”

  “Certainly.” He waved his ID badge at the card reader in front of a set of doors, then gestured. “This way.”

  Ryan followed the man down a hallway, then into a room with several beds, many already occupied, separated by thin curtains.

  “Someone will be with you shortly. In the meantime, please fill out these forms.” He handed Ryan the clipboard.

  As soon as he left, Jessica whispered, “Close the curtain.”

  With one hand, he did so, then handed her the forms. “How far are you going to take this?”

  “Doesn’t matter. I can give you probably an hour before they realize nothing’s wrong with me.” She set the tables on the small chair beside the bed.

  “All right, we’ve gotten this far, but how are we going to get to the fourth floor and ICU? A strained ankle isn’t going to buy me a ticket to bypass security.” He paced. Hell, he wanted to punch something. Let them try and keep him from checking on his brother. When fists didn’t work, he was certain his wolf teeth would do the job.

  “Ye of little faith.”

  He raked a hand through his hair and turned at the sound of footsteps approaching. “Showtime,” he whispered over his shoulder.

  The bed squeaked as she lay back down.

  “Evening.” A man in scrubs and a white jacket pulled the curtain back. “I’m Doctor Philips. The patient passed out?” He moved forward, pulling out his stethoscope. “What happened? Was there an accident?”

  Damn, Ryan hated lying. But ever since the werewolf bites, that was all he and his team had been doing to cover the truth. This time, it wasn’t for selfish reasons, not entirely. It was for his brother. “Yes. She fell going down cement steps and hit her head. We didn’t think anything of it as she said only her ankle hurt.” As if confirming his story, her heels, one broken, were at the foot of the hospital bed on top of a blanket.

  “I see.” The doctor stopped listening to her heart and breathing, then lifted her eyelid as he shined a penlight into them.

  Jessica didn’t even flinch.

  “We need to do an MRI. Make sure she’s not suffering from a concussion.” He straightened. “Are you family?”

  “No. Yes. We’re dating.” And he was going to take her out after this, just for the effort, she’d demonstrated to get him here.

  They were further inside the hospital then he would’ve been on his own, if he’d simply marched up to the visitor’s desk and demanded to see Kevin. Too bad he wasn’t a vampire, then he could change into a bat or fog and wisp through security on his own. But a six-foot-five wolf prowling down the corridors might bring screams - and animal control. Would he remain a wolf if shot with a tranquilizer? He didn’t know, but he sure as hell wasn’t gonna try and find out.

  “I’ll have someone from radiology come in a few moments and scan her head and her ankle.”

  “Thank you,” Ryan said against the dry lump pressing into his throat. Once the doctor left, Ryan leaned over Jessica. “Now what?”

  She rose, her forehead bonking his. “Ow. Man, your head is hard.”
She rubbed the red spot over her brow. “Take this and go.”

  She pressed a piece of plastic into his palm. He glanced down at it, then met her gaze and she winked. It was the doctor’s badge. How had she managed to get it off him?

  “Go. I’ll meet you in the lobby in about an hour.” She lay back down and feigned being unconscious as a nurse bustled around the corner.

  “Just got to take her vitals.”

  “Sure.” He pocketed the badge into his back pocket. “I’ll be right back. Gotta let everyone know what happened.”

  Without answering him, the nurse waved him on.

  He owed Jessica big time for this. Maybe he’d judged her wrong by assuming she was merely after a story. Then again, him breaking into a hospital after hours would make a great headline, but she couldn’t expose him without condemning herself.

  At the first doorway, Ryan slid out the doctor’s ID card and the door buzzed open. He poked his head inside. It was quiet, except for a nurse on the phone at the desk. Good thing it’s after hours, otherwise, the place would be teeming with nurses. He snuck inside and around the corner, letting out a breath when the woman’s voice about needing a cleanup in room five filtered down the hallway to him. So far, so good.

  If he was caught, all they’d do would be toss him out. But he wouldn’t be able to leave the hospital grounds, not before checking on his brother.

  At a crossroads of two corridors heading in different directions, he checked the you-are-here map beside the elevator. ICU was at the other end of the building. Nothing he could do about it now except go up and then over. He’d have to cut through the maternity ward, but that shouldn’t matter.

  Inside the elevator, he hit the fourth-floor button, then stepped out when it dinged. A doctor in scrubs frowned as he hurried forward.

  “Hold the door.”