by Beverly Rae
He laughed, a cruel sound. “What’re you going to do if I don’t?” A sneer lifted the corner of his mouth. “I don’t see no phone. How’re you gonna call for help?”
“She doesn’t have to. Help is already here.”
Max stood in her doorway, his thumbs hooked in the pockets of his jeans. He seemed calm, almost serene as he took in the broken door and the hulk of a man.
Relief washed over her. “Thank God,” she whispered.
He moved so fast she wasn’t sure she hadn’t imagined it. In less than a second, Max had Carl by the throat, holding him off the ground. The big man’s feet dangled in the air and his arms flailed. Soon, however, the brute struck out, hitting Max in the head.
Growling, Max tossed Carl away from him. The man landed on the floor, causing the lamp on a nearby table to fall and crash into pieces. Carl, stunned at first, managed to lumber to his feet and snatch the bat from Cally’s hands.
“Watch out!”
But her warning wasn’t needed as Max blocked Carl’s swing, then grabbed the bat and yanked it away. “Do you want to play ball?” Grinning, Max swung and landed a home run on Carl’s crotch.
“Argh!” Carl crumpled to the floor again, cupping his hands over his crotch and wailing in pain.
Max twirled the bat like a baton. “What? Already finished playing, big guy?”
Carl kept one hand over his crotch and covered his head with the other. “No. No more.”
The sound of a siren, then footsteps coming toward the house had Max and Cally turning toward the front door. Tim Bingham, the town’s newly appointed sheriff, his hand on the holster of his gun, slid to a stop and took in the carnage. “What happened here?”
Carl moaned, then rolled to his other side. Cally took the bat from Max and laid it against the piano. “This idiot broke down my door, then threatened to hurt me.”
“She’s got my wife and daughter holed up in here, sheriff.”
Tim buckled the strap back over his gun. “Is that true, Cally?”
She didn’t want to lie to the sheriff, but she couldn’t let Carl know the truth. Instead, she stared into Tim’s eyes and hoped he’d understand her silent message. “Now why would they be here?”
Tim studied her then nodded. “Uh-huh.” Turning to Max, he cocked his head to the side, disdain written on his face. “What’s your part in this? And are any of the others involved?”
Max stepped closer to Cally. “I’m just a good citizen helping out a woman in need.”
“Uh-huh.” Tim blew out a breath, reached over, and hauled Carl to his feet. “I tell you what. I’m going to take old Carl here down to the lockup and let him sleep it off. If you want to press charges, Cally, you’ll have to come down and talk to Judge Wilson in the morning.”
Cally bit her lip and wondered if she should press charges. Spending a few days behind bars would do Carl some good. But she knew his best friend, a lawyer, would have him out on bail before she even left the courthouse. Then what? Carl would be angrier than ever.
“I’ll let it go this time. But I’m going to put the bill for my new door on his tab at the hardware store.”
“Okay. It’s your choice. But if you change your mind, let me know.” Tim nodded his head and, keeping a firm grip on the big man, headed him toward the door. Suddenly, he pivoted around to glare at Max. “As for you, I think you’d better get on back to the ranch where you belong.”
Cally watched their interaction, getting the sense that the sheriff knew more than he said. Max didn’t respond and instead bent to pick up the broken lamp. Taking the hint, the sheriff muttered a curse under his breath and pushed Carl outside.
She watched Max as he cleaned up, mesmerized by the simple flexing of his arms. Granted he was as hot and sexy as any man she’d ever seen, but why did her stomach flip over every time she got close? He held an indefinable attraction for her, like chocolate to a love-starved housewife. Her mouth dried up in the same second wetness dampened her panties. She wanted to reach out to him, to snag him by his satiny, black hair and yank his mouth to hers.
Her knees still shook, but no longer from fear. Max Matheson was the sun her cold body needed, the water her parched soul yearned for.
“Why is it men always end up on the floor holding their junk whenever you’re around?”
He chuckled. “Hey, you’re the one you put the whammy on the first guy. I guess we just tend to think alike.”
I hope so. She licked her lips, ready for the kiss she longed for.
“I’ll get a man over here to fix your door. Don’t worry about it.”
She let out a long slow breath and knelt beside him, helping to pick up the pieces of the lamp. “How?”
He looked at her, his dark eyes flecked with amber, making her wonder how his eyes could change. “How what? How will he fix your door?”
“No. How did you know I was in trouble?” She inhaled, trying not to be obvious about it but hoping to get closer to smell his unique, wild scent. He smelled like sunny days, windy nights all layered with an exotic cover of barely controlled danger. Yet unlike Carl, his edge of danger made her feel safe.
He stood then carried the broken shards to a nearby trash can. Turning, he grinned at her, the ghost of a mischievous little boy oozing from his demeanor. “Oh, you know. I just happened to be in the area.”
She dumped her bits of broken porcelain into the trash after his. “Uh-huh. And this ranch of yours? Is my house on the way there?”
“Could be.” He pulled her close, and she didn’t resist. “If you take the long way around town, past Sadie’s, and a few miles out into the plains.”
Damn, but she loved how he skimmed his hand along her arm. One touch and she was a human torch. “So you’re showing up to save the day again wasn’t a coincidence, was it?”
He darted his gaze away from hers, sighed, then came back with a serious expression. “Okay, I’ll confess. I followed you home from Sadie’s.”
She leaned away from him, surprised but not upset. “You’re stalking me?” Why that didn’t bother her and, in fact, thrilled her, she didn’t know.
He grimaced then cupped her face, his thumbs caressing her cheeks. “Damn, I was worried you’d think so. But no. Well, I mean yes, I did follow you, but I’m not a stalker.”
“Your actions say otherwise.” She wanted to tease him, not just verbally, but physically, too. She arched an eyebrow. “I think maybe you need to tell me what’s on your mind. Am I right?”
His grin was back to melt her knees again. “You are.”
Again, his grin died too soon. He changes emotions faster than a magician can pull a rabbit out of his hat. “Then get on with it.”
“I wanted to apologize to you.”
“You mean for the way you acted at the bar?” Not that it mattered any longer. After all, who could stay mad at a hero?
“Yeah. I was”—he shifted on his feet—“jealous.”
She’d assumed as much, but decided to drag it out of him. “You were jealous? Of what?”
He brushed her hair back, his expression open, even vulnerable. “I was jealous of you going out with another guy.”
“I never said I had a date.”
He jerked back, intent on studying her as though he wasn’t sure what she’d said. “But you said you had to leave. You said you had a commitment that you wouldn’t break to be with me.”
“Uh-huh. So?”
“Are you telling me you didn’t have a date?”
She laughed, then shook her head. “No. I didn’t. You assumed that’s what I meant.”
“Then what gives? What commitment did you have that you couldn’t break?”
She pushed away, a blush flaring heat to her face. “Oh, my God. How could I forget?” Whirling around, she dashed through the kitchen to the closed door on the other side of the tiny room with Max on her heels.
“Cally, what’s wrong?”
She didn’t bother to answer, instead knocking on the door. “Le
na? Lena, it’s okay. Carl’s gone. You can come out now.”
As the door opened, she spun on her heel and made a face at him. “I can’t believe I forgot they were in here.”
He slid his gaze between her and the door, a knowing expression filling his face. “So this is why I couldn’t come here. You were protecting someone. Shit, Cally, I wish you’d told me. I could’ve helped.”
“You did.”
A timid Lena and teary-eyed Brittany peeked into the kitchen then stopped as they spotted him.
“No, no. It’s okay.” Cally took Lena’s hand and urged her to come out. “This is Max. He won’t hurt you, and Carl is gone.”
Lena moaned, letting go of her child and slumping forward. Max caught her seconds before she would’ve hit the floor. Brittany clung to Cally and they followed him as he carried Lena to the sofa in the living room. Gently, he laid Lena down then moved aside to let Cally sit next to her. Lena’s eyes fluttered opened and she gasped then sat up.
“Take it easy. You’re safe.” Cally smoothed back her hair. “I told you. I won’t let Carl hurt you again.”
“Neither will I.”
Cally shot Max a look of gratitude before reaching out to him. “In case I didn’t make myself clear, I’m glad you were around to help us.”
“Don’t mention it.” Max took a seat in the armchair next to them and rested his elbows on his knees. Surprising everyone, Brittany eased onto his lap and leaned her head against his chest.
Cally’s throat tightened. If ever a man deserved to be a father, Max was it. The way he gathered the child into his arms made her yearn to see him holding a child of their own. Stunned at her thought, she blinked and returned her attention to Lena.
“Is there anywhere you could go that Carl won’t find you? He doesn’t know for certain you’re here, but I’m afraid he might return.”
The poor woman’s bottom lip quivered. “We don’t have anyone. My parents died a long time ago, and besides, Carl controls what little money we have. I don’t have a penny to my name.”
She tried to sit up, but Cally eased her back down. “Don’t worry about anything. I’ll take care of you.”
“We’ll take care of you.”
The now-familiar rush of desire swept through her as she and Lena shifted to face Max. “You don’t have to do anything more.” Yet, she hoped, she prayed he would.
“Don’t worry about it.” Max hugged Brittany, resting a protective arm around the small girl. “If you ladies are willing, I’d like to take you home with me. All three of you.”
Her first instinct was to say yes, to jump into his arms and kiss him. But she’d been on her own a long time and wasn’t used to men helping her. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll come. You’ll be my guests. And don’t worry. The other guys won’t mind.”
Lena shot Cally a frightened look. “The other guys? Who are you talking about?”
“My friends. The ones Cally met the other night at Sadie’s. Oh, and there’s Michael and Sara, too.”
Lena grew rigid. “You’re talking about the Matheson Ranch. I know that place. And you’re…you’re one of them?”
“One of them?” What did she mean? What was going on? Surely Lena didn’t believe the stories.
Max shrugged. “Don’t believe everything you hear. We run cattle and have a few quarter horses along with each of us doing our own thing.”
She had to admit it. After Carl’s appearance tonight, she was nervous about staying in her home. Until Lena could make a clean break and a new life without her abusive husband, she wouldn’t know what to expect.
“What do you say, Lena? It’s your call.” She glanced at Max. “But I know Max is a stand-up kind of guy, and if he vouches for the others, then that’s good enough for me.”
Max leaned forward, careful not to wake the sleeping girl in his arms. “I can promise you that you’ll be safe. Think about it. You’ll have six men to guard you and a room of your own to share with Brittany. Plus, Sara’s an awesome cook.”
Lena remained silent, her gaze traveling to Max, then the broken door, and back to Cally. “All right. But just until we can figure out where else we can go.”
Max’s grin sparked one of her own as Cally nodded her consent. “It’s settled then. Lena, you stay put and rest while I throw some things into a suitcase. I know what to pack for you and Brittany.”
She stood, feeling much stronger and safer than she had in many years. Passing by the armchair, she squeezed Max’s shoulder and whispered a heartfelt thank-you.
* * * *
“You did what?” Michael Matheson, the alpha-male of the Night Runner pack, scowled at Max. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“Aw, cut him a break, will ya? He’s in love.” William rested a hand on Michael’s shoulder then kept walking past him to the window. Nick, Ranlon, and Jimmy attempted to get a peek at the two women and little girl huddled under the porch light, waiting for Max to return and usher them inside.
“Or at least head over heels in lust.”
Ranlon thumped the youngest member of the pack in the head. “Knock it off, Jimmy. One day you’re going to find your mate and end up doing stupid shit, too. Like bringing a kid into a house full of werewolves.”
“Have you told Cally what you are? What we are?” Michael studied the women. “I heard about Cally. But the other woman’s not Roxy, is she?”
Max had tried coming up with a good speech filled with convincing reasons on the drive to the ranch with the women following behind in Cally’s car. Brittany had insisted on riding with him, which both confused and unnerved him. Little girls weren’t like women, and he had no clue how to handle them. But his shortcomings didn’t seem to bother the eight-year-old.
“No, she’s not. Her name’s Lena Horton—”
“Aw, hell. She’s not Carl Horton’s wife, is she?” Michael glared at him, lifting his lips in a human version of a wolf’s snarl. “Shit, man. Don’t you know not to interfere between a husband and his wife?”
Max tried to keep his irritation in check, but a bit of it managed to leak out anyway. “I didn’t have much of a choice. Carl came after his wife and kid. What was I supposed to do? Let him break down Cally’s door and do nothing about it? Should I have let him knock Cally aside and drag his wife out of the house kicking and screaming?” He neglected to mention Lena’s nonappearance during Carl’s attack. No need to cloud the issue with details.
“Of course he couldn’t. Max, you did the right thing.”
The six men abruptly stood at attention. Sara, the alpha-female, entered the room, an apron tied around her waist. She ruled the pack alongside Michael and, in some ways, held even more influence. All the men had shared her bed when she was first brought into the pack almost a year earlier. Since then, she’d grown into her role as a leader and could make them do as she liked.
“Sara, you don’t know everything.” Michael’s voice softened, the hardness of his features morphing into the tender look he always gave her.
“I don’t need to know everything.” She glanced out the window. “I’ve heard what people say about Carl Horton, and I wouldn’t make a rat live with the man. If his wife has finally taken off and is trying to keep her little girl from seeing more of her father’s awful side, then we’re going to help her.”
Max sent Sara a look of thanks and tried not to stand too close to the frustrated Michael.
“Fine. What do you want to do with them?”
Max imagined he could hear Michael grind his teeth together.
“Lena and her girl can have the guest room at the end of the hallway.” Her gaze fell on Max, rushing heat into his neck under her perusal. “As for Cally, she can choose for herself. If she wants to boot Max out of his room to sleep on the couch, or let him stay with her, then so be it. Now, let’s go welcome our guests.”
Michael held up his hand, stopping all of them, including Sara. “First things first. While they’re here, n
o shifting in the daytime.”
The men grumbled, but Michael quieted them by holding up his hand and making a fist, the signal for immediate silence. “I’m not saying we won’t have our nightly run.” He cleared his throat and continued. “Because I have a feeling we’re going to need the release more than usual. But not as a full pack. Max and one other will have to stay behind to make sure Carl doesn’t make an unexpected appearance while we’re gone.”
Max nodded, willing to make the sacrifice. The others remained silent, giving their unspoken agreement.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
“What the fuck now, Sara?” Jimmy rolled his eyes.
She tweaked his arm. “No foul language around the little girl or I’ll tie your tail in a knot.”
Chapter Five
After Sara had shown Lena and Brittany to their room, Cally went with Max to a bedroom located at the end of a long corridor. The bedroom was decorated sparsely with only a few pieces of furniture. An enormous bed dominated one wall.
“Wow, that is one big bed.”
Max placed her suitcase at the side of the dresser. “Yeah, we had them special made.”
“You mean all the beds are like this?”
“They are. Which is why Lena and Brittany will have no problem sharing a room. Plus, each bedroom has its own bathroom.” He shrugged. “What can I say? We may be ranchers at work, but we enjoy the finer things in life, too. At least as far as comfort goes.”
She walked into the gold-gilded bathroom and froze when she saw the huge bathtub. “I know this is Texas, but is everything big in this house? Six people could fit in there.”
“More.”
More? And how many of the “more” were women? “I thought you said you’d never had any women in your bed? I guess you weren’t counting your Jacuzzi, huh? Or the enormous rain shower, either.”
“I’ve never had a woman in either of them. But every bedroom has the same bed, shower, and tub and I have been in the other ones.”
With lots of women? She started to ask, but stopped, aware she had no right to make any claims on him.