The gang members Chris and Joe had been fighting scrambled away and ran. She heard a scuffing sound on the hill behind her and turned. Too late, three gang members slammed into her and the hikers with her. She grabbed at the bruising arms around her neck and below her breasts as he took her down. The brute was strong, and she couldn’t get free. He pushed her hard against the gravel-strewn ground. The back of her head hit a slab of rock. She cried out as pain exploded in her head. When a knife was flashed in front of her face, she froze.
Chapter Eight
“Be still if you don’t want to get cut,” the bastard growled, grinning wickedly.
She glanced quickly at the girl and her friends and saw to her horror that they were also held.
“Joe!” she screamed, fighting as hard as she could. She heard Joe yell at Chris to come help her. The sound of their running scramble up the path filled her with hope.
The animal on top of her shoved at her chest. Pain swept through her as he pushed off her. She bit her lip, refusing to give him the satisfaction of hearing her cry out again.
“Let’s get!” he yelled at his friends.
She watched the gang members to see where they ran. Joe and Chris rushed to her.
“I’m okay,” she said, panting. “Check the others.” Her guys rose from her side and hurried to the younger men and woman.
They quickly returned. “They’re okay,” Joe said. “Can you stand?” he asked her as they took her hands and cradled her arms in their gentle grips.
“Yes,” she said and levered herself up, holding their strong hands as she stood, her legs shaking.
“Let’s rejoin the others and call in,” Joe said. “We’ll need someone to come follow their tracks while we look after you and Case.”
“I’m fine,” she protested. “Will Case be all right?” She looked for any gang members and saw that they had all left the scene.
“I think Case will need to get checked out at the hospital,” Chris said.
Valerie noticed that Gray watched intently over Case. She walked quickly around the hilltop with Joe and Chris to where Case was being tended by Gray.
“I’ve already called for an ambulance to take Case to the hospital,” Gray said.
She had some idea of what the rock climbers could be feeling, and she held the woman’s hand when she reached for hers, hoping the gesture helped her deal with her fright at this horrible experience.
Gray lifted the injured Case into his arms. Case appeared to be unconscious. With Joe and Chris beside them for protection, they joined her and the rescued climbers and urged them out of the ring of boulders. In a group, they walked quickly to their parked vehicles.
Valerie could hear the sirens announcing the quick response as they gathered beside their own trucks.
“What is his name?” the young woman asked Valerie. “I’m so sorry he was hurt.”
“We all feel terrible that we put you and your friends in danger,” the young man said. He had stayed protectively beside the young woman during the attack by the gang.
“The man who was injured is Casey Wilder, and he and his close friend, Grayson Lyon, are new agents who have been working with us.” She glanced at Gray, who waited beside his friend for the arrival of the ambulance. “This is our job. It’s what we do for our community.” Valerie smiled at the three of them. “We work with a group that is determined to rid this area of the gang that attacked the three of you.”
“If we can help you in any way, don’t hesitate to call on us,” the young man who had been tied up said. “I’m Will Hartford, and my friends here are Lisa Whitfield and Marty Coldwell.” With hands that trembled slightly, he took out a scrap of paper from his jeans pocket and a pen and wrote his name and phone number down, as well as the names of his two friends. He handed the slip of paper to Chris.
“Is it all right if we follow you to the hospital to find out how Casey is going to be?” the young woman asked.
Valerie suspected from the concerned expression in her eyes that Case had already won this young woman’s heart by his selfless actions to protect her and her two friends. “Of course, it’s all right.” She smiled at all three of them.
The ambulance pulled close to their vehicles, and Case, who was regaining consciousness, was soon lifted into the back of the vehicle and seen to by the capable fire department medics. Gray climbed in his truck to follow his best friend to the hospital.
“After we get to the hospital, I don’t want to leave until I know Casey is going to be all right,” the young woman said to her two fellow hikers. They agreed with her.
The ambulance turned back toward the highway, headed to the hospital. Valerie joined Joe and Chris and climbed into their truck. As they headed down the road to follow the ambulance, Valerie noticed that the hikers followed them.
At the hospital, after Joe and Chris were checked over for the few cuts that needed treating, they talked with the two guys as Valerie comforted the woman who was close to her own age. The younger woman was still upset over Case being injured. Valerie assured her he would be well taken care of. She knew the hikers felt lucky that nothing worse had happened to them than being taunted.
It wasn’t too long before the doctor on duty joined them in the waiting room. He held out his hand to Joe and then Chris and Valerie. “It’s only been a little while since the last time I saw you here.” He smiled at them. “Case is responding to treatment, and we’ll probably keep him a few more hours until he has received the whole bottle of fluids that’s now dripping into his arm.”
Valerie nodded to the doctor in understanding.
“Thanks, Doc,” Joe said.
“You never know when we’ll show up here, right?” Chris commented to the doctor.
“No, and we wish you would be more careful,” the doctor said, smiling. “I’ll check on your friend again in a little while.”
After the doctor left them and headed back down the hall, Valerie and her guys turned to the hikers.
“Will you be up to driving home?” Chris asked them.
“Yes, we’re doing all right,” the older of the two guys said.
“Be more careful about hiking in that area,” Joe told them.
The hikers thanked them again for coming to their aid and headed off.
Gray joined Valerie, Joe, and Chris just long enough to tell them he would stay there with Case and take him home when he was released from the hospital. Then he headed back to the room where Case was being cared for.
A little later, as she and Joe and Chris traveled home, Valerie felt relieved none of them had been seriously hurt. “I’m sorry that Case got hurt,” she said. “But I don’t know how we could have prevented it. I think there were too many of the gang members for us to take on more with success. We could have used a few more people from C.P.O. What do you guys think?”
“I agree,” Joe said. “We were outnumbered.”
“Even so, we handled it as well as we could have,” Chris said. “The hikers had our protection once we arrived. I don’t know how they could have been better protected since they had hiked right into the gang’s favorite territory.”
“I think maybe we need to suggest to headquarters that there is some form of warning about that outlaw gang that should be given out to people who want to hike or picnic in that area.”
“That’s a good idea,” Joe said. “I can’t tell you how glad I was that you went with us today and were there to help the young woman. I appreciate what you did, and I’m so relieved you weren’t hurt worse in the process. You feeling all right?”
“Yes, I’m feeling fine.” Valerie decided it wouldn’t hurt to tell Joe and Chris how she’d felt. She took a deep breath in preparation to telling them how it had made her feel when she saw the three college kids being tormented by the gang.
“I wanted to take those guys down,” she began. “Physically, I feel all right, even though I have a little ache on the back of my head. The part that is bothering me is that when that guy tackled me, I coul
dn’t help remembering what happened recently when Jen and I were caught by those bastards and also when I was held down on the floor of the country club bar one night by a stranger, years back when I worked there. I was lucky then that Roger and Trav were close by that night and rescued me because it was late and everyone had left the bar and gone home.”
Joe and Chris both gave her concerned looks. “Thank God they rescued you,” Joe said, clasping her hand tightly.
“What happened to that bastard? I hope he was caught and put in jail,” Chris said, squeezing her other hand in his.
“He got away,” she said. “Roger and Trav were concerned about me and whether I was all right or not, and they didn’t go after him. I remember that they remarked about the sound of a wolf running down the hall to the yard.”
She noticed Chris and Joe look at each other pensively.
“He won’t have a chance if he ever shows up around here again,” Joe said.
Chris growled in agreement. “If you ever see him around, anywhere at all, let us know. We’ll take care of him.”
Valerie knew they would.
They’d reached their house. They put their gear away in the garage and headed inside. After changing their clothes and cleaning up, they settled down in their recliners with some snacks and drinks. The comfort food helped in replacing their energy, as well as making Valerie feel more at ease after what had happened that day.
Valerie wanted to know how Joe and Chris had felt about that scene at the rocks. “Did you guys feel the same emotions you’ve felt before at such scenes with that gang?”
“Yeah,” Chris said. “But even so, it always helps me to talk about it afterward. I usually experience fears that I’ve felt before at other rescues, just like you do, babe.” He gave her an understanding smile. “I’m glad we weren’t injured and neither were the hikers.”
“Rescues like that always make me feel anxious until we get the job done and everyone is okay,” Joe said. “That gang is way out of control. I think that they believe they can get away with whatever they want to in this town. Splitting up isn’t always the best solution, but it was the only way to handle that situation today. I’m just glad it went as easy as it did and no one was hurt worse.”
Valerie nodded in agreement. “Yes, that’s a huge relief that the doctor said Case would be okay. Talking it over with each other helps me come to terms with the danger that threatened us. I’m glad I could go with you this time.”
“I agree,” Chris said. “I’d rather we all three worked together, as well. I’m glad that C.P.O allowed that today. We count on your help and want you with us when possible.”
“I’d like for the three of us to work together always,” Joe added. “But I worry you won’t always want to work with us when we have to shape-shift while you can’t.”
“I can handle that part of our work for C.P.O., but I sometimes wonder if I’m cut out to be an agent for them.” She kept her fears to herself now like she always did. It was possible they wouldn’t all come back at some point when they went out on a mission. She was aware of what could happen.
She was beginning to fear she couldn’t handle the life of an agent and, most important, the possibility of losing Joe and Chris.
Chris stroked her thigh up and down. “Are you up for some lovin’, babe?”
“Yes,” she said, shivering at his caress. She wanted to forget everything that happened that day and lose herself to her guys’ good lovin’.
Joe smoothed his warm hand up and down her other thigh. “We want you with us always, babe. We’ll take care of you and keep you safe.”
“How about we take this to our bed?” Chris asked her.
“Sounds good,” she agreed.
Chris and Joe helped her up out of the recliner after they both stood.
With their arms around her, they all three headed down the hall to their bedroom.
“How about we shower together first?” Chris asked.
“Wonderful,” she agreed.
Joe was already heading for the bathroom, unfastening his jeans and loosening his shirt as he walked.
Valerie heard the water come on as she entered the big bathroom. Joe was testing the temperature of the water.
“Feels perfect,” he said as he shrugged off his shirt, pulled off his jeans, and stepped inside.
Chapter Nine
The shower was exactly what the three of them needed right then, whether they bathed or played together. She finished losing every piece of clothing and stepped inside the tiled cubicle with Chris naked and aroused, right behind her.
Joe, obviously ready, sat down on the tiled sitting area at the end of the shower cubicle. “Come here, babe.” He reached out to her with his hands, and she stepped into his gentle hold.
The water massaged her back with gentle spray as Joe slid his big hands over her hips and up her sides to trace the underside of her breasts and finally cup them in his hands. She shivered with his caress. Chris moved between her and the shower spray as he stepped close behind her. His warm hands slipped over her shoulders and down her back to curve under her butt cheeks. Joe’s darkened cock strained upward as she placed her hands on his thighs for support and bent down to taste the dark rose head. She noticed Joe leaned back against the wall as she licked the length of him and cupped his balls in one hand. Chris slid his fingers along her crack, making her shiver, and circled her sensitive clit while he caressed her tight hole with the gentle touches of his other hand. She inhaled a swift, deep breath as aching heat spread deep inside her pussy.
She heard Joe’s groan of pleasure as she sucked the length of his hard, thick cock and caressed him with her tongue. When Chris delved inside her channel with two of his long, talented fingers, she moaned deep in her chest at the hot pleasure.
“Do you want my cock deep inside you?” Chris asked her, his voice rough with obvious arousal.
“Yes,” she said, her words a soft hiss of need. She heard Chris unwrap a condom.
“Spread your legs for me, babe,” Chris said.
Valerie did as Chris asked while continuing to suck and lick Joe’s cock. Joe caressed her hardened nipples, sending more heat to her pussy. Then she felt Chris’s fingers leave her sensitive flesh and the broad head of his condom-covered shaft push inside her ever so slowly.
“Is that okay, babe?” Chris asked her.
“Yes, it feels so good,” she told him, her muscles tightening as she waited for him to slide deeper inside her. She didn’t have to wait long. He pushed gently all the way inside her, caressing her inner walls. She moaned as her body contracted around his hard cock. When his body pressed against her hips, his cock stretching her, making her want to move against him, he began to slide slowly back out. She couldn’t help but moan again with the hot pleasure as she continued to caress Joe’s cock and stroke his velvet balls while Chris moved deep inside her again, in and out, making her need increase.
“I’m not going to last much longer, babe,” Joe said. “Let go.”
She shook her head and continued to caress his thick, stiff cock. She heard him moan deep in his chest as his cock contracted. She took his shaft deeper in her mouth and swallowed his ejaculate as Chris brought her body to feverish need. Heat built inside her until she climaxed around Chris’s cock. She heard his growl come from deep in his chest as he pumped inside her needy passage, her own reaction adding to her sweet pleasure.
Slowly her body eased and relaxed. Joe’s cock softened in her mouth, and she released his shaft, licking the underside as she did so. Joe gave a soft, deep growl of pleasure. Chris’s contractions eased, and he slowly pulled his cock from her channel, bringing her little contractions as he did so. She moaned softly with the incredible sensations.
They cleaned each other off, and Joe kissed her first and then Chris kissed her, their lips gentle. They each took another turn under the shower, and Chris turned off the water. He held her hand and handed her a soft dry towel as she stepped out of the shower. Joe f
ollowed them, and he and Chris dried off briskly. Then Joe held her soft, white terry robe for her, and she slipped into it. He and Chris shrugged into their robes.
She headed to their big bed and climbed into the middle. Chris joined her on one side, and Joe joined them on her other side. They each took the hands she slipped into theirs. After more brief, gentle kisses, she closed her eyes and settled in for a good sleep.
* * * *
After they’d settled into bed, Joe found he couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t quit thinking about the loss of his climbing buddies’ lives during that dangerous cave climb. He blamed himself for their loss.
If only he’d been more careful and not so careless. Joe realized he would have to come to terms with his feared shortcomings of failing to save the lives of his friends before he could ever feel confident to ask Valerie to marry him.
Joe was well aware that Chris was more than ready to ask Valerie to be their forever love. But honestly, Joe didn’t feel right about asking her to become their mate for all time when he hadn’t told her yet about the loss of his friends in that climbing accident.
If only he’d been more cautious about allowing his friends to climb deeper without him and Chris going along with them. He’d been leery of the warmth of the cavern, and he should have realized it could become hotter and life-threatening. If he had been more cautious and hadn’t let them go off without him and Chris, their climbing buddies would still be alive to enjoy more caving.
But he hadn’t been careful enough. He’d let them go off on their own, and they had died as a result. What if he made the same mistake with Valerie? That was too horrific to consider. He wanted more than anything to spend his life with her, but what if he failed her?
He was afraid she was better off without him becoming part of her life, ever. Since he had realized he’d fallen in love with her, he had become even more fearful that he might not be able to keep her safe. His fear of failure in protecting her from harm was also threatening to her safety.
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