by Piper Stone
Once again, she was quiet as I attempted to gather my bearings, allowing my remembrances of the city to slide into my mind. As I drove toward the ranch, I realized I had missed being here. Maybe Snake had been right. The mountains. The majestic rivers. The ranches. I’d forgotten just how beautiful the area truly was.
“What a magical place to grow up in.”
Her tone remained flat. I shifted in my seat. There was no logical reason for the angst that had formed in my gut or the bile remaining in my throat. Maybe I was a chicken shit along with all the other things she’d called me. “I really didn’t give a shit growing up. I guess I took it for granted.”
“I think it’s something we all do. I’d give anything to be back home, living in the little house I grew up in. Fighting with my brother. Watching my mother bake her famous cherry pies. I never knew how blessed we were.”
“Where is home in North Carolina?”
“A little tiny town that you’d miss if you blinked. I’d wanted to get out as soon as possible, selecting a college far away. But I was homesick every night.” She laughed, the sound bitter and cold. “I think it broke my mother’s heart.”
Just like I had when I’d joined the military. She’d wanted me to be a doctor or an attorney. Hell, she wouldn’t have cared if I’d taken up ranching, as long as it had kept me close. All I’d wanted to do was get the hell away, to forge my own path. Where had it gotten me? A Purple Heart and a sullied career.
“Thank you for saving my life. You really are a hero,” she added.
Hero.
I loathed the word and all the connotations around it. I was just a man, one who was even more flawed than most.
The wave of silence shifting between us was ripe with tension.
I concentrated on driving, trying to avoid all the things I wanted to say to her. Maybe I was a fool to think I could protect her. Hell, maybe I was an idiot to think I should do anything but dump her off at a hotel. While I wasn’t that kind of man, I also wasn’t anybody’s hero.
The minutes seemed like hours, my body remaining tense. I almost missed the turnoff for the ranch, forced to turn sharply onto the gravel driveway.
“A friend?”
I didn’t bother gazing in her direction, not that I could have seen her beautiful face. The darkness seemed oppressive, my grip on the steering wheel even tighter than before. How the hell did I even know if Scorpion was here? Maybe he’d used his uncle’s address as a landing spot. I was about to second guess my decision when the house came into view, interior lights adding a slight glow to the front of the rancher.
“Just stay here.” I reached for the door, not anticipating feeling her hand gripping my wrist.
“Whatever demons you have, you need to let them go. You have a chance at a new life, or maybe restarting your old one. Guess what? You deserve to do so.”
Her words were somehow cathartic, creating another wave of desire, but this time, my emotions were entirely different. I simply wanted to wrap her in a blanket and hold her by a roaring fire. I almost laughed at the thought. “Like I said, just stay here. We might have a place to stay.”
It took a few seconds before she released her hold, forcing me to glance in her direction. While the light flowing through the cab was harsh, it did little to dull her beauty even after all she’d been through.
She offered a comforting smile then turned away as she moved her hand onto her lap.
A fire burned deep within.
One of longing.
One of regret.
One of guilt.
To hell with it. I had to face this shit at some point. After climbing out and closing the door, I stared at the front of the cabin for a full minute before finding the courage to walk onto the porch. I also hesitated before rapping on the solid wooden door, holding my breath in anticipation. I finally heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming closer and took a step away. The outside light was turned on a full five seconds before the door was opened.
He looked the same, all brawn and ruggedness, although his hair was longer than the last time I’d seen him. While his eyes didn’t reflect recognition at first, when a huge smile broke out across his face, I felt a sense of relief.
“Jesus. Christ. You are a sight for sore eyes. You look like a fucking mountain man, for God’s sake,” Scorpion chortled before looking around me at the truck. “What the fuck happened?”
“Some interference.”
“Yeah? Well, what’s the condition of the asshole who did that to you? Christ, buddy.”
I snorted before darting a glance over my shoulder. “You mean the assholes.”
“Okay. Whatever you want to call them.” Scorpion’s voice held a heightened level of concern.
“Got a few issues I need to deal with.”
“Interesting. You were supposed to be back weeks ago.”
“Yeah, well, I was delayed then spent some time up at the cabin.” I had a moment of regret in making that choice. Then again, I wouldn’t have met the brat. I rubbed my jaw before shoving my hands into my pockets.
“You kept that old place?”
“Yeah, just couldn’t let it go. Needed some time to think.”
Scorpion exhaled. “You need to let it go, buddy. It’ll eat you up inside.”
“Can you?”
He gave me a hard look before shaking his head. “Guess what happened is ingrained in all of us. I take it you’re not here for a friendly visit, especially given the bullet hole in the windshield. Who’s the lady friend?”
Answering required admittance to the way I felt about her, something I wasn’t prepared to do, but there was no choice. “Just someone I met. Her life is in danger and I need your help.”
Scorpion eyed me warily and for a few seconds, I thought he was going to say no. After all, the last words we’d spoken had been nasty, almost breaking into a fight. When he yanked me into his arms, slapping me on the back, I heard his deep exhale. All the bullshit faded away.
“Someone you met, huh? I guess that means your life is in danger?” He glared at me before grinning. “Whatever you need, you can count on me. That’s what buddies are for. Get your ass inside before you freeze to death.”
I felt the tension ease, if only for a limited time. When I pulled away, I offered a slight smile. “I appreciate it.”
“Buddies are also the ones who tell it like it is. You look like shit. I’ll lend you one of my razors.”
Scorpion.
The man who took no shit from anyone. The same man who I’d considered my best friend.
While I’d heard it said more than once that time healed all wounds, I could tell by the haunted look in his eyes that that wasn’t the case for any of us.
We all shared in the responsibility of Snake’s death.
And all five of us deserved whatever penance we’d be forced to face.
Maybe I was ready to do so after all.
Maybe…
Chapter 7
Mitch
Big. Bad. Burly. Men.
Now there were two of them.
They were both tall and rugged, the kind of overbearing hunks the majority of people would be afraid of just from looking at them. I could tell they were close, their body language indicating they’d been friends for a significant amount of time. I could also feel the tension.
As I was led into the cabin, the draw of the blazing fire was the first thing on my mind. I refused to allow the horrible thoughts of the men chasing us or the fact we’d almost been killed to linger in my mind. While the introductions had been made, the fact both men used nicknames indicated they remained planted in their past.
Reaper.
Scorpion.
I could only imagine the names of others in their unit.
“Your uncle’s place, huh?” Reaper asked as he stood in the middle of the living room.
Scorpion nodded, his gaze remaining on me. I could swear the roughhewn blond was looking right through me. “Yeah, Jasper hoped I would carry
on with Raunchy Ride.”
“Does that mean you’re running a bar now?”
“It does. A few changes here and there. Tough going but I think I’m going to see a profit. We’ll see. I think both of you need to get warm. Why don’t I get us something to drink?” He didn’t wait for an answer from either one of us, his long strides taking him out of the room quickly.
Reaper studied the fire before motioning toward the couch. “You’re safe here.”
“A friend?”
He sighed before answering, a glazed look forming in his eyes. “A good one. Trustworthy.”
I tugged off my coat, my nerves frazzled. I’d never felt more alone in my entire life. While Reaper had risked his life, I remained cold inside, unable to process what we’d been through. I hated being emotional, the ugly visions of the shooters remaining in the forefront of my mind.
Reaper walked toward the fire, lowering his arms toward the flames. He was so quiet, as if the weight of the world was locked on his shoulders.
“Any idea what’s going to happen?” I finally asked as I eased onto the edge of the couch, still uncomfortable in my surroundings. I’d heard every word Reaper had said, the demands he’d made. I had made a deal with him but there was no way I could honor it. Obeying his every command? Who the hell did he think he was?
He saved your life.
The inner voice did little to soothe my aching body or mind.
He took his sweet time before answering me. “I’m going to find out as much as I can about Dante Giordani. Then we’re going to have a chat with the sheriff.”
“I’m not sure I can do that.”
“Why? Because you still care about him?”
His question was valid. Admitting I’d been such a childish fool in believing Dante’s lies gnawed at me. “I never actually cared about him. Yes, his overtures were incredible. Any girl would adore being fawned over. Gifts. Roses. The finest champagne. But nothing gave him the right to treat me like his possession.”
Reaper snorted. He continued to stare into the flames, obviously mesmerized by the raging fire. A man of few words, one as haunted as I remained.
“No woman should ever have to endure abuse on any level.” His words were laced with a deep conviction. Another layer to the man. Another reason to care about him.
I shoved my face into my hands, hearing Scorpion’s return a few seconds later.
“I don’t have a lot of room here. I guess the two of you will be fine with sharing a bed,” Scorpion chortled, the hard clinking of glasses on the coffee table forcing me to jump. “Okay, the little lady is skittish. So, you wanna tell me what the hell is going on?”
The way Reaper exhaled was fraught with anger as well as exasperation. He was definitely finished with my guarded answers.
“It would appear that Mitch is being chased by one motherfucking asshole.”
There was a flat-line to Reaper’s voice and while Scorpion laughed, all I wanted to do was tune out the details. I took one of the glasses from the table, not even caring what kind of liquor had been provided. The cold, hard chill from the entire day lingered, clawing at me like long fingers of some wicked witch. My teeth chattered as I brought the glass to my lips, vaguely aware that Reaper was giving a play by play of what we’d been through.
And the story I’d told him.
My hand shaking, I managed to take guarded sips, my throat still half closed.
“You’re never going to get away from me, Michelle baby.”
He laughed after issuing the words, his glare as hard and cold as the night I’d seen him kill a man in cold blood.
I struggled against the strong hold of the two goons who had me by the arms, terror slithering through every cell and muscle. “Fuck you.”
“Aren’t you a filthy little girl?” Dante asked, swirling the drink in his hand as he glared at me. “We’ll need to do something about that.”
“You’re a monster.”
“Yes. Yes, I am. That’s something you need to remember the next time you think you’re getting away from me.”
I shuddered as the memory of his laugh filtered into my system, the sound echoing. He’d actually allowed me to leave that night, although his evil promise was something that would haunt me every night.
“If you think anyone is going to be able to save you, you’re wrong. They will find a special place in hell.”
I would never forget the knife he held into the warm glow of the fire, twisting and turning the steel blade as he laughed.
Reaper’s snarl brought me back to reality.
“From the sounds of it, you’ve got a serious situation on your hands,” Scorpion said. “You didn’t kill the assassins?”
“No. I didn’t have the opportunity,” Reaper answered.
“That’s a shame. You might have left them on the mountain, but they won’t be there for long. Four men coming after her? That’s telling.” While Scorpion wasn’t judging, deep concern remained in his tone of voice.
“Yeah, you don’t have to tell me something I know. Okay if we stay here for a couple days?” Reaper asked.
I glanced in his direction, cognizant he was watching me intently.
“Sure. I take it you didn’t bring anything with you. I’ve got some clothes you can wear, and I know Caroline left a few things here that should fit your girlfriend.”
Reaper exhaled as he turned his gaze in his buddy’s direction. “We’re not dating.”
“No, we’re definitely not dating,” I added.
“Your body language tells me otherwise,” Scorpion said before laughing as he looked back and forth between us.
“Yeah, well, I’m just on edge. Who is Caroline?” Reaper’s look as he gazed up and down the length of me created a wave of electricity. Just like his gorgeous eyes had from the moment I met him.
Seductive.
Dominating.
A full stream of butterflies rushed through my tummy, my legs quivering. Why the hell did this dominating, controlling, arrogant asshole of a man have this kind of effect on me? I purposely looked away, refusing to be drawn into his controlling ways.
And I hated the fact my nipples were fully aroused. Damn it.
“We have a lot to talk about, dude,” Scorpion continued. “The second bedroom is down that hallway. There’s a bathroom next to it. Why don’t you consider taking a shower while I gather up some clothes? I’m sure you might even find a razor in the medicine cabinet.” Scorpion didn’t seem like the type to take no for an answer. “After that, I’ll rustle up some food. We’ll need to get a tarp for the truck. Another couple of inches of snow are rolling in tonight.”
“I appreciate it, buddy. Not sure when I can get back up to the cabin,” Reaper said so damn quietly.
“I think it’s best to stay away for now, at least until we know what we’re dealing with.”
I was surprised to hear Scorpion wanted to get mixed up in the shit that had become my life.
“Wise advice but not something I can live with for long,” Reaper answered, turning his full attention in my direction. “Do you want to shower first?”
“No. Go ahead.” I’d yet to be able to get warm. I noticed the odd look the two men gave each other. What the hell was I doing here? What in God’s name was I doing with my life? Everything had been taken away from me. All because of my stupidity.
Reaper nodded before taking a gulp of his drink and getting up. While he could have moved behind the sofa, completely avoiding me, he chose to walk past the fire, brushing his hand against my cheek. “It’s going to be all right. We will figure this out.”
The conviction in his voice as well as the touch of his hand further embroiled my senses. I had no answer, no truthful way of acknowledging him. How could it be all right? The only scenario in my mind was that we’d both end up dead.
“I’m looking forward to meeting this Caroline,” he added, chuckling under his breath.
Scorpion grinned like a kid in a candy store. “She’s a hand
ful.”
“Aren’t they all?” Reaper asked, shooting me another heated gaze. I could swear I was able to read his every thought, hunger that remained even after I’d almost gotten him killed.
I closed my eyes as Reaper walked away, trying to will away the entire day’s events. A full ten seconds passed.
Twenty.
Scorpion remained in the room.
“He’s a good man,” Scorpion said half under his breath.
“I don’t know him.”
“Don’t mean to call you a liar, Mitch, but I think you do. If you don’t then that makes you a stupid woman and I gather you’re not.”
I was forced to look at him. “You’ve known him long?”
“Since I was a teenager. He’s not the warmest guy, but I can tell he likes you.”
“And he almost died because of me.”
Scorpion studied his drink, his eyes half closing as he took another gulp, obviously savoring the flavor. “He’s the kind of man you want fighting beside you. The truth is he was the type of soldier who showed no mercy. He did what was required of him without second guessing, at least the majority of the time.”
I had the distinct feeling there was a compelling and very sad story around his words. “Why is he called Reaper?”
“Did you tell you the reason?”
“He mentioned it was a moniker from the military.”
Nodding, his eyes twinkled as he smiled. “Yeah. The Marines. He got that name because when he was assigned to whatever situation his unit was forced to face, he had a knack for taking out the enemy. The man pretty much never missed a shot. He also had little remorse, which is what’s needed in a battle situation. The name suits him well.”
I shivered just hearing him tell a small part of whatever situation they’d shared together. “I can’t imagine. That’s why he knew what to do when those men attacked.”