by Opal Carew
That was something he’d never thought he wanted before, but now he craved it … with her.
He pushed the door closed behind him and carried her to the bed, then set her down. He turned around to see the curtains fully open and the crew smiling in at him. He strode to the window, a grin on his face, and pulled the curtains closed, blocking out their friendly faces.
This would actually be his first time alone with Laurie in a bed, since they’d become intimate, and he would take every advantage of it. Not that he expected anything from her. He just wanted to hold her close. Feel her body against his, and know she was safe in his arms.
He just wanted to cherish her.
He pulled back the covers. He knelt in front of her and untied her shoes, then pulled them off. He suppressed the urges that threatened to rise in him. She’d been through a horrible ordeal. He was not going to do anything to make her uncomfortable.
“I’ll go grab my stuff from the bike and get you a nice, clean shirt to sleep in.”
She nodded as he slipped outside. When he returned, she was in bed, the covers pulled up to her neck. He riffled through his bag and grabbed a T-shirt. He placed it on the bed beside her, then turned back to grab a change of clothes from his bag, giving her privacy.
When he turned back, she was gazing at him.
The room had two double beds and as much as he wanted to climb into bed with her, to hold her tight in his arms, he realized he needed to give her time after her ordeal. He kicked off his shoes, then sat down on the other bed, but she pushed back the covers on her bed.
“Don’t you want to be with me?” she asked, looking uncertain and a little vulnerable.
“Of course, I just … I mean, after what you’ve been through I just thought you might need space.”
“What I need is you. I want to feel you close. I want you to hold me.”
He shifted to her bed and slid in beside her, then wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. He kissed her temple. “It’s okay, baby. I’m never going to leave you alone again.”
Soon she was asleep in his arms. He reveled in the feel of her so close to him, her soft hair pressed against his cheek. Finally, his own exhaustion overtook him.
* * *
Laurie’s eyelids popped open and she glanced around. Where was she? The last she remembered she was … oh, God, Donovan had grabbed her and stuck her in that cage. But then Steele showed up and saved her.
Panic welled up. Where was he now?
“Steele?” She bolted to a sitting position.
“What is it, sweetheart?” Steele glanced up from a magazine he was reading. He sat in an armchair in the motel room he’d brought her to. He put the magazine down and walked toward her, his features etched with concern. “Nightmare?”
“I just … I wasn’t sure where you were.”
He sat down on the bed beside her and stroked back her hair with a sweet tenderness that touched her heart. “I told you, I’ll never leave you alone again.”
His words, and his gentle touch, made her want him with a desperation that dug deep into her soul. She grasped his hand and kissed his palm, wanting to let the covers fall from her body and expose her naked breasts to him. Wanting to draw his hand to her breast and press it over her. But something stopped her.
Then he frowned and his fingers stroked over her skin, just below her shoulder. “That son of a bitch cut you.”
She glanced down and saw his fingertip stroke over the small cut where Donovan had nicked her with his knife when he’d cut away her bra strap. Steele’s gaze took in the cuts on both sides. The dried blood caked over them made them seem worse than they really were.
The concern in his eyes tore at her heart and she was glad he couldn’t see the others right now.
“Thank you for coming for me.” She didn’t want to imagine what would have happened if Steele hadn’t burst in when he had. She wanted to thank him more sincerely. Wanted to somehow make him understand how much it meant to her.
He stroked her cheek, his granite eyes warm and caring. “I wish I’d gotten there sooner.”
He leaned toward her and brushed his lips to hers. His arms swept around her and she lost herself in his kiss, her heart aching with a need to be closer.
“Steele, I want…” She gazed into his eyes, but she didn’t know what to say. She wanted to be close to him. To be intimate. But the thought sent her stomach churning.
“What is it?” He gazed at her with such concern.
“I want to be close to you. To…” She blinked back tears, fighting the fear inside her.
“Sweetheart, after what you’ve been through, you need time.” He cupped her face in his hands. “We don’t have to rush anything.”
She nodded. Thankful for his understanding, yet still yearning for that closeness.
He drew her into his arms and held her close. “Let’s just get some more sleep.”
He lay down, keeping her snug against his warm, solid body. Holding her. Protecting her. And soon she felt herself drifting off to sleep again.
* * *
Steele dragged himself from Laurie’s warm, soft body and pushed himself from the bed. He didn’t want to leave her side, but he knew she’d be hungry and he wanted to go out and get something for her to eat. After that, they’d be on their way. He knew she’d be anxious to get home. And her brother would be anxious to see her and know firsthand that she was okay.
He went outside, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the ground. He mounted his bike and headed to the small town only a few miles farther along the highway.
He went to a drugstore and bought a bandage for Laurie’s ankle, then he pulled into a small diner and ordered some burgers to take out. As the cook flipped the patties on the grill, Steele paid.
“I take it you’re traveling with friends,” the man behind the counter asked.
Steele eyed the man. He wore a blue-and-white bandana around his head and his long, gray hair was tied back in a ponytail. And his arms were inked.
“Why you asking?”
“Just a friendly heads-up. Some cops come in here asking if we seen a crew of bikers in the area. Said there been some kinda trouble up at some bigwig’s country house nearby.”
The cook handed the bag of burgers to Steele.
“Just figured I’d let you know.”
Steele nodded. “Thanks.”
Steele went outside and stowed the burgers in his hard carrier, then mounted the bike. The cops must have found Donovan and now he’d set them on their trail.
No matter. This was a complication he did not want, but he’d handle it. First things first. Go back and warn the crew.
He started up the bike, then sped back to the motel.
When he arrived, Magic, Dom, Wild Card, and Shock were sitting on chairs outside the rooms drinking beer. Rip and Raven were nowhere to be seen.
He saw the curtain pull back on his room and Laurie peer out. As he stopped his bike, she hurried out of the room. She was still limping and he wanted to get her to a doctor to have her ankle checked out.
“Where’s Rip?” Steele asked.
Shock pointed at Rip’s room door. Steele walked over and knocked. A moment later, Rip opened the door and peered out.
“We have trouble,” Steele said. “The police have been asking around town about us. They’re sure to be checking the motels nearby.”
Rip grabbed his cell as he stepped outside, then dialed.
“Killer, it’s Rip.” Rip paced back and forth as he listened.
“Is everything okay?” Laurie asked, concern in her eyes. “Do you think they found Donovan and he’s convinced them to come after us?”
Steele placed his hands on her shoulders and locked gazes with her. “He hurt you, remember? You have nothing to be afraid of.”
She shook her head. “No. If he wants to make trouble, he’ll do it. If he wants to get back at me … or you … he’ll do it. He’ll buy people off if he has to.”
Steele glanced toward Rip, who had paced several yards away and was speaking intently on the phone.
“He won’t buy off Killer. He’s a true friend.”
Rip slipped his phone into his pocket and walked toward Steele, his expression grim. Laurie reached for Steele’s hand and he enveloped it in his.
“Well?” Steel prompted.
Rip glanced at Laurie, then back to Steele. “They found Donovan a few hours ago at his house. He was dead.”
Laurie sucked in a breath and Steele squeezed her hand.
Rip gazed at Laurie again. “And the police are looking for you.” His lips compressed in a tight line. “You’re wanted for questioning.”
Aftershock
Laurie felt faint. She clung to Steele’s hands as the blood rushed from her face.
“I can’t believe this. Are they sure? How could he be dead?” she asked.
“Killer said to hang tight and he’ll fill us in on the details when he gets back to us.” Rip grasped her shoulder and squeezed. “But, I’m sorry, Donovan is definitely dead.”
“So this means the police are coming here for me?” she said weakly, her hand trembling.
“You’re white as a ghost,” Steele said, gazing at her. “Let’s get you inside.”
He led her into their room and the others followed. She sat on the bed and Steele sat beside her while the others gathered around, looking somber.
“Laurie, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Rip said. “It’s going to be all right.”
She glanced at Steele, remembering his fist hammering into Donovan’s face. Oh, God, was that why he’d died? Because Steele had beat him and then they’d left him in that cage? Had he died from injuries inflicted by Steele? If they had called someone sooner, would Donovan still be alive?
The thought sent a shock wave through her.
She’d hated Donovan. She hated what he’d done to her. She hated how cruel he’d been. And he’d terrified her. Just knowing he was out there had kept her in fear.
But knowing he was dead, and that Steele might have something to do with it, left her feeling numb.
“I don’t know what to tell them. I don’t know…” She was shaking her head and realized it was all too much. She felt weak and scared and … traumatized.
Rip sat on the other side of her.
“You’ll just tell them the truth. That the guy kidnapped you … terrorized you … then we showed up and pulled you out of there.”
“But won’t they charge you with breaking and entering? What about the fact that…” She gazed at Steele, then back to Rip, and continued hesitantly. “Donovan was beaten up. What if that’s why he died? What if they charge…” She shot a quick glance to Steele again, then bit her lip.
Steele’s granite eyes glinted. “You think I’m responsible for his death?” Steele murmured in a mere whisper.
His face clouded and she realized as much as he hated Donovan, he didn’t want to be responsible for his death.
She squeezed his hand. “You were saving me. You were reacting to what he did to me. You didn’t mean to…”
“Let’s just all keep calm,” Shock said. “Rip said Killer is going to call us back. Let’s not get worked up about what might happen. We’ll face whatever we have to when the time comes.”
“That’s good advice,” Rip agreed. “Steele, you went out to get food, right?”
Steele nodded.
“Okay, let’s all just eat and relax. Killer should get back to us soon.” Rip stood up and headed for the door.
Dom went with him and they returned a few minutes later with a brown paper bag and the case of beer the guys had been sharing outside. Dom opened a bottle and handed it to Laurie. She took a sip, then just stared at the burger Rip placed in her hand. Her stomach growled at the smell of food, so she unwrapped the paper around it, but after one bite, put it down beside her.
Silence hung in the air as everyone ate. Steele encouraged her to eat a little more and she finished about half, then gave up. It tasted like sawdust in her mouth.
“Hey, this place has a pool,” Raven said. “Why don’t we be real badasses and go swimming even though we’ve just eaten?” She grinned.
It was a warm day, and the thought of relaxing in the sparkling water had its appeal, but Laurie shook her head.
“You all go ahead. I’ll stay here.”
Raven looked hesitant, then put her hand on Laurie’s. “I’m just trying to get your mind off all this, since there’s nothing we can do right now.”
Laurie took a deep breath. “Thanks, Raven, but I’m just not up to it.”
“It’s okay. I’ll stay with her,” Steele said. “Rip, just leave the phone with me in case Killer calls.”
“You got it.” Rip stood up and pulled the cell from his pocket and handed it to Steele. “The pool’s just around the corner of the building, so if you need us, let us know.”
Steele nodded and they all filed out and Dom, the last one out, closed the door behind them.
Laurie turned to Steele and rested her hand on his cheek. “Oh, Steele, I’m so sorry I got you into this mess.”
“It wasn’t your fault. You were a victim in all this.”
She shook her head. “No. I chose to go out with him. I made the mistake of not seeing Donovan for what he really was. You tried to protect me and now you and your crew are pulled into this whole thing.”
“Don’t worry about us. You’ve been through a terrible ordeal. It’s you I’m concerned about.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I’d do anything to protect you. Anything.”
She rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Letting the steady rhythm and the feel of his strong arms holding her tight calm her. She could drift into sleep right here in his arms. Just let her cares slip away and surrender to unconsciousness.
He stroked her hair and she tightened her arms around his waist. They sat there quietly, just holding each other. In the distance she could hear the others splashing in the pool. She closed her eyes and just let her thoughts go, surrendering to nothingness.
The cell phone rang, and she jumped.
Steele pulled the phone from his pocket.
“Steele here.” He gazed at her grimly. “Yeah, we’ve been waiting for your call.”
She heard the rhythm of the voice on the line, but not the words.
Steele answered questions, explaining what had happened. He glanced at her a few times.
“Yeah, she’s pretty shaken up, but physically okay. Except for a few cuts and a twisted ankle.”
She shifted beside him.
“No, we haven’t taken her to a doctor. It doesn’t seem to be broken, but it is swollen.”
Steele gave a few more details about the attack, telling him about the cage and admitting that he had hit Donovan.
“He was in the cage when we left him.”
Her stomach clenched.
After a few more minutes, he hung up.
“He said we should just stay put and hold off on going to a doctor for your ankle right now, unless it’s really bad. He wants to save you the stress of being picked up until he knows more.”
“My ankle’s fine,” she said. It hurt when she walked and the swelling made it uncomfortable, but she could live with that.
Steele insisted she lay back and put it up, then he fetched ice in a plastic bag, wrapped it in a towel, and arranged it on her ankle. When the others returned about a half hour later, Steele wrapped her ankle in a bandage he’d bought when he’d gone to get the burgers earlier and they filled up the time playing cards and drinking.
After ordering a late dinner of pizza, they all returned to their rooms to get some sleep.
* * *
Laurie felt the blackness closing in on her, stifling her breathing. A hand clutched her throat, choking her. She tried to flee, but she couldn’t move. Her hands were restrained. She murmured, unable to scream, fear exploding through her.
She tried
to kick, but her legs wouldn’t move. Panic blazed through her.
“Laurie.”
Her eyelids popped open. Darkness surrounded her. A body was pressed against her. Big and hard. A man’s strong arms were wrapped around her.
Oh, God, Donovan. Memories of the cage he’d locked her in flashed through her brain. Fear and anguish gripped her.
She lurched forward, scrambling from his hold, and scurried through the darkness. She didn’t know where she was. But her ankle buckled and she fell to the floor.
The light snapped on and she rolled onto her butt, then pushed herself backward with her one good foot and her hands, but found herself trapped in a corner of the room.
* * *
“Laurie, what the hell?” Steele was still half asleep, but at the sight of Laurie on the ground panting, he became fully alert. He pushed himself from the bed and walked toward her slowly.
She cowered in the corner, like a trapped animal, her eyes glazed in fear.
He crouched on the floor, still several feet away. “It’s okay, baby. Did you have a nightmare?”
Her gaze darted back and forth as she sucked in deep breaths. Did she even recognize him?
“Laurie. It’s okay. You’re safe now. You’re here with me.”
She focused on him, her eyes wide, and seemed to relax a little.
“Steele?” she said hesitantly.
“That’s right, Laurie.”
Then tears welled in her eyes and flowed down her cheeks. His heart clenched at the sight.
“I … I…” She sucked in a breath.
He sat down on the floor. “It’s okay. Just take it slowly.”
“I was in a cage. He tried to choke me. I was so scared.”
The words tumbled from her mouth in a rapid flow, punctuated by shallow breaths.
“I know, baby.”
He wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her, but he didn’t want to approach her. All he could do was be here for her and wait for her to come to him.
She sucked in a few more breaths, then her gaze turned to his. “It was real, wasn’t it? It wasn’t just a nightmare.”
He nodded.