by BJ Wane
“I’m stronger than I look,” she returned with a smile. She still couldn’t believe any of these people meant her harm and preferred thinking there had to be another explanation for the loosened strap after Devin had tightened it.
By the time they rode back to the corrals, still damp but exuberant over their outing, and nothing untoward had occurred, Kelsey was even more sure the strap had not been an intentional attempt to cause a mishap sometime during their ride. She didn’t say that to the guys, however. One look at their set-in-stone faces as they dismounted and she knew they wouldn’t lighten up.
“Did we overreact?” Greg stood in the den, ran a hand through his hair and around his neck as he watched Kelsey fix a cup of tea in the kitchen.
“Fuck, no,” Devin retorted as he eyed her with a brooding look. “Do you honestly think we should let our guard down?”
“No, just wishing for her sake things were different. I don’t like the shadows under her eyes.”
“If there wasn’t a threat, she wouldn’t be here,” Devin reminded him.
“Yeah, I guess,” Greg agreed, sending him a shrewd look. “You’ve certainly done a one-eighty in the last week.”
Devin shrugged. “She grew on me.”
“I know what you mean. I’m going to have Jordan double check those names and get changed while you stay with her. I’ll hurry to give you time before we start the barbeque. Did you get hold of that last reservation this morning?” With the hunting party checking out tomorrow and the two couples leaving Tuesday morning, they would have an easier time watching Kelsey. To play it safe, they’d decided to cancel the four upcoming reservations that were the last for the year, offering full refunds and a free, five-night stay next year for the inconvenience.
“Yes. He wasn’t happy, but he was the only one to give me grief over it.” Devin’s tone indicated he didn’t care and Greg agreed. One person’s disgruntlement was worth the peace of mind in keeping Kelsey safe.
“Then let’s get through the next thirty-six hours.”
“This isn’t working,” he said as soon as they entered the cabin. “We didn’t factor in on Fisher and Young being glued to her hip.” Frustration colored his tone and took a bite out of his usual calm manner.
“So we go to plan B. Check out at our scheduled time and back track at night. Instead of getting to her after an accident lays her up, we’ll just take her out and run,” his partner returned, stripping off her wet clothes.
“And her self-appointed bodyguards?”
She shrugged. “We’ll do them for free just because they’ve foiled our plans and pissed me off.”
“I’m going to bed.” Kelsey jumped up and looked at the two of them with hopeful expectation. Sitting nestled between her cowboys watching a movie without either man making a move to get under her clothes had added to her frustration of the past few days.
Yesterday, she’d stayed holed up in the house, working while Greg and Devin took turns keeping guard and seeing the hunting party off. They’d disappointed her again by sharing her bed but not touching her. While she was grateful for their protection, she yearned to experience their full, dual possession before she went home. Now that the other guests were gone and the only ones left were Otis and Silas, whom she knew they trusted implicitly, there was no reason why they couldn’t pick up where they’d left off Saturday night at the club. Jordan sent each of them a text that morning, letting them know the Swedish authorities were in possession of the lockbox she’d inherited. As soon as they verified the evidence her father hid in it, they would interrogate her father’s partner and with luck, pull the identity of the hired thug from him so she could return home.
Greg stood and shook his head, hating to dim the light in her eyes, especially since he knew she wouldn’t understand why neither of them intended to touch her again until they neutralized the threat to her safety. They wouldn’t make that mistake again, and just because the guests had departed as of that morning didn’t mean the hired perpetrator wouldn’t double back. “Devin will stay with you in the bedroom. I’ll be on watch out here.”
Her eyes narrowed to blue slits as her gaze volleyed between the two of them. He knew the moment realization took hold and she took it about as well as he’d suspected. “Fine, but I want one kick at the bastard before you haul him off.” She pivoted and all but stomped toward the hall.
Devin winced but Greg’s lips twitched as he murmured, “I have no doubt where she’ll aim that small foot or of its impact.”
“Neither do I. I’ll spell you in a few hours.” Devin followed Kelsey to the bedroom as Greg settled back on the couch and put his feet up.
Silas glanced at the bedside clock and finally gave up on getting to sleep. His insomnia had decided to kick his butt tonight and past experience told him he would continue fighting a losing battle just lying in bed. Grabbing his pants off the chair, he slipped them on and padded quietly out to the small living room. The tight space in the two-bedroom cabin didn’t bother either him or Otis; they spent the month on the ranch for the fishing, peace and quiet and friendly socializing. Grabbing a can of pop from the mini refrigerator, he waited until he stepped outside and settled on the porch chair to pop it open and take a long, cold swig.
The star-studded night and fresh air calmed his annoyance over spending the last few hours tossing and turning while his best friend’s light snores filtered through the walls. He envied Otis’ restful sleep. His gaze swept the moon-lit yard as he brought the soda to his mouth again, every muscle tensing when he caught sight of two dark, hunkering shapes sneaking around behind their host’s cabin. Nobody dressed in black clothing and ski masks ran around in a crouch on the ranch late at night, and given everyone except him and Otis had checked out that morning, his inner alarm went on high alert.
Dashing inside to get his phone and awaken Otis, he prayed he could reach either Devin or Greg.
Greg’s phone buzzed with a text, drawing his frown considering the late hour. He checked the sender and went taut with worry when he saw Silas’ name. He and Otis were the only guests other than Kelsey they’d shared their private numbers with and neither man had ever had a need to use them. The 911 code that popped up followed by two people sneaking behind your place propelled him to his feet and storming down the hall with his gun in one hand and his other thumb texting Silas back. On it, stay put.
He entered the bedroom with a stealth he hadn’t forgotten since retiring, but needn’t have worried. Devin had already slid from the bed and clutched his piece as he rolled Kelsey off and bent to whisper in her ear. Bless her heart, she kept quiet, nodded and scooted under the bed without a word. Using hand signals, he informed his partner he was headed around back, leaving Devin to take the window.
Greg cursed under his breath as he inched around the rear of the house and saw both Otis and Silas creeping up behind the two perpetrators, one of whom was lifting a can of what looked like gasoline. The fuckers dared to force Kelsey out the front by setting fire under her window? He had no doubt their plan was to ambush her, Devin and him as they rushed out of the house.
Before he could take aim and fire, Otis ran forward, brandishing a large branch. Fear for the older man tightened his throat as he shouted, “Otis, stop!” Instead of backing off, Otis swung and knocked the can from the perp’s hand just as the other would-be assailant pulled his own weapon. Greg didn’t hesitate or flinch as he squeezed off two rounds and took the guy down; Devin’s shot, coming from inside, hit the smaller person as Otis and Silas backed off and he swung out the window.
Greg and Devin kept their guns aimed at the downed invaders as they bent to check their pulses. “Is he still breathing?” Greg asked Devin after confirming the one he shot was dead.
“She.” Devin whipped off the ski mask to reveal Mrs. Kilpatrick’s sightless eyes staring up at him. “And I’m happy to say I’m still a damn good shot. She’ll be joining her husband in Hell.”
“Works for me.” Greg looked toward Otis a
nd Silas, who had crept up to join them. “What the hell were you thinking?”
Silas scowled. “You think we’d just sit on our porch while these two snuck up on you or that girl?”
Otis snorted. “Not likely.”
Devin started to say something before his jaw went taut and his gaze cut to behind Greg. Kelsey’s wobbly voice whispered, “Is it over, then?”
“I told you to stay put,” Devin snapped, his gut still cramped from the close call to her safety.
“You can ground me later, Dad,” she returned sarcastically despite looking small, pale and shaken in the moonlight as she stood there in nothing but a short robe. “Are they…”
“Yes, they’re dead. We made sure of it. Come on.” Greg took her arm and nodded to the older men. “Thank you, both of you. You may as well come inside. The police will want your statements.”
“I’ll place the call and wait here.” Devin spotted Tom standing several yards away, his rifle in his arms, his stance protective as he took in the scene. Fuck, but it was good to know their relationships with all three men went deeper than guests and hosts and employers and employee. He was also happy to breathe a sigh of relief the danger to Kelsey had been laid to rest once and for all. With the arrest of Sven Lindgren in Sweden, she could return home in a few days without fear.
The hard part, he was ready to admit, would be getting used to not having her around anymore.
It was close to four in the morning by the time the Billings police had taken everyone’s statements, talked to Jordan and left with the bodies of the Kilpatricks. Kelsey still couldn’t believe the friendly couple had been hired to kill her. They’d seemed so nice. She’d refused to talk to either McAllister, but from what she heard, the Kilpatricks’ alias had withstood the FBI’s background search and more investigation would be needed before they could determine if the couple were professionals. If she weren’t so tired, shell-shocked and despondent, that information would likely freak her out more. As it was, when Devin and Greg ordered her to bed, she didn’t take umbrage at their bossiness and fell into an exhausted sleep as soon as she hit the mattress.
For the first time in days, Kelsey awoke alone in her bed, and she missed the presence of Greg or Devin. That didn’t bode well for her return home, but she’d known the time would come when she’d have to go back to her less-than-satisfying sex life. Such were the woes of indulging in fantasies for a short time.
It felt strange to discover herself not only alone in bed but in the house as she padded into the kitchen. Like her first morning here, the coffee pot stood filled with her cup next to it. No note was needed as she knew where everything was now. She didn’t know when the McAllisters would come get her, but she did remember today was the last day Mary and Les would be around until they returned in the spring. May seemed like such a long time away, she thought sadly, taking her mug with her as she left the house.
The ranch seemed so quiet and deserted without guests moving about or any activities taking place. Shielding her eyes with her hand, she peered out toward the pastures and could barely make out a handful of riders among the herd of cattle. Even with the distance though, she had no trouble zeroing in on Devin and Greg, the coldness that had gripped her since last night thawing as she drank in their tall frames, wide shoulders and the skill with which they maneuvered their horses among the herd. With a sigh of longing, she forced her feet to move, walking over to the social hall with a lump in her throat.
“My goodness, what a night you must have had.” Mary came bustling over as soon as Kelsey entered, wrapping her soft arms around her in a motherly embrace that brought tears to her eyes.
“Now, Mary, the boys kept her safe, so don’t fret. You’ll upset the girl.” Les put his arm around Kelsey’s shoulders as soon as Mary released her and gave her a quick but tight hug.
“Thank you both.” She smiled as she stepped back, needing the space to get herself under control. “I know you’re packing up for the winter. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Aren’t you a dear? Thank you, but no, we’re about done. I do hope you’ll come for a visit next year,” Mary said.
“Oh, well, I don’t know.” She’d wanted to go home since she arrived, so she couldn’t imagine wanting to return, at least not anytime soon. She would miss everyone, especially Greg and Devin, but the ache she experienced when she thought of not seeing them again would go away in time, wouldn’t it? It was just the stress and unhappiness with her situation that brought them together and prompted her into going after them. How much longer could it last, anyway, when it was just sex? “If you’re sure I can’t be of help, I’ll say goodbye.”
“You take care,” Les said, holding the door open for her.
I always do, don’t I? Kelsey nodded, walked back out into the bright sun and spotted Cleo in the corral. Returning her cup to the house, she saddled the little mare, swung up and steered her toward the path that would take them to the creek. She had thanked Otis and Silas last night, but wouldn’t mind wasting the afternoon riding solo and then visiting with them by the stream.
Devin and Greg sat on the porch watching Kelsey gallop toward the stables, both admiring her skill in riding, the way her bright hair flew around her face and the sway of her small body. It had been Devin’s idea to give her space today. He figured after having them hovering for days and insisting she stay close before the threat against her had been confirmed, she would appreciate the freedom to spend a few hours as she pleased. As she rode into the corral, he could see the rosy hue covering her cheeks, the blush of pleasure much easier to handle than seeing her pale features last night.
As if reading his thoughts, Greg said, “She held up good last night. Better than most would under the same circumstances.”
“She did. Gotta admire the hell out of her for that,” Devin murmured in agreement.
“Jordan called. They’re upset she still won’t speak to them. He said to tell her they’d be at the airport Friday morning to take her back.”
“Yeah, I figured that from what I heard in the barn.” And he’d been trying not to jump down his friend’s throat for the twist in his gut when he thought of not having her around.
Greg snorted. “You’re not fooling me. You’re pissed, likely at me because you’ll miss her as much I will.” Pushing to his feet, he stretched, saying, “She still doesn’t like it here and wants to go home. A sub’s needs always come first.”
Devin rose, his eyes on Kelsey as she as she strolled toward the porch. “Then I guess we should make the best of her last two days here.”
Chapter 15
Kelsey left the stable and started toward the house wondering what they would have for dinner. But when she spotted Devin and Greg waiting for her on the porch with muscled arms crossed, booted feet spread, their rugged, bristled jaws taut and their eyes shadowed by their lowered Stetsons, all thoughts of food fled as her pulse spiked and her palms turned clammy. Her whole body went on high alert, the girls and slutty bitch did their usual jig upon seeing them. With any luck, they were ready to sate a different kind of hunger in a way she’d been dreaming of for way too long.
“Did you enjoy your ride, little bit?” Greg took her hand as soon as she stepped onto the porch.
“Yes. I left Otis and Silas at the creek. They invited me to share their catches for dinner at their cabin, but I declined, hoping you had something in mind.” She hadn’t shied away from letting them know what she wanted and saw no reason to do so now. The slow curl to both men’s lips warmed her from the inside out.
“Mary left a casserole and it’s heating up now.” Devin opened the door and pressed a hand against her butt to usher her inside. “I’ll get it out of the oven while you get out of your clothes.”
Stumbling to a stop inside the foyer, Kelsey gaped at him as Greg’s hand tightened around hers. “You expect me to eat naked?”
“Yes. Got a problem with that?” Greg asked, the amusement in his tone curling her toes.
Her surprise changed to a familiar, illicit thrill and she shook her head with a wry grin. “Nope.”
“Told you.” Devin smirked at Greg before strolling into the kitchen.
Under Greg’s watchful eye, she stripped off her jeans and top. “Be a good girl and go put your clothes in your room. But hurry, I’m hungry.”
That was the start of the strangest, but most exhilarating evening she’d spent with them. They sat opposite her at the kitchen table, asking her what she’d like to do before she left Friday morning while her nipples puckered into tight, almost painful pinpoints under their heated gazes. At the mention of the McAllisters’ arrival to take her home, her mood dropped from ecstatic to depressed. She should be happy her ordeal was finally over and she would be back in her own apartment by the weekend, right? The desperate clutch around her heart had to be because she would miss her cowboys. Home was where she wanted to be and within a few weeks, her time here would slip to the back of her mind with the other fond memories she’d kept of her previous relationships. Only none of those men had ever looked at her with such intense, focused gazes; had never put her needs or her safety above theirs and had never pulled such exalting orgasms from her.
“Eat and tell me what made you look so sad all of a sudden.” Devin pointed his fork at her plate where she’d been toying with the creamy pasta bake.
“It’s a little difficult to concentrate on eating while naked in front of two, fully clothed men,” she retorted, uneasy with their probing question. It wouldn’t do to let them know she would be sad to leave them. She didn’t doubt they would forget her as soon as they returned to their club and took up with someone else.