by Victoria Sue
Mac watched in fascination as two beautiful plump lips fastened around the straw, eyes hooded, and sucked in obvious relief.
Lisa opened her eyes fully again and gazed at him.
“I thought I dreamt you,” she said, her voice soft and hesitant.
Mac didn’t know whether to shout and bang his chest in elation at the sound of her voice or to just wrap her up in his arms and growl at anyone who had dared to lay a finger on her.
“You’re still here.”
Mac’s gut ripped at the bewilderment and surprise. He heard the mistrust and fear of years in those three little words. He tried to reign in his eagerness. Going all King Kong badass on her at the moment wouldn’t win him any prizes.
“I’m not going anywhere, Lisa. I know all this is as confusing as hell, and you’re probably frightened. I know you’ve been hurt, but you don’t have to worry about that anymore. We just want you to heal and relax.”
Lisa’s eyes widened, and her breath hitched. “Doctor Madden?”
“Well, if you mean the bitch that was in charge of that sorry excuse for a hospital they had you in, you don’t have to worry about her ever again.”
Mac hesitated. He could see confused thoughts racing through her brain and knew she was still a long way off from being able to process anything.
“Where am I?”
That was a sensible question at least. “Raleigh Point, just outside of Raleigh Town, about a hundred and thirty miles east of Springfield.”
Mac couldn’t help it; he kissed her forehead again.
* * * *
Lisa lay still. She remembered him doing that yesterday. She couldn’t seem to work out who this man was. He lay next to her, kissing her, like he had all the time in the world. She wasn’t even frightened, and that bewildered her even more. She screwed her eyes up, trying to work through the fog that usually surrounded her brain. To be honest, most of her last few years had been a fog, and she suddenly realized she was thinking clearer.
They’ve forgotten the drugs!
Maybe, maybe if she was quiet and still seemed out of it, they wouldn’t give her anymore for a while. Dr. Madden had been yelling at the orderlies yesterday, saying she was being transferred. She’d tried to fight them as usual, and then it got a bit confusing again. She wasn’t sure where this big guy fit into it at all. She eyed him warily. Thick black hair hung messily over a wrinkled forehead. He was staring at her but smiling. Not like she was some weird exhibit, the way they had all looked at her at the hospital. His eyes were amazing, brilliant blue, like the sky. Well, on television anyway. It was always blue on television. Pain formed around the sudden lump in her throat. She made a noise. It could have been a whine. She hoped it wasn’t a sob. She turned her face away.
A soft finger traced her cheek. All her body quivered. Desperate, needy. She wanted to lean into that touch, but was terrified if she moved, it would be taken away. She’d lost enough. She didn’t want to be dependent on something else. Everything always got taken away. The lump in her throat burned. Her head moved barely. His touch seemed to be magnetic. Warm. Something pulled at her insides. She tried not to turn, but the burning in her throat eased as the gentle finger stroked her face. Carefully, slowly, she leaned in. The finger became a palm. Warm. Strong. Holding her.
“Lisa?”
She shivered and dared another glance. Wide lips curved in half a smile on a strong jaw that needed a shave. Maybe he kept it like that? She wanted to shake her head. She sounded so old. Even in her head. The guys on the TV didn’t shave. Maybe it was the new thing. What did she know? Sudden anger flared. Who cared about the guy? Not her. She willed herself to stay still. Not draw any attention to her being more awake. She slid her eyes reluctantly away. Focus.
Maybe this was her chance to escape. She knew she was strong. Wicked, they had called her. Lisa had to stifle a gasp as the word rang through her head. She was wicked. She knew she was. She remembered a foster mother screaming it at her as she was dragged away from her last place because the woman’s sick bastard of a husband had tried to touch one of the little ones again. Lisa had broken his arm, wrenching it off the little kid.
She knew it was wrong. She didn’t regret breaking his arm, but her temper terrified her. When she got angry, she was so strong. She’d go for weeks with no problem, and then all of a sudden, she’d wake up one day, burning, and God help anyone who got in her way. I’m wicked. Desolate tears wanted to break free, but she couldn’t even summon the energy for crying. There was no point. There was never any point.
The guy raised himself up on one arm to look at her. He could see her face screwed up tight. “Lisa, honey?”
She didn’t know what to say. She tried calling him the guy in her head again, but she knew it was no good. His name was Mac.
“Lisa, look at me.” If she ignored him, maybe he could become just the guy again
“Lisa, I said look at me.”
Lisa’s eyes opened wide at the power in his voice. She should be scared. He was messing with her head, because she wasn’t scared, not really. She trusted his voice.
“Now,” he said getting out of bed, “I know this is confusing as hell, and I know you’ve been in a bad place for a long time. I’m not going to bombard you with a lot of information. Just know you are safe, no one’s gonna hurt you ever again. My brother Riley is going to come in here in a moment. Riley’s a healer, a good one.”
She could nearly hear her pulse speed up. A healer? He looked at her steadily, waiting. She blew a long breath out, and he nodded.
“When Riley has checked to be sure you’re healing okay, my sister Cassie’s gonna help you get comfortable. You can either eat here or downstairs if you’re ready to brave my family.”
Lisa watched, amazed as his face softened on a grin as he mentioned his family, and a spurt of jealousy shot through her.
There was a soft knock on the door, and a woman walked in. She looked about the same age as her, with a smile that crinkled her freckled face surrounded by red curls.
“Hi, Lisa, I’m Cassie. How are you feeling?” The woman asked, but Lisa couldn’t answer her as she was too distracted by the huge man that followed her. Power vibrated off him, and she scrambled up the bed quivering toward Mac.
* * * *
Mac steadied her and put his arm around her, startled by her strong reaction to Riley. God, if she thought he was scary, wait till she saw Zack. He had at least another five inches on the pair of them.
“Riley’s not gonna hurt you.” Mac drew her in protectively, humbled that, in her fear, she had instinctively sought him out.
Riley sat on the edge of the bed below her, trying to assume the most non-threatening position he could and his voice lowered by an octave. “Hi, Lisa, I’m Riley, Mac’s brother. I know your side’s probably still hurting you a lot, and I want to check to see how those broken ribs are healing. I just want to feel your side. I promise I’ll be gentle.” Smiling, he blew on his hands to warm them up.
“Come on, let’s get you comfortable.” Lisa stiffened briefly as Mac pulled her onto his lap. His big arms comfortably surrounded her. She took a shuddering breath, and she leaned back into him. God, he felt like he could take on the world when she did that. Lisa flinched slightly as Riley touched her arm, but she still leaned back. He moved slightly and smiled when she followed.
“Good girl.” Mac kissed her head as she relaxed. In no time, Riley had checked her ribs and nodded a satisfied grin to Mac.
Mac lifted her unprotesting body and stood her next to him, careful not to let go until he knew she had her balance. “I’m going downstairs while you get showered.”
Lisa made a grab for his arm. “I…”
“Cassie’s gonna help you get ready. I’ll just be downstairs.” Mac glanced at Cassie for confirmation. “If you need me, tell Cassie. She’ll shout for me.” Mac brought his cell out of his pocket and left it on the nightstand. “I’ll be with Riley.”
Cassie nodded and smiled.
“We’ll be quick. You’ll feel much better.”
Mac stared as the silence lengthened. He’d caught her agonized reaction before she’d turned away. He thought she’d want privacy, and to be honest, he needed some time just to sort his feelings out. He felt like he was just getting off a rollercoaster that he’d been stuck on for about ten hours. He moved uncomfortably and turned to tell Riley he was gonna wait up here until Lisa was ready. Lisa’s stiffened shoulders made him feel like he was abandoning her. He stared at her back, willing her to look. If she turned, he would stay. He sighed silently and followed Riley out of the room.
Lisa turned just as the door closed.
Chapter Three
Mac put out a hand to stop Riley. “I need to borrow your phone.” Riley nodded and handed it over then turned to go. “Riley.” Mac shook his head to get Riley to stay and leaned on the bannister waiting for Brett to answer.
“Riley?”
“It’s Mac. Got a problem.” If that isn’t the understatement of the century. He could imagine Brett grinning.
“I know she’s there okay. Zack called.”
“Yeah, Brett, but it was weird. He told you they were getting ready to move her?”
“That’s what Dr. Michaels—”
Mac interrupted “Brett, one of the nurses was a shifter.”
Riley’s eyebrows shot up in astonishment, and a soft gasp came from Brett.
“What the hell?” Brett started.
“Look, it was weird. There was no way any shifter wouldn’t have known what Lisa was, even if they didn’t know her alpha status. I just can’t believe any shifter would leave her in that place, without at least, I don’t know, a phone call?”
“Mmm… let me make some calls. Mac? It may be a good idea for you to make some.”
Mac nodded and hung up. He knew Brett meant his F.B.I. buddy, Daniel. Daniel was a cat, a huge, four hundred pound tiger.
“You didn’t say,” Riley said.
Mac handed the phone back. “Not exactly time.”
Riley shook his head. “Of course not. I take it Brett’s going to do some digging?”
“Yeah, and he wants me to call Daniel.”
“Mac, do you think we should bring breakfast upstairs to her? A bit quieter up here.”
Mac’s bear bristled. She was his. He wanted to show her around.
“She’s not a bloody prisoner. I want her to feel at home.”
They walked to the kitchen.
* * * *
Cassie headed for the bathroom. “It can be a bit crazy around here, but you get used to it pretty quickly.” She chuckled and turned the shower on, adjusting the temperature. “Now, I’ve put out all the toiletries I think you’ll need. I’m going to grab you some spare clothes, so I’ll leave you to get showered in peace.”
Lisa’s mouth fell open, as Cassie turned to leave. She was stunned. She hadn’t been allowed to shower on her own without an orderly present in as long as she could remember. Embarrassed images came flooding back. It was always supposed to be a woman orderly, but sometimes it hadn’t been. Familiar anger grew, and she had to bite her lip and force her hands down. No, she wouldn’t lose her temper. So far, this had been the best place she had ever been, and she wouldn’t let her anger make them send her away.
Lisa looked in awe around the bathroom. She had never seen such a beautiful room. Sleek, black marble countertops hugged cream shelves. The shower stall was nearly as huge as her room back at the hospital. She undressed quickly, keeping her face averted from the mirror. She stepped in, and years of tension fell from her shoulders under the warm spray. She simply stood, not moving for two full minutes while she relaxed. Warm, safe. Nicest place on earth.
She needed to wash her hair and studied the numerous little bottles on the ledge. She opened a few before choosing one that smelled of flowers and lathered her hair up carefully. When she’d finished and had wrapped herself in a huge fluffy blue towel, there was a soft knock, and Cassie put her head around the door.
“I’ve got a few spare clothes with me. You should be able to choose something from them you like until we can get you your own.”
Lisa’s head lifted sharply. She was going to get her own clothes?
Cassie saw her surprise and frowned. She came into the room to sit on a stool. “I know this is all frightening for you, and there are a lot of things that I will let Mac explain, but try not to worry. Now, I’ll wait outside. You shout when you’re ready, and we’ll go and get breakfast.” Cassie smiled again and headed for the door, clearly not expecting Lisa to answer her.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Blue-green eyes smiled back. “You’re very welcome. Shout for me when you’re done.”
Lisa sat heavily on the stool after Cassie left, her eyes going to the pile of bright clothes. She shook her head in disbelief. When was it all going to start going wrong? Because it always did. Sure as eggs is eggs. Smiling softly, she could hear the sound of Mrs. McAllister in her head. She’d been a group-home mother. One of the nicer ones. She cautiously lifted up a pink sweater and rubbed it against her face. Warm, soft. Wow, underwear. She picked up a scrap of lace and held it to her cheek. Delicate. Probably wouldn’t fit her. Breathing slowly, she pulled them on. Breath hitched. They fit her fine. Then she scowled. What did it matter? They were all just taking pity on her. Playing dress-up.
She fingered the bras cautiously. She hadn’t worn one for a long time and wasn’t sure how comfy they’d be, so she placed them back on the pile. Embarrassed, she wasn’t even sure she’d know if one did fit her properly.
Cassie knocked and put her head around. “Sorry, I should have asked would you like me to do your hair for you.”
Lisa’s face flamed as she cautiously looked at the girl staring back at her from the mirror. Was that really her? That mass of cuts and bruises and sticking up tangled brown hair despite the conditioner she’d found? Who was she kidding? She knew she was ugly. They sometimes thought she’d been too drugged to hear them the nights when the orderlies had checked on her. But she’d heard them. They’d laughed, said that none of them would ever be that desperate.
Feeling the familiar anger rise in her, she clenched her fists and fought it back down. She mustn’t lose control, ever. Wicked.
Lisa suddenly went rigid. She had been so busy concentrating on forcing her anger back down, she had missed Cassie coming up behind her, and the first touch of the brush on her hair made her gasp. Cassie didn’t seem to notice. With a soft touch of her hand, she urged Lisa to sit while she murmured about what a lovely color her hair was, how they could go for a salon visit next week and get it properly cut, and wouldn’t it be fun to have a girl’s day to themselves? Then Cassie had chuckled and added something about having to convince the guys to let them out of their sight.
Lisa was utterly bewildered. No one had ever spoken to her like this, and she found herself blinking back tears. Cassie didn’t seem to notice as she seemed to think Lisa’s hair was dry enough, and they should go eat before all the guys got everything.
Cassie held out an arm to link with Lisa. “You hungry? I’m starved.”
Lisa, glad that Cassie seemed to realize her legs were still a bit wobbly, clutched her arm and followed her out.
Lisa was concentrating too hard to notice any rooms they walked past as they headed closer to where a loud conversation could be heard. Cassie opened a big door, and Lisa flinched automatically at the noise. Two harsh breaths and she was ready to run. Noise beat down on her. Walls were moving. Shouts echoed inside her like they had in the hospital. She froze.
Then magically, he was there. Mac. Bright blue eyes calmed her, and firm hands steered her to a seat.
“Sorry, I forgot how rowdy they can all be. Just ignore them all.”
Riley, she knew, and he brushed his hand across her arm gently to quiet her the same as it had earlier. She was quite grateful to be sitting between him and Mac. Riley was laughing with another big guy. Oh my God, big guy
. He was huge.
The big guy turned, and Lisa gasped. He was holding a baby and started strapping him in a rocker.
“There are six of us altogether. My younger brothers are away at college in Atlanta.” Mac laughed. “Those two over there are the oldest.” He pointed at the giant. “That’s Riley’s twin Zack. Then there’s the baby of the family.” Mac grinned at Cassie. “Mom and Dad stopped after that. I think they were in shock.”
“You mean they finally had me and realized they couldn’t ever improve on perfection.” Cassie grabbed a slice of bacon off Zack’s plate while he was distracted. “Let’s face it; they had to keep trying with you guys.”
Cassie shrieked as Zack lifted her off her feet and grabbed the bacon back. Lisa jumped at the noise, and Mac put his arms around her. She held her breath. No one had noticed. No one was looking at her. Lisa forced her breaths to be steady. There was nothing to be scared of. Mac held her.
Words. Someone was speaking.
“Actually, Lisa, I met you yesterday. I was your taxi driver, but we never got introduced.” Zack smiled softly and nodded to the baby in the rocker. “This is my son, Codie.”
Lisa stared at the baby. He was fast asleep. Gorgeous black curls framed his face, and he looked chubby in all the right places. Something sharp jabbed at her stomach, and she put her hands across her middle protectively. She’d loved hanging out with the little ones when she’d been in the group homes. At least before they’d taken her away. She hadn’t been trusted then.
She remembered a little, dark-haired toddler who had run into her room at the hospital by mistake. He’d tripped as he charged in and had started crying. She’d hurried over to see what the matter was before two orderlies had run in. They’d thought she’d done something to the kid. Her door had always been locked after that whenever visitors were in the building.