by Kasey Belle
“Ella and Nikki are out in the waiting room. I called them when I got your message. As soon as Stevie is back from x-ray, how about I take your keys out to them? El and Nikki can close the shop down properly, so you don’t lose any product and tape a sign to the door. I’ll ask one of them to call Heather and tell her not to bother coming in for her shift. How does that sound?”
Bow nodded feeling less like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. “That sounds like one less thing I have to worry about, but they’ll need Heather. She knows how to clean the machines and the combination to the safe. Thank you for thinking of that. You’re all right, Storm Brightman.”
He snickered. “You’re not so bad yourself, mate.” He kissed her softly on the lips.
“Oh, and maybe one of them could move my car. If it’s still where I left it.”
Storm cocked his head. His eyebrows pulled down into a frown. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Well. I kind of parked in front of the emergency unloading area and when the guard told me to move my car, I basically dared him to tow it?”
Storm shook his head and grinned. “Of course, you did.”
Bow shrugged. “I could have told him to fuck off instead.”
“There is that.”
Ten minutes after Storm arrived the orderly wheeled Stevie back into the room The pain medication they gave him must have kicked in because her little boy was no longer in tears and now wore a cute doped up expression. “Hi, Mommy. Daddy! You’re here.”
Storm ran a hand over the top of Stevie’s head. “Of course, I am, buddy. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
“Is his arm broken?” She asked the orderly.
“I don’t know, ma’am. The doctor is reading the x-rays. He should be in soon.” He looked down at Stevie. “What do you say we get you back in the bed, little man?” He picked Stevie up and set him on the mattress.
“Okay. Are you sure the doctor will let me pick the color of my cast if my arm’s really broken?” Stevie asked as the orderly pulled the sheet over his legs then tucked it in around his waist.
“Yep.”
“So, I can have purple or pink?”
“Sure. Whatever you want.” The orderly smiled indulgently. He went over to the cabinets and pulled out colored fiberglass rolls setting them on the counter. “As you can see we have the standard colors, plus… Tada! Three types of camo: standard green, blue, and pink.” Stevie’s eyes lit up making both her and Storm smile. “I have it on good authority the orthopedist on shift will let you mix colors, in case you want to go wild,” he divulged in a conspiratorial whisper. “I’ll leave these here, so you can decide.” He shot Stevie a wink before pushing the wheel chair out the door.
“He was really nice, Mom. My arm doesn’t hurt as bad.” Stevie blinked. “I’m tired.”
Rainbow pushed her fingers through her son’s soft hair. “It’s the medicine. Why don’t you close your eyes and rest?”
“Daddy, you’ll be here when I wake up, right?”
“Yep. I just need to run your mom’s keys out to Ella and Nikki. They’re in the waiting room. I’ll also need to have one of them move her car. If it’s still there.” Storm winked. “Ain’t that right, cupcake?”
He went to the bed and placed a kiss on Stevie’s forehead.
Bow grinned as she dug into her purse searching for her keys. She handed them to Storm. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“I’ll be right back,” he murmured against her skin. “Can I bring you anything? Water? Soda? Coffee?”
“A water would be nice.” She brushed her hand down Storm’s chest. “Stevie?”
He nodded. “Water.”
Storm wrapped his big hand around Stevie’s foot and gave it a little wiggle. “You got it, little man.”
Bow sighed as the door shut behind her man. He was such a teddy bear. She stifled a giggle. Anyone who saw him in his bear form wouldn’t think so. He was large and scary looking but had a marshmallow center. She couldn’t have asked the goddess to bless her with a more perfect mate.
“Mommy?”
“Hmm?”
“If I fall asleep will you tell the doctor I want hot pink and pink camo for my cast?”
The big yawn that escaped her boy told her sleep was inevitable. She pulled the sheet and blanket up to Stevie’s chin. She didn’t want him getting chilled. “Sure, baby.”
“Thank you,” he mumbled as his eyes drifted closed.
Bow was ready to go in search of Stevie’s doctor when Storm came through the door with the man in tow. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the older man.
Dr. Reeves held up his hands. “Sorry for the delay, Ms. Mason. I was needed on a consult. How is our little patient?”
“He’s been asleep for a bit.”
“Good.” Dr. Reeves went over to the open lap top on the rolling cart and began typing. He turned the cart so that she and Storm could see the screen. “He has a fractured ulna. You can see it here.” He pointed to a section of the bone. “He’s a lucky boy. We don’t need to set the break. He’ll only have to wear a cast for four to six weeks depending on how quickly the bone heals.”
The doctor moved toward the bed and Stevie’s eyes fluttered then opened. Dr. Reeves smiled down at him. “How are feeling, Stevie?”
“Mmm. My arm still hurts but not as bad.”
“I’ll give you something more for the pain. You have a fracture. Would you like to see it?”
“Can I really?” Excitement lit Stevie’s eyes.
“Of course. Let’s raise this up, shall we?” He indicated the head of the bed before pushing the button on the railing. The whirl of the motor filled the room.
Bow reached out and took Storms hand. She was so thankful for his presence. She could have handled this whole thing on her own, but she was so glad she didn’t have to. There was a lot to be said for being able to lean on someone, especially a man like Storm.
Stevie oohed and aahed over his cool looking bones then picked out the colors for his cast. Bow breathed a sigh of relief when the doctor didn’t bat an eye. She wasn’t sure how they would manage Stevie’s schoolwork and everyday tasks since he fractured his dominant arm, but she knew with Storm’s help they would figure it out. One thing she did know for certain, she wanted this suckfest of a day to be over.
Chapter 13
Storm spent a fair amount of time in hospitals, dealing with his own injuries and that of his teammates after missions. He’d waited in uncomfortable chairs, smelled horrible smells for hours, and been stuck under scratchy sheets for days on end. But he’d never had to wait and watch helpless as someone he loved and swore to protect needed medical intervention. That was unacceptable and why he’d snuck out that morning before Bow woke. He didn’t doubt she’d try to talk some sense into him if she found out what he was about to do. Good thing she hadn’t because he wouldn’t change his mind. Nope. It was time shit was dealt with once and for all. He didn’t blame the boy who hurt their Stevie. Well he did, but Storm had known enough bullies from foster care to understand the wide range of reasons behind their behavior. If he was right about what he suspected, then he had a parent or two to deal with.
Storm slowed his truck and turned down an unkept drive. The thing needed serious grading. In fact, it was more pot holes than road. The house he parked in front of was even worse if that was possible. The once white paint had greyed and was faded and cracked. Half the shutters were missing and the ones that weren’t hung crooked. The porch wasn’t sturdy by the look of it and the yard was overgrown with weeds. Not to sound sexist or anything, but it certainly spoke of the type of man who lived here. Storm had a feeling his theory was about to be proven correct.
He exited his vehicle and carefully ascended the wood steps. The planks creaked under his weight as he made his way to the front door. He shoved his hand through the hole in the screen door and knocked. A moment later a small, disheveled woman sporting a poorly concealed black ey
e opened the door.
He’d been right after all and he fucking hated it. Storm fought his rage. He didn’t want the woman to think it was aimed at her. She’d already been on the receiving end of someone else’s anger enough for a lifetime.
“May I help you?” She asked in a small, timid voice.
“My name is Storm Brightman. I’m Stevie Mason’s stepfather.” True enough. The woman sucked in a breath and fear flitted over her features. “I’m here about your son.”
“I– I–,” the woman stammered. “I’m Jack’s mother Danika Paulson.” She glanced over her shoulder into the house. “I’m sorry about your boy. It won’t happen again. You should go.” She worried her lower lip. “Please.”
The stench of fear rolled off Danika Paulson in waves. Storm’s gut clenched. “Is your husband home, Mrs. Paulson?” She shook her head. “What about your son?”
“Please don’t hurt my boy.” Her eyes filled, but she valiantly blinked back her tears.
Her impassioned plea made Storm feel like shit. The fact that she thought he would harm a child spoke of her volatile living situation. He donned was he hoped was a kind expression. “I would never harm your boy, Mrs. Paulson or you. You see, I’m of the belief that what your son did to mine was either learned behavior or misplaced anger, maybe even both.” Danika dropped her gaze and her cheeks heated with what Storm assumed was embarrassment. “I don’t think that Jack learned it from you.”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
Storm reached out then pulled his hand back immediately with she flinched. “Don’t you? I’m sure that’s not the first black eye that bastard has given you.” She reached up and touched the bruised skin. Storm raised a hand when she opened her mouth. “Please don’t insult my intelligence by telling me you ran into a door.” He sighed. “Why don’t you pack a bag for you and Jack. I’ll take you somewhere safe.” He ignored her shaking head and powered on. “You can’t stay here, Mrs. Paulson, and I can’t leave you here knowing what I know.”
“We’ll be fine. Really.”
Storm grunted. “We both know that’s not true.” He gentled his voice. “Do you honestly want to stay here or are you just afraid to leave?”
“Why do you care?” She glanced at him through her lashes. “Especially after what Jack did.”
“Like I said, hate and abuse are learned behaviors in children.” He blew out a breath. “Look. Do you really want to chance Jack growing up and repeating the cycle? Do you want risk the possibility of him turning into a man who would beat his wife and child? I’m not saying it will happen, but there is a big chance it will. Please let me help you.”
Storm waited not so patiently for her to decide whether she would take him up on his offer or not. She twisted her fingers together and chewed her lip to the point it started to bleed.
After what seemed like an eternity, Mrs. Paulson looked him in the eye and nodded. She stepped back and gesture for him to enter. Storm pulled the screen door open wincing at the awful screech it made.
“I’ll wait here by the door, Mrs. Paulson. It would be best if you could hurry.”
“Please call me Danika.”
He offered her a smile. “Danika.”
“Mom?”
A little blond boy, he assumed was Jack, stepped from the hallway. Storm fought the growl that threatened to erupt. The kid was shirtless, and his arms were covered in welts. If Storm had to guess he’d say they were put there by a belt.
Jack’s eyes widened with fear and he took a step back when he saw Storm. Danika rushed over to her son and knelt in front of him. She took his hands. “Jack, this is Storm Brightman. Stevie’s stepfather. He’s not going to hurt us. I need you to go to your room, put on a shirt and shoes, then empty your dresser drawers onto your bed. Grab three toys you can’t part with and throw them on the pile. Go. Do it now. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Are we finally leaving, Mom? Going where Dad can’t hurt us anymore?”
Danika glanced over her shoulder at Storm then turned back to Jack. “Yes. Go. Hurry.”
Jack ran off, but Danika didn’t follow. She ran her shaking hands through her hair. Storm made a shooing motion with his hands to get her moving. She went to the kitchen. He heard her digging around in a cabinet then she rounded the counter holding a box of trash bags.
In less than ten minutes, Danika and Jack reappeared. Danika had a duffle bag slung across her body and they were each dragging a large black trash bag. Storm rushed over and took the bags from them. “I’ve got these. Do you need to grab anything else? I’m not sure when you’ll be able to retrieve more.” He reached for the duffel, but Danika refused to relinquish it.
Danika shook her head. “Just my purse.” She went over and grabbed it off the scarred coffee table.
He let them out of the house and ushered them to his SUV. The sound of a vehicle motor in need of a serious tune-up reached his ears. He knew it was only a matter of time before Danika and Jack heard it.
He hit the key fob and unlocked the doors. Storm placed their belongings in the back. Danika and Jack froze when they finally heard the vehicle. They turned and stared in horror as a dilapidated shit brown truck turned into the drive.
“Oh no.” Danika covered her mouth and began to shake. “John.”
“Is that your husband?” Storm snarled.
“Yes. That’s my dad,” Jack whispered.
“Get in,” Storm ordered. He pulled open the passenger and back door practically shoving the boy and his mother into the vehicle when they didn’t move. He handed his keys to Danika. “Keep the doors locked. If for some reason I can’t make it to the car, you get the hell out of here. Head straight to The Sanctuary. Do you know where it is?” Danika nodded. “Hit the call button on the keypad. When someone answers, tell them I sent you.” He glanced at the truck speeding toward them “Do not leave this vehicle for any reason.” Storm slammed the door relaxing when he heard the locks engage.
Mr. Paulson’s truck skidded to a stop. He climbed out and slammed the door before stomping toward Storm’s SUV. “You two get the fuck out of that car and back in the house!”
Storm growled recognizing him as the asshole from the clothing store.
“Well, well, well. If it ain’t the sissy boy’s daddy. I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but you best get out of my way.” Mr. Paulson tilted his chin. His lip curled into a mean sneer.
Storm stood between him and the car. If John wanted Danika and Jack he’d have to go through Storm. “I think I’m the man who’s going to end you if you even think about laying a hand on your wife and kid.”
“They belong to me.”
“Not anymore. They’re leaving. They’re not coming back. I suggest you find yourself a lawyer.”
The asshole took a swing at Storm which he easily deflected. He counterattacked planting his meaty paw in the fucker’s face. Storm was careful not to use his full strength even though he really wanted to cave John Paulson’s skull in. Jack’s bigoted sperm donor dropped like a stone. Storm may have also spit on the guy and kicked him in the ribs before he climbed into his vehicle and drove Danika and Jack Paulson to safety.
Chapter 14
Storm pulled into The Sanctuary, still unsure how he was going to explain to Stevie that his mortal enemy would be living in his old cabin. Stevie wasn’t unreasonable. He was in fact a very empathetic and compassionate child. But, Jack Paulson had tormented Stevie and broken his arm. Storm wasn’t sure if Stevie could easily forgive the boy no matter the circumstances. That went double for his mate.
He parked in front of Koda’s cabin then turned to his passengers. “Why don’t you wait here? I need to let Koda know you’ll be staying in my old place and why.”
Danika twisted her fingers together. “Do you think he’ll be mad? Will he turn us away?”
“No.” Koda was all about taking in abused strays. “Think of it more as a courtesy since it’s his land.”
She nodd
ed still looking uncertain and afraid. Storm patted her shoulder lightly.
He climbed out of his vehicle. The front door open and he was surprised to find his mate standing there. He wasn’t surprised however by the unhappy look on her face.
“Where have you been? I woke up, and you were gone. When you didn’t answer your cell, I came here. I was worried something had happened to you.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared.
He trotted up the steps and pulled her into his arm. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to worry you. I went to the Paulson’s’.”
Bow groaned. “I told you not to do that. Do I need to provide you with an alibi?” He could tell she was only half teasing.
“An alibi won’t help. There were witnesses. Although, I don’t think they’d take his side.”
She reared back and frowned up at him. “What does that mean?” He nodded toward his vehicle. Her eyes followed. “Who’s in your car?”
“Danika and Jack Paulson.”
“What?” She snarled. She attempted to remove herself from his arms. He tightened his hold on her.
“Cupcake, listen to me. Please.” She stopped struggling. “You remember our talk last night. How we both agreed that Jack’s actions were probably learned behavior.”
“Yeah?” He knew she realized what he was hinting at when sadness hit her eyes. “Oh, no.” Tears filled Bow’s eyes.
Storm nodded. “Yeah. I couldn’t leave them there.”
“Of course, you couldn’t.”
“I figured they could stay in the foreman’s cabin. They’d be safe until John Paulson’s arrested or whatever. He certainly can’t get to them here.” Storm still seethed with anger. He should have killed the fucker. “You remember that guy I told you about in the clothing store? It was John Paulson.”