Maximum Risk

by Lowery, Jennifer

  His father met them on the stairs. “Going home?”

  To her credit, Avery didn’t shy away from him. His dad was a bear of a man who intimidated most people until they got to know him.

  “Yeah. Bailey helping Mom clean up?”

  “And Evan and Dani. Avery, I don’t think we’ve officially met.” He held out a big hand. “I’m Frank Wolff.”

  Quinn watched Avery shake his father’s hand, unafraid. Not much scared this woman and he liked that about her. She definitely wasn’t the nervous, timid type. With the Wolff family you had to be able to hold your own or they would devour you. He was arrogantly pleased she passed the test.

  “We were just on our way out,” Avery said as if to reassure him she wasn’t staying.

  “I was actually coming up to have a word with my son. Could you give us a minute?”

  “Of course.” With a glance at him, she moved down the stairs. To anyone watching she would appear to have no trouble at all, but he could see the pain she hid and the way she bit her lip every time she took a step.

  “Come upstairs for a minute,” his father said and Quinn followed him up to the master bedroom.

  Inside, his father moved to the dresser and pulled open a drawer. “I want this packed with Ryan’s things.” He turned with a purple heart in his hand.

  Throat thick, Quinn accepted the medal and clutched it in his hand. All he could do was nod, remembering his father’s bravery in war that had earned the honored gift, the men he’d saved. Like Ryan.

  His father clapped a hand on his shoulder and the band around Quinn’s chest tightened another notch. “Son, I know you’re dealing with a lot right now, but you can’t blame yourself for what happened. You boys do what you do knowing the risk. Your brother knew the risk when he signed on.”

  He knew what his dad was trying to do and he appreciated it, but Ryan’s death was on his shoulders and nothing would change that.

  “If Avery needs to see a doctor I can call Rachel. She’s taking over her father’s practice in a few months.”

  Little Rachel McBride. He hadn’t seen her in years, not since she’d left for med school. He had heard she was back in town but hadn’t run across her. She used to follow him and his brothers around like a stray cat, always wanting to join their adventures, but too girly to do it. They all thought she had a crush on them but none of them dated her, since she was more like a sister.

  He should have known his dad would pick up on Avery’s misery. “How much do you know?”

  His father shrugged. “Enough to know you have to find a way to clear her conscience. She can’t hold onto the blame. We don’t blame women for things that are out of our control.”

  “I don’t blame her, Dad.”

  “Good, because that woman is carrying one heavy burden.”

  “She blames herself. I can’t make her see reason.”

  His father patted him on the shoulder and strode for the door. “You’ll figure it out, son. You always do.”

  Left alone in his parents’ bedroom, Quinn stared at the Purple Heart. Ryan deserved the honor for saving Avery’s life and he would personally pack it with the rest of his service items. His dad was right. Avery carried a heavy burden. He never should have let her take the blame. Never should have pushed her away on the chopper.

  He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck to ease the tension riding there. Fucking mess. All of it.

  “Quinn, you better get downstairs. Avery needs you.”

  Bailey’s voice brought him out of his thoughts. He tucked the Purple Heart in the breast pocket of his shirt. Anxiety twisted Bailey’s features and had him sprinting past her. He found Avery lying on the couch, his mother pressing a cool washcloth to her forehead. Her face was deathly pale.

  “What happened?” he demanded, pushing past Evan and his father, who hovered over the women.

  His mother looked up, worry lines creasing her face. “I don’t know. She was walking and suddenly fell to the floor.”

  Quinn looked at Avery, knowing whatever happened was serious because she wasn’t the type of woman to faint. She would fight for all she was worth.

  “Avery?”

  “I just got lightheaded, that’s all. I didn’t mean to scare anyone.” She moved to sit up, but his mother put a hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down. “You’re in no shape to move, dear. Now, you just sit there and I’ll make you a warm cup of tea. Brittany Sawyer just dropped off a new tin the other day. Straight from China.”

  His mother bustled into the kitchen and Quinn crouched next to Avery. “What happened?” he asked quietly.

  She closed her eyes and said wearily, “I don’t know.”

  That wasn’t like her at all.

  “Your feet?”

  “No. It’s like your mother said. One minute I was walking and the next I was on the floor with everyone standing over me. Your brother carried me to the couch.”

  Evan stepped forward. “She didn’t hit anything on the way down, but she felt a little warm.”

  Quinn removed the washcloth from her forehead and replaced it with his hand. Her skin was definitely too warm.

  His mother joined them with a china cup and saucer. “She needs to drink this. It’ll make her feel better.”

  Tea cured every ailment according to his mother, but this time he didn’t think it would work. He was gently nudged aside as his mom took his place at Avery’s side.

  “Here, dear. Take a sip of this.” She slid a hand behind Avery’s head and lifted, the cup pressed to her lips.

  Quinn took his place next to his father and watched Avery sip the tea with a forced smile.

  “I’m feeling much better,” she said, attempting to sit up again. His mom only pushed her back down.

  “You must be overheated in all those clothes. Frank, turn the air conditioner up.” She reached for Avery.

  “No!” Avery shied away from her touch.

  His mom adjusted the pillow behind her head. “It’s all right, dear. You just relax and sip your tea.”

  “I’m sorry,” Avery mumbled and took another sip, her cheeks flushed.

  His father strode to the thermostat to adjust the temperature and Evan nudged Quinn’s arm. He glanced over to meet his brother’s questioning look with a shake of his head.

  “Evan, get me the digital thermometer. Quinn, pull down the blankets in your room. Bailey, you and Dani finish cleaning up with your father.”

  The orders were given in his mother’s don’t-argue-with-me tone and they all snapped to. They didn’t argue with Mom. Before he turned, he saw Avery’s desperate expression, but he only put up his hands in a defenseless gesture. When his mom decided to nurture, there was nothing any of them could do.

  “Really, Mrs. Wolff, I’m fine. Quinn can take me home now,” he heard Avery plead as he took the stairs to the second floor.

  “Call me Ellen, and, no, you aren’t going anywhere, young lady. Not until we know what we’re dealing with here.”

  “But—”

  “No arguing, dear. Now, let me feel your forehead.”

  Quinn strode into his bedroom and pulled the covers back, still wrinkled from where Avery had laid on them earlier. He fluffed the pillows and met his brother in the hallway.

  Evan shook his head, thermometer in hand. “Avery seems pretty uncomfortable with all this attention.”

  “I don’t think she’s used to it.”

  “You better rescue her before Mom gets her into bed.”

  He followed Evan down the stairs. His brother was right. If his mom got Avery into bed there would be no stopping her. She would nurse Avery back to health and not let her leave until she was satisfied Avery was well. That could be days. He doubted Avery would survive that much attention.

  From the kitchen he heard his father speaking quietly to Dani and the clatter of dishes as Bailey helped clean up. The mix of Avery and Dani in the same house wasn’t a good idea. Two cubs to tend would be good for his mom, but bad for Avery
and Dani.

  When he walked into the living room, his mother checked Avery’s temperature in her ear with the thermometer. Avery glared at him.

  “One-hundred three,” his mother said and set the thermometer on the coffee table. “What you need is a nice, cool bath to bring that temperature down. Quinn, draw a bath for Avery, please.”

  Avery’s gaze bounced to him, wide and full of panic.

  “Mom, Avery can bathe at my house. You have things to do.” He stepped forward to lift Avery, but his mom pushed him away.

  “Nonsense. I have you all to help with that. Now, do as I say.”

  “Mrs. Wolff—Ellen—please, I don’t want to be a burden. Let me go to Quinn’s.”

  “Would you be more comfortable there, dear?”

  Avery nodded.

  “Then I’ll pack a bag and stay with you.” His mother rose to her feet.

  “No. I mean, that’s not necessary,” Avery said quickly.

  “You’re sick, dear. Either you stay here and let me tend to you or I go there.”

  Quinn knew that tone and Avery was going to lose this battle. No one ever won when his mom dug in her heels. He watched Avery stiffen, then deflate and close her eyes in acquiescence. She must be sick, because she never gave up this easily.

  “I’ll stay here,” she conceded.

  His mother nodded and turned to him. “Run home and get Avery a change of clothes and a pair of pajamas to sleep in.”

  He glanced at Avery, whose head was turned toward the back of the sofa, eyes closed. She looked miserable.

  “I won’t be long,” he said and strode out, leaving Avery to his mother’s ministrations.

  ****

  Quinn returned minutes later to find Evan waiting at the door. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m taking Dani home. She found out Avery was staying here and freaked out. Mom calmed her down, but I think it best if she went home.”

  “It would be easier for everyone if Mom would let me take care of Avery.”

  Evan nodded. “She doesn’t have the flu, does she?”

  Quinn rubbed his forehead. “I don’t think so.”

  “Are you going to tell Mom?”

  “Can’t. Avery won’t tell me.”

  Evan clapped his shoulder. “I feel for ya, bro. Like walking a minefield, isn’t it?”

  “You have no idea.”

  “Hey, I grew up in this house too. I’ll run interference with Dani until you get Avery back to your house. Good luck, man.”

  With that his brother strode to his truck and climbed in next to Dani, who stared out the windshield, her mouth pulled tight. Quinn continued inside and found Avery still on the sofa, asleep. His mother had covered her with a quilt and sat by her side with a frown.

  She looked up when he walked in. “How is she?”

  His mother got up and motioned him into the hall. “What’s really going on?” she asked once they were alone. “Avery isn’t sick with the flu.”

  “No.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “Nothing, Mom.”

  His mother’s eyes softened. “Something happened before you found her?”

  He nodded.

  She patted his arm. “Not important right now. I’m sure you’ll tell me when the time is right.”

  They were Avery’s secrets to tell, not his. But, knowing his mom, she’d indeed find out the truth eventually.

  “Now, go put those bags in your room and help me get Avery upstairs. A nice bath and restful sleep will make her feel better.”

  Somehow he doubted that, but he didn’t argue. He headed for his room to drop off her bag.

  Downstairs he found Avery sitting on the couch, looking pale and worn out.

  “Come on,” he said, leaning down to pick her up.

  She scooted away and held up a hand to stop him. “No. I got it.”

  With care she rose to her feet, winced, bit her lip and sat back down. “Damn it.”

  “Good thing my mom is in the kitchen making you another cup of tea,” he chided, sweeping her into his arms and carrying her to the stairs.

  “Yes, from someone named Brittany Sawyer. Straight from China,” she groused.

  “Brit is one of the three Sawyer Sisters who run the Bed & Breakfast here in town. Brit specializes in teas and her sister, Amelia, brings in people from all over the country for her pastries. Mom loves tea so Brit keeps her supplied.”

  “Sounds like a great setup.” She let out a sigh. “I don’t understand this. Why is your mother taking care of me? She should be throwing me out of her house.”

  “That’s not how this family operates.”

  Her head fell to his shoulder as he took the stairs up to the second floor. “They should.”

  He carried her into his bedroom and laid her on the bed. She stared up at him, her eyes glazed. “I hate this.”

  “Mom is a nurturer by nature. It’ll be easier if you just let her take care of you.”

  “I don’t need to be taken care of. There’s nothing wrong with me.”

  “Your temperature was one-o-three. That means a fever.”

  She shifted to get comfortable as he moved to her feet and removed her shoes. “I don’t feel sick.”

  “Your body says differently.”

  “I’m fine.”

  He sent her a disapproving look and set her shoes on the floor. Blood had soaked through the bandages and sheer hose. “Jesus, Avery.”

  She pulled her feet away. “They look worse than they are.”

  “You need to soak them in Epsom salts.”

  “Ouch.”

  “It won’t hurt. You may as well agree, because Bailey is drawing you a bath.”

  Her eyes widened in panic. “I’m not bathing here. Oh my God, what is happening? I’m leaving.”

  She swung her feet to the floor, swayed, and put a hand to her forehead. Quinn slid down to sit next to her and put an arm around her shoulders to steady her.

  “Did they waterboard you, Avery?” he asked quietly.

  Against him, she went rigid, her gaze swinging to his. “What?”

  He waited for her to come to terms with it, saw what she tried so hard to fight shining in her eyes, along with strength and pride she wore like a shield. Beneath the thick wall was a vulnerable woman Avery fought like hell to keep down. She’d told him what he wanted to know, but left out a few important details. He suspected this was one of them.

  “Why would you ask me that?” she demanded and shoved him away. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” She rose to her feet with a curse and fell back down on the bed.

  Quinn stayed in place. He wanted to be wrong.

  Her head bowed and her shoulders fell. “How do you know?” she asked.

  “I wish I didn’t.”

  “Me too.”

  He moved closer and wrapped a hand around her forearm. “You’re safe with me.”

  She continued to stare at the floor. “So you know I was…”

  “I suspected.”

  “I managed to escape my room once. Only once.” With a shudder she lifted her head and met his gaze. “No one else can know. Please, just forget I told you. Forget everything I told you.”

  “Christ, Avery. You were waterboarded. And you want me to forget it?”

  Her eyes flashed liquid silver. “Yes. I want you to forget it. I have.”

  He leaned in close. “Have you?”

  Her chin lifted a notch. “Yes.”

  Astonished, he said, “I’m surprised you can say that with a straight face. If you’re over it then go take a bath.”

  She reeled back as if he’d slapped her. “Bastard.”

  He was, but that didn’t change the fact he was right.

  “I don’t need this. Consider yourself fired. I’m out of here.” She rose to her feet, hissed out a breath, and headed for the door.

  Quinn watched her take painful steps across the floor until she collapsed on the door, still on her feet, but l
eaning heavily and breathing hard. The woman was more stubborn than any he’d ever met. That included his mom and sister, who were unstoppable when they set their mind to something.

  She pressed her forehead against the door. He rose and came up behind her. Instead of touch her, he said, “I’ll help you.”

  “I don’t need your help. Damn it, I’m fine.” Her breath hitched.

  “Let me do this for you.”

  “I don’t know how,” she whispered.

  “I do.” He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bathroom where Bailey had filled the tub. Behind him, he closed the door before sitting down on the toilet lid and fitting her on his lap.

  In silence, he unbuttoned her silk blouse and slid it off her shoulders. He let his thumb trace the strap of her crimson lace bra, felt her shudder.

  His breath caught at the swell of her breasts poking out the cups of her bra. Fighting his body’s reaction, he rose to his feet and set her on the floor, supporting her while she unzipped her slacks and kicked them off. Bruises still covered her stomach and legs. White-hot fury surged through him. Bastards were going to pay for this.

  Avery lifted her head to meet his eyes, pride and vulnerability shining in hers. Quinn allowed her that last shred of vanity by picking her up and striding to the tub. She stared down into the water and began to shake.

  “I can’t.” She spoke so quietly he almost didn’t hear her.

  He set her down on the floor and stripped down to his boxers. When she saw the bandage on his bicep she frowned.

  “What happened?” she whispered. His sleeves had hidden it until now and that day she saw him swimming he’d been facing the opposite direction.

  Quinn glanced at his arm, shifted slightly. “Nothing. Just a scratch.”

  “That’s a gunshot wound.” She looked up at him. “This is a fresh wound. You were shot saving me, weren’t you?”

  When he remained silent she smacked his chest. “Damn you, Quinn Wolff. Why didn’t you tell me you were shot?”

  “It isn’t important.”

  “That is no small wound. It’s stitched shut.”

  Quinn lifted her into his arms and stepped into the tub. Avery clung to his neck, trembling from head to toe as he slowly sank into the water. Inch by inch it surrounded them until he sat with her on his lap, still clutching him for dear life. Her breath came in gasps.