by Audrey Storm
“I’m going to rub some numbing solution over your injury. It may hurt at first.”
She nodded. “Please.”
“It’s all right, sweetheart. You’re safe and we’ll take care of you now.”
Chase growled again, but sat on the arm of the couch and ran his fingers through her hair. “He’s right. You’re safe now.”
His tone was rough, possessive, and full of determination.
Jesse rubbed the liquid on her back and she arched back and cried out in pain. Reaching out, she searched for Chase. He grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together. If she wasn’t in so much pain, she might have noticed how good his touch felt. Instead, she squeezed his hand, digging her nails in. He didn’t complain, even when she knew she broke skin.
Jesse’s hand flattened her back to the couch. “Shhh. It’s almost done, sweetheart.”
He was right. Soon her pain disappeared to nothing, and she loosened her hold on Chase’s hand, but he didn’t let go. “This stuff is awesome, but why do I feel funny?” she asked in a slurred voice.
Chase chuckled. “It’s medicine. You’ll be all right, beautiful.”
Skye didn’t even feel the needle as Jesse stitched her back. She laid still and closed her eyes. She was confused. Chase stayed by her side and held her like he had the right to. She could feel his domineering nature and the strangeness attached to him. He wasn’t your typical man—of that she was certain. She had a feeling he had a couple secrets of his own.
Chapter 3
Skye didn’t sleep exactly. She was aware of everything that went on around her, but it played out like a dream. She watched the two men sit and talk. The things they talked about were hard to understand. As if they were vague on purpose. Chase was tense. She could tell by the set of his muscles, and she wanted to soothe him, even if she didn’t understand why.
After what felt like a lifetime, she was able to feel her back. The pain built slowly and she groaned. “Do you have some Aspirin?” she asked.
Chase jumped up and came to help her. She took his hands and he lifted her into a sitting position.
“Is it bad?”
“It aches.”
Jesse came over to her and smiled. His dimples made him appear to be the younger brother, but the wisdom in his eyes is how she knew he was older, much older than he looked. “Sorry we had to meet under such trying circumstances. I’m Jesse,” he said, holding out his hands. In one, there was a pill, and in the other, a glass of water.
“What’s that?”
“It’s stronger than Aspirin, but you’ll feel better, believe me.”
“I probably shouldn't be taking medication from strange men I just met,” she mumbled, but took the pill anyways and swallowed it with the water.
Chase sat next to her. “We wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.” And she believed him. There was something so honest about him.
Jesse took the glass to his desk, pulled his chair across the room, and sat in front of her. He was a big guy, but she didn’t really feel intimidated by him. If anything, he seemed like the protective older brother type. He wore an easy smile and his eyes crinkled. “So my brother tells me you had a run-in with a thug looking for money?”
Skye nodded. “My brother apparently owes quite a bit of money and he dipped out. Honestly, I have no idea where he is, but if I find him, I’m going to kick his ass.”
“How much does he owe?”
“Fifteen thousand, and the thug informed me his boss was feeling generous, so I have two weeks to get the money to him before—well, I don’t know what exactly, but I can’t imagine it will be good for me.”
Chase glowered. Skye shifted closer and he calmed as soon as her thigh pressed against his. She held back her smile, but Jesse was aware of everything. He smiled at her, and his eyes shined with excitement.
“No, I imagine not. That’s what we’re here for. You’ll be protected, and I’ll send someone to search for your brother. I need something of his though. I have the best trackers around. If anyone can find him, Shawn can.”
“My brother has always been good at disappearing. He won’t be easy to find.”
“We’ll handle it.”
“And what happens to him when you find him?”
Jesse shrugged. “We hand him over to this loan shark.”
Skye wasn’t sure how she felt about that. She didn’t like him much, but she didn’t want anything to happen to him. Not really. “Oh, but—”
“He handed you over to thugs, Skye,” Chase said.
She glared. “I know, but he’s still my brother. I want him safe, even if I don’t want him in my life.”
Jesse held up a hand. “Maybe we can figure something out. Do you think he’ll have the fifteen thousand?”
“Who knows? He gambles. Sometimes he can make more in a night. Other times, obviously, he does horribly. I know what will happen to him if he is handed over to this Mickey guy. He’ll be killed, and I don’t want that.”
“I understand, sweetheart, but his stupidity will end up getting you killed instead, and I don’t think that’s a good exchange. You don’t deserve it.”
She nibbled her lip. “If we can find a way to keep him alive and out of my life, that’s what I want. If not—then I don’t want to know anything.” A tear slid down her cheek. She never imagined being so cold, but this time Joey really fucked up, and she wasn’t going to be able to save him. She didn’t have the funds or the energy.
Chase wrapped an arm around her shoulder and she leaned into him. “It’ll be okay. We’ll do our best to make sure it works out the way you want, but I won’t promise you anything. Not when there’s a chance I can’t keep it.”
She looked into his eyes and smiled. “Thank you, but how the hell am I going to afford you?”
He laughed and heat filled his eyes. She blushed and looked at Jesse soberly. “Seriously, I’m sure you guys charge way more than I make. How’s this going to work?”
Jesse looked at Chase and there seemed to be some sort of silent conversation. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out. I don’t want you to stress. You need to take care of your back and keep it from getting an infection. We don’t charge as much as you might think, plus we have payment plans. We got you, sweetheart.”
She glared. “I already told Chase I don’t take handouts.”
“It’s not a hand out.”
She bit her tongue and decided it would be a battle for another day. The medication clouded her mind and she could barely keep her eyes open. “Fine, but only because the pill you gave me is kicking my ass.”
Chase laughed and pulled her against him more. “I’ll take her to the cabin while you get with Shawn and the others. Let them know what’s going on.”
“Sure thing, bro. Take her home to pack first. We don’t know how long you’ll need to be gone.”
“I can hear you, you know.”
She might have been hawked up on medication, but she was still aware that something else was going on. She had questions of her own that she would be asking. Right at the moment, she was quite happy where she was.
“Skye, is that all right?”
“Yeah, sure. Let’s go before I pass out though. I don’t need you packing for me. Who knows what I’d end up with.”
She felt his laughter deep in his chest, but he didn’t deny it. She’d probably end up with all the things she kept hidden in her closet.
Chapter 4
By the time they reached her house, Skye was in and out. Chase pulled in front of her house and helped her out of his truck.
“Let’s get you inside and packed as fast as possible. Only bring what you can’t live without for at least two weeks, okay?”
She nodded and pulled from the comfort of his arms. She pushed open her door and gasped. Her house was torn apart.
Chase went to grab her but she yanked away from him and walked through the tornado that had hit inside. Papers were everywhere, shelves were knocked over, and furnitur
e was overturned. Someone was looking for something, but she didn’t have anything of value, not really.
Tears pooled in her eyes. All the things she did have she worked her ass off for. It hadn’t come easy. “Why would someone do this?”
Chase’s eyes were narrowed on her closed door. “What’s in there?”
“My room.”
He nodded and strode to the door and pushed it open slowly. She followed behind him as he checked inside. Nothing was there, but the room was an even bigger mess than the rest of her house. “Someone was looking for something. What do you have of value?”
“Nothing.”
He glanced at her, unbelieving.
“Really, I have nothing of value.” She could see he still wasn’t convinced.
“Okay, well let’s get you packed, and don’t forget something of your brother’s.”
“In the other room, in the closet, are all his things.”
Chase left the room and she reached under her bed, pulling out her bag. Opening her dresser, she started shoving things in the bag. It didn’t matter anymore. Seeing her house showed her she really wasn’t safe and all, because Joey decided to run out on his responsibilities. She’d never been more disappointed in him than she was at that moment.
Chase came back as she was zipping her bag. “Almost done?” Something strange was in his tone and eyes. He had a faraway look that Skye had learned was not a good look on the male species.
“What’s wrong?”
He shook his head. “Nothing, I just want to get you safe.”
Partial lie.
Instead of arguing, she nodded. “I have to get some things out of the bathroom, and then I’m good to go.”
“Okay, good.”
She slid past him and when her body brushed against his, she shivered. She wouldn’t lie, she wanted him fiercely, but as much as she wanted him, she wasn’t sure what to make of him.
The bathroom was the only room untouched, and for that she was grateful. She wasn’t lying when she said she had nothing of value, but she had managed to save up a couple thousand dollars. It wasn’t a lot, but it was her nest egg, and she hid it in her bathroom, hoping no one would think to look there. She reached behind the counter and sighed in relief when she pulled out the envelope. She shoved it in her bag and grabbed her necessities.
She was ready to go and nodded at Chase. “I’m good now. Let’s go.”
He glanced around the house and turned to leave. She followed behind him and shut and locked her door. It wasn’t as if anyone would come back. They’d already searched her house. She had a huge mess to deal with once everything was over.
Skye took Chase’s hand to help lift her into his monster truck. When he got inside, she looked at him. He was a little too quiet and that worried her.
“Is everything okay? I mean, besides the obvious?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’ll let you know when I figure it out.” At least he didn’t lie.
“I guess that’s better than lying. It’s not good though. I can see it in your face. You’re worried about something.”
Chase nodded and grasped her knee. Lust shot through her body and she couldn’t hold back her gasp. He rubbed his thumb across her thigh and she glanced at him.
“I’ll keep you safe,” he promised, and she knew he would.
Their gazes stayed locked together until a horn blasted on the street. Chase started the truck and pulled out of the driveway. Skye’s heart beat wildly, and she wondered why she was feeling so much lust for a near stranger. It wasn’t often she was attracted to a man anyways, but the amount of need filling her body was unnatural.
Chase kept both hands on the wheel, gripping it tightly. Skye worried about what he hadn’t told her. Now she was able to study him. He was a little rugged with a beard and shaggy hair, but it didn’t take away from his good looks. He was tall and bulky, and she knew he was strong because he carried her around like she weighed nothing at all.
He glanced at her and she blushed before looking out the window. At her age, she should have already been married, or at least in a relationship heading towards marriage, but she’d never found anyone she trusted or loved enough. The few she would have liked to stick around left because of Joey.
She watched civilization pass by and couldn’t stand the silence. “Where are we going?”
“I'm taking you to our safe house.”
“In the middle of nowhere?”
“Yes, it’s a large cabin and well-hidden. I think you’ll like it.”
“What do you normally use it for?”
“Meetings mostly.”
“What kind of meetings.”
Chase chuckled. “Are you trying to figure me out?”
“Yes. I know there’s something big you’re not telling me.”
“You’re not ready for my secret.”
“How do you know?”
He glanced at her and she was serious. He didn’t know, and she could handle more than people gave her credit for.
“Okay, maybe I’m not ready. What if it makes you run the opposite direction?”
She shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter what I think, does it? I’m your client and you’re helping me until this shit is done with, right?”
His mouth curled up and he growled. “You’re more than that and you know that.”
“I don’t know what I am.”
He sighed and turned down a dirt road and slowed the truck. “You can’t tell that I feel something for you?”
“I thought so, but I don’t know. My judgment has been a bit off.”
“You’re not wrong, baby. I’ll tell you my big secret, but I need you to be open-minded.”
“I can be open-minded,” she whispered.
“Good, but not yet. Let’s get you to the cabin and settled first, okay?”
“Okay, but you’re telling me soon. It’s driving me crazy.”
“I hope not,” he muttered.
She let him drive the rest of the way in silence. The dirt road went on forever, but then she saw the cabin. It was gigantic. She sat up and looked around. “Holy shit, this place is huge.”
He chuckled. “I told you.”
She glared at him and stuck her tongue out. She’d never seen a house this big, better yet a cabin. Who the hell needed such a huge cabin deep in the woods? She looked at Chase and shivered. Apparently the man next to her did.
Chapter 5
She stepped inside the most beautiful and spacious house she’d ever seen. There were really no words to explain it. Chase led her into the large and open kitchen and set her bags down.
“Want something to drink?”
“Water, please.”
He nodded and filled two glasses, handing one to her. “So this is what we call the pack house. It’s where we all gather for anything big. It’s the only place big enough for all of us.”
She gulped. “Large family?”
“Yes, we’re a very tight-knit group. We spend a lot of time together.”
“That would be nice.” Skye only had Joey, and he wasn’t much to be desired by way of family.
“It can be.”
Skye slid her shoes off, pushed them against the wall, and sat in the chair. She tried to lean back, but the stitches rubbed against the wood and she sucked in a breath.
Chase looked like he wanted to help her but seemed to sense her need to do it on her own.
“I need to call Jesse and let him know we made it safely. He’ll come by and get your brother’s shirt, and Shawn should be able to find him easy.”
She was too tired to question, so she nodded.
“You can go lie down if you want, baby. There’s a couch in the living room.”
“Thanks,” she replied, and stood up. A wave of lust shot through her body and sweat beaded her skin.
What the hell?
It seemed like the longer she was around him, the more turned on she became. She licked her lips and walked slowly by him, careful not to
touch him, but his arm shot out and he grabbed her hand.
“You okay?”
She licked her lips and her body quivered. All it took was the one touch. “I think I need to lie down.”
Heat flared in his eyes and he pulled her against him, careful of her back. “When you wake up, we’ll talk, okay?”
“Yes.”
Chase cupped her jaw and brought his lips to hers in a soft brush of lips. She felt it to her toes and moaned. She added pressure kissing him back, but before it progressed he pulled back and smiled. “Later,” he said with a gruff voice. The look in his eyes promised her all sorts of erotic delight.
Skye backed away from him and turned, walking into the large family room. She saw a couch that was bigger than her bed and smiled. She made her way to the couch and sat down. Her body sunk into the cushion and she sighed before lying down. She didn’t want to sleep, but her body needed rest. From the kitchen, she heard Chase on the phone.
“Yeah, we made it.”
Then, “She’s lying down.”
And, “It was her brother.”
Skye didn’t want to stress over her brother anymore. She had a feeling he was the one in her house. He still had a key and she hadn’t changed the lock. But why would he destroy her house like that? It hurt and she vowed to cut ties with him.
Skye woke up to the feeling of fingers running through her hair. She opened her eyes and smiled. Chase.
“Hey, baby. Jesse wants to talk to you, okay?”
“What time is it?”
“It’s late, after two.”
“Okay.” She went to sit up and Chase helped her balance. “What is it?”
Jesse came in the room and smiled at her. It was amazing how much alike they looked, yet so different. “Hi sweetheart. How are you feeling?”
Skye stretched. “Better. Still a little sore though.”
Jesse sat in the chair and Chase sat next to her. “We have some news, and you’re not going to like it.”
She nodded, urging him to continue.
“It was your brother who destroyed your house.”
Skye gasped. “Why would he do that?”