by Avery Gale
Chapter Thirteen
Ryan Morgan was never more grateful for his friends and their connections than he’d been when they’d wheeled Joelle through the doors of the Lakeway Medical Center’s emergency services. It was more than a little obvious how well respected the West’s were when he was given access to information and services usually reserved for staff doctors or those with hospital privileges. Joelle missed the action since the asshole who’d been trying to kidnap her had pumped her full of some kind of sedative. Thank God he’d dropped her in the soft grass when Tobi blew his knee apart, the lush landscaping had prevented serious injury and she hadn’t suffered anything more than a few scrapes. The residual effect of the drug she’d been given faded quickly once they started flushing her system with fluids. And now? Now she was being uncooperative to the point he was a hot minute away from giving her the paddling of a lifetime right there in the exam room.
“I’m fine. I want to leave. I hate hospitals. Well, I hate them if I can’t leave. There isn’t any reason I can’t leave. You’re a doctor, you can take care of me back at the Prairie Winds or we could go on to your place in Houston. I just don’t see any reason for me to stay.” Oh yeah, he was going to have to gag her first, then paddle her ass. God in heaven, she was worse than many of the soldiers he’d treated in the field.
Brandt had been leaning against the wall behind her in a deceptively nonchalant pose, but he finally pushed away, stepping into her line of sight. “Minx, I’ve known my cousin my entire life and I can tell you he is a hair’s breath away from taking you in hand. Now, Dean and Dell West may be on the board of this place, and God knows they’d understand—but that doesn’t mean everybody here is going to be thrilled about you getting your ass paddled in one of the emergency services exam rooms. And even though you have got that punishment coming in spades, I don’t think these curtains are going to do much to cover up the sound of his palm warming up that beautiful, bare backside of yours.”
Ryan heard her soft gasp of surprise and wanted to grin when her face flushed a lovely shade of scarlet. “I am not any more difficult than he is being stubborn. What good is it to have a boyfriend who is a doctor if I can’t be released into his care?” The militant tilt to her chin was exactly the sort of gesture Doms associated with brats—this needs to be nipped in the bud right now.
Brandt must have sensed his ire because he flashed a quick hand signal to wait before grasping her chin with firm fingers. “Tell us what the real reason is you want so desperately to leave here? And even though I know you are well aware of the rules in a D/s relationship, I’m going to remind you anyway—lying by omission is no different than any other. We won’t tolerate you lying to us or to yourself, so think carefully before you answer.”
They both watched as she waged some kind of internal debate, worrying her lower lip while she seemed to weigh her words. When she finally started to speak, Ryan saw her eyes fill with unshed tears. “When my mom was sick, Dad and I spent a lot of time at the hospital. I wasn’t old enough to fully understand how serious her condition was. But, I’ve never forgotten the haunted looks in the eyes of the patients or the fact she didn’t come home. I can visit friends who are ill, but being a patient terrifies me.” By the time she’d finished speaking, tears were racing down both of her cheeks and Ryan worried this was going to be the straw that broke her. The last thing he’d wanted to do was send her headfirst into an unpleasant memory. Fuck me.
Moving closer, Ryan took her hand in his hoping the physical connection would calm the trembling he’d seen in her hands. “Baby, why didn’t you tell me this in the beginning? You could have saved us both a lot of aggravation. I understand why you want to leave, but we’re still waiting for lab results for you and Regi. Until those come back, it would be irresponsible of me to ask them to discharge you.” He hated seeing the disappointment in her eyes and hoped his alternative would help. “What I can do is give them both Brandt’s and my cell phone contact information, then we’ll take a walk around the facility so you won’t feel so trapped. Tobi told me there is a lovely outdoor area between the buildings, let’s get some fresh air.”
The E.R. staff was more than happy to have their waiting room cleared out. By the time everyone waiting for Regi and Joelle gathered in the outdoor garden, there were over twenty people milling about the open area. Ryan was leaning against a rock wall lost in thought when Tobi West stepped up beside him. “Ryan, I have an idea.”
Kyle stepped beside his petite wife and the look of horror on his face made Ryan smile. Kent and Kyle West’s cool-under-pressure leadership style had become almost legendary among SEALs, so seeing Kyle blanch at his wife’s comment made Ryan wonder how outlandish her idea could be.
Tobi’s quick glance up at her husband had her rolling her eyes in a move Ryan was certain got her into trouble more often than not. As the owners of one of the country’s most respected kink clubs, neither of them would be prone to ignoring gestures of blatant disrespect—particularly from their wife. “I know that look, Ryan. I’m not disrespecting Kyle, but we aren’t in a scene or at the club, so he is just my husband right now. And besides…this really is a good idea. Dang it, I don’t appreciate him going all pasty white every time I have an idea…it’s just plain insulting.”
Turning back to Ryan, she smiled. “Joelle looks like she could use a distraction and since her press conference is in two days, let’s have her practice here. She’ll get a chance to think about how she wants to answer the questions we all know she’s going to face, and everyone here already knows what’s coming anyway.” Ryan was speechless for several seconds as his mind scrambled to find a reason to reject the suggestion, but it was a great idea for several reasons.
Kyle leaned down and kissed his wife soundly. “You are brilliant, kitten. It’s a splendid idea, I’ll get started rounding everyone up while Ry talks to Joelle.” Turning to Ryan, he added, “If we’re lucky someone will video this with their phone and post it. If it goes viral fast enough, she’ll be much safer from those wanting to suppress her discovery.”
Ryan chuckled. “Of course, every media outlet in the world will be knocking on her door—which translates to your door.”
“You should probably add patients and their families from…well, from everywhere to the list of people who’ll be clamoring for her here. But at least, no one will be trying to kidnap her and steal the information. Honestly, I really think she’ll be able to relax once she turns it over to other researchers who will use it help people. She doesn’t seem like the type to want the attention unless it’s a means to an end.” He hoped like hell Tobi was right because he and Brandt were already consulting with contractors and suppliers hoping to surprise her with a state of the art research lab in Pine Creek. Hell, if he and Brandt had their way they’d marry her today, but neither of them wanted to face their mothers if they eloped.
Joelle wasn’t sure how Tobi managed to do it, but she’d talked her into doing a “dress rehearsal” for the press conference, found her a change of clothes…all in the time it had taken Joelle to tame her hair and touch up her makeup. But damn if the little dynamo didn’t give new meaning to the phrase being steamrolled. Within seconds of stepping in front of the small group of people who’d been rounded up for this impromptu question and answer practice session, Joelle found herself completely immersed in telling the story. It was cathartic to share the joy she’d been forced to hide for an entire year.
The questions she fielded were thoughtful and she could feel the excitement building in the room. She’d noticed several people taking videos and assumed it was to help give her feedback later. Joelle appreciated their effort, she’d often practiced her presentations to the Phillips Board of Directors using video feedback when she’d first taken over her own department in the research facility. As excited as she was to share the information, it was the looks of hope on the faces of the patients who had drifted into the garden to listen that made the past year’s fear fade to insignificance.
The looks of pride on Brandt’s and Ryan’s faces filled her with joy…looks like those were what decades of love were built on, but Joelle wasn’t naïve enough to believe they’d want her forever.
The realization of how much her life had changed in the past year hit Joelle like a tsunami. Staring in Brandt and Ryan’s direction, she felt the enormity of what she’d just done wash over her. Those videos weren’t for feedback…they’d be on the internet within minutes if they weren’t already live streamed. She’d just announced her findings to the entire world. Her knees started to buckle out from under her but strong arms wrapped around her. With her nose pressed into his chest, Joelle recognized Brandt by the outdoorsy scent of his soap. She had no idea how he’d reached her so quickly, but she was grateful he hadn’t let her crumple to the ground like a fallen leaf.
“I’ve got you, minx. I’ve got you.” She appreciated the fact he quickly stepped them both aside and she heard Ryan speaking to the group, but his words faded into the background. “Let’s get you out of here before the hounds of hell descend. Hell, that’s coming soon enough anyway.” Grateful he hadn’t carried her out of the room, Joelle lowered herself into a chair but didn’t let go of his hand.
Before she could ask him any questions, Tobi and Gracie surrounded her. “Holy hand grenades, sister! You’re going to blow up the internet…damn, Lilly is going to be jealous…she only blew up a boat.”
“Yes, but the boat had two men in it, so you have to give her points for that since they were bad guys.”
“There is that.” Tobi’s mock consideration was too much and Joelle felt a giggle bubbling up from deep inside. Before she knew it all the stress she’d been feeling a few moments earlier turned to an unpleasant memory. Tobi bumped against her arm bringing her back to the moment. “You rocked that, girl. I hope you don’t mind we left out some of the details about the rehearsal.” When Joelle looked over at her, she could see the worry in Tobi’s eyes. “We all just want you to be safe, and this seemed like the best way to do it. You’ll still have your big press moment in Houston, I promise. But this takes the pressure off and now they can round up that hussy former senator.” She leaned closer and whispered, “I’ll be in hot water if I tell you what I really think about her, let’s just say it has to do with lady parts and waffles.”
She must had looked confused because Gracie giggled. “We’ll save the explanation for a girls’ night margarita party. That way Tobi can explain and blame her language lapse on the tequila. It’s one of the perks she gets for being a cute little blonde bundle of trouble, her hubbies are suckers for her when she’s tipsy. We’ll leave the discussion about the social implications of that for another day.”
“Good Lord, Gracie. You can really get a stick up your butt sometimes. Like your men don’t fall all over themselves every time you bat those killer eyelashes at them. Besides, now that we’ve signed the contract with Nate, we’ll be in Joelle’s neck of the woods in a few months so we’ll be able to spend time together after this hurricane blows over.”
Joelle couldn’t hold it in any longer, she burst out laughing pulling them both close. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you both. You’ve saved my sanity…and reminded me how important friends can be.”
“Hey! What am I, chopped liver?” The sound of Coral’s voice made Joelle jump to her feet. With a startled shriek, she threw herself into her friend’s open arms. “Damn, I leave town for a few weeks and look at all the mischief you get yourself into. Good thing Tobi and Gracie have been looking out for you.”
Joelle heard Sage’s low chuckle behind her. “Well, my love, it seems you were right—I’m glad we made this little detour. But, I’m warning you, we aren’t going home until this honeymoon is officially over. We’ll just have to find some way to amuse ourselves at the Prairie Winds Club for a few days.”
Coral whispered in Joelle’s ear, the amusement easy to hear in her voice, “I swear the man is on a mission to knock me up before we get back to Montana.” Joelle laughed at Coral’s lame attempt at indignation. Honestly, she couldn’t think of anyone who would be a better mother than her sweet friend.
Pulling back, Joelle looked at the people surrounding her and realized how wonderful it felt to be surrounded by people who actually cared about her. “Can we get out of here? I know there’s a media firestorm coming and I’d like to be able to spend some quality time with the people I care about before all hell breaks loose.”
“Amen to that, let’s get the hell….ooooh, hi honey…out of here.” Tobi batted her eyes at Kyle as he rolled his at her antics.
“Come on, kitten. Let’s go before you get in any deeper.” As they made their way to the exit, two vans pulled into the medical center’s parking lot. Joelle heard curses muttered all around her, and found her view immediately blocked as the men surrounded her.
One by one, Coral, Tobi, and Gracie were ushered into the protective circle as they waited for their cars to be brought up. “Well, that didn’t take long. I’m not sure whether to be impressed at how well my plan worked or pissed I underestimated how quickly this would spiral out of control. Clearly my scheme to take over the world still needs some refinement. It’s possible my skills might not be developed enough for that particular project…yet.” Joelle heard Kent West groan and Kyle cursed softly under his breath as Tobi looked over at her and winked. Joelle tried to stifle her laughter as she sent up a silent prayer of thanks for the distraction. God, if you’re listening, I want to be just like Tobi when I grow up.
Chapter Fourteen
Helen Rodrick stared at the television vacillating between blind rage and stunned disbelief. Every news outlet was carrying the same story…Joelle Phillips speaking to a small group about her discovery was dominating the airways. The video had obviously been taken with a cell phone and was being touted as “leaked” footage before a scheduled formal announcement in a few days. A leaked video my ass. The bitch is trying to draw first blood but she’s got a lot to learn. It’s not who makes the first cut…it’s who is still standing at the end of the battle. Helen had done her homework and this had Tobi West’s name written all over it. The woman was a former low-level journalist who obviously still had a taste for a scoop. How two former Navy SEALs let that chunky blonde lead them around by their noses was a mystery to her. Helen knew all about their little black ops organization and they wouldn’t be getting any more of Uncle Sam’s money after she took office, she’d see to that first thing.
Watching the video as it was replayed on every news outlet in the fucking free world was making her insane. Wasn’t there some sex scandal to splash all over the news? Hadn’t her opponent done anything newsworthy in the past twenty-four hours? Christ, the man was a well-known philanderer, where the hell were the people she was paying to gather the dirt on him? God only knew no one would be reporting on her wild sex life. She’d need actually to have a sex life for anyone to make that particular discovery.
After the cheating scandals, she’d weathered with her ex, Helen had decided a good vibrator was a safer bet. Hell, the small battery powered device was usually more effective, too. How her ex-husband had managed to convince women to sleep with him more than once was a mystery for the ages. His looks had faded years ago, and he’d been steadfast in his refusal to have any plastic surgery no matter how many times she’d suggested it. After their divorce, he’d publically criticized her for her trips under the knife until her attorneys pointed out how expensive his little chats with the media were going to be.
Helen had flown into Houston late last night planning to meet with local media outlets and lay the groundwork to discredit Joelle Phillips prior to her scheduled news conference. She much preferred playing offense to defense, and now she was definitely in reactive mode. When the woman first reported her findings to the board, Helen started slowly liquidating specific holdings. But her candidacy meant she was under the microscope on several different fronts and making any sudden or noticeable changes to her portfolio would
definitely draw unwanted attention. The last thing she needed was an investigation of insider trading. She’d already survived several scandals that would have sunk a lesser woman, she damned well wasn’t going down on that ship.
Walter Phillips had promised her a meeting with his elusive daughter prior to her press conference, but she doubted he’d made any attempt to arrange it. And now the coward wasn’t even taking her calls. His administrative troll insisted he was busy, but she didn’t doubt for a minute he was avoiding her…and several other board members who hadn’t wanted Joelle’s discovery made public.
The man had obviously forgotten his company was no longer a privately held corporation. Surprisingly, Helen hadn’t had any trouble unloading the Phillips stock she’d put up for sale two days ago. Damn that had been a stroke of luck, no doubt the price had just dropped considerably. When the sales of their cancer treatment drugs fell off, Phillips Pharmaceuticals would fold quickly.
Something the newscaster said drew her wandering attention back to the television. If she’d thought she had been stunned before, what she heard now shook her to her very core. The FBI has confirmed they are currently investigating former senator and Presidential candidate Helen Rodrick in connection with the burglary of Joelle Phillips’ apartment last year and the attempted kidnapping of Ms. Phillips today in Texas. Our source tells us agents are planning to interview Ms. Rodrick as soon as possible. Anything else the journalist said was lost when there was a sharp knock on the door of her suite.