by Susan Stoker
Fletch was on him immediately, wrenching his arms behind his back so forcefully he cried out in pain.
Blade watched helplessly from nearby as events unfolded as if in slow motion. Truck moved to go to Jenny, to protect her now that she wasn’t being held captive. Lars pulled the trigger on the pistol. And Ghost leaped at Lars in a flying tackle.
The crack of the gun was loud in the quiet Texas night, but Jenny’s scream was louder.
Jackson yelled, “No!!!” and struggled to stand, to get to his girlfriend even as both she and Truck fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs. Truck managed to not fall on top of the diminutive teenager and Blade heard him groan as he hit the dirt.
Lars swore viciously and cried out as Ghost and Hollywood subdued him. And “subduing” him included beating the shit out of him and shoving his face in the dirt, just as he’d feared. Blade wished he could get a punch in for Jackson, but his teammates had the bully under control easily and didn’t need any assistance.
“Sit-rep,” Ghost yelled, even as he continued to hold Lars’s face to the ground.
“Clear,” Coach said. He had control of two of the thugs who’d been beating Jackson.
“Clear,” Fletch said as he finished tying Chuck’s hands behind his back.
“Clear,” Beatle said from next to the unconscious third man who’d been punching Wendy’s brother.
“Clear,” Blade said as he helped Jackson sit up carefully.
“Clear,” Hollywood grunted as he kicked Lars hard once more then backed away slowly.
“Negative,” Truck said in a voice no one recognized. Instead of the gruff, no-nonsense tone they were used to, it was weak and pained.
“Uh…I think h-he’s hurt,” Jenny stuttered. She was kneeling next to Truck, who lay on his back.
“Fuck,” Hollywood exclaimed as he ran for their fallen comrade. “Call the commander!” he yelled as he got to Truck. “We need a chopper. He’s been shot.”
Blade watched in disbelief as a puddle of blood began to form under Truck’s body. “That’s not good,” Blade said in a low voice.
The team did their best to stabilize Truck before the chopper arrived. Blade worried about Jackson, but the teen waved off his attempts to look him over, saying he was okay and to help with Truck.
Jenny took over holding Jackson upright, so Blade helped Fletch and Coach deal with Lars and his friends. Within fifteen minutes, they heard the sound of a helicopter coming in hard and fast. Ghost stepped off to the side to mark the landing zone.
Blade was surprised to see the commander running toward them, along with the medic.
“Sit-rep!” he barked.
Ghost updated the commander as to what had happened and what Truck’s situation was. Within minutes, the medic and Hollywood had Truck on the gurney and ready to be transported to the chopper.
“My wife,” Truck said urgently, reaching for the commander’s arm.
Blade’s head whipped around at his friend’s words.
He saw the rest of the team staring at Truck as well. Was he delirious?
“Yeah?” their commander asked, leaning over Truck to hear him better.
“Tell my wife I’m okay. Not to worry. She’ll worry,” Truck said.
The commander patted Truck’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of Mary. I’ll get her to the hospital, don’t worry.”
Truck nodded, and his eyes closed.
The commander then turned to the rest of the team. “Get this trash back to post. I’ll meet you there, along with the MPs. We’ll figure out as many charges as we can to make sure this shit doesn’t happen again. I’ll also have this entire area searched with a fine-toothed comb. If these assholes have done this before, we’ll find evidence of it and get them locked up behind bars and throw away the key.”
The medic and the commander picked up the gurney with Truck on it and rushed him toward the helicopter. The team watched without a word as he was placed inside the chopper and the big machine lifted off the ground and raced back toward post.
“Holy shit,” Coach said. “Did he say what I think he said?”
“Truck and Mary are married,” Hollywood confirmed.
“That sneaky son of a bitch,” Fletch muttered.
“That fucking asshole,” Ghost bit out, clearly beyond pissed.
Blade turned to look at him in surprise. They all knew Truck loved Mary, so he didn’t understand Ghost’s anger.
“Rayne is going to be devastated,” Ghost said—and clarity hit Blade.
Yeah…she so was. They all knew Rayne had put off her marriage to Ghost until Mary was ready to get married as well.
Suddenly the fact that she and Truck had gone behind all their backs to do the deed didn’t sit so well with Blade anymore.
“Fuck!” Ghost swore again. “I do not want to have to tell Rayne that she’s been waiting for nothing. I wonder how long it’s been.”
No one said anything, as no one knew the answer to that question.
“Come on,” Beatle said evenly, but they could all hear the frustration behind his words. “We need to get these assholes back to post and let the MPs deal with them.”
“I need to get Jackson checked out and Jenny home,” Blade informed everyone.
“They’ll need to talk to the MPs,” Ghost said. It was obvious he was trying to control his temper.
“It’s late. Wendy’ll be worried sick, not to mention Jenny’s family. Can I bring them in tomorrow?” Blade asked.
Ghost ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah. I think that should be okay. Oh-nine hundred and no later though. Otherwise, I’ll have the commander on my ass.”
“Yes, Sir,” Blade said, helping Jackson stand. He had to put an arm around the boy’s waist to help him stay upright.
“Hollywood, you and Coach drive the assholes’ trucks back. I’ll go with Fletch, taking Lars and Chuck. Beatle, throw the others in the back of that pickup with the load of shit in it and watch over them until you get to the MP station. Okay?” Ghost asked.
“Sure thing, Sir.”
Everyone moved to do as Ghost ordered. No one said another word. The night had been intense, what with the threat to Jenny and Jackson, Truck being shot, then finding out he was married but hadn’t told any of them.
It was hard to understand. They shared everything with each other. The trust levels between them were high and unbreakable. He didn’t know why Truck would want to break that, but they wouldn’t know until they spoke to the man himself about it.
With a heavy heart, he helped Jackson into the backseat of his Jeep and waited until both he and Jenny were buckled in before heading toward Temple at a slightly slower pace than when he’d left. Jenny refused to be dropped off at her house, saying she was going wherever Jackson went. And since he was bringing the boy to the emergency room, that’s where Jenny went too.
Blade picked up the phone to call Wendy. He knew the entire girl posse was at her house waiting for information. Someone would drive her to the hospital, making sure she didn’t wreck on the way there.
He thought about Truck and Mary. He wasn’t sure what he’d say to Mary when he saw her next. There was no question that he’d tell Wendy about the pair being married; he vowed never to keep stuff from her if he could help it.
But he knew, without a doubt, feelings were going to be hurt. And he hated that.
Damn Truck. What was he thinking?
Chapter Seventeen
Wendy lay in bed, snuggled in Aspen’s arms. She and Jackson had spent every night for the last week in his condo and had moved a lot of their stuff there as well. After her brother had been assaulted and Jenny kidnapped, Wendy felt safer with Aspen.
But it was more than that.
She could tell that Aspen needed her there as well.
“How’s Truck doing?” she asked softly.
“Good. He went home today.”
“And Mary is there looking after him?”
“Um hum,” Aspen murmured, his body tensi
ng.
Wendy knew that talking about Truck and Mary was a sore point with her man. She didn’t really understand all the nuances, but what she did know was that the circle of friendship had definitely taken a blow.
When Aspen had called from the hospital, saying Jackson and Jenny were safe, Wendy had been overjoyed, but he’d sounded tense. He should’ve been happy that he’d found her brother and that Jenny was all right, but it was obvious something else was bothering him.
She was still on the phone with Aspen when Mary’s phone had rung. When she’d heard Truck had been hurt, Mary’s face had lost all its color and she’d swayed on her feet, almost passing out. Rayne had taken the phone from her before Mary could protest, and she’d heard the tail end of what the commander was saying as a result.
“You’re married?” she’d asked incredulously, backing away from her best friend.
“It’s not what you think!” Mary responded quickly.
“Yes or no,” Rayne had demanded.
Mary sighed. “Yes.”
Rayne’s lips had pressed together, and she’d had a look of such betrayal on her face, it made Wendy flinch. But Rayne took a deep breath and turned to the others. “Truck’s been shot. The commander says it looks worse than it is. He’s in surgery right now, but the doctors said the bullet was a through and through and he’ll be okay.”
The others all breathed out a sigh of relief.
“Oh—and Mary and Truck are husband and wife. Apparently, they got married at some point and didn’t tell us. You probably want to get to your husband, Mary. I’m sure Casey will take you to see him.”
And with that, she’d gathered up her stuff and walked out of the condo without a backward glance at her best friend or any of the other women standing around speechless.
Wendy had been a bit jealous of the closeness of the women and men of Aspen’s Delta team, but that closeness had been severely tested. Now everything was tense and awkward between some of them. Aspen had admitted that Ghost hadn’t even been up to see Truck since he’d been hurt.
She hated that for the team.
“You want to talk about it?” she asked Aspen gently.
“No.” He rolled over until Wendy was on her back looking up at him. “Move in with me,” he demanded, didn’t ask.
“What?”
“Move in with me. I want you and Jackson here with me. You’ve been here for the past week and I’ve never been happier. I love coming home to you and I love waking up with you. I love how it takes you forever to get out of the bed in the mornings and I love seeing your shit strewn across the vanity in my bathroom.”
“But…what about my place?”
“What about it?” Aspen asked. “The building’s a piece of shit. And not safe. I want you both where I know you won’t be mugged going to and from your car. I love you, Wendy. So damn much. Your brother too. Seeing him hurt, and those assholes beating on him, made me crazy. I not only love you, but I need you. You make my life less lonely. I like having someone to talk to when I get home. I like having you to talk to. You make my life complete. If you’re worried about living in sin, don’t. I’m going to ask you to marry me sometime soon. We can be engaged for as long as you want once we set a date. And we aren’t going to run off and have some bullshit secret ceremony either. All our friends will be there to celebrate with us.”
“But…what I did could get you in trouble,” Wendy said quietly. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if you got in trouble because I kidnapped my brother.”
“We’ll deal with that. I’ll have a guy I know make inquiries. I said this before, but you were a minor when that happened. I’m not saying that you won’t have to answer for it, but I think having Jackson vouch for you and testify as to what he was going through in that last foster home will go a long way toward leniency. That, and the fact he’s well-adjusted, smart, and amazing.”
“I won’t make him testify,” Wendy said urgently. “I won’t make him do anything he’s not comfortable with.”
“Easy, sweetheart. I have a feeling he’ll gladly do it if it’ll help you.”
Wendy sighed. “It’s hard for me to not pay my way.”
“You aren’t paying rent when you move in here,” Aspen said. “No fucking way. Keep your money for you and Jackson. Although you know anything he needs, I’ve got plenty of money to help out. You can quit that call-center job, and you’re going to get that promotion at the retirement home. You can keep your own checking account…I’ll never do anything that will make you feel insecure.”
“I don’t feel insecure when I’m with you, Aspen, it’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“I just…it would kill me if we moved in and our relationship didn’t work out.”
Aspen laughed. Laughed so hard, he started to snort.
Wendy glared up at him. “What’s so funny? It’s a legitimate concern.”
“No, sweetheart, it isn’t. I’m not letting you go. Ever.”
“You can’t promise that.”
“Yeah, I can. I know full well that you can do so much better than me. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you never regret calling me that first time and continuing to talk to me. You’ll never be unsatisfied in our bed. You’ll never go hungry. You never have to worry about me cheating on you. You don’t have to worry I’ll ever be resentful of your relationship with Jackson. You’re it for me, Wen. I think I knew it the first time we talked. Give us a chance.”
Wendy’s eyes filled with tears. She’d been on her own for so long, it felt amazing to know she wasn’t anymore. That she’d have a partner in Aspen.
Not wanting to cry, and wanting to cheer him up after the shitty week he’d had, she teased, “I’ll never be unsatisfied in your bed? Seems like it’s been a while since you’ve done any satisfying here, buddy.”
His lips quirked up in an evil smile. “That so?”
“Yup.”
“Say you’ll move in permanently and I can tell your landlord to fuck off, and I’ll satisfy you.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then we’ll snuggle down and go to sleep.”
“You’re blackmailing me with sex?” Wendy asked in disbelief.
“Yup.”
Knowing her decision was already made, Wendy decided to give a little back. “Hmmmm, guess we’re going to snuggle then.” And she turned onto her side and pushed her ass out, rubbing against his erection.
“You little wench,” Aspen complained. “You’re gonna be the death of me.”
Wendy waited until he’d thrown an arm around her waist and pulled her back against his front to say, “Yes.”
He froze behind her. “Yes to what?”
“To all of it.” Wendy sat up and pushed Aspen onto his back and straddled his thighs. “Yes, we’ll move in. Yes, I’ll quit that stupid call-center job. And yes, I’ll marry you.”
Without a word, and with only a sparkle in his eye as warning, Aspen grabbed her hips and turned, throwing her over until she was on her back once again. His hand went to the boy shorts she’d worn to bed and pushed down the front of them. His talented fingers immediately began playing with her clit, even as he leaned down and kissed her as if this was the last kiss they’d ever share.
Wendy shoved her hands into his boxers and gripped his rock-hard ass, squeezing him and trying to pull him down on top of her.
He didn’t move closer though, simply continued his assault on her clit and her mouth until she was squirming desperately under him.
“Aspen,” Wendy gasped. “Fuck me.”
He groaned in response and lifted up high enough to frantically shove her shorts down her legs. As if his desperation was contagious, Wendy did her best to help him remove them. One long finger slipped inside her body and Wendy’s knees fell open wider, giving him access. He pumped in and out of her several times, as if testing her readiness, then he brought his finger up to his mouth and licked it clean.
His ey
es met hers and almost burned with their intensity. Without a word, he reached down and pushed his boxers just far enough that his rock-hard cock popped out. Fisting the base, he rubbed the head over her clit several times, then down between her folds. Once he’d lubricated himself in her excitement, he pressed the head just inside her body. Then he stilled.
“What?” Wendy asked. “Why are you stopping?”
“I’m not wearing a condom,” Aspen said in a croak.
“I don’t care.”
He groaned again. “Wendy…”
“Fuck me, Aspen. I need you!”
“You will marry me, Wendy,” he said as he ever so slowly pushed inside her body. “I’m not letting you renege.”
“I don’t want to. If you’re crazy enough to want me, then I’d be an idiot to turn you down. Besides, I need to save you from all the whores who try to pick you up in bars.”
He chuckled then, and Wendy felt the movement deep inside her.
“God, you feel amazing like this,” Aspen said, holding absolutely still inside her.
“You too. But…I need you to move,” Wendy begged. “Please.”
He lazily pulled out and pressed back inside. “Like this?”
“No. Harder.”
“But doesn’t this feel good?” he teased.
“If you mean it feels good like I’m reading a boring book on a lazy Sunday afternoon, yeah.”
“Oh, you’ll pay for that,” Aspen warned as he reached down with one hand and grabbed her ass cheek, pulling her harder into him.
“I love that you can be slow and sweet. But I want out of control. Give it to me hard and fast.”
“You sure? I can be romantic,” he said.
“Fuck romantic right now! Fuck me, Aspen. Seriously. I love it like that, as you should remember.”
And with that, Aspen commenced taking her hard. He fucked her on her back, on her knees, and while she straddled him. He made her come three times before finally giving in to his own desire. Wendy could feel her wetness coating her thighs and the sounds they were making were porn-movie impressive.
Jackson was sleeping on the first floor in the office, since stairs were still too painful for him, allowing her the freedom to be with Aspen without reservations.