Dwyer, Dixie Lynn - For the Love of Anna (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by For the Love of Anna

  “Jesus!”

  “I know, Ben. I know. Tomorrow, I’ll try to convince her to get X-rays. I can call Doc Jones and ask him to keep it on the low. He’ll help us out.”

  “We’re going to have to tell Wyatt.”

  “I don’t even want to think about what Wyatt will do when he hears about her injuries.”

  Charlie filled the syringe and carefully injected the medicine into Anna’s arm.

  He got the supplies ready to wrap Anna’s ribs.

  “Okay, Ben, you’re gonna have to hold her up while I wrap this around her nice and tight. I don’t feel right removing her bra. Prepare yourself.”

  * * * *

  Ben tried to control his breathing as his brother suggested, but as Charlie removed Anna’s T-shirt, the extent of her injuries was too much. The bruising and discoloration was horrible. There was some swelling and rounded marks that made him instantly think of boot marks. They must have kicked her thirty times.

  Ben wondered, what the hell happened? He wanted to ask her a thousand questions. He wanted to know where she came from. Why someone would want to hurt her? He had so many thoughts.

  He began to tense and grind his teeth.

  “Hold her tight, bro, but don’t squeeze her to death,” Charlie reprimanded as he began to check the damage. From Ben’s position, he had a full view of her voluptuous breasts. The bra was pink and lacy, and she smelled sweet like brown sugar. Her right breast was scratched, and a bruise ran across it, disappearing under the material of the bra.

  “Did you see her breast?” Ben asked.

  “Is this really a good time to be talking about her body?” Charlie asked as he began to wrap her waist from below the breast line under the wire of her bra. The bruising appeared worse by her stomach and lower ribs.

  “No. I mean the one breast where there’s a red scratch. It’s deep and leads toward her…just check it out.”

  “In a minute, I’m almost done wrapping this.”

  Charlie finished up then helped Ben lay Anna back down.

  She moaned in her sleep, and both Ben and Charlie locked gazes.

  “The painkillers should begin to work soon.”

  Charlie stared at her a moment and saw what his brother had seen. He carefully inspected the scratch by her breast. Moving the bra away, he saw the bruising that led toward the areola. He covered her then pulled the covers up to her chest. His hands remained on either side of her, clenching the covers.

  He was silent a moment as the thoughts filled his head.

  “Do you think…do you think she was raped?” Ben asked, then closed his eyes and breathed.

  Charlie saw his brother clench his fists as he kneeled by the bed.

  “I don’t know, Ben. I sure hope not. I’ll have to ask her tomorrow.”

  “I want to stay with her. The guys can handle the last few hours.”

  “I’ll go downstairs and tell Stacy and Eric what we saw and what our plan is. Call me if she stirs.”

  Ben nodded then pulled the large recliner closer to the bed.

  Chapter 4

  Charlie, Wyatt, Ben, Eric, and Max sat in the study. It was midnight, and they finally got Stacy to settle down in the same room as Anna.

  “I think I should call a few friends in New York and see what we can find out,” Wyatt stated as he sipped a snifter of brandy.

  “No. Stacy said that Anna won’t speak to the police or to you, Wyatt, as the sheriff. She’s scared. Whoever did this roughed her up good. I’ve seen the damage up close. We need to make her feel safe,” Charlie stated as he rubbed the back of his neck.

  Wyatt exhaled. “Maybe if I have a talk with her tomorrow she’ll feel comfortable enough to trust me. I am the sheriff, and I’ll need to determine if there’s a chance someone is after her.”

  “Trust is not going to come easy with that woman. The fear in her eyes as I examined her was gut-wrenching. I don’t know how she survived the pain so long without meds.”

  “Yeah. Just about every spot on her body was bruised. I don’t know how she made it here in one piece,” Ben added, shaking his head.

  “You’re gonna bring her to see Doc Jones tomorrow, Charlie?” Wyatt asked.

  He nodded as he rubbed his eyes.

  “I want to find out who did this and kill the bastard,” Ben stated very seriously.

  “Join the club,” Charlie responded.

  “There’ll be none of that. Let’s just figure out what happened and help her to heal,” Wyatt stated, sounding authoritative.

  “Stacy said that Anna’s father was abusive. He has a drinking problem, and Anna’s been supporting them on her own for the last three years,” Eric added.

  Remarks flew through the room at the information.

  “You think her old man did this?” Ben asked in shock.

  “Not sure. Stacy was adamant about getting Anna here a year ago. She had been trying to convince her. They’re real close, and last night, she couldn’t sleep,” Eric stated.

  “Yeah, she was tossing and turning all night. She told Eric and me that she was worried about Anna. She knew something was seriously wrong,” Max added.

  “They must be real close for Stacy to feel that from a distance,” Wyatt replied.

  “Well, Anna did travel all the way here before even seeking medical attention. Thank God she got here safely.”

  Everyone mumbled in agreement before the room fell silent.

  “There’s something you guys should know.” All eyes were on Charlie, and they heard the seriousness in his tone.

  “Ben and I found bruising and a cut over Anna’s breast. There were bruises everywhere. I didn’t want to go lower. I’ll let Doc Jones ask the questions.”

  “Son of a bitch! You think she was raped?” Wyatt asked as he stood up from his chair and paced the room.

  “I don’t know. She may have been, or she could have been manhandled so much that the bruises were everywhere. I pray she wasn’t. The bruising is intense, and considering the size of the hand and fingers marks, I’d say the culprit was a large man. We won’t know for sure until Anna confirms this.”

  “What kind of monster would lay a hand on a woman her size? On any woman for that matter?” Ben asked, and everyone shook their heads and mumbled comments.

  “Let’s see what Doc Jones can find out tomorrow. You all need to make her feel safe and keep an eye on her. I don’t want to go snooping around until we know facts. The only way we are gonna get those facts is by questioning Anna. If she didn’t trust you, Charlie, then I’m sure it’s going to take some time. Let’s see what tomorrow brings,” Wyatt added, and the room went silent.

  * * * *

  The screams awoke him from his slumber. Charlie had insisted on staying the night in case Anna needed medical attention. He took the stairs to the second floor two at a time. When he got to the open door, he saw Eric and Max first. They looked white as ghosts. Max was running his hands through his hair, his eyes were glossy, and Eric didn’t look much better.

  The closer his steps took him into the room, the clearer the image came into view.

  The light by the bedside table illuminated the room but not the corner by the bed and behind the recliner. Stacy was on her knees talking, whispering, and caressing something or someone behind the chair.

  “It hurts…please, stop them…Daddy!” the voice screamed. It sounded so fragile and helpless.

  Charlie slowly came around the bed and leaned down next to Stacy. She knew he was there but never took her eyes or her hands off of her best friend Anna.

  Charlie watched as Stacy caressed Anna’s leg.

  “They’re gonna kill me. I have to escape!” Anna shook with fear. Whatever had happened to her she was obviously re-experiencing it in her dream. The pain, the upset…everything. Charlie had to do something. His heart ached at the sound.

  He got down on his knees in the small space on the floor and gently took Anna’s hand into his own.

  “It’s Charlie, Anna. Stac
y’s friend, the doctor, honey…wake up, please. Come on, baby, you’re safe here.” His tone was gentle and caring as he caressed her skin. The sight of her curled up in a ball, clammy and crying, tore at his heart and soul. He worried about her injuries and the position her body was in.

  “Stacy, let me pick her up and see if we can get her to wake,” he whispered. Stacy looked at him. He saw the pain she was in and how upset she was getting seeing her friend like this.

  Charlie saw Max help Stacy up and pull her into his arms.

  Charlie slowly wrapped his arms around Anna, whispering and caressing her as he gently pulled her into his arms.

  Her breathing was rapid, her chest blotchy and red as she cried her heart out.

  “I’ve got you, baby, you’re safe here with me. No one is going to hurt you ever again, doll,” he whispered, holding her against his chest.

  She was light and fragile in his arms, like a wounded animal, he took care of her and swore he would protect her as long as she was with him. She seemed to be calming down as she held his shirt in a death grip and snuggled closer.

  She continued to moan and cry more softly when, suddenly, her eyes began to flutter open. “He doesn’t love me. He never loved me.”

  The words tore through the room. Charlie caught the response from her words as he scanned everyone’s eyes. Then he held Anna’s gaze. He saw the fear, felt her cringe and try to pull away, but he wouldn’t have it.

  “Shhh now, baby doll. I’m here, and I’m not going to leave you.”

  “Anna, I love you, honey. Please let Charlie take care of you.” Stacy caressed Anna’s arms as she cried.

  “Don’t cry, Stacy. I’m sorry…I…I didn’t mean for this to happen,” Anna whispered, her voice barely audible to everyone’s ears.

  Charlie pulled her closer against his chest.

  * * * *

  Anna was relieved that she wasn’t still a captive of the bad men back in New York. The nightmare was so real, she was embarrassed to find she obviously woke the whole house. It felt good to be in Charlie’s arms. She felt safe, yet she was scared. The fact that she only had a bra on and a skimpy pair of shorts had her trying to wiggle free and cover herself. He had taken care of her earlier. She felt the bandage against her ribs and knew Charlie must have felt that she needed them wrapped. She was very tired as her eyes felt heavy, and she began to give in to Stacy’s request that Charlie help her.

  Charlie held her tighter, then sat on the bed, cradling her in his arms. Stacy placed a blanket over her body at Charlie’s request.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered one last time before closing her eyes. Her head hurt, and her body throbbed. The dizziness overtook her. She felt hot. Really hot. She couldn’t help but think Charlie holding her was the culprit. No man ever held her. She never got this close to one and forgot about her father.

  The thought caused a deep sob to escape her lips. Charlie pulled her closer against his chest and lay on the bed with her. “You’re safe, Anna. Close your eyes, darling, and get some sleep.”

  * * * *

  Anna awoke feeling warm, content, and very safe. Her face was wedged up against something big and solid that smelled like men’s aftershave. The fear filled her immediately as she opened her eyes. Charlie.

  He had stayed with her last night just like he promised. The feel of his hand pressed against her backside and the fact that her leg was wedged in between his should have made her try to escape and get away. She was afraid and had never been this close to a man before, let alone a man as big as Charlie.

  She took in the sight of him, and her heart pounded against her chest. He was handsome in a John Cusack kind of way. His hair was sandy brown and a little long, but it did him justice. She remembered his eyes were light brown, like extra light brown sugar, not the dark kind. And his body, his body was muscular and large. She felt like a small child in his arms, yet her body was filled with lust like a wanton woman.

  She released an exasperated breath, and he stirred. She stilled in his arms and closed her eyes.

  “Oh, God,” she heard him state as he slowly removed his hand from her backside and gently pulled her leg from between his.

  She played possum for a few seconds while he gathered himself, cursing under his breath and pulling his arms away from her so that he wouldn’t be touching her body so intimately.

  She had to submerge the giggle and giddiness she felt. That was immediately replaced by loss. Slowly, she opened her eyes. His smile lit up her heart.

  “Good morning,” he whispered. She scooted away from him.

  He touched her hip, gently stopping her from moving farther across the bed.

  “No, please stay where you are. I promise nothing happened. I didn’t try anything,” he stated.

  “You didn’t?” she asked, raising her eyebrows in challenge.

  “No. I held you in my arms all night. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

  He touched her forehead, and she closed her eyes. The feel of his skin against her skin warmed her heart. He was caring and compassionate the way a man should be to a woman.

  She felt her body tense, and he immediately rose from the bed.

  “Your fever broke.”

  She stared at him and pulled the covers to her chest as the cool morning air replaced his warm body.

  “I swear I didn’t touch you, Anna. I wouldn’t do that.”

  “I know,” she whispered, but something told her that he didn’t feel the same attraction that she did. She was inexperienced and insecure. He looked at her like he wanted to get as far away from her as possible. He was a doctor, and staying there with her was just him having a good bedside manner.

  “I’m gonna head out. I need a shower and to check on the animals. My brother Wyatt is going to call Doc Jones. I want those ribs of yours x-rayed to make sure they’re not broken and him to check you over.”

  “Who’s Wyatt?” she asked.

  “The sheriff, and my brother.”

  She nearly missed the “my brother” part because of the sheriff title.

  She pulled the sheets tighter against her chest, shaking her head.

  “No sheriff. No police.”

  Charlie walked back over to the bed and stared down at her.

  “We need to get you checked out so I can help you. My brother will protect you just like the rest of us.”

  “I won’t talk about what happened. You can’t make me.”

  He sighed, then placed his hands in his pockets as if the conversation was too uncomfortable for him.

  She closed her eyes.

  “He’ll be here by ten. I’ll have Stacy help you, and she can go with you, too.”

  Anna wouldn’t look at him, and as she closed her eyes tighter, she heard him exit the room.

  Chapter 5

  Taking a shower had been hell. Stacy had filled her in on the night she’d had, and Anna was utterly embarrassed. Thank god no one was in the kitchen by the time she and Stacy came down for breakfast. She made Stacy call Wyatt and tell him that she would bring Anna to the doctor. It took some convincing but worked.

  They made their way out to the truck, and Anna quickly put the large sunglasses on to cover her bruises. Stepping up and into the truck took a great deal of effort due to the pain in her ribs. She prayed they weren’t broken. She just wanted to heal and forget.

  The ride was quiet and peaceful. Stacy didn’t push more just drove into town.

  When they arrived at the doctor’s office, it wasn’t crowded, so Dr. Jones saw her right away.

  “Do you want me to come in with you?” Stacy asked.

  Anna shook her head. She was a grown woman. She handled every obstacle and sucky thing that had occurred in her life because she was strong not weak. She wasn’t going to be weak now.

  She put on the yellow examination gown, surprised at the bright, nontraditional color. When she finally met Dr. Jones, he was cheerful and friendly just like the color of the gown and the decorations in the room. She w
as in a room with tropical colors and images of a beach scene. It was relaxing.

  “Hello, Anna, I’m Dr. Jones.”

  Anna shook his hand as he took in the sight of her bruises. He smiled kindly, and Anna got the sense that he was a nice man. He talked to her about the town and the upcoming events in the months to come. It calmed her for the moment.

  “I’m going to ask you some questions, Anna, and I want you to be completely honest with me so I can treat you. If you don’t tell me everything, then I can’t help you.”

  She locked gazes with him. She got a funny feeling in her stomach. Did he expect her to tell him what had happened?

  She nodded in agreement.

  “So, it’s obvious someone roughed you up. There are bruises with the shape of hands and finger marks across your body, your face, and jaw, as well as your legs.”

  Anna swallowed hard as the tears filled her eyes.

  “Honey, you’re safe here. No one is going to hurt you. The Cantrells are very well known and very good men. They will surely keep you safe. Charlie has already done a great job.” He smiled, and she felt a little more at ease.

  He asked a few more questions, and with each response, she told him bits and pieces of the incident.

  “Was it one man?” he asked.

  “Three,” she replied, and she saw a flash of anger in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by tenderness.

  “Honey, I know this is tough. You don’t have to talk about it in detail, but I need to know so I can determine the extent of this exam. Did these men force themselves on you?”

  She covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head in denial. All she saw were flashes of the men hitting her and then her father selling her like trash and hitting her himself.

  Dr. Jones stood beside her and caressed her shoulder.

  “Are you sure, Anna?” he asked again.

  She wiped her eyes and locked gazes with him.