She had almost died in this parking lot. That had to count for something. The least she deserved was a safe place to park.
Virat said something from behind her, and Lacy turned to him. He shook hands with Travis. Both were tall, handsome men, broad-shouldered and strong. Virat was of Indian descent; that was one of the only noticeable differences. Virat loved to tease her, too.
There wasn't any humor in his eyes now. "Damn Lace, this sucks."
"Yes, it does. But it could be worse. At least it’s just body damage. I'll see you tomorrow, Vir. Travis is going to give me a ride home."
And then she was letting him pull her from the parking garage, his hand wrapped warmly around her own. She had to admit, having her own avenging angel swoop in wasn't half bad. She just wouldn’t get used to it. Lacy knew better than that.
52
Worthington-Deane was right there. Why was he there? That damned Worthington-Deane stood next to her like that was where he belonged.
Had she called him? That was not what Logan had intended.
Of course, he hadn't intended for any of it to happen at all. But it had been a smart decision to vandalize his own car as well. Otherwise, well the police will be looking at him a lot differently wouldn't they?
The police were the last thing he needed. He busied himself by googling the number of a reputable body shop on his phone. He answered the questions as vaguely as he possibly could, trying to keep one eye on Lacy and the man next to her.
Worthington-Deane kept touching her. Light brushes of his hand over her hair, a caress on her back. An arm around her waist. And once he even lifted Lacy off her feet, and kissed her right there for anyone to see.
In front of the security cameras, that no doubt caught his every movement. A few moments before that damned cowboy had arrived, Holden-Deane had made an appearance.
Of course he would. He was the head of the hospital, and he needed to be seen. Logan had never really enjoyed that aspect of the Chief of Medicine position.
At least Holden-Deane was handling that part. The two brothers spoke for a while, and Logan studied them. Holden-Deane had a couple of inches and about forty pounds on his brother. Holden-Deane was darker, too. In fact, anyone looking at them wouldn't know that they were related. But they were. Just like that damned governor.
The Deanes were everywhere in his life now. Taking over everything from him. Holden-Deane had stolen his job. The respect he was used to commanding at the hospital.
And now this… Worthington-Deane was stealing his Lacy.
It was all Logan could do to shove back the rage.
53
Travis’ anger bothered her. Reminded her of the third foster home she’d lived in. The husband had liked to take fists to young girls when they’d displeased them. And when she’d been twelve, those fists had turned to hands that had no business touching. She’d been saved when the man’s wife had walked in—and booted Lacy to the curb. She’d bounced to two more foster homes after that. Until she’d ended up in the last one at fourteen. She’d stayed there over two years—and had been able to graduate high school early, with nearly a year’s worth of advanced placement classes under her belt.
Linda, her last foster mother, had saved her. Had helped her become who she was now. But the memories of before that…
Angry men always made her uneasy.
Especially since she’d never seen him angry before.
"Travis?"
He looked at her. He had spoken heatedly with his brother just a few minutes earlier. Travis wasn’t happy with the lack of security cameras where she’d been parked. Lacy had to agree with him. His brother had promised that he was looking into the why of it already. And had promised he’d be getting it fixed—as soon as possible. Lacy was glad—but it had only partially mollified Travis. And he hadn’t stopped touching her since they’d walked out of the lobby. But…he was lost in his head somewhere. And that had her more on edge than she would have expected. "I'm sorry, honey?"
"What are you thinking?"
“I’m thinking that I’m glad you’re all right. That you’re right next to me and safe. That I’m going to kick Rafe’s ass if he doesn’t make sure you stay that way at the hospital. And…I’m thinking that you look very tasty in dark green. I think Dr. Lanning thought so, too. The guy watched you tonight.”
“Did he?” She ignored the tasty part of that comment. Her nerves needed to settle down first. She’d expected anger—not this concern. Other than Kevin and the rest of his family, had anyone—especially a man—been concerned just for her? She didn’t think so. “Lanning and I have a rough history. We’ve argued quite a bit. He was probably thinking I deserved it. And he didn’t. He’s also had some trouble with your brother. He used to be the COM until he was demoted.”
“Ouch. But…honey, I know when a guy finds a girl fascinating. Lanning has a crush. Is it possible he sent the flowers?”
She shook her head. If he wanted her attention, Logan Lanning would come right out and say it. He had before. And she’d shot him down hard. “I somehow doubt it. I might have called him a damned toad and a bastard when Brynna was hospitalized. And a few other things. He even suspended me—twice. No. He wouldn’t bother sending me flowers. Besides, he’s a player. I don’t go for that—and I’ve made it clear to several men at the hospital. Including Lanning.”
“Ok. Honey…I’m not a player at all. Will you go for me?”
Hell, yes.
If she wasn’t such a big chicken, that was.
54
Jillian called her almost the instant Travis pulled into her drive. Lacy answered and reassured her friend that she was just fine, that she hadn’t been in the parking lot when the vandalism happened, and that she wasn’t sitting at home alone.
Jillian was partially mollified that Travis was with her. And she repeated Lacy’s unstated vow.
They weren’t parking in Doctors’ Row anymore. Just too much could happen.
Just as she disconnected, Travis parked the truck. She looked at her rescuer. “Hospital grapevine struck again. I’ve been the star of it for most of the day already.”
“Oh?”
“Snotty Garlic.”
He laughed. “Marc emailed me the link. You are definitely the Sexy Surgeon of my dreams.”
“Your brother mentioned the atrocious alliteration in that awful article.”
He laughed. “Hey, we’re the Devastating Deanes again. Now that Rafe is back where he belongs. The Gorgeous Governor and I found it hilarious. Did the Beautiful Babes? Sexy Sirens? I like that one personally.”
“Holden-Deane not so much. The Delicious Doctor was unbelievably unhappy. Of course, someone taped copies of it in every private corner of the hospital.”
“Ouch. Rafe gets embarrassed easily. And hides it behind crankiness.”
She hadn’t thought he was embarrassed, but Travis would certainly know his brother better. “I know people like that.”
“So…honey…what do you want to do for dinner? We can head over to my place. I’ll introduce you to Horace.”
“Horace?”
“My dog. The one I saved his life and now he is beyond appreciative? He’s probably about three months old and hound ugly. Vet says he’s some sort of unusually marked beagle. He likes to bugle at me in the mornings. Dumb as a box of rocks, but…he grows on a man.”
“I need to change out of these clothes…” she said, slowly. She’d never been to his place. But suddenly she really wanted to. “Give me ten minutes?”
“Take as long as you like, but I’m more than willing to help you change. If it will save you some time, that is.”
She stared up at him. He’d come for her. It was as simple as that. She hadn’t even had to ask. He’d just been there the instant that she’d needed him.
Well. Not the instant. But as soon as he could. And he’d gotten his brother to stand in for him until he made it there. Why had he done that?
“Why did you come tonight?”
Green eyes widened in surprise. “What do you mean?”
“I was capable of handling this by myself. But…I’m glad you were there. Why did you come so fast, for me?”
“Honey, why wouldn’t I? I didn’t think it through, I just knew you needed me. So I was going to get there as fast as I could.”
“And you sent your brother, didn’t you?” Whoever would have thought a hulking giant like Rafael Holden-Deane would be more welcome than a dozen purple roses?
“I’m the better brother, but I figured he’d do in a pinch.”
“Thank you. I don’t know if I’ve said it yet, but…I’m glad it is you that’s here with me.”
Lacy took the biggest gamble of her life—or so it seemed at the moment—and leaned closer. For the first time, she kissed him.
And did not pull away.
TRAVIS SENSED something had changed in her, and he wasn’t a fool. He went with it.
He wrapped his hands around her waist and scooted her closer, thankful his truck had a large old-fashioned bench seat in it. Plenty of room for a man his size to do some serious kissing with his girl.
Travis forced his hormones to stay calm, unthreatening. The one thing he did not want to ever do was scare her by acting like a horny teenager.
It shocked the hell out of him when she unsnapped the first button on his shirt. And then the next.
“Lacy? Honey? While I can’t think of anything better than to have you get me naked, I need to know exactly how far you want this to go.”
She smiled at him in the shadowed evening light. It was a look he would never forget. “How far do you want this to go? You’ve been teasing me for weeks.”
Travis laughed. “Have I now?”
Her fingers flipped open the next button. She pulled in a deep breath. One that told him just how nervous she was. Tenderness filled him, slowing down the hormones. “Honey?”
“Come inside.”
“You sure?” He knew it wasn’t a dinner invitation his beautiful doc was offering.
“Yes. Come inside.” And she held out one trembling hand toward him.
SHE KNEW what she was doing. Lacy also knew that this was more than just a casual thing. At least for her.
She stumbled on the steps. His hands were there to catch her. Travis scooped her up in those ridiculously strong arms of his and held her close.
He kissed her. Slowly. Hotly.
Carried her to her door. Lacy’s hands shook around her keys, but she finally got her house unlocked.
He knew the way to her bedroom. Her safest place.
Lacy had never had a man in her own bed before. She had never trusted a man to be that vulnerable with him before.
“I won’t hurt you, honey. If you want to stop, you just tell me.” His tone was soft, deeper, more serious than she was used to. His hands were sure and strong on her.
He sat her on her feet right next to her lavender and white covered bed. And then he was kissing her again. His white Stetson that he always wore hit the laminate floor.
He put her hands on his shirt. “Time to finish what we started, honey.”
Lacy ran her fingers over each inch of skin as it was revealed.
Travis was beautiful. Every inch of him.
A sense of urgency filled her.
She wanted this man.
More than she had ever wanted a man before. Lacy grabbed the bottom of her scrub top and lifted.
He stopped her. She looked into green eyes several shades lighter than her own. “Let me. I have dreamed of taking these green things off of you for what seems like forever.”
She wore dark green silk beneath her scrubs, some of her favorites. His eyes darkened when he looked at her.
His hands trembled when he took them off her. Lacy thrilled knowing she had that effect on this man.
And then he was touching her for the first time.
She gasped and arched into the touch. Travis fumbled through taking off his boots and the rest of his clothes. She giggled when he nearly tripped over his hat.
The Stetson would never be the same.
She steadied him, just needing to touch.
And then he scooped her up and held her.
Touched her. Kissed her.
And loved her.
55
Rafe watched the little redhead storm away and he bit back a curse. He and Jillian Beck were going to have to have it out, at least one of these days soon. They couldn't keep creating a hostile work environment for those around them. If worse came to worst he’d simply switch her to a shift where he didn't have to see her at all. Perhaps thirds indefinitely. Nine at night to nine in the morning, instead of her current eleven to eleven. That would be the simplest. Then he’d see her even less than he did now.
Tempting. He had to admit it was tempting.
But thirds was the roughest shift of all, and the idea of a woman so closely connected to his family in any way working thirds didn't sit well with him. He knew it was chauvinistic, and overprotective of him, but… No. It was bad enough he’d put her on thirds for two weeks.
He would have that switched immediately.
Rafe turned, and looked into green eyes glaring at him. He hadn’t missed McGareth arriving—or his brother walking the beautiful blonde into the lobby this morning. They’d stopped off to speak with the she-devil. Then Travis had dropped a light kiss on McGareth’s forehead before leaving.
The gesture had told Rafe so damned much.
How often had he seen his uncle Elliot kiss his aunt just like that? Or Marcus with Carissa?
Carissa had had the same sort of spunk, passion, and fire as Dr. McGareth. He had to admit that. Even the blonde hair was similar, though Carissa had been brown-eyed and dimpled.
“Something to say, Dr. McGareth?" He knew he'd been an ass to Jillian. And he had a strong suspicion he was about to get reamed. But he didn't have time for this. But… He had been the one to needle the younger woman. He probably deserved the censure he saw on McGareth’s face. Carissa would have called him a real asshole if she’d seen him acting this way.
"Jillian’s had a rough few months. It wasn't all that long ago that a big man held a knife to her throat and tried to kill her. I think you could probably be a little bit kinder to her."
"You really think it’s any of your business?"
"Yes, Jillian is my business. Just like I am hers. We have each other’s backs. You need to understand that. She doesn't deserve the things you said to her. Something you just might want to keep in mind."
"I'll do that. And in the meantime, I suggest you get out there and do your job."
"You may not like me but there’s one thing you won't ever be able to say. Jillian and I do our jobs. Don't ever forget that."
Rafe turned and stalked away. Before he said something that he would regret.
The two women hadn’t done anything to deserve his anger and he knew it. It was more directed inward.
It was just easiest to lash out at them, because they were the connection to the biological family that he simply did not want.
Still, he owed her an apology.
And needed to get her off of thirds.
It was the least he could do for being a jerk.
56
That damned Holden-Deane had targeted little Jillian again.
Logan had watched her run from the trauma room like her heels were on fire. He’d suspected those were tears on Jillian’s pale cheeks.
He strongly suspected the only thing keeping Jillian—and probably Lacy—in their jobs was their connection to the Deane family outside the hospital.
Logan had argued with them both himself before. But just in general terms, over patient care, or unfair policies, or just simple disagreements. But never had there been that kind of rancor between him and Lacy.
Well, except over Brynna Beck, that was. And he hadn't known that the girl was autistic. Or he would've been far gentler than he had been. He’d just had an off day, himself.<
br />
Logan hadn't meant to hurt her, either.
But Holden-Deane, it was obvious he had it out for Jillian Beck—and by association Lacy. It wasn't right. And it wasn't fair. Logan didn't know exactly what he could do to make things easier on Lacy. Or Jillian, for that matter.
Even if he tried to intervene, it would probably just make things worse for her. That was the last thing he wanted. Maybe he should talk to Lacy, specifically remind her that Holden-Deane currently held her career in his hands?
Logan wondered how she would take that from him. There had to be something he could do to protect her from those damned Deanes.
You would think her being involved with Holden-Deane’s brother would earn her some leeway. Or maybe that’s what it was. Maybe that’s why they did argue as much as they did? Because she knew that Holden-Deane wasn't going to do anything to harm her career? At least as long as she was involved with the youngest brother.
Maybe that’s what it was. Maybe she was involved with Travis Worthington-Deane, simply to keep Holden-Deane from crushing her career in his ungodly large hands?
It gave Logan something to think about.
57
Virat pulled her aside about halfway through her shift. “Find a body shop?”
“You might say that. Ari’s brother absconded with it. Or he had people come get it. He’s doing something with a revolutionary product to make it more damage resistant.” She hadn’t exactly wanted that to happen, but it had come down to an argument between her and Houghton and Luc. The two were determined to protect her.
How could she turn that down? She couldn’t.
“Good.” He hesitated, something she never had seen him do before.
“What?” He’d never been one to mince words. What was he hiding?
“I’m just concerned. Someone had to be pretty pissed off to drive my mirror through your windshield. I didn’t even know that was possible.”
“It shouldn’t have been—except the windshield already had a small crack. I was planning to have it replaced in a month or so—after I bought shingles for the house.”
If the Dark Wins (Finley Creek Book 4) Page 15