Hush - Fighting Fate #2

by Maree Green

  I saw Isaac’s gaze snap up to the house then he frowned. “Did you hear that?” he asked.

  “What?” I strained, listening.

  “I thought I heard something break,” he said, looking confused.

  Before I could even comprehend what he’d said, I heard the unmistakable sound of a gunshot.

  My body froze for a total of one heartbeat before it leapt into action. Dropping my drink onto the table, I turned and bolted for the back door.

  The first thing I saw when I ran inside was a scattering of things over the kitchen counter and broken bits of glass over the tiles. Rounding the corner to the dining room, I froze, trying to process what I was seeing.

  Aaron was hunched over by the dining table, his hands clasped over his chest and blood oozing between his fingers as he staggered backwards, and Kaeli was half crumpled on the floor, her back leaning awkwardly against the cabinet.

  Her hair was a complete mess, as was her dress, and she had red marks on her forehead and cheek. Her face was as pale as I’d ever seen someone, and she was breathing like she was having trouble getting enough air.

  And in her very shaky, very unstable hands, was my Glock.

  Fuck.

  I heard my brothers behind me, heard Adam telling Eli and Micah to keep everyone out. I heard Dad’s voice in there somewhere too, but all my focus was on Kaeli, and making her safe.

  Aaron was stumbling, trying to get himself to the front door. As I slowly moved towards Kaeli, Dad, Adam and Isaac moved towards Aaron. When I was within touching distance of her, I crouched down.

  Knowing not to touch her, I softly called her name. “Kaeli…”

  She looked up at me, confusion and shock everywhere. The gun waivered, still pointing at Aaron, but Dad and my brothers were there too.

  “Can you give me the gun, baby?”

  She looked down at her hands and her eyes widened like she had no idea how it got to be there in the first place.

  Dad had Aaron face down on the ground then, and he was howling in pain as he cuffed him. I wanted to be the one to inflict the pain, but I couldn’t. Kaeli needed me.

  With slow movements, she brought her hands closer to me, still pointing it at Aaron. Gently, I placed my hand over hers, encouraging her to release her grip. “It’s okay. I’ve got it. You can let go now.”

  As she withdrew her hands, I quickly released the magazine and emptied the chamber before tucking it all away in my pants. “Weapon’s secure,” I said quietly so Dad would hear.

  Gently, I touched the side of her face. Her gaze flickered between mine and where Aaron was pushed to the ground.

  “Noah,” Dad barked. “Now.”

  I knew what he was saying. I needed to clear the room before Aaron saw me. It was important he not make any connection between me and Mitch.

  But I couldn’t leave Kaeli. I was happy to leave the room, but only if she came with me.

  Ignoring Dad, I kept stroking Kaeli’s face. “Baby?” I said in a soft voice. “I’m going to pick you up now, okay?” Her gaze snapped up to mine and she stared deep into my eyes. “Do you trust me?”

  She licked her lips and after a moment, she nodded.

  Scooping her up, I tucked my arms under her and lifted her up against my chest, then with sure feet, I headed towards the lounge room. We were just about through the door when she wriggled urgently.

  “Wait.”

  I paused, not sure what she was doing. She wriggled again until I let her feet down to the floor, and then she stepped away from me. I reached for her arm. “Baby, we need to go in here for a bit.”

  “Wait,” she said again, this time more forcefully. “I just need to do something.”

  Then she was striding away from me, too fast for me to stop her. Isaac frowned as she stepped around him, his gaze darting to me for answers, but I had none. Adam looked up from where he was trying to stem the flow of blood from the fucker, and frowned at her.

  Then she kicked Aaron in the gut. Hard. The dude screamed.

  “I fucking hate you!” she said through clenched teeth. And then she kicked him again.

  I was pretty sure that had been the last thing any of us had expected her to do, so she got in a few good kicks before Adam’s brain clicked into gear and he pulled her away.

  To be honest, I would’ve just let her go for a bit longer. I was sure it would’ve been good therapy.

  “Come on fire cracker,” Adam said, leading her over to me.

  Isaac gave her a pat on the head as she passed. “Nice one, Lina.”

  As soon as she was close enough, I pulled her back into my arms. I really just needed to hold her right now. I needed to feel her for myself. Needed to know she was safe.

  Leading her over to the sofa, I sat down and pulled her onto my lap, hearing the sound of sirens in the distance. She tucked her legs up and curled into me, burying her face in my chest. I didn’t know what had happened to her shoes. Hopefully one of them was imbedded in Aaron’s body somewhere.

  “I should’ve just let you come with me to the bathroom…” she muttered.

  The trembling in her body tore at me. “I’m so sorry, baby,” I said. I didn’t know what else to say. I’d failed her.

  “No,” she murmured against my chest.

  No? What was that supposed to mean? Pulling back a little, I lifted her chin so I could read her eyes.

  “It’s not your fault so stop blaming yourself,” she said.

  “Baby, I should’ve-”

  “No,” she said again. “Did you teach me how to shoot?” When I didn’t answer, she narrowed her eyes. “Exactly, so stop it. It might have been inadvertently, but you still protected me. I’m safe because of you.”

  I wasn’t sure if I could agree with her, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to argue with her right now.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, brushing the hair off her face so I could inspect the bumps on her forehead and cheek. Seeing them made something inside me hurt. I didn’t know what I would’ve done if anything had happened to her.

  “I think so,” she said, although her gaze seemed anything but sure.

  I was glad when Adam came in a couple of minutes later with his paramedic’s bag in hand. I needed to know she was really okay and not just saying it.

  “Let me take a look at those bumps,” he said, sitting on the sofa beside me. “Dad called Walt,” he said to me as he touched Kaeli’s face. “He’s coming to take the statements.”

  “Good.” At least I knew it’d be done properly.

  “Does it hurt anywhere else?” he asked Kaeli.

  “Mmm,” she murmured. “The back of my head.”

  “What happened to it?” he asked, his tone all business.

  “I head-butted him. Twice,” she said, sounding quite proud of herself.

  Adam’s lips curled up as his fingers ran over the back of her head. “You did a good job of it. You’re going to be sore tomorrow. Anything else?”

  She sighed, her hand reaching up to caress her arm. “My shoulder.”

  Adam’s gaze fell to her hand. “How did that happen?”

  I clenched my jaw, knowing I wasn’t going to handle hearing the reason very well at all. She shifted uncomfortably, and I knew she was thinking the same thing. “Aaron pushed me against the wall.”

  Motherfucker. I just wanted to go out there and shoot him myself. I really had to restrain myself from clenching my hands into fists.

  Adam made Kaeli lift her arm a couple of times and move it around. “Anything else?”

  She shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”

  Adam let his eyes travel over her a little, a tiny smile appearing on his lips. “I actually think you did more damage to him than the other way around. And that’s without the bullet.”

  I gave him a confused look, needing him to explain.

  “He has a broken nose, a broken finger and a torn ear drum, not to mention some pretty wicked scratches on his face that’ll leave scars for sure.”
He gave me an intent look that told me just how proud of her he was. I was fucking proud of her too. “I think you just need some ice packs on those bumps,” he said, patting her knee.

  His smile dropped as he looked at her and then, startled, he glanced at me.

  When I looked down at Kaeli and saw the tears brimming her eyes, I understood why. “What’s wrong, baby?” I said, worried she was in pain.

  “I’m so sorry, Adam. I ruined your engagement party. Kara’s going to hate me.”

  Adam’s eyes widened and then he looked at her like she was crazy. If he was going to say something to make her even more upset, I was going to punch him. “No way. Most. Memorable. Party. Ever. No one’s ever going to forget this. They’ll still be talking about it when Kara and I are grandparents. It’ll be like folklore.”

  I couldn’t help laughing. The picture he’d painted was just too funny. Then Kaeli laughed, thankfully finding the funny side of it too.

  Adam grinned. “I’m just going to go get some ice packs. Stay here.”

  But it was Kara that brought the ice packs, not Adam, and when she saw Kaeli, she pulled her into a hug. “Thank god you’re alright,” she said.

  “I’m so sorry, Kara,” Kaeli said sadly.

  “Don’t be silly. The party was more or less over anyway, and as long as none of my family is hurt, it’s all good.” Kara frowned as she gazed at her. “You’re not hurt are you? I mean, I know you need the ice packs, but you’re okay, right?”

  Kaeli was quick to reassure her. “I’m fine. Just a couple of bruises, that’s all.”

  Kara exhaled with relief. That was why she fit into our family so well. She cared about every one of us as though we were blood.

  Kara left not long after that so she could go reassure everyone who was waiting anxiously outside, and then Walt came and took her statement. I had to hold myself back from wanting to put my fist through something yet again when I heard everything in detail. I think I secretly wished she’d made a kill shot, but I wouldn’t have wanted her to live with that either.

  When Walt and the others finally left, and Aaron had been carted off to hospital under maximum security, Kaeli then had to face my family. I didn’t have the patience to share her for long though. Just enough to make sure she knew no one cared about the party being ruined - which it wasn’t. That all we cared about was that she was safe and well.

  As soon as she knew that, I was taking her home.

  Chapter 71

  Kaeli

  As soon as we walked in the door to Noah’s apartment, everything caught up with me, and I was suddenly exhausted. It’d taken forever to get out of Alli and Luke’s house. Everyone had been doing everything they could to make sure I was okay, fussing and doting all over me. Even Mom had shown up. By the time Noah had dragged me out of there, I could barely stand on my own two feet.

  Dropping my shoes to the floor, I didn’t even care I was messing up his space, I just trudged towards the sofa, ready to drop and stay down. But right before I was about to fall, Noah grabbed me and started steering me towards the bathroom.

  I groaned. Just the thought of standing under a shower tired me out, but then Noah lifted me up to sit on the counter and turned to start filling the bath tub. Blinking, I tried to get my head to focus on what he was doing. He was running me a bath?

  I watched him pick up a bottle off the shelf and squeeze some purple liquid under the flow of water, making bubbles magically appear. Then he gently lifted me onto my feet and started undressing me.

  He was so beautiful. And right now I wasn’t talking about the outside package. I could plainly see the love shining out of him as he worked to carefully slide the dress off me. There was no lust in his eyes at all. Just love. And it was wonderful.

  Unclasping my bra, he slowly drew it over my skin, dropping it to the floor before doing the same with my panties.

  Flashes of memory came to me. A time when I’d been in a similar situation. Me sitting in the bathroom, with Noah gently washing me down. It was staggering to realize how much he cared for me even then.

  He gazed at me for a moment, and I finally knew what he knew.

  Reaching up to touch his face with my fingers, I swallowed. “I love you.”

  He seemed to hold his breath for a moment, then he exhaled, slow and sure, and his gaze silently returned my declaration. With a gentleness only love could give, he cupped my face in his hands and slowly leant in to press his lips to mine.

  He didn’t linger though. He just bent low and gently swept me up into his arms then lowered me into the water. Shutting off the flow, he quickly worked to undress himself then climbed in behind me.

  The instant I felt his hands touch my shoulders, gently urging me back to lean against his chest, I exhaled with contentment.

  With languid eyes, I watched Noah reach for a wash cloth, then dipping it into the water, he proceeded to wash me.

  I’d never been so thoroughly taken care of before. He washed every inch of my skin with tender care, moving the cloth in slow, deliberate strokes, soaping me up and washing me off with methodical movements. He shampooed my hair, careful to use soft, gentle fingers on the tender spot on the back of my head, then he conditioned the long strands, carefully raking his fingers through it, massaging out all the knots before rinsing it all out again.

  When he was done, he pulled the plug and climbed out, wrapping a towel around his hips before lifting me out and drying me in the same methodical way.

  I was enthralled by the intensity of his concentration. He was so focused and in control, which would’ve made my lips twitch if I wasn’t so damned tired.

  When he was satisfied I was dry enough, he led me to the bedroom and pulled back the sheets, and I happily climbed in.

  Flicking off the lights, he slid in beside me, and pulled me closer so I was cradled against his chest. “Goodnight beautiful,” he whispered, kissing the top of my head.

  I remember feeling his fingers moving slowly down the center of my back, and then everything went dark.

  ***

  I woke curled up in the middle of the bed on my own. Pouting, I rolled, searching the room and the bathroom beyond for any sign of Noah. I didn’t like waking up alone in his bed. I wanted him wrapped around me like he usually was.

  Deciding to wait a while just in case he was coming back soon, I stretched and let my thoughts run over the events of the night before. As much as the scene with Aaron had frightened the hell out of me, I was insanely happy he was now in jail. I hoped he was put away for a really long time.

  Then there was Noah’s family. They’d all been so amazing. Not only after the incident, but every time I’d seen them. They were so happy and supportive. I could see how Kara found it so easy to call them family.

  And lastly, there was the way Noah had looked after me when we’d gotten home. I mean, I’d always known he was my protector, but the way he’d cared for me so completely like that, was life altering. It was honestly like the earth had shifted and aligned with something that made everything fall into place. It made me certain, regardless of the short amount of time we’d known each other, that we were exactly where we were supposed to be.

  Together.

  With curiosity finally stirring me into action, I climbed out of bed and threw on Noah’s robe. I breathed it in as I put it on. It didn’t smell like him so I had a feeling he hadn’t worn it much, if at all. He didn’t really strike me as a robe wearing guy.

  Pulling the sash into a half knot, I shuffled out to the kitchen and looked around, frowning when I couldn’t see Noah anywhere.

  The sound of a door closing had me turning around, and when I did, I froze. Noah paused just inside the door, his eyes dark and commanding. But that wasn’t what had my attention.

  He was dressed, from head to toe, in full police uniform.

  Holy freaking hell.

  It was the hottest thing I’d ever seen. I raked my eyes up his body, already feeling myself growing wet. I watched his mout
h moving, but my head was seriously clouded over.

  “Miss,” he snapped, and my attention sharpened.

  “I’m going to need you to spread your legs and put your hands on the counter in front of you.”

  I felt my eyes widen.

  Holy shit! I instantly started panting. At this rate, I was going to orgasm any second.

  “Miss,” he said, his voice firm and commanding. “Hands on the counter in front of you.”

  With my breath shaking, it did as he asked, widening my stance and placing my hands, palms down in front of me. I felt him move behind me, and my senses roared.

  “Are you carrying any dangerous or illegal substances on your person?”

  Oh my god. I didn’t know if I could handle this. I was almost hyperventilating I was so turned on. Swallowing, I shook my head.

  “I’m going to need you to answer me, Miss.”

  Jesus help me. “No, officer,” I breathed.

  “That’s better.” I felt him move closer, the heat of his body warming me through the robe. “I think I’m going to have to conduct a strip search though,” he said. “Stand up.”

  Oh my god. My legs trembled as I stood up. Noah leaned closer, his body coming into contact with mine. Then he grabbed both my arms and brought them down by my sides.

  I was held captive by anticipation. Slowly, he untied the sash and loosened the robe, sliding it off my shoulders and letting it fall to the floor.

  “Hands on the counter, Miss,” he said, his voice still firm but slightly rougher.

  Following his orders, I placed them back on the counter and tried to hold myself together. His hands started at my shoulders, sliding down my back and up again before moving down the tops of my arms and back up the undersides.

  I gasped as they ran over my breasts, down my stomach then the front of my legs, all the way down to my toes. The he started back up again, this time stroking over my calves, the backs of my thighs, and over my ass.

  He paused when he reached my hips. “I think I need to conduct a deeper search,” he said huskily into my ear. “I’m going to need you to put your hands behind your back and your chest on the counter, Miss.”

  I was full on panting now. The picture he was painting in my mind was so erotic and hot, I wasn’t sure I could handle it. But I sure as hell wanted to try.