by Wendi Wilson
“I asked for rooms in the back,” he said, “so our car can’t be spotted from the road.”
He parked and we climbed out, our movements slow and weary. Beckett grabbed my duffle bag from the trunk and took my hand, leading me to the room number printed on his cardboard keycard. I watched Wyatt and Jett approach the door next to us.
Jett waved and Wyatt shot me a grin before they headed inside, the door swinging closed behind them. I turned back toward Beckett, who was waiting just inside the room, holding the door open for me. I shuffled inside, checking out the interior.
A king-sized bed. A dresser with a large television perched on top. A closet with empty wooden hangers. A small bathroom visible through a door on the far side of the room. A small round table with two chairs by the window.
I went to the bed where Beckett had dropped my bag and unzipped it. Pulling out an oversized t-shirt and a pair of underwear, I looked at Beckett.
“Do you have to use the restroom?” I asked. “I need a shower.”
He shook his head with a soft smile. “You go ahead. I’m good for now.”
I smiled my thanks and headed into the small bathroom, closing the door behind me. With robotic movements, I stripped off my clothes and turned on the water. After just a few moments, steam billowed around the edges of the shower curtain. I reached in and adjusted the temperature before climbing in.
I stood under the hot spray, numb from the day’s events. I didn’t cry. I’d already reached my quota of tears for the day. Eventually, I grabbed the bar of soap and peeled off the packaging, using it the scrub my body from head to toe. There was a small bottle of shampoo and I lathered up my hair before rinsing it out, finger combing out the tangles.
Once I felt fully clean, I turned off the water and stepped out, wrapping a big white towel around my torso. I looked at my shirt and panties folded on the back of the toilet and bit my lip. Making a decision, I left my clothes where they were and opened the bathroom door.
Beckett was stretched out on the bed when I emerged, wet hair dripping down my back, wearing nothing but a towel. He sat up as I neared him, his eyes roving up and down my body.
“I’m all done in there if you need to use it,” I said, my tongue darting out to wet my lips.
He met my eyes and shook his head. “I hopped over to the other room while you were in there,” he said, and I noticed for the first time that his hair was damp.
“Sorry, if I took too long,” I said, planting one knee on the mattress.
“You didn’t,” he assured me, his eyes dipping to my thigh where the edge of the towel parted. “If I waited, I’d have to leave you alone in here while I showered.”
He knew me. Knew I needed him. I dropped the towel and quickly climbed the rest of the way into the bed, sliding under the sheets to cover myself. He hopped up and pulled his side of the blanket and sheets down, pausing for a moment. His eyes never leaving mine, he stripped off the sweatpants and t-shirt he wore, climbing into bed in just his boxers.
We met in the middle, wrapping our arms around each other as we snuggled close. His body heat warmed my chilled skin, still damp from my shower. His hands roamed up and down my back, over my hips and down my outer thighs before retracing their path back up. The motion was meant to be soothing, but my body had other ideas.
I kissed him, my lips trailing from his, down his jaw to his neck. He tilted his head back to give me better access, his hands never ceasing their constant movement. When my teeth grazed his neck, his palms moved to my butt, pulling me closer. A purr vibrated in my throat, breaking the trance and he pulled back to look at me.
“Are you sure?” Beckett whispered. “It’s been an emotional day. I don’t want to take advantage.”
“I need you,” I said.
He and I had done many things, but we had yet to go the distance. One thing after another had always gotten in the way. Mostly it was him getting in the way. His concern for me. Fear that there were cameras or listening devices in his room. Wrong time. Wrong place.
But, no more. There was nothing I needed more than him in that moment. I kissed him, pouring all my love into the act, giving him no room for more arguments or doubts. He kissed me back, returning all that I gave.
He made love to me slowly, earnest and tender. In a way only Beckett could. Afterward, as we cuddled, he sang to me in soft tones. Words he wrote just for me that spoke of joy. Devotion. Love.
Words that spoke of forever.
Chapter Thirty
We woke early the next morning, meeting Wyatt and Beckett at the car before sunrise. We found a truck stop diner and had some breakfast, looking at the map on Jett’s phone and planning out the rest of our journey. The boys passed the flask between them, offering it to me after noticing my eyes following its path.
“Thanks,” I said, taking a swig.
Beckett had encouraged me to drink through my tears after we left my parents, but I guess I hadn’t taken enough. I felt refreshed once the blood hit my stomach, reducing the gnawing need there in a way the food hadn’t.
“We should get to Connecticut by mid-afternoon,” Wyatt said, studying the navigation app on Jett’s phone.
“Do they know we’re coming?” I asked, sipping my coffee.
Jett shook his head. “We decided not to call them, just in case. We don’t want any Purists confirming that’s where we’re headed.”
“But we told my parents,” I said.
“Yes, but that could have been a lie to throw our uncle off track. At least, that’s what we’re hoping he’ll think,” Jett said.
“Well, you’ll have to give your friends a heads up at some point. I don’t think we should just show up out of nowhere, asking for help. We’re putting them in a tough spot, as it is,” I said.
“They will want to help us,” Beckett said. “We’re like family.”
“Yeah,” Wyatt said. “We grew up together and their parents think of us as their kids.”
“We’ll call them when we get closer,” Jett said. “Just to make sure they’ll be home when we get there.”
I excused myself to use the restroom. When I was sure none of them were looking, I stopped by the counter and caught our waitress’s attention. I placed a special order, then zipped into the bathroom before the boys saw me talking to her.
When I got back to our booth, the waitress caught my eye and I nodded. She walked to our table with a large tray, the other three waitresses trailing behind her. The boys looked up as she placed a slice of chocolate cake in front of each one of them, a lit candle sparkling in each one.
The group broke into song, singing the classic rendition of Happy Birthday as I clapped and sang along like a five-year-old. Jett and Beckett looked embarrassed, but Wyatt grinned from ear to ear as he grabbed a fork and took a big bite.
“Happy birthday, boys,” I said, smiling at each of them after the wait staff left us.
“You have to stop calling us boys now,” Wyatt said, pointing his chocolate encrusted fork at me. “We’re men.”
I laughed. “You’ll always be my boys,” I said, and all three of them beamed at me.
I grabbed my purse and pulled out three small, wrapped packages. Handing one to each of them, I dropped my hands to my lap and bit my lip as they tore into them with smiles lighting up their faces. As they each pulled their gift from its wrapping, they fell silent.
“Do you like them?” I asked, suddenly nervous. “If you don’t, it’s okay…”
My words trailed off as all three of them strapped on the leather cuffs I’d had made for them. They were identical, two inches wide with metal snaps. When all three of them looked up from their wrists, I pulled back the sleeve of my jacket to show them mine. Strapped around it was a fourth cuff.
All four were identical. Burned into the leather were a heart and four letters with plus symbols between them.
“J plus W plus B plus S,” Beckett murmured. He met my stare. “It’s perfect.”
“I love it,�
� Jett said, his finger trailing across the letters.
“Thank you, Savanna,” Wyatt said, his face serious. “It’s a beautiful gift.”
“I’m glad you like them,” I said, my heart feeling lighter. I’d really worried that they’d think the cuffs were corny. Their smiles told me they didn’t think they were corny at all.
After we paid the tab, we left the diner, laughing at some joke Wyatt made. Whatever he’d said flew right out of my head as I noticed three men standing near the hood of my parents’ car. I froze, recognizing the one in the middle.
Jett, Wyatt and Beckett noticed the men a split second after me. Shoulders squared and chests puffed out, they moved between me and the men, blocking them from sight.
“What do you want, Uncle Earl?” Jett asked, his voice demanding.
“Oh, you know exactly what I want, nephew.” He spat the last word, filling it with disgust. “Hand the girl over and you can go on your merry way.”
As one, the brothers took a step forward, each of them growling, the sound low and menacing. I couldn’t see the faces of Dr. Patton and his to burly goons, but I imagined them wearing fearful expressions. When Dr. Patton laughed, I realized I was wrong.
“You can’t touch me,” he said. “None of us can be persuaded, thanks to Savanna’s blood, and my men are bigger, tougher, and stronger than you. Now, stop wasting my valuable time. Give her to me.”
“Never,” Wyatt said. “You. Beat his ass.” Wyatt huffed and I saw his shoulders shrug before he mumbled, “Had to try.”
Dr. Patton had told the truth. His bodyguards couldn’t be persuaded. My adrenaline spiked up a few notches. I had to do something. I couldn’t let Dr. Patton take me from my boys.
I looked around the lot, which was pretty much deserted. I could run for it, but where would I go? I wouldn’t get very far anyway. I was never much of a runner. The boys could try to fight them off, but I didn’t want them getting hurt. Or arrested. Dr. Patton’s threats hung heavy around me, especially since the boys were officially eighteen.
A jingling noise sounded behind me and I turned. Two guys wearing boots, jeans, and trucker hats emerged from the diner, chatting about their hauls and time on the road. I narrowed my eyes, scanning their bodies. They looked athletic and well-muscled, like they spent some time in the gym to combat all the time they spent behind the wheel.
My breath same in short bursts as I made a decision. I didn’t want to do it but it was them or me and my boys. I closed my eyes, squeezing them as tight as I could, and centered myself. I didn’t want to alert Dr. Patton of my actions, so I sent the command mentally.
Come help us. Take the three men by the car. Subdue them. Get them away from us.
My thoughts rambled on and on. Pleading. Demanding.
The two men stopped, looking in our direction. Their bodies turned as one and headed our way. My sigh of relief was cut short as I realized Jett, Wyatt and Beckett had started forward.
“Stop,” I hissed. “I got some help.”
They didn’t stop. They kept moving, Beckett shaking free of my grasp went I locked my fingers around his wrist. Oh shit.
“Wyatt. Jett. Beckett. I release you from my persuasion.”
I whispered the words, but it was enough. I watched each of them stop and take a step back. Never taking their eyes off their uncle and his goons. The truckers passed us, still intent on following through with my orders. I breathed a sigh of relief.
The door jingled again. And again. And again. I turned to see what was happening, unable to stop the gasp that flew from my mouth. I heard the brothers turn at the sound. Heard three succinct intakes of breath.
Every person in the diner was filing out. Every patron. Every waitress. Every cook. With quick strides, they moved past us. We turned back toward Dr. Patton and his men.
“Savanna, stop this,” he commanded. The look of fear accompanying his words sent a thrill of satisfaction down my spine.
I pushed my way through between Jett and Beckett so I could see better. The two big truckers had one of Dr. Patton’s men wrapped up. One punched him in the face while the other held him in a headlock. A cook and another trucker from the diner, took out the other goon. Dr. Patton stood alone.
“You did this to me,” I shouted, my fear fleeing in the wake of my anger. “You made this possible! Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“Please,” he called out as the rest of the patrons and waitresses descended on him.
Pathetic.
“Beat his ass,” I said, copying Wyatt’s earlier words. “Don’t stop until he can’t stand up.”
Dr. Patton’s shouts rang in my ears as the mob pulled him to the side of the building. The sounds of shuffling feet and fist meeting flesh soon followed. The boys stared in that direction, but I didn’t want to watch.
“Can we please leave now?” I asked, my voice high and panicked.
The boys seemed to come to their senses, ushering me to the car and helping me inside. This time, Jett climbed in the backseat with me and Beckett climbed in behind the wheel. I rested my head against Jett’s shoulder, our fingers entwined on his thigh. We didn’t speak much, just a few mundane comments about the trip and the scenery outside the window. No one mentioned what had just happened, seeming to know I couldn’t handle talking about it yet. I needed time.
After taking time to stop for lunch, a couple of bathroom breaks and one stop for gas, we rolled across the Connecticut state line around three in the afternoon. With only a few miles left to Greenwich, Jett pulled out his phone and tapped a few buttons. Taking a breath, he held the phone to his ear.
“Hi, Mrs. Madsen, it’s Jett.”
Her voice echoed from the speaker, loud in its excitement. “Jett! Oh my God, are you okay? Are the others okay?”
“Yes, we’re fine,” he said. “We’re actually coming home.”
Home. That word was so weighted. I knew the boys never really considered their uncle’s house a real home. I had a home, but it was stolen from me by the doctor’s bad intentions and a desire to protect my family.
My eyes drifted from Jett to the front of the car, taking in Wyatt’s profile as he pointed out a turn to Beckett. Looking into the rearview mirror, I caught Beckett’s eye and he winked before returning his attention to the road.
It hit me, then. Whatever happened and wherever we ended up, as long as I was with them, I would always be home. Because home is where the heart is, and the Patton brothers owned every piece of mine.
Untitled
To be continued…
Thank You
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Prevail: Blood Persuasion Book 3
Sacrificing yourself for those you love is sometimes the only decision you can make.
* * *
After slipping away from Dr. Patton and his cult of crazies, the boys and I escaped to their hometown in Connecticut to hide out with the family that practically raised them. Things seemed to settle down for a while, but it was all an illusion.
* * *
Dr. Patton was determined to see his genocidal dreams become a reality. He needed me to gain access to and influence certain executives in the highest level of the government, and he’d get my cooperation by any means necessary. Using the people I loved as leverage, he gave me no choice.
* * *
I had to sacrifice my beliefs, my values, and my freedom in order to save them. No cost was too great. Even if it meant using my power against those most important to me.
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Acknowledgments
Thank you to my family for supporting me through this journey and understanding a writer’
s basic need for coffee.
Thanks, as always, to Samantha Britt and Kat Stiles for reading my first draft and helping me sculpt it into something greater. I couldn’t do this without you guys.
Thanks to Molly Phipps at We Got You Covered Book Design for making these amazing covers. You are talented, in the extreme.
Thanks to all of you- the readers who are making it all worth it.