Only a few minutes passed, although it felt like an eternity to Alexander, before Officers Clayton Forest and Hunter Stewart showed up. Being part of Jace’s pack, they knew the need for discretion in this situation, but the men were determined to book Patrick for assault of the three women and take him into custody. They took statements from the store manager and several witnesses, making sure they had enough evidence to keep Patrick in custody overnight, guaranteeing the safety of the women for the time being.
“We’ll come by the compound to speak to the women,” Clayton told Alexander as Hunter took Patrick away in cuffs. “Go on and get the women home so Doc can see to them.”
Alexander nodded, placing his hand on the fellow pack member’s shoulder in relief. “Thanks, Clay,” he told him sincerely.
Alexander’s powerful steps ate up the distance between the store and the parking lot where his black truck was parked. When he arrived and opened the door, he saw that Butler was holding a still unconscious Nikki in his arms. Laurie sat next to him, holding Nikki’s hand with one of hers, while the other held Julia’s hand as she sat in the front passenger seat.
Alexander looked at Butler, seeing the strain on his face. “We need to get home fast, Alex,” Butler told him quietly, looking down at the unconscious woman in his arms, then turning to face Laurie and nodding slightly.
Alexander followed his triad partner’s line of vision and saw the vacant look on Laurie’s face. She was probably in shock. He looked down at Nikki, and his chest hurt as he saw her pale complexion. Looking at Julia, he was relieved to see her calm and quiet, even though the right side of her face was bruised and already swelling.
He swore to himself as he carefully closed the door and walked around the front of his truck to open the driver’s door and step up inside. He clicked his seat belt in place and started the engine, putting it in drive and carefully pulling out of the mall parking lot and entering the highway to get them home, wishing the entire way that he had killed the bastard who had hurt these women.
Chapter 16
Jace and Jackson were standing on the front porch of the private compound. After what seemed like hours had passed, they finally saw Alexander’s black truck pull into the driveway and head toward them. They quickly walked down the front porch stairs and went to the truck as it pulled to a stop.
Jace pulled open the rear door and reached in to take Laurie into his arms, hugging her tightly to his body. Jackson was immediately by his side, encompassing them both in his arms. Neither man had felt such fear in their lives as when they had seen the attack through Laurie’s eyes and had felt her terror.
Laurie remained still and stiff in their arms. Jace pulled back and looked down at her, fear gripping at him as he saw her vacant look.
“Are you all right, honey?” he whispered, kissing her forehead gently.
Laurie nodded and pushed out of their arms, turning to walk around the truck to open the front passenger door to help Julia step out. She held her gently to steady her, releasing her as Adrian and Colin rushed to their mate immediately, engulfing her in their embrace and pulling her gently into their arms and holding her tightly.
She couldn’t prevent the pain that ripped through her heart as she watched Julia’s husbands hold her tightly against them as they ran their hands over her body to assure themselves that she wasn’t injured. When they touched her face, still swollen from Patrick’s attack, Laurie felt a pain in her heart that her new friend had been hurt because of her.
She stepped back as Alexander walked around the truck to open the rear door and take Nikki from Butler’s arms. He held Nikki gently, closing his eyes briefly as he fought to control the anger that filled him.
“Let’s get everyone inside and see to our women,” Jackson spoke softly behind them, his worried gaze flitting from each woman then back to Jace. He could feel his friend’s concern, fear, and anger overwhelming him, and he knew there was nothing he could do to stop it. He felt the exact same way.
Alexander stopped at the bottom of the steps, holding his precious bundle as if she were made of glass. Nikki’s head lay trustingly against his chest. He watched silently as Butler hesitantly raised his large hand and tenderly touched Nikki’s head, unable to stop himself from petting her soft hair before looking up at Alexander with pain in his eyes. Alexander was sure his own eyes mirrored the same strong emotions that Butler was feeling.
“Clay and Hunter said they’ll be coming by to take the women’s statements,” Alexander told Jace. His alpha followed him as he carefully made his way up the stairs, Butler following closely behind them.
Jace nodded and looked to Jackson as he saw how Laurie had distanced herself from them. He could not feel her through their bond at all. He watched silently as Laurie followed Julia, Aidan, and Colin up the steps, ignoring the attempts that Jace and Jackson made to aid her.
Martha was there waiting for them, taking in the situation, and knowing immediately what needed to be done. Alexander looked at his mother, his eyes filled with anguish.
“Take her to your suite, and I’ll be up shortly. Doc is already on his way,” Martha told him quietly, her eyes filling with tears at the helplessness in her son’s eyes. “She’ll be all right, Alex,” she tried to soothe him.
Alexander nodded, unable to speak. Butler led the way up the stairs to their suite on the third floor. Laurie followed them, displaying a calm that concerned all of them.
Jace turned to Martha, knowing that the woman would make sure that she provided whatever Doc needed her to in order to help each of the injured women. He had other things on his mind right then. He was more than concerned. He and Jackson had seen the whole confrontation at the mall and had felt the fear that had paralyzed Laurie through their link with her. But that link was closed now. No matter what thoughts or feelings he or Jackson sent to her, nothing got through. They felt the isolation of the wall that she had put between them.
I can’t feel her, Jackson.
I can’t either. Jackson’s voice was filled with the grief that he knew surrounded them both.
Laurie, baby, please open yourself to us. Jace’s voice was calm, but the fear and longing he was feeling was obvious.
Laurie was oblivious to their words. She walked up the stairs, following Alexander and Butler as they entered their suite. She knew that Jace and Jackson followed them, but she couldn’t focus on anything but her friend right then.
Alexander laid Nikki in the middle of the huge bed, touching her face gently before reluctantly letting her go and stepping back. Butler reached forward and brushed her hair back from her face, caressing her cheek lightly before stepping back and standing silently beside the bed.
Laurie walked to the opposite side of the bed and sat on its edge, facing her friend, reaching out to hold her hand. She sat silently, oblivious to anything or anyone but the woman who lay so pale and still before her. She could only look at the face of her friend who had once again put herself in harm’s way to protect her.
Martha entered the room, with Doc Barrett following closely behind her. Alexander and Butler stepped back to allow the man to go to Nikki, watching silently as he examined her. Unable to stop themselves, Alexander and Butler growled as the doctor touched her.
Doc looked at both men with raised eyebrows, smiling slightly as realization hit. “I need to touch her to examine her,” he explained patiently. “I will not harm your mate.”
Butler nodded stiffly, reaching out to place a comforting hand on Alexander’s shoulder. Alexander finally nodded his agreement, knowing and understanding that the doctor had to touch Nikki in order to help her. But that didn’t make it any easier to accept.
Despite Martha’s worry, she couldn’t help the feeling of elation at the thought that Alexander and Butler had found their triad mate. She smiled at them lovingly then turned to face her alpha and beta.
“Julia has been looked at and has an icepack on her cheek,” she told them quietly. “She’s gone back to her cabin
with Adrian and Colin.”
Jace nodded, relieved that one of their women was doing well. He looked to his mate and felt his chest nearly caving in at the feeling of isolation.
“Julia will be fine,” Doc spoke up as he examined Nikki, gently feeling the bump on the back of her head. “She’ll be a little bruised and sore, but that should go away within a few hours.” He ignored the rest of them while he checked Nikki’s eyes with a small pen light. “I’m more concerned that this woman is still unconscious. How long has she been out?”
“About twenty minutes,” Butler answered, his voice rough with emotion.
“Well, if she doesn’t come around soon, I’m going to have you take her to the hospital. She has a concussion, and I don’t want to chance that this could be life threatening.”
He stood then and looked across the bed to Laurie. Laurie’s gaze never left Nikki’s face. Walking around the front of the bed, Doc stood beside Laurie and looked her over from head to toe.
“And what about you, Laurie?” he asked cautiously. “Have you been injured?”
Laurie didn’t answer. She just shook her head and continued to stare at her friend. Her eyes were vacant, and she remained silent.
“Check her right wrist,” Jace told Doc firmly. He remembered the vision of Laurie’s ex grabbing her and the pain that she transmitted to him through their link.
“I’m fine,” Laurie finally spoke softly.
“No, baby, you’re not,” Jackson told her soothingly.
Doc hesitated a moment, then reached down and gently lifted Laurie’s right hand and turned it gently so he could examine it. There were dark purple bruises in the shape of fingers, surrounding her wrist. Laurie didn’t even blink as he gently flexed her wrist.
“It’s not broken,” he said finally. “But you’re going to be pretty sore from these bruises. It’s good that you’ve already claimed her,” he spoke to Jace and Jackson. “That will help in her healing. I would suggest icing her wrist on and off for twenty minutes throughout the night. A compression bandage would help. I’ll leave one for you and check on you again in the morning.”
Nikki’s moan brought their conversation to a halt. When she opened her eyes and looked up at Laurie, it was the catalyst that broke Laurie’s trance.
“Nikki,” she gasped, unable to stop the tears that finally fell free. “I’m so sorry.” She climbed up to lie beside her friend and held her gently in her arms.
“Oh stop,” Nikki told her dismissively. “Don’t you dare blame yourself for what Pigface did,” she whispered against the side of Laurie’s face. She turned then and faced Alexander and Butler, smiling weakly at their concerned expressions. “I hope you guys kicked his ass.”
Alexander laughed despite his worries, reaching out to touch her cheek gently. “We didn’t have a chance. Our queen took care of him.”
Nikki’s gaze flew back to Laurie, causing her to groan in pain at the sudden movement. “Really?” she asked, stunned. She turned back and saw both Alexander and Butler nodding and smiling. Facing her friend, this time slowly so the room wouldn’t spin, she reached up and pulled at Laurie’s hair gently. “You go, girl.”
Laurie smiled, unable to keep herself from enjoying her friend. “Nikki, I’m so sorry Patrick hurt you. I promise you, you will never have to protect me again.”
Nikki looked at Laurie, her eyes squinting as she tried to understand what her friend was telling her. “I know that,” she said finally. “You have two hotties that can do that now.” She smiled and looked at the two men who stood beside the bed. “Jace and Jackson I presume?”
Alexander and Butler both growled at her words. They did not like the fact that she had called their alpha and beta hotties. And, hell no, she was not going to touch them! She belonged to them.
Jace took Nikki’s outstretched hand, shaking it quickly and allowing Jackson to do the same before they both stepped back and bowed to their lieutenants, respectfully acknowledging their claim on the woman. “We’ll leave you to rest,” Jace told her quietly. “Thank you for helping our mate. Come here, Laurie. Let’s leave Nikki to heal.”
“I’m going to stay with her,” Laurie told him determinedly, her voice steady.
“Someone does need to stay with her through the night,” Doc spoke up. “She should be woken up every hour to make sure she’s lucid. It’s common practice for concussions,” he explained quickly when he saw the panic on Alexander’s and Butler’s faces.
“We’ll be here with her,” Butler spoke up, looking down at the adorable woman he already had a strong connection with.
“Hey, where am I?” Nikki asked groggily, realizing that she didn’t recognize the room.
“You’re in our suite,” Alexander told her, his voice gruff with emotion. “You will stay here with us.”
Nikki smiled and closed her eyes. “Okay,” she whispered as she settled back into the softness of the bed. “But don’t expect anything from me. I have a headache.”
Both men laughed despite their worry. Looking at Laurie, Alexander was relieved to see her smile as she looked down at her friend. Laurie was quiet for a moment then turned to look up at them, her eyes wide with emotion.
“Don’t hurt her, okay?” she whispered. “She’s been through a lot in her life. I don’t think she can handle any more pain.”
Both men nodded and watched as Laurie got up from the bed and stood silently beside it, obviously trying to come to a decision. Her gaze went to Alexander and Butler and then back to her friend.
“Laurie?” Nikki whispered, never opening her eyes.
“What, honey?” Laurie asked, kneeling on the bed to lean closer to her friend.
“Do you smell that?”
Laurie hesitated, unable to find the words. “Smell what, Nikki?” she finally whispered, aware that the men in the room became instantly alert.
“I don’t know,” Nikki answered, her voice soft and weak. “I’ve never smelled anything like it before, but it smells wonderful.”
Laurie smiled and looked to Alexander and Butler, noting their wide grins at Nikki’s admission. She found herself relaxing at the thought that Nikki had finally found the two men who would love and cherish her for the rest of her life. “Yes, it does,” Laurie finally whispered. “Get some rest, honey. I’ll come back to check on you later.”
She leaned forward and kissed her friend’s forehead, then stepped back, turned, and walked out of the room. Jace and Jackson reached out to shake hands with their lieutenants, congratulating them on finding their one, before leaving to follow their mate.
* * * *
Laurie headed out through the kitchen to walk quickly across the deck and down the steps toward the home that Julia shared with her husbands. She was aware that Jace and Jackson followed her, but she didn’t have it in her to talk to them right then. She was humiliated and devastated that her friends had been hurt because of her.
The door to the beautiful log home opened before she even made it up the steps. Colin stood before her silently, his emotions raw. “Thank you for defending my wife, Laurie,” he spoke quietly, his voice choking with emotion.
Laurie ignored his thanks. She didn’t deserve it. She alone was responsible for Julia and Nikki being hurt. Her screwed-up life had caused them to be dragged into the pain that was such an intricate part of her existence. She had been crazy to think that she was through with it. She had been a fool to think that she deserved anything but the life of loneliness and abuse that she had come to accept.
“May I see her, please?” she asked, her voice calm and strong despite how she shook inside. She clamped down on the metal box she envisioned around herself, not allowing any emotions out or in. She refused to hurt anyone ever again.
Colin nodded and stepped back, allowing Laurie to enter their home and guiding her into the kitchen. Julia sat at the table, laughing, with Adrian kneeling before her holding a cold gel pack against the right side of her face.
“Stop it. I’m fine!”
she told him, laughing as she pushed his hand away.
Adrian lowered the gel pack, placing it carefully on the table. He reached up and held his wife’s face gently between his large hands and drew her toward him, placing loving kisses across her bruised cheek before covering her lips with his own, gently licking at them until she opened to him and welcomed him inside. Her arms wound around his neck, and she leaned toward him, enjoying every moment of the kiss.
Laurie smiled at the love before her. Colin left her side and walked forward to kneel beside his triad mates, encircling them in his embrace and leaning his head in to rest against theirs. Julia pulled away from Adrian, giggling as she turned to kiss Colin just as sweetly. Laurie watched the triad, tears filling her eyes as they cuddled against each other, the men’s hands resting against Julia’s tummy to gently caress their baby growing inside of her. Her heart hurt to think that she might have been the reason for them to lose this if Patrick had fatally injured Julia or her baby. The metal box around her tightened even more.
“Are you all right, Julia?” Laurie finally was able to ask, her throat still tight with the tears she was trying to hold back.
Julia looked up and smiled at her. How she could look at her with such open joy after what she had caused was beyond her grasp. Didn’t she realize that she should not want to be anywhere near Laurie or her messed-up life?
Julia laughed and stood, drawing both men up to stand beside her. She stepped forward and walked toward Laurie, opening her arms and embracing her. “I’m fine,” she said with exasperation. “I’m not made of glass, you know,” she admonished them all. “Do I have to remind you that I’m a wolf that can fight with the best of you?”
“Yes, you can, honey,” Adrian admitted, having been on the receiving end of more than one of her fights. “But you shouldn’t be fighting now that our baby is growing inside of you.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “And don’t get mad at us for being overprotective. Just let us fuss.”
Bernard, Lynnette - Laurie's Loves [Beckett's Wolf Pack, Triad Mates] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Page 20