"You stupid bitch, did you think I would let you get away from me? Nah, you just saved me a step. Hope you don't mind losing a little here and there. Heard them gators get pretty hungry this time of year." And before I could process what the hell he means the boat starts to shoot forward. I never saw that though. My hands are tethered together with another rope that’s wrapped between them tied to the boat. My arms jerk forward making my face slam into the murky water. The taste is foul and I do my best to not swallow it down. My eyes burn as he drags me along the bayou like a piece of fish attracting gators. The sick son-of-a-bitch is using me as his own bait. I can't pull back, or swim while I'm being dragged, pulled into the depths of the swamp. I can’t see anything around me, and swamp weeds now cling to my body. I do my best to bring my head above water gulping in clean air before I get plunged back into darkness.
The boat slows and I start to sink, making the rope go slack.
"You ready to give in and be with me?” I gasp trying to process everything he is saying, but I’m waterlogged. Everything seems muffled, and before I can answer, we are moving again. This goes on three more times before I feel something brush against my leg in the water. I do my best to shift, avoiding whatever it is.
“Come on, Zoey, give in, or I let the gators get you.” I turn my head the best I can, catching my breath, and see scales and eyes of a giant ten-foot gator barreling down at me.
“Pull me in.”
“I don’t know. I don’t think you quite understand everything you put me through. Maybe we should just see what happens when I do this.” And before I can clear the crap out of my eyes, I hear a gunfire land near my head. “Oh come now, Zoey. Don’t want to move too much, might get you and not your new pal.”
“Just pull me in, Andrew.”
“I don’t think so.” I see the wicked gleam in his eye, and I know I’m gonna die. There is no way I’m not. I can’t hold myself up anymore. My arms feel like lead, and hurt from being pulled. My eyes burn, and I know I have some water burns. My only prayer is to be eaten by a gator at this point. At least a gator will bite, pull me under, and drown me, ending my life quickly. But the boat never moves. I started to sink when I hear my name being called.
“I’ll kill her,” I hear Andrew yell, but I don’t have a clue why he is telling me what I already know.
“Zoey, I need you to listen to me.” I’m trying to stay above the water, but I’m going under, my weight has finally done me in. “Damn it, Zoey, stay up, we’re coming.” I hear voices, Wolf and Hawk are yelling. I hear shots, guns going off, I’m kicking my legs hard. But the harder I kick the more I slip under. My chest hurts from swallowing so much water.
I’m moving again, but not being dragged by the boat, I’m being pulled, slowly, then it stops. My eyes burn, but I see Andrew is in the water, swimming to me, and Wolf is too. Hawk is shouting, yelling at both of them. Wolf drags Andrew under the water; bubbles erupt in a large mass. My arms jerk again, but all I see his green moss while I get brought back to the surface again, and then my hands are cut free.
“I gottcha—” but his words get cut off as he goes under the water again. But my arms are free from the other rope, and I have a sudden surge of adrenaline, I start kicking, making my way to the shore. I can see there aren’t any gators on that side, but Wolf never comes back, and Andrew is emerging, yelling at me, swimming to me. I kick with everything left in me. I can’t see Hawk or Wolf. But now that my hands are free, I have a chance to get out of here. I make it to the shore, well a large log. I start to pull myself up, my arms burn, I see Andrew, but before I can start to run, something hits my side. Crying out, something hits my thigh. My pants have fallen off when Andrew dragged me. The gravity wouldn’t keep them on. I can’t see what it is. Too small to be a gator, and Andrew is too far away for it to be him. My leg starts to burn more than before.
Shots ring out, over and over again. I make my way to dry land, only to find I can’t stand and my body starts to tremble. Looking down to see what’s wrong, I can’t. I’m covered in mud and swamp weed. I hear my name being called over and over again and I’m floating once again. I try, I really don’t comprehend what’s going on around me, and the world spins into a deep darkness.
Hawk
We got the information about Andrews’s location by using his family. It’s amazing when you threaten to press charges against anyone who helps him, oh and having Gunner and Snake milking their connections it’s funny how fast people give you what you need. On the boat ride, my blood ran hot seeing Zoey in the water. We shout, and fired. Wolf dove in to get Zoey, while I tried to kill Andrew. There was no way I would ever let him live after this. But the fucker jumped in the water after Zoey too. Wolf and Andrew fought and I yelled for her to swim, seeing her sink was killing me, but I needed to stay to get Andrew away. When Wolf went under all thoughts stopped. Pulling my gun out, I shot at Andrew over and over again after seeing that Zoey was swimming to the embankment. I watched as the muddy swamp water started to turn red and he went under. But what I couldn’t account for was Zoey crying out. There were no gators right there, and one was making its way to Andrews’s now floating body. Wolf appeared above the water several feet away, almost on Zoey. I steer the boat to them. Wolf is holding her, but she isn’t responding.
“Shit, something’s wrong. I can’t see what it is. The mud is covering her,” Wolf is sputtering, while helping me lift her into the boat before he jumps in as well.
“Get us out of here,” I yell while grabbing bottles of water and start throwing it on her body. Her body temperature was lowering, but unless I find why she is shaking, I can’t help her. While I pour the water on her right thigh I see two puncture marks. Fuck, a snakebite. Looking around, I can pretty much guess the type of snake. Wolf is speeding down the river as fast as he can.
“Cottonmouth. She got bit. We need to get her to the hospital, now!” I yell. Wolf doesn’t say anything. I find a blanket in one of the cubbyholes and cover her. I pull out my phone and tell Gunner to get the hospital prepped for anti-venom. I don’t know how much got in her, but judging by the redness, the snake struck out and hung on for a while.
We make it to the dock closest to the location and see an ambulance already waiting. They help me pull Zoey out of the boat and onto the stretcher. I jump in the back as Wolf is already in the truck with Gunner and Snake flying to the hospital.
“How long has she been under?” The paramedics start asking question upon question, cutting the remains of her clothes off, inserting warm IVs in her while speeding through the streets. I do my best to answer while I look at her. Her skin is so pale it’s almost translucent. Her breathing has become shallow despite her fast heart rate from the venom. We almost make it to the hospital when she starts shaking uncontrollably.
“Shit she’s seizing. Step on it.”
I watch in horror as she doesn’t stop and he pushes something into her IV and the shaking stops. The ambulance stops suddenly and the doors open. I can’t even process as they grab the stretcher, running with her into the emergency room. My feet start working, but the nurse stops me while I try to make into the room they took her.
“We need to work. We will come get you when the doctor has her stable.” She points to a small area for me to wait. I see Shay there already. She runs into my arms and starts to cry. Cry, is that what I need to do? I don’t know what to do. I was worried when she was taken at the apartment, but now, I’m fucking scared. I might lose her. Both Wolf and I could lose her forever. For the first time in my entire life, I don’t know what the hell to do.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Zoey
Damn, it feels like I did a spin class for ten hours straight. My mouth feels like sandpaper, and I have a pressing need to pee, bad. Damn, can’t I just sleep another hour? But some annoying beeping is driving me nuts.
“She will be fine. We got her the CrobFab anti-venom in time. She shouldn’t have any lasting effects from the snakebite, but we want to kee
p her here a few days just to make sure. She might have some discomfort from swallowing all the water. We have administered some antibiotics to avoid any infections.”
“But why isn’t she awake?”
“Normally this happens from being bitten from a cottonmouth, and then add in her body working overtime to stay above the water. She will wake when her body is ready. I wouldn’t worry too much, rest is good for her.”
“Thank you, doctor.” I know that voice, it’s Shay. Why aren’t the guys here, did Wolf not make it, did something happen? I try to open my eyes, but they feel heavy. I give in and allow sleep to come once again.
Okay, now I really need to pee, and I would kill for some coffee. Opening my eyes, I can see small rays of sun peeking through some ugly green curtains. I try to sit up, but my arms hurt. Looking around, I see I’m in the hospital, so that’s good at least, my mind isn’t shot.
“Baby?” I look over and Hawk and Wolf are sitting in chairs. Both stand and come over to me. “Hey, sleepyhead. How are you feeling?” I feel his fingers push my hair out of my face.
“My throat hurts,” I croak, damn that really does hurt. “And I need to pee.” Because, well, I do.
“Okay, you stay here, I’ll get a nurse.” Hawk kisses my forehead and leaves the room.
“Chéri, I’m so glad to see you awake. You scared the shit out of me,” Wolf confesses as his lowers his head to mine. I welcome the warmth he brings. I smile up at him and make to answer but a nurse comes walking in with Hawk. She is an older black woman with a sweet smile.
“Hi Ms. Thornburg, I’m Norma, your nurse. Can you tell me how you’re feeling?” She starts a machine and instantly I feel a blood pressure cup start to inflate on my arm.
“Good, I guess. My throat hurts, and I really need to pee.”
“I’m sure you do. Do you think you can stand to do that, or do you want me to get you a bedpan?” I cringe. At least I don’t have a damn catheter in me.
“I want to walk, or at least try.” I’m not sure what my damn legs will do. But it seems the nurse has that covered and nods to both Hawk and Wolf who help slide me over while she grabs the IV pole and disconnects me from the other machine. As soon as I put my feet on the ground, I whimper. Damn my legs really hurt, like a really bad cramp.
“Let Wolf hold you up, and I can rub your legs.” Hawk bends and takes my foot, one at a time, rubbing up my calves enough to ease the tension that was building there. I take two more steps and I’m really weak. Hawk does more lifting than me walking. We make it into the bathroom and he sets me down. I laugh when he winks and turns his back. Once I’m done and my hands are washed, Wolf doesn’t let me walk back, but carries me back to bed.
“This should help with your throat.” Nurse Norma hands me a cup with ice. I sip it and she’s right, the ice water starts to soothe my throat right away. “I’m gonna give you some pain meds to help with any discomfort you have. I want you to sleep, don’t fight them.” I nod. She seems satisfied and leaves the room.
Turning to the guys, I whisper, “Thank you for coming for me.” I want to be strong, but I can’t. Tear start to fall down my face. I’m ashamed at myself, not for getting into this mess, but for not trusting that both Wolf and Hawk would come for me. For wanting to give up without fighting more. “I’m sorry.” But both men sit, one on each side of me. Wolf takes my hand, while Hawk has his hand on my leg.
“For what, chéri?” I tell them how I feel, how I wasn’t strong, how I wanted to give up.
“Anyone would think the same thing. Hell, Zoey, you were dragged in the water, several times. Bitten by a fucking snake, and you’re still here with us. So stop. You are fine, and you’re still our strong, brave girl.” Hawk leans over and presses his lips to mine, not in a heated kiss, but one to know that he meant every word said to me. I so want to deepen it, but the medication they gave me starts to kick in and I feel warm and fuzzy.
“Mm-kay, but in case this is a dream I want ya both to know, I wove you. Just thought ya should know.” The little bit of light starts to fade and warm lips press on mine. And I drift.
Zoey
Three months later…
“So we have him turned in and now we can deal with the fallout. Paperwork is already in your inbox and system. If you have any questions, give me a buzz.” I hang up the phone and click out of the screen. It’s closing time when the phone rings.
I answer, “Wild Bounty.”
“Hey, chicky, you coming out with me tonight?”
“No, we’re finishing the move into the big house. They have been busy all day with Gunner and Snake. Eddy’s here helping me shuffle some paperwork. Maybe you can come over for dinner?”
“I’ll be there with bells on.” I say bye and hang up the phone.
I hear the backdoor open.
“Ready to go, chéri?” I smile, click on the answering service, and my computer off before grabbing my purse and heading over to Wolf.
“Everything done?”
“Yup, Gunner and Snake just left to go home. Told them to come over tomorrow for dinner. I’ll grill.” I smile at him then kiss him, but he takes over and plunges his tongue into my mouth making me moan. Damn I miss this. I have been healed for a while now. No mental issues, no fear of water, or snakes. Okay well snakes are still there, but I didn’t like them even before I was bit. Sure, we have made love, but not like I want, or need. And not the two of them together.
“Sounds good, Shay’s coming over too.” We pull up to the house, which I love. A two-story home with four bedrooms and two and a half baths. A big wrap around porch, which Wolf and Hawk fixed up, brings the feeling of peace. It’s not Gran’s house, but it’s home. I offered to help pay for it with the insurance money, but got a no. Hawk is standing outside waiting for us. I smile before jumping out of the truck and make my way up the small steps.
“Welcome home, baby. Dinner’s in the oven. Why don’t you go clean up and we can eat.” He wraps his large arms around before kissing my hair and pushing me inside. I go of course, because it’s hot and muggy out so I am sticky. And I really hate boob sweat. I quickly make it to our master bedroom. Unable to keep the smile off my face when I see the larger bed we ordered has come in. We had been sleeping on the old King size bed, but during the night, I would end up on someone, or someone was on the floor. Needless to say, Hawk and Wolf found a site for larger beds. Stripping as quickly as I can, I shower—making sure everything is clean and smooth. I have kept up with my waxing, well Shay has at least. That woman is like a wild pack of hounds when you forget one appointment.
Once clean, I slip on a nightshirt from Hawk’s drawer and make my way down stairs. Tension has been a little high when we have our quiet time. It makes me wonder if they had issues with me telling them I loved them in the hospital, which for the record was three months ago. Oh, I was on happy pills. Maybe I just need to suck it up and say it again. Nah, if they want to say it, they will. I see Hawk pulling something out of the oven and the smell of pork chops fills the air. Mmm, love it when he cooks. Soon its dinnertime and we are talking. My glass of wine is high, and both men are drinking beer. Hawk’s laughing about my impression of Gunner when he’s around Shay at the office. Which is rather funny. There is no sexual tension between the two, but she gives it back to him making him blush. But I do my best to try and focus the conversation back on us, and not our friends.
“Well, I’m ready for bed, and I know the one upstairs is calling my name. You boys coming?” I bite my lip and open my eyes trying to give a sweet innocent look, and Hawk’s gaze darkens. Wolf’s blue eyes burn into me, looking me up and down.
“Tell me, chéri, what do you have under that shirt?” Looking back and forth between both of them, I shrug my shoulders before taking a small step back.
“Better question would be, what am I not wearing.” I giggle and take off up the stairs hearing Wolf growl and Hawk swear. Oh, I really hope that means we get to play. I sadly am not in better shape and don’t outrun
them. Hawk grabs me just as I hit the top landing, flipping me over his shoulder before smacking my ass, hard.
“Someone is playing with fire. And I think it’s time to take her back in hand. Too much time makes you think, we can’t have that. You just need to feel.” He smacks me again and again before he kicks open our door. I see Wolf behind me, his shirt is gone, and so are his shoes. He has his hands on his belt, but I can’t watch his show as I go airborne, landing on the bed. I hear a growl and I look to see both Hawk and Wolf staring at me, at my naked pussy, exposed for both of them. Wolf moves first burying his face in my sex. I don’t have time to process anything else as sensations fills me. Crying out while his hand pulls my sex lips apart and licks my clit, sucking it in his mouth.
“Damn I love watching you come undone.” Hawk is beside me pulling the shirt over my head. Moaning, I fall back and give in to Wolf’s masterful mouth, and Hawk sucks and bites my nipples. Screaming, I come, loudly.
Hawk moves and is now between my legs. “I gotta fuck you, baby, deep and hard.” I shake my head and he freezes, his cock in hand.
“I want both of you,” I say.
“You have both of us, baby,” he responds.
“No, I want you both, together, at the same time.” It’s as if a light bulb goes off and he looks at me.
“You sure?” I nod and he smiles. “Wolf, I think our sweet little girl needs to be stuffed up right.”
“I think she does too.” Wolf is moving to the bedside drawer pulling out the lube. Excitement blooms knowing I’m getting both of them again. But I can’t watch Wolf as Hawk takes that moment and slams into me. The feeling of his cock stretching me open. He pumps into my several times, grunting before we are rolling again. I’m on top of Hawk. This is new. Normally he is the one in control, and Wolf likes me riding him. Bending, I kiss him, holding still as Wolf moves behind me. I know what’s coming and I try to calm my nerves. The feeling of cold lube trickles down my crack and Wolf’s finger slowly massages my ass making sure it is fully lubed.
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