by Jane Jamison
Once inside the car, she wrapped her hands around the wheel and took a couple of deep breaths before turning the key in the ignition. One look, however, told her she wouldn’t get far. Her gas gauge sat on empty. “Damn it.”
She raced through her options. She could stay in the house and lock the doors and wait for morning. But what then? No one except the brothers and Brian had visited her, and it was unlikely anyone else would stop by. But what would happen when they came back? Would she admit that she’d seen them? Or would they sense that something was wrong and force it out of her?
The other option wasn’t much better. She could drive the car as far as it would take her and hope she found a gas station or someone to help her. The town of Forever had one station, and it wasn’t open past midnight. Still, could she find help in town?
Making her decision, she pulled the car around, headed down the driveway toward the road, and raced toward Forever.
The town looked dead with no lights and no cars on the road. As luck had it, her car died in front of Milly’s Coffee Spot. Although the Open sign was turned off, she could see a light in the back of the diner. After checking the area around her, she hurried to the door and knocked. No one answered, so she tried again, this time knocking harder, louder. Panic stiffened her limbs.
“Emma?”
Emma jumped and would’ve fallen if Milly hadn’t taken her arm to steady her. “Oh! You startled me.”
The pretty blonde woman patted her shoulder, her smile welcoming and warm. “What in the world are you doing out at this time of the night?”
“I, uh, I had to leave the house, and this was as far as I made it before running out of gas.”
Milly frowned and glanced at her car then back at Emma. “But why? What’s wrong? Did something break at the house? Did the electricity go off? If so, I could call Jackson for you.”
Emma clutched Milly’s hand to stop her from using the phone she’d taken from her pocket. Milly frowned, and Emma released her hand and plastered on a smile she hoped Milly wouldn’t recognize as forced. “No. It’s okay. I just had to get out of there for the night. You know how it is. Three men, one woman. Things were going a bit too fast what with them showing up all the time.”
“Are the Carr brothers smothering you?” Milly laughed. “Although I can think of worse things than having three hot men around.”
“Yeah, they’re a little overwhelming. Hey, can you think of any place where I can get some gas? I tried my navigation app on my phone, but my phone died.” She prayed that Milly would accept her excuse and believe her lighthearted manner.
“Not a chance. Old Roger won’t open up the station until ten tomorrow morning. Providing, of course, that he doesn’t tie one on tonight and sleep in until noon. I don’t understand the problem, but you’re welcome to stay at my place tonight. I have a little apartment at the back of the diner. Take a breather from the guys, and then I’m sure you’ll want to head back tomorrow.”
Emma bit her bottom lip and tried to come up with an alternative to staying with Milly. Maybe she should sleep in her car? But wouldn’t that cause more unwanted curiosity? “Thanks, Milly. I really appreciate your help.”
Milly looped her arm in Emma’s and tugged her down the alley between the buildings. “Don’t mention it. I’m always glad to help out. We’ll be snug as cubs next to their mamma.”
* * * *
“How are you feeling this morning, Emma? I hope you slept well. That old couch of mine’s pretty comfy, but I know it’s not like sleeping in your own bed.”
Emma didn’t bother telling Milly that she hadn’t slept much at all. She’d seen the sun rise and had hoped to slip out, leaving a note to thank Milly. But she hadn’t counted on Milly getting up before sunrise to get Milly’s Coffee Spot open for the morning crowd.
She gave Milly a wan smile and accepted the cup of coffee Milly set before her. Somehow Milly had managed to cook a huge breakfast for her without Emma noticing until it was too late. She hadn’t wanted to refuse the food after Milly had taken her in. Especially since her stomach felt so empty it was bumping up against her backbone.
“Do you think the gas station’s open yet?” Emma kept her gaze on the diner’s counter and hated the fact that she’d lied to Milly.
“Not yet, hon. But why don’t I call Jackson and have him bring a gas can full? Ranchers always have an extra supply of fuel on hand. Then he can see you back to the rental house. If you like, I can talk to him about them giving you enough space to breathe.”
“No!” Emma gave Milly an apologetic look for her outburst. “I mean, I don’t want to put you or Jackson out.”
“It’s not a problem. Let me just give him a quick holler.”
“No.” Emma pushed her coffee cup toward Milly. “Don’t.” She brushed away a tear before it could track down her cheek.
Milly placed her hand over hers. “What’s wrong? And don’t try to deny it. Any fool can see you’re upset. Tell me. You’ll feel better once you do.”
Should she tell her about seeing the men change into werewolves? She gazed into Milly’s blue eyes, opened her mouth to spill the truth, then caught herself. What if Milly didn’t believe her? Would she still call Jackson? Or would she help her get out of town?
“Let me guess.” Milly squeezed her hand. “You love not one but all three of the big lugs, don’t you?”
Emma hadn’t given herself time to think about it, but now that Milly had voiced the question, she knew the answer. She did. She loved not only one man but three men. Men who could change into werewolves. She swallowed then nodded.
“So that’s it. You’re worried about loving more than one man. Or maybe one more than the other?” Milly chuckled. “Trust me, Emma. In Forever, that’s the last thing you need to worry about. I know we look like small-town America with narrow-sighted views and puritanical morals, but we aren’t like that. In fact, we have several families around here with one woman hooked up with more than one man. The way we figure it, if a person can find love, then who’s to say what form that love should come in?”
“Could you love more than one man? Especially if the men were…different?”
“You bet I could. I just wish love would get busy and find me my men.” Milly heaved a big sigh. “As for being different? Well, aren’t we all a little different? My daddy used to tell me, ‘Milly, if everyone in the world was the same, I think I’d die from boredom.’”
Emma studied the young woman. Could Milly be right? Could she accept the fact that the men she loved were werewolves? Wasn’t that what the heroine in her book would do?
“Milly, I can’t thank you enough for everything.”
Milly flipped a rag onto her shoulder. “Shoot. I didn’t do anything but have a little girl chat. So, do you want to give Jackson a holler?”
“Emma, we have to talk.”
Emma’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of Brian’s voice. Widening her eyes at Milly, she swiveled her barstool around to find Brian standing a few feet away. Bruises colored his face, and a large bandage covered one side of his neck, with another bandage covering one of his forearms.
“I’m sorry, but we’re not open yet. You’ll have to leave.” Milly’s voice held a menacing tone, surprising Emma in its intensity.
Brian snorted. “I’m not here for some hick town’s greasy food.” His gaze zeroed in on Emma. “I’m here for Emma.”
* * * *
“You’ll never believe what I found out about that lowlife Brian Miller.” Jayden tracked into the barn, opened the small refrigerator sitting on a low-lying shelf, and grabbed a cold bottle of water. He twisted the lid off and took a drink.
“I knew he smelled bad. He’s rotten to the core, I bet.” Jacob snarled then continued brushing his favorite quarter horse. The horse nickered, sensing the nearness of Jacob’s inner wolf.
Jackson lowered a saddle onto the saddle rack and joined Jayden in a drink. “Don’t keep us waiting any longer. Tell us what your buddy in
Dallas found out.”
Jayden’s friend, a detective with the Dallas Police Department, had proven useful many times. “He said Brian’s a medical-research assistant.”
“So? There’s got to be more to this.” Jackson took another swig.
“There is. He’s recently been seen hanging with this big-shot doctor who’s had his fingers in some very controversial procedures. According to my friend, the FBI has its eye on the doc. They think the doc’s gone rogue and is looking for a specific kind of patient. One he can operate on without letting the powers that be know about the surgery. In other words, a patient who doesn’t have any family that would miss her if she inconveniently dies on the table. Except, of course, her sleazy ex-boyfriend who doesn’t give a fuck about her.”
“So that’s why the jerk came looking for her.” Jackson downed the rest of his water.
Jayden nodded, did the same, then offered his brother another bottle when he took another for himself. “But that isn’t the whole of it.”
Jacob led the horse into a stall then banged the brush against the railing, sending dirt and horse hair into the air. He put the brush back on its hook by the gate and kicked the ground at his feet. “Damn, if I could go back in time, I’d crack that little bastard’s head in before he had a chance to talk to her. Do you think she’s thinking about doing it?”
Jayden’s wolf itched to run. They’d gone out last night, flexing their muscles as they ran over the dry Texas ground, the full moon driving them on. The run had done them good. As always, reason and stress gave way to the freedom and instinct of their inner wolves. They’d returned to their own house, knowing Emma slept safely in hers.
“She might be. After all, we haven’t offered her the alternative.”
Jayden noticed the way Jackson worked his neck side to side, a clear sign that his animal was trying to take charge. Anger always brought out the beast in all of them.
“You said that wasn’t all. What else is going on?” Jacob hooked his thumbs in his pocket, an attempt at a nonchalant attitude Jayden knew he didn’t feel.
“The reason that asshole Brian showed up to tell her about the experimental surgery is simple. If he lines up the right patient for the doctor, then he gets a major boost in status, power, and money. The jerk’s selling her out.”
“But could the surgery save her?”
Jayden shook his head at Jacob. “The odds put it way out of her favor. Less than a five percent chance. But who cares? She’s our mate, and we’ll change her. Once we’ve claimed her, her werewolf blood will get rid of the tumor.”
Jackson tossed his empty bottle into the recycling bin. “Then we need to tell her what he’s up to along with telling her about us and that she’s our mate. I agree with Jayden now. We should’ve told her last night, but I wanted to give her more of a chance to get to know us first.”
Jayden’s bottle landed on top of his brother’s. “Then let’s get to it, guys. Daylight’s burning.”
The brothers rushed to the pickup and piled inside. Gunning the motor, Jackson drove the pickup onto the one-lane road leading to the rental home. They remained silent during the trip, each sifting through the news about Brian and how they would tell her about their inner wolves. Jackson pulled into her driveway and frowned.
“Her car’s gone.” Jayden’s stomach dropped to the floorboard.
“Maybe she’s gone into town for supplies.”
Jackson shook his head at Jacob’s suggestion. “Naw. We stocked the house well. She had everything she needed.” His phone ringing ended the conversation.
Jayden snatched the phone out of the glove compartment. “Jackson Carr’s phone. Jayden speaking.”
Jayden’s gut twisted as he listened to the ominous sound in Milly’s tone. “Jackson didn’t have his phone on him. Yeah, he’s here, but go ahead and tell me.”
Jackson growled and reached for his phone, but Jayden kept it from him. He shot his brothers a worried look. “Are you sure she left with Brian Miller? Not with someone else? I don’t understand. Why didn’t you stop her?”
His brothers’ intent stares matched the tension in his body. His hope died with each minute. “Okay. Thanks for letting us know.” Ending the call, he slammed the phone down on the dashboard, breaking it into pieces.
“Hey. That’s my phone you busted up.”
“You’ll want to break something, too, when I tell you why Milly called.” Jayden gritted his teeth to keep his wolf locked inside him.
“She’s with him, isn’t she?” Jackson’s eyes glittered with rage.
“Yeah. She left on her own in the middle of the night and ran out of gas in front of Milly’s. If Milly hadn’t just gotten home from a run, she wouldn’t have seen her. She invited Emma to stay the night, and she did.”
“Why didn’t Milly call us?”
Jayden shrugged. “I guess she figured she’d have time this morning to talk to Emma. With Emma’s car out of gas, Milly didn’t think Emma could leave. Hell, she’s tried to call you several times, but you didn’t have your phone on you. Shit, none of us did since we were out running most of the night.”
“Then what happened? How’d she end up with Brian?” Jacob dragged a hand through his hair and let out a long, slow breath.
“Brian showed up this morning at the Coffee Spot after going to the rental house and not finding her there. He got lucky because when he entered Milly’s, Emma was eating a huge breakfast Milly had made her, trying to stall her until she could reach us. Milly said Emma and Brian had a heated discussion outside, but just as Milly was about to break it up, things seemed to calm down. Then she came back inside and told Milly she needed to talk to Brian some more. Milly thought Emma had things under control, but when she got in Brian’s car, the asshole peeled out with Emma still in the car.”
“Damn it. Didn’t she try to convince her not to talk to him? Why didn’t she stop her? Why would Emma get in a car with him after what he tried? Where are they going?”
“Of course she tried to stop her, Jackson. But she couldn’t change her mind. She couldn’t shift and expose what she was to Emma and Brian. They left a little while ago, but I bet we can still catch up with them if we take the back roads. Milly said she thought they were headed toward Dallas.”
“Then let’s burn rubber.” Jackson slammed on the gas, sending gravel and dirt flying as he maneuvered onto the road.
* * * *
“Where the hell do you think you’re taking me?” Emma twisted in her seat to glare at Brian. “I said I’d sit in your car and talk a while longer. I only agreed to that because I didn’t want to cause a scene in front of Milly’s. And because you threatened to press charges against the Carr brothers.”
“I should do it anyway. They attacked me.”
She’d never seen Brian angrier than he was now, but she didn’t care. “They jumped on you because you attacked me. They saved me, and I’ll testify in court to that. You wouldn’t have a chance. In fact, you’re the one who’ll end up in jail.”
“Whatever. It doesn’t matter now. You’re coming back to Dallas with me and undergoing the operation.”
He took a deep breath as though trying to calm himself then reached out to take her hand, but she pulled it out of his grasp.
“You’re doing yourself and others like you a big favor.”
Like her? As though having a cancerous brain tumor was something she’d done on purpose, like robbing a bank. Or thinking she’d been in love with a jerk.
“I’m glad you finally came around to my way of thinking, Em.”
She’d never realized it before, but suddenly, she hated being called “Em.” The brothers had never called her that. They’d never shortened her name as though it were too much effort to add the second syllable. “It’s not like you’re giving me a choice, is it? You’re taking me against my will, and once we’re back in Dallas, I’m screaming for help.”
“No you won’t. We’re going to a private facility on the outskirts of For
t Worth. The only people who could hear you are working for Dr. Harding, and they won’t give you a moment’s notice.”
She couldn’t believe it. How had she ever thought she loved him? “You’re crazy, Brian. You won’t get away with this.”
“Come on, Em. I know I reacted badly when you told me, but I was in shock. Since then, I’ve done nothing but search for a way to make you whole again.”
Whole? Did being sick made her less than whole or even less than a woman? Her stomach churned as the uneasy sensation swept over her. “Like you really care.”
“Of course I do. Your health is my top priority. That and gaining the position and recognition I deserve.”
“Recognition for what? Kidnapping? For bringing Dr. Frankenstein his first guinea pig?” Irritation warped into anger. She wanted to yell at him, to scratch out his eyes, to hurt him any way she could. But she had to remain calm and think. Someway, somehow, she’d get out and find her way back to Forever and her men.
“Don’t look at it like that, Em.” When she didn’t say anything, he went on. “Since you’re the special first person and my girlfriend, he’s given me the great opportunity to be at his side—and your side—through the entire experiment. I mean procedure. Isn’t that terrific?”
“Yeah. Terrific.” She was his ticket to the big time. “But you forgot one thing. I’m not your girlfriend any longer, remember?”
He gave her one of the smiles she was starting to detest. “Well, we’ll rectify that soon enough, won’t we?”
“You really are crazy.”
She’d had enough. All the time she’d been with Brian, she’d put up with his selfishness and his single-minded goal to better his career. She’d thought she was in love, but now she knew she’d mistaken attention for love.
She turned her head to stare out the window of Brian’s Mercedes and refused to look at him. Instead, she watched the land rush by her and let her thoughts take her back to the men she’d left behind.