by S. M. Dapelo
Tanner crossed his arms, took a breath, then another and shook his head, “No”
I had stopped the screaming, but Ethan hadn’t unwrapped himself from me, “What did we miss, Berto?”
Berto started a stream of words in a language I didn’t understand. Tanner’s jaw ticked, “Yes,” he ground out to something he was apparently asked.
Berto continued his rant as Ethan loosened his legs. “Be calm,” he crooned into my ear. “No vitamin shots, I promise. We won’t do that, okay?” I took a deep breath, exhaled, and nodded.
Tanner was glaring at Berto, who was staring daggers back at him, “No,” Tanner ground out at something else he was asked. Then he turned to glare at me, “Why’d you run?”
I was taking large gulping breaths, “I don’t know, I just knew the needle was going to kill me.”
Tanner stooped down to lock eyes with me. He put a finger in my face, “You have three hours. If you don’t keep anything down by then, I’m starting a saline drip. I’ll fucking tie you down if I have to, and I know Ethan has arm cuffs in your size.” He stood up and winced, “And don’t stab people in the ass who are trying to help you.” He limped down the hallway.
Ethan released me and chuckled, “Well, Tanner has extra protection against the flu now. Let’s get you back into the room.” He glanced at the two individuals in front of us, “Berto take Lyssa and get some more broth. I’ll work on getting it into her.”
He helped me up, and I stood there a minute, feeling the after-effects of our scuffle. “I need a bathroom,” I rasped out.
Lyssa opened the door behind her, “Powder room. Go.” I ran into it and started retching.
When I finally stopped, Ethan was rubbing my back. “Sugar, I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’m with Tanner. If this doesn’t stop soon, we have to put you on a drip. No vitamins, but you need the liquids.” He paused for a moment, “How did you know how to get away?”
I stood up and wiped my mouth, “I don’t know, I just did. And if your planning on that drip, don’t telegraph yourself. Just incapacitate me quick.”
“Noted,” he stroked my hair and led me back down the hallway to bed.
Chapter 4
Right at two hours and forty-five minutes I stopped bringing stuff up. I even kept down the ibuprofen Ethan gave me to cut down the fever. The thought of food still made me want to barf, but if I kept it to myself. I didn’t have to worry about needles.
Ethan walked in after bringing me my third glass of ginger ale, “How do you feel about a shower? Think you can stand up?”
“God yes. I need to change too,” I looked down at what I was wearing. I was still in yoga pants and a t-shirt covered in dry blood.
“You go start up the shower, I’ll bring your clothes in.” He smiled and walked toward the closet as I stumbled into the bath. I quickly took a shower, being careful around my head since it still hurt from the wreck, and shouted my acknowledgment when Ethan told me my clothes were by the sink. I got out and looked at what he brought, my mouth going grim. I changed into a loose pale pink trapeze dress and ballet flats.
“Who’s is this?” I asked Ethan as I walked out.
He looked up from his tablet, his brows coming together, “Yours?”
“Bullshit,” I growled. “My memory might be gone, but I know I don’t wear ballet-slipper pink. I’m a red head. Who’s is this? What the hell’s going on and where’s my wedding ring?” I put my left hand up to show it bare.
He sighed, “Relax, the dress is probably Lyssa’s and got mixed up when we picked everything up from the dry cleaners. I pulled it because it looked like it would be flowy over your stomach. I didn’t think you’d want anything too tight.” He got off the bed and pulled something out of his pocket, “Your ring’s right here. Don’t you remember giving me all your jewelry when you went into the CAT scan?”
I bit my lip, feeling like an idiot, “No.” I took the gold band from him, “I don’t remember much from when we got back. I barely remember running past Tanner to get away.” I put it on the correct finger. It fit perfectly.
“Come here,” he put his hand out, and pulled me to him when I took it. The tightness in my chest loosened. He kissed my forehead, “We know you’re confused. We’re going to take it one day at a time, but I need you to tell me if you get any flashes, okay?” I nodded at him. “Good, now let’s go downstairs. I need to see what the chef’s planning on the rest of us eating. Your still on broth and crackers until tomorrow.”
He took my hand and pulled me down the same hallway I’d ran down earlier to some stairs that led into a gourmet kitchen. Three befuddled individuals stood there. “Where’s Christian?” asked Ethan.
“Not here,” answered Tanner. “I’ve got the guys looking for him.”
“Who’s Christian?” I asked.
“Our cook,” answered Berto.
“Who cooked earlier?” I looked at everyone.
“Anyone can make broth, tea, and crackers,” Tanner wrinkled his nose. “Dinner’s another story. We haven’t been here for a few weeks. Looks like he took off then.”
“You’re telling me none of you can cook?” I looked at the blank stares that greeted me and sighed. “It’s not rocket science.” I started going through the fridge to see what I could find. “Someone went shopping. There’s a pork loin in the fridge and everything looks fresh.” I pulled out the meat and walked over to the pantry.
“Are you sure you can handle the smell, Sugar?” Ethan asked.
I smiled at what I found in the pantry, “I won’t have to worry about it. There’s a pressure cooker in here. I’ll throw everything in, set the timer, and when it’s done one of you can get it out.”
“You can cook?” Tanner was openly staring at me.
“You’re my brother, shouldn’t you know that?” I watched him, my breath quickening. I didn’t like the queasy feeling starting again.
“You never went out of your way to let us know,” he shrugged.
“I knew,” sang Lyssa.
Tanner turned and stared at her, raising one brow. “Sure, you did.” He made a face at her.
“Why would she know?” I glanced at Ethan.
“Cause I’m your sister,” she leaned toward me. “Tanner’s like twenty years older than us. He was already on his own when we came along.”
“I’m thirty-one,” Tanner growled at her.
“Isn’t that what I said?” She smiled, “You made the best mac and cheese when we were kids. All from fresh ingredients.”
“Lyssa,” Ethan had a warning tone and his arms were crossed. “I employ a chef, so my wife doesn’t have to cook.”
“I don’t mind.” I threw the roast, barbecue sauce, and some pineapple in the pot and started it. “When the alarm goes off, let it sit for five or ten minutes, then turn this nozzle to here,” I pointed at Berto who was watching me.
“How do you remember this?” Tanner pursed his lips.
“I don’t know, I just do. Just like how I knew how to kick your ass,” I shrugged as Tanner growled.
“Why would our cook disappear?” Berto looked at us.
“Because it would force us to hire a new one,” Ethan was staring at the wall like he was figuring something out.
“Well, now we don’t have to,” Tanner smiled.
Ethan rubbed his chin, “Put out feelers. I want to know who applies. The Sacristy obviously believes they can get one of their people on the inside.”
“Personally, I think they already have.” Tanner’s jaw set as something passed between him and Ethan.
“Did you take care of that matter?” Ethan asked.
Tanner’s nostrils flared, “I will after dinner.”
Berto’s device pinged and he read it, his eyes going wide. “I have some stuff the two of you need to read,” Berto was clicking on his tablet. “And I mean, you really need to read it. Now. Not pretend you did and then act surprised when I tell you about it. I sent it to both of you.”
&nb
sp; “Okay, we’ll look at it,” Ethan glanced at Tanner. “I need you to do what I texted you. Berto, did you do your part?”
Berto swatted at the air and made a face, “Yes. It’s all taken care of. Will you two please read what I sent you?”
“I called Xavier and have him doing a search,” Tanner glanced at his watch, ignoring Berto who glared at him. “I expect an update anytime now.”
“Okay.” Ethan hooked my hand with his, “Let’s go into the library. We can find you something to read, maybe watch some television. I’ll grab something to eat later. I don’t know how long you’ll last before you need to sleep. You’ve had a rough day.”
“How about you read your damn email?” Berto yelled behind us.
We walked into a library. Books lined two opposite walls. A third wall had a window, and the one the door was attached to was paneled wood, “How big is this place?” my mouth dropped open.
“It’s huge for a reason.” He walked over to the desk and picked up a frame. “See wedding picture,” he handed it to me. I looked at it and felt my stomach turn for a completely different reason.
“I look like a cupcake. And the dress is pink.” I already figured out I hated that color.
Ethan glanced at the picture, scratching his neck, “Yes, it is, but not that pale pink.”
“No, this one is vivid. Almost red and it looks like leather.” I put a hand over my mouth, “Do I smoke crack or something?”
“No, of course not.” He took the frame from me, “But you might have had a few drinks when you went dress shopping. You were completely caught up in the moment and going for some sort of Disney princess, slash bondage, theme. You know, like Snow White or something like that.”
I sat down, “What is going on?” I stared up at Ethan, “That is the most hideous dress I’ve ever seen. You have me in some pink thingy, and you four were speaking in code in the kitchen.”
“We’re speaking in code because you don’t need to know about work right now. You heard the doctor; your stress level needs to stay low. The dress,” he paused and looked at the picture again and winced, “It was Vegas, where dumb things are done daily. I honestly don’t see the dress as ugly, just you as beautiful.”
Something kept nagging me. “Can I ask you some questions?” I looked at him.
He sat next to me stretching out and crossing his ankles, “Sure. As long as they have nothing to do with work.”
“Even what you do?”
He shook his head, “I’m not getting into that right now.” He tapped me on the nose, “No stress.”
“How long have we been married?”
“You’re twenty-five, we’ve been married since you were twenty-two, so three years,” he took my hand, intertwining our fingers.
“And when’s our anniversary?”
He bit the inside of his cheek, “I know this one. Ummm, May?”
“May what?”
He shifted in his seat, “Can I get back to you on that?”
My brows shot up, “You don’t remember?”
“In all fairness, either do you,” he winked at me causing me to roll my eyes at him.
“Where in Las Vegas did we get married?”
“One of the wedding chapels off the strip. Lyssa was your maid of honor. Tanner was my best man.” He laid his hands across his stomach.
I looked around the room, “How long have we lived here?”
“I’ve lived here all my life,” he smiled at me. “This was the family home. I inherited it when my parents passed. I moved the others in with me then, and you moved in with us shortly after you joined us. I like to keep the main team together.”
I pursed my lips, “My whole family lives together? Isn’t that weird?”
“You ask a lot of questions, sis,” Tanner stood at the door, his face white. “I’m guessing Ethan hasn’t checked his tablet yet.”
Ethan shook his head and stood. Then he grabbed the photo and handed it to Tanner, “No, we were going over our wedding.”
Tanner glanced at the picture, then did a double-take. “I forgot how pastry-like your dress was. That’ll teach you not to drink and buy a wedding gown at the same time.” He glanced at Ethan, “Go look. I’ll keep her company. We’ll watch television.” He attempted to put the picture back down on the desk but dropped it, cussed, then picked it up.
“She’s going to interrogate you,” warned Ethan.
Tanner swallowed, still not looking at me, “She’s not my wife. I don’t have to tell her anything.”
“Nothing about work,” Ethan yelled as he walked out.
Tanner grabbed a remote and hit a button. The wall in front of us opened and a huge television sat there. “How about Firefly?” asked Tanner.
“I don’t think I like bugs,” I remarked.
“It’s a space cowboy show.”
“Space Cowboy? Is that really a thing?”
“It was for one glorious season and a movie,” Tanner started the show up. He glanced over at me and took a deep breath, “Ethan’s gonna cuss, call Richard, and run you to the hospital. Just FYI.”
“How can you be sure? What did Berto find?”
“It’s work, can’t talk to you about it.” He sat back on the sofa, biting at the cuticle of his thumb.
“Tanner get in here,” Ethan yelled.
He flinched, got up and left. I snuggled into the sofa to watch some more. I might have to reevaluate space cowboys.
Five minutes later, Ethan walked in and sat next to me, setting a glass down on the side table, his steel grey eyes assessing me. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Um, better.” I looked at him, “How did things go with Tanner?”
He licked his lips, “Not as good as I’d hoped, we’ll deal with it. I need to move your hair.”
I frowned, “Why?”
“I want to check where you hit your head on the side,” I shrugged and leaned forward. He moved a bit of my hair, then cursed and sat back. He handed me a glass with a shaking hand, “Drink this. You’ve been sick and this is the only way to get vitamins into you since you won’t let us give you a shot.”
I looked at the milk and grimaced, “I just stopped throwing up. Won’t milk curdle in my stomach?”
“I checked with the doctor, he said to have you drink milk and I added some vitamins to it.” He wasn’t smiling, and he was looking intensely at me.
I took a sip and gagged, “Did you put protein powder in this? It tastes chalky?”
“Among other things.” He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, “You’re not hot anymore. That’s a good thing.”
“Is she done yet?” I turned to see Tanner standing at the door. His deep green eyes, watching me.
“I just started, chill. Sorry I’ve had the flu and my husband’s taking care of me,” I growled at him. He simply raised a brow.
“Okay, fine. Finish the milk, will you?” Tanner averted his gaze from mine.
“What is your damage?” I snapped at him, “I’m drinking as fast as I can without bringing it up.”
Ethan tilted the cup again, forcing me to drink more, he looked at me with wide eyes, “Finish.”
I finished the milk and looked at the bottom. “Your protein powder didn’t dissolve well. I can see the residue in the bottom.” My head started spinning again and I leaned against Ethan, “I feel dizzy.”
Ethan looked at Tanner, “Tell Berto to have the jammer in the car. We can’t take a chance they set it off.” My brother nodded and quickly walked out.
“What’s happening?” I asked.
“We’re taking you to the hospital and we didn’t need any arguments from you. So, I drugged you. Don’t worry, it’s a mild sedative and won’t cause any damage.” Ethan stood and picked me up in his arms. “I want us at the hospital as soon as possible.”
“Why?” I was fighting to keep my eyes open.
“Berto found something that needs to be dealt with now. They’re going to have to operate as soon as possibl
e. Which means an IV. Which means you need to be unconscious before they place it.” In my mind I was trying to get away but couldn’t move.
Tanner joined him by the door, “I want to go after this group full force.”
“We were wrong,” muttered Ethan, “And we were played. That doesn’t happen without retaliation. I’ll put the kids on recon. Right now, we’re dealing with Sam.” I felt myself being put into a vehicle as my eyes finished closing and I slept.
Chapter 5
“Samantha, we need you to wake up,” I heard the doctor’s voice.
“Sugar, wake up,” I heard Ethan, and forced my eyes open. We were in a room with white walls and the smell of antiseptic tickled my nose. I was sitting up, incapacitated.
I gasped for air, “Ethan, what’s going on.”
He was sitting in front of me in scrubs and a mask, “Something’s in your head. We need to get it out.”
“I don’t understand,” I looked at him, his eyes where flitting around the room.
“I don’t want you to. Right now, we’re going to get you healthy. I need you to focus on me, not anything else.” I tried to reach for him, but my hands couldn’t move.
“Ethan, why can’t I move?”
“Because you’ve got an IV in, and you’re strapped tight. We can’t risk you panicking on us. They’re working on your brain. You have to be awake for it. I need you to keep talking to me,” he stared at me.
I took a breath, “About what? I don’t remember anything.”
“Do you remember what car you were driving before the accident?”
“No.” My chin quivered, “I barely remember driving.”
“What are your parent’s names?”
“I don’t know. Ethan, I don’t know what you want me to say. I don’t remember anything,” I said in a quiet voice, barely able to speak.
“We see it Ethan,” I heard Tanner’s voice.
“What is Tanner doing in here?” my voice went up.
“What I do best. Well, second best. Okay, third,” I heard him muse. “It’s in my skill set.”
“What kind of skill?” I stuttered.
“Defusing bombs,” Tanner said as everyone else yelled, “No.”