This is it. This is where my friend is. I don’t know who is down there, what we’re going to find or what kind of shape we’ll find him in, but I don’t care, not as long as he’s safe with me, with us.
Climbing out of my truck, I walk back to Kirill and my friends. It doesn’t take me long to brief them on what I know, which honestly, isn’t much.
Beaumont dips his chin, then I watch as he walks over to the back of my truck. He tugs the door open, taking out several guns. He divvies them out to us.
“Where’d you get these?” I ask.
He shrugs, his gaze flicking back to “Grabbed them from my house and raided Louis’ safe before we left. Figured we’d need some firepower, just in case.”
“Thank, fuck,” I grunt, racking the shotgun.
“Let’s get on the same plan, then we’ll go in,” Kirill suggests, with a grin.
“Fuck, yeah,” Beaumont grunts.
FORD
The four men return. I watch them, unable to move, as two of them bring in a twin-sized bed, then a mattress. I growl when I see my saddle and stand being brought in next. It’s mine, and thoughts of Starlight fill my mind.
I hope she’s okay. I haven’t heard any thunder or lightning, but that doesn’t mean shit down here.
“The actor is ready. I’ll bring him in, get the cowboy up to performance level,” one of the strangers says, grinning as he looks over at me.
It doesn’t surprise me that this man doesn’t give a fuck that this is obviously not consensual. I don’t want to be in his movie, not with a man or a woman. Not at fucking all, but nobody here gives a fuck about that and Sebastian is happy because he’s making money off of me, off of this whole thing.
Sebastian appears in front of me, he sinks down to his haunches with a grin on his lips. He tugs on my arm and I try to pull away from him, but I can’t. I’m helpless, still. He ties a piece of rubber around my arm and I know what’s going on, he’s going to inject me with some shit.
“No,” I moan.
Sebastian laughs in my face. “Yes, Ford. I need money. You’ll make me money and it’s only fitting. You made her think that she didn’t need to help me. That it wasn’t her obligation. You fucked me over, man. So, I’m fucking you over and pretty soon, every single one of these guys coming in here is going to actually fuck you.”
The needle goes into my arm and I try to fight, but it’s fruitless. The drugs fill my veins, flowing through my body, and I let out a sigh as my eyes close. Something is shoved into my mouth, but before I’m forced to swallow it, I hear shouting.
Forcing my eyes to open, I look up and there is Beaumont, the Russian, and Wyatt in my view. There is a lot of chaos, men running around, shouts, and insults being hurled, but all I can do is watch. There is absolutely nothing else that I can do.
“This is not what I had in mind,” Kirill shouts.
He picks Sebastian up by the back of his shirt and nonchalantly throws him across the room. I watch as his body bounces off of the wall before Kirill picks him up and does it a second time.
“Stephanie was off limits and that includes all of her friends. That does not mean kidnap and drug her man. It seems that I’m just going to have to write off what you’ve stolen from me as a loss, because you do not understand my terms,” he growls.
“Kirill,” Wyatt warns.
He lifts his hand. “Nothing about this man will come to fruition this moment. Gather him and his little friends,” he shouts.
I watch as all of the men in suits do Kirill’s bidding, silently, and leave. One of his men takes Sebastian as well, leaving only me, Beaumont, Louis, Wyatt, and him in the room together.
Kirill appears in my view, crouching down in front of me. “He’s been drugged, not sure with what, but he probably needs medical attention, his stomach being pumped should fix the problem.”
There is a pause before Kirill speaks again. “Ford Matthews, you will never have to worry about this man again. I should have taken care of him when Stephanie told me what his plans were, to sell that video of them, of you, to the paparazzi.”
I try to nod, but I can’t move and my voice, it somehow isn’t working in the moment. Kirill nods, smiling for a moment, then stands and walks away.
My vision then is suddenly filled with my friends, no, my brothers. I feel my body being lifted off the floor, then everything goes black. Peace. I’m finally safe, no longer as helpless as I was, no longer weak.
“Stephanie,” I cry out.
“She’s just fine. She’ll meet us at the hospital,” Beaumont promises.
The cab of the truck is quiet, I’m aware of what’s happening, but not able to move any part of me. I moan, suddenly feeling sensitive everywhere, and euphoria. Sweat pours down my body, but I can’t do anything to wipe it away.
“We got you, brother. You’re gonna be just fine,” Louis calls out.
“Starlight,” I whimper.
“Don’t worry about anything. Everything will look better tomorrow,” Wyatt shouts from the front seat of the truck.
My eyes roll in the back of my head, I close them and let the sensations caused by those drugs they gave me roll through my entire body. I can’t help but feel at peace and calm. It’s amazing, it’s not anything I’ve ever experienced before. I hate it and like it all at the same time.
The truck stops and I see the bright lights of the hospital in my view. I grunt as my body is moved to a gurney. The gurney is shifted around and then everything goes black all over again.
STEPHANIE
I let out a scream at the sight of Ford being wheeled through the emergency room. Rylan wraps an arm around my chest and another around my waist, pulling me back and holding me against his chest.
My entire body trembles as my eyes take in the scene before me. Ford looks pale, lifeless, helpless. I hate it. I hate every fucking second of it. Sebastian did this to him. That fucking bastard. If he isn’t dead yet, I think I want a shot at him.
“He’s going to be just fine, Stevie,” Rylan rasps against my ear. “You gotta let those doctors work on him though. You gotta be strong for him. You cannot get hysterical on me, babe.”
“Okay,” I whimper. “Okay.”
I feel anything but okay. I feel absolutely hysterical, but I shove that sensation back down inside and try to gain control of my entire mind and body.
When Beaumont, Wyatt, and Louis appear, my hysteria appears again and I start screaming and demanding they tell me everything. Security has to tell me to calm down or leave, and that’s the only thing that shuts my crazy ass up.
Calmly, coolly, the men start to tell me everything that happened, everything that they know. Most of the details of what happened to Ford are still unknown. All they do know for a fact is that he was drugged and held in some rental bunker from a crazy guy that Wyatt knew as a kid.
“Tell me he’s going to be okay,” I whisper. “Even if he isn’t, tell me that he is.”
Wyatt takes my hand in his, squeezing it until I lift my gaze up to meet his own. “He is going to be just fine, Stephanie. There is no doubt about it in my mind. He was alert, he was unharmed. They gave him something, but he was awake, he was talking.”
“Okay,” I breathe.
“Now, let’s just wait to see what the doctors have to say, we should be hearing from them any minute now,” Louis states.
It takes several hours for a doctor to appear. When he does, it’s just as the guys said. Ford was given some drugs. He’s okay. He’ll be in some pain from having his stomach pumped, but physically, he was unharmed.
My entire body relaxes at the doctor’s words. “When can I see him? I’m his fiancée,” I announce.
“Family only right now, honey. I’m sorry.”
Shaking my head, I take a step toward the doctor. Instead of screaming and demanding that he allow me to see Ford, I plead with him.
“Ford doesn’t have any living family nearby. His parents are gone, he’s got no siblings. Just us. We’re his r
agtag family and I’m his fiancée. I live in his house and share his bed, please let me see him.”
None of what I’ve said is anything but the truth. The doctor probably knows it for a fact as well. This is a small town. He knows who Ford Matthews is and that his parents are gone. He nods his head, lifts his hand, and motions for me to follow behind.
I don’t hesitate for a moment. I have to see him. Right fucking now.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
FORD
Images flash in my mind. I see stills of Stephanie, Wyatt, Beaumont, Louis, and the Russian. I don’t know what to make of any of it. There are bright flashes of light, then everything goes dark before it starts all over again.
“Ford, wake up,” a soft voice calls in the distance.
My body struggles, knowing that the woman behind that voice is special, important. Maybe it’s Stephanie, but it seems too soft, too far away to be her. Wouldn’t she be closer?
I feel so confused.
Forcing my mind to relax, I allow the darkness to take over again. Rest. I need it, my body is sore, achy and my mind is jumbled. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel rested again. But I’m going to try.
I just need sleep.
I let out a grunt what feels like a minute later. My eyes slowly open, blinking at the bright florescent light pouring down from the ceiling above me. Turning to the side, I see a head of blonde hair at my hip. I feel her warm hand wrapped around mine and my fingers twitch.
That blonde head lifts and I’m met with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen before. She smiles a watery smile and then lets out a sob.
“Ford,” she whispers, her blue eyes wide and bright.
“Hey, honey,” I mutter.
Her lips tremble as the tears in her eyes fall down her cheeks. “You’re going to be okay.”
“Am I?” I ask, my lips twitching.
She shakes her head, her fingers squeezing my hand. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
“Starlight?” I ask.
A shadow crosses her face and she shakes her head once. My eyes slowly close, knowing exactly what that means. I open my eyes and look into hers before I speak.
“I don’t know how he got me. I don’t remember anything before waking up in that bunker.”
Stephanie licks her lips, sitting up a bit straighter as she watches me. I don’t know if she’s trying to decide what to tell me, but I’m not going to allow anything other than the absolute complete and total truth.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispers.
Nodding, I lift my hand and cup her cheek. “You’re okay?”
“I never even saw him. I went outside to look for you and you were gone. Nobody was there. I thought you were gone for good,” she exhales.
I snort, then groan. My body is so fucking sore. “Be careful. The doctor said you would be sore for a few days, they had to pump your stomach,” she explains.
Sliding my thumb beneath her eye, I keep my gaze focused on hers. “I’d go through it all over again, I’d withstand more than I did, if it meant you were safe.”
“Stop,” she whimpers, wrapping her fingers around my wrist. “Just stop. It should have never happened. It’s my fault and you can’t tell me that it isn’t.”
I shake my head. “It’s not and you won’t tell me any different. So we’ll be at a stalemate and that’s okay as long as you’re still coming home with me at the end of the day.”
“Every day, Ford. You’ll never get rid of me. Not ever.”
“Thank fuck,” I grunt.
Just then the door flies open and the room fills with everyone I know. Beaumont and Hutton. Louis and Tulip. Wyatt and Exeter. Rylan and Channing. They’re all here, and they are all watching me.
“He wakes,” Wyatt rumbles.
“Did you think you could get rid of me that easily?” I ask, my voice raspy and weak.
“Never,” Beaumont states.
Everyone around me chats and visits. I don’t really join the conversation. It’s moving too quickly for me, at the same time it’s not anything that I care to talk about. I just want to rest, but they’re all here and I’m not about to kick them out, either.
“We should really let Ford rest,” Exeter says, her gaze finding mine. She gives me a small smile and takes a step back. Everyone else, except Stephanie follows after several goodbyes and handshakes.
I watch them, waiting until the last person walks through the door and it closes softly behind them.
“Are you hungry? Thirsty?” Stephanie asks.
“All of the above,” I murmur.
She nods, then reaches for the phone and calls the nurse’s station. I could murder a burger right about now, but then my stomach clenches as I remember the last meal that I ate. The cheeseburger, fries, and tainted Dr. Pepper. Maybe I won’t eat a burger any time soon, after all.
“The nurse and doctor will be here soon to talk about everything,” she whispers.
She’s staring at me, watching me like I’m going to disappear. “I’m okay,” I say.
She nods her head. “I know.”
“You sure? You’re watching me like you’re terrified I’m going to vanish right before your eyes.”
Stephanie closes her eyes, her tongue peeking out to taste her lips before she opens them again and finds my gaze with her own. “I’m terrified that’s exactly what’s going to happen. You’ll have to bear with me, Ford.”
“Not going anywhere, not ever again, honey.”
“I know,” she says, but she doesn’t believe me or her own words.
Reaching out for her hand, I hold my palm out, lacing my fingers with hers when she places her hand in mine. I don’t bother with any more promises. Instead, I just hold her hand, waiting for the doctor and nurse to arrive.
Hopefully, I can get some food and go home soon. I’m ready to get on with my life, forget this whole thing ever fucking happened.
STEPHANIE
After just one night of monitoring, the doctor releases Ford. Which is against my better judgment. I want him in the hospital for at least a week, maybe two to ensure that he’s okay. Though, judging by how antsy he is, I doubt that he would stay put for another two hours, let alone two weeks.
“Can you just lay the hell down?” I snap.
“I got shit to do, woman, I can’t be laid up in bed another day. I’m fine,” he growls.
I shake my head, crossing my arms over my chest as I narrow my eyes at him. “No,” I state.
He arches a brow, pressing his lips together. It’s obvious that he’s going to defy my demand. Not that I could ever really demand anything from him. Deciding on a different tactic, I make my way toward him, placing my hands on his chest, sliding them up and wrapping them around his neck.
“Please,” I whisper as I rise to my toes, pressing my lips against his.
Ford’s hands wrap around my waist and I think he’s going to push me away, but instead, he tugs me closer. My body presses against his and I let out a whimper at the feel of his hard chest against mine.
“I know what you’re doin’,” he murmurs against my mouth.
“I’m sure you do.” I laugh.
His teeth nip my bottom lip and he laughs softly as he reaches for the hem of my shirt. “I’m gonna let you do it too,” he says as he pulls my shirt from my body, tossing it to the floor somewhere in the bedroom.
Reaching behind my back, I unhook my bra, peeling it from my body and down my arms, letting it land at my feet before I sink down to my knees. Reaching for the button of his jeans, I pop it open, unzipping the fly and tugging his jeans and underwear down past his ass and hips, stopping at mid-thigh.
Licking my lips, I lean forward and touch my lips to the tip of his hard cock. Lifting my eyes, I look up at him through my lashes. His jaw is clenched as he watches me. He reaches out and slides his hand through my hair, holding the side of my head.
I want to tell him a million things. I want to make sure that he knows I love him. All of him. Open
ing my mouth, I take him inside of me, my eyes still focused on his and nowhere else. He grunts, his fingers tightening in my hair.
“Still,” he growls.
Keeping my lips parted and my mouth open wide, I wait in anticipation of what is to come. Ford doesn’t disappoint, not that he ever has. He starts to fuck my mouth. It is gentle at first, his cock pulling out and sliding down farther and farther with each thrust until I can take more of him.
When he buries his length down my throat completely, he lets out a loud moan, his eyes closing as he pauses. We’re both breathing heavily out of our nostrils. I watch as his flare before he slowly opens his eyes and his gaze finds mine.
“How are you this fucking perfect?” he asks.
His fingers tighten in my hair and he pulls out before burying himself completely again. I feel his balls against my chin and it shouldn’t make me want more, but it does.
I guess there is just something different about this, about his body and the way that I need it touching me, every part of him is erotic, even his fucking balls on my chin.
Ford pulls completely out of me, taking a couple steps backward. I want to stand up, jump in his arms, and demand that he touches every part of my sensitive skin, but I don’t. He’s still physically weak and I don’t want to hurt him.
“Need you,” he rasps.
“Yes,” I hiss.
“Need you to make yourself come for me first,” he says with a smirk.
I’ll do it, because he wants me to, but also because I want to come and I honestly don’t care by whose touch.
Reaching for my jeans, I strip them off along with my panties, faster than I ever have in my life. Without a word, I jump on the edge of the bed and spread my legs, placing my heels on the railing of the bed for support.
I don’t bother trying to be sexy. My hand dives between my legs and I sigh as soon as my fingers make contact with my clit. Slipping two fingers inside of my pussy, I moan. Lifting my hips, I pleasure myself in front of him.
COWBOY (Unfit Hero Book 5) Page 27