Another Second Chance Page 6

  *

  LIAM WATCHED MEN run past the windows of conference room, where he was consulting with several team members, seconds before the radio sitting on the long table cackled to life.

  Active shooter on the cliff across from the dock. Chopper is in the air and engaged with the sniper and spotter. We’ve got a female victim in the water people. Find her. There was a pause, and Liam felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end as Bode grabbed the radio and they all sprinted from the room. He was grateful for the Wests’ insistence on drills. The team was prepared for every possible continency—or so he’d thought until Jax’s voice came over the radio again. Liam. Bode. It’s Colbie. With two words, Liam’s entire world shifted on its axis.

  It took every ounce of discipline he possessed to keep from turning and bolting straight to the dock. Strapping on Kevlar had never taken so long, and he was about to crawl out of his skin by the time they ran from the armory. One of the compound’s souped-up carts sat out front with Kent West behind the wheel. They were moving before Liam’s ass hit the seat.

  “Security feed shows a shot to her shoulder. The angle is wrong to see if it’s a graze or hit. Either way, river water and open wounds don’t mix.

  “Who’s flying the chopper?” Bode had just asked the question floating through Liam’s mind.

  “Jen. Her men are going apeshit.”

  Liam could only imagine. There was a reason the rest of the team had dubbed her Miley. The five-foot-nothing blonde was a one-woman wrecking ball. Sam and Sage McCall had their hands full keeping her from taking things down around her. Sam had joked that all she needed to do was walk into a room and pictures fell off the walls. Teaching her to fly had not been one of the Wests’ wisest decisions.

  “How did that happen?” Liam tried to keep the horror from his voice, but the curve of Kent’s lips told him he’d failed.

  “She might be a little bit of a thing, but she’s damned fast.” Kent sounded amused, and Liam wondered if living with Tobi wasn’t sapping some of the man’s good sense. “She flat outran the rest of the crew and claimed first dibs. Sage made it in time to co-pilot, but Sam is still apoplectic. I swear our insurance rates go up in direct proportion with his blood pressure.”

  They skidded to a stop behind a short row of trees. Liam owed Kent a huge debt of thanks for giving him something else to focus on while they got into position. Using binoculars, they scanned the area in case the incident was a trap. It was possible the sniper had used Colbie as bait to draw the rest of the team out. Considering the work they did around the world, every member of the team had made powerful enemies.

  “Report.” Micah’s voice came over their earbuds, and they all answered in turn. Quartering the compound allowed them to study a smaller area and give the all-clear sooner. “Get in there and find her. Start under the dock.”

  Liam agreed. It was the most logic choice, considering how open the area was. Except for the short expanse of trees where they’d parked, the riverbank along the back of the compound was routinely cleared, to discourage intruders, but in this instance, any additional cover would have been a blessing.

  Before they could jog the last hundred yards, Jen’s excited voice burst out of his earbud, making Liam stumble. “Holy shit balls, babe, did you see that? Hang on.”

  “He’s going to paddle her ass.” Kent’s amused chuckle came from beside him, and Liam shook his head. “I swear she’d intentionally throw rocks at a bear. She and Tobi are cut from the same cloth. We were already considering having genetic testing done to make sure they aren’t long-lost sisters, and now, we need to add Colbie to the mix. Maybe Joelle Morgan will give us a group discount.”

  Liam shook his head at Kent’s chattering and wondered if they had really talked the Nobel Prize winner into testing the women. They looked up just as a man jumped from the cliff into the river. The small, but agile Prairie Winds helicopter appeared over the cliff seconds later. It went into a dive Liam bet lifted both pilots out of their seats. Sage McCall’s colorful cursing confirmed he wasn’t happy with his wife’s daredevil flying.

  The roar of a boat motor resounded off the rock wall, and Liam worried the sniper had just made his escape. “My bird is faster than your boat, asshat.” He wasn’t sure what was louder, the roar of the boat’s motor, the chopper, or Sam’s vehement orders for Jen to stand down.

  “Never a dull moment. Now, let’s go get your girl.” Liam couldn’t have agreed more.

  *

  BODE WAS ABOUT to go out of his mind with worry, and suddenly, the entire team seemed to have turned into a bunch of comedians. Kicking off his boots at the edge of the dock, he dropped over the edge, feet first. Surfacing seconds later, he opened his eyes just in time to see Colbie duck under the water. He reached beneath the surface and pulled her up by the front of her shirt. Her eyes were wild, and she fought against his hold until he gave her a quick shake. “It’s me, Storeen. Stop.”

  The moment his words penetrated her fear, she went limp. He pulled her into his arms and let relief wash over him. As soon as his arms closed around her, Colbie began shaking so violently, he knew she was going into shock. Pushing off the coarse surface of the pillar, he moved them both toward the shore where Liam and Kent were already wading toward them. Liam held a blanket open in his arms, and Bode shifted her into his hold.

  Ten minutes later, they were in the back of an ambulance, speeding toward the local hospital, despite Colbie’s fervent objections. She still hadn’t spoken, but her agitation had increased the bleeding from the deep graze.

  “Spitfire, we won’t leave your side. The only doctors we’ll allow to treat you are members of the club. They’ve already been briefed and have assured us they’ve secured the area.”

  She was shaking so hard, Bode worried she was going to do more damage to her arm and was about to ask the paramedics to restrain her when he felt the vehicle slowing down. Colbie was close to hysterical by the time they wheeled her through the sliding doors of the emergency entrance. Dr. Kirk Evans met them in the reception area and led them back to an examination room close to a secondary exit.

  Leaning over the gurney, Kirk cupped her wet cheeks with his large hands, forcing her to look only at him. “Colbie, I’m Kirk Evans. You and I met a couple of months ago when you fixed my wife’s car.” Bode was relieved to see her nod in understanding. “My partner, Brian Bennett, will be here in a few minutes. The two of us are the only ones who’ll be in this room aside from the Prairie Winds Team, do you understand?”

  To Bode’s enormous relief, she whispered, “Yes, Sir.” and the violent shaking began to abate.

  “I’m going to unwrap the blanket. I want to look at your arm and make sure we don’t need anything I haven’t already prepared for.” Those words made Bode look around him, and for the first time, he noted the numerous trays of supplies lining a nearby counter. Taking a step back, he eased open a door to find a large bathroom, complete with a shower he wished like hell he could get in—damn it, he hated the smell of river water.

  As if the Universe had been listening, Kirk looked up and smiled. “Help yourself. She’ll join you in just a minute. I need you both cleaned up before the Director of Nursing comes down here to kick our asses. No offense, but you smell like a river rat, and you’re dripping all over the floor. I’ll cover her wound and let her take a quick shower while we wait for Brian.”

  Liam grinned looking down at his own wet jeans and boots. “I’ll round us up some clothes. I’m an easier fix, so you go in with her. Kirk is right about the stench.” Bode agreed. The part of the river where the water had been moving hadn’t been rank, but close to the bank, the smell of dying foliage as summer faded to fall had been overwhelming.

  Walking back to Colbie’s bedside, he pulled her hand to his lips and smiled down at her. “I’ll get the shower warmed up for you, sweetness. We’ll get you cleaned up, so the doc can stitch you up, and we can get home. I swear I aged a decade before we could get to you.” Those
few minutes waiting for the order to go had been the longest of his life.

  Five minutes later, Liam led her into the bathroom and gave her a quick kiss before handing her off to Bode. “I’ll back in a few minutes with towels and clothes. Kent’s already rounded up most of it.” He gave Bode a knowing look when he noticed he was still wearing his boxers.

  Colbie took a tentative step into the large enclosure and groaned when the warm water washed over her bare legs. Liam handed him a pair of scissors and then disappeared out the door. Cutting away her clothing gave him more pleasure than it should have, given the circumstances. He’d already vowed to buy her a new wardrobe, so he didn’t feel any guilt about tossing the shredded clothing into the trash. As each square inch of her creamy skin was exposed, Bode was more grateful he’d left his boxers on. The thin cotton might not be a huge barrier, but it was enough to remind him she deserved better than a quick fuck in a hospital shower.

  “You steal my breath, my sweet Storeen.” Kneeling in front of her to pull the last of her clothing free, Bode pressed kisses along the ridge of her pelvic bone. Her neatly trimmed blonde curls sparkled as water droplets clung to them. Pretty, but they have to go.

  Nuzzling her mound, he spoke against her wet skin, “Even soaked in river water, you smell like a tasty treat, and I can’t wait to feast on you. Since I plan to spend hours enjoying our first time together, we’re going to finish this shower as quickly as possible—because you are a temptation I’m barely able to refuse.”

  Standing, he helped her turn her back to the water and angled her so the water wasn’t falling on her left shoulder. “Lean your head back, and I’ll wash your hair.” She groaned when his fingers massaged her scalp. Chuckling at her response, he leaned forward and kissed the shell of her ear. “I promise to give you a massage that will make you sleep like a baby, sweetness.”

  “And if I don’t want to sleep?” She reached back to smooth her right hand along his thigh and the rush of blood to his cock almost made him lightheaded.

  “Fuck.” His groan was a plea for mercy rather a request. “You’re playing with fire, baby, and we can’t do this here.” Her hand dropped so quickly, he knew he’d hurt her feelings. He felt like an ass when she refused to look him in the eye, and he saw the red stain of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. By the time he’d finished his own shower, she’d stepped out and wrapped herself in a towel—a move he was sure had caused her a lot of pain. Blood stained the wrap Kirk had secured over the gash, and she looked pale.

  When Liam stepped into the room, he must have felt the tension because the look he gave Bode was full of accusation. “Come, Spitfire. I’ll help you dress.”

  Bode cupped the back of her neck and pulled her close. “Not the time and not the place, but don’t ever question how much I want you, Colbie.” He’d deliberately used her name rather than a term of endearment. She needed to know how serious he was about his desire for her. The relief a quick shagging would have provided would have faded quickly. They’d both have regretted it later, and he wanted to begin on the right foot.

  He dressed quickly and shook his head at Kent West’s resourcefulness. How the man had gotten him clothing and boots in the span of ten minutes was a testament to how connected Kent and Kyle West were. By the time he stepped into the exam room, Colbie was laying back on the raised exam table. She was dressed in yoga pants and a halter top. She was trembling, so he pulled a blanket from the warmer and spread it over her legs. She murmured her thanks as he leaned forward to press a kiss against her forehead.

  Brian Bennett was examining her wound, a frown wrinkling his brow. “I want to do this in layers, Colbie. It’ll help reduce the scarring, but it’ll be a bitch if we don’t get ahead of the infection, so we’re going to frontload you with antibiotics.” When she didn’t respond, he paused and looked at her. “I’m a Dom, sweetie, so I’ll expect you to respond even if I don’t ask you a direct question. I want to know you understand what I’m saying. Medical treatment is like play in that it’s about compliance and communication. I can’t do my job unless I know it’s what you want. Ultimately, it’s all in your hands.”

  “Yes. I mean, yes, I understand, Sir. As long as you don’t give me penicillin, I’ll be fine.”

  Brian nodded and turned to the laptop sitting on the counter. “I’m starting a record for you, but this computer isn’t connected to the hospital’s system. Merilee will cover our tracks with the hospital.”

  Kent’s smile drew Colbie’s attention and he nodded toward Brian. “What Dr. Bennett didn’t mention is that Merilee Lanham, one of the hospital’s administrators, is a member of the club. We look out for each other. Even when it means bending the rules a bit.” Understanding dawned in her eyes, and she nodded.

  “Thank you,” she said, turning back to Brian. “I appreciate all you’re doing to keep me safe. Hospitals are dangerous places for someone like me.”

  She was right. Medical facilities, by necessity, gathered personal information and were notorious for breaches of security. Bode knew the team used Kirk and Brian’s clinic whenever possible because their medical records system had been designed by Micah Drake and Phoenix Morgan. Phoenix was one of the most sought-after programmers in the world, and Bode was sure there wasn’t a system around Micah hadn’t broken in to. And there’s no one better to help design a secure system than a hacker.

  Chapter Eight

  COLBIE GLARED AT the thermostat on the opposite wall, trying to block out the pinches as they deadened the scratch on her arm. Personally, she thought they were making a really big deal about something she would have taped shut with a few sports Band-Aids. When she’d said as much, she’d gotten dark glowers from all five Doms in the room. One thing she’d learned hanging out at the track in London and working for Gus… some days it just didn’t pay to argue with men.

  Dr. Kirk had given her two injections. The first he’d explained was the loading dose of antibiotics they’d discussed. When she inquired about the second shot, he’d grinned. She’d been shocked by the startling change the smile made. His whole demeanor shifted from formidable to approachable.

  “This is going to make you like me a lot more than you do now.” He must have noticed her surprise, because he’d added, “It’s okay, sweet girl. I’m used to being seen as scary. My wife tells me I don’t smile enough.”

  “And he tells her she isn’t naked enough.” All the men laughed at Dr. Brian’s comment. Colbie envied what was obviously a close friendship. Even before her life had been turned upside down, she hadn’t had any close friends. The women in her social class were snobs and concerned with little, aside from shopping and marrying well. The women who spent time at the track were jealous of her rapport with the men and treated her as an interloper. Shaking off the loneliness threatening to float over her like a dark cloud, she realized she’d actually shaken her head so hard, she was suddenly dizzy.

  “Careful, sweet girl. The sedative I gave you could affect your balance. We don’t want you falling off the table—too much paperwork.” Dr. Kirk’s face was in front of her, and she silently agreed with his wife… he should smile more.

  Letting her mind drift back over the events of the day, Colbie tuned out conversation around her. It wasn’t until she heard an agitated female voice outside the door, she realized she’d closed her eyes.

  “I love you to pieces, Tank, but if you don’t move, I’m going to take you apart.”

  Colbie recognized Tobi West’s voice and chuckled at her empty threat. She’d met Tank, and his nickname was well earned. As a former NFL star, he was huge. Thinking about the petite blonde “taking him apart” made Colbie snicker again.

  Kirk Evans looked at Kent and grinned. “You should probably rescue him. I’d hate to see her hurt him. We’re already busy with one club member, no need to double our workload.”

  Kent opened the door and pulled Tobi into his arms. “Sweetness, are you threatening the employees again? You know Tank is terrified of you. He
ll, he’ll probably have nightmares for a week. Do you really want that on your conscience?”

  Colbie watched in disbelief until the irony was too much and she burst out laughing. “Holy hell, this is better than any sitcom I’ve ever seen.” When she turned quickly to Liam, she almost fell off the table, and Kirk Evans made a noise that sounded a lot like a growl. Turning back to him, she leaned precariously close to his face and asked. “Did you just snarl at me? Because it sounded like it, and I’m pretty sure that’s a no-no in most etiquette books. I’d have to double-check, but I’m almost sure I read that snarling was forbidden.” His face swam in front of her, but even with him moving, she could see the corners of his mouth twitching.

  “I want you to hold still, sweetness. I’m not sure your men want Kirk and I to be the first ones to bind you.” His gaze shifted somewhere over her head, but when she tried to turn strong hands held her still. She felt another pinch in her arm and things began to fade quickly. The last thing she heard was Tobi’s voice.

  “Don’t look at me that way, Master. I’m not letting him near me with a needle.”

  *

  LIAM WATCHED THE LIGHT fade from Colbie’s eyes as he eased her back against the pillow. Judging by her blank stare, she hadn’t realized he was the one holding her. In an eye-opening moment of self-awareness, it occurred to him how much that mattered. He’d wanted her to know she was being sheltered in his arms—that Bode had been right beside him, holding her hips, so she hadn’t rolled off the damned table.

  “Holy craptastic, I thought she was going to take a header off that platform. No offense guys, but that thing looks way too much like a morgue table. All that stainless steel… yikes.” Tobi shuddered, and Liam had to smile. She’d just said exactly what he’d been thinking since they first walked into the room.