Blue Moon: Too Good to Be True (17 page)

“I also treated the little girl you rescued. She has no injuries at all…not even smoke inhalation. She was released a few hours ago. Her family will be staying in a hotel provided by the state until their new apartment is ready.

Your Captain and friends don’t seem to agree, but between me and you, I’m glad you did what you did.” On that note he turned and left the room. Max finally smiled, the girl was okay.

“Mr. Strong, your pain should be subsiding soon, I’ve already pushed morphine into your IV, so close your eyes and get some rest. It’s going to be critical to your recovery.” The nurse patted his thigh and gave him a warm smile before turning to leave. Max was alone and his mind began to get fuzzy from the drugs. He finally noticed that his room looked like a small garden nursery. There were so many flowers, plants, fruit baskets, and various sizes of get well balloons.
Jesus. Where did they al come from? I damn sure don’t have that
many friends.
Max began to relax as the pain medicine worked its wonders. He felt like he was floating above the bed instead of lying in it. Max took advantage of the high and coasted back to sleep.

Ryker was in his office when Pierce called and told him the story of Max removing his oxygen mask to shield a child from smoke inhalation. Ryker called Angel to come pick him up because his secretary had taken his keys, not allowing him to drive while he was so upset. Ryker told her she was fired, but she just rolled her eyes at him. He’d threatened her with unemployment

too many times for her to take it seriously. Angel picked him up twenty minutes later.

Angel tried to calm him the best he could, but Ryker was on the edge. He didn’t want to think of Max lying in the intensive care unit, lungs connected to a ventilator, fighting for his life. Ryker let out a desperate sob and grasped his chest at the terrible ache of his baby brother being hurt.

“He’s gonna be all right, Ryker. I need you to believe that, man. I can feel him, in here.” Ryker saw Angel rub his chest. “He’s all right.”

Ryker knew Angel was setting his own fears aside to comfort him and he found himself developing a new respect for his brother’s boyfriend. He believed if he fell apart Angel would be there to help him. He certainly hoped so…because there was no one else. Ryker had no one else.
Please. God. Don’t
do this to me. He’s al I’ve got.

When Ryker and Angel made it to the fifth floor of the hospital, there were three firefighters in the small waiting room, including one he didn’t recognize, Max’s Captain, and Max’s best friend Pierce. All three men wore crumpled, navy blue uniform pants and VBFD Tshirts. The soot, dirt, and grime that covered their hands and faces spoke volumes of what they’d just been through. Pierce jumped up when he and Angel walked in. “Ryker, it’s good to see you again, buddy. Sorry it had to be under these circumstances.”

Ryker embraced Max’s long-time friend. He noticed right away that Pierce’s eyes were bloodshot like he’d been crying, and his usually jovial face was creased with worry. “Thank you for having his back, Pierce.”

“Always, you know that.” Pierce gripped Ryker’s shoulders. “I know you’re pissed that he removed his mask, Ryke, and believe me…I am too.

But you should’ve seen him, man…he was fearless. You should be proud of him. He saved that girl from a lot of pain,” he stated, patting Ryker on his back.

Ryker jerkily nodded as he tried to control his emotions. Ryker noticed Pierce staring at Angel, probably trying to figure out why he was there. Ryker quickly introduced Pierce to Angel but didn’t say that Angel and his brother were dating. He knew that Max had yet to tell anyone that he was dating a man.

“The doctor only came out once and gave us a brief report that Max was still unconscious. He won’t tell us more than that since we are not family,”

the Captain informed them. Tears slid down Ryker’s cheek as he turned toward the door as the doctor entered the waiting room asking for Max’s family.

He and Angel both stepped forward. The doctor began to speak in that annoying, controlled tone that they all seemed to learn in medical school.

“Mr. Strong woke up about fifteen minutes ago but was in significant pain so we gave him something to help him sleep. There was no internal damage to his organs. The burns on his lungs were minor and will heal on their own in roughly four to six weeks. He has a slight concussion that we will monitor closely over the next forty-eight hours.” Ryker heard collective sighs of relief all around the room, including his own, as the doctor continued. “Once he shows no other signs of concern, he can go home in a couple of days. However, because of his head injury, I don’t want him having any visitors right now.”

Ryker tried to listen to the doctor, but all he heard was that he didn’t want to let him see his brother and that made Ryker angry.

“What the fuck do you mean, I can’t see him,” Ryker gritted through clenched teeth. He was getting fired up and his body started to shake uncontrollably.

Ryker felt Angel place a calming hand on his shoulder. “Ryker, please calm down.” But he violently shrugged Angel’s hand off. “No, Angel. Fuck that. I am his family, and he needs to know that I’m here!” Ryker fumed.

“Mr. Strong, your brother is recovering. Though his injuries are far from life threatening, we are being extra-careful that we don’t compromise his head injury right now. It is standard procedure. Your brother is a hero, Mr.

Strong, and I assure you that he is receiving the best care possible. We only want to make certain that he doesn’t have any setbacks from overexerting with visitors,” the doctor reasoned.

“I’m not a fucking visitor.” Ryker balked at the terminology. He’d become hysterical. He needed to see Max, to see for himself that he was alive and well. It’d been his job all his life to protect Max. “I’m his goddamn

brother and I demand you let me see him, or you will be the one with a mild concussion, doc!” Ryker picked up one of the waiting room chairs. Pierce grabbed the chair as Angel tried to grab Ryker and pull him back from the frightened doctor.

“Let him go,” a deep voice commanded from the waiting room entrance.

Ryker froze and turned in that direction.

“Put the chair down…now.” Another command that Ryker immediately followed. Ryker looked up into the intense hazel eyes of Master Dom Sebastian Bagatelli, and fuck did he look serious…and wonderful. The look in his eyes told Ryker to obey his commands or he would pay dearly.

Bass wore snug black jeans that squeezed his lower body in all the right places. Although he was not erect Ryker could still see a prominent bulge in the front. He wore a sleeveless black muscle shirt with the skull and cross bones Army Ranger insignia over the right side of his chest. The thick leather bands on both of Bass’s wrists spoke of his lifestyle. His black riding boots made little sound as he glided toward Ryker with the confidence only a Dom would possess.

Bass raised a strong hand and slowly placed it on the back of Ryker’s neck. The grip was hot, like he was being branded by the Master Dom. His hold was confident, it was reassuring, it was demanding, and most of all it was exactly what Ryker needed.

Bass’s eyes were focused only on Ryker as everyone scurried about the waiting area, trying to leave the scene. Ryker realized that even the doctor hightailed it out of there. Bass’s presence spoke volumes. Bass didn’t stop advancing until his chest, thighs, and bulge were pressed against Ryker’s own taut body. Bass’s grip tightened a little more as Ryker lowered his gaze showing the Dom the respect that he deserved.

Towering at six foot three, Bass rubbed his beard against Ryker’s smooth cheek. Ryker released a whimper at the blissful contact, but his body remained taut as Bass whispered into his ear. “Breathe deep breaths for me, boy.” Ryker shivered at that term as he sucked in a ragged breath. His face was still streaked with tears but he wasn’t crying anymore. He suddenly felt there was no need to.

“Again,” Bass commanded gently.

Ryker took two even, deep breaths. Each time his chest rose he felt more contact with the big man.

“Good boy, that’s it…relax. You can touch me. Bring your arms up and put them around my waist.”

Again Ryker followed his instructions. He slowly brought his tired arms up and wrapped them tightly around the Dom’s strong body. He savored the firm grip on the back of his neck, and silently prayed that it would never go away. A beefy hand came up under his chin, this contact way more tender, and lifted his head back so he was looking into the Dom’s beautiful eyes.

Ryker’s eyelids fluttered as the grip on his neck became a soothing massage.

“Yeah, that’s it precious boy, relax for me,” Bass crooned in a soothing, masculine voice.

“Thank you, sir,” Ryker whispered. He squeezed Bass as tight as he could.

“Mmmm, yes…are you calm now?” Bass asked while he stroked him tenderly.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good boy. Now I want you to sit in the chair directly behind you, and not move or speak until I return.” He kissed Ryker on his temple. “I’m going to go and speak to the doctor and I’ll be right back. Don’t move,” he commanded.

Ryker didn’t respond, he just held on for dear life.

“Don’t move,” Bass stated in a firmer tone.

“Yes, sir,” Ryker spoke gently.

Ryker released the Dom but looked upon the man in amazement. Ryker backed up a few steps and sat in the chair. He couldn’t believe how Bass’s commands made him feel so safe. He knew without a doubt that everything was fine now. His brother was going to be fine. His Master was going to take care of his most urgent need, and as of right now, that was all he needed. He watched his Master turn and walk out the door as he sat in his designated chair.
Holy fuck, he’s the Master I’ve been waiting for. A Master that is only interested
in keeping me safe and happy.

Bass strolled back into the waiting room ten minutes later as if he owned the hospital, with Angel and the doctor in tow.

“Come here, Ryker.” Ryker got to his feet and walked briskly to stand in front of Bass. He didn’t look at the doctor or at Angel, only at his Dom.

“You’re going to go in and see your brother now. He is in and out of consciousness only because of the strong pain medicine, and he needs to rest comfortably, all right? You can stay five minutes and then I want you to come out so he can continue to rest. His concussion is not a major concern anymore. So he is going to be fine.” Ryker felt the Dom’s strong hand cup his chin and lift his head so they were looking into each other’s eyes. “Does this please you, boy?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

Ryker didn’t care that the doctor was looking at him like he should be admitted into the psyche ward. Ryker’s heart was beating too hard. He was amazed at his Master. He was a man that got results, and a man that wanted to see him happy. Ryker was suddenly flushed with desire and an overwhelming compulsion to thank his Master properly.

“You’re welcome.” Bass lowered his head and placed a soft kiss on Ryker’s pink lips.

Ryker stared at his brother resting peacefully in the hospital bed. He whooshed out a shaky sigh, thankful that his brother was fine. He wasn’t burned, there were no tubes, no casts, only some cream smeared onto his slightly reddened face. He gripped one of Max’s hands, bent down to gently kiss him on his forehead, and saw his brother’s eyes flitter open. “Hey, Grunt.” Ryker huffed out emotionally. Max groaned and squeezed his older brother’s hand in a tight grip.
Thank you, God. He’s okay.

Ryker eyed the digital clock over the bathroom door in Max’s room, ultra aware of the time.
Three minutes left.

Max being in the hospital wasn’t the only concern that plagued Ryker now. It was the sexy Dom that had stormed into his comfortable world uninvited. It was true that he craved a Master to take care of him, but craving one and actually having one were two different things. If he became dependent on Bass, and the man ended up hurting him…would he survive

being rejected by his Master? Ryker’s emotions were all over the place. His thoughts, questions, and answers were now centered around Sebastian. He didn’t know if the big man wanted him, or if he wanted a plaything. He refused to be the plaything.
Fucking done that.
He’d rather be alone.

Ryker walked out of his brother’s hospital room exactly five minutes after he’d entered. He saw Bass immediately and he began to move in that direction. Angel was talking to Bass but Bass’s eyes were riveted to Ryker’s as well.

Bass closed the distance between them and looked down into Ryker’s emerald eyes. “How was your visit?” Bass questioned smoothly.
Fuck that
voice is going to be the death of me.
Ryker squirmed under Bass’s gaze in fear that the man could see all the secret fantasies in his mind. His stare was smoldering heat and it said that he would fulfill every one of those fantasies if Ryker would let him.

He couldn’t give this man all the power yet. Ryker didn’t know if Bass was looking for anything long-term. Maybe he was just looking for a pretty boy to torture and get his rocks off. Ryker didn’t know anything at all. He couldn’t run off and start following Bass’s commands until he was confident the man really wanted his submission and not just a scene.

Ryker stepped back from the warmth of Bass’s hulking frame.
Oh God,
give me strength.
“The visit was fine,” Ryker said, and turned to face Angel. He knew Bass didn’t miss that Ryker left off the “sir.”

“He’s asking for you, Angel. The doctor said it was fine for you to visit briefly. I’m going to go home and rest, my head is killing me…umm…see ya later.” Ryker turned on his heels and headed in the opposite direction, leaving Bass behind. His heart protested, but his body kept going.

Bass was elated he was able to satisfy his boy. He felt even more confident that Ryker was going to be his, especially after what he’d just done for him. It was clear that Ryker knew of the Dom/sub relationship because