Her Wilde Bodyguards (7 page)

“Yes. Yes. Yes.” Her words came out as a mix of pants and screams. A million delicious sensations wracked her body. She writhed under him, clawing at his hot flesh with her fingernails.

His eyelids narrowed but his gaze never left her. When he gave her a final powerful thrust followed by a deep guttural groan, she could feel him pulsating inside her.

“Yes, Gya. Yes.” His eyes did close for a split second as he came inside her.

After several breathless moments, he kissed her again, making her toes curl.

Being held by him felt so right. He’d given her such pleasure and the most mind-blowing, body-exploding orgasm she’d ever experienced in her life.

Kyle stroked her hair. “You are so beautiful, Gya.”

She lightly kissed him. “So are you.”

“I like being called ‘beautiful’, sweetheart. It does fit me, I think.”

She laughed, enjoying the warmth that exuded through every part of him.

They both heard footsteps coming up the stairway.
We left the door open.

Kyle jumped out of the bed and grabbed his gun.

She sat up, pulling the sheet up to her chin.

Aaron stood in the doorway with his sunglasses still hiding his eyes. “I’ve got news.” His tone had an edge that didn’t sit well with her.
Is he upset?
“I’ll be downstairs at the kitchen table when you’re ready to hear.” He turned around without another word and left.

“Oh my God, Kyle. I can’t believe this just happened.”

He placed his finger on her lips, silencing her. “It did happen. I’m glad it happened.”

“But what about Aaron?”

“Honey, he and I were raised in the same family. Poly, remember? We aren’t jealous of each other.”

“So if Aaron wasn’t jealous, then what was that all about? He seemed so cold.”

Kyle’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not sure. He hasn’t been himself for the past couple of days.” He cupped her chin. “Let’s get dressed and go find out what news he has. Maybe that’s what has him out of sorts.”

“Okay.” But deep down in her gut she suspected there was more to it than that.

* * * *

Kyle walked down the stairs with Gya. Aaron sat at the kitchen table with an open bottle of whiskey and a half-empty glass.
Something is definitely off with him.

As he and Gya took seats, Aaron didn’t look up, but kept staring at his drink.

“What’s up, bro?”

His brother took a deep breath and downed the rest of his whiskey. Then he filled his glass again. “Scarpelli wasn’t the one who fired the gun in Dallas or burned Gya’s house. He hasn’t left Chicago for several weeks, but it could be one of his associates. We just don’t know right now, but we are going to follow every lead we have. Until then, Gya stays put here.”

Aaron’s cell rang. “Hello. Yes. She’s safe. I can’t tell you that, Stephanie.”

“It’s Stephanie?” Gya held out her hand. “Let me talk to her.”

Aaron nodded. “You can’t tell her where you are, Gya, for her safety. Your stalker, whoever he or she is, will use anything and anyone to find you. They’ve already shot at you in a crowd. Someone could’ve been hurt or killed. You understand?”

Gya nodded. “Yes. I understand. I won’t say anything.”

He handed her the phone.

“Hi, Stephanie. Yes, I am. I’m fine. Hold on.” Gya looked at him and Aaron. “Please excuse me. I want to talk to her about something personal.”

“Fine,” Aaron stated flatly. “Just keep your promise.”

Seeing her cringe at his brother’s tone made Kyle angry. “Sweetheart, go take your call upstairs.”

When she headed up the stairs, Aaron lifted his glass to his lips. When he sat it back down on the table, it was empty.

“Cut the crap, Aaron. What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Not a damn thing.” He filled his glass again.

“Bullshit. You’re not a big drinker but tonight you’re pounding it down like you’re headed to skid row. I know you. You’re not fooling me one fucking bit.”

Aaron shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you, Kyle. Sometimes a man needs a drink.”

He thought about the last time he’d seen Aaron in this state. It was the night after their mother’s funeral. He’d drunk an entire bottle of Jack Daniels by himself. This was serious. “Talk to me. I’m your brother. I love you, man. Don’t leave me in the dark. I want to help.”

“I know you do. And I love you.” Aaron stood. “Join me. Have a drink.”

“Sure, but I’m not letting you off the hook no matter how hard you try to shut me out.”

“I know. You’re the sunny brother. I’m the gloomy brother.” Aaron smiled and trotted off to the kitchen, bouncing off the side of the counter once, a clear indication that the liquor was getting to him.

“You’re not upset about finding me and Gya in bed together, are you?”

“Not at all.” Aaron placed a clean glass in front of him and poured a hefty amount of whiskey into it. Then he refilled his glass and sat back down. “In fact, I would like to propose a toast.” He lifted his glass. “To my brother Kyle and his girlfriend, Gya. May they live long and happy lives together.”

Kyle slammed his glass down on the table. “That’s it, Aaron. You fucking tell me what’s wrong or I swear I’ll rip it out of your throat.”

“Nothing is wrong. I’m happy that you and Gya have found each other.”

Aaron started to lift his glass again, but Kyle grabbed his arm, keeping him from drinking.

“Talk to me. This isn’t like you.”

“Maybe it is. Maybe this is the real me, bro. The asshole brother Strait. Gya deserves someone like you, not like me.”

“Fuck. You’re sounding like an outsider. Someone not from Wilde.”

“I’ve been away a long time, Kyle. Wilde was my home but it isn’t anymore. Not anymore.”

“I’ve seen how you are around Gya. You’re attracted to her. Hell, you even like her despite how you’ve been acting. Tell me that isn’t true.”

Aaron shrugged. “So what if it is true. It doesn’t matter one bit.”

“I like her. You acted like a complete ass when you found us in bed together. She sensed you were pissed. Were you?”

“No. I’m happy for you.” Aaron closed his eyes and sighed. “I really am. It’s what I want.”

Shocked by what he was hearing, he asked, “You want me and her to be together without you?”

“Yes. It’s how it has to be, Kyle.”

“What a load of crap. Our whole life, despite all the hell we suffered, you and I always knew we would have a family together, a woman to love and share. Gya could be the one. I like her very much. Hell, I might even love her. Give her a chance. Don’t pull this shit now.”

“I can’t… It’s not possible.”

“What’s not possible? Having a family with me? Seeing where it could go with Gya? Staying in Wilde? What? Goddamn it, Aaron, I deserve to know the truth.”

“All of it. I can’t have a family with you. I can’t see where it might go with Gya. Yes, she amazing. Yes, I have feelings for her. But it just can never be. Staying in Wilde? No. As soon as we solve this stalker thing, I’m gone. You want SCSS or you don’t. It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s yours to keep running or to close. It’s for the best.”

“This feels just like my high school graduation all over again. You came back after Mom died to make sure I got through school. I’ll always be grateful for that, but the moment I got my diploma you were gone. You ran away.” Kyle took a deep breath. “Here we are again. You’re about to run. Why?”

“Because I’ve got cancer.”

Gya sat on the bed with the crumpled sheets she and Kyle had just been in, listening to Stephanie give the details on the condition of her house in Malibu.

“Thank God, the fire was contained in your formal living room,” Stephanie said. “There is some smoke damage, but I’ve already contacted some contractors who are preparing estimates. Nothing personal was lost. No big deal. I’m sure it will be back to normal in a couple of months, probably less.”

“That’s good to hear.” Her mind wasn’t concerned with her house as much as it was about the two men downstairs.

“I know Aaron said I shouldn’t know where you are, but if you need me to come for any reason, I will.”

“No. I’m fine. I’m safe. In fact, Aaron found out that Scarpelli hasn’t left Chicago for months.”

“Then who in the world could be stalking you if not him?”

“He might still be responsible, according to Aaron. The man is a mobster and might’ve sent one of his men to do his dirty work.”

“I hadn’t thought about that. Are you sure you’re okay, Gya?”

“I’m fine,” she lied.
Actually, my heart is breaking in two. Aaron doesn’t want me. He doesn’t even like me.

“Honey, I can tell something is bothering you. I can hear it in your voice. Talk to me. Don’t shut me out.”

But that was what she did. What she had to do. What she’d done her whole life to survive. “Seriously, I’m okay.” Another lie, but a necessary one. She didn’t want to worry Stephanie, who was the only woman who’d ever treated her like a daughter.

“Gya, we’ve been through so much together. You know you can trust me, don’t you?”

Her mind drifted back to the most horrible night of her life, when Stephanie was still married to the monster. Stephanie had rescued Gya from his clutches.

“I trust you with all my heart, Stephanie. You’re right. I am upset.”

Stephanie listened quietly, as it all came rushing out and tears began to fall.

She told her about everything that had happened since they’d parted at the airport in Houston, including what Kyle had told her about polyamorous relationships. She didn’t hold anything back.

“Gya, never ever put stops on love.”

She wasn’t surprised at Stephanie’s nonchalant point of view of the Wilde way. The woman was the most understanding and accepting person she’d ever known.

“Maybe so, but I screwed up. I slept with Kyle.”

“Honey, why would you think you screwed up? I could already tell that you both had feelings for each other. Isn’t it only natural that you want to be with him?”

“Yes, but what about Aaron? He hates me. And like I told you, he and Kyle are supposed to end up with the same woman.”

“There’s no way that man hates you, Gya. I saw the same look in his eyes that I saw in Kyle’s. I’m not saying there’s not anything wrong, but I know it’s not about you. It’s time for you to have a talk with Aaron.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not? Are you scared? I’ve never known you to be scared about anything.”

“You’re probably right, Stephanie. It’s just that my feelings came on so quickly and I certainly don’t want to push Aaron into something he doesn’t want.”

“That’s why you need to talk to him, sweetie.”

“Okay. I’m going to take your advice and I’m going to do it.”

“That’s my girl. There’s that determination I’ve always known you to have. You deserve a chance at happiness, Gya, more than anyone I know.” Stephanie’s voice trembled a little. The past pain they had in common had healed but clearly hadn’t been forgotten. “I’m hoping you find it in the arms of these two men. They need you, honey. And you need them.”

* * * *

Kyle felt like the whole world was about to collapse.
Cancer? My brother has cancer?
“What kind is it?”

“I know you’re concerned, but I’m tired and a little drunk.” Aaron didn’t look up from his empty glass. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore tonight. Please don’t say anything to Gya about this yet.”

Now he understood why Aaron had reacted the way he had when he’d found them in bed together. “Okay.”

“I’ll tell you everything tomorrow. Deal?”

“No. It’s not a deal. You’re my brother.”

“Yes, I am. And you’re mine. We both know how this goes, Kyle.” Aaron was obviously thinking about what had happened to their mom. He stood and looked him straight in the eyes. “Please give me the space I need right now.”

“Okay. I understand, but know that I’m here for you.”

“I know, bro.” Aaron turned around and left him alone in the kitchen.

Kyle grabbed the bottle and thought about filling his glass, but he didn’t. He needed to keep his head clear.
Aaron has cancer.

He pounded his fists on the table. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

“What’s the matter?” Gya’s eyes were wide. She’d appeared without him being aware of her coming down the stairs. “Is it Aaron?”

“Yes, it has to do with Aaron.”

She looked around. “Where is he?”

“In bed.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“I wish there was, sweetheart. But right now I need some time to think.”

“Okay. I’m tired, too. I’m going to bed, but if you need me, Kyle, don’t hesitate to get me.”

He grabbed her hand. “Thanks, baby. I will.”

She gave him a sweet kiss and then went back upstairs.