Password to Her Heart (13 page)

“Yeah, we’re not going anywhere, Shawna. We’re not leaving you,” Stitch told her.

“We’ve each been where you’re at. The fear of your experience, of not knowing if you were going to live or die, and then wondering how to trust again,” Tex added.

“But we’re a team. One that you’ve become part of, whether you want to acknowledge that right now or not. One team, one unit, one family, and we will be here with you always,” Mercury said.

Lee held her gaze as she looked at him and then the others then backed up toward Tiek. She looked so fragile and petite. Her breasts were wedged up against Tiek’s chest and she held his arms.

“I’m going to need some time. Time to get used to this, time to learn to trust each of you, and time to heal.”

Tiek smiled at her and Lee felt his heart rejoice that at least she wasn’t turning them down flat.

“Good, and while you’re thinking and processing, we’ll be exploring and convincing you that you’re our woman, and we adore you already.” He leaned down and kissed her, and when she reached up to wrap her arms around Tiek’s shoulders and straddle his waist, Lee knew that she was already theirs. They just needed to convince her to let them all inside completely.

A few nights had passed and Shawna just couldn’t seem to stop the nightmares from happening. She lay in the closet, just like every night after one of the men came in to check on her. She would sneak from the bed and cuddle up in the corner. But today had been an emotional day. Keith had a bad day, and the doctors talked about the possibility of him not making it. She cried, even now, thinking about how lost she would be without him. Instantly she thought about the men. Keith’s team, who were caring for her, telling her they wanted her as their woman. She wasn’t certain how that made her feel.

She never thought about having a relationship with one man, never mind multiple. She knew plenty of couples that did engage in ménage relationships, but she had always been so distrustful, she couldn’t imagine herself in their shoes. Like Tiek, Tex, and Mercury had said, the attraction between the five of them was there. Meeting the way they did was circumstantial, yet she still felt like an obligation. Perhaps over time, as she got to know them more, she would be able to let them make love to her, and she could slowly let them into her heart. But tonight that heart was heavy. She couldn’t stop shaking, and every time she closed her eyes, she saw Cuadrone.

She was exhausted but once again she would have a sleepless night because of her need for independence and to not rely on anyone.

“Shawna?”

She heard a male voice, but the closet door was closed. She knew she was busted, but tried not to panic. If she didn’t respond, whoever it was would tear the house down to find her.

She didn’t have to get up. The door opened and the large shadow appeared.

“Shawna, are you in here again?” Mercury, the man in charge, asked her.

She swallowed hard. “I’m fine. Please just go.”

“Have you been sleeping here every night? I thought you only slept in here the night of the big storm.” He knelt down on the floor. She could hardly make out his face it was so dark. Yet he spoke to her as if he had night vision. He was a Marine. Maybe he had special eyes. Marines were not like other soldiers.

She felt the shiver of awareness fill her gut. Mercury was a sexy, older man. Freud would have a field day with her.

“Come on with me.”

“No. I’m fine here. I’m safe here.”

“You’re safe with me.” He reached for her and started to pull the comforter when she snagged it back.

“I’m fine where I am. Please, Mercury, just leave me.”

“No. You’re scared, probably having nightmares, and you didn’t tell us. I’m upset with you, so move it now,” he demanded.

He was so commanding and lethal. Plus he was big, with lots of muscles and even a tattoo on his arm.

He also didn’t take no for an answer. He squatted down closer, lifted her and her bundle of comforter up into his arms, and carried her out of the closet.

As he placed her on the bed, she began to reprimand him and tell him that she would only head back into the closet when he left, when instead, he tucked her under the covers and joined her.

“What are you doing?” she asked, breath shallow and shaky.

He reached under the sheets, pulled her close so that her back was against his chest, and then fixed the comforter above them. She felt his long, thick cock against her ass, and the powerful muscles in his thighs leaned against her calves and thighs. He was made of pure steel, solid yet warm instead of cold.

“Now close your eyes and sleep. I’ll protect you,” he whispered, wrapping his arm around her midsection before snuggling into the pillow.

“You don’t have to do this.”

“I want to. Now close your eyes and sleep,” he said. Which was nearly impossible to do. She wore a light tank top again, and this time only panties, too intimate for a man to be snuggled up against.

“You’re like a little heater. You’re so hot,” he whispered. She wondered what he meant, but then he pulled from her a moment, pulled off his shirt, and tossed it. Bare skin to bare skin, how was she going to fall asleep like this?

“Stop worrying. Nothing is going to happen. At least not anything you don’t initiate or want. Rest up.”

She closed her eyes and absorbed the feel of his embrace. Just one night, maybe it would help her.

* * * *

Tex stood by the computer looking at the information that his buddy Sully “Sandman” Sandstone sent him early this morning. He was an investigator and federal agent working on special cases for the government. He knew what happened to Keith and his sister, and was keeping Tex abreast of the search for Chavez.

“I got the e-mail up now. Looks like they think he’s out of the country,” Tex stated over the cell phone.

“That’s a definite. The agents aren’t sure where, but through informants it appears Chavez had an associate, a business partner who resides in Brazil. But this guy has homes all over the place. He’s a wealthy man.”

“Brazil? That came up before in regards to the terrorists who wanted the documents to create that missile. I don’t like the sound of this. Are the feds still being aggressive in the search for Chavez?” Tex asked.

“To be honest, my contacts say no. They got the missile, the thumb drives, Montoya, and the other terrorists, so it’s a done deal,” Sandman stated.

“Shit. I would feel a hell of a lot better knowing that asshole was captured or six feet under.”

“I hear ya. Listen, the guys and everyone at Casper’s are praying for Keith. Any news on his condition?”

Tex ran his fingers through his hair. “Not a thing has changed. Tell everyone we appreciate the prayers. Keith sure can use them.”

“And how is Shawna? I can’t believe he had a sister and none of you knew that.”

“Well, Lee did, but was sworn to secrecy. Keith wanted to keep her safe. They had a tough life.”

“Is she feeling better and recovering from her injuries?”

“She’s doing a lot better. The last two weeks have been good. The bruises on her face are fading and the ones on her ribs are looking better. She’s a tough one.”

“She’s a very attractive young woman. The five of you have been really taking good care of her. I’m certain Keith will appreciate that when he is finally up and about again.”

“She’s amazing. She deserves a lot better than what’s been dished out to her. That’s for sure.”

Tex was quiet as he thought about how much better things seemed to be getting. She was talking to them more, but still holding back.

“She does, and I hope the five of you are in this for the long haul,” Sandman said.

“I’d say you don’t need to worry, but it’s Shawna that needs the convincing.”

Sandman chuckled. “I totally understand. Believe me, it wasn’t easy to earn Grace’s trust, but we were all honest with her, and that seemed to slowly ease her mind. Good luck, and I’ll keep on top of this.”

“Please do, Sandman. I don’t want any surprises. Like I said, Shawna’s been through enough.”

“Enough said. Talk to you soon.”

Tex hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair. He had a few more hours of work before he could head home. He missed Shawna. He couldn’t wait to see her. He stared at the computer screen. He’d feel a hell of a lot better if Chavez was behind bars. He just didn’t like the feeling he had.

* * * *

Mercury watched Shawna as she jerked awake for the third time since they left the hospital. She was exhausted. She seemed intimidated by him and wouldn’t lean on him to rest. Which was crazy since a few nights ago they slept together in her bed. He couldn’t believe she was sleeping in the closet out of fear. It bothered him and he would need to confront her about it. It was a bit of a ride back to the ranch, so he tried convincing her to rest against him.

“Darlin’, I don’t bite. Come on over here and rest on my shoulder.”

She glanced at him. He could see the circles under her eyes and it concerned him. While she was with Keith, Mercury asked the doctor if there was anything she could take to maybe help her sleep peacefully. He explained that he already gave her stuff, but thought she may have not taken them yet.

“I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not. You’re exhausted. Have you been sleeping at night? Are you still hiding in that closet?” he inquired.

She gave him a look and then turned away from him and clasped her hands on her lap. He wasn’t sure if he should push her for answers, which was a first for him. He usually didn’t give a shit what people thought or how they felt. If he wanted answers, he got answers.

“Are you taking the sleeping pills the doctor gave you?”

She swung her head to look at him and he could see her anxiety She was damn sexy even fired up. “Talking about me behind my back?” she snapped.

“Worrying about you and wondering what you’re hiding. Why haven’t you taken the pills?”

“I don’t need them. I stopped all the other stuff so I don’t need the sleeping pills. I’m just tired, Mercury. It’s emotional hanging out at the hospital and not getting any news, good or bad, about Keith’s condition.”

He reached over and covered her hands with his. “I know that, honey. I didn’t mean to sound uncaring. I’m just worried about you. I want you feeling better. Maybe we should set up that meeting with Spocko. He’s a really nice guy, easy to talk to.”

“No. I don’t want to talk to some therapist. I just want to deal with it myself. I’m fine, Mercury.”

“Well, I think otherwise.”

She swung her head toward him. “I’m not one of your soldiers. You can’t order me around or make me do something I don’t want to do. I’m fine, so just butt out.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest and stared out the window.

Mercury was pissed off. Never had anyone spoken to him like this, and he didn’t know how to handle it. He cared for Shawna and he would do anything to help her heal. He turned the SUV off onto the shoulder, threw it in park, and reached for her.

“You have got the worse damn temper for such a petite little thing. I care about you, damn it. I want you to trust me and the others. You’re making this difficult and I’m starting to get pissed off.”

“Oh really, well who cares if the gunnery sergeant gets pissed off?” she replied, pressing closer. He held her gaze, saw the fire in her blue eyes, and he lost it. It had taken the patience and willpower of a saint not to sink his cock into her virgin folds the other night when he held her in bed. But now was a different story. Reaching up under her hair and neck, he pulled her toward him and kissed her deeply. At first she gripped his forearms and tried pulling back, but then she eased closer and somehow wound up straddling his waist.

Thank the Lord for tinted windows, or he would be in a hell of a lot of trouble right now.

He stroked his tongue deeper, heard her soft moans, and then felt her hands maneuver under his shirt and against his pectoral muscles. He explored her, too, caressing his hands up her thighs under the skirt she wore and straight to her hips. He gave them a squeeze and she gasped. She pulled back, holding his shoulders, blue sparkling eyes and breasts overflowing from her top, and he knew he was done for.

“What the hell just happened?” she asked him.

He used his thumbs to caress against her mound while still holding her hips. “You just earned yourself a spanking, darling. Nobody denies an order from me. Never.”

He pulled her closer, caressing over her ass cheeks as she lifted up and kissed him. He trailed a finger down the crack of her ass and pressed another finger under her panties to her cunt. She moaned and shook, coming in his arms before he squeezed her to him.

“When I get you home, you’d better be ready for that punishment, ya hear?” he asked her, his own voice shaking with anticipation.

She pulled back, breathing shallow, lips moist from their kissing, and held his gaze. “You have to catch me first.”

* * * *

Lee and Stitch heard the screaming and laughter and then the door slam.