To Protect His Mate (7 page)

“She’s awake, but she’s scared.”
And she doesn’t want me near her,
he thought to himself.

“Well, of course, she’s scared. Who wouldn’t be?” Adam piped up.

“She’s strong, Abraham. Just keep an open mind, and listen to whatever she tells you.” Erik’s comment drew confused gazes from Adam and Ethan but earned him a dark glare from Abraham.

“She just asked me to leave the room, so I doubt that we’ll be having any deep conversations anytime soon.”

“Actually, she
is
ready to talk to you,” Sarah announced from the doorway, “but let me tell you something first,” she said as she made her way over to stand before him. “When you go in there, be supportive. What she has to say is difficult and painful for her. Let her go at her own pace, and don’t rush her or ask a bunch of questions.”

The men all glanced to Abraham. Listening wasn’t an issue for him; it was emotions he sucked at, and he knew from Sarah’s warning that this would be an intense conversation.

“I gave her some morphine from your bag, per her instructions, so she’ll be comfortable. She’s asking for you now, so you’d better go before she ends up asleep again.”

“She was afraid of me.” He still couldn’t get over the smell of her fear, and the fact that it was due to him.

“No, she was afraid of your expression. You’ve had a furious look on your face since you first laid eyes on her at the creek. While I know that you aren’t mad at her, she thinks you’re angry because she didn’t tell you about her problems.”

“What problems?” Why didn’t she trust him enough to tell him about them?

“Go talk to her. She’s ready to tell you everything now. Don’t make her regret it.”

The warning was crystal clear, and the look in Sarah’s glowing amber eyes promised serious consequences if he didn’t tread lightly. Not that he was scared of Sarah. She was a fighter, and a damn good one at that, but she wouldn’t be able to take him in a real battle. He was enough of a gentleman he usually allowed her to best him in their little sparring matches, but not always. What worried him now was that Sarah felt the need to threaten him over this situation.

What could Stephanie possibly tell him that warranted the warning Sarah was throwing at him? There was only one way to find out.

When he reached the room, he found Stephanie propped up on some pillows and gazing at the fingers knotted in her lap. He didn’t need his heightened senses to tell him she was nervous.

Unable to tolerate the distance any longer, Abraham strode to the bedside and gently pulled her into his arms. She came willingly, a soft sob escaping her as she snuggled into his chest. Drawing a deep breath, taking comfort in her scent, Abraham kissed the top of her head and confessed, “I’ve never been so scared in all my life.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“No. There’s nothing you could have done, babe, so don’t apologize.”

“I should have told you. Sarah has harped on me and pressured me to tell you, but I’m stubborn and wanted to take care of things myself.” Stephanie sniffled before pushing back to look up at him with red-rimmed eyes. “I’m ready to tell you everything now.”

“All right, but do you mind if I hold you while you talk? I still need to check your arm, too.”

“Sarah used the Derma-bond in your case to close the gash, and I had her put some steri-strips over that to ensure it doesn’t pull open,” she explained lifting her injured arm for him to see. “I would really like it if you’d hold me though.”

“Let me slip my shoes off, and I’ll climb up there next to you. I want you to be comfortable.”

“I just hope I manage to tell you everything before the morphine kicks in and I fall asleep.” A jaw-splitting yawn followed, and Abraham smiled down at her.

“You’ve had an exceptionally hard day, so I think you’re entitled to a little rest, but let’s see what you can tell me.” He settled against the pillows, held out his arms and smiled as she curled into his side.

He loved this woman so much. In fact, he couldn’t even put into words the depth of his feelings. How did you measure something that all-consuming? He knew she needed to hear him tell her that, and he wanted her to feel secure enough to confide in him, to trust him completely.

Stephanie’s emotions battered him. Nervousness, fear, hope, love, fear.

He hugged her close, kissed her temple. “Stephanie, you have to know what you mean to me, right? I love you, sweetheart, so much it actually scares me.”

She sniffed and half-crawled atop him.

“Don’t cry, please,” he softly said.

Her emotions flickered so erratically he couldn’t decipher what her reaction was.

“I love you, too,” she croaked. “Oh, God, Abe, I’m so sorry. I’ve been so selfish and insecure. I tried to hide when I’ve really needed your strength and comfort so much.”

“You have it, Steph. You always will.” He gently lifted her chin and brushed a kiss across her lips. “Now, how about we discuss what’s been bothering you lately then we’ll work up to the men who were chasing you.”

“It’s pretty much all related, but I’ll start at the beginning.” Stephanie took a few deep breaths, obviously collecting her thoughts, then blurted, “Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of my daughter’s death.”

Abraham stilled, not even breathing.

“Just listen for a minute, Abe, because this is something I don’t care to discuss in length. It’s too painful.” At his nod, she continued. “I thought I was in love. Randy and I had dated for almost a year before I became pregnant. We’d never covered the topic of children, but his reaction to the news was devastating. He accused me of getting pregnant on purpose. He made it painfully clear he wanted no part of being a father, so I informed him he was free to go. I had a good job, was more than capable of raising a child on my own and refused to have him involved with a child he didn’t even want.”

“Bastard,” Abraham growled.

“Pretty much. I’ve not laid eyes on him since then…not even after the accident,” she put up her hand, obviously knowing he was about to ask about something. “I’m getting to that,” she stated. “I worked at the main hospital in the city under Dr. Greene. We were assigned to a case for a young man who’d been severely beaten and had been placed in a medically induced coma, due to the swelling on his brain. He was the key witness in a murder trial and had been guarded since the day of his arrival.

“Dr. Greene acted more and more stressed as the time drew near to reverse the meds and wake up the patient. When the day finally arrived, I found him at the bedside pushing a medication into the man’s IV. Apparently, I’d startled him because he dropped the vial, which rolled to my feet. It was insulin.”

“And that’s bad?” Abraham asked.

“It is if you’re not diabetic. Not to mention the dose he gave was enough to kill a horse! Anyway, I hit the code button on the wall, and the guards and nurses swarmed in. He never had a chance to run, and after I gave my statement to the guards—who were actually police officers—Dr. Greene was arrested on the spot and carted off to jail.”

“And the witness?”

“He didn’t make it. The vial was empty, so I’m guessing he gave the entire thing. When the man coded, we worked for over an hour to get him back, but in the end, there was nothing we could do. Of course, I had to testify against the doctor, and that’s when the threats started.”

Chapter Eight

Stephanie shivered and was grateful when Abraham held her closer. He was so strong and warm, and she drew strength from the comfort he gave.

“At first, they were insults and small acts of vandalism, but when they began to escalate, I had to involve the police again.”

“That’s exactly what you should have done,” Abraham said, agreeing with her decision.

“The only problem was the police weren’t able to track the threats because the men were using prepaid cell phones then dumping them. I’d already decided to move when the accident happened.

“I’d left work and was driving toward my new apartment just outside the city limits when my brakes failed, and I skidded off the road. I hit a tree head-on, and the next thing I knew I was in a hospital bed. The first thing that registered was the pain, and when I reached for my stomach…I just lost it.”

Stephanie’s voice broke, and she paused to collect herself before continuing. Abraham must have understood. He remained silent but gently rubbed her back.

“They said she was killed instantly. I was only six weeks from my due date, and I had everything I needed. Crib, clothes, bottles, diapers, the whole nine yards. I ended up donating it all to the hospital. I just couldn’t stand to look at it.”

Stephanie looked up into Abraham’s face, noting the sympathy and love shining in the depths of his eyes, and she felt the first tear fall. “I never got to hold her, Abe,” she sobbed. “I never got to tell her how much I love her or even kiss her little cheek. She was just…gone.”

“They didn’t let you see her?”

“I was out of it for days, only waking for brief moments before slipping under again. The nurse, once I’d calmed and become more rational, explained it was better if I didn’t see her. She’d been crushed inside of me.”

“I’m so sorry, Stephanie. Sweetheart, I would take this from you if I could. I don’t ever want to see you hurt.” His voice was soft and soothing, and Stephanie cuddled into his chest, trying to wrestle her emotions under control.

“Until yesterday, I’d thought it was an accident. Those bastards sent flowers with a card that held a photograph.” She sniffed. “It was of me…in the car. I was smashed between the seat and the steering wheel. There was so much blood everywhere.” She shuddered. “They must have thought I was dead, maybe taking the photo for proof. Who knows?”

“So these are the same men who are after you now?”

If she wasn’t mistaken, his tone implied he
wanted
it to be the same men. “I think so. How else would they have the photograph?”

“Good because I’d like to have a little chat with them before the police have a chance to apprehend them. I’ve got a few connections, so I’ll see what I can do,” he promised.

“I’ve been getting phone calls, too. From the prison,” she confessed.

“The one the doctor is in?”

She nodded.

“How is he managing that?”

“I don’t know. My phone number isn’t even listed, so he shouldn’t have been able to get it.”

Abraham felt as if he was being torn apart. The things she’d endured alone were staggering. All of the physical and emotional pain she obviously still dealt with left him in awe of the woman who was now his, and he vowed she’d never again have to suffer through her sorrows alone.

It was painfully clear some of her pain stemmed from the lack of closure with her child. An idea formed as to a way to offer her just that, and he hoped like hell it proved true.

As for these phone calls, that sounded like a corrupted guard. He’d find out soon enough. It wouldn’t be too hard to find the guy, and with just a few inquiries, he would do just that.

With his military training and his undercover work for the government, Abraham had garnered a healthy list of influential contacts. After just a few well-placed calls, he’d know the name of the prison, the cell number, any cellmates and the guards assigned to Greene’s watch. Hell, he could find out what the man had for lunch and when he’d taken his last dump if he wanted.

Stephanie shifted against him and winced, bringing his attention back to the vivid bruising on her upper chest and along her side. The undershirt of his she now wore covered the marks, but he’d glimpsed them while Sarah had removed Stephanie’s wet clothing earlier.

“Where did those bruises come from, Stephanie?” he asked. “And please don’t tell me that you got them from moving furniture before the storm.”

“I never said that I got them
from
moving stuff. I said that it was
while
we were moving things,” she stressed. “It’s from paintballs.”

“I’m not following you. Why were you two playing with paintballs?”

The puzzled look he wore would have been comical if she wasn’t so certain that her answer would lead to an explosion. “We weren’t playing with paintballs. We were moving furniture when a black car drove by and slowed down. Sarah was walking backwards, and I shoved the coffee table at her when I saw the gun barrel.” He tensed beneath her, and she sighed, resigning herself to yet another lecture. “Don’t worry, though. Seeing Sarah that pissed off was a really scary thing. I thought she would kick my ass for a minute there. Her eyes were almost glowing.”

“You could have been killed!” he snarled.

“I know,” she whispered.

Stephanie knew that he was upset with her, was probably mad as hell, actually, so she pulled her aching body away from his. The morphine was kicking in, making her movements sluggish as she began to droop. Perhaps she’d taken a bit too much since she rarely ever took narcotics of any sort.

“Whoa, where are you going?” Abraham scooped her up and had her sprawled over his chest in but a moment. “Your eyes are really dilated, honey. Are you okay?”

“I don’t ever take narcotics.” She knew that her words were pretty slurred, but she was so tired now. “You’re mad. Just leave me here, and I’ll sleep. You don’t have to stay.”

Abraham sighed and brushed a soft kiss over her lips. It felt really nice. “I’m not mad at you, I’m upset over this situation.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Abe.” Everything was so heavy now. It was all she could do to stay afloat with the darkness pulling at her, offering a peaceful reprieve.

“Go to sleep, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere.”

As if her body had only awaited his permission, she dropped off into a deep slumber.

Chapter Nine

Abraham awoke a few hours later to the feeling of being watched. Keeping his eyes closed and his breathing even, he opened his senses and noted the strong scent of wolf…and Adam.

Stephanie was laying on her back now, one arm across her middle while the other rested on the pillow beside her head. He was loath to wake her, so he slowly shifted until he could rise without disturbing her rest.