Becca Van (7 page)

Janie moaned and tried to open her eyes. They felt like they were glued shut. Her whole body ached, but her face felt like it was bruised and swollen. Reaching up, she gently placed her fingers to her eyes and winced when they throbbed.

“Easy, baby, don’t touch your face. You’ll only hurt yourself.”

“Wolf?” she asked softly.

“Yeah, baby, I’m here. How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve been hit by a truck. What happened?”

“Don’t you remember, Janie?” Wolf asked, his voice now closer to her than it had been.

“What’s wrong with my eyes? Why can’t I see?”

“You were beaten, baby. Your eyes are swollen shut. God, I’m so sorry you were hurt.” Wolf’s voice rasped in a low, deep timbre, betraying his sensitivity to her pain.

“Oh God. There was someone in my apartment. I tried to fight him, but he was too strong. He drugged me,” Janie sobbed.

She flinched slightly when arms wrapped around her then sighed as Wolf’s familiar scent as well as his hard, muscular arms surrounded her.

“Shh, it’s all right, baby. You’re safe now,” Wolf crooned as he slid onto the bed beside her, enveloping her in his warmth when he lay at her side. Reaching up, her hands encountered his hard chest, and she snuggled into him as her tears flowed. She sobbed out all the fear and pain she had felt at the hands of strangers and for the fact she had left and could have died before she had declared the love she hadn’t known she felt for the three Garman brothers.

Finally, when the tears abated, she became aware of Wolf stroking her head and whispering to her.

“You’re okay now, baby. No one is going to hurt you again. You’re safe, Janie.”

“I’m sorry,” Janie sighed as the fear and tension she had been experiencing finally left her.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, baby. Just lie back and rest. I’ve organized for a cab to take us home. You’ll be safe there.”

“Are we going to your home?”

“Yes, baby. You’re coming back where you belong, but don’t you worry, we won’t pressure you, Janie.”

“I know you won’t. I’m sorry, I’ve been such a coward.” She snuggled into Wolf’s chest and hugged him tighter.

“What do you mean by that, baby?”

“I should never have left. I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough to stand up for what I wanted.” Janie felt Wolf tense.

“And what is it you want, Janie?” His voice was deep and gravelly.

“I want you, Seton, and Lander. I love you all so much.” Janie gasped with a hitch in her voice. “I was so worried about what my parents would think that I took the coward’s way out and let you send me home. I should have stood up for what I wanted and not cared what others thought, but I couldn’t bring myself to hurt my parents.

“It turns out they knew I had feelings for all of you anyway,” she sighed. “My mother asked me how my men were. It was such a weight from my shoulders, and I felt so free. I was going to head back to the stud in the morning, but I didn’t get the chance.”

“Well, you’ll get all the chances you want now, baby. I love you, too, Janie. God, you don’t know how much.” Wolf’s voice was husky with emotion.

“Oh, I have a pretty good idea.”
Since I feel the same
. “When can we go home?”

Another voice spoke, startling her. “You can go as soon as you like, young lady.”

“The doctor,” Wolf whispered.

The doctor went on, “You will need to rest for the next week, until the drug you were given is out of your system and of course until you can see again. You’re going to need help for a few days though.”

“She’ll have all the help she needs,” Wolf stated and gently eased her from his arms.

“Since you have medical training I’ll know she’s in good hands, but don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions.”

“Thanks, doctor.”

“Yes, thank you, doctor,” Janie said gratefully.

“Okay, let’s get you dressed and out of here,” Wolf said and helped Janie sit up. She found it hard to let him help her dress, but since she didn’t even know where her clothes were she had no choice.

“How long do you think it will be before the swelling around my eyes goes down and I’ll be able to see again?” Janie asked.

“A couple of days at most, baby. Don’t worry about it. We’ll be there to help you,” Wolf stated and kissed her gently on the lips. “Okay, you’re good to go.”

Janie was wobbly on her feet and was thankful she could lean on Wolf. He wrapped an arm around her waist and led her from the room. When they were outside, she breathed deeply and lifted her face to the cool breeze.

“Who’s here to pick us up?”

“No one, baby. We should get back home about the same time as the others. We’re going home by cab.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Here we are. Let me help you into the taxi. Duck your head, baby,” Wolf said, guiding her into the vehicle.

She scooted across the seat, making room for him to get in, and sighed when she felt the seat depress with his weight. Hands reached for her, pulling her up close to his side, and she slumped against him, snuggling into him. Even though she had been to hell and back in the last twenty-four hours, she felt at peace for the first time since she had been attacked and kidnapped the previous night.

Janie was so tired she didn’t think she would be able to stay awake. She hadn’t thought to ask where they were, and as the thought coalesced, she sighed and inhaled Wolf’s scent. It didn’t really matter where she was anymore, just where she was going.

* * * *

Wolf felt content for the first time since they had let Janie go. Inside he raged over what she had been through, but she was going to be fine physically, and hopefully she would be well mentally, too. He wanted to ask her about her ordeal and what she had suffered at the hands of kidnappers, but he didn’t want to push too hard and upset her any more than she already was. Knowing eventually she would want to talk if she actually remembered what she had been through, he vowed to be there for her. Looking down at her when she sighed in her sleep, he pulled her tighter against his side. She mewled and rubbed her cheek against his chest. Sighing, he closed his eyes and inhaled her familiar clean, feminine scent.

They would be home soon, and he knew Seton and Lander would be waiting for them. Seton was more controlling out of the three of them, and Wolf knew his older brother was going to have a hard time toning it down while Janie was recovering. Lander was going to be just as diligent in helping to take care of Janie, and God knows he was probably going to be a pain in her ass, too. Janie was used to kind, loving parents, not hard-nosed, dominant men. Even though she wasn’t as feisty as Brooke, Wolf knew that she would eventually get sick of three grown men giving her orders even if they were given for her own safety and care.

The cab slowed, turned into the drive, and finally stopped before the house he shared with his brothers. Just as he had imagined them, Wolf saw Seton and Lander waiting for them on the veranda and sipping from mugs. Seton glanced up and searched the car for their woman. When Seton’s gaze alighted onto Janie asleep against him and her swollen, bruised face, Wolf saw his brother’s body grow taut with fury. He knew his brother too well not to know that blank mask on his face was a precursor to rage, as was the tightly clenched jaw and flexing fists. Seton leapt off the top of the porch and strode determinedly to the cab.

Wolf wasn’t surprised when the door to the vehicle was opened quietly, because even though his brother was in a rage over the condition of their woman, he very rarely let himself lose command. Seton was a control freak of the first order, and no one had ever been able to make him lose that famous control. Even though he and his brothers had argued over the years, Seton had never ever lost his cool. His voice would go quiet and his eyes would ice over, but never had Wolf heard his older brother raise his voice. Wolf wondered if he would ever let go of that tight restraint he always held himself in.

Seton drew in a ragged breath and lifted his eyes to Wolf’s.

“Don’t wake her. Bring her into the house,” Seton commanded quietly.

Maneuvering Janie carefully, so as not to wake her or jolt her bruised body, he eased her up into the cradle of his arms and slid out of the cab. Lander had followed Seton out to the car, and his younger brother paid off the cab driver before leading the way up the steps to the door. Without saying a word, Wolf passed Lander by and continued down the hall, being careful his precious bundle came nowhere near the doors or the walls.

The covers had been pulled back, ready for her, and Wolf placed her on the bed and removed the socks one of the nurses had given to Janie to keep her feet warm. When he tried to pull away from her, she whimpered in her sleep and clung to his neck. Gently, he pried her arms from him and covered her with the quilt. With a last look down at her, he brushed the hair back from her face, lightly kissed her forehead, and turned away. Lander and Seton were standing just inside the door to her room, watching with frowns marring their features.

Wolf led the way out to the kitchen and reached for the coffeepot. He was about to get an inquisition and wanted to be alert to answer all his brothers’ questions. After being in the hospital with Janie, he knew some of the answers but not all of them. Turning to the table, he took a seat, and no sooner had his ass hit the chair than Seton pounced.

“What was done to her? What was she given? Was she raped? Does she remember anything?”

“One question at a time, Seton. I don’t know much more than you do at the moment, but I can tell you Janie wasn’t sexually abused, at least not to the extent that would show up in the examination the doctor gave her. She has bruises all over her face, as you saw, and her eyes are swollen shut. Her ribs, stomach, legs, and arms are all bruised.”

“What about the drug?” Lander asked.

“The drug in her system was morphine, but only enough to keep her out of it, not enough to harm her,” Wolf answered. “I don’t know what they did to her other than beat on her. She may not remember anything, or her recollection might be hazy.”

“She hasn’t said anything?” Seton demanded.

“She woke up this morning crying and whimpering in her sleep, but when I asked about her dream she said she couldn’t remember.”

“Fuck, I hate this,” Seton stated icily. “If we hadn’t let her go, she wouldn’t be in the state she’s in. God, she has to be in so much pain, and it’s all
our
fault
.”

“We did everything we could under the circumstances, Seton. We tried to keep her safe. She wasn’t ready for us,” Wolf replied calmly. “We made some terrible mistakes with trying to build a relationship with Janie, but we aren’t to blame for her condition. Smith and his people are. You didn’t lay into her with your fists, so stop feeling guilty about that.”

“She was under our protection, for fuck’s sake,” Seton snapped. “Of course I feel guilty. We aren’t letting her out of our sight. There is no way in hell I’m letting her go again. I don’t give a flying fuck what her parents think about us. She’s ours.” Seton slammed his fist down on the table.

Wolf stared at his brother in surprise. That was the only time he had ever seen Seton close to losing control, and he felt a smile tugging at his lips, but he controlled the urge. He knew his brother was going to push Janie too far once she was feeling well again, and he for one couldn’t wait for the sparks to fly.

Janie felt the hands on her arm and the needle slide into her flesh. Whimpering with fear when she felt the putrid, moist breath on her cheek, she cringed away, but already she felt the drug permeating her blood. Even as the drug spread throughout her body, she could hear that voice close to her ear.

“You are going to feel so much pain. First I’ll cut you open right down the middle. Then I’m going to pull out your liver, kidneys, and spleen. And then, when you don’t think you can take any more, I’ll cut out your heart. You won’t be able to do a thing about it. Your screams will be music to my ears.” The voice was so cold and calculatingly evil that Janie felt sick to her stomach. With the last reserves of her strength, she swung her arm with all her might. Her hand connected with his head, and he growled at her. But then, to Janie’s horror, he laughed. Her attempt had been so feeble, even she knew it was pathetic, but she had to try. She couldn’t let him cut her up without at least trying to fight. Just as the laughter faded, a fist landed on her face. She opened her mouth and screamed long and loud. Surely someone would hear her and alert the authorities. Surely someone would rescue her.
Please, God, help me
were her last thoughts as consciousness faded.

Janie became aware of her hands flailing and connected with solid flesh. She sobbed as she fought the hold and opened her mouth to scream. Just as the first sound rent the air, she heard the voices calling to her, and the noise diminished as she listened.

“Janie, it’s all right, sugar. You’re safe with us, honey. Come on, wake up, sweetheart.”

Slowly, the voice penetrated into her mind, and she relaxed against the comforting warmth surrounding her. The tension left her body, and she slumped down, totally exhausted. She was safe. The scent surrounding her was familiar. Breathing in deeply, she forced her eyelids open a crack. Her vision was blurry, but she was able to see silhouettes.

“Are you okay, baby?” Wolf asked from nearby.

“Yes. Sorry, I was dreaming.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, darlin’,” Lander stated with conviction. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“Yeah, just tired. I can’t believe how tired I am,” Janie replied with a sigh.

“Do you want to go back to sleep, sugar?” Seton asked. His voice was virtually on top of her, prompting her to realize it was his lap beneath her, his arms wrapped around her, his hard chest warming her side.

“No. I want to get up. I’m hungry.”

“Why don’t you take a shower, baby, and while you get cleaned up we’ll see what we can rustle up?” Wolf suggested.

“Oh, I don’t have any of my things here. I don’t have anything to wear,” she mumbled dejectedly.

“Your things have been sent for, sugar, but until then you can wear some of our clothes. Okay?” Seton asked.

“Okay.”

“Come on then, I’ll help you.” Seton rose to his feet, taking her with him.

“I can shower by myself. I just need help getting to the bathroom,” Janie said.

“I know you can, Janie, but I don’t want you hurting yourself by knocking into something or slipping over,” Seton replied and then set her on her feet. He kept his hands on her waist until she was steady, and then she heard the shower start. Next hands were on her, divesting her of her clothes. She opened her mouth to argue but closed her lips, knowing it was futile and Seton would have his way. Plus it would take her twice as long to do everything, since she couldn’t see. Sighing with frustration, she lifted her arms in silent compliance and hoped her eyes would hurry the hell up and heal. She hated feeling so damn helpless, even if it did mean she had a reason to stay close to Seton.

When she was naked, Seton guided her into the shower stall and climbed in after her. His chest rubbed against her back, and she realized that he was naked. What she wouldn’t give to be able to see right now. Her breath hitched in her throat as she envisaged his muscular physique, and she cursed mentally once more. She so wanted to be able to open her eyes, turn around, and drink in the sight of him. There would be time enough for that later, she knew, but damn, she hated missed opportunities.

“Tip your head back, Janie,” Seton commanded quietly after her hair was wet. “I don’t want to get shampoo into your eyes.”

She did as she was told and groaned when he began to wash her hair. Janie loved having her scalp massaged and sighed when her body began to relax from his ministrations. All the tension left her. When he’d finished, he rinsed her hair thoroughly and then used the conditioner. She bit her lip when his hands began to smooth over her skin as he washed her, because he was beginning to make her body yearn. Her muscles softened even more as his hands ran over her breasts, ribs, stomach, and lower still. She couldn’t prevent a moan from escaping as he washed her pussy and down over her thighs. Shifting slightly, she sighed and wiggled her hips when she felt his hard cock pressing into the small of her back.

He ignored her invitation and turned her around to face him to wash her back. Janie wanted to scream with frustration but knew that wouldn’t get her anywhere.
Come on, girl, use your head as well as your body. You love these men, and you aren’t letting them get away from you again.

Moving forward, she slumped against Seton’s chest. Her breasts felt swollen and her nipples were hard little nubs, so sensitive to the hair on his chest abrading the tips. Without thought, she wrapped her hand around his hot, hard flesh. He flinched, the muscles in his body growing tauter, but he just continued washing her as if she didn’t have her hand on his cock.

Okay, Mr. Macho Man, let’s see how long you can ignore me.
Janie gripped his cock harder and began to run her hand up and down the length of his shaft. She knew he wasn’t indifferent to her. She could hear him panting, and he was as tense as a spring. But still he ignored her.
Well, I’ll just see about that, buster.

Janie quickly dropped to her knees and took the head of his cock into her mouth. She gave a semblance of a smile when he groaned and was about to take him deeper, but he grabbed her under her arms and pulled her to her feet.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“I would have thought that was obvious.”

“Don’t get sassy with me, sugar. You might bite off more than you can chew,” he warned.

“Maybe I want to.”

“God, Janie, you can’t even see. How can you think of sex when you’re still hurting?”

“I don’t hurt that much.”

“I’m not letting you do something that could end up getting you hurt, sugar,” Seton stated and turned the water off. “Come on, let’s get you dried off and dressed. You need food and rest.”

“I’m okay, Seton.” Janie exhaled with exasperation. “I’m sorry I was so confused before, but I’m not anymore.”

“Well, that’s good to hear, sugar, but you aren’t going to do anything but rest until you’re one hundred percent healthy again.”

Janie sighed with resignation. Seton could be such a hard ass sometimes, and she could hear the determination in his voice, so she decided not to push anymore for now. But she would get her way if it was the last thing she did. Now that she had come to terms with her feelings, her love for the three men, nothing was going to stop her from having them.