Page 11

Dana

T o say I was mildly unhappy when I awoke was an understatement. My shoulder felt like it was on fire, and I was cramped from lying on the sofa. As I sat up, a moan escaped, caused by the pain. Within seconds, Ezra was at my side and helping me sit up. Sharp fire shot down my arm, and I hissed even as Ezra pressed painkillers into my palm.

“Swallow them, babe; they’re the strongest I could find,” Ezra said as I shoved them into my mouth, and he handed me a glass of water.

I swallowed and blinked.

“How long have I been asleep?” I asked.

“A couple of hours. You were so tired, you completely crashed.”

“Sorry,” I whispered.

Crap, my throat hurt alongside my arm, and I sipped some more water.

“Don’t be; you needed the rest. Rage is two hours away, with Hawthorne following closely. Help will be here soon. Babe, how do you feel?”

“Shocked and in pain. How did the Fangs find us there?”

“Baby girl, I don’t think they were Fangs. None wore a cut.”

Puzzled, I stared at Ezra. Not Fangs? Then who the hell would want to attack us?

“That makes no sense.”

“Yeah, I know. The assholes moved like professionals. I made the mistake of thinking they were Fangs and nearly lost us both. Honestly, I’ve got no idea who they were, but they paid the price,” Ezra stated.

A flash of my knife sliding into the guy’s throat and then blood gushing over my hand made me flinch. Tears formed as I recalled the noises as he’d choked, and I winced. Ezra’s arms came around me, holding me tightly as he seemed to guess my thoughts.

“Baby, it was you or him. There was no choice. You chose right,” Ezra soothed, stroking my back.

“The sounds he made,” I whispered as I tried to swallow tears.

“Rather him than you. I wouldn’t survive losing you. Dana, you gotta promise that you’ll always fight for us,” Ezra begged.

“I will, but this doesn’t sit easy,” I murmured and wiped my face.

Ezra carefully pulled me into his shoulder, and I crawled into his lap. It was difficult, as he’d tied my wounded arm across my body, but I managed. Without thought, I burrowed into his hard chest, seeking warmth and comfort, and Ezra provided it in spades. Tears soaked his throat and tee. But Ezra didn’t say anything as I cried for the actions I’d made tonight. I wasn’t a natural killer, nor did killing come easy, and I knew when I closed my eyes, I would see those two scenes repeatedly.

I had the same with the guy I’d killed to save Irish. Every little step had haunted me, and I’d doubted my actions for ages until Dylan had walked me through a similar setup. Asking me what I could have done differently made me realise there hadn’t been anything apart from staying in the car. And that day, I hadn’t played safe. No, I’d rescued someone who was now a close friend. Getting close to someone as prickly as Irish was quite a challenge.

My stomach growled loudly, and I jumped, and Ezra chuckled.

“Wow, I guess I’m hungry. It must be from the adrenaline.”

“Yeah, people usually eat after a crash from the rush. This place is stocked with food. I’ll get you something,” Ezra said and lifted me gently off his lap. He placed me on the sofa and tucked a blanket around me.

I thought Ezra was relieved to have something to do as I leaned my head back on a cushion he’d plumped up behind me.

He was just serving up coffee and soup when his phone pinged, and moments later, there were three sharp raps on the door.

Ezra checked his cell and pulled a weapon as he edged over and peeked through a gap in the blinds. Shoulders relaxing, Ezra opened the door, letting the men inside. Two of them were instantly recognisable, Lieutenant-Colonel Jacob Reeves and Major Gilbert Cunningham. Casey’s dad and uncle.

“Well?” Ezra demanded as soon as he shut the door.

“One was still alive. This had nothing to do with you. It was someone after Harris.” Jacob tilted his head towards the third guy. “We have cleaned the scene and have a team heading out to deal with the problem. The plan is to meet them over there,” Jacob stated and stepped around Ezra.

“I’m so sorry our offer of help led you into this mess. But be reassured, by the time we’ve dealt with them, they’ll regret wounding you,” Jacob promised.

“Not the Fangs?” Ezra asked as he sat and placed a hand on my leg.

“No. Some assholes we crossed paths with a few months ago, and they’d thought they’d take Harris down as he led the raid. Stupid fucks ain’t got the common sense to realise who they’re up against. The one who was alive admitted they should have left as soon as they realised it wasn’t Harris, but they didn’t want to leave witnesses,” Cunningham said.

“Yo, I’m Master Sergeant Harris Botham. Those assholes were part of a trafficking ring we took down in Louisiana. They came here for me. I can only apologise,” the third guy interrupted, seeming a little shamefaced.

“This isn’t your fault. You tried to do a good thing, and we had a wonderful time until tonight,” I replied, wanting to reassure the sheepish-looking man. Guilt laced Harris’s expression, and I knew he was truly sorry.

“Make them pay,” Ezra demanded, and Harris nodded.

“Oh, they will, trust me,” Harris swore, and a grim expression appeared on his face.

I barely hid a shudder. Facing me was a true warrior of Delta Force. Harris seemed to realise I was a little afraid, and with effort, he battled the fury back and smiled.

“Delta Force owes you one. If you need anything, just let us know,” Harris said.

“Nobody owes shit. No one will blame you for everything backfiring,” I tried to reassure the grim-faced man.

“Dana, you got hurt on my land when you should have been protected. That makes this my responsibility. You ever need anything, call,” Harris ordered, placing a card in my hand.

“Thank you,” I murmured, looking down.

“Will you be okay, or do you want us to wait until Rage gets here?” Jacob asked.

“No, we’re fine,” Ezra answered after a quick glance at me.

“Before we go, let Harris take a look at Dana’s wound. He’s a qualified medic,” Cunningham said.

Ezra nodded, and I agreed because I knew he was worried about me being hurt.

◆◆◆

Half an hour later, the three men had gone, and Ezra and I were alone again. Harris had proclaimed my injury neatly stitched, and there was no major damage. He told me to keep it in a sling for a few weeks but get a doctor to check it when I got home. Ezra said they’d call Doc Gibbons or Doc Paul to take a look. A gun wound should be reported to the police, but these were difficult circumstances, and Ezra assured me that Docs Paul and Gibbons kept everything quiet.

We relaxed back on the sofa, waiting for Rage, who must have broken the speed limits when they arrived an hour later. Dylan was on their heels and barged the Rage brothers out of the way to scoop me up with a dirty glare for Ezra.

“Dylan, I’m fine,” I whispered as he checked me over.

Once satisfied I was okay, Dylan spun on Ezra with a fury I’d not seen before.

“Ezra, I hold you accountable,” Dylan snarled.

“And you’d be right. Dana got hurt on my watch,” Ezra agreed.

“Once we’ve got Dana home, I’ll be seeing you in the ring,” Dylan threatened.

I was horrified. Did they mean they were fighting each other? I glanced between them and realised what Dylan meant. He was going to beat Ezra, and Ezra planned to accept it without fighting back. Angrily, I leapt up and stood between them.

“Don’t you dare hurt Ezra!” I hissed at Dylan. “I’m alive because Ezra got me out of there and put me first. Don’t you even think of beating him. None of this was Ezra’s fault. It’s mine. Dylan, I'm the one who exposed my parents and had to run away due to the media. Ezra deserves none of this!”

“Dana, it’s okay. I understand where Hawthorne is coming from,” Ezra stated gently.

My glower took in them both. Time to play dirty.

“I will get Marissa involved,” I threatened, and everybody in the room blanched. “And I’ll be mean to you at work. I’ll make your life a living hell. Lots of cheating spouse cases and no special creamer. And you can screw your weekend doughnuts!”

Dylan looked at me in disbelief. “You’d do that?”

“Yup, and worse. And I will make everyone suffer,” I promised.

“Dana, what did I do?” Davies blurted, not looking happy with Dylan now, either.

“Davis, you aren’t making Dylan back down!”

“Boss, leave Ezra be. Looks like he’s punishing himself as it is,” Davies almost pleaded.

A happy smirk crossed my face. The Hawthorne Females would always win out.

“Have it your way,” Dylan said huffily.

I sent a small smile in his direction, and he glowered in return.

“Are you ready to ride?” Drake asked, seeming bemused by Dylan’s reaction.

“Yes. Need the car,” Ezra replied.

“Gunner, Rock, and Texas went to get it. They’ll be here shortly. Not being an asshole, but can I suggest leaving your shit and getting you two on the road? Dana needs a doctor, and I don’t want to waste time packing,” Drake suggested.

“Fine with me,” Ezra said as I nodded.

“Two prospects are heading in that direction. They’ll collect everything and bring it over,” Drake offered.

A blush hit my cheeks as I thought of my underwear and nightgowns.

“Don’t worry, they won’t say a word,” Ezra murmured in my ear.

They might not, but it was still embarrassing letting them pack my stuff.

“Whatever you’re thinking, the answer is no. You need to see a doctor,” Dylan stated as I went to open my mouth.

“Fine,” I croaked.

“You okay?” Ezra asked, peering into my face.

“Just tired, and I want my bed.”

“Let’s move,” Ezra demanded as he picked me up.

I didn’t complain, although I did catch Ezra throw a couple of hundred bucks on the table as we left.

“Can you write an apology note and tell them I left compensation?” Ezra asked Drake.

“Yeah. Go outside, your SUV will be there or get Harley to drive you back,” Drake said.

“No probs. I’ll let the prospect drive if someone could bring mine?” Ezra answered.

“No issue, brother, go get your woman home. Harley knows to call the docs when you hit Rapid City,” Drake replied.

Ezra carried me out of the cabin as my head lolled against his shoulder.

“Don’t forget to lock up,” Ezra called out, and I smiled as sleep claimed me. There was my diligent man.

Ezra

Ezra stared in disbelief at Dana’s home. Holy fuckin’ shit. Ezra’s temper, which was always quick to rise, began boiling over. Who the fuck had done this to her? Luckily Dana was asleep still, the wound and long night ensuring she slept through this latest horror. In front of him, Harley stood with his own face set in a dark scowl.

“Should we wake her?” Harley whispered.

“No, this, on top of everything, might tip her over the edge. Go to Rage. Dana’s safer there than anywhere else,” Ezra replied.

He took one last look at Dana’s house and shook his head. She’d be devastated by this. Ezra knew how much she loved her home, and if she saw this, Dana would be heartbroken.

Some asshole had slung paint all over the walls and windows. In the bright light of morning, Ezra had seen the damage all too clearly. Red, black and blue paint covered the outside of the house and dripped down windows. The drive and path had spray-painted insults all over, and the fencing had also been attacked and kicked over or smashed. Somebody had bleached the lawn and flowers, and everything was rapidly dying.

Ezra was mystified as to why nobody had called the police. Someone should have seen this vandalism. How the hell could anyone have missed this shitstorm? Someone had to have walked past this morning. Ezra climbed into the SUV and tapped Harley to drive. As soon as possible, he’d get the prospects out here to clean up. Dana had been through enough; she didn’t need this on top of everything.

“Harley, wait,” Ezra said before he drove off as a thought occurred to him.

Ezra leapt out of the vehicle and jogged towards a window, peering through it. From what he could see, there was no damage indoors. He checked all possible windows and found the inside as perfect as Dana had left it. With a small sigh of relief, he hurried back to the car, and Harley sped away before Dana awoke.

Ezra stewed on the drive to Rage. This had to be either her family or the Fangs, but he couldn’t see the Fangs doing that. No, they’d have riddled Dana’s home with bullets. This was her parents or her snotty sister. As they got into Rage, Dana began to awake, and she looked confused as she peered out of the window.

“Why are we here?” Dana asked with a cute little yawn.

“Doc Paul needs to check you over,” Ezra replied.

“Sorry, I thought that was happening at home?” Dana frowned, and Ezra wondered how long she’d let him put her off before going to her house.

“Nah, it’s safer that the doc checks you here. No nosey parkers,” Ezra said.

Something in Ezra’s tone must have given away his anger. Dana pursed her lips and studied him.

“What aren’t you telling me?” she demanded.

“Nothing, babes. Doc doing it here works out better. Nobody questions him coming to Rage, as he’s seen here a lot. But a house call, and you have your arm in a sling? People talk,” Ezra replied. He silently begged her to accept the explanation.

“You’re hiding something, and I will find out what,” she warned. Dana stomped out of the car, to his amusement, and entered the clubhouse.

Ezra turned to Harley. “Get the prospects and clean that shit as best you can. Contact Summer and see if she has a replacement lawn and if she could get to Dana’s house today. I’m gonna have my fuckin’ hands full keeping Dana away. Nobody mentions this either. Hear me, Harley?” Ezra demanded.

“Got ya, brother,” Harley responded and disappeared.

Moments later, Dana poked her head out of the clubhouse and scowled. “Are you coming?” she snapped.

Ezra chuckled as she bristled, but he obediently trotted towards her.

◆◆◆

“No idea?” Drake asked, four hours later.

Ezra had managed to keep Dana distracted with the old ladies and Hellions. He’d recruited his brothers to distract her from the fact he wasn’t taking her home straight away. Ezra was hoping that if he kept Dana here for two days, then the worst of the damage could be cleaned up. It wouldn’t be such a shock.

Ezra knew full well that Dana would find out sooner or later. But if he could mitigate the shock, he would. His next plan was to feign bone-weary tiredness and coax her to join him in his room. Dana needed sleep, too. She was injured, and he hoped she wouldn’t put up too much of a fight.

“None. Got a feeling it’s Dana’s family,” he replied to Drake.

“Hawthorne thinks the same. The house has an army cleaning that shit up. Summer is re-turfing the lawn; you won’t be able to hide that,” Drake said.

“Don’t plan to. I just don’t want her hit with all that ugliness. Dana loves her home. I ain’t letting some assholes take that safe space away from her,” Ezra answered.

“Dana will flip if you don’t tell her,” Drake warned.

“Told ya, brother, I’m going to tell her. Would you want Phoe to experience that ugliness? Or would you do your best to clean it up?”

“Yeah, okay, but Dana is stronger than you think. Be prepared for her to freak the fuck out and blame you.”

“Already am, but Dana won’t have that image in her mind,” Ezra retorted. “My girl’s seen enough dark.”

“Brother, you look dead on your feet. Go grab Dana and get some sleep,” Drake ordered as Ezra yawned and swayed.

“Good advice,” Ezra replied and stumbled towards Dana.

“Hey,” she said as he approached, smiling sweetly.

Dana had gotten checked by Doc Paul, who was happy with everything that had been medically done. He’d praised Ezra’s neat stitches, which had made Ezra admit he had taken special care and time as he hadn’t wanted to leave Dana with an ugly scar.

Doc Paul had rolled his eyebrows at Ezra’s explanation, but Dana had melted, and Ezra ended up preening.

“Babe, can we crash here? I can barely keep my eyes awake,” Ezra asked.

Dana opened her mouth to ask to go home. He was certain of it. But when he allowed the weariness he was feeling out, she closed her mouth and nodded.

“Come on, but I’m telling you, I hope your bed is comfortable,” she replied.

“As long as you’re with me,” he muttered.

“It’s mid-afternoon, I don’t know if I can sleep,” Dana admitted as they walked upstairs to his bedroom.

“You’ll love my bed,” Ezra said. “And I won’t be able to sleep without you. I’m kinda addicted to you, woman.”

Dana glowed under the compliment. Ezra led her to his room, and Dana headed for the bed and bounced on it.

“Oh wow,” she exclaimed and flopped backwards. “This is amazing.”

“I never scrimp on mattresses,” Ezra announced as he began undressing.

“The luggage is here!” Dana exclaimed, seeing their cases.

“Babe, please, for me. Just strip and get in bed, and don’t leave me,” Ezra almost begged.

Yeah, it was low, but he wasn’t above playing on Dana’s emotions.

Plus, it worked.

Dana spun around and shucked her clothes before scrambling across the bed in her underwear. Ezra cursed that they were so tired. Her pert little ass tempted him, but he lacked energy.

Ezra dropped everything but his boxers and climbed in beside her. He swapped sides so he didn’t hurt her arm and tucked her in against him. Dana yawned, and Ezra dropped a kiss on her head and, within seconds, was out cold.

Dana

Who’d have thought bikers liked to spoon? I lay snug in Ezra’s embrace. Even in his sleep, Ezra avoided touching my painful shoulder. Quietly, I studied Ezra as he slept. He was beautiful awake, but asleep he was stunning. All the worry lines and tenseness faded away from him and left Ezra gorgeous.

He was hiding something, though. I knew Ezra well enough to know when he was avoiding telling me something. I wondered what the hell could have happened now. Whatever it was, was enough for Ezra to have had several secret phone calls, and he’d been sending sneaky texts.

I knew Ezra’s password and could look, but it would be a huge invasion of trust. I had to believe he’d tell me when it was time. Ezra wanted to protect me, but he had to learn I was an adult. Over the last few weeks, I’d began falling in love with him. It was too soon to tell him, but the emotion was there, and I recognised it in Ezra, too.

Ezra didn’t do anything without considering me first. Which was why I hadn’t pushed. My experience with the Hawthorne men taught me the art of timing—knowing when to push and when to hold back. This was a waiting period. When Ezra was ready, he’d tell me. But for now, I’d let Ezra distract me because whatever it was bothering him, he was protecting me. And I could allow him that.

I surprised myself with a yawn and nestling down against him. Then I closed my eyes and followed Ezra into sleep.

“Love you,” I murmured before sleep claimed me.

One day, I’d say those words to his face.