Page 12 of Stone (Claimed and Protected #3)

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Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I was in some kind of twisted haze, even bumping into the corner of the doorway when I tried to walk into the living room.

Kage caught sight of me first, holding the bottle close to his lips as a huge grin broke out on his face. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

The daze continued and for a man who’d been through some shit in his life, it had been a long time since I’d been gobsmacked by anything. Seeing her voluptuous body after all this time had created such a reaction, I had to adjust my cock.

Maddox caught the move, chuckling under his breath. “Having some issues there, buddy?”

“Shut up. Just shut the fuck up.” I glanced quickly over my shoulder to make certain she wasn’t standing behind me. I’d already made a damn fool of myself. What the fuck was wrong with me that I’d kissed her? I mean really kissed her.

She didn’t know me any longer. She’d just been through a horrible ordeal and didn’t need my guilt or anxiety dumped on top of what she’d been through.

The rescue wasn’t about me. I slumped down in one of the chairs, immediately grabbing a beer.

Yet even with the pep talk, the anguish brought a sense of fury for being so goddamn weak. “I’m a fucking loser.”

“That goes without saying, but why now?” Kage teased.

I made a fist, swinging it in his direction. “This wasn’t a good idea.”

“What, saving a woman’s life or rekindling your appreciation of the team?”

Maddox continued laughing in his hand while my mind was spinning. “Seeing her again. I just don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do.” I’d all but lied to her after being driven into a corner. Bradford Vale had proved very convincing and not once, but twice. Christ, what the fuck was I going to do?

“From what you told us, you’re taking her back to the United States. This doesn’t mean anything.” Kage was trying to be nonchalant, but he knew me well enough to realize I was having a tough time.

I scrubbed my jaw before taking a very long pull on my beer. I’d tried not to think about how seeing her again would affect me and for good reason.

Because I was one fucking wreck.

“Wow. You still care about the girl. Huh?” Maddox chided.

As I shook my head, my cock pulsed all over again. “It doesn’t matter if I do or don’t. She has her life and I have mine.”

“Yeah, but old flames can be rekindled. You’re both adults. I don’t see the problem.”

“That’s because it’s none of your goddamn business!” Groaning, I looked away. “I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah,” Maddox huffed. “I think you did.”

“It’s complicated. Okay?”

I tossed a look at Kage. Of the three of us, I never would have thought he’d find himself head over heels in love with a woman. Yet I had to face the fact I’d never fallen out of love with Daniella. But it just couldn’t matter.

“Besides, the past can never be relived. Or at least it shouldn’t be. Besides, I don’t know what the fuck I’m talking about.”

“You don’t know that unless you try,” Kage said, trying to smooth things out.

Maddox lifted his bottle as if saluting me. “You were never good with the ladies. That’s for certain.”

“Very funny.”

“That’s because he was still in luv ,” Kage said, using his infamous radio DJ voice.

I sat back, trying to get my mind off the fact I’d seen the most gorgeous woman in the world naked by concentrating on the fact I’d heard nothing from Gray or anyone else regarding the ransom.

Not that it was my place. I got that. I was just the goddamn hired gun and all.

But still. It would be nice to know Matis was in custody.

Maddox’s face turned serious. “I take it your people sent a clean-up crew?”

“Yeah. They weren’t too happy about the fact the warehouse was torched.” Not my goddamn problem. They hadn’t been the ones to put their lives on the line like we had.

“Did something seem weird about the whole thing to you?” Kage leaned forward, sucking down the rest of his beer.

“Meaning what?” Everything had seemed odd. The numbers of soldiers, the fact they blew up the building. Even the excessive ransom. Matis had to know no one in their right mind would pay such an exorbitant price tag, family or no family.

“Meaning it was personal.”

Shrugging, I eased my head against the back of the chair. “I don’t know, but at this point, we’re out and she’s safe. That’s all that matters.” That was only partially true. I intended on discovering what the hell was really going on.

“How much did you get paid for this? I should say we.”

I laughed at Maddox’s question. “Enough that you can get yourself a few new horses for that stud ranch of yours.” I’d taken the money from Bradford. This time, it didn’t bother me at all. Not that I planned on keeping any of it. Blood money. But he deserved to pay up for his treachery.

The money meant shit to me. I had enough cash in the bank I could do anything I wanted or go anywhere in the world.

None of that mattered. I’d already initiated wiring the money into their accounts, only leaving enough to cover the travel expenses.

Taking money to save her life felt like a second betrayal.

“Dude ranch. Get it right.”

All three of us laughed, although mine was out of sarcasm. Yet it felt damn good to be sitting with a beer in our hands talking like old friends. “Yeah, yeah. You’re lucky.”

“What are you talking about?” Kage snorted. “You live in a fucking gorgeous house in Hawaii. Surfing every day. Boating. Fishing. I bet you even go scuba diving.”

“Sometimes.”

“I think maybe you need to take your old flame to your new digs,” Maddox suggested.

“Nah. Orders are to take her to daddy in DC.”

“Since when do you follow orders, especially when Bradford Vale is involved?”

I turned my head toward Kage, shrugging once again. “I don’t want to hurt her.”

“Then don’t. There’s nothing wrong with getting to know each other again.”

“I don’t know, Kage. Dani is her own woman now. She had a good life in Paris, which is all she ever wanted. Who am I to interfere?” I meant the words although it kicked my butt to say them.

“She seems like a nice gal. If I weren’t hitched, I might give you a run for her.” Kage burst into laughter when I all but lunged across the table at him.

“Touch her and die, buddy boy.” I’ll be damned if my cock wasn’t tingling all over again.

“Yeah, she is special. She’s like a light that turns on when everything around you is pitch black.

She has that way of shimmering in the shadows.

And her smile? Shit, that woman’s smile could light up an entire power grid for a big city.

She has a way of batting her eyelashes that makes you tingle all over.

I know it sounds crazy, but she could easily control a man by crooking her little finger. ”

“Uh-huh,” Maddox choked out.

“Yep, you’re right,” Kage added.

“What?” I huffed seeing the evil grins on their face. Grabbing a chip, I munched down while still thinking about how sweet she tasted.

“You got it bad, buddy. You might as well embrace it.”

Maddox had just tossed that out when Kage’s eyes opened wide. He was staring at the doorway behind me. The one leading to the bathroom.

Well, shit.

As soon as she came closer, my balls tightened to painful drums being banged on by a fucking gorilla.

“Is this an all-male party or can a girl join in?” Her voice brought another painful reminder of how much time had gone by.

“Come on over. We have beer and wine. Whatever you’d prefer,” Kage told her as he shifted on the couch, allowing her a seat.

Wearing the tee shirt and drawstring shorts I’d provided only made her look younger than her thirty-eight years. I quickly tossed a glance in her direction as she sat down, marveling at how incredible she looked even after everything she’d gone through.

She studied the coffee table, including the open bottle of wine and chose a beer instead. I almost choked when she did. I could remember clearly her telling me in no uncertain terms that beer wasn’t a sophisticated drink. Everything could change.

“I just wanted to say thank you for saving my life.” She nodded to both men, saving her last wistful look for me. She fingered her damp hair, offering a shy smile. “The three of you are… amazing.”

“I’d say it was all our pleasure, but I’d be lying,” Maddox said, grinning when he did. “But you’re welcome.”

“I don’t know how to repay you. Not on my salary at least.” She tried to make light of what she’d endured, but her face remained pinched.

Kage huffed. “No need. Your father took care of that.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth and after the nasty look I shot him, he groaned. “But that’s not why we agreed, Daniella. Anyone who’s special to a friend of ours is considered family. We help each other.”

Her smile was even more tentative, but I knew the woman well enough to realize she was furious her father had tossed money at the situation. “I assume my father didn’t pay the ransom.”

I shook my head. “Honestly, we don’t know what happened. We were asked to track you down and rescue you. That might be something you mention when you see him in a couple days.”

“Oh, I don’t plan on seeing him ever again.” She pulled her legs under her, huffing as if disgusted with the suggestion.

Kage lifted his eyebrows. “From what I heard, your dad was really worried.”

“I doubt that. You don’t know him. Just ask Stone. My father only cares about himself and his career.”

I sensed Kage and Maddox were uncomfortable.

“People can change, Dani.” I didn’t have any idea why I bothered offering her an out with her father. The guy could be a good actor, but as the old saying went, a leopard couldn’t change his spots.

“Not everyone, Stone.” Her voice was riddled with pain and anger.

“You know what? I’d like a little air. Kind of nice outside. Care to join me, Kage?” Maddox stood, his eyes imploring.

“Yeah, I think that’s a damn good idea.” Kage grabbed another beer before heading toward the back door.