Crave (Talon Security #1)(37)

I sat in the corner of the dark closet, raw terror percolating in every fiber of my body, shivering from fear and cold. I was only dressed in my underwear and a tank top. I vowed if I was ever going to be under attack again, I’d be better dressed.

Trixie sat on my lap, offering me some semblance of calm as I stroked her soft ears.

It felt like an eternity that we sat in the dark as I tried not to envision every nightmare scenario that could be taking place. If anything happened to Sid, I didn’t know what I’d do.

My breath sounded too loud in the quiet space, the soft jangle of Trixie’s collar like a deafening boom. My limbs stiffened as I remained frozen in place, afraid to move.

When the tread of footsteps sounded, followed by the dresser being scraped back, I didn’t know whether to be terrified or relieved. I waited, my breath trapped in my throat, as the door creaked open.

“Sam?” Sid’s voice was an instant balm to my fragile state.

I let out a shaky breath. “Yeah.”

The light hurt my eyes for a moment as he peered in toward me. “It’s okay, sweetheart, come on out.”

I swallowed hard, steeling myself against the fear that still crippled me. I refused to be weak when he was so strong. “Okay.”

I just had to make my legs work first.

“Sam?”

The sob that escaped was completely unexpected and maddening as I tried to right myself.

Then he was there. His huge frame took up the majority of the space as he moved in toward me. “Aw, baby, c’mere,” he coaxed, his arms wrapping around me.

“Are you really okay?” I demanded, my hands tracking his body for any source of injury.

“I’m fine, baby, really.”

Suddenly Trixie shot from the closet like a tiny cannon, her tail wagging and body wriggling.

“What the hell? I’ve never seen her do that before.” I gaped.

“What do you want me to do with this guy, Masters?” Declan’s voice called, surprising me.

“Stay the fuck out of here! My girl isn’t dressed,” Sid bellowed back.

“Fuck, fine, dude, I’m just trying to deal with this. I think he’s crying, man.” Declan sounded annoyed and uncomfortable at the same time.

I looked up at Sid with wide eyes. “What’s going on?”

He helped me to stand up, his hands clasping my shoulders gently to steady me. “Remember Tom? Brad’s ex? Apparently he thought it’d be a good idea to surprise Brad,” Sid explained. “Unfortunately for him, that means he’s currently hog-tied in the living room.”

My hand shot to my mouth. “Oh, shit,” I mumbled.

His eyes narrowed. “Oh, shit is right. I almost killed the motherfucker.” He paused, stooping low to look me in the eye. “I’m so sorry you were scared, sweetheart. Everything’s okay. You ready to get out of the closet now?”

I bit my lip and nodded, following him out into the bedroom. “What’s Declan doing here?” I asked as he handed me some pajama pants.

“The alarm feed is wired through to Talon. He was the first responder. Theo’s here too.”

“That was quick,” I replied, impressed.

“We’re not fucking around here, Sam,” he replied impatiently.

I looked up at him, surprised by the tone of his voice. “I didn’t think you were,” I assured him.

He blew out a breath. “Sorry. I’m just wound a little tight and I hate seeing you scared.”

I wrapped him in a hug. “I was scared,” I admitted. “But I knew I couldn’t be in better hands. I’m just so glad you’re okay.”

After I put some clothes on, Sid led me out to the living room where we found Tom no longer hog-tied but still restrained with his hands behind his back, sitting on the couch.

Trixie was jumping all around him, obviously excited to see him.

That made one of us.

“I’m so sorry,” he explained to Declan and Theo, who stood over him with their arms crossed. “I had no idea anyone was staying here. I must have gotten Bradley’s travel schedule wrong. I thought he’d be home. I thought we could talk,” he blathered. His eyes shot nervously to Sid and me as we entered the room.

“You guys, seriously?” I scolded them. “You still have him handcuffed?”

Theo shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. They were just fucking with the poor guy, that much was obvious.

“Dec and I got called out of bed at 3:00 a.m. thinking we needed to be ready for battle,” Theo replied. “I missed my beauty rest. He can stay like that a little while longer.” He grinned lazily.

I rolled my eyes and turned to Sid, hoping he’d be more reasonable. Instead, I found my man glowering down at the ground. Counter to Sid’s dark mood, Theo and Declan seemed to almost be enjoying themselves.