"Our pack," he said, and then shut his eyes. "The team, I mean."
She wondered what that was about. "Oh well, a lot of people are afraid of heights."
He nodded and climbed the stairs. She followed, and each step hurt more than the last. He was probably right about her back needing some attention. The blood that had dried started again. She felt it sliding down the back of her jeans and sighed. Before they made it to the top stair she stopped. The pain was too much.
He turned back and frowned. "Your back?"
It was too late to deny the pain, so she nodded.
He jogged down to her and lifted her into his arms. She gasped because it still hurt, and because she hadn't expected him to lift her so easily.
"You don't have to do this," she said, but wrapped her arms around his neck anyways. He was warm and comforting.
"I know, but I want to." He carried her up the last steps and set her down gently before going inside.
Skye sighed. "Thanks for that."
"Not a problem. I didn't think you wanted me carrying you inside in front of the whole team."
"Definitely not."
He pulled open the door and gestured for her to go before him. She slipped past him and went inside. The blast of coolness coated her sweat-covered skin. She waited for Chase, and he was there again, leading her. "My office is down that hall, but we need to go see Jesse."
She nodded and followed behind him. She was lightheaded, but there was no way she was letting him cart her around like she was some helpless female.
He went ahead of her, and this time she didn't bother keeping up, and he didn't wait. He must have needed to warn this Jesse person that she was coming. The pain was razor sharp and shot through her body. It wasn't good as she slowly made her way down the short hall. Her vision blurred and she bit her lip. She would not let herself fall. She gripped the doorframe and one foot was in the office before she tipped forward. She felt like she was falling, but then she was held up. Prying her eyes open, she stared into Chase's concerned eyes.
"I told you it was bad," he said, before lifting her again. Someone else shut the door and she heard muffled voices before she was laid on something soft. The tearing sound echoed in the room, and she realized it was her shirt being torn, but she was too weak to do anything about it.
Someone hissed and said, "Fuck, what did the bastard do to her?" He sounded like Chase, yet different.
"I don't know, she wouldn't tell me, but she needs stitches."
Skye kept her eyes closed and listened to the two men talking. Their voices were soothing. She relaxed her body into the comfortable couch.
"Do you want me to do it?"
She heard a growl and her heart raced, but not out of fear.
"Calm down, Brother. I know, and I wouldn't touch her otherwise, but she needs a steady hand and you're not in control right now."
"Fine, but I swear-" Chase replied.
"Don't worry, I won't. Congratulations, though."
Skye moaned in pain and tried to get up. It burned. "It hurts," she said, and gasped.
The other man she heard talking knelt by the couch, and she looked into his eyes. They were similar to Chase's eyes, and she knew that Jesse was his brother.
"I'm going to rub some numbing solution over your injury. It may hurt at first."
She nodded. "Please."
"It's all right, sweetheart. You're safe and we'll take care of you now."
Chase growled again, but sat on the arm of the couch and ran his fingers through her hair. "He's right. You're safe now."
His tone was rough, possessive, and full of determination.
Jesse rubbed the liquid on her back and she arched back and cried out in pain. Reaching out, she searched for Chase. He grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together. If she wasn't in so much pain, she might have noticed how good his touch felt. Instead, she squeezed his hand, digging her nails in. He didn't complain, even when she knew she broke skin.
Jesse's hand flattened her back to the couch. "Shhh. It's almost done, sweetheart."
He was right. Soon her pain disappeared to nothing, and she loosened her hold on Chase's hand, but he didn't let go. "This stuff is awesome, but why do I feel funny?" she asked in a slurred voice.
Chase chuckled. "It's medicine. You'll be all right, beautiful."
Skye didn't even feel the needle as Jesse stitched her back. She laid still and closed her eyes. She was confused. Chase stayed by her side and held her like he had the right to. She could feel his domineering nature and the strangeness attached to him. He wasn't your typical man-of that she was certain. She had a feeling he had a couple secrets of his own.
Chapter 3
Skye didn't sleep exactly. She was aware of everything that went on around her, but it played out like a dream. She watched the two men sit and talk. The things they talked about were hard to understand. As if they were vague on purpose. Chase was tense. She could tell by the set of his muscles, and she wanted to soothe him, even if she didn't understand why.
After what felt like a lifetime, she was able to feel her back. The pain built slowly and she groaned. "Do you have some Aspirin?" she asked.
Chase jumped up and came to help her. She took his hands and he lifted her into a sitting position.
"Is it bad?"
"It aches."
Jesse came over to her and smiled. His dimples made him appear to be the younger brother, but the wisdom in his eyes is how she knew he was older, much older than he looked. "Sorry we had to meet under such trying circumstances. I'm Jesse," he said, holding out his hands. In one, there was a pill, and in the other, a glass of water.
"What's that?"
"It's stronger than Aspirin, but you'll feel better, believe me."
"I probably shouldn't be taking medication from strange men I just met," she mumbled, but took the pill anyways and swallowed it with the water.
Chase sat next to her. "We wouldn't do anything to hurt you." And she believed him. There was something so honest about him.
Jesse took the glass to his desk, pulled his chair across the room, and sat in front of her. He was a big guy, but she didn't really feel intimidated by him. If anything, he seemed like the protective older brother type. He wore an easy smile and his eyes crinkled. "So my brother tells me you had a run-in with a thug looking for money?"
Skye nodded. "My brother apparently owes quite a bit of money and he dipped out. Honestly, I have no idea where he is, but if I find him, I'm going to kick his ass."
"How much does he owe?"
"Fifteen thousand, and the thug informed me his boss was feeling generous, so I have two weeks to get the money to him before-well, I don't know what exactly, but I can't imagine it will be good for me."
Chase glowered. Skye shifted closer and he calmed as soon as her thigh pressed against his. She held back her smile, but Jesse was aware of everything. He smiled at her, and his eyes shined with excitement.
"No, I imagine not. That's what we're here for. You'll be protected, and I'll send someone to search for your brother. I need something of his though. I have the best trackers around. If anyone can find him, Shawn can."
"My brother has always been good at disappearing. He won't be easy to find."
"We'll handle it."
"And what happens to him when you find him?"
Jesse shrugged. "We hand him over to this loan shark."
Skye wasn't sure how she felt about that. She didn't like him much, but she didn't want anything to happen to him. Not really. "Oh, but-"
"He handed you over to thugs, Skye," Chase said.
She glared. "I know, but he's still my brother. I want him safe, even if I don't want him in my life."
Jesse held up a hand. "Maybe we can figure something out. Do you think he'll have the fifteen thousand?"
"Who knows? He gambles. Sometimes he can make more in a night. Other times, obviously, he does horribly. I know what will happen to him if he is handed over to this Mickey guy. He'll be killed, and I don't want that."
"I understand, sweetheart, but his stupidity will end up getting you killed instead, and I don't think that's a good exchange. You don't deserve it."
She nibbled her lip. "If we can find a way to keep him alive and out of my life, that's what I want. If not-then I don't want to know anything." A tear slid down her cheek. She never imagined being so cold, but this time Joey really fucked up, and she wasn't going to be able to save him. She didn't have the funds or the energy.