Chapter 5 Wren
WREN
I nearly choke on the suggestion hanging in the air between me and these two rough and tumble men—men that should terrify me as much as the others outside did, but the way Saint looks at me…
How the heat spreading through my middle screams that I’m undeniably attracted to him…
Regardless of those things, he doesn’t scare me. There’s something safe about him.
And they’re waiting for me to object, agree, something.
I smooth my hands down my tattered dress and regroup. “And what would that entail?”
Judge chuckles low, trying to cover it by clearing his throat. I bet he puts Saint through the ropes.
But Saint is the one to answer me, those hazel eyes warm but not quite accessible. “It would be in name only. I won’t demand anything from you.”
That should be a reassurance, and it is, but I’m also oddly disappointed by the proclamation. I’m sure being tied to a young socialite is the last thing he wants. Especially since the gray in his hair and beard, and lines around his eyes mean he’s probably old enough to be my dad.
I might be developing a daddy complex.
“My claim on you would also extend your safety amongst my men. They won’t touch you either.” The way he says claim has my heartbeat picking up.
I nod this time, my voice lost in the tumult of emotions I’ve flashed through today. That’s actually a good deal. Better than what I imagined when I stumbled upon this place.
“And in return, you won’t stick your nose in our business, you won’t ask questions you don’t want answers to, and you’ll be useful or you’ll stay out of the way. Understood?”
My shoulders pull back again because I’ve never been particularly useful, but I’m excellent at staying out of the way, of being part of the decor rather than having any agency. “I understand.”
“Good. Judge will you show you where you can get cleaned up, and we’ll get you a change of clothes and some food while we arrange things.”
Arrange things. It’s an echo to my old life, but I stand, ready to follow Judge, trying to hide my wince as I put pressure on my newly cleaned and bandaged feet.
In an instant, I’m off the ground and pressed into a nicely muscled chest. “Call Justice. Get him here as soon as he’s able.”
Saint marches out of his office with me in his arms. So much for Judge taking me anywhere. My hands curl into his vest, waiting for the niceties to fall away.
“I’m not going to drop you.” His voice is a grumble, and his hands tighten around my knees and back. I can feel his strength. How many damsels does he carry around like this?
“Okay.” But my grip doesn’t loosen. Maybe I just need something to hold on to, even if only for a minute. It’s not like I can ask him to hold me while I breakdown.
It’s not like I’ve ever had someone to do that for me.
Saint is warm, and his spicy scent keeps me in the present. His full, trimmed salt and pepper beard calls to me, making my fingers itch to see how soft it is.
We descend some stairs and walk down a few winding hallways before he steps into a room at the end—it’s simple, a bed, a dresser, and an ensuite bathroom.
He sets me down on the bed, and he’s far more gentle than I expect.
Ruffling through a drawer, he pulls some clothes free and a towel. “Get clean and change.”
He’s on his way back out the door, but I stop him. “Wait.”
Saint turns, gaze dark as he looks back at me.
“I—” I swallow hard and take a deep breath. “I need help with my dress. The buttons.”
His hesitation burns me up inside, but he steps forward again, slowly, delicately, popping open the button at the top. His knuckle barely grazes my spine in the process, and I shiver, my nipples hardening under my soft bodice.
He grunts softly, almost like a reprimand.
Nimble fingers work the buttons free, and his touch is warm, fingertips rough with calluses and hard work. I peer at him from the corner of my eyes, head tilted toward him as I hold my bodice to my chest. It does nothing to assuage the way everything inside of me tightens at the small touches.
How can something so little feel so big?
Saint clenches his jaw as more of my back is exposed. Heat tunnels through me with every brush of skin. Tension drenches the room. He has to feel that, too. Right?
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, making him pause.
I should not entertain this asinine reaction. The last time I allowed myself to feel attractive, to be attracted to someone, well, it led me here—a runaway bride hiding in a motorcycle club.
His fingers move again, letting out a harsh breath as he has to undo every button. I’m too big-hipped to leave it at the waist. He works down the last of the buttons smoothly. Once they’re undone, Saint turns and disappears in record time.
I try not to be disappointed by it.
Closing myself in the ensuite, I hang my dress on the hook beside the door and mourn its beauty before I take a shower.
The heat of the water feels good, and once I’m clean, I lean into the cold tile and let it beat into my back. It’s probably not so good for my feet, but I’m sore all over. Fight or flight mode has taken its toll.
Once I can force myself to move again, I wash my undies and small lace bralette, hanging them over the shower door to dry.
It leaves me feeling indecent as I dress in the oversized shirt and nothing else.
The shorts he left me are far too big to stay around my hips—which is a surprise. I am bottom heavy after all.
The shirt smells like Saint—oil, musk, and something spicy. I like it far more than I should admit.
I can’t believe my life has turned so upside down in a matter of hours.
When I hobble out to the room, I stop short at the sight of Doc—tall, dark featured, and handsome—too handsome, like one of those rich doctors on TV. The way his gaze travels down my bare legs makes me glad I can blame the pink in my cheeks on the hot shower.
He meets my gaze and nods to the bed. “I brought stuff that might fit you better. Some food, too, if you’re hungry.”
“I am. Thank you.”
He’s at my elbow as I wobble to the bed, helping me sit. His hand is as gentle as it was when he cleaned up my feet. Doc’s excellent bedside manner doesn’t distract from how much he sees when he looks at me.
If anyone is going to uncover the secrets I don’t want to share, it’ll be him. I’ll have to be careful around this man.
He pulls the tray closer for me to gobble down the stew and chunk of bread. It’s surprisingly tasty and warm enough to go down easy. Do they have a cook? Would it be one of the men or do they keep women here for this kind of work? Is it what I’ll be doing once I’m married to Saint?
But when the stew is gone, I find myself yawning, all my questions about these new circumstances fading.
Doc takes the tray away and pulls back the blanket of the bed, shooing me under it. “Why don’t you take a nap, and we can talk when you’re awake.”
“What do we need to talk about?” I mumble, complying.
“Why you’re here instead of getting married. What’s got you so scared to go back. Where your family is and why they’re not helping you…” He pushes my wet hair back with a gentle caress.
It shoves a sharp breath into my lungs that I’m not prepared for.
“What the rules are while you’re here.” Another soft touch grazes my cheek before he retreats. “Get some rest.”
“Wait. Where’s my violin?”
Doc smiles, and it’s alarming in its beauty. “It’s safe.”
He points to the case sitting on the other side of the room. It’s all I need to let go and fall off to sleep.
My dreams are full of running, my feet bleeding with every step. And someone is chasing me, although I can’t see who it is, I know it’s Grant. He won’t stop until he has me back. Until he can prove he’s strong enough to keep me in line.
Until I complete his perfect picture of domesticity for his run for congress. I’ve blown that apart, and he’ll do anything to save face.
Even if it ends in my death.
After this, it might.
I twist in unfamiliar bedsheets, trying to fight my way free of him.
But he’s close. Too close.
Movement in the room stills me in the too-big bed. How did he make it here so fast? He can’t take me back. No, I’m supposed to be safe here. At least for a little while longer.
I sit up, a scream swelling at the back of my throat when a hand covers my mouth and warm breath shushes me in my ear.