How West Was Won (Haven, Texas 7)

“Course you do, darlin’,” Beau said soothingly. He’d been that way since he’d burst into her room. Quiet, subdued, sweet. Not the teasing, flirty rascal she was used to. But she was too tired to ponder that.

He carried her into a bedroom and her breath hissed out of her as he laid her on the bed. She’d managed to change out of the clothes she’d been wearing the other night, the same night West had slashed her insides while Spencer had done his best to beat her down physically. The day from hell. But it had been painful as heck. She’d only managed to change into an old, worn, loose T-shirt and some sweatpants. She didn’t even have panties on.

“Okay, Flick, we’re gonna let Mia get you more comfortable,” Alec told her firmly. “Then I’ll be in for a chat.”

She’d never experienced Alec Malone in bossy mode. She knew he was a Dom, but he’d never used that voice on her. He always seemed a bit aloof. Except around Mia.

“Is that your Dom voice?” she asked before she thought better of it.

Mia let out a startled giggle.

“Whoops, ignore me.” She could feel herself blush.

“What do you know about a Dom voice?” Alec asked. But his voice was gentler this time. She thought she heard a hint of laughter. Great, she’d amused him. She hunched her shoulders slightly.

“I read.”

“Hmm, must be some interesting books,” Alec surmised.

Now she was even more embarrassed.

“I want to borrow them,” Mia stated.

She looked up at the other woman. Mia winked at her. “Are they at your place? Maybe Maddox and Jaret can grab them when they get your other stuff.”

“Um, most are on my Kindle.”

“Awesome! I need something to read when Alec makes me take a nap.”

“You’re supposed to be sleeping when you take a nap,” Alec stated sternly.

Mia sighed. “How can I sleep during the day when I’m already getting ten hours at night? You make me go to bed at ten and won’t let me out of bed until after seven. I don’t need a nap as well.”

“That so? So that wasn’t you who nodded off on the couch at eight last night?”

“Yeah, well, I haven’t been sleeping that well these last few nights.” Mia sat on the bed and faced her, brushing her hair off her face.

“Enough,” West said abruptly. “Felicity needs care.”

“You’re right,” Alec agreed. “Everyone out. Mia, we’re just outside the door if you need our help.”

They all filed out and Flick turned her gaze to Mia. “Mia, I—” Her apology was interrupted as Mia let out a small sob.

“Oh, Flick. I’m so sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

“Because I should have gone over to your house to check on you that first day you didn’t answer my calls and texts. I shouldn’t have left it for three days. Can you forgive me?”

She reached over with her good hand and grasped Mia’s. “Listen to me, Mia. You must never, ever go over there. Do you understand me?”

Confusion and a hint of fear entered Mia’s face. “Flick—”

“Promise me, Mia. You cannot ever go near him. It’s not safe. Promise.”

“All right, sweetie. I promise.” Mia placed her other hand on top of Flick’s. “And you don’t have to go back there either.”

Flick eased back. “You don’t know him, Mia. He won’t let me go.”