Buckled (Trails of Sin 2)

What lies behind her haunted eyes is something else entirely. She doesn’t need an ER doctor. She needs a psychiatrist.

As I park the truck in front of the house, the front door opens, and Jake steps out.

I called him before I left the apartment, and we decided this was the best place for Raina until we know what happened.

She’s lived with my father for over two years. I’m certain she knows every secret we’ve buried, every crime we’ve committed. Hell, she probably knows more about my family than I do. She’s a huge fucking liability.

The fact that she doesn’t want the cops involved is a blessing. But it also puts me on high alert. She’s either done something or she intends to do something. Something outside of the law. While it’s a way of thinking I can relate to, I don’t want my family caught in the crossfire.

Jake opens the passenger door and lifts her into his arms. He takes in the swollen damage to her face, his eyes hardening with murderous fury before lifting to mine.

“Jesus.” He shifts her against his chest, making her groan. “Dad did this?”

“Yeah.” I cradle Maybe against me and carry her out of the truck.

“I can walk.” She loops her arms around my neck and nuzzles her face against my throat.

With a chuckle, I kiss her brow and follow Jake inside.

She didn’t have much in her apartment. The clothes and few things she collected in Texas sit in the bed of my truck. Her car stayed behind. If she wants it, I’ll have it towed home.

In the house, Jake pauses in the foyer, glancing between the living room and the hall to my wing.

“Lorne’s room.” I don’t want Raina sleeping on the couch.

Maybe pops her head up and clutches my shoulders. “But Lorne comes home in two days.”

My chest rises at the glorious sound of those words. “We’ll figure it out.”

On the way home, I updated her on the highlights of my life, outside of stalking her every move.

Conor graduated and is now officially a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Jake finished building her clinic over the filled-in ravine. Chicken is spoiled rotten, hand-fed and pampered like a family pet by everyone who lives here. And Lorne earned an early release from prison. He’ll be home in two days.

Raina’s arrival settles a cloud over our excitement. But I’m holding my entire world in my arms. Nothing can put a damper on the lofty, buzzing feeling in my chest.

Jake carries Raina down the hall, and I trail behind him. In Lorne’s room, Maybe squirms against me until I set her down.

“Where’s Conor?” She hurries through the room, gathering sheets and blankets.

I help her make the bed, anxious to get her into my own.

“She’s asleep.” Jake lowers Raina onto the mattress, taking care with her injuries. “She’ll be pissed I didn’t wake her.”

Maybe spends the next few minutes fussing over our new house guest, while Jake and I hover, sharing an unspoken feeling of distrust for the abused woman.

I don’t know what to do with her. Perhaps a good night’s sleep will loosen her tongue tomorrow. Until then, I just want to wrangle up my girl and bury my nose against her skin.

“Maybe.” I crook a finger at her. “Let’s go.”

She pretends to ignore me, focusing her attention on Raina. “Are you sure I can’t get you anything?”

Raina lies on her side with her back to Maybe. No response. Not a twitch.

“I’ll be in the room at the end of the hall if you need me.” Maybe rises from the bed, looking uncertain.

“She lived here for a month.” I grip her hand and guide her into the hall. “She knows her way around.”

“But you’ve remodeled this wing since then, right?”

“Yeah.”

Probably a good thing. Reminders of my father are exactly what she doesn’t need right now.

I should’ve killed him when I had the chance. But if I had, Maybe might not have shown up on my doorstep two years ago.

When we reach our bedroom, I lead her to the bathroom. After our reunion in the rain and on the filthy stairs, we could both use a shower.

I undress her slowly, kissing every inch of her skin as I unveil it. Then I remove my clothes and follow her under the warm spray.

I wash her, touch her, and reacquaint myself with her breathy noises and ticklish curves. I didn’t intend to fuck her in here, but when she backs against the tiles and opens her legs, I’m a goner.

Holding her up against the wall, I sink inside her with unhurried strokes. I love her gently, tenderly, relishing the connection, the feel of her clamping around me, the taste of her lips, and the devotion in her eyes.

When we come, it’s a powerful tide of fulfillment and wonder, slow kissing and spent bodies. Limbs intertwined and reluctant to separate, we sink deep into each other, gazes locked, lost in the best way possible.