Little Red (16 page)

* * * * * *

Red is completely exhausted by the time we reach the hotel.

She keeps a slow pace next to me as Aaron and Ian follow behind us.

We’d all fought with Jeb so badly that I am honestly surprised that we’re not all
sitting in some jail cell.

Red is clearly thinking the same thing.

She’s on edge and fearful of tomorrow.

If Jeb just showed up at the hospital today, who’s to say that he won’t arrive just
to arrest us tomorrow? With Josh’s parents in such high positions, there’s no guessing
what could happen from here on out.

While we may be prepared with bail money, we’re not prepared for how revved up that
Jeb has us all.

One of us may very well snap.

Then there’s no telling where we would be

“You two just rest,” Aaron says.

“We’ll head back to the hospital and be back later.”

I give them a nod

“Should we bring anything back for you?” Ian asks

Red looks at them with tired eyes.

“Just some food, I guess; I’m not picky, just something warm and not from a vending
machine.”

I nod.

“Bring burgers, fries, whatever you can dig up.

Just make it a hot meal for her,” I say, as Red and I trail inside

Aaron and Ian both watch until we’re out of sight.

By the time we reach our room, Red collapses immediately on the bed, kicking her shoes
off

She glances at me.

“Could you just lay down with me?”

I give her a strange look.

I don’t mind, but her request has caught me off guard.

I stare at her for a moment and then up and into her pale blue eyes

“I just...” She pauses.

“I feel safe with you.”

I don’t question her and begin crawling into bed with her.

By the time I wrap my arms around her and her head finds that perfect spot on my shoulder,
she’s asleep.

I breathe outward, finally able to relax and collect my thoughts.

I try to make things clear as I lie in the bed with Red.

She’s pregnant.

She’s pregnant with my baby.

I’m going to be a father.

A father - there’s one title that I thought I would never gain, but then again, neither
is boyfriend.

Or the much bigger word, husband.

I let out a deep sigh that makes Red let out a small noise as she pushes her face
closer to my chest.

I think about the police station and Jeb.

Jeb.

I let out a groan.

Now I know how my brothers must have felt when they saw Elise’s attackers.

The rage and sheer utter hate that I feel toward him is indescribable.

The fact that he’s Josh’s best friend only makes it worse.

I bring a hand up and run it down my face.

My eyes are not only heavy from exhaustion, but they’re beginning to burn.

I find myself rubbing Red’s back gingerly and slowly.

She’s thrown an arm over me and is squeezing me to her.

I let out another soft sigh as I look down at her face.

She’s relaxed and looks happy.

I find myself smiling; right now, that’s all that matters

Hours pass slowly.

The sun begins to set, causing the sky to tint itself with a beautiful purple haze.

I try to sleep.

I count sheep.

Play with Red’s hair.

Do anything to relax me.

But, instead, I wait; wide-awake and watching her carefully.

I pay close attention to her breathing and count the number of times her belly rises
and falls.

By the time darkness has settled over us, there’s a light knock at the door.

I can feel Aaron, Colt, and Ian just outside.

I worm myself slowly from Red, slipping a warm pillow in my place before sneaking
into the hallway with them

“Aaron told us what happened,” Colt says.

“How is she?”

“Resting,” I say.

“She’s been asleep since we got back.”

“And, you?” Ian asks

I shrug and run a hand over the back of my neck.

“Just...I -” I sigh.

“Exhausted.

She’s pregnant and worried.

I feel like that alone has had me on edge all day, and now this.”

“You sensed it too?” Aaron asks

I nod.

“Jeb.

Full on wolf sense.”

“We shouldn’t have ever assumed that we were the only ones,” Colt says.

“The story started in Louisiana, but families move.

They could have carried the wolf curse anywhere.”

I give them a nod

“James is about to lose his mind,” Aaron adds.

“They told him he has about three weeks here before returning home.

He needs recovery time and a little physical therapy.

He is in shape, so that will help,” he explains.

“They want to make sure there’s no risk of infection on top of recovery.

He’s in pain, but lying his way through it for now.”

My mouth falls open.

“Well, we’re not leaving him here.”

“Is Red safe to stay here?” Ian asks.

“That Jeb doesn’t seem too friendly toward her.”

“We’ll just watch her,” I say.

“With all of us here, we’re not going to let anything hurt her.”

They all nod

I let out a breath and lean against the wall.

I feel Aaron’s hand on my shoulder.

“It’ll be alright.

We’ll get through this, get her back to Louisiana, and life will be normal.”

“I’m just worried about the time between now and then,” I say, yawning.

“She’s pregnant; I’m still trying to wrap my head around being a father, being with
her, and now protecting her.”

“Don’t worry,” Colt says.

“We’re not here for trouble.

No pack will start anything with us knowing we’re here peacefully.

We’re only visiting their territory.

Not invading it,” he says.

“You go get some sleep.

We are right next door.

She needs you rested.”

Aaron coughs slightly.

“You didn’t see the police station.”

Colt’s eyes glare into me accusingly.

“What did you do?”

I shrug it off.

“It was just a table.”

“You’re forgetting the chair…and the wall,” Ian mumbles quickly, attempting to conceal
his laugh

I suddenly lock eyes with him.

“A little less from you,” I grimace

“You need to cool it,” Colt tells me.

“I understand completely, but we are here peacefully and you cannot randomly vandalize
a police station.”

“It was completely justified,” I tell him.

“They were arresting Red.” I make a slight attempt at covering my own ass

Ian scoffs, now aggravated with me.

“They were taking her to the bathroom.”

Colt’s rage now kicks in as he spins on his heels, growling at me as his hands latch
onto my shirt.

He’s suddenly playing Alpha and is going to make sure I listen, whether I want to
or not

“You will not put her or your brothers in danger.” He shoves his face in mine so close
that I can feel the heat of his breath as his silver eyes flash with a madness that
we all know a little too well.

“Check the temper, and check it now.”

I nod as Ian passes me a bag of takeout from Outback, his attempt to diffuse the situation.

“For Red,” he says.

“Just a burger and a baked potato.

She has to be starving by now.”

“Thanks guys,” I say.

“I really appreciate it.”

Aaron smiles and pats my shoulder again.

“Congratulations, by the way.” He gives me a little wink in an attempt to lighten
the mood.

“I don’t think any of us really told you that yet.”

I smile and shake my head.

“Thanks.”

“How are you feeling about things?” Colt finally smiles at me

I laugh, trying to relax again.

“Excited and completely happy, but at the same time on edge and scared to death.”

I hear Ian laugh as he reaches to pat my shoulder.

“I’d say that’s about right for any new father.”

I rub the back of my neck and let out a slight laugh.

“I can only hope, because I have no idea what I’m doing or how to do it.”

“How’s Red feeling?” Colt asks

“Emotions are everywhere right now.

She’s excited, worried, scared out of her mind.”

“But she’s pretty sure of you,” Ian says

I look down.

“I can only hope.”

“You’re pretty sure of her, huh?” Colt grins from ear to ear

I laugh and nod.

“Yeah, I was sure when I met her that night.”

“You must have been to search for her all over creation for a month,” Aaron teases

I nod.

“Help me keep her safe.”

The three of them nod, and I feel Colt’s hand on my shoulder.

“You’ll never hurt her, not like you’re thinking.

Look at Eli and Maggie.”

I give him a slight nod.

“Just a lot on my mind.”

“And you’re exhausted,” Aaron says

“Look, you have a beautiful woman sleeping in your bed who is pregnant with your daughter.”
Ian grins.

“Go cuddle, or snuggle, or do whatever it is you need and get some sleep.”

I smile sleepily as they head to their rooms.

I sigh outward and join her in the room.

I place the food in the small refrigerator and strip myself down to my boxer briefs
before slipping under the covers with her.

This time, knowing my brothers are right next door, I fall asleep immediately

* * * * * *

Some hours later, I’m stirred from sleep by the sounds of Red’s cries.

I snap up in bed and see that she’s still sound asleep and trapped in a horrible dream.

I touch her face tenderly and say her name softly.

The cries increase, and I see in the glimmer of light in the room there are tears
rolling down her cheeks.

I give her a soft shake, asking her to please wake up, but her cries become wails.

She’s hysterical.

I throw the covers back and take her in my arms, doing anything I can to wake her.

She’s frantic; her body is trembling and she’s begging someone.

“No.”

I hear pounding at the door and sense Aaron, Colt, Ian, and Trent.

I can’t get up.

I can’t leave her.

I just can’t.

I say her name loudly.

Her eyes squeeze tighter and she pushes at me.

I begin to beg her to wake up.

I hear the sound of the key lock.

Eli pushes the door open and I look at them, helpless

“She’s dreaming,” I say, my voice shaking

“Red!” Ian lets out a deep holler, and finally, she snaps up, gasping for air, her
bottom lip quivering.

She acts as though she can’t comprehend where she is.

Her eyes are frantic, her heart is pounding.

“It’s alright,” I tell her.

“We’re all here.

You’re safe.”

Trent is the first to step up, touching her face.

“Red, it’s okay.

Nothing can ever hurt you.”

Tears pour from her eyes as she fights her mind.

I begin to feel every ounce of pain and agony as Aaron walks up and takes her hand.

“Come on, Little Red.

I don’t think any of us could live without you now.

Please.”

Ian’s voice cracks.

“Red, snap out of it.” He looks at me.

“Ethan, do something.”

I search my mind.

Something.

Anything.

I have to try something.

Finally, I lean down and press my mouth firm onto hers.

If a kiss can supposedly wake Snow White from death, it can pull Red from her horror.

I pull away, and we all stare

“Ethan.” Her sobs begin to subside, and I let out a sigh of relief.

I pull her into me and rest my head against her

I can feel her trembling ease as she finally looks at me and then my brothers.

“I...” Her voice crackles as she sniffles.

“I’m so...”

We all shake our heads

“It was,” she pauses, looking around the room.

“A night terror,” she breathes.

“Sometimes it’s hard to come out of it.”

“Maybe you should try to eat something,” Ian says

She looks at him and gives a slight nod

Aaron rushes to the refrigerator.

“I’ll fix it for you.

You two just stay there.”

I can’t help but to release a slight laugh.

“Feel special; Aaron never cooks for anyone but himself.”

She gives a weak smile and eventually flops back into the bed.

“I haven’t had one that bad in a long time,” she admits

“Are you alright?” I ask

She looks up at me and nods.

“They’re just really bad dreams; they’re just horrible to pull out of sometimes.”

I brush the hair from her eyes and run a hand down my face

“Are you sure you’re okay, Red?” Ian asks

She gives a little nod.

“Just a bad dream.

I’m used to them.”

“You’re used to that?” Trent asks.

His eyes meet mine briefly

She nods again.

“Long story.”

I watch as she lets out a breath and gingerly places her hands on her belly and gives
it a slight rub

“You sure you’re alright?” I ask again

Her eyes find mine and she nods.

“I just sort of remembered that he’s in there.”

Ian shakes his head.

“She.

She.
”

Red laughs softly as the microwave beeps and Aaron rushes the food to her.

I help her sit up as he passes me the takeout container of food.

Red pushes herself slowly against the headboard as I place the food in her lap

“Come on guys,” I hear Trent say.

“I think they could use some time alone.”

I give him a nod of thanks as they head for the door, shutting it behind them.

As Red happily eats her food and begins to relax, I do as well.

But something deep inside me says that the next three weeks here may be more than
we’d ever bargained for