Military Romance Collection: Contemporary Soldier Alpha Male Romance (51 page)

Chapter 3

Chase gazed over the cop’s shoulder, watching the paramedics work on Erin, taking vitals and cleaning her up. He hoped she didn’t need stitches anywhere and that she had told him the truth about not having any other injuries. He’d truly wanted to beat that asshole to death and had barely reined in his anger enough to stop short of it. He’d still messed him up pretty bad, and that was fairly satisfying.

“Mr. Kilbourne, what were you doing in the alley that you saw Miss Phelps being attacked?” the cop asked. Officer Short Stack here had an obvious case of severe Little Man Syndrome.

Clenching his fists at his sides to keep from crossing his arms in a defensive stance, Chase told him, “I was at the Desert Rose, having a drink with a friend. My bike is parked at the Luxor. I had just left my friend and was going to pick up my bike, and as I was walking down Reno, I heard someone crying, and naturally, I looked. I saw this guy smacking Miss Phelps around, and I went over to help.”

“And did you know Miss Phelps prior to this?”

“No, I did not.” Chase glanced at the back of the ambulance again, where Erin sat. He would love to know her now, though. Even with her face bloodied, bruised, and swollen, she was a knockout. She had great bone structure, her nose small and slightly upturned at the tip, her lips full and pouty, and her body in perfect proportion with curves that made him want to trace his hands down her from head to toe. Her strawberry blond hair was natural – no roots – with maybe a few highlights to spice it up a bit, and it hung long and straight to the middle of her back. It shone in the bright Vegas lights, telling Chase she took excellent care of it.

But her eyes were like windows to her soul. He hadn’t gotten close enough yet to know their exact color, but they seemed almost gray or silver from where he stood. And they carried a deep sadness he wanted to remove. He wanted to see them sparkle and dance and heat until her pupils swallowed the color in the heat of passion.

“What about James Canterbury? Did you know him?” the cop asked, drawing his attention back.

Growing impatient, Chase glared down at him, clenching his jaw. “No, I did not.”

The pompous little man scribbled away on a notepad, like he’d watched too many old cop movies. “What happened then? Did you throw the first punch?”

“No, I did not,” he repeated a third time. “I tried to pull him off Miss Phelps, and he threw a right hook at me. I dodged it and tried to take Miss Phelps away from him, but he kept coming and kept swinging. I only defended myself while Miss Phelps tried to call 9-1-1, but she dropped her phone, and I knew I needed to call for her. I was distracted, the guy landed a fist in my stomach, and I swung back. I had to hit him several times to get him to stop coming at me. We scuffled, and I eventually got him down. That’s when I dialed and got you guys out here.” It was mostly true, and he knew for a fact Erin would have a hard time recalling the exact order of events. This was the best way to explain it to keep from getting thrown in a jail cell overnight.

He’d had it happen a time or two and learned long ago how the law worked.

“Are you aware Miss Phelps is an escort by trade?” the cop asked.

“I am now. But what difference does that make?” Chase didn’t like that brought into the conversation.

“It’s relevant, Mr. Kilbourne, because escorts are sex workers. That makes pressing rape or attempted rape charges difficult. And many prostitutes are financially obligated to men who offer the sort of protection you provided.”

Now, Chase folded his arms over his chest, but it wasn’t defensive. The point was to remind the guy who had now offended him that he was far bigger and likely stronger. Unless Shorty pulled a gun or a nightstick, Chase could easily take him. “If you’re suggesting I’m her pimp, you are seriously mistaken. I am just a concerned citizen who wanted to help a woman in trouble.” He pointed toward the ambulance. “And the evidence of the attack is all over her face, so don’t tell me she can’t press charges. And that the prick who did that can’t be arrested.”

The cop sighed and tucked his notepad away as he leveled a taunting glare at Chase. “Do you have a record, Mr. Kilbourne?”

“Yes, I do. All misdemeanors. And none of them involve anything abusive to women – no rape, domestic violence, and no assault on a woman.” He knew what the guy wanted to do. He wanted to discount Chase as a witness because he was one of those men who didn’t think of escorts and prostitutes as people. Too bad for him, Chase knew better than most just how human they were. He’d known more than a few working women in his life, and he still had a soft spot for him.

Of course, there was something else about Erin Phelps that made him want to wrap her in his arms and protect her from the world at large.

“Alright, Mr. Kilbourne. I’m going to need you to come down to the station and give a recorded statement. Do you want to press assault charges as well?”

Chase knew he should. But he didn’t like being involved in anything to do with the police. It brought unwanted attention to him and the Cobras, and he’d had enough trouble in the past. Something about running the streets of Vegas for a decade and a half had ruined his excitement at the thought of cooperating with law enforcement. “No, I just want to see him hung out to dry for what he did to Miss Phelps. I’d be willing to bet it’s not the first time he’s attacked a woman. If you checked around with some of the other escorts, you might blow open a case on a serial rapist.” Appealing to the cop’s sense of heroics just might open him to the idea of actually taking this case seriously.

“I’ll take that under advisement.” He puffed out his chest and said, “The sooner you can get to the precinct, the better.”

He would want Chase to come in now, but Chase had other ideas. He hesitated and finally said, “I’d like to see that Miss Phelps gets the attention she needs tonight. I can come in late tomorrow morning.”

The cop was obviously irritated, but he wouldn’t argue. “Be sure you make it, or I’ll come looking for you.” He walked away, and Chase relaxed. He didn’t have anything to worry about anymore. He had no warrants, and all his priors were taken care of. He never left Vegas, so there were no probation violations to dodge. Still, cops made him nervous after the number of times he’d been cuffed and stuffed into the back of a black and white.

He didn’t waste time. He headed straight for the ambulance where Erin still sat, glancing in disgust at the other bus pulling out, carrying the john – and the officer who had handcuffed him to the stretcher – to the hospital. Chase may have been a hood, but he’d never disrespected a woman. He thought of any man who did as lower than a cockroach carrying Anthrax on its back.

Erin looked up and met his gaze as he approached, and something in his gut clenched at the way she looked at him. Chase didn’t quite understand what that look meant, or what he felt, but it was unsettling. Stepping up behind the EMTs, he asked, “How are you doing?”

She nodded. “Better.” He saw she wasn’t shaking now, and that eased his mind. It didn’t look like she’d sustained as much damage as he’d first thought, but she was still pretty banged up. One cheek was cut wide open, and there was a bad split in her swollen lower lip. Her nose was swollen, and she would probably have a black eye. But it didn’t look like anything was broken.

A quick conversation with the paramedics confirmed that, though they suggested Erin go to the hospital to take x-rays, just in case. But she shook her head, declining. “I don’t have insurance. I can’t afford an ambulance ride.”

“I can take you, if you want to get checked out,” Chase offered before he even knew what he was saying. Clearing his throat and casting his eyes to the side, he added, “It’s a good idea to make sure. You wouldn’t want that pretty face of yours damaged permanently.”

Beneath the bruising, he saw her blush. “Thank you. I might take you up on it, if you don’t mind hanging around until these guys are done here.”

Chase gave her what he hoped was a reassuring grin. “I don’t mind a bit. I don’t have anywhere else I’d rather be.” She started to smile but winced and put a hand to her cheek, her manicured brows knitting together. He had a strong desire to smooth the scowl away and wished he could ease her pain. She didn’t deserve any of this, just because she’d refused a john what he wanted. As an escort, she had every right to refuse service to any client, and while most women in the profession used that right only on rare occasions, the refusal tended to be justified on most of them. Typically, the john had offended them somehow, taken advantage of them, disrespected them, or were just too dirty. Chase had a feeling this guy had gotten fresh with Erin in an inappropriate place.

He lit a cigarette while the EMTs put some butterfly bandages across the cut on Erin’s cheek and put some liquid bandage over the cut on her lip. He didn’t smoke nearly as much as he used to, but he couldn’t seem to stop entirely, especially since he kept running into stressful situations. Doctors could claim nicotine constricted the blood vessels and increased blood pressure all they wanted. For Chase, it was calming.

Finally, the medics helped her down from the bus and walked her over to where Chase stood waiting. One of them gave him a nod and a meaningful look. “See if you can get her checked out, okay? She’s going to want some pain meds before the shock wears off entirely. We gave her a small amount of Demerol to take the edge off, but that’ll wear off, and she’s going to be in a world of hurt after she gets some rest.”

“Thanks, man, I’ll do what I can,” Chase said, shaking his hand and putting an arm gently around Erin’s waist. As they walked away, he asked her quietly, “Do you want to go to the hospital?”

She shook her head with a scowl. “Not particularly. They don’t treat women like me very well. I have a friend at a clinic I can go to tomorrow and get checked out. And I’ll get some scripts there.”

Chase sighed. “Well, you’re out a phone. Did you have anything else on you?”

She nodded and held up her clutch. “It doesn’t look like I lost anything from it. But I don’t know what happened to my shawl, and I need to give you back your vest.”

She started to take it off, but he stopped her. “No, you keep it until we find you something else to keep you warm.” He looked down the Strip and considered the options. He couldn’t put her on the back of his bike at night in Vegas without something to cover her bare shoulders, not to mention that her dress only came to mid thigh. She’d freeze. Vegas was desert – miserable heat during the day and deathly cold at night. He didn’t even like the idea of getting on his bike without his vest.

He had two options. He could call a cab and spend a fortune taking her to wherever she lived and then coming back for his bike. Or, he could head to his place of employment and call in a favor. Gesturing with his head, he told her, “Come with me. Let’s step inside out of the cold while I make a quick call.”

He led her back into the Desert Rose, easing her down onto a plush couch in the lobby. He sat down beside her and took out his phone. When she curled into him, Chase was a bit surprised, but he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and cradled her while he waited for an answer.

“Tell me you’re not in trouble again already,” Brock groaned into his ear.

“Not exactly,” Chase hedged, unable to keep the humor out of his voice. “But I’ve got a bit of a situation, and I need a favor.”

“Do I want to know?” Brock asked, sounding a bit suspicious.

Chase did laugh this time. “Trust me, I’m not the one in cuffs tonight.”

He heard a sigh at the other end of the line. “I swear, Chase, my hair’s going to turn gray because of you. What do you need?”

“Just a few minutes of your time. At the hotel.” He needed someone with authority to get what he wanted. Brock was the manager – and partial owner – of the highest rated hotel and casino on the Vegas Strip. He had more power and authority in his little finger than the damn president.

“This better be good, Chase. I’ll be there in twenty minutes. It’s the best I can do.”

“That’s perfect. It’ll take me that long to get there.” He hung up and told Erin, “We’re just going to rest here for a few minutes. Do you think you can walk a few blocks after that?”

“Sure. As long as I’m not alone.”

Chapter 4

Erin had no clue where Chase was taking her, and she didn’t really care. She was exhausted, and the chill in the air was making her face ache, every one of her wounds throbbing angrily. After the night she’d had, she probably should have asked him about his intentions, but she innately trusted Chase for some reason. It didn’t make sense; he was a complete stranger.

But he’d given his name and a statement to the police after saving her from a fate she didn’t want to think about. She’d never intended to stay in the escort business. It had been a profession of necessity, a way to support herself in an expensive city she’d fled to at a young age. She’d started out stripping, but it still didn’t pay the bills, and Laura had told her how much money she made as an escort. It took her a while to come around, but Erin had finally given in, and she’d finally started to live comfortably.

The problem was, once you started down that road, it was almost impossible to turn around. She dreamed of a legitimate nine to five, but she didn’t really have any skills, and she still couldn’t afford to go to college. She had no idea what she was going to do when she got too old for this, considering she couldn’t imagine any man wanting to marry someone like her, either.

Tonight’s incident reinforced Erin’s desire to find a new career, and she wondered if she’d be able to get back out and work. She definitely needed to take a break and think about it, though she would have to dip into her meager savings to do it.

With a hand on the arm that wasn’t bruised, Chase turned her toward the front door of a hotel, and when she looked up and saw which one it was, her eyes widened. She’d heard some of the other girls talk about this place. It was a favorite, apparently the best on the Strip, though Erin had never personally entertained in one of these rooms.

Suddenly, panic rose in her chest. “Where are we going?”

“Relax,” he told her in a soothing voice. “I’m not going to hurt you.” He saluted the doorman. “Hey, Jimmy, how’s it going?”

“Good, Chase, and you?” the guy answered.

“Can’t you tell?” He pointed to his face. “I’ve definitely had better days.” The doorman chuckled, and Erin realized her face probably looked worse than his. She ducked her head as they entered the hotel, not wanting anyone to see how battered she was. It embarrassed her, not just because she was used to getting appreciative looks rather than looks of pity, but because she had been stupid enough to let herself get into a position that allowed someone to do this to her.

But she couldn’t help looking up to gaze around the lobby of the opulent hotel. She’d been in some nice places, but this definitely took the cake. For a brief moment, Erin eyed the elevators and feared Chase had made a fool of her yet again and was taking her up to a room. But instead of left, he turned right, heading toward the casino. “Chase…where are we going?” she finally asked in a quiet voice. She hated how meek and nervous she sounded. Erin prided herself on her confidence and poise, and while her violent encounter may not have broken any bones, it had shattered her self assurance.

“I’m taking you to my friend’s office,” he said, as if it was no big deal.

“Your friend? Has an office here?” She had trouble believing that. It wasn’t that she looked down on Chase, but he didn’t exactly seem like the type to run with a bunch of rich executive types.

“I’ll explain later,” he said with a rueful smile. “But I work here, and let’s just say that is a great privilege that comes with a few perks from time to time.”

Erin tried to imaging Chase in a uniform or a suit, which were the only two things she saw on any of the employees here. Sure, he’d look sexy in anything he wore, but she couldn’t reconcile Chase dressing up like that. It would be like a costume. But they wound through the casino and to a door that read ‘Employees Only’. He punched through it like he owned the place, and she was suddenly suspicious. She’d heard him tell this ‘friend’ on the phone that he needed a favor, and while Erin felt comfortable with Chase and wanted to trust him, she had finally become jaded about trusting anyone.

About halfway down the long hall, he knocked on a door, and she heard a man inside say, “Come in!” Chase opened the door and guided her into an enormous office. There was a very handsome man in a vest that matched the one around her shoulders sitting behind a very expensive desk and a beautiful woman in tight jeans and a leather jacket perched on the corner of it.

“Hey, boss,” Chase said, and Erin’s eyes darted back and forth between him and the other man. So, he did work here. And it looked like his boss was part of the same motorcycle club. “This is Erin. Erin, this is Brock. He’s my boss. And this is his fiancé, Tanya.”

Tanya gave her a look of concern. “Oh, honey, what happened to you?” She stood and started fussing over Erin. Not knowing what else to do, Erin just let her examine her face. “Chase, why haven’t you taken her to the hospital for x-rays?”

“I tried. She said no and promised to go to a clinic tomorrow,” he said, eyeing her with an ‘I told you so’ expression.

Brock’s face was red and filled with outrage. “Who did this to you?” He sounded like he wanted to dip her attacker in a vat of hydrochloric acid.

“I took care of him,” Chase said. Brock stood so quickly he nearly knocked over his chair, but Chase held up a hand and laughed. “Not like that. I pulled him off her, gave him a pretty good beating, and called the police. He’s at the hospital, cuffed to the bed, and I told the detective on the scene what happened. I’m going to the station tomorrow to record my statement.”

Erin had yet to say anything, but that was fine. She didn’t mind Chase doing the talking right now since she was a little overwhelmed. The people in this office had money, the kind she would never see. And Chase was obviously pretty close to him.

Brock came around the desk and stood in front of Erin, Tanya stepping aside. He took both her hands in his and said, “You’re pressing charges, right?” She swallowed hard and nodded. A lot of the girls said it was a bad idea to do that in such a situation because it got back to other clients, who would see you as a risk. But Erin didn’t care. She wanted this guy locked up. “Good,” Brock told her. “I have a lot of friends around here. I’ll make sure everyone he’s locked up with knows what he did. And I’ll get a good word to the DA for you. He’ll get what he deserves.”

Erin stared at him, not knowing what to say. All she knew was that, if she ever killed someone, this was a man she wanted on her side. He’d probably get the charges dropped, or at least get her the best lawyer around to get her acquitted. “Thank you,” she managed eventually.

He gave her a nod and turned to Chase. “You asked for a favor. What did you need?”

Chase rubbed the back of his neck. “I was going to take her home on my bike, but she lost her shawl, and I started thinking. She doesn’t have anything warm with her, and she broke her phone, so she doesn’t have a way to get in touch with anyone. I don’t think she should go home like this, not alone, especially since she doesn’t have any pain meds. So, I was hoping we could give her a room for the night and maybe something a little more comfortable to wear.”

Erin gaped at him. She hadn’t expected that. “Chase, I can go home. I’ll just call a cab. I’ll be fine.”

But he shook his head. “Do it for me. I want the peace of mind of knowing you’re safe, if that guy somehow managed to get free and figure out where you live. Here, you have a phone, anonymity, and a warm bed. And we can probably at least get you some aspirin or ibuprofen.”

It was all so much to take in. Laura had offered her a place to stay when she first got to Las Vegas, but no one else had ever offered her any kind of help, and that seemed so long ago now. Eight years had passed all too quickly. And something else bothered her. If she accepted the help they offered, would they expect something in return? She didn’t have a pimp now, and she didn’t want one going forward. She couldn’t allow herself to be indebted to anyone.

“I guess I could stay, if you can let me pay the bill in installments. I don’t have the cash for a place like this right now,” she hedged, hoping she made it clear she wasn’t looking for handouts.

“No, you won’t be paying a bill,” Brock told her, and both Tanya and Chase nodded in agreement. “This hotel and casino make more than enough money, trust me. I do what I can when I can to help people, and I’m especially sensitive to battered women, whether it’s chronic or a one-time ordeal.”

Erin was still leery, but Chase spoke quietly in her ear. “Trust him. Brock is probably the most honest guy in Vegas.” Coming from Chase, for some reason, made it believable.

Too tired to argue or try to run away, Erin relented. “Alright.” She wanted to shower and sleep, and if Chase could really get his hands on some over the counter pain meds, she’d be forever grateful.

“Chase, show our guest to VIP 1202. Erin, if you need anything – room service or housekeeping or anything – let us know. It’s all on me tonight,” Brock said, taking her hand in both of his. There was some sort of security in that, and Erin couldn’t understand why she felt so comfortable with these men.

Tanya added, “I’ll have a few things sent up for you to wear. Take your pick. Whatever you like, you keep, okay?”

Speechless, Erin just nodded and followed Chase out of the office. But in the corridor, she stopped. “Chase, wait.”

He turned to look at her, and she wasn’t sure what she wanted to say. “You know, I don’t need clothes or food. And I could just take a taxi home.”

He gave her a strange look. “I know you could, but you shouldn’t. Have you ever stayed in a nice hotel just for yourself, without someone paying for your company?”

Blushing and averting her eyes, she shook her head. “No. My family didn’t have any money, and I’ve been busy since the day I got to Vegas.”

He gave her a playful, crooked grin that tore at her heart. “Then think of this as winning a prize, and just enjoy the stay.”