Nice and Naughty (13 page)

His dumbass brother hadn’t even realized he’d been shot. Overcome by dread and misery he’d plowed on to the hospital, only receiving treatment when he collapsed in the waiting room. Thankfully, the doctor assured them the damage would heal with minimal inconvenience.

The same did not hold true for Alexa.

Bile rose in his throat for the millionth time since he’d watched the sinister handgun come up in front of her. No matter how often he replayed the scene in his mind, analyzing the options, no other possible outcome presented itself. They’d done all they could.

“I’ll never forgive myself for what happened today.” Justin’s misery permeated every word, every movement, every breath he took.

“Damn it.” Jason couldn’t bear to lose his brother on top of everything else that’d transpired today. He continued attempting to convince him. With a firm hand on his shoulder, he subdued his weakened twin. “You’re being ridiculous. Don’t go. This is not your fault.”

“You warned me of the danger. I ignored you. I risked her life but she suffered the consequences.” Justin didn’t seem aware of the tears making silent tracks down his face. Panic flared in Jason’s chest, he hadn’t seen his brother cry since childhood. “Fuck! Why can’t I ever fucking think about these things before I do something so fucking stupid?”

“We made a mistake, Justin. I agreed, too. Slow down. Consider the consequences this time.”

Despair clouded Justin’s rationality. “No, I don’t deserve to be around you. I’ll only fuck up your life more than I already have.”

“We’re two halves of the same whole, remember?” Stark terror had chilled Jason earlier, when he feared he might lose both Alexa and Justin. It had reinforced the importance of their bond. “I need you now more than ever.”

“Me. Too.” The faint, scratchy words barely rose above the whir and beep of all the hospital equipment but Jason and Justin both whipped around to see Alexa fighting to stay awake.

“Sweetheart.” Jason hovered over her, his chest constricting when he witnessed her labored breathing. “Thank God.”

Behind them, he heard muffled curses and the rip of tape as Justin tore the tubes and needles from his arm before stumbling to her bedside. Jason grabbed a chair and pushed his brother down into it with one hand, the other never leaving her tentative grip as she tried to catch her breath after her brief speech.

The slow, fractured words scraped Alexa’s throat, causing her to wince. A dull ache infused every cell of her body. Disoriented, the now familiar cadence of her lovers arguing drew her from a fog of suffering. A sense of urgency propelled her to full consciousness.

The strained lines of worry creasing Jason’s handsome face frightened her as much as the liquid agony dripping from the less reserved brother’s eyes.

“I nearly got you killed.” Self loathing oozed from Justin. She grappled with the situation, trying to force it to make sense, all the while resisting the insistent lull of her drug induced weariness. She blinked in an attempt to bring the room around her into sharper focus. Breathing hurt beyond belief, her throat dried from the oxygen pumping into her, and she couldn’t force her vocal cords to produce the questions she needed to ask.

“Just rest. Don’t struggle.” Jason bent low over her to brush his lips across her forehead. “I love you more than you’ll ever know. The doctor says you’re going to be okay. I’ll be right here with you, and so will Justin. You’re safe now. Sleep, baby.”

She trained her gaze on Justin but he refused to look her in the eye.
Are they lying?

Am I going to die?

“Justin, you’re scaring her. Quit being a fool.”

“Shit. I’m making things worse, even now. I’ll go.” He pried himself up to a half crouch before Alexa forced her body to respond to a fraction of her commands. Her hand rose a mere inch off the hospital bed before it dropped, listless at her side.

“No.” The grotesque whisper sounded nothing like the shout she intended.

“Honey, don’t.” Justin laid his head gingerly on the pillow next to her, eyes squeezed shut. “I can’t stand to see you hurt.”

His bloodshot eyes opened, so close to her own they filled her world. “I love you with all my soul. I’m leaving you with Jay. He’s good for you. He’ll always take care of you. Protect you.”

His abandonment broke something precious inside her. She recalled his hollered promise to love her just a few short days ago. He’d convinced her that he meant it. How could she have been fooled again?

“Liar.” The rending of her spirit far surpassed the agony of her body. Comprehension dawned in the depths of his emerald eyes a moment later and she knew he remembered his vow, too.

Jason interceded. “Fine. I never imagined you were such a coward. Leave if you need to run, but quit hurting her. I won’t stand for anyone causing her a moment’s grief ever again. Get out.”

Regret, agony, fear and resignation cycled through Justin’s expression. She tried to beg him to stay, to hell with pride, but the darkness crept over her, dragging her down into the medicated void once more.

Days passed in a blur of sounds and dreams. Alexa remembered Jason’s somber explanation of the surgery necessary to repair her punctured lung. Then sedation prohibited her from discovering anything further.

The next time she surfaced, she woke to darkness. A strong hand entwined with hers prevented her from panicking. She rubbed the pad of her thumb across the warm palm. The lack of calluses convinced her it belonged to Jason. The sweet visions of Justin must have been delusions.

Her light touch roused him from his fitful doze in the chair beside the bulky hospital bed. His arm distended at an awkward angle that had to be uncomfortable.

“You’re awake.” His sexy, sleep roughened voice allowed her to fantasize she’d stirred in the night to make love to him.

I guess I’m getting better.
The sarcastic thought factored in a healthy dose of relief. Her hand clasped Jason’s tighter, responding like normal as some of her strength returned. Bolstered by the small success, she tested her voice with the most important message first.

“Love you.” The audible phrase sounded clearer than her previous attempt. Joy rushed through her. He had proved the strength of his character by sticking with her. Reliable, gentle, loving and kind, he fulfilled her needs. Well, at least those she allowed herself to acknowledge.

Spontaneity, laughter, adventure, unbridled emotion…What about those?
She couldn’t return to the half existence she lived before Justin unlocked her wild side and gave her permission to indulge it.

“I love you too, Alexa.” The words carried a sacred promise they both understood. They would never be parted or give up on each other. Tears scalded her dry eyes causing Jason to sit up in alarm. “Are you okay? Should I get the nurse?”

She shook her head, gesturing for him to sit.

“We can’t live without…him.” She couldn’t bring herself to utter Justin’s name. An abyss festered deep in her chest where his love should reside.

“Jesus Christ!” Jason’s sharp response rose in volume. “How much do you remember?”

“Justin. Left. Us.” Her stamina began to fade again, her eyes shutting under the weight of despair.

“Stay awake, baby.” He patted her hand, bringing her back a bit. “Just a minute more this time, please? Focus on what I’m saying.”

While he talked, he stretched to the table beside her and grabbed the box of tissues. She expected him to dry her tears, not to hurl the carton at the bed on her other side. A startled grunt filtered from the darkness.

“What the hell was that for, Jay? You hit my fucking arm.”

Justin’s grumpy mumble sent her pulse flying. The machine beside her clamored with the sudden rise.

“For frightening Alexa,” Jason answered. “Now get your ass over here.”

Justin asked, concerned, “What’s that beeping? I don’t recognize that one. Is something wrong?”

His head snapped toward her when he belatedly realized she was conscious. Jason stroked her arm, calming the painful trembling spreading throughout her body. www.samhainpublishing.com

“You’re here.” The desperation spilling into her voice would have annoyed her at any other time but, for now, her gratitude crowded out all other thoughts. The lethargy haunting her lifted as euphoria pumped her up.

“I promised.” Justin sank down next to her, careful not to jostle the mattress. “I could never leave you. God, have you spent all this time thinking I abandoned you?”

“How long?” It seemed like forever and, yet, just a moment ago that she woke up in this room.

“It’s been three weeks of pure hell for us all. Did you really believe I left?” Shame colored his question when he read the truth in her expression. He took her free hand in his, completing the chain with Jason on her other side. He swallowed hard. “I love you, Alexa. The day we got shot, I went a little crazy. Maybe it was the blood loss.” His selfdeprecating laugh fell flat.

“You? Shot?” She examined him but everything she saw looked like healthy, strapping man.

“Yeah, you guys left me out of the fun. I guess I’m just not cool enough to take a bullet.” Jason’s humor didn’t fully mask his concern. “When Justin dove in front of you, the second shot got him in the arm. If he hadn’t knocked you over… Well, it wouldn’t have been good. It doesn’t seem like it now, baby, but you got so damn lucky. The doctors didn’t think you had a chance at first.”

“Stubborn.” She smiled for the first time since Justin’s emotions had made her believe there could be no happy ending for them.

“Thank God,” the twins answered together.

“Jinx.”

They laughed for her, since the gesture was too painful to attempt, even as contentment settled over her for the first time in weeks. But, still, she had to know if the sensation came from false security.

“Did they catch him?” She hated the fear that seeped into the question.

“Jay took him down.” Justin beamed at his twin. “They’ve got him on multiple counts, including the murder of the informant since they matched the bullet to his gun. www.samhainpublishing.com

Jay called in some of his fancy hotshot lawyers and they swear he’s going to bring in the whole operation. He’s given them names, locations, descriptions and all the info they need. Besides, the patents have been verified, publically announced, and upheld by the court.”

“Thank God.” She surrendered to relief, sinking back into the hospital bed as the last of her tension drained out. Drowsiness returned, enhanced by the glow of safety and the comfort of her men holding her hands, stroking her hair and just being near.

“One last thing, sweetheart.” Jason’s tone turned serious. The nearly palpable loyalty in his eyes made her heart soar. “Recovering is going to take time and determination but we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. While you’re working on getting better, will you think about moving in with us for good? We want to spend our lives with you if you’ll have us.”

“Yes.” She squeezed their hands and love poured into her from both sides. Justin’s gaze burned with desire, commitment and a shred of fear that pushed her to answer. There was no need to leave them in suspense. “No thinking. Just yes.”

Jason’s intense sincerity balanced Justin’s smoldering grin of delight.

“Well, honey.” Justin winked at her. “I guess you better concentrate on healing up quicker. Looks like we have a lot more to celebrate now.”

They both leaned in and kissed her cheeks before whispering promises of eternal devotion. Alexa drifted into a restful sleep with a smile on her face and love in her soul. The assurance of years of bliss to come fabricated dreams for her to savor.

About the Author

Jayne Rylon's stories usually begin as a daydream in an endless business meeting. Her writing acts as a creative counterpoint to her straight-laced corporate existence. She lives in Ohio with two cats and her husband who both inspires her fantasies and supports her careers. When she can escape her office, she loves to travel the world, avoid speeding tickets in her beloved Sky and, of course, read.

To learn more about Jayne Rylon, please visit
www.jaynerylon.com. She enjoys

hearing from readers. You can send an email to Jayne at
[email protected]
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Look for these three novellas together in print in
Three’s Company
Coming Summer 2009

How do you choose between love and honor?

A Question of Trust

© 2008 Jess Dee

Madeline Jones is having the time of her life with Gabriel Carter, a man who fulfills every one of her sexual fantasies. She’s sure it can’t get any better than this…until Gabe introduces her to his best friend.

When Connor Regan enters the mix, sparks fly. Suddenly Maddie wants more than just Gabe, she wants Connor, too. The two men seem happy to oblige. But threesomes have a way of getting complicated. Hearts can be broken. Although Gabe and Connor play by a strict set of rules designed to minimize the damage, true love does not always adhere to the guidelines.

Sometimes, to fulfill the dream of having the love of a lifetime, even the most comprehensive codes of honor have to be challenged.

Enjoy the following excerpt for
A Question of Trust:
I’m coming after you, Madeline Jones.

He walked towards Gabe’s room.

I’m coming now.

Anticipation tightened his stomach. Would Maddie invite him in—or slam the door in his face?