ROMANCE: Bear Naked Passion (Billionaire Bear Trio Book 2) (2 page)

Chapter 2

She stayed quiet as Chase observed her.

“So what do you say? Let me help?”

“I don’t know. I still don’t know how I’d afford you. Plus, I don’t want to drag you into my mess.”

“Not your mess, your brother’s mess.”

She rolled her eyes. “He’s obviously still an extension to me. And it’s not your problem.”

He waved her off. “Come back to the office with me, and we’ll talk to my partner.”

“I don’t know. It will be a waste of time.”

“Nothing new is a waste of time,” he replied, and stood holding out his large hand.

She glanced at it, and then up at him before sighing, but she stood without his help. “Fine, but I don’t accept handouts.”

He smirked. “Understood. My office is down the street. Are you okay to walk?” As if he remembered she was hurt. “And we’ll be taking care of your back first.”

“It’ll be fine, and yes, I’m capable of walking.”

It looked like he wanted to say more, but instead, he led the way down the street. Her legs were short and she walked much slower. When he realized she wasn’t keeping up with him, he slowed his stride to let her catch up.

“Thanks.”

They walked a few more blocks before he stopped in front of a large building. “Our offices are on the ground floor—thank God,” he said.

She chuckled at the look on his face. “Are you afraid of heights or something?”

His eyes turned serious. “All of us are. Some, like me, are worse than most.”

“All of you?”

“Our pack,” he said, and then shut his eyes. “The team, I mean.”

She wondered what that was about. “Oh well, a lot of people are afraid of heights.”

He nodded and climbed the stairs. She followed, and each step hurt more than the last. He was probably right about her back needing some attention. The blood that had dried started again. She felt it sliding down the back of her jeans and sighed. Before they made it to the top stair she stopped. The pain was too much.

He turned back and frowned. “Your back?”

It was too late to deny the pain, so she nodded.

He jogged down to her and lifted her into his arms. She gasped because it still hurt, and because she hadn’t expected him to lift her so easily.

“You don’t have to do this,” she said, but wrapped her arms around his neck anyways. He was warm and comforting.

“I know, but I want to.” He carried her up the last steps and set her down gently before going inside.

Skye sighed. “Thanks for that.”

“Not a problem. I didn’t think you wanted me carrying you inside in front of the whole team.”

“Definitely not.”

He pulled open the door and gestured for her to go before him. She slipped past him and went inside. The blast of coolness coated her sweat-covered skin. She waited for Chase, and he was there again, leading her. “My office is down that hall, but we need to go see Jesse.”

She nodded and followed behind him. She was lightheaded, but there was no way she was letting him cart her around like she was some helpless female.

He went ahead of her, and this time she didn’t bother keeping up, and he didn’t wait. He must have needed to warn this Jesse person that she was coming. The pain was razor sharp and shot through her body. It wasn’t good as she slowly made her way down the short hall. Her vision blurred and she bit her lip. She would not let herself fall. She gripped the doorframe and one foot was in the office before she tipped forward. She felt like she was falling, but then she was held up. Prying her eyes open, she stared into Chase’s concerned eyes.

“I told you it was bad,” he said, before lifting her again. Someone else shut the door and she heard muffled voices before she was laid on something soft. The tearing sound echoed in the room, and she realized it was her shirt being torn, but she was too weak to do anything about it.

Someone hissed and said, “Fuck, what did the bastard do to her?” He sounded like Chase, yet different.

“I don’t know, she wouldn’t tell me, but she needs stitches.”

Skye kept her eyes closed and listened to the two men talking. Their voices were soothing. She relaxed her body into the comfortable couch.

“Do you want me to do it?”

She heard a growl and her heart raced, but not out of fear.

“Calm down, Brother. I know, and I wouldn’t touch her otherwise, but she needs a steady hand and you’re not in control right now.”

“Fine, but I swear—
”
Chase replied.

“Don’t worry, I won’t. Congratulations, though.”

Skye moaned in pain and tried to get up. It burned. “It hurts,” she said, and gasped.

The other man she heard talking knelt by the couch, and she looked into his eyes. They were similar to Chase’s eyes, and she knew that Jesse was his brother.

“I’m going to rub some numbing solution over your injury. It may hurt at first.”

She nodded. “Please.”

“It’s all right, sweetheart. You’re safe and we’ll take care of you now.”

Chase growled again, but sat on the arm of the couch and ran his fingers through her hair. “He’s right. You’re safe now.”

His tone was rough, possessive, and full of determination.

Jesse rubbed the liquid on her back and she arched back and cried out in pain. Reaching out, she searched for Chase. He grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together. If she wasn’t in so much pain, she might have noticed how good his touch felt. Instead, she squeezed his hand, digging her nails in. He didn’t complain, even when she knew she broke skin.

Jesse’s hand flattened her back to the couch. “Shhh. It’s almost done, sweetheart.”

He was right. Soon her pain disappeared to nothing, and she loosened her hold on Chase’s hand, but he didn’t let go. “This stuff is awesome, but why do I feel funny?” she asked in a slurred voice.

Chase chuckled. “It’s medicine. You’ll be all right, beautiful.”

Skye didn’t even feel the needle as Jesse stitched her back. She laid still and closed her eyes. She was confused. Chase stayed by her side and held her like he had the right to. She could feel his domineering nature and the strangeness attached to him. He wasn’t your typical man—of that she was certain. She had a feeling he had a couple secrets of his own.

Chapter 3

Skye didn’t sleep exactly. She was aware of everything that went on around her, but it played out like a dream. She watched the two men sit and talk. The things they talked about were hard to understand. As if they were vague on purpose. Chase was tense. She could tell by the set of his muscles, and she wanted to soothe him, even if she didn’t understand why.

After what felt like a lifetime, she was able to feel her back. The pain built slowly and she groaned. “Do you have some Aspirin?” she asked.

Chase jumped up and came to help her. She took his hands and he lifted her into a sitting position.

“Is it bad?”

“It aches.”

Jesse came over to her and smiled. His dimples made him appear to be the younger brother, but the wisdom in his eyes is how she knew he was older, much older than he looked. “Sorry we had to meet under such trying circumstances. I’m Jesse,” he said, holding out his hands. In one, there was a pill, and in the other, a glass of water.

“What’s that?”

“It’s stronger than Aspirin, but you’ll feel better, believe me.”

“I probably shouldn't be taking medication from strange men I just met,” she mumbled, but took the pill anyways and swallowed it with the water.

Chase sat next to her. “We wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.” And she believed him. There was something so honest about him.

Jesse took the glass to his desk, pulled his chair across the room, and sat in front of her. He was a big guy, but she didn’t really feel intimidated by him. If anything, he seemed like the protective older brother type. He wore an easy smile and his eyes crinkled. “So my brother tells me you had a run-in with a thug looking for money?”

Skye nodded. “My brother apparently owes quite a bit of money and he dipped out. Honestly, I have no idea where he is, but if I find him, I’m going to kick his ass.”

“How much does he owe?”

“Fifteen thousand, and the thug informed me his boss was feeling generous, so I have two weeks to get the money to him before—well, I don’t know what exactly, but I can’t imagine it will be good for me.”

Chase glowered. Skye shifted closer and he calmed as soon as her thigh pressed against his. She held back her smile, but Jesse was aware of everything. He smiled at her, and his eyes shined with excitement.

“No, I imagine not. That’s what we’re here for. You’ll be protected, and I’ll send someone to search for your brother. I need something of his though. I have the best trackers around. If anyone can find him, Shawn can.”

“My brother has always been good at disappearing. He won’t be easy to find.”

“We’ll handle it.”

“And what happens to him when you find him?”

Jesse shrugged. “We hand him over to this loan shark.”

Skye wasn’t sure how she felt about that. She didn’t like him much, but she didn’t want anything to happen to him. Not really. “Oh, but—”

“He handed you over to thugs, Skye,” Chase said.

She glared. “I know, but he’s still my brother. I want him safe, even if I don’t want him in my life.”

Jesse held up a hand. “Maybe we can figure something out. Do you think he’ll have the fifteen thousand?”

“Who knows? He gambles. Sometimes he can make more in a night. Other times, obviously, he does horribly. I know what will happen to him if he is handed over to this Mickey guy. He’ll be killed, and I don’t want that.”

“I understand, sweetheart, but his stupidity will end up getting you killed instead, and I don’t think that’s a good exchange. You don’t deserve it.”

She nibbled her lip. “If we can find a way to keep him alive and out of my life, that’s what I want. If not—then I don’t want to know anything.” A tear slid down her cheek. She never imagined being so cold, but this time Joey really fucked up, and she wasn’t going to be able to save him. She didn’t have the funds or the energy.

Chase wrapped an arm around her shoulder and she leaned into him. “It’ll be okay. We’ll do our best to make sure it works out the way you want, but I won’t promise you anything. Not when there’s a chance I can’t keep it.”

She looked into his eyes and smiled. “Thank you, but how the hell am I going to afford you?”

He laughed and heat filled his eyes. She blushed and looked at Jesse soberly. “Seriously, I’m sure you guys charge way more than I make. How’s this going to work?”

Jesse looked at Chase and there seemed to be some sort of silent conversation. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out. I don’t want you to stress. You need to take care of your back and keep it from getting an infection. We don’t charge as much as you might think, plus we have payment plans. We got you, sweetheart.”

She glared. “I already told Chase I don’t take handouts.”

“It’s not a hand out.”

She bit her tongue and decided it would be a battle for another day. The medication clouded her mind and she could barely keep her eyes open. “Fine, but only because the pill you gave me is kicking my ass.”

Chase laughed and pulled her against him more. “I’ll take her to the cabin while you get with Shawn and the others. Let them know what’s going on.”

“Sure thing, bro. Take her home to pack first. We don’t know how long you’ll need to be gone.”

“I can hear you, you know.”

She might have been hawked up on medication, but she was still aware that something else was going on. She had questions of her own that she would be asking. Right at the moment, she was quite happy where she was.

“Skye, is that all right?”

“Yeah, sure. Let’s go before I pass out though. I don’t need you packing for me. Who knows what I’d end up with.”

She felt his laughter deep in his chest, but he didn’t deny it. She’d probably end up with all the things she kept hidden in her closet.

Chapter 4

By the time they reached her house, Skye was in and out. Chase pulled in front of her house and helped her out of his truck.

“Let’s get you inside and packed as fast as possible. Only bring what you can’t live without for at least two weeks, okay?”

She nodded and pulled from the comfort of his arms. She pushed open her door and gasped. Her house was torn apart.

Chase went to grab her but she yanked away from him and walked through the tornado that had hit inside. Papers were everywhere, shelves were knocked over, and furniture was overturned. Someone was looking for something, but she didn’t have anything of value, not really.

Tears pooled in her eyes. All the things she did have she worked her ass off for. It hadn’t come easy. “Why would someone do this?”

Chase’s eyes were narrowed on her closed door. “What’s in there?”

“My room.”

He nodded and strode to the door and pushed it open slowly. She followed behind him as he checked inside. Nothing was there, but the room was an even bigger mess than the rest of her house. “Someone was looking for something. What do you have of value?”

“Nothing.”

He glanced at her, unbelieving.

“Really, I have nothing of value.” She could see he still wasn’t convinced.

“Okay, well let’s get you packed, and don’t forget something of your brother’s.”

“In the other room, in the closet, are all his things.”

Chase left the room and she reached under her bed, pulling out her bag. Opening her dresser, she started shoving things in the bag. It didn’t matter anymore. Seeing her house showed her she really wasn’t safe and all, because Joey decided to run out on his responsibilities. She’d never been more disappointed in him than she was at that moment.

Chase came back as she was zipping her bag. “Almost done?” Something strange was in his tone and eyes. He had a faraway look that Skye had learned was not a good look on the male species.

“What’s wrong?”

He shook his head. “Nothing, I just want to get you safe.”

Partial lie
.

Instead of arguing, she nodded. “I have to get some things out of the bathroom, and then I’m good to go.”

“Okay, good.”

She slid past him and when her body brushed against his, she shivered. She wouldn’t lie, she wanted him fiercely, but as much as she wanted him, she wasn’t sure what to make of him.

The bathroom was the only room untouched, and for that she was grateful. She wasn’t lying when she said she had nothing of value, but she had managed to save up a couple thousand dollars. It wasn’t a lot, but it was her nest egg, and she hid it in her bathroom, hoping no one would think to look there. She reached behind the counter and sighed in relief when she pulled out the envelope. She shoved it in her bag and grabbed her necessities.

She was ready to go and nodded at Chase. “I’m good now. Let’s go.”

He glanced around the house and turned to leave. She followed behind him and shut and locked her door. It wasn’t as if anyone would come back. They’d already searched her house. She had a huge mess to deal with once everything was over.

Skye took Chase’s hand to help lift her into his monster truck. When he got inside, she looked at him. He was a little too quiet and that worried her.

“Is everything okay? I mean, besides the obvious?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’ll let you know when I figure it out.” At least he didn’t lie.

“I guess that’s better than lying. It’s not good though. I can see it in your face. You’re worried about something.”

Chase nodded and grasped her knee. Lust shot through her body and she couldn’t hold back her gasp. He rubbed his thumb across her thigh and she glanced at him.

“I’ll keep you safe,” he promised, and she knew he would.

Their gazes stayed locked together until a horn blasted on the street. Chase started the truck and pulled out of the driveway. Skye’s heart beat wildly, and she wondered why she was feeling so much lust for a near stranger. It wasn’t often she was attracted to a man anyways, but the amount of need filling her body was unnatural.

Chase kept both hands on the wheel, gripping it tightly. Skye worried about what he hadn’t told her. Now she was able to study him. He was a little rugged with a beard and shaggy hair, but it didn’t take away from his good looks. He was tall and bulky, and she knew he was strong because he carried her around like she weighed nothing at all.

He glanced at her and she blushed before looking out the window. At her age, she should have already been married, or at least in a relationship heading towards marriage, but she’d never found anyone she trusted or loved enough. The few she would have liked to stick around left because of Joey.

She watched civilization pass by and couldn’t stand the silence. “Where are we going?”

“I'm taking you to our safe house.”

“In the middle of nowhere?”

“Yes, it’s a large cabin and well-hidden. I think you’ll like it.”

“What do you normally use it for?”

“Meetings mostly.”

“What kind of meetings.”

Chase chuckled. “Are you trying to figure me out?”

“Yes. I know there’s something big you’re not telling me.”

“You’re not ready for my secret.”

“How do you know?”

He glanced at her and she was serious. He didn’t know, and she could handle more than people gave her credit for.

“Okay, maybe I’m not ready. What if it makes you run the opposite direction?”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter what I think, does it? I’m your client and you’re helping me until this shit is done with, right?”

His mouth curled up and he growled. “You’re more than that and you know that.”

“I don’t know what I am.”

He sighed and turned down a dirt road and slowed the truck. “You can’t tell that I feel something for you?”

“I thought so, but I don’t know. My judgment has been a bit off.”

“You’re not wrong, baby. I’ll tell you my big secret, but I need you to be open-minded.”

“I can be open-minded,” she whispered.

“Good, but not yet. Let’s get you to the cabin and settled first, okay?”

“Okay, but you’re telling me soon. It’s driving me crazy.”

“I hope not,” he muttered.

She let him drive the rest of the way in silence. The dirt road went on forever, but then she saw the cabin. It was gigantic. She sat up and looked around. “Holy shit, this place is huge.”

He chuckled. “I told you.”

She glared at him and stuck her tongue out. She’d never seen a house this big, better yet a cabin. Who the hell needed such a huge cabin deep in the woods? She looked at Chase and shivered. Apparently the man next to her did.