To Protect His Mate (5 page)

* * * *

Stephanie awoke to the heavenly aroma of bacon and pancakes. Sure enough, she opened her eyes to find a warm plate sitting on the nightstand along with a few aspirin and a glass of juice.

God bless Sarah. She must have known Stephanie would wake up with a headache. Last night had been horrible. Luckily, Sarah and Erik had allowed her the space she’d needed. Stephanie absolutely
hated
to cry in front of people and had been ashamed of her breakdown.

After a good stretch, a quick glance at her alarm clock sent her scrambling from the bed. She had just over an hour before her first patient arrived at the clinic, and she’d need every spare minute to convince Sarah she should go.

Once out of the shower, Stephanie pulled on a white blouse and a pair of chocolate-colored slacks. She slid a pair of flats into her handbag and styled her hair in a high ponytail before stopping beside the bed to grab her breakfast and head to the kitchen.

“Good morning,” she called as she set her plate on the table. Her relief at seeing the flowers and card gone was great.

“What are you doing out of bed?” Sarah never beat around the bush. “And why are you putting on those ugly-ass rain boots with that nice outfit?”

“I’ve got patients in about twenty minutes, so I need to hurry up, eat and rush my butt to work,” Stephanie explained around a mouthful of pancakes. “The boots are so my feet stay dry since it’s still sleeting a little out there, and they’re predicting snow tonight.”

Sarah’s eyes widened slightly at Stephanie’s casual reply, before narrowing to mere slits. “You need to stay
here
,” she growled, “They may try to send you something else, something worse or even dangerous, and—”

“I won’t let them see me cower.” Stephanie put as much authority in her voice as she could. “I will continue on with my day just like I would any other. I’ll remain alert and cautious, but I won’t let them keep me from my responsibilities, either.”

Sarah slumped. “You’re going to be difficult about this, aren’t you?”

“I’m afraid so. I’m only there for half the day then I’ll leave at one.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me scared.”

“I can understand that, and I’ll be following you to and from work again, so I suppose it should be safe enough. But don’t you dare leave that building without me,” Sarah warned. “Even if the damn fire alarm sounds, you wait until you smell smoke. Don’t trust it or anything else that could draw you into the open.”

Stephanie rose to hug her friend and promised, “I’ll be careful, Sarah. I swear I’ll call you if I even
suspect
something is up.”

Sarah gave one sharp nod. “I guess that will have to do, but if something happens again, you
have
to tell Abraham.”

“Yeah, I know, and I planned to tell him about it tonight.” After a gusty sigh, she continued, “I realized last night that things are getting a little too serious. I’ve decided to go ahead and go to his house after work.”

“I’m glad. Keeping this from him would have become pretty difficult before long, and I’d hate to be on Abe’s bad side.”

Stephanie just laughed. She knew Sarah wasn’t
really
afraid of Abraham—he would never hurt a woman—but he was beyond scary when he was mad, and she had no doubt keeping this from him would leave him royally pissed off.

“Well then, let’s head out, so I’m not late, and you can escort me to his place once I’ve packed a few things after work.”

“Actually, I’ll swing by here and pack some things for you once you’re at work. I want to get you settled at Abe’s as soon as possible…before these yahoos try anything else.” Sarah hugged her again. “I haven’t been able to have any friends in years, so I’m not about to lose my first good one to these bastards.”

“You’re just hoping for a fight,” Stephanie teased.

“Damn right! Erik’s trying his best to keep me out of trouble, so I guess I’ll have to find my own. And you, being the true friend that you are, have helped me out with that. Thanks, babe!”

Chapter Six

Abraham had just received a text from Stephanie, stating that she would be moving in tonight, when his doorbell rang. He wasn’t expecting anyone, and would have ignored it, but his brother’s bellowed, “Abraham, I need to talk to you,” sounded too ominous to ignore, especially when Abraham still had that feeling of impending danger twisting at his gut.

When he opened his door to find Erik in the same clothes from yesterday, wrinkled and sloppy, he knew something was up. He gestured for his brother to enter, before leading the way to the kitchen.

“I was just about to enjoy a little coffee before my morning run. Do you want a cup?” he offered.

“Yeah, I could use a kick of caffeine right about now. I’ve been up most of the night, and promised Sarah I’d talk to you before I went home,” Erik accepted the steaming cup and sipped.

“You’re in the same clothes as yesterday,” Abraham pointed out. “I can’t believe you kept them on if your little mate was anywhere around.”

“I had no choice. It was either keep them on or have sex on Stephanie’s couch. Somehow, I doubt she’d appreciate that.”

“You stayed the night at Stephanie’s house?” He knew his snarled reply was unnecessary, but any man other than him spending the night with his mate was unacceptable. “Why?”

“Listen, she’s had a really shitty last few days, and I promised I’d let her tell you everything. She’s coming tonight to do just that, and you need to be quiet and listen to what she has to say.” The fact Erik had come all the way out to his home was enough to get Abraham’s attention. His brothers all lived a good distance away, and that was how it had to be. They were all alphas and would likely have killed each other by now, otherwise.

“So if she’s going to tell me tonight, why are you here?”

“Because Sarah wanted me to come and talk to you before she felt she had to…intervene.” Erik sighed and ran his fingers roughly through his hair. “She wanted me to help you out before you ruined your chances with Stephanie.”

“So it
is
something I’m doing that’s affecting her.” It wasn’t a question, so Abraham wasn’t surprised when Erik remained silent. “So what is it? What have I done?”

“Nothing.”

Abraham growled long and low, his frustration rising. “Explain, Erik, before I get pissed.”

Erik sighed, seeming almost pitying. “Fine. Do you love Stephanie or not?”

Abe just blinked back at his brother in shock. “Of course, I love her!”

“Then why haven’t you told her so?”

Abraham began to pace.
Of all the nerve!
“How can she not know? I spend every available moment with her, send her flowers at least once a week, meet her for lunch every day…”

Erik slashed his hand through the air, cutting him off. “Every man in the history of the world has used those things as a way to get into a woman’s pants. She’s been burned by a man in the worst way, Abe, and she told Sarah she refuses to be in a relationship where she’s the only one emotionally involved. That bastard hurt her, and she’s guarded herself against a repeat of that pain. You’ll have to show her, tell her and keep on doing both until she has no doubts left about how you feel.”

“What?” Abraham couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. Who had hurt her? What had that bastard done? Had he been one of those verbally abusive pricks who put women down? Had he hit her?

“Calm down, man. I can see you getting more pissed by the minute. She’s going to fill you in on all of it since it pertains to the situation.” Erik winced, obviously realizing his last comment had snagged his brother’s interest. “Forget it, Abe. I’m not telling you. She made us promise to let her tell you, and I’m sure you don’t want to rob her of that by trying to force one of us to betray her trust.”

Damn it! Erik always was an irritating son of a bitch. Abraham wanted nothing more than to pick him up and shake some answers out of him, but Erik was right. Stephanie was ready and willing to open up to him and trust him with the secrets that he’d known were there.

No, he wouldn’t take that from her.

“I need to run.” He had to let off this excess energy before Stephanie came over. It wouldn’t do him any good to see her with his emotions still raging through him. A good, hard run should help him get under control.

“All right, man. I’ll be heading home if you need anything. Sarah is packing up Stephanie’s clothes and such, so she can leave from work to come straight here.” Erik shifted on his feet, showing the restless nerves he tried to hide. “Just remember to call if you need anything.”

“Thanks, man. I will.” Abraham saw his brother to the door then shed his clothes as he moved to the back of the house.

A good run would help him to cool down and collect his wits before Stephanie came over. He’d be cool and calm, show her that he was accepting of her past and prove his love to her in any way he could.

* * * *

“This is your last appointment, Stephanie, I promise.” Francine was anxious to get out of the office, too, so Stephanie couldn’t fault her if one more person happened to come in.

Glancing at the chart, she noticed he’d never been into the clinic before. “A new patient and in this weather?”

“He claims to be suffering from a stomach bug.” Francine shrugged. “I’d feel bad if we have to close for snow days and the poor guy is really that sick.”

“It’s fine. He’ll probably just need some meds to get him through the worst of the symptoms while the virus runs its course.” Stephanie took the chart and started up the hall to the exam room.

She remembered to text Sarah, to tell her that she was almost ready to leave, right before she knocked on the exam room door. “Good afternoon, Mr. Johnson.”

“Good afternoon,” replied the middle-aged man, sitting on the exam table. He was average-looking in every way. Average height, average weight and plain looks. He was someone who would blend in anywhere he went.

“So, it says here you’ve got a stomach bug?” A glance at his vital signs showed everything to be within normal limits.

“My stomach just stays knotted.”

Hmmm…. Most people would elaborate, but his answers were rather short. He was sweating, but there was no fever, and he tapped his foot as if he were nervous or impatient.

“Do you have a stressful job, Mr. Johnson? Perhaps, you’ve developed an ulcer.”

He cocked his head and regarded her for one awkward moment before he grinned. “It’s actually become a little easier this week.”

“Well, that’s good, but you should definitely look into ways you can alleviate some of that stress. You’d be amazed at how much it can affect your body.” She was all set to deliver her speech on stress induced health issues, when he rose and began to pull on his jacket. “Are you cold?”

“Not really. I’m just getting ready.” His tone was calm and casual as he slipped his gloves on and placed his hands in his coat pockets.

Stephanie felt an ominous itch at the back of her neck. The air in the room seemed to change instantly. Suddenly, she knew that this man was no patient.

She half turned, reached into her lab coat, where she had her phone stashed in an inside pocket, then quickly scrolled to and hit Sarah’s name on the screen. She pulled out her prescription pad, giving the illusion that that had been what she was doing, and left the device in her pocket. Stephanie had the feeling she’d need both hands free but hoped Sarah would be able to hear what was happening.

“So you think this may be an ulcer and not the beginning of a virus?” He gave a small smile. “Well, that makes me feel a little better. Would you suggest antacids then?”

Thinking perhaps she was mistaken, Stephanie quickly jotted down a script for an antacid and another for nausea…just in case. She really would feel bad if he suffered during this storm.

“Here are a few scripts for you. The pharmacy should still be open, but hurry over, in case they decide to close early, too.”

She handed him the slips and opened the door to the exam room. He smiled and shook his head. “Ladies first.”

“Thank you.” As she slipped past him, another wave of unease flowed through her. She turned to shake his hand and bid him farewell. At the same time, she heard a soft click. She saw a blur of silver just before a fiery burn erupted in her upper arm. Mr. Johnson stood before her with a switchblade in his hand and murder in his eyes. Her instincts had been spot on!

“Francine! Call the police!” she screamed while dodging another strike.

“Sorry, honey, but they won’t make it in time,” he sneered.

“They aren’t the only ones on their way.” Stephanie gave him an equally nasty glare while wishing she hadn’t left her gun in her desk drawer. Unfortunately, it was unprofessional—and against policy—to have a firearm in a clinical setting, but damn, she wished she’d broken the rules now. Her brave front was crumbling quickly.

“You don’t fool me. I know you haven’t called anyone else.” He took a menacing step toward her, and she pulled her phone from her pocket. Hearing the muffled shouts coming over the line, Stephanie smiled and put the call on speaker.

“You’re dead, you miserable son of a bitch! Do you hear me? They’ll never find your body!” Sarah screeched into the phone while Erik could be heard in the background between Sarah’s threats… Oh shit, it sounded like he was talking on the phone, too.

“You’ll never make it out of town if you don’t cut your losses and run now,” Stephanie warned, steadily backing down the hall.

“I’ll be killed if I fail, too, so there’s really no alternative for me now. I might as well do what I came to do and take my chances.”

He lunged, and she dove quickly to the side, avoiding his sloppy attack. Dashing into her office, she pulled her Ruger from the drawer and took aim on the doorway. Sure enough, he barreled in after her. She took her shot, taking out his knee.

As he crumpled to the floor with an agonized wail, Stephanie shouted to Francine to get out as she darted past him and out the back door. Sarah was still on the phone, on speaker, and screaming at Stephanie to answer her.