Page 22 of The Woman Who Couldn't Scream
The way he snapped at her dog, like Lacey had hurt his feelings, made Kateri relax and smile. She glanced toward the closed front door. “How didyouget in?”
“I told the kid out front I intended to come in.”
“The kid? The cop? He let you walk in?” Sean Weston was in big trouble.
“I may have frightened him. You might want to tell him you’re still alive before all of Virtue Falls law enforcement arrives.”
“Right.” Gently she shoved Lacey out of her lap. Leaning down, she groped for her walking stick. She braced it on the floor, braced her other hand against the arm of the sofa and tried to rise.
She couldn’t quite make it. Pain stabbed at her side, her wobbly knees gave out, and with a wince, she fell back—and that made her flinch, moan and hold her ribs.
Immediately Stag was on his feet and at her side. “For God’s sake. Ask for help.” He wrapped his arm around her butt and lifted her to her feet.
“Thank you.” She hobbled toward the front door, Stag on one side, Lacey on the other.
“You don’t know how to ask for help.” He sounded surprised.
“It doesn’t come easy.”
He opened the door for her.
It was dark. Three cop cars had already arrived, lights flashing, sirens silenced. Neighbors were gathering on the sidewalks. Damn. She’d made a scene. She took a careful step out onto the porch and grasped the railing for support. “Sorry, guys. I’m fine. Really.”
“How do we know he hasn’t got a gun on you?” Sean sounded more than a little belligerent.
She shut the door in Stag’s face, opened it to reveal him glaring balefully, shut it, opened it and said, “He’s my boyfriend. He was overly concerned and I’m sure too pushy. I hope he didn’t injure you?”
“Only his pride,” Stag muttered.
“No, he… no.” Sean shook his head.
Another cop car pulled up. Bergen got out of the driver’s side, leaned an arm on the top of the car and called, “No prints, Kateri, and we’ve got a mess to clean up before you can go home.”
“Okay. I’ll stay here for the night. Stag and Lacey are here. I’ll be safe. You all can go”—she waved a limp hand—“find John Terrance. And isn’t it Saturday night?”
Bergen answered her unspoken question. “Yes, we’ve already got a few DUIs brought in.”
She nodded. “Give me twelve good hours of sleep and I’ll be riding with you again. Go on.” She watched them reluctantly get in the cars to leave. Turning back to Stag, she said, “Please. I need some food, some meds and… can you help me take a shower?”
He got a crease in his cheek, the kind that meant he was holding back a smile. “See? Now that didn’t hurt at all.”
She pinched his butt. Hard. Which was no easy thing because his cheek was rock-hard firm muscle… really nice and tight… damn him.
He laughed, pulled her close, and together they headed into the bathroom.
Lacey stayed right on their heels. She sat looking into the bathtub while Stag gently soaped and rinsed Kateri. She watched him dry Kateri and put her into the nightgown Sandra had packed.
He kept his arm around Kateri as they made their way to the master bedroom. When he flipped on the light, he stopped, viewed the decadent queen-sized bed and asked, “Why are there scratch marks on the headboard posts?”
Kateri grinned. “Handcuffs?”
Her big, tough bouncer/lover turned her toward the guest room.
“I wish Rainbow was here, now, and well,” she said. “She’d make John Terrance sorry he was ever born.”
“You’ll have to do that for her.” As he helped Kateri into the narrow double bed, Lacey leaped onto the middle of the mattress.
Stag eyed her.
