Bedmates Soulmates

Out Alone In The Storm

Kira was filled with self-reproach.

She didn't expect Austyn would do all this for her.

It was so sweet, so unlike him.

And it touched her more than words could describe.

Kira's heart beat violently.

She forgot about the call.

Kai was still talking on the phone.

Kira jumped out of bed and dashed downstairs, shoeless.

She wanted to see him.

She didn't want him to go to Kayleigh's house.

She wanted him back.

Nothing happened between her and Liam.

She could explain.

She would swear an oath, if he was still willing to believe her, that she would never contact Liam again.

She could even tell him about Gideon, consequences be damned.

She could tell him everything, if that was what it took to win him back.

He was her husband; she wasn't going to push him away into the arms of another woman.

But the car had already left when she ran downstairs.

Kira stood in the pitch-black foyer and watched the taillights of the Hummer.

The car made a turn and disappeared from view.

'Don't let him go,' a voice in her heart told her.

Kira listened.

She started running.

She rushed headlong into the night.

Maybe he would see her from the rearview mirror and stop the car.

Out Ayine In The Storm.

But Austyn didn't

The roar of the Hummer's engine died away gradually.

'Austyn, stop!'

She shouted at the top of her lungs, but it was useless.

Kira kept going.

Her legs were sore.

Her feet hurt.

Sheer willpower propelled her forward.

She had to stop when she stumbled in the dark and stepped on something hard.

It cut her sole.

She felt a sticky wetness at the bottom of her foot.

It might be blood, but she didn't care.

Kira walked on aimlessly like an automaton.

She had no idea where she was.

There were no lights nearby.

Just trees and shrubs and sinister sounds made by nocturnal animals.

Kira's mind had shut down.

She just let her feet carry her forward.

Maybe they knew where to go.

Maybe they could lead her to Austyn.

She just wanted to find him and take him home.

He shouldn't be with Kayleigh; he should be with her.

Kira stumbled.

A flash of lightning pierced the darkness, followed by a deafening peal of thunder.

Thick rain clouds gathered in the sky, signalling an impending storm.

Kira froze.

She shivered in the cold.

Another lightning slashed across the sky, followed by another loud boom.

The woods were lit up like it was daytime.

Kira saw two figures in front of her.

She was standing downwind.

She smelled the stink of alcohol.

The figures saw her as well.

One of the men elbowed the other. 'Check this out.

'Ooh, she's hot."

'A hooker?'

'Could be.'

'We struck out at the club tonight. Maybe this is fate's way to compensate us."

'Let's go talk to her.'

The two men approached.

'Hey, pretty lady, what are you doing out here alone?'

'You lost? Need a hand?"

'Yeah. We can offer you a hand. In fact, we can offer you a lot more."

The men shared a laugh and advanced on her.

Kira stepped back.

She wore a thin cotton t-shirt and a pair of jeans.

Her teeth were chattering.

Her fight-or-flight system failed to kick in.

Her legs weighed like lead.

She couldn't run.

She fumbled for something she could use as a weapon.

Her pockets were empty.

Her phone was left back in the house

Crack!

The floodgates of heaven opened.

Rain came sheeting down.

Kira was drenched in less than two seconds.

The cotton t-shirt stuck to her body, accentuating her curves.

One man smacked his lips. 'Don't worry. We'll be gentle.'

Kira bumped her back against a trunk

She was running out of place to retreat to

The men were now less than three metres away.

They belched and lurched toward her.

"You must be getting cold. Let me warm you up.'

'I want to go first.'

'No, I want to go first.'

'Or we can try a threesome."

'I like the way you think!"

Kira cowered in terror, groping for a rock or a bough, anything she could use.

The men saw her move, but they weren't worried.

This patch of woods was right next to a two-lane, but they had not seen anyone else on the road.

There were no cameras here, no witnesses.

The thunderstorm provided perfect cover.

It would even wash away any evidence later.

It was such a perfect opportunity.

The shorter of the two started unzipping his pants.

Neither noticed a black Jeep Grand Wagoneer rolling to a stop on the road.

Damian sat behind the wheel.

He squinted his eyes and tried to make out the figure crouched down in front of a tree.

When lightning flashed through the sky, he caught a good look at the woman's pale face.

He recognised Kira Hewitt.

'Come on, pretty girl, let's you and me and my buddy here have a mini orgy. We'll give you a night you will never forget.*

The taller of the two grabbed her wrist, trying to haul her up

Kira struck him on the shoulder with a fist-sized rock

It hit the man's right temple

'Fuck'

His hand flew to his face and came away bloodied

""You bitch!

He backhanded Kira across her face.

Kira's cheeks stung

She gripped the rock and lashed out at the man.

What are you doing?" the man shouted at his companion. 'Get over here and help me with this

bitch"

"Stop" Damian yanked on the tall man's collar and hauled him backwards, away from Kira.

The shorter one rushed to his friend's rescue. 'Hey! Who the hell are you? Get lost!"

Damian wasn't much of a talker, he was a doer

He broke the tall man's wrist, shoved him to the ground, turned in time to parry the short

lan's incoming fist with his forearm, caught the fist, and broke the short man's wrist as well. It took him all of five seconds to incapacitate both men

coff The Lightly

You Let Them Off Too Lightly

'Are you hurt?"

Kira didn't hear him, still sobbing.

Austyn scanned her face, her neck and her body, his eyes coming to rest on her bare feet.

He lifted her left foot gingerly.

There was a cut on her sole.

It was about the length of a man's finger and still bleeding.

Austyn clenched his jaw.

She didn't know how to take care of herself.

How could she just run out of the house like this?

He carried her in his arms to the Hummer.

Kira didn't struggle.

Damian followed the couple, shaking his head in amusement.

'My apartment's nearby,' he said to Austyn. 'Your villa's uphill and further away. Why don't you drive to my house? I'll call Jesse to come and check her out

Austyn nodded.

Damian jogged back to his Jeep.

Austyn laid Kira down on the backseat.

He was in the rain for less than five minutes and already soaked.

Kira grabbed Austyn's shirt and refused to let go.

She was shivering.

Austyn twisted his body to reach the dashboard.

He adjusted the temperature.

The aircon started blowing warm air into the car.

'Better?'

Kira nodded, her teeth chattering.

Austyn ran a hand over her body, checking for wounds.

You La Thur un Tau Lightly -

Other than the long gash on her left sole, she also had multiple smaller, shallower cuts and

scrapes.

Her cheeks were swollen.

Her t-shirt and jeans were spattered with mud.

'I called Jesse.' Damian sprinted over. 'He's on his way.'

"Thanks."

'Don't mention it."

'How'd you find her?"

'I went back to Springriver today. Dinner ran late. I was on my way back to the apartment when I saw her.

Springriver Mansion was the family residence of the Matthews.

Damian continued, 'She was waylaid by two thugs in the woods. I intervened."

'What did they do to her?' Austyn's voice was glacial.

'One guy slapped her on the face before I could get there. They didn't have time to do anything else."

'Where are they now?'

'I broke their wrists. They ran away."

Austyn curled his lip. "You let them off too lightly."

"They're just a couple of drunken cowards. Damian took the criticism with equanimity. 'I would've delivered them to the police, but I couldn't leave Kira alone, given the state she was in."

He glanced at Kira whose face was buried in Austyn's shirt. 'What's wrong with you? How could you let her come out alone at this hour?""

Austyn removed his suit jacket and covered Kira's shoulders.

The jacket was wet, but it was better than nothing.

Kira's breathing had slowed down to normal.

She was no longer shivering.

'We had an argument,' Austyn said in a low voice. 'I left the house and went to Luca's. I didn't expect she would run out after me.

She must have been so scared, first by the thunderstorm, then by the two thugs.

Austyn didn't dare imagine what would have happened to her if Damian hadn't passed by

He looked down

Kira's eyes were closed, her long, wet lashes trembling

Damian shook his head. 'You guys are really something'

As a man who lived alone, he didn't envy his mamed friend

He slapped the side of the Hummer. 'Come on. Let's not waste time chatting. Follow my car.

Be careful'

Austyn tried to get up.

He was in the backseat with Kira.

But she refused to let go of his waist.

"I need to drive,' he said.

Her eyes were screwed shut

She didn't appear to have heard him.

Austyn tried to free his arm, but she had a surprisingly strong grip and he didn't want to hurt

He paused, then he carried her in his arms and exited the Humner.

He walked over to Damian's Jeep

"What's wrong?" Damian asked.

"I can't drive with her hanging onto my arm

"Okay. Get in

Austyn got in the backseat of the Jeep

"What about your car?" Damian twisted around in his seat to look at the couple.

'I'll have to leave it here and call someone to pick it up later."

'Aren't you worried it'll get stolen?"

'I locked all the doors and windows. There's no one out and about at this hour. I think it's safe

enough."

"Okay. It's your call. Damian started the engine.

Ten minutes later, he stopped the car.

Austyn carried Kira into the split-level apartment

Jesse needs another hour, Damian said, checking his phone

'May 17 Austyn tilted his head towards the bathroom

"Go ahead."

Austyn brought Kira to the bathroom and set her down in the bathtub..

There was no time to draw her a bath, so he turned on the shower, waited for the water to heat up and then ran the handheld showerhead over her borly

A lasock came from the door

Austyn switched off the shower, made sure Kira was sitting up in the tub and wouldn't slide down, then he came out of the bathroom.

Damian handed him a small stack of clothes. They're my wife's. Might be half a size too big for Kira_But it's just for the night."

"Thanks, Damian,"

""Don't mention it."

Kira's eyes were still closed when Austyn returned to the bathroom.

He was getting worried.

Was she sleeping or passed out?

Austyn helped her change out of her wet clothes and towelled her dry.

He got her dressed and carried her out of the bathroom.

Damian opened the door for Jesse an hour later

The doctor had our hand against the door jamb and was panting

What took you so lang?

What? Jesse straightened up, wiping water from his forehead,

Hi

He pointed a finger to the windows "Have you see the rain? It's bucketing down out there, toother Soque suads are closed Others are slippery. I was lucky to get here in one piece.

a

He also has head the dog to get rid of the work on his face.

Extinct come tog up just a tle rain.

A sopercell theo to be hard t

CHA

Let's Put A Hit On Cane

The doctor removed his wet shoes and changed into indoor slippers.

He glanced at the shoe rack by the door.

All men's trainers, brogues, loafers and combat boots.

He ventured a question. 'You still fighting with your wife?'

Damian was married, but he had a big falling out with his wife some years ago.

The couple separated and Damian had been living on his own ever since.

Jesse wasn't sure if it was still just a separation or they had gotten a divorce. Damian was extremely tight-lipped about both his work and his personal life.

All Jesse knew was that there had not been another woman in Damian's life for years.

The split-level was now a bachelor pad.

'Get your nose out of my business.' Damian's answer was as expected. 'Stop dawdling. Get to work. They're upstairs.'

'Aye aye, captain. Don't rush me. It's my day off, you know."

Jesse hoisted the black medical bag over his shoulder. 'Which room?"

He had been to the apartment several times.

Damian spent his time here when he wasn't on a mission.

"The second bedroom on your left."

'All right.'

Jesse bounded up the short flight of stairs.

He knocked on the door twice and waited.

The door opened, revealing Austyn's haggard face.

He looked rather dishevelled,

'Did you just climb out of a swimming pool?' Jesse joked.

Austyn's hair was no longer dripping water, but his bespoke shirt and his pants were soggy and rumpled like they'd spent too much time in the washing machine.

His leather shoes were damaged.

Austyn stepped aside to let Jesse in. 'She's in bed There's a deep cut on her left sole. Make sure.

LETLOMA Hir Da Cura

you do a thorough check.

'Where are you going?"

"To take a shower."

The wet clothes were sticking to his skin and making him uncomfortable.

But he couldn't leave Kira's side before Jesse showed up.

Damian loaned Austyn his civvies.

When Austyn came out of the shower, Jesse was done with his check-up.

'She's mostly fine other than the laceration on her feet. No stitches needed, though. A few cuts and bruises on her knees and arms. They'll heal in no time. I cleaned the cuts and dressed the wound. She's resting now."

1

"Thanks, Austyn said.

'I'll write you a prescription later."

"Appreciate it."

"Her temperature is normal now, but you should keep an eye on her throughout the night. She's been in the rain. She could have caught a cold.'

'I will. Thanks, Jesse.'

The doctor shuddered. 'You're being too polite. It's making me uncomfortable.

Austyn gave him a light punch on the shoulder.

'Now that's more like the Austyn I knew. Jesse stretched and yawned. 'I'm done here, right? Can I go home now?"

'It's still raining,' Austyn said. 'Stay for a drink.'

'Good idea. I'm too tired to drive anyway.' Jesse walked down the stairs. 'Do you think Damian- will allow me to crash on his sofa?"

'You'll have to ask him.'

Damian allowed Jesse to stay the night as long as he didn't drool.

'I only have

beer here,' Damian said.

"That'll do.' Jesse opened the fridge.

The three men sat in the living room, one bottle of beer in front of each.

Jesse took a long pull of the IPA and winced at the bitter taste.

Damian was a tough guy; even his drinks were tough.

LEE GEN HAD

Jesse glanced at Austyn.

He proposed having a drink, but he was the only one not drinking

Austyn, give it a try, Jesse said. 'It offends the taste buds, but the alcohol will warm you up

up.'

I'm good. You guys go ahead.

Jesse looked a question at Damian, who received the message but pretended he didn't.

Jesse spread out his hands. Neither of your guys are talking. What is this? The quiet game? Can someone please tell me what happened tonight?'

Damian ignored him.

Austyn didn't look at him.

Jesse waved a hand in the air. 'Hello? Can either of you guys hear me? Or see me? Have I just turned invisible?"

He aimed his gaze at Austyn. 'She's your wife. You must know what happened. Spill.'

Austyn downed one-third of the bottle of IPA before he spoke.

He was more talking to himself than to Jesse. 'Cane approached her several times. I warned her to stay away from him. The man was up to no good. But she refused to listen. My warning to her just went in one ear and out the other."

He drank

Jesse started to catch on. 'So you guys had a fight."

Austyn kept his eyes on the bottle in hand. 'I left the house, but I didn't expect she would

chase after me. She didn't even wear her shoes.

Austyn shook his head. 'Silly girl."

Kira was naïve, headstrong and overly trusting.

Now he had to add 'reckless' to the growing list of character flaws.

Even so, he still loved her.

Even her flaws were somehow cute and rather endearing.

Jesse slammed his bottle on the coffee table. 'Cane is such a bastard. He pulled this crap on Deborah all these years ago. It took you...what, five, six years to get over it? And now he's trying to do the same to Kira. The man's such a scheming bastard.'

Jesse was seething with righteous indignation. 'We must figure out a way to stop him.

He looked at Damian I remember your wife seems to know some pretty dangerous types. Can you reach out to her? Maybe we can arrange a hit on Cane."

He did a husky whilsper in the style of Don Vito Corleone. 'We can rub him out

Damian sighed audibly. 'Jesse Chase, do you even hear yourself?"

""What?

Sometimes I wonder, with that brain of yours, how on earth did you get your medical license?!

Jesse shrugged sheepishly 1 was just throwing ideas out there."

"What is Cane's real last name?' Damian shook his head. "Whatever he calls himself, others

will

see him as the second son of the McCarthy family. If you put a hit on Cane, his father Austyn's father-will be pissed off. Can you survive the wrath of the McCarthy clan?

Double Standard Much?

Austyn wanted to scold her.

She could have called him instead of risking her life out in a storm.

But then he thought, given how mad he was when he left the house, he probably wouldn't pick up her call.

Austyn held back more words of admonishment and just held her. 'It's okay. It's over now."

He laid her down gently on the bed, lifted her left foot and scowled when he saw the wound.

The white gauze was stained with blood.

Kira pulled back her leg. 'I'm fine..."

Austyn sucked in a breath.

He stood up. 'It's almost dawn. Get some sleep.

He was about to leave when Kira tugged on his shirt sleeve. 'Austyn..

"What?"

'Are you...still mad?' She looked up at him, uneasy.

'No.' Austyn looked away.

'You're lying. I know you're still mad.'

"Then why did you ask?' Austyn snapped at her.

'1...'

"What?"

""I don't know.'

The anger that had been smouldering in his heart bubbled up to the surface.

'If you know I'd be mad, why did you still spend time with Cane? I warned you repeatedly. You just wouldn't listen. Do you even know what the man's capable of?"

Austyn clenched his fists and took a deep breath.

She was injured and feeling vulnerable right now.

He shouldn't get into another fight with her.

Kira sniffled. 'I'm sorry."

'You always do this.' Austyn was exasperated. 'You ignore my warning, piss me off, then

light

expect to make everything better with just an apology. Stop looking at me with those eyes! Do you think I'm going to fall for it again?'

'I'm not trying to "

'You are!'

Kira looked up at him beseechingly, 'Please, will you listen to me?"

Austyn crossed his arms.

He wanted to stomp off, but his feet refused to listen.

'I didn't go with him willingly,' Kira said. 'I fell asleep. He took me to his house without my knowledge. When I woke up, I got out of there as soon as I could. Nothing happened between us. Will you trust me?"

Kira knew Austyn was upset; so was she.

If only he'd listened to her back in the house, none of this would have happened.

Frankly,

part of this fight was his fault.

It took two to tangle, as Dad used to say.

She should have been more forthcoming.

He should have had more faith in her.

even

Austyn should know, without her having to explain herself, that she would never cheat

on him.

Kira lowered her head and sighed quietly.

Maybe men really were from Mars and women from Venus.

It was so hard to communicate with him sometimes.

Austyn said in a serious voice, 'It's not that I don't trust you. I don't trust Cane."

Liam Cane was a man wicked in heart and vicious in deed.

He would do anything just to spite Austyn.

Kira's relationship with Austyn, coupled with her trusting nature, made her an easy target.

'Do you remember that time you accused me of locking you up at the hospital?"

"Uh-huh."

Kira was confused.

Why was he bringing this

up now?

'You called it false imprisonment, but I was trying to protect you, as hard as that may be to believe.' Austyn sat down on the edge of the bed, 'Liam is cunning as a fox but ruthless as a shark. He has no scruples. Don't be fooled by his pleasant, gentle-looking

appearance."

Kira had to agree.

She thought Liam was a Good Samaritan when they first met.

But when she discovered he was just using her to get to Austyn, she changed her opinion.

Austyn continued, 'I almost killed him in the restaurant. He is one to hold a grudge. I know he'll be looking for a way to get back at me. If he can't get to me, he might target you.'

"That's why you put the bodyguards outside my room, Kira said. "They were there in case Liam showed up?"

'You and he are on first-name basis now?' Austyn wrinkled his forehead.

'I meant, they were there in case Cane showed up?' Kira corrected herself.

Austyn

nodded.

'But he didn't. Does that mean he's not targeting me?'

'Are

you

speaking

up

for him?"

"Uh, no. I'm just curious.' Kira thought back to what happened at Liam's house. 'I was unconscious when he brought me to his place. He could have killed me, but he didn't.'

'Murder is not his way.' Austyn sneered. 'He doesn't like to get his hands dirty. He prefers to toy with a person's emotions. Hooking up with you and then laughing in my face is more satisfying to him than killing you.'

Austyn thought about all the tricks Liam used to play when they were both kids.

"The man's into playing mind games. That's what makes him so dangerous-he could destroy

a person

without

being

held responsible. The

law can't touch him."

'His mind games won't work on me,' Kira said. 'I'm not hooking up with him

Austyn said nothing.

'I'm not hooking up with him,' she repeated.

When Austyn didn't reply, she said, 'You still don't trust me. You still think I'll cheat on you, don't you?'

Austyn pursed his lips.

He knew Kira wasn't that

Liam Cane had a history.

kind of person, but he couldn't stop himself from worrying.

Cane was younger than him, good-looking, a smooth talker.

He could literally charm the pants off most women if he put his mind to it.

'I'm not Deborah, you know.' Kira blurted.

The scowl on Austyn's face put her back up. 'What? I can't even mention her name? You still love her, don't you?"

She shifted away from him.

'Here you are, suspecting me of having an affair with no proof whatsoever. Yet you still carry a torch for your old flame. That's emotional cheating, you know. Double standard much?"

'Kira Hewitt!'

"What?" She shot back. 'Just because your voice is louder doesn't mean you're right. You can shout all you want, but it doesn't make what I said any less true."