Be With Me(14)

Sawyer reached over and took her hand. He raised it to his lips and kissed her fingers. She opened her mouth to say something else but forgot what it was.

“What it cost wasn’t important,” Sawyer said as he lowered her hand. “What was important was that we got you what you needed. You’re in pain, honey. You can’t hide that from us.”

She stared over at him. She couldn’t formulate an argument. She was just too damn tired.

“Come here,” he said as he gently pulled her toward him. He guided her down until she was lying on the seat, her head pil owed on his lap.

She closed her eyes as his fingers stroked lightly through her hair. It felt so good. His touch. Their presence. Al of it.

“Tel Cam to take me home,” she murmured.

Sawyer’s hand stil ed for just a moment. “He is taking you home, honey.”

She nodded in satisfaction and nuzzled a little further into Sawyer’s lap. Home. Her own bed. A reprieve from the onslaught of al three men.

The drug Hutch had forced on her was already working its magic. It had taken the edge off her pain and replaced it with a warm, hazy glow. She’d close her eyes and enjoy it until she got home. She wanted to savor these few minutes next to Sawyer.

Chapter 6

“Reggie is not going to be happy with us,” Sawyer murmured as Cam drove up the winding driveway to the house.

He continued to stroke her head then stopped to twirl a curl around his finger. She never stirred. Not even when the truck ground to a halt.

Hutch turned in the seat and glanced back at Reggie. He smiled faintly, but Sawyer could see the glimmer of . . . what in his eyes? It was a mixture of hope and sadness. And need.

As Hutch’s gaze flitted across her neck, cold anger froze his features.

Cam opened his door. “Come on, guys. Let’s get her inside and comfortable.”

Sawyer shifted and careful y opened his door.

Supporting her head with his hand, he eased out from underneath her. He grimaced as he stared down at her. There was no way to get her out with minimal disturbance.

“Want me to get her?” Cam asked from beside him.

Sawyer glanced over at Cam, who stood with his hands shoved into his pockets. “No, I got it. Go open the door, if you would.”

The rattle of keys sounded as Cam walked away.

Sawyer reached in and gently pulled up on Reggie’s shoulders. As he slid her toward him, she stirred.

Before she became ful y aware, he caught her up in his arms and cradled her against his chest.

Her eyes fluttered open when he took his first step toward the house.

“Sawyer?”

“Shhh, honey. Relax.”

Her brow crinkled as she stared around her.

“Where the hel are we?”

“Home,” Hutch said.

“Put me down, Sawyer,” she said quietly.

With a sigh, he slid her body down his until her feet hit the ground, but he kept a firm arm around her. He exchanged glances with Cam and Hutch and saw the uncertainty in their eyes.

Regina stared in awe at the house in front of her. It was beautiful. A two-story with a wraparound porch.

Cedar swings lazily spread around the perimeter, inviting and cozy. Flower boxes adorned the windows and ferns hung from hooks in the overhang.

She glanced at Cam and then Hutch in confusion.

Final y she looked up at Sawyer.

“I don’t understand.”

Cam walked forward and reached for her hand.

“Come inside, Reggie. We’l talk when you’re comfortable.”

She took a shaky step. Whatever the hel Hutch had shoved down her throat had kicked her ass.

Cam caught her elbow and then put his arm around her shoulders as he guided her up the three steps of the porch to the front entrance.

Hutch cut around them and opened the door.

When Regina stepped inside, her breath caught and held in her chest. She stopped at the entrance to the living room and just stared.

She knew this house. God, she should. It was her house. The fireplace. The mantel. The grandfather clock above the mantel, with the gently swaying pendulum.

She couldn’t breathe. She swung her gaze over the wooden floors to the French doors leading to a deck out back. She swal owed hard and rubbed the back of her hand over her eyes then blinked furiously so that no moisture betrayed her.

Cam stood there, silent. Hutch and Sawyer stood just behind them, watching.

“What have you done?” she whispered. “What is this? I can’t—”

Cam laid a gentle finger over her lips. “Not now, Reggie. We’l talk later. Right now we’re putting you to bed. And you’re going to stay there.” She opened her mouth to protest, but Sawyer and Hutch moved closer to her and put their hands on her shoulders.

“Stop doing that,” she said in frustration.

Hutch raised a brow.

“Touching me. Stop touching me. You know damn wel you’re manipulating me.” She stepped back, desperate to put space between them.

Sawyer stared intently at her, his blue eyes boring holes through her. “You can’t run from us anymore,” he said quietly, his voice steady, the thread of a vow laced in the words. “And you’re going to stop running from yourself.”

She hugged her arms around her waist, hating the panic that hit her at the determination in his voice, in the others’ expressions.