Saint James, Elle - Unbridled and Unhitched [The Double Rider Men's Club 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (20 page)

She glanced up at the camera in the corner. Had anyone seen her in here? Perhaps they didn’t realize she was drugged. Just another rich, drunk customer on the way to the penthouse suites for more debauchery.

If anyone at the hotel
had
seen her, likely the incident in the fountain made them glad she was taking her kidnappers directly to the room and not into the public areas of the hotel. As that was obviously bad for business.

The elevator doors opened, and she immediately saw Brett across the room. Her heart rate sped until she thought her heart was going to explode out of her chest. He was in profile standing at the registration desk. He fidgeted in place like he had ants in his pants. The sight of him had her drawing in a deep, sudden breath.

All the annoying memories of the past few months as he hounded her relentlessly flared to life. He’d made her run to Las Vegas to escape his harassment. She hated Las Vegas. While she’d met her soul mates here, she knew she didn’t want to face Brett today. Maybe not ever.

Alexis drew in another deep breath and pushed it out, trying to inhale some strength.

Jackson and Derek each turned to her as they exited the elevator. She gripped both of their hands tightly, holding on to each of them like they were her lifeline to continued sanity. She couldn’t do this. She didn’t want to have to listen to Brett or any of his reasons why they should be together. “I changed my mind. I don’t want to talk to him.”

“No problem.” Jackson squeezed her hand. “We can deal with him alone.”

She shook her head. “No. I don’t want him to see us. Let’s just get out of here.” She moved behind them so that if Brett looked over he wouldn’t see them.

She panicked. “Please. I just want out of here. Can we just go?” She started trembling.

“No problem.” They surrounded her like Secret Service men around the president. One second later they were moving across the lobby toward an exit. The three of them were outside in less than twenty seconds and inside a waiting limo ten seconds after that.

Shielded by dark tinted windows, Alexis didn’t release the breath she’d been holding until they loaded the luggage in back and shut the door. She didn’t unclench her body until they pulled away from the curb.

“I’m so sorry.” She tried to control her shaking.

“Don’t be,” they said at the same time. Derek stroked her arm

“I don’t know what happened. I saw him and just freaked. Maybe it’s because of what happened in the hotel, but I hope I never have to talk to him ever again.”

“Given the weekend you’ve had, you don’t owe anyone any explanations. Least of all your stupid stalker,” Jackson said.

“Thank you so much for letting me hang out with you in Colorado. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to go back home now.”

“That is our pleasure,” Derek said. He settled against the back of the limo and urged her to lean back, too. “Relax. You don’t have to do anything or talk to anyone.”

Alexis nodded, took a deep breath and relaxed against the leather seat. She was between two men who would care for her, protect her, and eventually make love to her until she screamed repeatedly in climax.

How was she ever going to be able to leave them to go back home? Did she really want to go back?

* * * *

Clay settled in his favorite chair, tucked away in his security fortress, and pondered the interesting information before him. He’d done a cursory check on Alexis Sherwood’s current life and found that she was a graduate of a good college. She had been a model citizen for the past ten years.

However, Alexis wasn’t quite exactly who she claimed to be on paper. In fact, she was better.

Clay looked at how she spent her money and how she spent her time. She was always on time with her bills, even though she traveled quite extensively.

She gave not only money but her time to local noteworthy charities. Clay knew the three newlyweds were on their way to Colorado and the DRMC property. He only wondered how she’d get back home and get her former, prestalker life back.

After being stood up in the lobby, Brett had disappeared. Clay would keep an eye out for any sightings, but figured he was either headed back home or off chasing another unfortunate woman. Only time would tell.

For now, Alexis, or sexy Lexi, would be safe within the borders he protected here in Colorado.

The night before she left for home to go back to her job, there was a planned event at the Stadium. He wondered if she planned to watch or participate. Again, only time would tell.

* * * *

Jackson, with Derek’s help, guided Alexis to their home in Colorado.

They planned to put her in the master bedroom where one day they’d possibly planned to install a wife. Until Alexis came along, Jackson hadn’t expected to use this room. Technically, she
was
their wife. Although they hadn’t had a separate ceremony to include Derek yet beyond giving him the gold wedding band in their Vegas hotel room. Would he want one?

A sticky situation if he didn’t, because after seeing her panicked face in the lobby of the hotel, Jackson didn’t ever plan to let her go. At least he wouldn’t if she wanted to stay married to them.

The mere thought of instigating annulment papers made his stomach ache. He’d fallen in love with her. She was perfect for them. More so to Jackson than Derek, but he held out hope that Derek was on board after seeing him pummel that guy in the hotel room. He’d never ever seen him so violent before. Maybe his feelings were stronger than he led them to believe.

Yes, Derek was a stern protector of women being possibly abused everywhere, but usually he just came between women and their abusive dates. He’d never seen him so passionate. He’d never seen him unleash his fury before. Jackson had barely fisted his hand before Derek flew across the room, tackled the deviant, and almost killed the guy. Love did that to a person, he supposed.

He figured they had the rest of this week and one annual event at the Stadium to persuade her to stay with them. He planned to do his utmost to convince her to chuck her life out East and join them here permanently. Surely she could find an equally satisfying job locally, right?

But unlike others in her life, Jackson did know how to take no for an answer. If she didn’t want to stay with them, he wouldn’t stalk her or do anything to make her uncomfortable. But losing her would break his heart. And he knew he truly wouldn’t ever get married again if he couldn’t have Alexis.

The sun had already set in the west by the time they made it to the DRMC property. Clay greeted them at the gate as they entered.

Alexis leaned forward and said, “Thank you so much for what you did. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”

“No problem. I only wished I’d figured it out sooner. Before they took you.”

She shrugged. “Trust me, it could have been so much worse.”

Clay smiled and nodded. “You’ll be safe here within these walls. I promise.”

“Thank you.”

They drove on to the house and settled her inside of the master bedroom.

“In here is the master bath.” He led her into the marble and tile space.

“It’s lovely. Definitely as nice or nicer than the deluxe suite at the hotel. You two sure know how to live.”

“Well, you can’t take it with you, so why not be comfortable along the way?”

Derek gave him a funny look. The truth was, Jackson was the one who was conservative with finances. Derek was the reason the place looked so good. “Derek helped build this place.”

“I just did some of the finishing stuff. Nothing too difficult.”

“Well, it is lovely.” She stared for several seconds at the oversized spa tub.

“Want to take a bath?”

“More than anything in this world.”

Derek bent to get the water started. Jackson meanwhile, kissed her lips. She slipped her arms around his neck. He picked her up and pulled her to his chest. Would he ever get enough of her? Likely not.

“Would you like company in your bath?” Derek asked. He kissed her shoulder and rubbed her arms. “You can soak alone if you want. Lady’s choice.”

“I think I want to soak alone.”

“No problem.” Jackson hated to leave her alone to relax. But it would be a good time to iron out a plan of attack with Derek to keep her here.

Chapter Thirteen

Derek hadn’t spoken to Jackson yet, but they needed to have a conversation. And soon. The more time he spent with Alexis, the more he wished he’d been with her during the whole night of playful fun in the fountain.

Jackson looked like he didn’t want to let her out of his sight. It was understandable.

Derek helped Jackson undress her. They put her in the tub with about a million bubbles. She moaned as she slid under the water. “Why don’t we give you some time to soak? We’ll come back later and take turns scrubbing your back.”

Eyes closed, and a blissful smile in place, she murmured, “Thank you.”

Derek grinned at Jackson, and they closed the door behind them. “Let’s not go too far. But I want to talk to you.”

Jackson frowned. “About what?”

He glanced over his shoulder at the door he’d just closed. “Alexis.”

Jackson pushed out a long frustrated-sounding sigh. “What if I don’t want to discuss her?”

“Too bad. I have some things I’d like to say.”

Piercing blue eyes stared a hole into him. It was his only response. Derek just stared back.

“Fine. What do you have to say?”

“I’m not sure I want to divulge my feelings until I know what yours are.”

Jackson pondered that information for a few minutes, and then a half smile appeared. “I find I’m in the same place. Tell me what’s on your mind first. Then we can discuss it.”

Derek shook his head. “Not the way I pictured this conversation going.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“Who says I’m afraid of anything?”

“Then speak. What dire information do you have to convey about Alexis?”

Derek inhaled and turned away. Fuck. He so didn’t want to show his feelings without a hint of where Jackson’s head was.

He was falling in love with her. He wanted to keep her. He wanted Jackson to want the same things.

“I love her,” Derek said quietly. “I want to stay married to her.”

“I beg your pardon.”

Derek turned around and with force in his tone he said, “I’m in love with her. I want her to stay with us. I want to have my own marriage ceremony with her. I want us to be a permanent trio.”

Jackson’s mouth fell open as if in shock. But only for a couple beats of his heart. Then he grinned. “That’s exactly how I feel about her.”

“What? I thought you resented being tricked.”

“Maybe at first, but she’s perfect. She’s perfect for us. I’ve been trying to think of a way to keep her here longer than just a few days.”

Derek wanted to click his heels in the air. “Me too.”

“I’m glad. I felt guilty for getting hitched in Vegas without you being there.”

“Well, you were drugged. Still, you did remember me for the ceremony and got a ring for me. Not to mention the deluxe breakfast set up for three. I forgive you.”