Filed to story: The LORDS Series Free PDF by Shantel Tessier
“Someone was in the house,” I answer, not taking my eyes off hers. “He got away.”
He runs out of the room, and I cup her face. “Look at me, Charlotte.” She blinks, but her eyes find mine. “That’s it, beautiful. Talk to me.”
“Hai-dyn.” She blinks once more and lifts her hand to hold the side of her head. “Ow.” She winces.
I let out a deep breath and help her to her feet. Guiding her over to the couch, I set her down on it and leave her to go the bathroom. Once I grab her some painkillers out of the cabinet, I get her a water from the fridge. Returning to our room, she looks up at me and sniffs. “I’m sorry??”
“Don’t apologize.” I interrupt her.
“I didn’t realize it was you.” She goes on.
I take her shaking hands in mine. “Hey, don’t worry about it, doll face. I’m fine. Promise.” I give her a reassuring smile that she doesn’t return. “Here take these.” Handing her the painkillers and water, she takes them just as Adam appears back at our bedroom door. “I’ll be right back.” Stepping into the hallway, I shut the door behind me. “See anything?” I ask Adam.
He shakes his head. “Whoever it was, they’re long gone.”
Fuck! “Okay. Thanks for trying.”
“Of course.” He snorts and places his hands on his hips, and I notice he’s still naked. I’ve never met a modest Lord. “Sorry I didn’t come sooner.”
I run a hand through my hair.
“Who do you think it was?” he asks.
“Could have been anyone,” I answer honestly.
Slapping my shoulder, he suggests, “Take her to Carnage for a couple of nights. Let me see what I can find out.”
“No-“
“It’s your best bet, Haidyn.” He interrupts me. “Carnage is the safest place for both of you.”
“They don’t know who she is,” I remind him through gritted teeth. Adam knows everything. He was the one I contacted when I found her SUV on the side of the road. He was the one who was able to find out the information that I couldn’t.
“Then don’t tell them,” he counters, making me huff. “No one needs to find out who she is. Just give me two days to figure out what happened, and I’ll let you know the moment I find something out.”
I nod, knowing he’s right. It’s not a coincidence that I just made her my wife, and someone broke into our house. One that very few know I own. “Okay.” I nod.
Entering the bedroom, I find her lying back in bed, the covers up to her neck, and her eyes staring up at me. She looks more alert now and sits up. Her eyes go to the door as I close it.
“How do you feel?” I ask, walking over to her side of the bed.
“I have a pounding headache,” she answers softly.
I push her hair from her face and cup her jaw gently turning her face to look at it. He managed to hit her pretty good. She’s got a bruise, but the skin isn’t split anywhere. Her nose was bleeding, but it’s stopped. “We’re going to go stay at Carnage for a couple of days,” I tell her.
She nods, not even bothering to argue or ask why. “I’ll get dressed,” she says and pushes the covers back as she gets to her feet. Before she can make her way to the bathroom, I grab her arm, bringing her to a stop, and gently kiss her forehead. Then I let her go.
SIXTY-EIGHT
CHARLOTTE
I’m so tired and have a pounding headache. My ears are still ringing. I packed a bag, and we were out of the house within ten minutes.
We pull up to Carnage, and as we enter, Saint and Kashton are already standing right inside. They pay me no attention. Haidyn had called them on our way, and they were way more concerned that we were attacked than the fact that Haidyn mentioned I was with him.
“I’ll meet you in the office,” he tells them both, and they turn, heading to the stairs. Haidyn places his hand on my shoulder and turns me to face him. Cupping my face, he kisses my lips tenderly. “Go up to my room and try to get some rest, okay?”
“How long will you be?”
“I don’t know.” He sighs, and I know that’s as good of an answer as I’m going to get.
“Okay.” I pull away and choose to use the elevator. I have one of Haidyn’s duffel bags over one shoulder and Muffin in my arm. I didn’t want to leave her behind, and Haidyn didn’t argue when I put some cat food in a to-go container, cleaned out her litter box, and grabbed some extra litter. Adam comes and goes, and I didn’t want to be here worrying about her there. And what if whoever broke in goes back, and she’s there all alone? I can’t take that chance.
I purposely kept my left hand shoved into Haidyn’s hoodie to hide my ring when we entered. I feel like there’s a reason Haidyn hasn’t brought me to Carnage and has chosen to hide out at his house. We’ve been forced to be here. I understand why, but I’m going to lay as low as I can.
I’m in the elevator, making my way up to Haidyn’s room while he’s in their office explaining what happened and trying to find out who is after him. Muffin jumps out of my hand just as the door slides open, and I go to run down the hallway after her.
I come to a stop when I see the door at the opposite end of the hall open, and Ashtyn steps out. Her dark hair is up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top as if she was in bed and woken up. She looks the same as she did in the pictures and videos that the Lords sent me except her hair is a little darker.
“Hey there, pretty kitty.” She bends down and picks up my cat. “How did you get in here?” Ashtyn scratches between her ears, making her purr.
“Her name is Muffin,” I speak.
Ashtyn looks up and gives me a warm smile. “Hi.” She begins to walk toward me. Her eyes quickly scan my busted face, but her smile doesn’t falter. “I’m Ashtyn. I’ve seen you before but haven’t had the chance to introduce myself.” She reaches out her right hand to me. “I’m Saint’s wife.”
“Charlotte,” I say, placing my right hand in hers while removing my left one from the front pocket of my husband’s hoodie. “Haidyn’s wife.” That’s something she’ll never be to him.
Her smile falls, and her blue eyes widen as they drop to my left hand. Her hand falls from mine, and I reach out, taking my cat she has tucked into her left arm. “Oh, uh…” She stumbles over her words. “I didn’t know Haidyn was seeing anyone.”
“Several months now.” Not a total lie.
She nods her head as if she’s supposed to know this. “Congratulations.” Her eyes meet mine, and she gives me a forced smile.
“Thank you,” I say. “It was nice to meet you.” With that, I put in the code to Haidyn’s door. Entering the room, I place Muffin on the floor. She immediately runs and jumps on his bed, and I quickly remove her stuff from Haidyn’s duffel bag, setting up her things in the corner. Then I undress and crawl into his bed as well, sighing as his cool sheets envelop me.
I probably shouldn’t have said anything to her because I doubt Haidyn has told his brothers that we’re married. But I wanted her to know that he has me. I’ve already protected him more than she ever did. And I’ll do whatever he needs in order to protect my Lord. I’m not going to turn my back on him. Instead, I’m going to prove myself to her or anyone else who challenges our marriage.
HAIDYN
I enter the office to see Kash and Saint sitting at their desks. Their conversation dies the moment their eyes meet mine, and I know they were discussing my wife being here with me.
“So Charlotte-” Saint starts.
“This isn’t about her.” I stop him from finishing that sentence. I have a feeling it is, but they don’t need to know that. I’m just here because I’m buying time for Adam to do some digging. I’ll send Saint and Kash on a wild goose chase in the meantime.
“Did you get a look at him?” Kash questions.
“He was wearing a mask,” I answer.
“A Lords mask?” Saint asks.
I shake my head. “A black ski mask.”
“Hmm.” Kash speaks. “Like the guy who attacked Charlotte in the bathroom?”
I lean back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest. “Yes,” I answer, getting a sickening feeling in my stomach as they exchange a look. It’s not uncommon for a criminal to cover their face, especially nowadays. Cameras are everywhere. The fact that there was no car in the driveway makes me wonder how far he walked to get there. Or was he dropped off from down the street? I hate having to rely on Adam to figure it out. But if anyone can, it’s him.