Caught by Menace (43 page)

import-and-export business you had in mind.”

Naya gawked at the Shadow Force operative. “How

the hel—”

“It’s my business to know everything that happens on

the
Valiant
.” Then, with a smirk, he added, “Plus, Halie

has the biggest mouth when it comes to bragging on her

friends.”

She made a mental note to thump Halie the next time

she saw her.

Limping, Terror made his way to the door and

Limping, Terror made his way to the door and

grabbed his crutches. He waved his hand in front of the

frame. Pausing in front of the open door, he looked back

at her. “You know, if you decide to leave Menace, we

could use a woman like you on our team. Your skils are

quite impressive.”

Naya glanced at Menace, who snored even louder

now. Love blossomed in her chest. “I’m flattered, but no

thanks. I’m staying right here.”

With a final nod, Terror left the hospital room. She ran

her finger along the edge of the envelope. Out in the hal,

something noisy and metal hit the floor. The ensuing

clatter ripped Menace from his dead sleep. He jumped

to his feet and turned his body so that he shielded her on

the bed.

She smiled at the sight of him protecting her and

caressed his arm. Menace jerked as her touch registered.

Spinning around, he gazed down at her in surprise and

wonder. “Naya?”

“Hey.” She didn’t know what else to say.

“Hey, sweetheart.” His grin quickly morphed to a tight

line of concern. “Should I get a medic? Are you in pain?”

“I’m good.” She rubbed his fingers. “I’m a little

groggy, but I feel okay.”

groggy, but I feel okay.”

He eased onto the bed and caressed her cheek. “I’m

so glad you’re finaly awake. It’s been six days since I

brought you here.”

Her eyes widened with shock. “Six?”

“Yes. They kept you in a medicaly induced coma for

three days and then weaned you off the sedative and on

to some accelerated healing drugs. From what I

understand, it takes a lot out of your smaler bodies.

Exhaustion is a side effect.”

She glanced down at the hospital gown covering her

stomach. “Is it bad? The scarring, I mean.”

He didn’t lie to her. “It’s not pretty, but they tel me it

wil heal nicely. You’ve seen my scars. Yours wil look

the same in time.”

“I guess that’s not so bad.” Better than the alternative,

she thought grimly.

“Naya, some of your injuries required certain repairs

that might upset you.”

Gruesome images flashed through her mind. Weakly

she ordered, “Just tel me.”

Menace held her hand. “They had to take one of your

ovaries. Your uterine artery was damaged.”

ovaries. Your uterine artery was damaged.”

The shock of it left her dizzy. After avoiding pregnancy

for most of her adult life, the thought of never

experiencing one cut deeply. “Can I—wil I be able to

have babies?”

“Yes,” he answered quickly. “They assured me that in

time there’s no reason you can’t have children. They’l

monitor you more during pregnancy but you’l be

perfectly fine.”

Relieved, she took some slow breaths to stil her

racing heart. “Next time, you might want to lead off with

the good news, Menace.”

“There had better not be a next time, Naya.” He

brushed his fingertips along her forehead and down her

jawline. “You scared the hel out of me. I thought—” He

stopped himself and gulped. “I know I screwed up,

Naya. I know you probably hate me and you’l never

trust me again, but I stil love you. I’l always love you.

Even though I don’t deserve you.”

“Hush,” she whispered. Emotions warred within her.

She traced the hard lines of his face and gazed into his

light-green eyes. “You’re a big, stupid sky warrior and,

yes, you broke my heart and my trust. I’m not saying it’s

going to be easy to start over but, Menace, you’re the

going to be easy to start over but, Menace, you’re the

only man in the universe who can help me piece it al

back together.”

Menace exhaled roughly, the sound very near a sob.

Eyes glistening, he blinked rapidly and pressed his

forehead to hers. “I’l do whatever it takes to make this

right.”

Eyes closed, she savored his heat and scent. “You

could start by teling me you love me and giving me a

kiss.”

Puling back, he peered down at her with such

adoration. He claimed her lips in a tender kiss. “I love

you.”

“I love you too.” She remembered the envelope and

found it next to her hip. She lifted it up for Menace to

see. “Terror brought this.”

His gaze turned murderous. “That bastard was here?”

“I guess beating the crap out of one another wasn’t

enough to settle up?”

“Not even close,” Menace growled. “Why? Have you

forgiven him?”

“No, but I’m not going to waste energy being angry at

him.” She rubbed her thumb across his mouth. “You

him.” She rubbed her thumb across his mouth. “You

shouldn’t either.”

He didn’t say anything. Tapping the envelope, he said,

“You better open it.”

Her gaze fel to his cast. “How long are you in that

thing?”

“Three weeks if the bone-knitting injections work.”

Amazed by the kind of medicine and technology the

Harcos possessed, Naya opened the red envelope.

Official-looking papers were tucked inside. She puled

them out and showed them to Menace. His expression

instantly brightened. “They rescinded our forced divorce

and reinstated our bond.”

“That was fast.”

Menace’s happiness deflated. “You don’t have to sign

the contract again. I don’t expect… Not after…”

She roled her eyes. “What happened to the rough,

possessive sky warrior who chased me down in the

forest and tossed me over his shoulder? Aren’t you

supposed to just
tell
me that I’m signing the contract

again?”

“I’m sorely tempted to give it a try.” Chuckling,

Menace reached into his pocket and retrieved the blue

Menace reached into his pocket and retrieved the blue

colar he’d chosen for her. Somber and with such

emotion lacing his voice, he said, “I don’t expect you to

start wearing it anytime soon but when you’re ready, you

let me know.”

“Wel, isn’t this quite a change? You’re actualy asking

me what I want this go-round?” She laughed softly. “The

last time you had a bonding contract in hand, you had me

gagged and cuffed and already wearing your colar.”

He flashed her that sexy grin she loved so much.

“Sweetheart, you’l be out of here in no time. Believe me.

That can be easily arranged.”

The promise of good times to come made her smile.

She grasped the front of his shirt and dragged him down

for another kiss. Smiling, she ghosted her mouth across

his. “Baby, I’m counting on it.”

The End

About Lolita Lopez

While browsing bookstore shelves as a teenager, Lo

discovered the erotic writings of Anaïs Nin and Anne

Roquelaure. Certain her mother would not approve, Lo

smuggled the books home and squirreled them away in

the most likely of places—under her bed. Late at night,

she delved into the sensual worlds both writers created.

As a co-ed studying biochemistry and genetics at

Texas A&M University, Lo dabbled in creating naughty

tales to entertain her friends. Study for a midterm or pen

a deliciously dirty story to delight her smal band of fans?

Not surprisingly, Lo is now on an extended sabbatical

from colege.

Luckily, Lo stumbled onto the world of erotic

romance publishers. She realized there were other

readers and writers who loved and craved breathtaking

romance with the spiciest of love scenes. She took a

chance and submitted her first novela. The rest is history.

Lo lives in Texas with her family and beloved Great

Dane, Bosley.

Lo welcomes comments from readers. You can find

her website and email addresses on her author bio page

at www.elorascave.com.

Tell Us What You Think

We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our

books. You can email the author directly or you can

email us at [email protected] (when contacting

Customer Service, be sure to state the book title and

author).

Also by Lolita Lopez

Bad, Bad Things

English Vice

Grabbed by Vicious

Ilicit Bargain

Nocturnal Obsession

Pressing the Flesh

Pressing the Flesh

Swap Meet

The Big V

Turn-Down Service

Ultimate Prize

Print books by Lolita Lopez

Tantalizing Treats
anthology

Torrid Topaz
anthology

Ellora’s Cave Publishing

www.ellorascave.com

Caught by Menace

ISBN 9781419944383

ISBN 9781419944383

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Caught by Menace Copyright © 2013 Lolita Lopez

Edited by Julie Naughton and Jillian Bell

Cover design by Michelle

Cover photography by MarishaSha, Kutlayev

Dmitry/Shutterstock.com

Electronic book publication June 2013

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