Wolfsbane (16 page)

Stop comparing them!

“Miss Roark, it’s a pleasure. I’ve always wondered what kind of woman it would take to ensnare this officer.” Commander Greene laughed and shook her hand. “May I introduce my wife, Elizabeth?”

Dani shook the woman’s hand, surprised at the tight, firm grasp. “Mrs. Greene, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Thank you, Miss Roark.” She rolled her expressive eyes to Range. “Chief, I’d say you’ve outdone yourself with your date, but we’ve been waiting so long for this night.”

“Well, we won’t keep you two. The dance floor’s that way,” the commander said with a laugh. He patted Range’s shoulder with a “well done” and vanished into the crowd forming behind them.

Blushing—was he really blushing?—Range tilted his head toward her as they crossed the patterned floors. “He was one of my dad’s good friends.” He led her through another set of doors and paused. “Shall we?”

With a mustered smile, she allowed him to guide her onto the dance floor. Dani turned into his arms. She needed to put her mind elsewhere, away from the fact that he had his arm around her waist and was holding her hand.

Get the small talk going. “Why’d you get into the Coast Guard?”

“I wanted something water based but knew I didn’t want to go through BUD/S or special ops, like Canyon.” His gaze pinged off hers, and he gave a halfhearted smile.

She’d ignore the temptation to ask about his brother. Even she knew better than that. Tonight was Range’s night. And he had treated her with respect and courtesy. She could certainly return that favor. “Do you like being a Coastie?”

“Yeah, I do. It’s fulfilling and keeps me challenged. I protect the borders of our country, I’ve saved a few lives, and I get to be out on the water.”

“You know.” Dani wet her lips and stared at the brass buttons on his navy blazer. If she met his gaze, she probably wouldn’t be able to voice this. “I never thanked you … for …” Why had she even brought it up? She dropped her gaze as a stinging awareness of what she’d looked like, what he’d seen that fateful night, washed over her.

Range squeezed her hand. “You’re welcome.” He craned his neck to see into her eyes. “Let’s make a deal.”

Dani braved a glance at him.

“We don’t mention it again. Let’s leave it where it belongs.”

Acute relief cleansed the nausea. “Thanks.” She relaxed. “That means a lot.”

“So do you.” Range straightened almost immediately and peered out over the dance floor, as if afraid to see her reaction to his words. With subtle pressure on her back, he drew her closer. The knots in her stomach tightened.

After two more dances, Dani begged off. “Maybe we could get a drink or something.”

“Sure.” Range led her to their table and pulled her chair out for her. “What’s your flavor?” He sat sideways in the chair, a hand over hers.

“Water.”

He nodded, then made his way through the crowd and disappeared.

“Hey,” a guy in full dress said as he slipped into the seat beside her. “You look familiar.”

Her palms grew slick. “I’m not sure why.”
Oh please don’t be one of the Coasties who rescued me. Please don’t
. “I don’t recall meeting you.”

“No.” He shook a finger at her. “I’ve seen you …”

Hopefully he hadn’t seen more of her than he should’ve. The knots tightened even more.

“Hey, Moore, bug off.”

A roar of laughter shot past Dani as the guy stood. “Metcalfe!” He winked at Dani. “Wait.” His smile dropped. “Are you—?” He glanced at Range. “You’re the girl we picked up out of the Gulf.”

“Leave off, Moore.” Range’s tone bore a sharpness she’d never heard from him before.

“Hah, this is cool.” His friend patted his shoulder. “Way to go, Metcalfe. Take advantage of Stockholm. Know what I mean?” The sickening laugh seemed to push Range over the edge.

“To be Stockholm, I’d have to be her captor. You’re drunk, Moore. Leave off.” The punch sloshed over the cups, and he dropped them on the table and drew up straight.

Dani shoved to her feet. “I’m ready to leave.”

Moore gaped at her, then quickly diverted his humor and attention to another couple nearby. He glanced back at her and Range and smirked. The expression on the man’s face cracked her resolve to enjoy this evening.

The burst of strength and fortitude slid through that crack. Her courage and willingness went with them. And through that opening came a swift squall of memories. Foul breath … near-rabid dogs … leaping from the cliff …

“Dani?” Range’s soft voice came very close, almost against her ear.

She closed her eyes and tried to squeeze away the memories. But even with his comforting tone, she felt herself caving. “I want to leave.”

“Sure, no problem. Let’s go.” Range took her elbow. Helped her to her feet. Directed her out of the building with swiftness. “I’m sorry.”

She should be strong. Shove this very far away from her mind. But the humiliation of that nightmare coming back to life …

“I’m really sorry that happened. Moore is a loser. Ignore him.” Range eased his arm around her shoulder and pulled her against himself. “Please don’t cry.”

Only at his words did she feel the warmth of the tear slipping down her cheek.

Inside the car, she burrowed into the darkness, wrapped her arms around herself.

“I’m sorry,” he said as he hovered next to her. “It was a bad idea to take you there. I had no idea …”

She couldn’t argue. Though she knew propriety would dictate she exonerate him from guilt, remove the weight he felt for what happened, she couldn’t. As if standing on the edge of a dark precipice, she felt ready—no,
willing
—to fall into the dark fathoms of despair. Why did she think she could survive this, beat it? It’d haunt her for the rest of her life.

“We’re here.”

Dani lifted her head, surprised to find the limo snuggling up to the home. Seconds later, they emerged into the warm, sticky night.

“Hey, you two,” Willow’s singsong voice rang out. “You’re back early.”

Unable to look up at the question in Willow’s statement, Dani shuffled around, trying to hide her face. Looked toward her car.

“Everything all right?”

Canyon. A piece of her wanted to spin and rush into his arms.
Insane. But that’s what she could see herself doing. Yeah, that’d go over well with Range.

“Want to go inside?”

She looked up … but stopped at Range’s shoulder. “Thanks for the evening. Really, I did have a good time.” But she couldn’t stay. Not with Canyon. He’d know. “I should get home.” Again, she managed that weak smile and started toward the car. Fumbling with her bag as she plodded down the flower-strewn path, she dug for the keys.

Behind her, she heard the siblings mumbling. A terse word here and there. No doubt Range relaying the events. Embarrassment chased her to the car, but not before Willow glided up on her right. “Here, let me help you.” She reached for the key.

Numb, Dani let her take it. “Thanks.”

“Sure thing.” With a smile that held both understanding and pity, Willow looked over her shoulder and tossed the key in that direction.

Dani whirled just in time to see Canyon snag the keys from the air, then pivot and walk back up to the house. Turning back to Willow, she felt the cloud of confusion descend. “Wha—why did you do that?”

With a shrug, Willow smiled. “I guess we’re having a sleepover.”

Metcalfe Residence 19 April

Am I my brother’s keeper?

Cain had killed Abel. For a split second, Canyon understood. The feelings churning through his gut at the sight of Range with Roark last night … She’d looked ethereal. Sexy. Sultry. Jealousy was one thing, but seeing them together last night and then this morning, the green-eyed monster had fanned the flames of his anger that Range claimed her first. And she sure didn’t seem to mind being Range’s date. Maybe she had more politician’s blood than he’d thought.

It was stupid. Brothers fighting over the same girl.

But the girl was Roark. The futility of what he felt for her left him feeling whacked. Which is why he kept his distance all day, while she hung out with Willow and Range.

As quiet bathed the house, Canyon ventured from his self-imposed isolation with his golden retriever, Daisy, who plodded beside him as he headed to the backyard to throw the ball for her. His shoes thunked against the wood as he moved onto the back porch.

“Canyon’s on my team!” Leif’s shout stopped the hustle on the back forty, as it was called.

Stone, Willow, Range, and Roark turned as Canyon froze.
Crap
. He wondered where they’d gone. Sunday with the Metcalfes meant family time. Meant big meals. Meant nobody left till darkness came.

“We’re teaming up for football,” Stone said. “You game?”

“’Course.” Trudging down the steps, Canyon rolled his agitation over Range and Roark into a tight ball and pitched it into the cesspool of indifference.

“Dani and I will take Willow.” Range tugged the girls aside.

“Wait a minute. Two girls and a guy against three hard players?” Willow shook her head. “No way.”

Roark leaned toward Willow and whispered something. His sister laughed, then said, “We’re good.”

“They’re ready to be buried.” Leif flung the ball at Canyon, who snagged it from the air.

He glanced at the group as they lined up. “Where are Brooke and Mark?”

“He’s on a trip; she’s prepping for a case.” Stone clapped. “All right, let’s bring it.”

“Marie?” Canyon asked about Stone’s wife.

“Just play.”

In a squat, Canyon planted the ball on the ground. With three on three, it wouldn’t be bad, but it also wouldn’t be a fulfilling game, not with these odds.

Range, Willow, and Roark prepared.

“Ready … set … hike!” Canyon thrust the hide to Leif, then burst down the green. Running, he glanced back and spotted Stone running parallel to him.

Leif palmed the ball, lifted it, and sent it spiraling straight to Canyon. To catch it, he’d have to double back. He skidded and backpedaled.

Range and Willow were coming fast.

Stone cut in and blocked Range.

Willow continued the straight line for him.

Canyon launched into the air and caught the ball. He landed and rolled, came up and kept going. Close by he heard a grunt. Glanced back. Roark was within three feet. Without a thought, Canyon threw himself over the marked line for the goal.

“Touchdown!” Leif shouted.

On his back and staring up the sky, Canyon could only laugh. A
hand came into view. He craned his neck and found Roark standing over him. “You’re ruthless. You think I’ll trust that offered hand?” With her help, he came to his feet. Considered her. “You’re good.”

“Sweet play.” Leif retrieved the ball and started back to the fifty yard line. “Guys one, others zip.”

Range jogged toward them. “Nice try, Dani. Nice try.”

Canyon stalked away, ready to pummel some more yardage—or his brother. Anything to get away from Range and Roark. If Canyon stood around, the buzzing in his head at seeing his brother take the lead with her would make him mental. In the huddle, he listened as Leif plotted their next play.

“We’ll need to keep an eye on Roark,” Canyon mumbled. “She doesn’t play like Willow.”

Stone chuckled. “No kidding. Willow plays for fun. Dani plays to win.”

The grin couldn’t be helped. She wasn’t afraid to try to take him down. They slapped hands and turned to the painted line.

“Come on,” Leif taunted. “We ain’t got all night.”

When the trio turned, Willow had the ball. She stuck her tongue at Leif and bent into position. Roark came up behind her.

Stone gave Canyon a knowing look, and he returned his brother’s sentiments. Almost in sync, Canyon and Stone backed up a couple of paces.

In play, the ball passed from Willow to Roark. She spun around and instantly, the other two gathered up. Seconds later, all three burst down the field.

Canyon scrambled to see who had the pigskin.

Easily, Stone took down Range. No ball. Canyon jogged after Willow and Roark. There! Under Roark’s arm. She was close to their goal. He pushed himself hard. Willow banked into his path. Leif nailed her. Canyon had to leap over them to keep going. He reached toward Roark. She looked back and jerked left.

“No!” Lips tight, Canyon lunged. Caught her shoulders. Pulled her down. They rolled and slid to a stop.

On her stomach, Roark didn’t move.

Canyon touched her arm.

Her shoulders bounced. Was she crying? “You okay?”

She flopped onto her back, laughing. Thrust the ball into the air. “Touchdown!”

“No way,” Leif said. “You went down before the line.”

Canyon didn’t care about the score. What he liked, what made him
stare was the massive smile on Roark’s face, the exultant glow in her mahogany orbs.

Roark propped herself up on her elbows, looking down at her toes. “Check the smear marks.”

The others gathered around as Canyon pulled himself to his feet. Something knocked him sideways.

“What do you think you’re doing tackling her?” Red colored Range’s face. “It’s a
friendly
game.”

“Hey, back up, Range.” Stone stepped between the two, a hand on each chest as he nudged them apart. But then he looked at Canyon. “Maybe you should take it easy. Tackling—”