Clawed: Wild Things, Book 3 (16 page)

“I know it hurts. But I have to stop the bleeding. Hang in there, do you hear me?”

She moaned again, unable to form words, and gave in. She couldn’t fight the grayness teasing its way back into the darkness, and when she felt her body rising, she let it happen, her arms dangling like a broken doll’s.

Just make the hurting stop
.

Her last thought was lost as the blackness took hold again.

“I can’t believe this is happening.”

Nina.

Her friend’s voice called to her but along with her voice came the pain. Chloe groaned, cried out as someone pulled her body upright, then leaned her back to let the sun shine on her face. Fighting against the desire to find the darkness again, she opened her eyes.

Nina’s frightened gaze met hers. “Chloe? Chloe, sweetie, don’t worry.” Nina glanced away. “Take it easy, Billy.”

Billy was here? Chloe turned her head to see where Nina was looking, but could only see the back of a car seat. Where was Conan?

“I’ll try, but we need to get to the hospital as fast as we can.” Billy’s tone was strained.

A tear dropped from Nina’s face to splash on Chloe’s cheek. Nina wiped her eyes and placed a wet rag on Chloe’s forehead.

“Is she awake?”

Conan.
Chloe wasn’t sure if the smile she felt made it to her lips. But it didn’t matter. He was safe and that’s all she needed to know.

“Yes, but just barely.”

Conan’s face appeared next to Nina’s. Eyes flaked with bits of amber locked onto hers, and for a moment, the hardness of his features softened.

“Chloe, you’re going to be okay. Just hang on.”

Why was he telling her to hang on? Hang on to what? She almost giggled, but grimaced as a bump jolted her, adding to the torment in her shoulder. She cried out, and this time, the tear sliding down her cheek was her own.

Nina held on to her as though trying to steady her rocking body. “The bumps, Billy. Watch out for the bumps.”

Billy grumbled something she couldn’t understand. Chloe closed her eyes, giving up the struggle to stay awake. Why fight it when the darkness took the pain away?

“No, don’t close your eyes. Look at me, Chloe. We’re almost there.”

As much as she didn’t want to, she opened her eyes. She had to see Conan one last time. His eyes, returned to the deep brown she loved, held her, refusing to let her slip away.

“Don’t leave me.”

His simple appeal rushed through her, spreading a delight that was stronger than the agony. She never wanted to leave Conan. Not now. Not ever.

Bright lights assaulted her eyes as the car slammed to a stop. Car doors opened and hands gripped her gently but firmly as they slid her body along the backseat of the car and onto a gurney. Chloe laid her head to the side, and seeing the entrance of the hospital, sighed and closed her eyes.

“You shouldn’t be out of bed.” Nina took the wheelchair from the attendant and continued pushing Chloe down the hallway.

“It’s okay for me to go into the sunroom. My doctor said so. Besides, if I have to lie in bed a minute longer, you’re going to have to call the men in white coats to come and lock me away.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, all the men are in white coats around here.”

Chloe chuckled, then winced at the sharp stab the small gesture caused her. “So where’s Conan and Billy?”

Nina settled her in front of the window that spanned the entire side of the sunroom and jutted toward the street running in front of the hospital. Chloe could see the people hurrying about their day and glanced longingly at the door leading out into the green yard. Sitting under the sun with the smell of flowers comforting her was her favorite time of the day. “Billy went back to the cave to gather their things, and Conan’s buying more magazines.”

“More magazines? I haven’t even read the first bunch he gave me.”

Nina pulled up a chair next to the wheelchair. “Who cares? He has to find something to give you, right? After he got caught sneaking a Quarter Pounder for you, the head nurse gives him the once-over before she lets him near your room.”

“Yeah, right. She’d just love to pat him down.”

“Well, ya can’t blame her, can you? He is hot.” Nina opened her purse and took out a brush to begin running through Chloe’s hair.

“Will you stop it? I’m not an invalid. I can brush my own hair.” But Nina slapped her hand away.

“Not without moving your injured shoulder, you can’t. So just let me do this for you.”

“I’m supposed to move it, remember? Besides, the wound wasn’t really that bad. I just lost a lot of blood, is all.”

“I know, but still…” Nina paused, and stopped the brush in midstroke before going on. “You scared the crap out of me, damn it. If Billy and I hadn’t been driving up that road and seen Conan carrying you… Well, I don’t even want to think about what could’ve happened. Do you know that he carried you for five miles? All while running as fast as he could.”

“I know. He’s amazing. But I wish I could’ve enjoyed the ride.”

Nina smoothed the last stroke, then put the brush back in her purse. “I think it’s better that you weren’t conscious.”

“Yeah. You’re probably right.” Chloe scanned the street, looking for a giant among men. “I wish he’d hurry back.”

Nina’s warm eyes searched Chloe. “You love him, don’t you?”

Chloe blinked, opened her mouth to deny the question, then realized it was no use. “Yeah, I do. Do you think I’m crazy?”

Nina’s eyes twinkled as she tipped her head and grinned. “Maybe. But not any crazier than me loving Billy.”

“Then I guess we’re a couple of crazy ladies.”

A woman’s scream jerked Chloe’s attention back to the street and the crowd forming around two men.

“Conan!”

Roger and Conan faced off as the activities on the street came to a stop and people gawked at the scene. Conan, his hands held up in a defensive gesture, tried to thwart the advances of Roger. Roger, however, wouldn’t back off. Instead, he kept thrusting a long pole at Conan. Roger kept bouncing around the larger man, stabbing him with each lunge. Conan jerked at the jab, but remained silent.

“What the hell is Roger doing?” Why wasn’t Conan defending himself?

“Oh, my God, he’s using a cattle prod on Conan.” Nina grabbed the phone from her purse. “I’m calling the police.”

Again Roger struck at Conan, and again the large man reacted to the electric jolt but didn’t attack. Roger, his face contorted with rage, grew bolder with each advance.

“Change, damn you! Change into the animal you are.” Roger’s face grew redder with each prod.

Nina finished explaining the situation to the police. “Shit. Roger’s trying to get Conan to shift into his bear form.”

Chloe, her throat constricted in fear, could only nod.

Roger poked Conan three more times, then turned to confront the crowd yelling at him to stop. Others in the mob, however, were videotaping the scene with their cell phones. Roger shouted louder, his voice becoming shrill. “I can’t stop. You don’t understand. He’s a monster. I saw him. He changes into a grizzly bear. I saw him!”

He grew angrier when people laughed, their disbelief then erupting into jeers.

“You’re all idiots. He’s a shape-shifter. An evil creature. Help me put him in a cage.” Enraged, Roger drove the cattle prod into Conan’s stomach and held it there.

Breaking his silence, Conan roared, the agonized tone tearing Chloe’s heart. At last defending himself, Conan ripped the prod out of Roger’s hand, then fell to his knees. Roger jumped on top of him, pummeling him with his fists and urging the onlookers to join in.

Chloe grabbed the arms of her wheelchair and struggled to stand, but Nina grabbed her and eased her back into her seat. “Let me go, Nina. I have to help him.”

“No way. I know what you’re feeling, but I also know Conan would have my head if I let you get out of this chair.”

Chloe pushed against her friend, leaning to the side to see Conan. Roger kept circling him, adding kicks to the beating he showered on Conan. Conan rose to his feet, but only blocked the smaller man’s advances.

“Why doesn’t he knock Roger on his ass?”

Chloe’s throat closed up. “Because he promised me he wouldn’t hurt anyone. Even Roger. Nina, help me. I have to get to him.” She reached for her friend’s hand. “Please.”

Nina couldn’t resist her this time and helped her get out of the chair. Leaning on her friend, Chloe hurried outside. “Conan!”

Conan turned to face her, and she gasped at the welts covering his face and arms. Roger kicked him in the back, forcing Conan to take a step toward her. Amazingly, he shot her a smile before scowling at Nina.

“Get her back inside.”

“No way. I’m not leaving.”

Roger snatched up the cattle prod and rushed over to Chloe. Knocking Nina aside, he grabbed Chloe by the hair and yanked back her head. Sneering at her, he placed the prongs next to her cheek. Conan growled and started forward, his arms outstretched as though to throttle Roger, his eyes filling with amber.

“Let her go.” Conan’s demand was low, the threat unmistakable.

“Change.” Roger ran his tongue over his mouth and glanced at Chloe, then Conan. “You show everyone what you are and I’ll let her go.”

The animal was close to the surface now. Chloe could see the struggle on Conan’s face to keep the bear restrained. “No. Don’t do it.”

Conan lowered his head and took a look at the crowd surrounding them. When he turned back to her, he nodded at Roger, then took another step closer. “Look at my eyes.”

Roger stared at Conan, his attention focused on Conan’s eyes. Roger’s hand trembled, whether in anticipation or in fear, Chloe wasn’t sure.

Conan locked gazes with his attacker, took another step closer, and whispered, “It starts in the eyes. Watch.”

Roger was mesmerized, ready to see the proof of his claims, ready for the crowd to see that he was telling the truth. “Shit. His eyes are turning yellow.” Jubilant, Roger lowered the cattle prod and jerked his head toward the crowd. “See? I told you. Do you see it?”

Conan’s hand was on Roger’s neck before he could utter a scream. Wrenching the prod out of Roger’s hand, Conan took Chloe’s arm and gently but firmly pulled her away from Roger. A terrified Roger clutched Conan’s arm, struggling to get free, but Conan’s hold was a vise he couldn’t break.

“Police. Everyone back away.”

Chloe, supported by Nina, took a deep breath and pointed at Roger. “That man attacked my friend with a cattle prod and then beat and kicked him.” Murmurs of agreement echoed around her, reinforcing her claim.

“He’s also the man you’ve been looking for. The one who shot Chloe.” Nina nodded at Chloe.

Conan released Roger, who dropped to the ground, clutching his throat and sucking in big breaths. The two policemen paused to take in the scene, then reached down and yanked Roger to his feet.

“Turn me loose. He’s a monster, I tell you. A monster. He changes into a bear.” But Roger’s struggles only intensified the hold the policemen had on him. “He changes into a bear. You have to believe me.”

“A bear, huh?” The older officer chuckled, then quipped, “Are you telling me he’s a real, live bear?”

Roger’s face lit up as he clutched the officer. “That’s right. He’s a bear. Arrest him. He needs to be thrown into a cage.”

The other officer snorted. “Sure. You bet. But first, I’d like you to meet a friend of ours.” Placing Roger in handcuffs, the policeman shoved him toward the police vehicle. “His name is Dr. Wilson. He’s a psychiatrist and he’s Winnie the Pooh’s good buddy.”

“What? No, you’ve got it all wrong. I’m not crazy. He’s a shape-shifter.” Roger’s shouts continued, muffled only after he was placed into the back of the squad car.

Conan wrapped his arm around Chloe and held her close as he answered the older officer’s questions. Promising to come down to the precinct within the hour, Conan thanked him for his help. Chloe watched Roger in the back of the squad car, still shouting for help as the police drove him away.

Shaking, she was grateful when Conan gave her the support she needed. “Why didn’t you do something when he first attacked you?”

Conan led her to a bench in front of the hospital and helped her sit before he sat down beside her. “What did you want me to do? Shift? In front of all those people?”

Frustration and relief mixed together to burst the words from her. “No. But I was hoping you’d wipe the ground with him. You could’ve done that as a man.”

Conan’s eyes widened in feigned surprise. “But you said not to hurt anyone. And I promised I wouldn’t. I assumed that meant even in human form.”

“Well, yes, but—”

“Hmm. But weren’t you the one who wasn’t sure I could keep my promise?” Conan’s mouth quirked upward at the sides.

Chloe couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him. “Okay, okay. I get it. I was wrong to ever doubt you.”

“Yes, you were.” He snaked his arm around her, careful not to hurt her shoulder.

“Fine. I admit it. But tell me. Do you always keep your promises?” Chloe’s heart picked up speed, a different kind of fear beating it.

“I do.” The heat from his body warmed her almost as much as the look he gave her. “Do you?”

“I try not to make many promises but when I do, yes, I keep them.” She cast her gaze downward, shyness overtaking her.

“So now do you trust me to keep mine?” His expression was open, possessing a strange new vulnerability she’d never seen. She wanted to stroke his face, to comfort him any way she could. “Do you trust me to always be there for you?”

He was promising more than to not harm anyone. He was promising his life to her. At last, she reached out to press her palm to his cheek. He closed his eyes, leaning into her touch, then opened them again. His eyes held a sparkle that hadn’t been there before.

“Yes. I trust you. About everything. With every part of me.”

Conan swallowed, and for a moment, she imagined she saw a tear at the corner of one eye. “Good.”

“I want to make a promise to you, Conan.”

Amber showed with the joy in his eyes, but she wasn’t afraid.

“Yeah?”

She nodded, then placed her hand against his chest. “I promise to always love you.”