Page 33 of Laid Bear

“I was really through with him and meant it. I wouldn’t let him sweet talk or bully me into getting back with him. By now, I realized I didn’t want to remain at college, but I wasn’t sure where I could go. I’d had a little money saved away from my work study job. I figured I could get a job somewhere and find a room to rent. Dale apparently wasn’t through with me yet. He stalked me and made obscene phone calls. He showed up at my job and sent me harassing emails. Finally, I’d had enough. I agreed to meet him to talk. I was hoping if I told him to leave me alone, he would.

“I know it sounds crazy, but I was tired of being scared of him, and I wanted to face him and tell him to leave me alone. We’d agreed to meet at a coffee shop. I arrived there first and waited for him at a table by the window. I saw him when he approached the shop, and immediately I knew something was up. Now mind you, he’s a guy who takes pride in his appearance, but he looked unkempt. His clothes were askew and his eyes were bloodshot. He walked into the shop, spotted me and stopped. He just stared at me for several seconds and I could feel my heart sink because my gut was telling me he didn’t come to listen. He was up to something. I don’t know if it was divine intervention or what, but the barista dropped some dishes. I was so startled, I slid from my chair and that’s when Dale pulled out a gun and opened fire. A bullet whooshed by my head. And I know with absolute certainty had that person behind me not dropped those dishes, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Logan suddenly pushed away from the table, knocking his chair over. “Mother fucker! Where the hell is he now? I’m going to fucking kill him.”

Zora could see the bear in his eyes. With a quick glance, she noted Gavin and Heath, though not as vocal as their cousin about what she’d just shared, were every bit as angry as he was.

“Please.” Zora stood and placed her hand on Logan’s shoulder to calm him down. “Let me finish. There’s still a little bit left I need to tell you. You guys have to understand where I’m coming from. I promise I’ll answer all your questions when I’m finished.”

Logan’s nostrils flared and Zora could feel his pulse racing beneath her touch. Finally, he nodded and sat back down with crossed arms.

Zora took her seat and continued. “Even though he missed me, he hit another patron, a woman coming out of the bathroom. Thank goodness she survived, but at that moment, pandemonium broke out in the shop. I think Dale probably would have taken more shots at me had it not been for a couple of rugby players who tackled him to the ground. And the whole time he was on the ground struggling as the men tried to restrain him, he yelled at me that I’d never be rid of him. He said no matter how far I go, he’d find me. I was horrified. The incident was in the papers and made the news. Even as the police took him away, he was still yelling. He’d snapped. I didn’t realize how unhinged he really was until then, but I should have seen the signs. There were little clues to his mental instability from the beginning, but I ignored them.” Zora wrapped her arms around her body, shuddering as she recalled the day that was still deeply etched in her mind.

“Despite it being one of the most horrific experiences of my life, a couple good things came out of it. Dale was locked up, even though his family connections got him a lighter sentence than he deserved. And that incident gave me to the courage to reach out to my nana who incidentally saw the coverage on television. Reconnecting with her again was a lifesaver. For the first time in my life, I felt unconditional love. I was an active part of the community and I adored living in Covington.

“I even went on a few dates, but it never developed into anything serious because I was scared—scared to love and risk my heart again. I was afraid someone would expose my insecurities like Dale had and throw them back in my face. But I was content to be alone and live happily alongside Nana. The rest I told you about, her illness and having to sell most of our assets to cover medical expenses. What I didn’t tell you was shortly after she passed, I started getting strange phone calls from a voice I couldn’t recognize, but one who would say things that only Dale would know. I think he’s been released and found out where I was. That’s why I had to get out of town. I couldn’t bear another incident like the one in the coffee shop. I couldn’t put my friends in danger.”

“So that’s why you’re on the run?” Gavin asked gently.

Zora shrugged. “I wouldn’t call it on the run exactly, but I didn’t want Dale polluting the good memories I had in Covington by showing up. Like I told you before, I was on my way to my cousin’s and had it not been for the accident, I’d probably be there now.”

“Well, something good did come out of the accident. We found you.” Gavin smiled at her.

Zora’s heart fluttered as she stared at each man. Seeing their looks of concern and understanding gave her the courage to say, “I’m glad I met you guys. I stayed because my heart told me to give you a chance even though my head told me otherwise. I’m glad I listened to my heart. Even though you guys told me I was your mate, part of me believed you guys just wanted a playmate for the month. But you treated me in a way Dale and even some of the guys I dated never had. I realize…I…I love you. I never felt this strongly or deeply for anyone and it’s killing me that this vacation is nearly over because what then? Knowing that Dale is on the loose, I can’t put you three at jeopardy. I couldn’t handle it if something happened to you. I think if the three of you were to die, I would die too.”

“Say that again,” Heath said softly.

Zora bit her bottom lip. It had taken her so much to finally admit what she’d been holding back, but for them, if they needed her to repeat the story, she would. “I said knowing that Dale—”

“No, not that part,” Logan interrupted.

Zora frowned. “Which part?”

“The part where you said you love us.” Gavin stood up.

She ran her tongue over her lips as her men eyed her with a predatory lust that made her pussy throb. “I love you. I love all three of you. With all my heart. I never thought I could love anyone this way because I didn’t think anyone could love me and—”

She didn’t get a chance to finish before Logan pulled her in his arms and covered her mouth with his. Zora didn’t think to resist as she melted into him, returning his kiss with enthusiasm, their tongues mating frantically. Her panties got damp as he ground his cock against the juncture of her thighs.

“Save some for us.” Gavin chuckled, pulling Zora out of Logan’s arms to give her a smoldering lip lock of his own.

Just as she became lost in her kiss with Gavin, she was whirled around and pulled into Heath’s arms. They took turns hugging and kissing her until she was breathless.

Zora had to pull away to catch her breath. “Guys.” She chuckled. “Take it easy.”

“Never,” Logan growled. “Besides, if you think we’re going to let you get away from us now that we found you, you’ve got another think coming to you, lady.”

“He’s right, Zora. We’ll work out this Dale situation together,” Heath reassured her. “We’re not going to let some twerp scare us. He thought he could push you around because he’s a weak son of a bitch. But now, he’ll be dealing with three men.”

“And we’re not your run of the mill guys, you have to admit. We can more than handle him,” Gavin pointed out.

Her men were out of the ordinary, but who knew what Dale had in his arsenal. “You guys aren’t impervious to bullets. You admitted yourselves some of your ancestors were killed off by overzealous hunters.”

“Zora, you’re worrying way too much. We can take care of ourselves,” Heath assured her.

“But he’s crazy,” she argued, still worried about putting them in harm’s way.

Gavin caught her face between his hands. “Zora, you belong to us now, and we protect what is ours. Trust us. Can you do that for us, sweetheart?” He dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose.

She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. Though it was difficult to give her trust, the looks in their eyes told her what she needed to know. “Yes, I do trust you.”

“Good, then allow us to handle Dale.” Without warning, Gavin scooped her up in his arms, catching Zora off guard.

“Where are you taking me?” She giggled.

Gavin nuzzled her neck. “As if you need to ask.”

Logan and Heath followed close behind and Zora knew she wouldn’t be getting much sleep that night.

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