Page 24 of The Devil's Hunt

"It's too far. Put this address in your GPS." I rattled off the address to our manor, watching her frantically type it into her maps. "We have a doctor on staff at the house."

She nodded, hitting the accelerator and speeding out onto the road. I cradled Mila in my arms, feeling her shivering gradually weaken.

"I'll be alright," she whispered.

She sounded so fragile, like glass about to shatter.

When we reached the gates to the property, Kai rolled down the window for the guards, and they waved us on, the large gate rolling open to let us pass. Lacey coasted up the long, stone driveway and pulled up to the multi-car garage next to the estate. The sun was beginning to rise, and the sky blazed with beautiful shades of orange, pink, and yellow. I carried Mila straight to my bedroom and set her on the bed.

"I need to get these wet clothes off you," I told her.

She nodded weakly.

I pulled off her wet boots, peeled her socks off her feet, and tossed them aside. She pulled her jacket off, letting it fall to the floor, but struggled to unbutton her pants.

"Lie back on the bed."

She did.

I unbuttoned her jeans and unzipped them, pulling them down over her hips while she pulled her wet shirt over her head and threw it on the ground. I stared down at her perfect body, her curves bared in front of me. She sat up, her dark hair falling down her back, and I was mesmerized by her. "Take your bra and underwear off for me," I instructed her.

She looked up at me, biting her lip before unhooking it, exposing her full breasts.

My cock stiffened in my wet jeans.

She reached down, grabbed the bands on her panties, and pushed them down to her thighs. She stood up next to the bed, letting them fall to the floor, then lay back down.

I struggled to pull off my wet clothes, standing almost naked before her. My cock raged hard in my boxers, twitching with each breath she took.

"Archer…" she whispered, her voice low and quiet. It was nearly a sigh.

Just hearing her say my name sent my head spinning.

"You're bleeding. What happened?" She sat up and reached for my shoulder.

The bullet had just grazed me, and I could already feel it clotting. I would still need stitches, but a little bit of blood loss wouldn't kill me. "It looks worse than it is. Stay there. You need to rest."

I pulled back the covers and lifted her into my arms, laying her gently in the bed. I let my briefs fall to the floor before I slid in beside her, pulling her naked body against mine. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her so tightly she had to take little breaths.

"I'm so cold," she whispered, her naked, trembling body pressed against mine. It took everything I had not to roll her over and fuck her senseless, warming us both in the process. She seemed so small and delicate against my over six-foot frame, and my body yearned to possess hers. I fought against my instincts, trying to control the primal urge to dominate her and make her mine.

"Shh," I whispered. "Try to focus on getting warm." I pressed my lips against her forehead, and she closed her eyes, sighing softly.

"Mila," I whispered against her skin.

She took a ragged breath before turning to face me. I stared down at her, drinking in her beauty with my eyes. Her dark, wet hair clung to her face and speckled my shoulder. Her lips were slightly parted, her dark eyes pleading for me to hold her.

A soft knock on the door shattered the moment, and our on-staff doctor, Gage, cautiously peeked his head inside the room. "Can I come in?" he asked hesitantly.

"Yeah," I nodded, reluctantly pulling away from Mila's warm body and sitting up. "This is Gage," I introduced him to Mila. "He's our doctor. I want him to check you out."

Mila pulled the blanket tighter around her body, suddenly feeling exposed as Gage examined her with clinical efficiency. He prodded at her skin, listened to her heart and lungs, and checked her temperature.

"Everything looks good. I would suggest that you get some rest before you get up. Your body has had to work overtime in an attempt to regulate its core temperature. Drink warm fluids, rest up for the night, and if you start to feel worse, have Archer call me." He shifted his attention to me, opening his bag and retrieving a suture kit.

"Looks like you need a few stitches." He nodded to the wound on my shoulder.

"I'm good, Doc. Go check on Maddie and Kai," I dismissed him, eager to get back to being alone with Mila.

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