Leo's Pet [Rescue for Hire 4] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Read online

  “Hi,” he managed to croak past a mouth that was as dry as a desert. Leo brought a straw to his lips, and he sucked wonderful lukewarm water into his mouth.

  “Try a little more, pet, then we’ll let your stomach rest a bit,” Leo instructed.

  Moving his hand, Alex heard the clink of the handcuff against the metal of the bed. The last he remembered before flashes of being in the hospital was getting that little girl out of the pond.

  “Why am I handcuffed to the bed?” he asked.

  “Because the father of the girl you pulled out of the pond is trying to bring charges against you for molesting his daughter,” a voice behind Leo answered.

  Alex’s eyes swung from Leo’s face to the boss, who was sitting in a chair on the other side of the room, not looking too happy. He also saw a cop sitting in the corner listening to every word they said.

  “All I did was locate and pull that girl out of the pond. I did not molest her in any way.” Alex was confused by a lot of things, but he knew he would never and did not molest that child.

  “Calm down, pet, you still have a fever.” Leo’s steady, deep voice distracted him for a moment, along with the warm hand holding his. He kept calling him pet. Alex wondered if Leo knew or suspected his secret cravings. Before he could dwell on that thought, Cade spoke again.

  “I know the doctor will be in soon to discuss your injuries, but you should know the local authorities will be in sometime today to ask you some questions. After you’ve given your statement, they should be taking that cuff off. I called in the team’s lawyer and Leo has also brought his lawyer here. So things should be cleared up pretty quickly.” The boss’s next words had Alex’s full attention. “Alex, the local authorities weren’t happy we had been brought into the rescue. Step carefully.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the cop raise a cell phone to his ear and softly talk into it, never taking his eyes off the boss. He knew more cops would be arriving in his room before the day was done, but he could feel the drugs starting to work again. He’d seen Leo press the little button thingy on that machine, and his eyes were definitely getting heavy. Just before he completely closed his eyes, he squeezed the hand holding his and received a squeeze back.

  Chapter Three

  Alex was woken up an hour later to the hospital door swinging open and the whole team filing in. Before he could ask what was going on, the boss raised his finger to his mouth in the worldwide sign for “be quiet.” Then the team arranged themselves around the room in what Alex knew were strategic positions. The cop in the corner was watching all their actions and was clearly becoming concerned.

  Not two minutes later the door opened again and what could only be the local police chief walked in with two detectives. After introducing himself, the chief and the detectives started questioning Alex about the rescue of the little girl. It wasn’t very long before the questions went way downhill and eventually one of the detectives asked if he had enjoyed cutting the clothes off the little girl. At that point, Treb took a step forward, but the boss held his arm out, stopping him. Then the door to the hospital room opened again and who should come through but Steve, the sheriff from home.

  “Hey, Alex, I heard you were injured saving a little kid’s life again.” Steve greeted Alex with a handshake, ignoring everyone in the room. “I just don’t know what we would do without people like you in the world. I just had to fly in and see how you were doing.”

  Turning, the sheriff introduced himself to the local police chief. Then he went over and sat by the boss. Alex knew a power play when he saw one and he sat back, watching which way things would go. He certainly didn’t feel up to being hauled off to jail.

  The chief and the detectives looked at each other and then asked him to repeat what had happened from the time he located the little girl from the edge of the water until she had been pulled out of the pond. He was then informed that the report would be typed up and they would get back to him for his signature. And then they left.

  Alex watched as the sheriff stood up, with a very determined look on his face. He had just taken a step toward the door when it opened again and one of the detectives came back into the room. The man released Alex’s wrist from the handcuff and without a word to anyone, he gestured to the cop in the corner and they both left.

  “Does anyone else feel like we were just watching one of those daytime soaps on television?” Tony asked. Everyone chuckled and the tension in the room was gone.

  “I would say this mess is straightened out now, Alex,” Steve said. “According to those two lawyers out in the hall, certain members of the local police force and the father of the little girl you saved are related. Those police resented your team coming in and taking over so they decided to fan the flames of an overprotective and very paranoid father. This isn’t the first time the father has accused someone of hurting his daughter. But I would say their last-ditch effort to trick you into saying something incriminating didn’t work and you now can concentrate on healing.”

  “Thanks, Steve. I appreciate you coming all this way to help,” Alex said.

  “No problem. I needed a few days off and I have a huge problem with the abuse of authority. So now I am going to see how far I have to drive until I find a casino in this state and have a little rest and relaxation.” And with that, the sheriff left.

  “Do you have any questions, Alex?” the boss asked. The whole team was now standing around his bed.

  “How long have I been here?”

  “About three days. Your fever spiked and you’ve been pretty out of it.”

  “Why did the little girl jump in the pond when her brother was in the sinkhole?” That was the one thing Alex couldn’t figure out.

  “Well, apparently she saw the earth start to collapse and her little brother get sucked into it. Ironically her parents had watched a movie the night before where a meteor hits the earth and there are earthquakes and cracks opening up and sucking in all these people, cars, and buildings. So this little girl decided in that moment, unless she ran as fast as she could, the earth was going to open up and swallow her down.” Cade continued. “So that was what that girl did. She ran and then swam until she couldn’t anymore. She told her mother that she didn’t stop until a tree grabbed onto her and wouldn’t let go.”

  “Is she going to be okay?” Alex asked.

  “Yes,” Jack answered. He always managed to get the medical reports from each rescue. “Her cuts were all superficial and unlike you, infection didn’t set in. She’s already home safe.”

  Alex was relieved the little girl was all right. And he was glad she had panicked and ran. It probably saved her from being sucked into the sinkhole.

  “Any other questions, Alex?” the boss asked.

  “Where’s Bud?”

  “A local who has hounds offered to let him stay at her kennel. Jack and Tony checked it out and deemed it worthy of the big guy and he’s staying there until we go home. Don’t worry. One of us goes over there every day and spends time with him.”

  “Thanks, boss.” Alex was thanking all the guys and they knew it.

  The boss nodded his head in acknowledgment and then said, “We’re heading out. We’ll be back tomorrow. You should have talked to the doctor by then and we can plan how and when we can get you home.” And with that, the whole team left.

  For the first time in days, Alex was alone with Leo, who had been sitting quietly by his bedside throughout that whole drama. Alex didn’t miss that Leo had just pushed the pain button again. He was glad because his hip felt like it was on fire and trying to split apart from his body.

  “Why are you here?” Alex asked.

  “When you were cut off in the middle of your call to me, I became worried and called Tony to see what was happening. After talking to him and finding out the team wasn’t allowed near you, I decided you needed me,” Leo answered, taking Alex’s hand into his. “Later we will address the issue of you saying you were fine during that call when you weren�
��t.”

  Alex shivered at the edge of authority in Leo’s voice. He could feel the drugs kicking in, but he needed to let the man know how he felt. “Thank you for coming. And thank you for taking care of me.”

  “You’re very welcome,” Leo responded. Standing up and leaning over, he brought their lips together. The kiss deepened and Alex parted his lips. Tongues met, touched, and explored. All too soon Leo broke the kiss and nuzzled his cheek against Alex’s, whispering, “Sleep now, pet. I’ll be here when you wake.”

  Alex relaxed and let the drugs take over.

  When Alex woke from his nap, it was to the doctor standing by his bed, reading over the chart in his hand and making notes here and there. Glancing over, he was glad to see Leo was still in the chair next to his bed. Their eyes met for a second, before Alex looked back at the doctor.

  “Hello, Mr. Taylor. It’s good to finally officially meet you. I’m Dr. Anderson and I’m glad you’re back with us. Now we can discuss your treatment plan and recovery,” the doctor said in a very brisk and professional voice.

  “Please, call me Alex. I’m afraid I don’t know what is wrong with me except my arm and hip hurt.”

  “Let’s see.” The doctor looked down at the chart turning a couple of pages. “When you came in we had to take you to the operating room to remove thorns imbedded in your left arm below your elbow and your left hip. There were a few others in various areas of your body but those in the arm and hip did the most damage. Then we had to stitch up numerous lacerations that looked like they were made by branches and those nasty thorns. The problems occurred when infection from the dirty water you were swimming in set in. The tiny cuts healed quickly, but we had to take you back to surgery to clean that hip out a second time.”

  Alex took a moment to take that all in. No wonder he hadn’t been coherent for a while and felt like a limp noodle.

  “What now?” he asked.

  “Now we keep pumping antibiotics into your system and watching that hip to see if we have to take you back to surgery to clean it out again. Once your fever and infection are completely gone, we will get you up and do some tests to see how much damage has occurred to that joint. If needed we will replace it.” The doctor went on like he hadn’t just dropped a bombshell on Alex. “From your chart I see you’re single and live alone, so the next step after that would be a rehabilitation center for a few weeks and then hopefully you can go home.”

  “If he had twenty-four-seven help, would he still have to go to a rehabilitation center?” Leo asked.

  “No, if he had the care he needed, he could go home once the fever’s abated and we’ve evaluated that hip. The replacement, if needed, could be done here or in a hospital of your choice,” was the doctor’s answer.

  Alex couldn’t believe they were calmly talking about him like the mad doctor didn’t just explain that he might cut off his leg! No way. He was out of here.

  Leo saw the minute Alex lost it. He knew if he didn’t do something quickly, they would have a situation reminiscent of what he had heard happened when Alex’s teammate Treb, had been in the hospital with a head injury. As he watched, Alex reached wildly for his IV, intent on pulling it out of his arm. Leo automatically did the only thing he could think of.

  “Alex Taylor, stop moving immediately,” he said in his best Dom voice. He had put every ounce of authority into that command, and it worked. Alex stopped with his hand just ready to pull the tube out of his arm. “Now put your hands down, pet.”

  When Alex had both hands lying on his lap, Leo grabbed them and held them tight. Alex was still breathing heavily and Leo knew he had to act quickly. Out of the corner of his eye he saw that the doctor had a syringe in his hand. Leo didn’t want Alex sedated, he wanted Alex to be truly his. He decided now was as good as any to start the process. First he had to get the man’s attention.

  “Alex, look at me,” he ordered. Leo felt the hands in his stiffen, ready to make another move to leave. This time he made sure to keep his voice firm but calm. “What is your safe word, pet?”

  Now he had Alex’s attention. Those blackened, bruised eyes that were once wild and panicky stopped roaming the room looking for an escape and instead met his. Leo held those eyes, locking them to his as only an experienced Dom with a true submissive could.

  “I will give you one more chance to answer the question, pet. Otherwise you will have earned a punishment. What is your safe word?”

  Alex’s gaze never wavered. “Red,” he finally answered.

  “Very good, pet. If you say the word ‘red,’ everything stops. I do not get mad. There are no repercussions. We stop and talk.” Leo continued, “What is your word if you need to slow down, pet?”

  “Yellow. When I need to slow things down, it’s yellow,” he answered slightly calmer.

  Smiling Leo said, “Very good. Are you at red or yellow right now?”

  “Red,” Alex answered, his eyes still locked on Leo’s, full of panic and pleading for Leo to help him.

  “You’re doing very good, pet.” Leo needed to be physically closer to Alex than he already was. Alex needed to feel safe otherwise he could be just as lethal as his teammate Treb. Alex also didn’t realize that if he tried using that hip right now he could damage it permanently. So he let go of Alex’s hands and carefully slid on the bed, wrapping his arms around the smaller man.

  “Now I want you to tell me what has you in red. The doctor and I will help you any way we can. Just let us help you, pet.” Leo could see the doctor didn’t understand what he was seeing. That was okay. As long as Alex was on the same page as he was, that was all that mattered.

  “He wants to cut off my leg, Leo. There is no way he is going to cut off my leg!” Alex’s hands curled into the sheets. Leo tightened his hold.

  “I did not say that I was going to cut off your leg, Mr. Taylor. I said after your hip is clear of the infection we will perform tests to see how much damage there may be to the joint,” the doctor explained. “We may have to perform a hip replacement. But that would only be if the damage is major. If that is the case, I will only be replacing the joint. You will be able to walk and function with only a few restrictions. I will not be cutting off your leg.”

  Alex lifted his head and glared at the doctor. “Restrictions? Are these restrictions going to make me unable to perform my job, Doctor? Are you taking away my career?” The bitterness dripped off every word out of his mouth.

  They didn’t understand. His work with Rescue for Hire was everything. If he lost his abilities, he would lose the only people that actually included him in their lives.

  Heaven knows his own family never did. They were a bunch of overachievers who never even remembered his birthday or invited him to Christmas celebrations. His mother, the ultimate charity organizer, was remarried and busy with her new family. His brother was a doctor and his sister a lawyer. He had been overshadowed and overlooked ever since his father passed away when he was thirteen. His dad had been the only one who understood Alex needed to be outdoors and had nurtured it. He never dismissed him because he didn’t want to pursue a high-power career.

  Now this doctor thought he was going to impose restrictions on him. He didn’t even come close to being man enough in Alex’s opinion to do that.

  Leo had to hand it to the doctor. He didn’t even flinch under Alex’s anger. He just stared right back and said, “First, we will see how that hip heals. When and if a replacement is needed we will discuss restrictions and options. Now you need to rest and beat that fever. I’ll be in tomorrow to check on you.”

  With that the doctor calmly put the chart away and left the room.

  Leo continued to hold Alex. He would have loved to rock him just a little bit to comfort him but knew that would put pressure on that sore hip. So he just lay there and waited for the anger to recede. He knew it was just a matter of time before the questions came. Their small scene had been pretty intense. He didn’t have to wait long.

  “How did you know about me?�
�� Alex asked quietly.

  “I sensed it when we met. Just little reactions that gave you away here and there.”

  “What happens now?”

  “Now you heal and I take care of you.”

  “What about your health? You moved to Tony’s to rest and relax. Is this hurting you? If it is, you need to go home.” Alex was starting to get agitated again. Leo knew the fever was spiking from the stress and the pain. So he reached over and pushed the pain button.

  “I’m not going anywhere. My blood pressure has actually gone down since I’ve been here. I think it’s because I’ve been concentrating on taking care of you. That is my kink. I’m not into whips, pain play, or any of that. I like to dominate, control, and take care of my pet, in and out of the bedroom.” Now that Leo threw it out there, he wanted to see if Alex caught it.

  Leo watched Alex take a moment to contemplate what he had said. Then with honesty shining in his eyes he spoke.

  “I’ve been to BDSM clubs in the city a few times. I learned pretty quickly that pain and humiliation weren’t my thing. What I wanted more than anything was when I saw some of the Doms come in with their partners and took care of their every need. They totally saw them and were with them in every way. It was like the Dom owned every cell of their body and cherished it. That was what I wanted.”

  “Like a pet?” Leo asked.

  Light brown eyes swung around to meet his and Leo watched as understanding dawned on Alex’s face. “Like a pet,” Alex answered with a smile.

  Leo kissed him then. Alex surrendered to his lips, letting Leo’s tongue explore his warm cavern. Angling his head a little, Leo continued to kiss Alex until he felt the man relax under him. Slowly he pulled away, and with a soft sigh Alex succumbed to the power of the drugs in his system. Leo stayed with him on the bed, just holding him until he, too, relaxed and fell asleep.