Brad's Rock [Rescue for Hire 7] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Read online

  Horrible minutes later, Rock managed to half drag, half stagger Brad into the bathroom. Flipping on the water, he got them both into the large combination shower-tub. Exhausted, they crumpled to the floor.

  Rock pulled Brad into his arms under the soaking icy water and held him tight. Reaching over, he succeeded in turning the faucet until warm water replaced the cold. Gently swaying back and forth, Rock murmured calming words of nonsense, relieved when the blue around Brad’s lips dissipated.

  By the time the warm water was used up, Brad was breathing easier and had his head buried in Rock’s shoulder. Rock was worried. Brad was too still, and an air of despair surrounded him.

  “Come on, honey. Let’s get out of this water,” he said.

  Obediently, Brad stood, and Rock got a good look at his stark-white expressionless face. Brad’s blue eyes were dull with dark shadows painted beneath them. Springing into action, Rock snatched a big towel off a corner metal shelf and briskly dried off his lover before herding him back to the bed.

  When he had them both under the blankets and Brad in his arms, Rock took a deep breath to calm down.

  “Can you talk about it?” he whispered in the dark.

  “Not right now.” Brad’s voice sounded as though his throat had been torn up by razorblades.

  Rock accepted Brad’s answer. He would get to the bottom of what happened, and whoever was responsible better watch their step. Rock had never been one to let things be. He dealt with shit head-on.

  Before long, steady, deep breathing told Rock that Brad had fallen asleep. Rock tucked the blankets tightly around Brad and quietly left the bed. Picking up the discarded phone off the floor, he found the most recent number and hit Send.

  Tyler’s panicked voice filled the airways. “Shit, Brad. Are you okay? I’m sorry, but you had to know what she said. It’s the only way you can prepare yourself.”

  “This isn’t Brad. It’s Rock.” Rock kept his own voice deadly calm.

  “Rock? Is Brad okay?” Tyler asked.

  “Do you want to tell me why I found my lover on the floor having a full-blown panic attack?” Rock asked.

  “You’ve indicated that you care for Brad. If you really do, you need to know my mother has left the ranch and is searching for him. Her intentions are to hook Brad up with some woman and demand they give her more grandchildren,” Tyler informed Rock.

  “That is the most fucked-up thing I’ve ever heard,” Rock exclaimed. “Has anyone ever told this woman to butt the fuck out?”

  “I did once. That’s how I got free of her,” Tyler said. “I’m not sure Brad is strong enough. The rest of us kids managed to get away from her manipulations. But my mother never let Brad get far enough away so he could build up any defenses against her.” Rock heard Tyler take a deep breath. “If you aren’t able or aren’t willing to protect and help him heal, I totally understand. But tell me now, so I can come and get him.”

  “Brad will be safe with me. Let me give you my cell number. If you hear anything, call me.”

  Minutes later, Rock walked into the bathroom to find a towel to wrap around his hair. His dreadlock’s had gotten damp, but thank goodness they weren’t wet through. That would take hours to dry.

  After taking Lily out one last time to do her business and making sure she had enough water, Rock slipped back into bed. He was pleased when a still sleeping Brad automatically moved into his arms. Lying there in the darkness, Rock began forming detailed plans on how to handle their future.

  * * * *

  Two days later Brad watched Cade’s log home come into view, and minutes later, Rock pulled the truck into a spot next to a bunch of other trucks parked out front.

  They’d ended up staying at the motel a few days longer, letting Brad deal with the trauma Tyler’s call had caused. During long walks around the adjacent lake, Rock pulled out the details of Brad’s upbringing. Brad told him about all the sports he’d been forced to play, starting when he turned three. He described the intense everyday focus of making his body the best it could be through nutrition, weight lifting, and running. Once Brad had asked what that powder was his mother added to his milk every morning, but she refused to answer.

  It made Brad nervous how calm Rock became when he was truly angry. It brought home the fact that Rock might look like a punk skateboarder, but in actuality, he was a tough badass and fit right in with the other members of Rescue for Hire.

  “It looks like the whole team is here,” Rock said.

  “Yeah, Alex must have been discharged from the hospital,” Brad said, wiping his damp palms on his jeans.

  “Come on, let’s go in,” Rock said. “I’m sure you have a few things to do, and I need to meet the guys.”

  With Lily by his side, Rock walked next to Brad into the house. Rock dropped a quick kiss on Brad’s lips before turning left into the big office. Brad, slightly shocked at the public kiss, proceeded to the bedroom he’d claimed before they left for Alaska.

  Dropping the two travel bags he was carrying onto the floor, Brad took his phone out of his pocket and called Doctor Marcus Bishop’s private number.

  “Hi. This Is Brad Hayward. I just got back into town and wondered if we could set a time up for an interview for the veterinarian position?” Brad held his breath, hoping the man was still interested in potentially offering him employment.

  “It’s good to hear you made it back from Alaska safely, Brad. I wonder if tomorrow morning would be too soon for you to come in?” Marcus asked.

  “No. That would be great,” Brad answered. Excitement at being wanted had him practically vibrating.

  “Great. I have to tell you that I received a letter of recommendation and a glowing report from your former employer. I’m eager to talk with you. Would ten o’clock work for you?” The warmth in Marcus’s voice soothed Brad’s battered soul.

  “Thank you, ten would be fine. I’ll see you then,” Brad answered, trying to keep his voice calm and professional.

  After a few more pleasantries, Brad ended the call. Scrolling through his contacts, he found the name he was looking for and put a call through.

  “Hello.”

  “Brian, it’s Brad.”

  “I’m so glad you called. I talked to Tyler. Are you okay?” Brian asked.

  “It took a couple of days, but now I am,” Brad answered truthfully. “Any updates on the Wicked Witch of the West?”

  Brian laughed. “If she only knew that you always call her that.”

  “Well, I’m not planning on her ever finding out. But seriously, have you heard anything?”

  “She called yesterday. She’s home, packing Dad’s stuff up. She said, as far as she was concerned, she never wanted to see him again. She’s written Tyler off, too,” Brian informed him.

  “Well, that will keep her busy for a while,” Brad said, the tense muscles in his shoulders relaxing a little.

  And then Brian dropped that bombshell. “She asked if you were here. I told her you weren’t. She threatened me with coming to visit to make sure I was telling the truth.”

  “What did you say?” Brad asked.

  “I told her she’s always welcome to come and visit her grandchildren. I did warn her that things were going to get crazy in a little over a month when the new babies arrive. The last time the team had to move in here and help us.” Brian’s sweet chuckle came over the line.

  “Do you think she’ll come?” Brad asked.

  “Eventually. You need to get your act together, Brad,” Brian urged. “It’s time for you to stand up to her. I know it’s hard, but for your own sake, you have to do it.”

  Brad took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I know. I love you, Brian,” he said quietly.

  “Oh, I love you, too, big brother,” Brian answered.

  Brad ended the call and took out a small piece of paper that he’d been carrying around in his jean pocket for over a week.

  Minutes later he had an appointment for the following afternoon to talk with a
counselor.

  * * * *

  Rock walked into his employer’s office to find a group of men sitting around Cade’s huge wooden desk.

  When Cade’s saw him, he stood, lightly leaning on a cane. “Rock, it’s good to see you’ve made it back safely. Come in and have a seat.”

  Rock sat down in a chair next to a dark-skinned man who looked to be about his size, with a midnight-black braid hanging down his back. On Rock’s other side sat a man with wavy jet-black hair and green eyes. He wasn’t as big as some of the other men around the desk but still taller than Rock and had a lot more muscle on his frame.

  “Everyone, I’d like you to meet the new tracker I’ve been talking about. This is Rock Morrison,” Cade introduced. “Rock, on your left is our weapons expert, Treble Walker, and on your right is field medic, Gabriel Simmons.”

  Rock nodded to each, already deducting Treble, with his long braid, was one to watch out for and Gabriel was as wild as the mustangs that still ran the range in Canada.

  “Next to Treb is our pilot Damian White and next to him is our paramedic, Jack Woods,” Cade said, continuing the introductions. “Here on my left is my brother, Shane, who is head of field operations, and Tony Grayson, our computer guru.”

  Damian was about the same size, maybe a little wider, as Gabriel. Rock noticed Treb was leaning against his arm. Jack was a massive, muscled blond man, who was only outsized by Cade and Shane.

  Tony was one of the best looking Italian men Rock had ever seen. Velvety brown eyes and caramel skin made him mouthwatering. By the way he was nestled in the circle of one of Shane’s huge, muscled arms, it was obvious he was taken by the holy-shit-scary, badass field commander.

  Everyone nodded, said hello, and Rock made sure to shake each of their hands. Gesturing toward the floor, Rock said, “Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to the lovely Lily.”

  Before long, Lily had them all charmed and on the floor loving on her. Rock would have been amused, but truthfully, he could see he was going to have to toe the line until these men got to know him. Number one, he was the new guy. And most importantly, he was taking over the tracker position from one of their own, who was currently incapacitated from a rescue they’d all been involved in.

  “Okay, everyone, let’s get this meeting going so we can have a beer in honor of our newest member and the fact that Bret and I have been approved to take in foster children,” Cade said and resumed his seat behind the desk amidst loud shouts of congratulations.

  Things calmed down, and the meeting began. Looking around and being a connoisseur of tattoos, Rock immediately noted Shane had quite a large colorful one on his arm. Surprised and curious, Rock saw every man in the room sported a tattoo on their left ring finger. Some, like Cade’s, were elaborate and multi-colored. Treble’s and Damian’s were plain black bands. Vowing to get an explanation on the meaning behind those tattoos, Rock shifted his attention to what Cade was saying.

  After that, things were all business, and Rock was immersed in the workings of Rescue for Hire.

  * * * *

  Later that day

  Alex sat on the white plastic chair in the corner of the glassed-in pool room staring at the cool, refreshing water calling his name. Giving the hated walker a dirty look, he looked back at his beloved swimming pool that he longed to get into.

  But that wasn’t happening until the nasty, way-too-long incision from the hip replacement and thigh reconstruction healed. Hearing the patio door that separated the pool from the main house open, Alex watched a slim man with colorful tattoos, long dreadlocks, and neon green flip-flops walk into the room.

  Behind the newcomer, a gorgeous bloodhound bounded into the room heading straight toward Alex. At the last second Alex turned to the side to protect his wounded hip and braced himself for the lap full of dog he anticipated he was going to have shortly.

  “Lily, sit,” the newcomer commanded.

  At Alex’s feet, the sweetheart sat down and gave him a pleading look as only bloodhounds could.

  “Aren’t you a beautiful baby?” Alex cooed and used both hands to stroke over the slightly oily short fur of the lovely animal. Out of the corner of his eye, Alex watched the man pull a matching white plastic chair next to his and sit. “We had frost last night. Don’t you think wearing only a vest, shorts, and flip-flops is pushing it a little?” he asked.

  “I tend to run hot. Besides, low thirties is balmy weather compared to where I come from.”

  Holding his hand out, he said, “Alex Taylor.”

  Shaking his hand, the stranger answered, “Rock Morrison.”

  A woof from the still open patio door interrupted anything Alex was about to say. Bud stood there staring intently at the lovely lady at Alex’s feet. Lifting his nose in the air, Bud let out a howl that echoed throughout the room.

  Lily stood and returned the howl, causing both Alex and Rock to start laughing at the dogs’ antics. The dogs met halfway and started the classic sniffing ritual of doggy meet and greet. When the dogs were satisfied they each knew where the other had been and what sex they were, they commenced to have a rough play session.

  “I guess we should be happy she isn’t in heat. With the way they’re getting along, we would have puppies on the way by now,” Rock commented.

  “Actually with the way her pedigree is set up, she would match perfectly with Bud,” Alex said, watching the dogs.

  One of Rock’s eyebrows rose. “So you checked out Lily?”

  “I’m the one who recommended Cade contact you,” Alex admitted.

  Rock was quiet for a moment, obviously thinking that through. Finally he said, “So you were planning on cutting back before the shooting?”

  “I had a hip injury before and knew it was time to bring someone else in. I plan on working with puppies for service work, and it would be a bonus if you wanted to try to have puppies between Lily and Bud.” Alex watched the two dogs flop down next to each other and take a break.

  “It’s something to consider.” Rock crossed one bare leg over the other.

  “Have you met the guys?” Alex asked.

  “Yep, everyone but you,” Rock replied. “I thought I would come over and see if you’d let me pick your brain.”

  “What, you want to know what hot guys are available?” Alex teased.

  “Nah, I have my own guy I’m happy with.” Rock’s smile lit up his whole face, the silver in his eyebrow catching the light.

  “Anyone I know?” Alex wondered if it was someone Rock had brought along from Alaska.

  “Pip’s brother, Brad,” Rock said.

  Alex was speechless. He knew Pip was seriously concerned about his brother, not to mention their mother from hell. Looking closer at the wiry man, Alex could see he might not be as big as some of the team, but he looked tough enough to handle any crap that might be thrown his way. He would have to be if Cade had hired him.

  “Well, I hope it works out for you both,” he said, honestly meaning it.

  “I plan on it,” Rock answered with such authority that Alex knew he had a handle on Brad’s shit.

  “So what kind of questions do you have?” Alex asked.

  The two spent the next hour discussing Recue for Hire procedures and how Alex had handled past tracking missions. The more they talked, the more Alex genuinely liked Rock and had no problem passing on the tracking torch to him.

  When Leo walked into the poolroom, Alex was laughing at a story Rock was telling him. After seeing Rock and Lily to the door, Leo came back to help a tired but relaxed Alex to the bedroom to take a nap. Alex was now ready to face the future.

  * * * *

  Over the next few weeks, Brad settled in to his new position as a veterinarian at Granite City Veterinarian Clinic. He enjoyed working for Marcus Bishop, and if he wasn’t starting to fall head over heels in love with Rock, he would probably have accepted the dinner invitation the head vet had offered him.

  Twice a week he had an appointment with Doctor Snyder Williamson. T
he counselor was helping Brad gain the skills to cope with the loss of his family and the guilt associated with being a survivor. They also were addressing his alcohol issue and his mother. What surprised Brad the most was realizing he had such deep anger toward his father for not protecting him and his siblings from his mother’s actions.

  Rock was immersed in all things Rescue for Hire. Brad could hardly keep his hands to himself at how stunning the man looked every morning, ready to face the new day, working with his teammates.

  And each night, Rock slipped into Brad’s bedroom and made love to him for hours before holding him tight until morning. Cade hadn’t said anything, but Brad was starting to feel the need to find a place of his own. He hesitated because he was afraid of losing Rock’s solid presence by his side if he moved out.

  Brad knew he would have let things go on as they were for as long as they could. But then in the middle of one night, Cade pounded on his bedroom door, yelling for Rock. And everything changed.

  Chapter Nine

  Brad’s long, muscled legs were spread wide as he braced himself on the edge of the bed. Rock stood behind him, three greased fingers buried in the silkiness of Brad’s ass. Rock watched Brad throw his head back and moan when he scissored his fingers open, loosening the muscles of the beautiful man’s hole.

  Rock loved preparing his lover for his dick’s invasion. It was down and dirty and made his excitement escalate until his cock throbbed with need. Leaning in, Rock sucked up a bruise on the top of Brad’s shoulder. Looking at it, he clamped his mouth back onto it and darkened it further. Finally satisfied, Rock moved on, placing biting kisses up the side of Brad’s neck until he reached his ear and sucked the lobe into his mouth, savoring the sweet taste.

  “Rock, please…” Brad moaned.

  Rock responded by fucking Brad hard with his fingers, nailing his prostate, and causing the man’s body to shake and shudder.