Maya Banks - Colters’ Gift

Liam leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Come back, baby,” he whispered. “It’s safe now and we love you.”

He stepped away and let Noah have a moment with Lauren before he walked from the room to meet his parents back in the hallway.

They were both staring at him with concern in their eyes, but there was also curiosity as they watched Noah come out behind Liam.

Liam’s mother hugged him again and whispered against his chest. “You scared me. Never do that again!”

Then she turned to Noah. “And you! Don’t think you’re off scot-free. Thank God you weren’t hurt too.”

Noah hugged her again, a broad smile on his face.

“Let’s go sit down,” Liam’s dad said. “Liam doesn’t need to be standing.”

They walked down the hall to a small waiting area, and Liam sank onto one of the chairs. He’d never admit it in a million years, but sitting down felt pretty damn good at the moment.

“So what’s going on?” Lisa Prescott asked bluntly. “You explained about Lauren on the phone, but I thought it was a matter of her testifying and that there would be lots of protection. I never imagined that either of you would be taking such a huge risk.”

“The man who abused Lauren found her in Colorado,” Noah said in a quiet voice. “They forced our vehicle off the road and took Lauren. I don’t even know what all has been done to her yet. When we found her, it didn’t look good.”

Lisa’s expression turned to one of sympathy, her eyes darkening. “And do the both of you still feel . . . the same? I mean that you both want to be with her?”

“Absolutely,” Liam said with no hesitation.

“Have you thought this through?” Carl Prescott asked in a somber voice. “I mean really thought it through your initial attraction and feelings? Is this something you really believe is going to work out long term?”

“I don’t want a woman to come between you,” Lisa cut in, her expression pained. “That’s my only concern with your . . . arrangement. I don’t want this to put a wedge in our family. You boys are too important to me.”

Liam reached over and squeezed his mother’s hand. “I understand your concern, Mom. I do. I can’t even explain it, but this is . . . right. For all of us. We love her. She loves us.”

“I hope for your sake she does,” she said softly. “I want you to be happy.” She looked to Noah, including him in her gaze. “I want you both to be happy. I always imagined a slightly different future, though.”

Her face twisted into a rueful smile as she said the last. But there was also acceptance in her gaze, and it warmed Liam’s heart. His mom was the best. Always looking out for her boys. She wanted the best for them. And Lauren was the best thing that ever happened to either him or Noah.

Carl just shook his head, obviously puzzled by the whole situation.

“You’ll love her,” Noah said. “Just as much as we do. I’m sure of it. No one can be around Lauren without falling in love.”

“Mom?” Liam queried.

She’d gone silent, and he wasn’t entirely certain what she was thinking. The last thing he wanted was to cause either his mother or his father worry or pain, but he couldn’t give Lauren up. He loved her. Lauren was his future.

She gave him a genuine smile. “I’m sure we’ll adore her. How could we not when she’s shown such good judgment in loving not one but both of my sons? You’ll just have to give me—us—time to understand. This isn’t something you come across every day. It’s going to take some adjustment in my thinking.”

“That means a lot to all three of us,” Liam said.

She reached over to pat his leg. “Will you at least promise me you’ll rest and take it easy until you’re healed?”

“I’ll try,” he conceded.

“Noah, Liam, she’s coming around,” Seth said from the doorway.

Both men’s heads came up, and then they surged upward from their chairs.

Ignoring the pain in his arm, Liam hurried to the door. His mom caught his other arm, causing him to turn back momentarily.

“Liam,” she said, her brows drawn together. “Your father and I want to meet her, but we realize this isn’t the time. We’ll try to understand, but what you have to understand is that this is hard for me. A mother wants so much for her children, and this arrangement scares me because you or Noah could so easily be hurt.”

Liam’s heart went soft as he stared back at his mom. He pulled her against his chest with his good arm and squeezed tightly.

“Thanks, Mom. But please don’t worry. Noah and I have given this a lot of thought. This is what we want.”

“And is it what she wants?” Lisa asked quietly.

“God I hope so,” Liam breathed.

She patted his face and then reached over to give Noah’s hand a quick squeeze. “Go on. I know you two are anxious to see her. We can talk later.”

Liam needed no further urging. He strode down the hall to Lauren’s room and saw the Colters congregated outside her door. They looked up as Liam and Noah approached.

“How is she?” Liam asked anxiously.

Seth gave him a look that sent Liam’s hopes plummeting.

“She’s awake. Max is trying to get her to talk. She still seems like she’s in shock or at least unaware.”

Noah cursed and then, without another word, pushed past the Colter men and walked into Lauren’s room. Liam hurried behind him.

Max looked up when they walked in, his gaze hopeful. He got up, leaving Lauren’s bedside, and strode over to intercept them.

“Maybe she’ll respond to you,” Max said in a low voice. “I’ve been talking to her but it’s like I’m not even here.”

Noah and Liam glanced toward the bed and then left Max. They took either side, both reaching for her hands. Liam brought her fingers to his lips. They were so cold.

He blew his breath over the tips to warm them and then captured her hand between his palms, rubbing to generate heat. Then he lowered himself to put him in the path of her sight.

“Lauren, baby, can you hear me?”

He waited a moment, and when she didn’t so much as blink, he brushed his hand across her forehead and trailed his fingers down the curve of her cheek. He followed his hand with his mouth and inhaled her scent as he pressed his lips to her temple.

“We’re here, honey,” Noah said, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotion. “You’re safe now. That bastard can’t ever hurt you again.”

Her eyes flickered and slowly she turned her head so she focused on Noah.

“Is he dead?” she whispered.

Joy and hope exploded in Liam’s mind. He gripped her hand tighter, his urge to pull her into his arms overwhelming.

“Yes,” Liam said with savagery.

“Good.”

The simple word conveyed a wealth of relief.

“How are you?” Noah asked. “Are you hurting? Did he . . .”

He didn’t finish because Lauren flinched and looked away, her body immediately tense. Liam wanted to put his fist through the wall. He and Noah exchanged fierce glances even as they tried to maintain their composure.

“My ribs,” she said faintly. “I think I must have broken some in the accident. Hurts.”

Noah turned toward the door where the others were standing. “Get the doctor in here. Or a nurse. Someone who can tell us what her condition is.”

“On it,” Dillon said before disappearing.

“Listen to me,” Liam said in a low voice, his head close to hers. “I want you to rest and focus on feeling better and the fact that Noah and I love you. Joel Knight can never hurt you again. You’re free.”

Her eyes filled with tears and it nearly broke his heart right in two. They tracked down her cheeks in silver streams as she stared sightlessly toward the ceiling.

“I want to go home,” she choked out.

“We’ll take you home,” Noah promised. “As soon as the doctor says it’s safe for you to travel, we’ll take you back home.”

Even as Noah made the quiet vow, Liam knew that it was the right thing to say. Whatever sacrifices he and Noah had to make to ensure Lauren’s happiness was worth it. She belonged in Colorado with her family and the two men who loved her surrounding her. She needed them all. Now, more than ever.

Somehow he and Noah would have to make it work. Love was about sacrifices, and Liam would sacrifice anything and everything to be with Lauren and to see her smile again.

WHEN the nurse came in, Liam told her that Lauren was in pain, and as the nurse administered the pain medication, Lauren drifted off, her eyelids fluttering closed.

Her lashes were dark against her cheeks and bruises shadowed her beautiful face. As Noah stood there staring down at her, he was struck by the enormity of what she’d survived and escaped.