Finding Stone (The Stone Brothers Series) (Volume 1) (12 page)

I guess I got what I asked for. Molly is keeping our night secret and been avoiding me in the process. She seems to be doing fine. I should be happy right? Why then am I so miserable? Being with Molly is not something I'm moving on from easily.

My phone rings. "Hey Maddox," I'm happy he called. I was about to go into a self-hate tailspin.

"We’ve got a problem. Molly is being followed. She sent me a text letting me know she's being watched." Shit, this is another thing I've been worried about.

Maddox continues, "I saw her the other night going out. I stopped her to check on her. She asked me to stop having police outside her apartment. I could tell she was scared. I got her to go back inside and that's when she sent me the text."

"Maddox you can't allow that to happen."

"We are going to do unmarked cars. I gave her all of my numbers. I'm just telling you this so you can watch for anything unusual at the hospital."

"When will this be over?" I don't want her to live in fear and I don't want to fear losing her.

"Well, usually after someone is sentenced, the gangs move on. They don't waste their resources. The boy was just a recruit. We just need to watch and worry until she testifies."  

"Okay. I will try to talk to her. See if she can't stay with one of her friends,” I tell Maddox.

I wish I could talk her into staying with me, however, I know she won't. She won't even look at me.

The next day I wait for her to show up at work. I need to know what happened. I wondered if anything else has happened. We can't keep her safe if she doesn't tell us what we are keeping her safe from. She walks in and it's a punch to the gut. She's smiling and laughing with Missy. Why isn't she as miserable as me? I wait for them to separate.

"Molly, I'd like to speak to you in the office." She's been called in here before so no one really looks up. I saw a couple of nurses' eyes roll. I feel a little humor as well. Molly sure knows how to wreak havoc.

"Dr. Stone, did I do something?" Shit. How do I answer that?

"Nothing major." I say it calmly so no one thinks she messed up. She glares at me. I know she is pissed. She also knows doesn't have a choice but to come in. She won't disrespect me in front of our co-workers.

"Okay." She rolls her eyes at me and walks in the office. I follow behind, closing the door.

"Molly, I've been wanting to talk to you." I look at her. She sighs and continues to look at the floor.  

She lifts her eyes to mine and says, "Dr. Stone, is this why you called me in here?" She sounds sad and annoyed.

"Not really, but I've been worried. How are you?" This really isn't what I wanted to ask, but it's the only time I've had her alone.

"I'm fine. Truly, I'm fine. Is this all?" She stands and starts walking to the door.

"No. I was wondering if you've had any trouble since the shooting." I see her tense. There's my answer, something has happened.

"I'll be fine. I can go now, right?" I want to yell at her and tell her to stop. I want to stop all of this nonsense.

"Not yet. You need to talk to me. I want to protect you, but I can't fight a ghost. I need details." Fucking hell, she has one hand on the doorknob, looking at the door. I hear a humorless laugh.

"Dr. Stone, I am NOT your concern! I've talked to Maddox. I'll keep better watch." She turns the knob still not making eye contact. I can't control my anger now. I stand up, putting my hand on the door, keeping it shut.

"Molly, you're acting like a child. I am trying to help. You’re in a very dangerous situation. I want us to come to an understanding and move past this stiffness between us."

"Child? I'm giving you what you asked for. I'm keeping us a secret. I need to get to work. Please, let go of the door."

I still can't see her eyes, but I could hear the emotion in her voice. She's right. She is doing exactly what I asked. This is the first time I am not confident in my abilities to move on, to let go. It's a very unsettling feeling.

Thank God, the week is over. I invited the girls for a night of drinks and fun. Kerrigan will be working so we plan to sit at the bar. I need to unwind. Noah is driving me crazy. He wants a secret and yet he wants to protect me. He wanted us to come to an understanding. What does that even mean? We certainly came to an understanding that night, one, done, and secretly gone.

If only I could forget about it. Forget his touch, forget his kiss. I might have felt pain at first, but Noah gave me everything I wanted. We had one perfect night. At least for me it was. Maybe I was boring. Is that the reason? He said he didn’t want experience. Probably after it was over he realized that’s exactly what he wanted. UGH! I infuriate myself. What is wrong with me? I need to forget. I need to let go. Tonight, I am doing just that.

I walk into Hansons and see Lani at the bar talking with Kerrigan. They both smile brightly at me.

“Damn girl! You look hot. I thought this was going to be a girls night.” Lani says.

“Oh, it is. I’m here to drink, get drunk, and have a good time.”

Kerrigan says, “I don’t think that’s a good idea with you wearing that mini skirt. It makes your legs look a mile long. The boys are going to love those toys.”

“That’s exactly why I wore it.” I’m not looking to hook up with anyone. I want to feel wanted, maybe a dance with a guy who won’t hide me.

“Well then, don’t let me stop you. Here you go,” Kerrigan hands me a shot.

“Lani what’cha drinking?” I ask.

“I just came to hang out, no drinking for me. I have to work early.”

“I’m not the only one drinking tonight, am I?”

“Nope, I’m joining you,” Missy says while coming in for a hug.

“That’s what I’m talking about. Bad week for you too?” I ask.

“Bad no. Confusing yes.”

“Well, lets get this night started. Wait, where’s Jessica?”

“She’s been working out of town a lot helping out a new art gallery in Boston. She is loving it,” Lani explains.

Good for her. I raise a glass towards Missy then we both down a shot. My second. Her first. It’s going to be a good night. I feel it. We, I mean I have another two shots. Finally, I’ve got a buzz started. Missy starts talking about men and how she can’t understand them. I soon realize this conversation is going to shit. I take another shot.

“Why do guys make everything so hard?” I ask.

Missy just looks at me and says, “I have a better question. Why are men so misleading? I mean he flirts with me, pulls me to his lap then absolutely nothing. No how are you doing, screw off, nothing. I don’t get it.”

“I’ll drink to that.” I raise another glass. Missy takes her second shot.

“Alright. That’s your limit on shots girlfriend. Beer and water for you the rest of the night,” Kerrigan says.

“What? Why?” I ask.

“Because this is Chicago, not Kentucky.”

“What do you mean? I won’t be driving. I live like a block away from here.” My words are a slurred mess.

“Driving isn’t the only thing you have to worry about. Look around girl, these boys are just waiting for you to get drunk enough to pounce,” Lani says.

“Fine, give me a beer, then I’ll be done.”

I see Dr. Hotty Asshole’s brothers walk in. Shit. I notice that Kerrigan is looking the other way.

“What’s up, ladies?” Evan says in his smooth voice. It sounds so much like Noah.

“It’s a girls night. I’m here letting loose, and letting go.”

“Letting go?” Maddox questions.

“Yep. Moving on.”

“Molly, how much have you had?” Maddox ask

“What does it matter to you? Come on girls, lets go dance!” I grab Missy and Lani and head to the dance floor. Before I do, Evan grabs my arm and leans in to whisper.

“Molly, what are you doing? Why are you doing this?” Evan asks.

“I’m having fun. By the nights end I hope to be experienced. You know so I won’t have to be someone else's dirty secret.”

It’s not true. I just say it because I want to feel better about myself. Not that looking slutty would make me feel better, but a guy enjoying a dance with me in public would help boost my recently bruised ego. I have never had confidence issues. Then again, I’ve never had boy troubles. I see compassion in Evan’s eyes. The same I saw the night he took me to Noah’s. When I see it, I know I am being childish. This is what a lot of college freshman girls do. I’ve never in my life just let go.

I love working on nights like this. The E.R. is busy. Nothing too serious, still enough to keep me busy and keep my mind off Molly. My phone keeps vibrating, but I don’t have time to answer it. My patient got nailed in the eye with a paintball gun.

“I think you’re suppose to wear goggles when paintballing.”

“I did wear them. I took them off when I left the course. Some idiot kept shooting.”

“I am going to do my best here.”

After I clean his eye and give him pain meds, I look at my phone to see Evan keeps texting me 911. My heart sinks. I hate that Maddox is a cop. I’m proud of him, but I worry about him. I quickly dial Evan’s number.

“Hey. What’s going on?”

“Just wanted to let you know, your girl is getting pretty drunk. The cocks are gathering.” FUCK!

“How drunk? What’s she doing? What are the guys doing?”

“Kerrigan said she cut her off with the shots. I don’t know how many she’s had. Apparently enough to be dancing and giggling with all the fuckfaces. She said tonight she plans to become experienced and not be someone’s dirty secret. By the looks of every guy out there, they are hoping she picks them.”

“Shit. I can’t leave work; we are busy. Stay with her. Get her off the dance floor and punch any asshole you need to. Get her home and then call me.”

“Will do. Maddox is getting her off the dance floor now. Damn. Her skirt is short man. It makes her legs look like they go on for miles. You know you’re a dumbass for screwing this up.” I hear the phone click. Dammit, he hung up.

God! I can’t stand the thought of anyone else touching her or being inside her. I want to be the only one who is ever inside her. What is she doing to me? How has she gotten under my skin like this? I knew being inside of her would be my heaven and my hell. Right now, I am living in hell.

I’m having a great time; at least that’s what I’m trying to convince myself. I know that I am drunk and that I’m being loud. Right now, I am trying to dance. I close my eyes and feel the beat of the music. I feel someone’s arm wrap around me. He’s grinding into my ass. Dammit. I pull away; I realize I don’t want anyone else’s hands on me, just Noah. Why can’t even my drunk mind shut out Noah? For just one night. What the hell? Maddox is carrying me off the dance floor. He sits me on the barstool.

“I think that’s enough, Molly. I’m calling an end to this night. I am taking you home,” Maddox demands. It shocks me because Maddox is always collected.

“How about you get me another beer,” I slur.

“Molly, you’ve had enough,” Evans once smooth voice is now angry.

“What are you doing here, Evan? You going to kidnap me again? Leave me the hell alone.” I am getting pissed. These guys always ruin my fun. I feel his arm come over my shoulder.

“If that’s what I have to do to keep my brother’s girl safe, then yes I will.”

His brother’s girl? His brother’s secret I want to say. Lani speaks up.

“Hey! We have her. I’m not drinking. I’ll make sure she gets home safely.”

“Little girl, sorry, but you weigh what, ninety pounds soaking wet? I doubt you’d be able to get yourself home safely. A ten year old is taller than you.”

“Look jerk-off, I said we have her.”

“Alright, momma bear. Just so you know, I could easily throw you over my shoulder. Maddox and I are going to stay right here until you all are ready to go. Then we will make sure everyone gets home safely. That’s the way it’s going to be.”

“Then you guys need to wait over there,” Kerrigan says pointing to an empty table.

I raise my head from the bar and see that this night keeps getting shittier by the minute. Mr. Clean on Steroids is walking over. He is in his uniform and he looks like he is about to bust the seams of his shirt.

“Well hey, Aaron. I see the nose is healing,” I tease.

“Well hey, Molly. I see you’re still slutting it up at the bar. What, did the other guys finish with you?”

“Shut up, asshole. You don’t know me,” I turn to Missy. “You ready to go?”

“Absolutely, I am going to see if my cab is here. I need to get going. Thanks for the good time. I needed it. Hey, listen to the guys here, let them take you home so I’ll know you made it home safely.”

“Sure, Missy. Thanks for coming out. See you at work. Take care.”

I look up to see Aaron staring at me.

“What’s your problem, Aaron? Have I done something, I mean besides break your nose - which you deserved?”

He steps towards me. Maddox and Evan also step forward.

“On that note, it’s time to go. I’ll walk you home. Come on.” Lani says.

“Maddox, you trying to be a hero or something? Wanting to get her home and sample the goods?”

Maddox doesn’t say a word. He just takes my hand and leads me to the door. Lani stands up.

“You aren’t taking her anywhere. I will walk her home.”

“Fine, we’ll walk with you then.” Maddox says.

“I’m capable of walking her home. By myself!”

Evan steps closer to Lani. “Are you trying to piss me off tonight? Cause woman, you are doing a spectacular job of it. We are fucking taking her home. You can either sit your ass down or you can walk with us.”

“How about you get out of my face and step the hell back. You’re macho persona is grating on my last nerve. Now you can walk behind us.”

Maddox starts laughing.

“Told you, Evan. Women hate the caveman bullshit. I think I like this girl.”

Lani and Evan start a pissing contest. They are bickering back and forth. Maddox pulls me to the side.

“How you doing?”

“Oh, someone wants to kill me. Your asshole brother is embarrassed he slept with me. How do you think I feel? All I wanted was one night to forget everything, to feel beautiful, to feel wanted.” I start crying.

Maddox pulls me into a big bear hug. I start crying uncontrollably. I feel him stiffen. I laugh at remembering how uncomfortable a crying girl makes him.

“Come on, let’s get you home.”

Lani walks beside me the rest of the way home. Maddox and Evan follow closely behind. I make it into the apartment and get settled in for the night. I decide crying myself to sleep is the best therapy; short-lived therapy, because I fall asleep the moment my head hits the pillow.