With the Colonel’s Help: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

I choked, trying to catch my breath. To see through the disorder. To make sense of what had happened and to find the right course of action.

I realized I’d only been out for a blip since I could still hear the high-pitched engine far in the distance, fucker long on his way to getting away.

I slumped forward when I realized there was no immediate danger, and I rolled onto my back as I gulped through the rage that had taken me hostage.

Raven.

She was in the house.

Safe.

It was the only thing that mattered.

Finally, I got my shit together enough and forced myself onto unsteady feet. I lumbered back up the hill, ignoring the pain radiating down my leg.

Chaos whirled through my spirit as I caught sight of my house. The bedroom window glowed on the second floor. No doubt, Raven had flipped it on. Was in there. Pacing. Worried for me.

I didn’t even know what to do with the feeling that swept over me. This possession and fury that took me over.

Couldn’t stand the thought of putting her in danger. Of someone coming for me and Raven getting in the line of fire.

Old grief threatened to consume. I’d already endangered her enough, hadn’t I? And here I’d touched her just hours ago, in a way I’d promised I’d never do.

My stomach toiled, torn between duty and the fact that I couldn’t handle the thought of letting her out of my sight.

Everything was so twisted and convoluted I didn’t know how to process it.

This…need.

This purpose.

Was supposed to cut her loose a long, long time ago, and the only thing I’d done was put a façade around my feelings. Treated her like a sister…a friend…when I’d never been able to staunch the desire for this woman. This thing that I’d kept like a dirty secret since she was eighteen years old.

I trudged up the drive as the faintest gray emerged at the horizon. Day getting ready to break.

The garage side door suddenly burst open, and my heart turned in my chest at the sight of her racing out.

Frantic as she searched.

Relief battered her expression when she turned and saw me coming up the drive.

“Goddamn it, Raven. What the hell are you doing out here? Told you to wait for me inside.”

“I thought I heard a gunshot.”

“Which should give you all the more reason to stay put.”

She looked like she was going to argue the fact, only horror took her over when she realized I was limping rather than running to her the way I wanted to do.noveldrama

“Oh my God, I did hear a gun. You were shot!”

It was the moment I glanced down to find blood seeping out of a wound and streaming all the way down to my boot.

I probably looked like a madman. Wearing underwear and my boots, gun in one hand and phone in the other. Caked in dirt and blood and the rage that I couldn’t purge from my veins.

“I’m fine,” I grumbled.

I wasn’t fine. I was sick to my stomach. Couldn’t fuckin’ believe I’d let that bastard get away. That he was out there, free, which meant he continued to be a threat.

“You’re fine?” Disbelief pinched that stunning face. “Don’t you dare tell me you’re fine when you just got shot, Otto Hudson.” Her voice was frenzied, dredged in worry.

That dark, dark gaze dragged over me, searching for any other injuries.

It was a seriously inopportune time for my dick to take note, but now that she’d had those sweet hands wrapped around it, my cock was clearly all too eager at the prospect of going for another round.

Of pushing it farther. Taking her whole and complete, which was the most fucked-up thing I could do.

“Know when things look grim, Raven. Fucker barely nicked me.”

I just needed to patch it up, and it would be fine.

“Don’t ask me not to worry about you.” Emotion came crashing through when she said it. Tears blurred the light in those eyes. “Don’t ask me not to care about you the way you care for me.”

A heavy sigh pilfered out, and I hobbled forward another step, coming up so close to her that I was assaulted by her aura.

Moonflowers and belief and a hope distinct.

“I’m just…” It trailed off when I was hit by a bout of dizziness, and Raven’s hands darted out to steady me.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you,” she promised.

God, she did. She’d always had me. Didn’t think she knew the extreme of what that meant.

She shifted around and looped her arm around my waist. “Lean on me.”

I found a wobbly grin. “I’m bound to topple you right over.”

“I’m stronger than I look.” She glanced up at me as she began to lead me back toward the house.

I gazed down at her. At this fierce, fuckin’ brave girl who I’d do anything for. The one who’d been through so much.

My voice went raspy as I clung to her as she guided me back through the door into the garage, my nose turning to dive into her hair as I whispered, “Nah, Moonflower. You are the epitome of strength. I just don’t think the rest of us really know what that means.”