Keeping Karly (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read Online Free Page B

His jaw was already aching. He didn’t need to crack another damn tooth. He sipped his coffee, wincing at the bitter, watery taste. He wasn’t exactly an aficionado on beverages, but he knew what he liked. This sure wasn’t it.
    Chris came out of the room, gave them both a brief smile, ran a hand through his hair, and looked nothing like the Dom he was at the club. He still had that presence, the one that intimidated many subs, but today it was tempered with exhaustion and anxiety.
    “I’m going to take Casey home for a few hours. I’m worried that with her medical history she might end up in the bed beside her sister.”
    Bryce and Grant both nodded. “We’ll stay here with Karly.” Grant’s tone made it very clear that he had no intention of going anywhere.
    “Thanks,” Chris said as he offered his hand to Grant. “I really appreciate you both being here. After everything Karly wrote about the lifestyle…” He let the words trail off as they shook hands, apparently not wanting to tear open old wounds. Every member of the club—both Doms and subs—had been deeply offended by the articles Karly had published. It was good to see that most were willing to set that hurt aside to help a woman when she really needed it.
    And Karly McCoy, no, Karly James—he refused to think of her as still married to that wife-beating asshole—was a woman who desperately needed help.
    Bryce intended to make certain she took it.

Chapter Five
     
    For the first time in nearly two weeks I wake because I’ve had enough sleep, not because of pain. I’m still really embarrassed to be mooching off my younger sister, but I very literally have nowhere else to go—well, other than the home I share with my husband. I’m not certain that John has calmed down yet, and since he hasn’t tried to contact me at all, I’m taking the coward’s way out. I really should try and talk to him though. How will we ever sort through the problem if we don’t at least communicate?
    I glance around the tastefully decorated room and sigh quietly. Being here just seems to confuse me even more. Despite the mooching part, I actually enjoy being here with my sister and her friends—two men I never expected to like. After sitting next to my hospital bed for two full nights, Grant and Bryce Anderson brought me back to their home, set me up in the bedroom beside my sister’s, and promised me that I was safe.
    I tried to tell them that things weren’t as bad as they were imagining. This was the first time my husband lost his temper since that rough patch we had in our first year of marriage. The last two years have been…Well, I don’t suppose pleasant is quite the right word. Some days I resent the hell out of the fact that everything has to be done John’s way, but for the most part we were happy…sort of, well, kind of…um mostly.
    “Good morning. How’s my favorite girl?” Grant asks as I wander into the kitchen. I blush at the “girl” tag that he’s given me. At twenty-nine, I’m not exactly a child in need of protection, but that’s exactly what he and his brother are providing. I feel safe here. Bryce smiles as the brothers wait for my answer.
    “I feel a lot better today,” I say truthfully. I really do feel better today, but both men raise their eyebrows, clearly disbelieving me. I suppose I am guilty of exaggerating my recovery progress a time or two, but it’s only because I hate being sick.
    For the first few days here Grant and Bryce provided all my meals in bed. At least one of them had sat beside me, encouraging me to eat, occasionally helping whether I wanted their help or not. It had felt very strange at the time. I suppose I really can’t define the exact mood of those meals, but the word “comfortable” comes to mind.
    That was a very surprising experience especially considering the way I yelled at Bryce when Casey had been lying in a hospital bed recovering from her heart attack and all of the derogatory newspaper