Patrick's Heart by Stacey Espino Read Free Book Online Page B

walls of solid muscle. She didn’t even remember falling asleep. As soon as her faculties returned, she sat up in a rush and looked around the cabin floor where the men were sleeping. She was looking for one thing—Patrick’s striking red hair.
    “What’s wrong, Cassie?” asked Garret.
    “Didn’t you go to get Patrick?” There were four bodies in the cabin. Had Patrick refused to return, not willing to forgive her careless comments? Her heart rate increased as panic set in. She just wanted everything to go back to the way it used to be, even if Patrick was part wolf.
    “He returned to his wolf form. I’m sure he’s just letting off steam. He’ll be back.”
    She shook her head. It wasn’t good enough. “What if he doesn’t? Where did he sleep?”
    Cassidy envisioned him cold and alone, forced to sleep in a cave or out in the bitter elements.
    “He could have gone home or even to the mine. He’s a big boy. I’m sure it’ll be sorted out today.” Garret eased her down into the crook of his strong arm. He began to play with her hair, running his fingers along her hairline. She started to relax, lulled by Garret’s air of authority and confidence. If he said everything would be okay, she had to believe it.
    Evan sat up, raking his hands through his blond hair. The sight of him reminded her of his promises. He said Garret would give her answers and she desperately needed them.
    “Tell me about Patrick, about Climax, about everything you’re hiding from me.” She didn’t speak in a demanding way, more pleading. If she didn’t get concrete answers soon, she’d lose her ever-loving mind.
    Garret held her head to his chest but didn’t speak.
    “What are you waiting for? She’s already seen Patrick, boss. She survived,” said Evan. She loved that he dared to question Garret now, continually moving forward from his quiet acceptance. All her men had shown such growth since she’d moved to Climax. Now she desperately needed to bond with her Viking…or her wolf.
    “Let’s wait until Patrick’s back. We’ll do this right once we’re all home tonight,” said Garret. “A few more hours of waiting won’t kill us. It’s time to go to work, and we can’t be lackadaisical with an inspector at the mine.”
    “Right. And when is she leaving exactly?”
    Garret chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Soon you’ll never doubt me again. I promise you have nothing to feel insecure about.” At least she knew she was right about the secrets. He planned to reveal something monumental to her, something more profound than the revelation with Patrick.
    She couldn’t wait for that inspector to return to the city and far, far away from the men she loved. Just remembering Inspector Tanner’s perfect everything made her see red. It would be easier to trust her men if there weren’t so many secrets lingering around. Cassidy hoped tonight would end all the mystery and become a new page in her love life.
    “Who’s staying behind with Cassidy?” asked Matthew as he slipped on a clean T-shirt.
    “I have no choice but to be on-site. Any volunteers?” asked Garret. All three of them raised their hands, filling her heart with warmth. “Matthew, keep her here in case Patrick returns.”
    “Always playing favorites,” said Travis, tugging on a pair of jeans.
    “Go to work, Texas. You slack off enough on the job. You don’t need a holiday.”
    The men joked and talked about business as they readied for a day at the mine. She enjoyed watching them dress and roughhouse. Each man was a perfect specimen, and imagining taking all five tonight sent her womb aflutter.
    Immediately, Garret’s head snapped around, and his dark eyes bored into hers. Had he felt her rush of desire? Impossible.
    “Behave, Cassie. I’ll see you before sundown.” He quickly dressed and joined the other two men at the door. When he was gone, she sighed a breath of relief, dropping her head down onto her makeshift pillow.
    “You’re glad