Caleb

Chapter Eleven

Caleb ~

Furious didn't even begin to describe the emotion that Caleb was feeling as he took hard heavy steps toward the pool house. One of his hands contained Lainey's precious palm and the other ticked and itched with need to pummel flesh. Caleb's jaw was locked so tight, he felt like his molars might crack under the pressure, but it was the only thing that was keeping him from completely losing his shit. Someone had intentionally tried to harm Lainey and he wanted answers as to who had allowed it to happen.

If Caleb hadn't been so angry, he would have been beaming with pride at how well Lainey had handled herself. She listened and followed every directive he gave her without hesitation or question and she allowed him to physically move her where he needed her, while doing everything he asked. He was so damn proud of her, but pissed that she had been put in that situation in the first place.

Once they reached the pool house, James went to join Pierce on the other side of the pool while Caleb set Lainey in a lounge chair, noticing her little body was shaking like a leaf.

He thought he wanted nothing more than to confront the grounds security team, but the one thing he did want more was to make sure Lainey was okay.

"It's just an adrenaline dump sweetheart. Your body spiked your adrenaline and now it's dropping which is what's making you shake."

"Okay." she said in a brave voice as she stared down at her shaking hands. She accepted his explanation instantly and wasn't going to ask for help or comfort. Her reaction made sense because Lainey was so used to fighting battles on her own, but he wanted to make sure she knew that wasn't the case any more.

"Come here darlin."

Caleb pulled her into his chest and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight and letting her shake against him in an effort to make her feel safe and comforted as she came down from her adrenaline rush. The shaking of her arms seemed to slow and she nestled her face near Caleb's neck.

"Thank you." she said in a hushed voice. The closeness of her lips and the sensation of her warm breath fanning across his neck did something to Caleb. He couldn't bring her close enough to him and gave her a tight squeeze in response to her words, never wanting to move from that exact position, but knowing he had to.

"That's what I'm here for. I'm going to be right over there, but if you start feeling low, I need you to tell me. I know you hate asking for help, but a surge of epinephrine can cause potassium to drop, so if you start feeling any symptoms at all, I need you to let me know, can you do that?"

"Yes." she said softly before pressing her lips onto his cheek. The sensation of her soft lips lightly touching his skin was electric and was a feeling that sent warmth throughout his entire body.

He slowly pulled away and stood, sweeping his eyes over her body that was now starting to relax.

"What are you going to do?" she asked with her eyes darting toward the group of men standing on the other side of the pool surrounding the restrained intruder

"I'm going to figure out what the fuck happened tonight and punish whoever is responsible for it." he answered coldly.

She gave him a nod of her head before he turned to leave, but her small voice sounded from behind him as he turned away.

"Hey Caleb? I take back what I said."

"What's that?"

"You are kinda scary," she said with a small smile curling up the side of her mouth.

Lifting his arms, Caleb showed off his muscles, letting out a playful growl to further prove her point.

Lainey let out a laugh at his antics and that sound alone pumped him full of energy and satisfaction.