Gallant Guardians [Triple Dare County South Dakota 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Read online

  Triple Dare County, South Dakota 6

  Gallant Guardians

  Flint Rikward and Russell "Russ" Elden had not forgotten Angelina "Angie" Farris. Angie tried to put them out of her mind, until Flint is shot. When she contacts Russ about Flint’s condition, the wall surrounding her feelings crumbles. But they want marriage, and the memories of her previous engagement and what her ex-fiancé had said won’t go away.

  When Flint and Russ discover someone might be after Angie, too, they find excuses to keep her close. Once they think the danger is over, they convince her to go with them to South Dakota.

  She agrees but insists on living in the apartment her friend, Dana, had used. She'd work with Dana and get to know Russ and Flint better. However, her biggest obstacle is the threesome marriage. Her parents will never accept the marriage, and she is uncertain about it herself. That is until someone tries to kill Flint again, and they realize all the bad guys haven’t been caught.

  Genre: Contemporary, Multiple Partners, Western/Cowboys

  Length: 47,092 words

  GALLANT GUARDIANS

  Triple Dare County, South Dakota 6

  Paige Cameron

  EVERLASTING POLYROMANCE

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Everlasting Polyromance

  GALLANT GUARDIANS

  Copyright © 2014 by Paige Cameron

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-62741-435-7

  First E-book Publication: March 2014

  Cover design by Les Byerley

  All art and logo copyright © 2014 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

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  This is Paige Cameron’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Cameron’s right to earn a living from her work.

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  DEDICATION

  To my granddaughter, who is going to college in the fall. May you find your dreams and follow them, and may life treat you gently on the journey.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  About the Author

  GALLANT GUARDIANS

  Triple Dare County, South Dakota 6

  PAIGE CAMERON

  Copyright © 2014

  Prologue

  “Hello, Russ,” Flint Rikward answered his office phone. “What’s up?”

  “Nothing much. I’m concerned we haven’t heard from Angie. It’s been almost five months. I think we’ve waited long enough.”

  “I’ve been close to calling her several times. But I’ve never chased after a woman. She obviously wasn’t as interested as we were.”

  “I don’t believe it. There’s something stopping her from contacting us.”

  “We know one reason is the threesome relationship.”

  “Flint, you sound like you want to give up on her.”

  “I do, but I can’t get her out of my head. I have to admit I’ve driven by her place of work and her condo a few times hoping to see her.”

  “Did you?” Russ asked.

  “Nope.”

  “I’m going to take time from the ranch and fly to Atlanta in a few weeks. I intend to call her and ask her to dinner. I’ll find out if she’s really forgotten us.”

  “Let me know how it turns out. I’ve got to go. See you.”

  Flint put down his phone. After talking to Russ he wanted to drive across town and see Angie, talk to her, and hold her close. Damn, Russ would have to open wounds not healed yet.

  He had never let himself be vulnerable. He’d learned a hard lesson in high school when a girl treated his best friend so badly he’d attempted suicide. Luckily his friend’s parents saved him and saw that he got professional help. But afterward he and his friend avoided any serious relationships. They were known as the love-them-and-leave-them duo.

  His friend finally settled down with a very nice woman last year. Flint chuckled to himself. I thought I was invincible until Angie came along. The irony of it is she doesn’t appear interested in me. Maybe that’s why I’m attracted to her?

  Flint walked to his car and got in. It’d be interesting to see what happened when Russ contacted her. He pulled out into the busy street and headed to his meeting.

  Chapter One

  Angelina Farris rushed from one exam room to the next. As one of two physician assistants in the office where she worked, she was kept busy every moment. They’d had three assistants, but one had moved away. Hopefully Dr. Sanders would find a replacement soon.

  At lunch she walked to a nearby sandwich shop and ordered her favorite, a Reuben, a soda, and some chips. Then she found the table at the back and let the busy morning roll off her shoulders. Randy, one of the regular waiters, brought her meal.

  “Thanks, that Reuben looks good. I don’t usually splurge on it, but today seemed the time to spoil myself.”

  “I was surprised when you didn’t order your usual turkey sandwich. Enjoy.”

  He sauntered off and went back around the counter. I have gotten into a rut. I work, eat turkey sandwiches for lunch, and go home to a frozen dinner and the television. I love my job, but the rest of my life sucks.

  It didn’t when I was in South Dakota.

  Stop. Don’t think about Russell Elden and Flint Rikward. I have to forget them. I need to find someone to date, but who? It’s not like I go out and socialize where I might meet a guy.

  Her cell phone rang, interrupting her negative thoughts. It was Dana. Not exactly the person to help clear her head.

  “Hello, girlfriend.”

  “Hi. How’s it going at work?” Dana asked.

  “We’re short-staffed, so I’m being run off my feet. How about you?”

  “I’m busy, but it’s a comfortable pace, not hectic. I love getting to know my patients better. But the reason I called is I’m coming to visit my parents outside of Atlanta. I hope we can get together while I’m in the vicinity. Can I stay a couple of nights with you?”

  “That’d be great. When?”

  “I’ll arrive at my parent’s home on Saturday. Can you get Monday and Tuesday off if I come to Atlanta those days?”

  “I doubt it. We’re too busy.”

  “Okay, I’ll call Mom and arrange to come see you on the weeke
nd and them during the week.”

  “Great. I’m not on call this weekend. We can gossip, shop, and eat. But what about Steel and Chayton?”

  “They’re going to join me the next weekend. They can only get away those two days. I’ll fly to Atlanta on Friday afternoon, rent a car at the airport, and drive to your place.”

  “I’m looking forward to seeing you. Call me when you’ve arrived.”

  “Will do. Bye.”

  Angie clicked her phone off. She savored her sandwich and the news that she’d see Dana soon. Dana, Steel, and Chayton had married five months ago. Every time Angie had spoken to Dana since then, she sounded extremely happy. A touch of jealousy tried to creep inside Angie.

  I had my chance and chose differently than her. Get over it. She took her tray to the front, tossed the trash, and set the tray on the dirty pile. It was time to get back to work. Today was Wednesday. Two more work days and Dana would arrive.

  Thursday was a long day. At six o’clock Angie walked to her car and sank into the leather seat. She looked forward to getting home.

  Angie stopped at a local grocery store on her way. She’d buy ingredients for lasagna and bake it and a chocolate cake tonight. There hadn’t been anyone to cook for in a long time.

  She carried her groceries to the car and drove two blocks, turned to the left, and then into her parking garage. When she glanced in the rearview mirror, she saw a gray car slowly drive by the entrance. The windows were dark. A chill ran down Angie’s back.

  I’m being silly. It’s been over five months since those criminals who stalked Dana and me were caught or killed. She waited for the gate to close before getting out and hurrying to the elevator.

  Once inside her apartment, she let out a deep sigh of relief. She walked directly to the kitchen to put the groceries down. She’d change clothes, and then cook. Angie turned on the television on her way to the bedroom. The condo’s silence unnerved her. After quickly changing into jeans and a T-shirt, she went in the kitchen and started making the lasagna. She could hear her favorite comedy, The Big Bang Theory, from the living room.

  When she finished with the lasagna, she put it in the refrigerator. Then she mixed the cake and put it in the oven to bake. She’d started to make a salad when she heard his name. Angie ran into the living room and sank down on her small sofa.

  “We have breaking news. Flint Rikward, the FBI agent injured five months ago during the take down of our well-known philanthropist, Addison Gregor, has been shot. He was taken to the General Hospital Emergency Room. It’s not clear how serious his injuries are, but Rikward did shoot his attacker and he died at the scene.”

  The pretty reporter stood outside the hospital emergency room. She turned the program over to the main station.

  The shock of the woman’s words had Angie’s heart pounding, and her throat tightened with fear. Had he been fatally wounded this time?

  She smelled her cake and numbly walked to the kitchen. If she called the hospital they’d never give her any information. She wasn’t family. Russell Elden worked as a part-time Forensic artist for the FBI. He’d know, but she’d have to call him. She’d been trying to forget him and Flint. Calling him would be opening a door she’d rather not.

  I’ll wait and see if they give another report on the late news. If he has been fatally wounded, I’m not ready to know yet.

  Angie put the lasagna in the oven. The cake had come out and only needed frosting. She’d do that now to keep busy and finish the salad tomorrow night. Her anxiety rose as the hours went by slowly. At eleven, she turned to the channel that had the earlier news.

  Someone had wrecked on I-95. Pictures of the scene were shown, and the reporter talked about the injured. Then the advertisements came on. Angie bit her nails. Come on, come on. Damn it, I’ll call Russell if they don’t soon say how Flint is doing.

  Finally they switched to the same woman reporter outside the hospital. “Mr. Rikward is out of surgery. He is listed in fair condition. No word on exactly what injuries he received. A number of FBI agents are still at the hospital.”

  Angie grabbed her phone and looked for Russell’s cell number. She clicked on it and paced the floor waiting for him to answer.

  “Angie, I was going to call you. I just left the airport, and I’m headed to the hospital.”

  “Do you know how he’s doing?”

  “He got hit in the chest. I’m not sure how much damage the bullet did, but I’ll find out. Meet me at the main entrance. We’ll go in together.”

  “Thanks, I’ll be there.” Angie had already taken the lasagna out of the oven. It was now in the fridge. She wrapped the cake and checked that the stove was all off before going to her bedroom. She pulled on a white sweater over her T-shirt and grabbed her purse on the way out.

  A mixture of anticipation and dread swirled around in her stomach. She hadn’t talked to Russell or Flint since she’d left South Dakota after Dana’s wedding. Many times she’d reached for the phone, held her finger over the number, and then put the phone down. Her sudden attraction for the two men had surprised and unsettled her. She’d been certain when she got back home and to her work, she’d have no problem forgetting them. She’d lied to herself.

  This time of night a few lights lit the corners of the garage, but mostly it was dark and cold. She unlocked her car door and jumped in, locking it as soon as she was inside.

  The streets were fairly empty as she drove the five miles to the hospital. She was thankful there were plenty of parking spaces. Angie parked and briskly walked to the entrance. Russell rose from a chair where he’d been waiting.

  “Hi, baby.” His arms wrapped around her. His body heat warmed her. She let her head rest against his wide chest. “He’ll be all right. Flint’s as tough as his name.”

  Angie raised her head and looked into his apple-green eyes. “A bullet is hard, too.”

  “True. Let’s go to the surgical floor and check on him.” With his arm wrapped around her waist, Russell directed her to the elevators. They got on and he punched in the number four button. “His parents are on their way to Atlanta.”

  “They must be upset with this happening so soon after his last injuries.”

  “I promised to call them on their cell as soon as I find out what’s going on.”

  When they walked in the waiting room, several men in dark-blue suits raised their heads. One got up and shook Russell’s hand.

  “Is there any news?” Russell asked.

  “Yes, he’s in the recovery room. The doctor said it’s a miracle the bullet missed all his vital organs. There was some bleeding, but they stopped that and removed the bullet where it lodged against his shoulder blade.”

  “I gather he didn’t have his vest on,” Russell said.

  “No. He’d just finished some paperwork and went out to get in his car.” The agent lowered his voice. “We think it was a setup. Someone wants him dead.”

  “Any suspects?”

  “No. Most of his cases are closed. The others aren’t the type to pay a hit man. They’re white-collar crimes.”

  “His parents are on their way. I’ll call them to relieve their minds.” Russell pulled out his phone. “I’m going to step out in the corridor. Have a seat. I’ll be right back,” he said to Angie.

  She sat in the corner with a table and lamp separating her from the agents. The older one smiled at her. “Are you the lady he protected in South Dakota?”

  “One of them. My friend was the one Gregor wanted the most.”

  The man nodded. “Flint’s not been the same since he came back from South Dakota.” The man got up and moved to the chair beside her and lowered his voice. “We’ve been teasing him that a lady cowgirl stole his heart, but my guess is you might be the lady.”

  “What makes you think so?”

  “You looked pale and shaken when you arrived, like someone who cares about him.”