Love Slave for Two: Reckoning [Love Slave for Two 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Tymber Dalton Page A

if the interiors of the vehicles had become drenched by wind-driven rains.
    Carefully, so he didn’t awaken Tyler, he reached to the bedside table for his phone and tried to send Nevvie a text. After a few seconds, his phone vibrated and a message popped up.
    Text failed.
    Shit. He tried again with the same results. Well, answers that question. Until cell or landline phone service was restored, they were effectively cut off from the world with nothing but the radio for their information.
    He heard someone up and moving out in the kitchen. As slowly and carefully as he could, he attempted to extricate himself from Tyler’s grasp. Tyler still stirred.
    “It’s okay, buddy,” Tom said. “Just going to the bathroom.”
    “Okay,” Tyler mumbled before rolling over.
    Tom did use the bathroom and was happy to see at least they still had water pressure. When he carefully walked through the bedroom, Tyler was softly snoring again.
    Good. He needs it. He silently closed the door behind him and went out to the kitchen.
    Kelly was rummaging through the cabinets.
    “What are you looking for?”
    She stifled a small scream before turning and laughing. “I’m sorry,” she said. “You scared me. Where do you keep the coffee filters?”
    “Over here.” He helped her find everything, and she started making coffee. “Did you get any sleep?” he asked her.
    She shook her head. “Not much. John finally fell asleep about an hour ago. You?”
    Tom shrugged. “It’ll only get better from here on out. I can take a nap later once I see what the outside looks like.”
    “John said for me not to expect we’ll be able to get over to our house today or even tomorrow.”
    “I’m sorry. With all the power lines that will be down, plus storm debris, it’s better you don’t. Plus there still might be flooding.”
    “That’s what he said. That we’d probably get four flat tires if we went too soon.”
    “He’s right.” He leaned against the counter and scrubbed his face with his hands. “I did buy a couple of patch kits, though. Make sure he takes one with him.”
    She stepped over to him and hugged him. “I can’t begin to tell you how much we appreciate this.”
    He hugged her back. “It’s okay, Mom. We’re happy to have you here.”
    When he looked, her eyes were too bright, as if she was close to tears. “I also wanted to tell you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for Nevvie. I can see how much you two obviously love her. I don’t care what anyone else thinks, you boys saved her life more than once. And we’ll always regret not finding her sooner. But we’re not kidding when we say you’re like sons to us.”
    He blushed. “Aw, it’s okay, Mom. You don’t have to thank us.”
    “It’s just… Well, John and I were alone for so long. Neither of us wanted anything to do with our families. And when Laurie came along, we felt badly that she didn’t have any other family. Now, despite the current circumstances, it’s still like a dream come true.” She frowned. “Although I think John is sort of hoping that Alex guy shows up here so John can personally take a whack at him.”
    Tom grimly smiled. “He’s not the only one, Mom. Believe me. He’d have to get in line behind me and Ty.”
     
    * * * *
     
    They took their coffee into the living room and turned on the radio. The announcers were busy listing a series of neighborhoods still underwater from storm surge.
    “…and Davis Island will remain closed to everything except emergency traffic. Residents will not be allowed back on the island until emergency officials have completed their search and rescue efforts and declare it safe. Tampa General Hospital is closed until further notice. Please call 813-555-8632 for more information if you have a family member who was a patient there. All patients were transferred to other hospitals before the storm. Most of the Town ’n’ Country area, from just south of Waters Avenue and east of Sheldon