by Jane Jamison
Curt laughed. “I don’t know about dozens, but if that’s what you want, then we’ll do our best.”
“So how about it, baby? Will you be our mate? Will you come and live with us on our ranch?”
Again she answered truthfully. “Yes. I’d like that more than anything.”
“That means you love us back, right?” asked Eric.
Her tears clouded her vision. “Yeah. I don’t know how it happened so fast, but I do. I really do.”
“Before we go any farther, we need to tell her about us.”
She stared at Eric. “What do you mean? What about you?”
“We need to tell you what we are, boss.” All at once, Curt seemed indecisive, almost nervous.
“Then tell me.” Her joy that had started at the front door and had grown steadily through dinner dimmed. Would they tell her something awful? Would it change how she felt about them? Yet nothing was bad enough to do that. They loved her and she loved them. No matter what.
“You do it, Eric,” urged Dane.
Eric stalled, obviously not liking the idea. “We do it together, but I’ll start us off. Krystal, we aren’t just any men. We’re—”
The ringing of Curt’s phone was like a sledgehammer breaking into their conversation. He glanced down at his phone as the vibration danced it across the table. “Damn it. I have to get this. It’s the others. They’re probably wondering where the hell we are.” He grabbed the phone. “Yeah. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”
They were on their feet and moving toward the door before she knew it. “Wait. You’re just going to leave? Without finishing our talk?”
Dane spun around, took her by the arms, and kissed her hard. “We’ve got to go. But we’ll be back.”
“I want to go with you. I want to help find Evie.”
Curt shook his head as he tugged on his boots. “We’ve already gone over this.”
“Please, sugar, don’t push it right now. We can’t stay and you can’t go.”
“They’re right, baby, and you know it.” Eric jerked his second boot on then pulled the door open. “We’ll be back. Hopefully, sooner than later.”
And then they were gone.
She stayed where she was, gazing at the door then back to the dishes on the table. As much as she wanted to go with them, she realized they were right, just as they’d been right when they’d discussed it at the Wolf’s Den.
Still, their abrupt departure, just when they’d begun talking about a future together, left her in a bad mood. “Just like men. You fuck them, you feed them, and they leave you to clean up the mess.”
Still, she didn’t stay in a foul mood for long. How could she after what they’d asked her? She’d move in with them. They loved her and she loved them.
Well, fuck a duck. Isn’t that wonderful?
But what had they wanted to tell her?
Chapter Six
Krystal opened the front door of her apartment, fully expecting the men. Her heart plummeted when she saw who it was. Before she could react, however, it was too late.
Denny kicked the door out of her hand, slamming it against the wall. The poor young girl let out a small cry as he dragged her with him into the apartment. “Hey, baby, how are you doing?”
Oh God. Denny took the child.
She backed up, her mind whirling yet not coming up with any answers. “What did you do, Denny?”
“I did what any man would do to get his girl back home where she belongs.” He pointed a gun at her first, then back at the girl.
“I’m not your girl.” She attempted a smile, trying to reassure the girl. “You’re Evie, right?”
Evie gave her an almost imperceptible nod.
“Are you all right?” She tried not to curse at Denny. His fingers were clamped onto the girl’s arm so hard her skin was white under his fingertips.
Again, the smallest of nods was her answer.
“Shut up. I didn’t come here so you two could have a girl’s talk.”
“Then why did you? Why with her?” She knew why, but maybe, if she kept him talking, the men would show up. Either that or she’d come up with her own plan to escape.
“I told you. I’m taking you back home with me.” He shook Evie. “This little one’s my leverage.”
“She doesn’t have anything to do with us. Why bring an innocent child into this?”
“Innocent, my ass.” He held up his other arm, extending it so that his cuff pulled higher up his arm to reveal a nasty-looking bite. “The bitch bit me.”
Good for you, Evie.
“Did you expect her not to fight you?” Krystal moved toward the other side of the room, hoping to get closer to her cell phone lying on the kitchen counter.
“I expect you to come with me. That’s what I expect.”
“And Evie?”
“She’s coming along for the ride. At least until I’m sure we’re clear of this bullshit town.”
She’d never thought of Denny as a child killer, but then, she’d never thought he’d kidnap a child, either. Who knew what he was capable of? The wild glint in his eyes was worse than she’d ever seen it. Had he finally gone crazy wanting her? Had her leaving Los Angeles pushed him over the edge? “You’re going to use her as a hostage to keep me with you and the others away.”
“I always said you were a smart one. Hot and smart. A man can’t ask for more than that.” He waved the gun toward the hallway leading to her bedroom. “Now go on and pack a bag real fast. And don’t even think about calling for help. As soon as I hear sirens or anything suspicious, the kid gets a hole in the head.”
“How did you get here without anyone seeing you? The entire town is searching for her.”
He grinned, pride glowing on his face. “I can be pretty damn sneaky when I want. It wasn’t easy, but I’ll do anything for you, baby.”
“Anything?”
He was suddenly suspicious, his eyes narrowing.
“If that’s true, then let her go. I swear I’ll go with you. But you have to promise you’ll let her go. Please, we can put her in my bathroom and tell her not to come out until she counts to a thousand. Or we can call someone and tell them where she is once we’re too far away for them to catch us. You don’t need her to make me come with you.”
He laughed, the sound bitter. “Like I’m going to believe you? I showed up here, professed my love, and was ready to take you back. You should’ve come with me then and nothing bad would’ve happened.” He pointed the gun at her. “But you told me to fuck off, didn’t you? You looked at me like I was the scum of the earth.” His eyes blazed with anger. “Get your bag packed or we’re leaving without it.”
“All right. Please, just calm down. I’ll get my suitcase.” She led the way to her bedroom, found her suitcase in the closet, and threw it on top of the bed.
Denny held Evie against him as he looked around. “Were they in here?”
“Who?” Did he know about the men? Had he been spying on her?
“Don’t fuck with me. I know you’ve been hanging out with those assholes.” He sneered, looking at her with disgust. “Three men? Damn it, Krystal, you never acted like a slut before. Not even when you worked at the club.”
She wouldn’t argue with him. Doing so would cause more trouble. “Are we going back to California or to somewhere else? I need to know what kind of clothes to pack.”
“We’re headed to Canada, baby. Remember? You told me how much you wanted to see what it was like? Well, here’s your chance.”
She didn’t remember telling him anything like that. More than likely, she’d only been making small talk while trying to tolerate his advances. “I remember.”
“Then let’s get a move on.”
She started grabbing clothes off hangers and throwing them into the bag. “Please, Denny, let Evie stay here. She’ll promise not to do anything until she counts to a thousand. Isn’t that right, Evie?”
The girl’s big eyes met hers. “I don’t know how.”
Well, fuck a duck.
“It’s okay. You can stay here and we’ll call someone.” Her attention slid to Denny. “We can let them know she’s here, right? When we’re far enough away?”
He has to agree to one of the plans. He just has to.
“She’s coming with us, baby. No use in trying to talk me out of it. Keep packing.”
If there was any way to keep Evie at the apartment, she had to find it. “What if we—”
“Shut the fuck up.” Denny jerked Evie’s arm. “For the last time, she’s coming with us.”
“Okay, okay. Just take it easy with her.” She began pulling underwear out of the bureau drawers. Moving as slowly as she dared, she still had the suitcase packed within a few minutes.
“Good girl. Now let’s get the hell out of here.” He motioned Krystal out of the bedroom and down the hallway. “Listen up. We take this real easy. No yelling or shouting or trying to catch anyone’s attention. We go down the steps and around the building. Then hurry into the woods. Once we’re in the trees, stop. I’ll tell you where to go from there. Got it?”
“I understand.” Yet if there was a way to distract him long enough for him to turn Evie loose, she’d take it. She didn’t care what he might do to her. The child’s safety was all that mattered.
She had her hand on the doorknob when the sound of a car door slamming not once but three times grabbed her attention. Denny leaned against the door, his arm wrapped around Evie’s neck, the gun pointed in the air.
“I hope she’s home.” Dane’s voice rang out true and clear. “I can’t wait to see her.”
“Don’t go jumping on her first thing. Act like you have some common sense, man,” warned Curt.
“Fuck off, the both of you. I’m getting the first kiss.” Eric’s laughter followed.
Several pairs of feet taking the stairs leading up to the second story apartment pounded in the ensuing silence.
“Fuck,” whispered Denny. “Is there a back way out of here?”
Krystal stalled, hoping against hope that the men would somehow realize she was in danger.
“Krystal, tell me.”
Evie’s whimper as he tightened his hold around her neck brought her out of her deep thought. “Yes. There’s the door in the kitchen that leads to a fire ladder in the back.”
He shoved her ahead of him. “You keep your mouth shut about me being here. If you don’t and they come after me, I’ll kill her.”
She had no doubt that he would. “Please, Denny, leave her here. I swear I won’t tell them you went out the back way.”
He scoffed as he cracked open the back door and peered outside. “You keep quiet and no one gets hurt.”
“Please, don’t take her.” She moved forward, intent on stopping him. Or, at the very least, keeping him from taking Evie with him. She soon found the gun pointed only inches away from her face.
“Do you know that nearby lake? The small one?”
“What?” It took her a moment to realize what he was asking. “Yes.”
The knock on the door came. She could imagine the men standing outside, smiles on their faces, oblivious to the danger that lay inside her apartment.
“Meet me there at sundown. Alone.” He tightened his hold on Evie. “Don’t say a word or she’ll pay for your mistake.”
She nodded, her throat closing on her. “And then you’ll let her go?”
“Sure, baby. All I want is you.”
He slipped out the back door just as the knocking began again. Dragging in a hard breath, she spun around and ran to the front door, fully intending to tell them about Denny and Evie. Yet when she opened the door, she knew she couldn’t risk Evie’s life.
“Hey, baby, what took you so long?” asked Eric.
“What?” If only she could force her brain to function.
“Never mind him.” Curt stepped inside, making her move aside. His arm snaked out and drew her to him. “He’s anxious to see you. But not as anxious as I am.”
She forced a smile. “Me, too. I mean, I’m happy to see you, too. All of you.”
“Are you okay?” Dane tilted his head, the question in his eyes. “You seem…off.” He frowned. “What’s that I smell?”
“No, no. I’m fine.” She picked up a nearby air freshener and sprayed the room. “It must’ve been something I cooked.”
“You seem flustered,” noted Eric. “Damn, that stuff is heavy as hell. I can’t even smell your sweet scent now. Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”
“Nope. I’m just surprised. You didn’t call to say you were coming over.”
Curt leaned away from her. “I’m sorry. I guess we should’ve phoned first. We were just so—”
“Anxious,” interjected Eric.
Curt shot his cousin a look. “—eager to see you that we forgot our manners. Do you want us to leave?”
Yes. “No. Of course not. I don’t mind. Like I said. I’m a little thrown, is all.” It took everything in her not to tell them. Yet Evie’s life might depend on her keeping silent.
Curt took her hand and led her into her living room. She scanned the area, searching for any sign that Denny had been there. Thankfully, she didn’t find anything.
“How about we throw you somewhere else?” Dane tugged her away from Curt and pulled her against him. “Like on top of your bed.”
Her hands flattened on his chest and, for a moment, the fear inside her eased a little. Yet it didn’t take long for it to come rushing back. Even his nibbles on her neck didn’t make her feel any better.
“Lame, man. Why don’t you just jump her?”
“Don’t mind if I do, Eric.”
Suddenly, she was lifted off her feet as Dane strode toward the hallway. “No. Stop.”
He stared at her as though she’d lost her mind. “Stop? Why?”
“I can’t. Not right now.” She couldn’t bear to look him in the eyes. If she did, he’d see how much she longed for them. But she couldn’t make love while Evie was in danger. “Please, put me down.”
“Sure, sugar.”
“What’s going on, boss? You’re not acting like yourself.”
She eased out of Dane’s hold and put some distance between them. If she didn’t, she’d be sure to tell them everything. “Nothing. Really.”
“You still want to be our mate, don’t you?”
The worry in Eric’s tone brought her gaze to his. “More than anything.”
“That’s a relief.” He managed a crooked smile. “Then what is it? What’s holding you back?”
“Shit. We’re taking you for granted. That’s it, isn’t it? A girl likes a little romance first.” Curt searched her, no doubt hoping she’d give an explanation. “Guys, we shouldn’t assume that she wants sex every time we show up. Hell, the girl would never get any rest.”
The thing was, she did want sex every time she was around them. Although fear held a tight grip on her, her body still ached for their touches. But to have sex right now would be wrong, a slap in Evie’s face. “Thank you for understanding. It’s only that—” What explanation could she give that would end the conversation? The longer they talked, the more likely she was to tell them about Denny.
“You can tell us, you know. There’s nothing that would make us leave you.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, letting Eric’s words soothed her tortured soul. When she opened them again, she knew what she had to say. “To tell you the truth, I don’t want to have sex right now because I’m on my period.”
She saw them move away from her mentally before they actually took a step back from her. She’d been correct. That had ended the conversation fast.
“Oh. Okay, boss. We get it. No problem.”
The other two men nodded, no longer trying to get her to change her mind.
“I’m sorry—”
“Huh-uh.” Eric held up his hands, warning her to stop. “No need to be sorry. We get it. But sex isn’t the only reason we’re here.”
“Although that was part of it,” mumbled Dane. “Sorry.”
Eric whacked him on the arm. “We came to see you. So how about we do something normal? How about we take you to dinner?”
“And after dinner, we can sit down and just be together. You know. Talk.” Curt gave the others a pointed look. “There’s something we need to tell you.”
She shook her head, too worried about Evie to be curious. Whatever they had to tell her wouldn’t be half as awful as the secret she held. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to pass. Whenever I’m on my period, I get really, really tired. And cranky. Really, really cranky.”
Again, they mentally and physically backed up.
“No problem, sugar. We’ll get out of your hair and let you rest.” Dane swallowed hard. “Unless there’s something we can do for you. Get you some food or tuck you in.” He swallowed hard again. “We could run to the market and get you a box of those things.”
Those things. If she hadn’t been so torn up inside, she would’ve laughed. “Do you mean tampons?”
“Yeah. Those things.”
I’ve struck the motherlode with these men.
“No. It’s okay. I’m good. But like I said, I’m kind of tired. Plus, I need to rest up for work. Look, guys, I don’t want to be rude, but would you three mind leaving? I want to lie down and take a nap.”
“If that’s what you want, baby.”
Baby. That’s what Denny called her. Yet she wouldn’t let him ruin the word. She felt different, wonderful, whenever Eric called her baby. “It is. Thanks.”
“Okay, guys, we’re out of here.” Curt shoved Dane ahead of him. “You take it easy, boss, but if there’s anything we can do, you just give us a call.”
I wish I could.
Instead, she said what she had to say and smiled. “I will.”
The smile was still on her face as she stood at the door and watched them go down the stairs and back to their pickup. After giving them a quick wave, she closed the door and leaned against it for support.
What the hell am I going to do?
* * * *
Dane was the last to get into the truck. “Did she seem weird to you guys?”
