by Becca Van
“Anyway, we signed up and have spent fourteen years fighting wars,” Rhys said. “We were all injured more than once, but luckily for us, we have rapid healing abilities.”
“How did you hide that from the medical personnel?” Sierra asked.
“We hid our wounds, darlin’,” Weldon said. “We doctored ourselves and each other when we could. If the powers that be knew how fast we healed, we would have ended up in a lab, cut up into little pieces and put under a microscope.”
“They would have killed you?”
“I suspect so,” Justice answered. “All’s fair in the name of science and research.”
“What about your parents, honey?” Rhys asked. “Are they still alive?”
“I don’t know who my father is and suspect my mom didn’t, either. She liked men and didn’t care who she spread her legs for. She was in an abusive relationship for a while, but it must have been too much for her to handle. When I was ten, one day she went to the shop to get some milk and never came back. I was scared of my step-dad. Rod was a cruel bastard, but when he realized my mother wasn’t coming back, he called the welfare services. I was put into foster care.”
“That’s fucking terrible,” Weldon snarled. “Why didn’t your mom take you with her?”
“I don’t know, and I never will,” Sierra answered. “I don’t even know if she’s still alive.”
“That must have been really hard to deal with, honey. You were just a kid,” Rhys clasped her hand in his.
“It was, but I think she did me a favor. Living with an abusive man and being in the system helped shaped the person I am today. I wanted to try and make a difference and help women and children get away from all that anger and violence.”
“What did you do, baby?” Justice asked.
“I studied hard to get good grades. I won a partial scholarship, went to college, and got my Bachelor of Social Work.”
“That’s amazing, honey. You should be so proud of all your hard work and helping other people out of bad situations.”
Justice frowned when Sierra laughed, but there was no humor in the sound.
“I don’t have shit,” she spat out.
“Why?” Rhys asked before Justice could.
“Some asshole wasn’t happy with me ‘interfering’ in his life. He was waiting for me outside of the women’s shelter I worked at. It was late because a mom and her daughter had been brought in by the police after dinnertime that night. It must have been close to eleven or even midnight. I didn’t own a car because I couldn’t see the point when the running costs were so high and public transport was so good and cheap.
“He was wearing black.” She shivered and Justice couldn’t stand it anymore. He could smell the fear emanating from her and needed to hold and comfort her. He stood, lifted her from the stool into his arms, and walked to the living room. He expected her to ask him to let her go, but she looped her arm around his neck and held on to him.
Justice sat on the sofa with her on his lap and his arms around her waist. Rhys and Weldon dropped to the cushions on either side of them.
“Tell us the rest, darlin’,” Weldon said as he laced his fingers with hers. Rhys entwined his fingers with her other hand.
“He was covered in black from head toe, with a balaclava over his face. He came at me from behind when I tried to run, but he quickly had me on the ground on my back. He was raging at me for ruining his life and breaking up his family. Telling me that I was going to pay.”
Justice caressed his hand up and down her arm. He could smell her tears, and while he wanted to see her face, he didn’t want to disturb her until she’d gotten all of her story out. There was a knot of dread in his gut, and he had a feeling what she was going to say was going to be bad, but he ground his teeth together and stayed quiet.
“I didn’t see the knife until it was too late,” Sierra sobbed, her hand over her shoulder where the scar he and his brothers had seen was. “I’ve never felt such agony. He stabbed my arm and my thigh. I was sure I was going to die. I think I would have if something hadn’t disturbed him.”
Tears were rolling down her face. Justice grasped her hips, lifted and turned her until she was straddling his lap. He embraced her tightly and held her while she cried. He was filled with rage and anger, but he kept his emotions down deep. He would have time later to get rid of his pent-up fury when Sierra wasn’t around. Right now, she needed him and his brothers for solace.
When her tears slowed, she lifted her gaze up to his. “I was scared he was going to try and use the women and kids hiding out at the shelter or my colleagues to get to me. After I healed, I packed up and got on the first bus I could. I’ve been working and meandering from place to place. Just before he ran off he said, ‘This isn’t over, cunt. You’re a dead woman’.”
Justice skimmed his hand up and down her back as she leaned against him. “We’ll keep you safe, baby. If the fucker comes here, I’ll fucking kill him.”
“We all will.” Rhys rubbed her arm. “We won’t let him hurt you again, honey.”
“You can’t promise that,” Sierra said.
“Yes, we can,” Weldon said in a hard voice. “That fucker will have to get through us to get to you, darlin’.”
Justice nodded his head in agreement. He loved Sierra more than anyone he’d ever cared for, even his mom, dads, and his brothers.
She was his whole world, and he would die to protect her.
Chapter Seven
Sierra felt so much better after unloading the weight she’d been carrying on her shoulders. While it wasn’t completely gone, she felt a bit lighter, and crying to release the tension and some of the fear she’d been burdened with hadn’t hurt, either.
Being in Justice’s arms, with Rhys and Weldon next to her, gave her a semblance of peace she’d never felt before, but that wasn’t all. She was a lot calmer in some respects but also wired for another reason. Each time she inhaled their delicious, manly scents, it seemed to entrench deeper and deeper into her lungs. They all smelled so good, and she was responding to their nearness. Her pussy was so damn wet, her panties were soaked. Her clit was throbbing, her nipples were hard and achy, and the more they touched her, even if it was in a platonic, comforting way, the hotter she got.
As she sat there with her breasts pillowed against Justice’s torso, making her nipples even more sensitive because every time he inhaled his warm, hard body and his soft, cotton shirt rubbed against her chest, she thought about what Elsa and Sage had told and asked of her.
She tried to ignore and deny it, but the attraction between her and the three Channing brothers was off the charts, and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could repudiate what she was feeling.
Sierra had had the total of one boyfriend in her whole life, and she was so damned lonely. If she had the courage to speak and tell them yes, she could have all her dreams come true. By her understanding, she’d never have to worry about them straying or leaving her, but how could she put them in danger?
“What are you thinking about, honey?” Rhys asked close to her ear, causing her to shiver.
Her pussy clenched, sending a slew of cream onto her folds and undies. Her womb and inner muscles wouldn’t stop spasming, and the ache in her womb kept intensifying.
The hunger was getting stronger and stronger, and she felt as if she was going to spontaneously combust if she didn’t get any relief soon.
“Look at me, Sierra,” Justice commanded. His tone was so forceful she didn’t even think about denying him and raised her gaze to his. His nostrils flared as he breathed in, and his blue eyes hazed over with hunger. “You’re going into heat, baby. All you have to do is say yes to being our mates and we’ll ease that fire burning inside.”
Before she had a chance to respond, he slanted his mouth over hers.
Just like that, the kindling caught alight, and seconds later she was on fire. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, kissing her wildly, passionately until she felt her insides melt
ing. She moaned when he caressed a hand down her back and over her ass, then squeezed each cheek.
She clung to his shoulders and tried to get closer even though it was impossible. Her breasts were already smashed up against his hard body. Sierra wanted to crawl inside of him and never leave.
He released her lips and they both panted as they tried to catch their breath. He was watching her with lustful intensity, and she couldn’t, didn’t want to look away.
Sierra realized that while she’d only known them for hours, she already cared for him and his brothers. The other women had told her that shifters fell almost instantly in love with their mate, and though she wanted to believe that, she was skeptical.
Yet, what did she have to lose?
She had nothing and no one. She was on the run from a sick fuck intent on revenge because she’d helped a woman and child, or children escape from a life of abuse. She had no home, no job, and next to no money.
“I need to find a job,” she said.
“If that’s what you want, we won’t stop you,” Justice said in an emotionless voice.
She glanced to her sides when Weldon and Rhys moved from the sofa. Justice clasped her waist, lifted her from his lap onto a cushion, and shoved to his feet. She frowned at them as the three brothers walked away from her toward the kitchen and wondered what she’d said that had upset them. It took her a couple of moments to comprehend that they thought she was rejecting them.
She jumped to her feet and hurried after them.
Justice barely looked at her as he handed out bottles of beer to his brothers before twisting off the cap and slugging down half of his own.
Sierra wanted to jump into Justice’s arms and ravish his mouth, but she walked to the fridge got a beer for herself, removed the lid, and took a sip.
“What do you all do for a living?” she asked.
“We’ve just started our own landscaping business,” Rhys replied. He stared at her as if he wasn’t seeing her, as if he was looking right through her.
“We also help with the border protection between Canada and the U.S.,” Weldon added.
“We help out our friends with jobs, too, if they need a hand,” Justice said.
Sierra wanted to tell them that she was going to be their mate, but first she needed to make sure she’d have something to do during the day to earn some money and occupy her time. There was no way she was going to be a freeloader and mooch off the three men.
“Do you think I could work for you? Do you need help with paperwork?”
“You want to work with us?” Rhys asked.
“Yes.”
“Why?” Justice frowned at her.
Sierra tried to hide her smile by taking another sip of her beer, but when she saw how tense they were while looking at her expectantly, she couldn’t hold off any longer. Just before she was about to tell them she wanted to be their mate, another question popped into her mind. “What does mating involve?”
Weldon placed his beer bottle gently on the counter and stepped closer to her. “We’d all make love to you, one after the other,” he rasped out.
Rhys walked over and stopped a few feet in front of her. “As you climaxed, we’d bite you right here.”
Goosebumps raced over her skin when he caressed a finger down her neck then swept his finger back and forth where her neck and shoulder met.
“Once we’ve bitten you, you’d be all ours, baby.” Justice nudged Rhys out of the way, hooked his arm around her waist, and tugged her against him. “A partial bond will form. For us to complete the mating, we’d all have to make love to you and claim you together.”
“Any unmated shifter would be able to scent us on you and know that you belong to us.” Weldon cupped her cheek.
“No other man would ever touch you again, Sierra. You be ours for life,” Justice said.
“Is that what you want, honey?” Rhys asked.
“We’d never cheat on you, darlin’,” Weldon explained. “When a shifter mates, it’s forever.”
“As for your question about working for us, we’d be happy to have you doing all the paperwork,” Justice said. “We all hate that part of the job. Things are just starting to pick up with orders, but you don’t need to worry about us not being able to provide for you. We spent years on base getting paid for serving our country. We own this house outright and have no other debt. We also have more than enough money in the bank to keep us going for years even if we didn’t have any orders.”
“I don’t care about money,” Sierra said. “While it’s a necessary evil to get along in life, it’s not the be all and end all of my concern.”
“That’s good to know.” Rhys smiled.
Her breath caught in her throat. He was already a good-looking man, as were his brothers, but seeing him smile did things to her she’d never felt before. She wanted them so badly. Wanted to kiss them all and feel their hands on her naked body. She needed them, and if they didn’t do something soon, Sierra felt as if she was going to melt into a puddle at their feet. She sucked in a deep breath, met each of their gazes, and said, “Yes.”
The bottle of beer was taken from her hand as Justice lifted her from her feet. She thought he was going to sling her over his shoulder, but he ended up cradling her bridal style. He and his brothers were so strong and handsome.
She’d be a fool to turn down this opportunity of a lifetime, to have all her dreams come true after thinking for so long she’d never meet anyone special to build a life with. Now, she had three men who were going to be all hers. She just hoped that she lived up to their expectations, because if she didn’t, she was going to end up with a broken heart.
Sierra wondered if she’d jumped into this too soon but pushed that thought aside. From the moment she’d seen the three Channing brothers, she’d been hooked like an addict on drugs. They weren’t just a craving. Justice, Rhys, and Weldon were a deep-seated necessity.
* * * *
Justice was nervous and elated at the same time. When Sierra had left, he’d thought that he and his brothers had no chance of her agreeing to mate with them. She was so fucking brave and so stunningly gorgeous, he wanted to put her in his pocket and carry her around with him everywhere he went.
Knowing that some sick fuck had hurt her filled him with fury, but he thanked the fates for saving her, because if she’d died, he and his siblings would have been alone and lonely for the rest of their lives. She was feminine and petite, and he had to be about a foot taller than she was. Justice was worried that he was going to hurt her if he got too enthusiastic.
This was a special moment for him and his brothers, and he was going to have to take his time with her and make sure she was as hot, if not hotter, than he was. His dick was so fucking hard it was throbbing, and he was sure he had a wet spot on his boxers from leaking pre-cum.
As soon as he entered the bedroom, he lowered her to her feet, holding onto her hips to keep her steady. He licked his lip as he looked her over. His hands felt so big and ungainly on her slim hips, and he was sure if he tried he’d be able to span her waist with ease.
She was slim and tiny, but she had the most amazing curves he’d ever seen on a woman. The thought of looking at another female now that he had Sierra made him feel sick, and he quickly pushed that repugnant thought aside.
Sierra was his heart, soul, and the very air he breathed. She might not know it, but she was his everything, his reason to look forward to getting up every morning and continue living. In just over the twenty-four or so hours he’d known her, she’d managed to erase the dark stain on his soul from fighting for their country. She was his sunlight and so much more.
When she shifted nervously from foot to foot, Justice realized he’d been standing there like a dumb-ass just staring at her. He smoothed his hands up her sides, over her shoulders, and cupped her neck and face. Her skin was so fucking soft, warm, and silky, and he couldn’t wait to taste every inch of her.
Justice leaned down toward her and pressed hi
s lips to hers. She sighed, gripped his wrists, leaned against him, and parted her lips. He needed no other invitation and plunged his tongue into her mouth. He groaned as her light, womanly flavor exploded on his senses and rubbed his tongue along hers. She held onto his wrists tighter and moaned as their tongues dueled around then came together again. He couldn’t get enough of her, but after a few minutes, he released her lips so they could draw air into their lungs.
Rhys and Weldon, who’d followed them into the room, maneuvered until they were close to their mate, too. Rhys was behind her, and Weldon was to her right. His brothers had both removed their shirts, and Sierra gasped when she saw their bare chests.
“You’re both so muscular.” She panted, still trying to catch her breath. She’d turned side-on so that she could see Rhys and Weldon at the same time.
Justice grabbed a handful of material at the back of his shirt, yanking it up and off over his head. He dropped it behind him and then reached for his belt. Sierra must have seen him moving, because she turned to look at him. Her lips were parted, and her gaze heated as she eyed his chest and shoulders over. He was fit and toned with wide shoulders, muscular pecs, big biceps, and defined abs. His mate liked what she was seeing, because the scent of her aroused womanly musk permeated the air.
His mouth watered for a taste, but first, he and his brothers needed to get her naked.
Rhys cupped her cheek, turning her toward him, bent down, and mashed his lips into hers. Sierra moaned, wrapped her arms around his neck, and turned fully toward him. Rhys snagged an arm around her waist, then lifted her feet from the floor. She whimpered as she tightened her hold around his neck and hooked her legs around his waist.
Weldon moved in behind her, licking and nibbling on her neck as he caressed a hand over her back beneath her sweater and shirt. “You smell so fucking good, darlin’,” he rasped out. “I could just eat you all up.”
