She had been a fool. They all tricked her. But she shouldn’t have let down her guard and leaned into Scout, Breaker, Lux, and Fort. Nor should she have let Breaker hold her hand, and Lux and Fort placed hands on her hips. Four men touching her at once, as if they possessed her. Caring for her, providing support, and stupid her let them. They would think she would allow them to be her guardians. That was if they even wanted that. They were soldiers who disappeared all the time for work. They wanted sex, just like Canton, men wanted to own a woman. To dominate them, grab them hard, yank their arms, and smack them when they disobeyed or did something the man saw as wrong or against his authority. She hated that. She distrusted all men, except for her brother, Channing.
He didn’t even know what her father and mother said and did, hell, what Canton did to her.
She felt the tears flow as thoughts of Canton’s sexual assault filled her mind. Those were her nightmares all the time. Months later now, and still she awoke even from naps gasping for breath as she cried hysterically. She was alone and she hated it, but it was how it had to be. Scout, Lux, Fort, and Breaker would be no different. She watched them when they weren’t looking. Heard their commanding, hard tones, and how rough they were when they grabbed things up, or when they were hanging out. How they looked angry and capable. It intimidated her, to say the least. She didn’t know why she was even thinking about them in such a way, considering what Canton did to her. Jesus, she was stupid. She couldn’t let another man touch her intimately. Hell, she would freak out. Scout, Breaker, Lux, and Fort were big, muscular capable men. Special Forces and then some, men capable of using knives, guns, hell, their own hands to kill people.
The thought didn’t sit right. She knew it stemmed from her fears and from the sexual assault. Could she even call it that? She was dating Canton. They had made plans, talked about marriage. She was at least in love with Canton, he was after money and the business. What were Scout, Breaker, Lux, and Fort after?
A good time?
She showed weakness and it took the last two weeks of basically ignoring them and even giving a bit of attitude to get them to pull back. She couldn’t let them close to her. Four men? Four soldiers? She must be losing her mind. She couldn’t think that Canton wouldn’t hunt her down. Like her father, Canton was a man who set his eyes on something and didn’t budge from it. A pit bull, a mad man when something didn’t go his way. She saw her mom suffer in those moments. Her heart ached. Her mother wasn’t a help, in fact, she would always remember how her mom set out the sexy red dress, the thong panties, and no bra. She was telling her to be well groomed for sex and for Canton, and to be submissive and a good woman, and eventually a controlled, abused, battered wife.
Her body ached that night, and even worse the night he raped her.
She felt her stomach ache and nausea fill up her belly to her throat. She gagged and needed to slow down, yet wanted to push herself to not falter, even in thoughts of Canton’s hands and capabilities.
She was feeling more and more like it was only a matter of time before Canton or her father showed up. Seeing what happened to Cherokee, and learning what she had run from, just validated Mercy’s fears. The hope that Canton gave up, that her father did, too, and that her mom was just fine because she chose to stay with them couldn’t be analyzed any further. Her mom made her choice, and Mercy made hers. To be free, not under the thumb of devious men.
What they did to her she could never forgive, but also what she did was illegal, and it didn’t matter she was forced into it, she did it. She committed a crime. What would Channing say? How about Scout, Breaker, Lux, and Fort?
She was shocked by her train of thought and also how she was concerned over the men’s reaction and what their impression of her was or would be if they learned the truth. To make matters worse, she took part of the money stolen and returned it to the owners. The other part, she hid, and her father, Canton, and their group of criminal friends were none the wiser. Screw them. She had been so angry and hadn’t been able to defend herself against Canton, but in that moment, when she pulled off the hit for them and had the money, she felt empowered. So she sought her revenge by giving the money back and taking the other bit they didn’t know about. She hated Canton. Hated what he had done and in that moment she felt satisfied. Then those sensations disappeared and the pain, the betrayal ran rampant through her mind and didn’t seem to stop.
During the day while she taught class, something she loved with all her heart, none of those memories, the fear, the pain, existed. She focused on the children, their innocence, and her abilities of being a great teacher. This was her new life and she needed to protect it.
So why even now, in this time when she should be at peace and relaxing did she think of Canton?
Canton raped her and she couldn’t fight him off, couldn’t make him stop or leave her afterward as he held her in his arms, stroked her bare skin and whispered to her about the plans for their future where he controlled her every move. The feel of his large, hard hands against her skin, over the bruises he caused, made her shiver. She was so scared of Canton. More scared of him than anything. Above driving a rough, dangerous course, or jumping out of airplanes, or any scary rides, Canton she feared. If he got his hands on her again, he would make her suffer. He promised her things and she knew he would make those promises a reality.
That was why she disappeared, once she was able to walk without pain. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She took off, and they were surely pissed to find out she took the money with her and returned part of it. Was that a smart thing to do? Probably not, but in the moment it gave her a bit of revenge, made her feel like she got the last laugh, and that Canton would know what it felt like to be violated, tricked, used, and then left feeling like shit.
Yeah, she did what she had to. Anyone can judge her and her decisions all they wanted. She got free. She escaped abuse, further rape, assault, and was no longer a victim but a survivor. Screw them. She did what had to be done and then escaped. She got the last laugh though, and if her brother Channing knew he might not have been so eager to give her freedom to walk around like she did. He’d know the risk was greater. Should she tell him? No, if Canton or her father or any of their cronies showed up, she would disappear, taking any conflict and danger away from Channing and their friends, and start over again. Channing would look at her differently if she told him Canton raped her, hell, attacked her, put a gun to her throat, and hurt her so badly that it took days to recover and walk without full pain. Canton, you bastard. I hate you so much, yet fear you even more.
That’s why it was so important to protect her heart and to not make stupid decisions, no matter what she was feeling. Sure, Breaker, Scout, Lux, and Fort were good looking men, sexy, muscular, and definitely special, but her fears ran deep. Her battle wounds were unhealable, especially when it would come to intimacy with a man. She didn’t think she could ever let her defenses down. Just thinking about the feel of a man’s hard, large, strong hands caressing her delicate, soft skin and she shook with fear. Yet, how good would it feel to be held in a strong man’s arms and cared for and loved like what Cherokee had with her men? Spartan, John, Nolan, Hans, and Brye were as intense and tough as military men came. Yet Cherokee trusted them and let them into her heart. Mercy envied her in so many ways.
She thought about Scout, Breaker, Lux, and Fort. All Special Operations soldiers, all active duty, and she was pretty sure they were working on something now that could lead them to disappearing for a bit of time. Another reason not to let her guard down. A soldier’s girlfriend? Four soldiers to worry about, to fear that they could get hurt or killed in combat or on some mission? That wasn’t for her, either. She needed stability, certainty, hell, black and white. Who was she kidding? She wasn’t ready for any man.
She slowed down as she made it to the top of the hill. Catching her breath, she took in the sights and the sounds, and felt enthusiastic. She needed this. To take her mind off her fearful thoughts and nausea in
her belly from fear.
She sat on the top of the hill that overlooked the obstacle course. The bulldozers were creating the hills and jumps for the jeeps to race and maneuver starting next week. From here on out, for the next several weeks, drivers would be coming around from the surrounding counties to participate. The best of the best. The wildest daredevils around and a few men from Sons of Justice would be competing. She couldn’t help but feel that excitement and yearn for the days past when she participated in such events in New Jersey. But New Jersey was a long way from Texas.
She exhaled, raised her legs up to hug her knees. With the fun memories came the fearful ones. A time in her life when so many things became clear to her. The realization that happiness, security, and trust were things not all people got to have. Some had to live life with a shield over their hearts and souls, and even a chip on their shoulders to deal with not feeling emotion. Emotions, connections eventually caused pain. That was the bottom line.
She inhaled the scent of dirt, and wished to get behind the wheel and just drive. Hit the hills, the dirt obstacles with the pedal to the floor and just not give a shit about anything but speed and freedom. Tears filled her eyes. She had been an excellent driver. Was capable of handling everything from stock cars to four by four’s, jeeps, dune buggies, you name it and she drove the hell out of it. She missed that so much.
She may never get the opportunity again. Didn’t really need to engage in that sport any longer, especially because she had a different life to live, a cover profession, a teacher, a calm, quiet woman who minded her own business. She couldn’t take a chance of participating even under a fake name. If he was looking then he would find her. Both she and Channing and her life would once again be hanging by a thread, or over entirely.
She shivered with thoughts of what happened and then imagined Canton. His hands upon her. His belief that he owned her in every way, and of course those threats that were promises he could keep, even if he had to tie her down and beat his demands into her, or take from her body forcibly to get her to accept his demands and acknowledge his power over her.
“You do it, Mercy, or your dad suffers. It’s that fucking simple,” Canton yelled at her.
“I’m not doing it.”
“You’re the best damn driver we’ve got. It’s going to be tricky as hell getting out of there fast enough. You have to. You’re the best. The only one who can pull this off.”
“When we get caught, and I go to jail, then what? None of what I’ve worked for matters.”
“You aren’t going to get caught.”
“You said that the last time and it was too close for comfort. I don’t want to do this. You can’t make me.”
“This is different, Mercy. We need this hit. One more, and it’s over. You have no choice.”
“You said that the last time, and it was too close. I never asked to be part of this.”
“Your father needs you to be.”
She felt so sick to her stomach. Her father forced her into this. Into helping to rip off these places, the ticket booths at the racing events. This event had better security, and a gated entrance and exit. There was so much at risk. She gasped as Canton put the gun to her throat.
“I’ll kill him, your mother, and then I’ll kill you,” he threatened as tears spilled from her eyes. How did things go so badly? When had her father and her become trapped under Canton’s control and power? When had he stopped loving her? She had wondered and then she nodded her head.
“I’ll do it.”
Canton smiled, lowered the gun, put it down on the bed and then gripped her hips. He caressed her side, then up to her breasts, cupping them. She couldn’t stop him, fight him, or try to deny what he wanted.
She clenched her eyes and blinked through blurred vision at the obstacle course down below. Her life would forever be filled with fear. With worry that Canton would appear out of nowhere and want her back. Though she didn’t think he would waste time hunting her down. He got what he wanted, and her father did, too. She never expected to be sold out by her own father. She wanted to believe he was the man from her childhood. Channing had been right. Nothing mattered more to Gyles Slayer than money, his racing team, and first place wins. Nothing.
Thinking of Canton, his touch, his forcefulness, and larger, bulky, muscular body and she shivered. No amount of self-defense training, kickboxing classes, or attitude, would stop a man of his size and demeanor from taking what he wanted from her. From striking her and forcing upon her whatever he wanted. She feared him, and always would. Hell, she feared all men, letting them too close, letting them gain the upper hand. None could be trusted and that was why she was so angry at herself for letting Scout, Breaker, Lux, and Fort get close. Stupid, stupid, stupid. But, oh God, why was it okay to let them close, and other men she met she ran from? What made them so special? Why did she like when they were around?
She wiped the tears from her eyes and glanced over her shoulder as she sat on the hill. She needed to run back to her place, shower, and then visit Cherokee. What she hadn’t expected was the jeep with Lux and Fort Mills to show up right then and there. Why they took it upon themselves to try and watch over her, and act like guardians, she didn’t know, but she would never let them be guardians to her, or any other men for that matter. In fact, getting raped by Canton while her dad and the other men celebrated in the other room the night of the hit was enough to scar her heart and soul forever. If a girl can’t trust her father, then what man can she trust? None, and she needed to remember that.
* * * *
Lux Mills held onto the side rail of the jeep as his brother, Fort, slowed down the jeep. Mercy came into sight and as usual, his heart hammered inside of his chest and he took in the sight of her.
Tight black tank top, short black shorts, tan skin, abundant breasts, and her long dark brown hair was pulled back into a pony tail. As Fort brought the jeep to a stop, Lux locked onto Mercy’s light green eyes. They wanted to see her before they left for a mission. He didn’t know why, considering she always blew them off. Their eyes were set on her like no other. No one they knew made the four of them talk about potential guardianship and a future like she did.
Now that their commanders even made a commitment to one woman and claimed guardianship of Cherokee, it sort of condoned the possibilities that they, too, could make such a commitment. But was Mercy the one? Her stubbornness was a lot to handle.
“Hey, Mercy,” Lux said to her as she stared at them and then stood up. Her body was incredible, and she was petite and feminine, making that protective sensation simmer in his core.
“Morning,” she replied and shyly looked down and then back up at them.
“What are you doing way out here?” Fort asked her, joining them. She stared at him and then at Lux. The woman was so attractive and beautiful. He was hoping to work on spending more time with her, but now they were leaving for this job.
She glanced toward the hill.
“I like checking out the track as the machines prepare the obstacle course,” she said, using her hand to cover her eyes and block the sun. He could see her toned arms as well as how that move caused her full breast to peek out the side a little.
“It’s going to be a dangerous one this year. They’re saying the toughest challenge of them all,” Fort said.
“I heard. Well, I should get going before the sun gets even hotter.” She went to move, but Lux slid closer.
“Hold up,” he said, and then placed his hand on the rail of the jeep, trying to act casual but the sight of her and the sensations having her this close was unnerving.
“Heard you were going to the Filling Station tonight with Laci, Bo, Kendra, and Sam,” Lux said, and the thought had him instantly feeling concerned. Men would be flirting with her, that was for sure, but Mercy never flirted back, she always blew men off. Trying to keep a friendly conversation going with her was like pulling teeth, but he felt like he, Breaker, Scout, and Fort were doing a pretty good job being frien
ds first.
“I think that’s the plan, but you never know with them, they could want to change things up last minute.”
“Well we’ll be heading there with a few friends, we’ll meet up maybe,” Fort suggested, and she nodded very casually but then looked away. Whenever any of them indicated getting together, she reacted in the same way. She looked away, changed the subject, or gave a non-committal answer. It was starting to give him a complex and make Lux feel like he wasn’t good enough, good looking enough, or attractive to her.
“Maybe. I know it’s supposed to be pretty crowded,” she said to Lux and then glanced up at Fort.
“I’m sure we’ll find you. I can pick you out in a crowd real quick, Mercy,” Lux said and held her gaze. He noticed her cheeks blush and she tightened up and exhaled.
“I need to go. Enjoy the day,” she said and started walking away. Lux watched her. He took in the sight of her body, the swell of her ass in the short shorts, the toned arms and muscular back, and when she turned back to glance at him and Fort, he saw her abundant breasts in the tight-fitting top she wore. Her legs were sexy, too, and tan. He wondered if she would wear one of those short skirts and high heels, or maybe the cowgirl boots with a flair skirt that bounced against her hips and that ass. Every time she wore one of those, he watched. She was perfection.
“Looks like we scared her off again. I doubt she’ll even acknowledge us tonight,” Fort said and started walking back to the jeep.
Lux followed. “I think we should make sure she doesn’t blow us off or avoid us tonight. When she isn’t overthinking and just reacts, she gives away the attraction she feels for each of us.”
Sons of Justice 2 The School Teacher Page 2
