Dangerous Territory

by Becca Van

  He was leaning against the truck with Lily in his arms waiting for her momma and Maddox to finish up inside. While he and Haden had been securing their load, Sammy had been cleaning the apartment while Maddox had kept Lily entertained.

  The little girl was such a joy, and he couldn’t wait to have kids of his own. Lily had already burrowed under his skin and into his heart, and if Sammy decided to be with them, he wanted to adopt her. He just hoped that Sammy would agree. Logan knew he wouldn’t need to ask Maddox and Haden the question about their thoughts on adopting Lily. He could see that they were just as enamored of her as he was.

  However, he was worried about the ex. Even though Sammy had told them that Lily’s father hadn’t wanted anything to do with her, he’d feel much better if the asshole had no rights over the sweet little girl at all.

  When Sammy stepped out the front door, he pushed his thoughts aside, turned, and placed Lily into her brand-new car seat. Haden had been given strict instructions to buy the best of the best and had followed through. It would be his turn to get the safest baby bed and the best single bed a little princess could ever want. While he hadn’t been around many kids, he wasn’t stupid or oblivious to what type of things little girls liked.

  “All set?” he asked.

  Maddox nodded before climbing into the driver’s seat.

  He turned to Sammy, held her waist, and lifted her into the truck.

  “Thanks,” Sammy said breathlessly.

  “Anytime, honey.” Logan smiled when she blushed and helped her put her seat belt on. He hurried around the truck and got in next to Lily.

  He couldn’t wait to start the rest of his life with Sammy and Lily.

  * * * *

  Sammy sighed with relief as she put the last of her and Lily’s things away. Not that they had much, but she hated change. So did Lily. Sammy always seemed to get stressed when she was faced with doing something different, but she suspected that was because of Todd. He had been almost OCD with the way things should be placed in his house, and whenever anything wasn’t where it was supposed to be, he went off on a yelling tangent.

  Sammy began to wonder if Todd had been a little unstable to begin with but had somehow managed to hide it from her. She gave a shrug.

  What does it matter? Hopefully, Lily and I will never have to see that abusive loser again.

  Lily was currently sitting on the bed with pillows around her so she wouldn’t fall off, quietly playing with her baby doll. Sammy had picked the doll up at a yard sale, and after giving it a thorough wipe down with disinfectant and washing the doll’s clothes, she’d given it to Lily for her third birthday. Lily had been over-the-moon happy with her new baby. Her daughter had spent hours whispering and hugging it as if it were a real baby.

  Sammy was glad that she’d found it and didn’t care that it had been another little girl’s doll before it had become Lily’s. Just because she hadn’t been able to afford new or the latest and greatest of everything didn’t mean Lily was missing out.

  “Momma, me and baby hunry.”

  “Hungry.” Lily only dropped her g’s when she was tired.

  “That’s what I said.” Lily frowned at her.

  “How about we go and wash up and then get some lunch?”

  “Yes please.” Lily scooted to the edge of the bed after shoving a pillow aside, but before she could roll onto her stomach to slide down to her feet, Sammy lifted her into her arms.

  After taking Lily into the bathroom where they both washed their hands, they walked to the kitchen. Just as Sammy opened the fridge, Logan entered the kitchen.

  “Lohan,” Lily cried.

  “Hey, munchkin,” Logan said as he sank to his knees and opened his arms wide. Lily ran toward him, barreling into his chest with a little oomph. “We put evrifin’ away.”

  “You’ve been a busy girl. Who’s your friend, Lily?” He nodded to the doll she had tucked under her arm.

  “This is Shellie.”

  “That’s a pretty name.”

  Lily nodded and pulled out of Logan’s arms. “Do you want some lunch? Momma is making me a sanwitch.”

  “Why don’t I help your mom? Maddox and Haden are going to want lunch, too.”

  “’Kay.”

  Sammy wondered if the men knew when they were being talked about because Maddox and Haden entered the house from the back porch, through the glass sliding door.

  “How are my two best girls?” Haden said as he washed his hands at the sink.

  “We’re good,” Sammy replied.

  Logan helped Sammy make a pile of sandwiches, a pot of coffee, and a plate of cut-up fruit.

  They sat at the dining room chatting about what work needed to be done around the ranch while they ate. Sammy listened while keeping an eye on Lily—who was sitting on a cushion next to her—but frowned at him when she saw him give his brothers the thumbs-up. Logan had no idea how they were going to sneak the new crib and single white-and-brass girl’s bed into the house without her seeing, but it was his job to keep Sammy out of the way until everything was set up.

  He was hoping to get a taste of their woman just like his brothers had.

  * * * *

  Todd was so full of rage he could barely contain it. He’d lost everything, and it was all that slut’s fault. Living on the streets was the pits, but at least he didn’t have a bitch or a kid screaming the house down all the time. He’d sold what little he could to get money to spend on booze, but he’d gone through that way too quickly. He’d thought about holding up a bank, but he didn’t have a gun or the means to buy one. He’d even resorted to eating at a soup kitchen last night and had thought of going to a shelter, but he’d vetoed that idea. There was no way he’d be able to sleep since he’d be worried about being stabbed in the back or someone pilfering his stuff.

  He’d meandered the streets all night long, too scared to lie down and sleep. He’d hopped a train when no one had been looking, sitting on the bench seat for hours on end, trying to figure out what to do next. Calling on his workmates and so-called friends were out. It was as if he’d become a leper now that he was no longer working. His “buddies” wanted nothing to do with him, but that was fine as far as he was concerned. People like that weren’t worth hanging around. All they did was use you and spit you out when they were done, just like his fucking ex had done.

  As he ambled along the streets as New York City came to life, he kept to the shadows and didn’t make eye contact with anyone. The few times he’d seen someone glancing at him, they’d quickly looked away, passing him by as if he didn’t even exist. Well, he did exist. He was alive and breathing, and he was going to stay that way.

  He thought about the kid he’d supposedly fathered. From what he’d seen, the screaming bitch didn’t look anything like him, but she was the spitting image of her slut of a mother. He’d had no idea she was thinking of leaving him or had the courage to walk out the door. Todd thought he’d had her under his thumb, in his control, but he’d been wrong. The cunt had more balls than he’d given her credit for.

  He wondered where she was and what she was doing. Was she fucking another man? Was another guy putting his hands and mouth on his property? He shook his head. No guy would be stupid enough to want her with the excess baggage she had in tow. No man would want to be with his ex since she had a kid to someone else.

  Would they?

  He shook his head again. He wouldn’t take on someone else’s brat, so why should anyone else?

  A leaf of newspaper quivered on the breeze, lifted into the air, and wrapped around one of his legs. With a growl of ire at the world and his circumstances, Todd bent over, grabbed the piece of paper, and was about to rip it to shreds, but he hesitated when he saw a photo of three women. One of the bitches in the background was very familiar. He blinked and then looked at the paper again. Blinked once more and then began to read. His belly fluttered with excitement as he read the article over twice. There was no way he’d mistake the slut’s face with anot
her woman. Not with those big, deceiving innocent blue eyes. It didn’t matter that her body was partially obscured by one of the other cunts. All that mattered was that he knew where she was.

  It looked like his bitch had landed on her feet. If she was working, then she’d have money.

  Todd smiled for the first time in two days. It had been two long months since he’d been kicked out of the rental he used to share with the slut.

  A plan began to formulate as he folded the newspaper up and slipped it into the pocket of his dirty jeans. He was going to hop on a train and head to Colorado. Once he got there, he’d scope things out and find out where the cunt was hiding.

  Then he was going to make his move.

  * * * *

  Sammy wondered where the men had gone but shrugged off her curiosity. As soon as they’d finished eating lunch, they’d stood and headed toward the front of the house with a distracted wave. Lily was sitting on the floor talking to Shellie. Since she was happy enough and occupied, Sammy collected the dirty dishes and started cleaning up. Once everything was loaded in the dishwasher, the counters and table were wiped down, she gazed into the fridge and freezer, trying to decide what to cook for dinner. Logan, Maddox, and Haden worked hard and would want a hearty meal when they came in later.

  Sammy decided on a pot roast since there was already a fresh hunk of beef in the fridge. As she prepared everything and put the meat on to slow cook, she hoped the brothers didn’t have plans for the beef.

  She prepped the vegetables, placing them in a bowl full of water so they didn’t brown and spoil and then covered it with a clean dish towel.

  When she noticed that Lily was no longer talking to her doll, she moved around the counter to see what her baby was up to. She couldn’t help the smile that curved her lips up when she saw that her daughter was sound asleep on the cold tiles, Shellie cuddled to her chest.

  Sammy knelt down and was just about to lift her baby from the floor but startled when a large hand landed on her shoulder.

  “Let me get her for you, honey,” Logan said.

  While Sammy was quite capable of lifting and carrying Lily, she appreciated the help. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome, Sammy.”

  Logan gently scooped Lily up into his arms and against his chest. Tears sprang to her eyes when he kissed her baby softly on the head. Every time the men interacted with her and Lily, the feelings she harbored in her heart grew stronger. They were such wonderful, loving men, and she was tempted to accept their offer of being in a relationship with them. All her worries about them getting frustrated with Lily drifted away.

  Maddox, Logan, and Haden had the patience of Job. She wanted to grab hold of them and never let go, but she was scared of jumping in without looking. Logan gained his feet without jostling Lily at all, and then he started walking toward the bedrooms. She followed behind, wanting to make sure her baby was comfortable and settled for her afternoon nap.

  Logan paused in the doorway to the bedroom Lily had been using, blocking her entry and her view, but she frowned when she heard what sounded like scurrying and rustling. She was about to ask him what the holdup was, but then he stepped forward and to the side.

  Sammy gasped when she saw the room. The queen bed was no longer. In its place was white crib along one wall and the prettiest single bed she’d ever seen. It had four posts and brass knobs, but the frame was a high-gloss white. There was a colorful plaque in the center of the headboard with a fairy princess, and a rail had been added to the length of the outside so that Lily couldn’t roll out and hurt herself.

  This time when the tears welled and flowed, there was no stopping them. She covered her mouth to stifle the sob so she wouldn’t wake Lily up. When she turned toward Logan, she finally noticed that Maddox and Haden were leaning against the wall that separated the room and hall on either side of a white dresser with a mirror. There was even a tiny padded pink cushioned stool for her daughter to sit on if she wanted to.

  She dropped her hand from her mouth. “I can’t believe…” Another sob caught her unaware.

  Maddox shoved from the wall, walked toward her, and pulled her into his arms. She inhaled through her nose, almost moaning as his citrusy scent seemed to wrap around her just like his arms did. “Get Lily settled and then come out to the living room.”

  Sammy nodded and went to draw away, but he tightened his arms around her, whispering, “I was talking to Logan, baby.”

  “Oh.” She blinked up at him, clearing the moisture from her eyes. His blue-eyed gaze softened as he stared into her eyes. Sammy felt as if she were drowning in those darker hued pools. Her body decided that it was a good time to respond to the heat and manly sexiness emanating from him. Her heart rate sped up, causing her chest to rise and fall faster. Her breasts swelled, and her areolae contracted at the same time her nipples hardened. Her clit began to pulse as it engorged and cream leaked out onto her folds and panties.

  Sammy didn’t even realize she was clutching Maddox’s T-shirt in white-knuckled grips until he placed his hands over hers and unfurled her fingers.

  Heat suffused her cheeks as she stepped back and lowered her arms to her sides.

  “You have nothing to be sorry for, honey,” Logan said as he came up behind her.

  She spun around, stepped to the side, and stared at Lily. She looked so small and fragile in the big single bed, but she also looked comfortable. Logan had removed her little shoes as well as her socks. They were sitting just under the bed near the end of it. He’d also pulled up a light throw rug with a picture of Elsa from Frozen on it. Tears formed again. She had no idea how the three men had known that the Disney movie Frozen was Lily’s favorite, but somehow they’d figured it out.

  “Lily’s fine, sweetheart.” Haden moved to her side and slung an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s head out and leave her to sleep.” He held up a portable radio then pointed at the white bedside table between the crib and the bed. “We’ll be able to hear her if she wakes up.”

  Sammy was amazed that three bachelors had known what was needed to take care of a toddler. An image of them cradling their baby, one after the other, flashed across her mind. Maddox, Haden, and Logan would be spectacular fathers. They would dote on any child they had, no matter who the mother was.

  A deep-seated yearning settled into the pit of her gut and into her heart. Sammy’s biological clock started ticking with a vengeance, and the only way she’d ever have another baby was if she had sex.

  Imagining these three men touching and kissing her, making love to her, had the blood coursing through her veins heating. The physical attraction between them and her was blazing hot, but there was also an emotional bond forming. Sammy had never met men like Haden, Logan, and Maddox.

  She was very, very tempted to say yes and to hell with the consequences. Children were resilient and bounced back from heartache faster than an adult would.

  Was it worth the risk to her and Lily to say yes to the earlier proposal of being with three men?

  There was only one way to find out.

  Chapter Seven

  Haden guided Sammy to the living room and placed the baby intercom on the coffee table after seeing her seated. He dropped down onto the cushion next to her, and Maddox sat on her other side. Logan frowned his way as he sat in the armchair.

  Sammy sucked in a ragged breath, drawing his gaze. “Thank you all, so very, very much. I can’t believe you bought Lily new bedroom furniture and a crib.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

  “We know you did your best and will continue doing so for Lily, baby, but there was no way in hell we were letting her sleep in the baby bed she’d been in,” Maddox said. “We’re not trying to make you feel bad, like you’re an unfit mother or anything, but the crib was on its last legs and so was the bed you had.”

  Sammy nodded. “I know. The bed had borers, but it was all I could find and afford.”

  Logan waved his hand in the air. “You don’t need to
worry about that anymore, honey.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t pay you back right now, and it’s going to take me some time to earn enough to pay in increments.”

  “Stop right there, Sammy,” Maddox ordered, his hand in the air in the classic “stop” sign. “We don’t want your money, baby. We have more than enough of our own.”

  “That’s not the point.” She lifted her chin and crossed her arms over her chest. “I always have and always will pay my own way.”

  “Fuck, you’re stubborn,” Logan snapped.

  She turned her scowl Logan’s way and nodded. Then met Maddox’s brother’s eyes before looking back at Haden. There was no way she could refute Logan’s statement because she was stubborn with a capital S. However, she didn’t seem to care, and he had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from smiling. Sammy didn’t look as if she were going to back down. Haden admired her spunk and her honesty, even if she was admitting to having flaws, but then again, who didn’t?

  He knew she’d always worked and paid her and Lily’s way. He’d picked that up from a few things she’d said. Probably paid for everything when she was with that asshole, too. That was something he was itching to find out, but now wasn’t the time.

  Haden couldn’t understand how a man could treat a woman like shit, beat her, ignore his own child, and threaten to kill them. He had a bad feeling that the fucker was a sociopath. Either way, he definitely had a few screws loose. Pushing his thoughts aside as he watched the stare off between Sammy and Logan, since she’d turned to glare at his brother again, he wondered if either of them would back down. Logan was as stubborn as a mule when he set his mind on something, but then so were he and Maddox. If Sammy agreed to be with them, he could see that things around the ranch would never be dull.