by Jules River
Just then Faye sashayed into the room, “Hey you don’t mind if I put on a fight do you? I wanted to watch Rob Williams in his MMA fight tonight with Santiago Ramirez. I have money on this fight.” She turned on the large TV’s, and scrolled until she found the fight.
Mira and Lyra gave each other a ‘what the heck?!’ look before Mira asked Faye, “OK, so what’s the deal with you and this Rob guy? He kinda has a bad reputation, and since when did you start betting on fights?” Then in an overly dramatic, funny voice said, “It’s like I don’t even know you anymore.”
Faye giggled, “I knew you two would freak. I mean, look at him though, that’s a fine-looking man letting out some aggression right there,” as she pointed to him on TV. “Oh man, can he kiss. He asks me out all the time, he’s so sweet, and such a gentleman…” She saw the worried looks on her sisters’ faces, so she decided to stop making more out of it than there was and relieve their anxiety. “But I’m not feeling it. I like him as a friend. Oh, and his ex-girlfriend was crazy, she was beating on him, so rather than hurt her, he called the cops. She accused him of hitting her, so naturally he was the one taken to jail. She is now in a psych ward. He really is a nice guy. And he always wins, so he makes me money. You gotta love a man that’s so hot when he makes you money!” she laughed. “We’re just friends, but I do enjoy watching him fight.”
Lyra exclaimed, “Why didn’t you start with that?! We were worried about you. We know what a simpleton you can be sometimes, especially when it comes to men.” Trying to keep a straight face, she subtly stepped behind the sofa, putting distance between herself and Faye.
Mira almost spewed wine on the pretty cream-colored sofa at Lyra’s comment. Faye just gave Lyra a dirty look, then shrugged, admitting Lyra was not far off, before they all burst out laughing. Then they sat down to watch the fight with glasses of wine. They cheered and yelled during the fight, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
During the fight Lyra said, “Well, he really does have some mad skills, he’s nice to watch, I’ll give him that. He has a great body too.”
“Santiago’s not bad, either, look at all those tats on that muscled back. I’m not usually one for tattoos, but he sure wears them well,” Faye added.
An awed Mira exclaimed, “Yes, he does. Did you see how Rob kicked Santiago in the head with that jump-spin kick? That was impressive. Faye, friends would be good, but just friends, though. OK, Faye?” Faye and Lyra both laughed and nodded in agreement.
After the fight the sisters decided to get some much-needed rest, and went upstairs to bed. It had been a long day, and the next few days were going to be busy.
***
Cenric, who had been boiling, was somewhat less angered about Faye’s insistence the fighter was just a friend. None of the brothers were happy with the women taking so much pleasure at watching the fighters.
Having felt Cenric’s displeasure, Warin said, You would have no worries, Cen, you could take him with very little exertion.
Yes, brother, Warin is right. You have more brawn, and you are faster than him too, Dunstin assured him.
I know, my only concern was that she liked him, but she will like me much more, Cenric arrogantly stated. At least now we know they like big strong men who can fight, he added optimistically.
I am surprised that these women ogle men like this. They sounded like men talking. That must be part of women‘s equality we have heard them talk about on the news, Warin mused.
Yes, very polite men, Dunstin joked, causing them all to laugh.
***
The next morning Lyra walked into the office with her beautiful, long, bed-tousled hair, still in her little sleep shorts and fitted tank top, a cup of coffee in one hand, laptop in the other, and a bad attitude plastered all over her face. She sat down and started working away on her computer, sipping her coffee.
A few minutes later Mira came in, looking conservatively sophisticated with perfect hair, dressed in a slightly above-knee-length pencil skirt, a fitted cashmere sweater and heels, also carrying a cup of steaming coffee. She picked up her laptop, sat on the couch, started working, but never said a word to Lyra.
Shortly after that Faye came dancing in wearing fitted, low-rise yoga pants, a snug little half T-shirt showing off her flat tummy, hair a gorgeous curly mess, music blaring on her phone.
That’s all it took. Lyra jumped up with a snarl, snatched the phone away from Faye, turned off the music, stomped back over to her computer, and continued to work.
Faye yelled, with a frown on her face and hands on her hips, “Hey! Why did you do that?! I was dancing!”
Lyra gave Faye a long ‘Don't-make-me-smack-the-stupid-outta-you’ look, and growled at Faye, “Your loud, obnoxious dance music and your annoying dancing are a rude distraction first thing in the morning, while I'm trying to work!”
Faye did not take that very well. She walked up to Lyra, turned her music back on and started dancing in Lyra’s space. That’s when the shoving, sparring and yelling started.
After a few moments Mira could not take it anymore. Always the referee, she got up, walked between her sisters, handed Lyra her coffee, Faye her ear buds, and pointed in opposite directions.
Faye complained to Mira, “Can you believe her! She's so rude in the mornings!”
Mira just gave a quick laugh, “You’re the one who messed with her before she finished her first cup of coffee.” Which explained everything. Faye walked off mumbling about grumpy people with their coffee addictions.
***
The warriors quite enjoyed the morning show as well as the sisters as they worked in front of them most of the day. This was the best view they’d had since being turned to marble.
Warin watched Mira as she smiled when she spoke on the phone to clients. He loved the way she paced, the calm sway of her body, and her natural elegance. Her sisters looked to her for guidance, and she seemed to take care of them all. She had an inner beauty, as well as being gorgeous on the outside. Everything about her called to him. She belonged to him already; she just didn’t know it yet.
Cenric loved how laid back Faye always looked, her smooth way of moving, how she would just break out in dance or song at any moment. She was vivacious and energetic, and this often overflowed to her siblings. She was a happy, likable person. She was pure sensuality. He wanted her desperately.
Dunstin couldn’t keep his eyes off Lyra’s smooth, waist-length hair that she braided and unbraided repeatedly, and her constant circling of the room with such efficient movement. She was so organized, reserved, precise, uptight, a little standoffish, and she was sexy as hell. He could not wait to see her respond to him. He had an idea she would make him work for it, but he would have her.
Eventually Faye and Lyra left to shower and change, coming back looking just as professional and polished as Mira. On several occasions throughout the day each of the sisters wandered over to the warriors, stroked an arm, a face, or a chest, driving them crazy with want, but loving it just the same.
The next day played out similarly, except this time on one of Faye’s many dance breaks in the evening, all three of the women jumped up and danced. It was very sensual, as if they were each dancing just for their warrior.
Afterward the sisters laughed, hugged and had wine together, reminiscing. They spoke about their unique childhood and unconventional education. How much they enjoyed traveling all over the world with their father and oftentimes a tutor to archaeological sites. What wonderful skills they learned, such as Taekwondo in Korea, Latin in Rome, and how to prepare fine cuisine in France, to name a few. They also talked about how much they missed their father, how happy he would be that they were making progress on his life’s mission. Their conversation was a little sad, yet held an understated happiness, and contentment with where their lives had brought them.
The three warriors learned much about the three sisters in those few days.
Chapter 2
Mira and Faye prepared to fly out in search of th
e remaining two weapons. First on the list was the silent auction in Brussels. While Lyra waited at the castle for their computer equipment to be upgraded, she caught up on family business and continued looking for leads to the missing axe and sword.
Much of their antiquities business could be done via email or phone, using private couriers when dealing with reputable establishments. Fortunately, their father had been well-established before his death, and the sisters had been immersed in every aspect of the trade from a very early age. They were very good at their jobs, and their business was extremely successful. But when dealing with unknowns in the antiquities business or with outright black markets, it just had to be done in person, and could oftentimes be dangerous. That is why they used ex-military for security from the same reputable company each time they needed extra protection, which lately turned out to be more often than they preferred.
After the slightly obscene expense of purchasing the castle and its contents, which included an extensive collection of rare paintings and statuary as well as the warriors, the sole reason for the purchase, the business needed tending. Lyra was thinking ahead and working on replenishing their funds; she had a feeling they were going to need it to complete this endeavor.
Mira, Faye, and Lyra had coffee together that morning in the the seating area of the office. They could not keep from glancing at the statue while they discussed a plan on how to handle the shady people who would be at the auction in Brussels. This one was not exactly on the up-and-up, being held by a private collector who dealt mainly in black-market merchandise.
The sisters needed a plan to outbid the competition, which they expected to be fierce, and to get out in one piece with the weapon intact, if this truly was the sword they were seeking. Once they had a solid plan of action, Mira and Faye left for Brussels, hugging Lyra goodbye.
After Lyra’s sisters left she changed into yoga pants and a tank top, pulling her long hair in a high ponytail that hung almost to her waist. Once back in the office, she immediately started making calls to various clients regarding consignments for specific pieces they had acquired and were ready to ship. This was relatively fast and somewhat easy money for them.
After hours of phone and computer work, Lyra needed to stretch; she was very tense with her sisters going to this particular auction. Being in the same room with the statue was calming, yet somewhat unsettling at the same time. It seemed to draw her eye constantly, beckoning Lyra to touch it reverently, to seek its nearness.
Lyra was waiting for an important call, so rather than go to the gym for a workout, she sat on the plush Persian rug in the middle of the office and began to stretch her tense muscles. She started with splits in both directions, then worked her way through a series of yoga poses that concluded with the extended scorpion pose, which always calmed her mind as it stretched her spine.
After she meditated a bit, Lyra walked over to the statue, to Dunstin in particular; she didn’t know his name, but this warrior always drew her attention. Studying his hard, beautiful face closely, she ran her hand up and down his arm, and began to wonder aloud, “What were you like? What could you have done to be cursed, if you even were? If we can, should we set you free? Were you bad men who deserved to be turned to stone?” After a few more moments in thought, and frankly just admiring him, Lyra turned to leave the office. She needed to change and eat lunch, and be ready for the tech team that would arrive that afternoon.
***
Dunstin was not the only one enthralled with the sensual woman stretching and moving before them. It had been years since they had been in the same room with a woman so young and vibrant and to see her do something so beautiful and graceful was too tempting not to watch.
Dunstin told them, You had better not be watching her! I have staked my claim for her. All the while knowing they could not help but watch either. When she came over and touched him, and looked at him like she did, it was wonderful torture, but her words unsettled him. He was certain his brothers were disturbed, too, and they confirmed it when Cenric said, I hope they do not have second thoughts about freeing us.
Warin responded, They are very smart women; their thorough plans for this evening prove that. They would research our history if they have doubts. They will set us free. Have faith, brothers.
***
After lunch Lyra went back to the office. The computer technicians who arrived were two handsome men around her age, and they could not take their eyes off Lyra. They also could not help but flirt with her as they installed the new equipment. By the time they were finished she knew Killian and Werther were native to Hamburg. They were fresh out of college and handsome in a boyish kind of way, but not nearly so appealing as the men in the statue. Lyra enjoyed flirting as well as the next woman, when she had the time and inclination. This was one of those days.
Killian, the taller and more brazen blond, put on the charm when he asked Lyra, “It is Ms. Banks isn‘t? Please don’t break my heart, and tell you are married or something like that.”
Lyra glanced sideways at them and gave a slight laugh, “Oh, come on. No, I am not -- yet.” She flirted back, “Why? Are either of you married?”
Werther, the darker, stockier tech, spoke up, “I could be, if you would go out with me tonight.”
Lyra gave them a pouty face, “Aw, sorry, I’ll be too busy for a while. I’m here strictly on business.”
“Come on, beautiful, surely you could find some time to go out with us?” Killian begged sweetly.
“What do you do for fun around here anyway? What would going out with you entail?” she asked, genuinely interested.
“We like to dance and drink at the clubs. You would have fun, we would make sure you did,” Werther assured her.
“I can tell you are a wonderful dancer, you should join us,” Killian praised.
“Really, and how can you tell?” Lyra asked.
“You have a dancer’s sexy body and you move so beautifully.”
Lyra was not sure she wanted to encourage them, even though they were cute and probably would be fun to hang out with. She could not keep from glancing at the statue while she contemplated their offer, before she decided, “No, I am way too busy, I’m working under a deadline,” she fibbed.
“At least let us exchange numbers in case you change your mind,” Werther suggested as a compromise.
“All right, that I can do.” Lyra leaned over the desk as she reached for her phone. She happened to glance in the mirror as she did, only to see both guys as they completely checked out her bottom. She just rolled her eyes, and thought about the ‘bend-and-snap move’ from “Legally Blonde,” then chuckled to herself, before she turned with a broad innocent smile on her lovely face and looked back to them, watching as they practically wiped the drool from their chins. She entered their numbers into her phone, and they urged her to call them if she needed anything.
Once they left, Lyra chuckled, “That was fun.” Smiling, she immersed herself in work once again. Even though Lyra was the least approachable of the sisters, she still had men hitting on her wherever she went. Sometimes when men flirted with her it was a bit annoying, but other times, like today, it was just plain fun.
***
Dunstin was enraged the entire time those boys were there. He had to watch Lyra flirt back while they made advances toward her, and stripped her naked with their lust-filled eyes. He was relieved she did not accept their offer to go out. If he were not a statue, they would have known Lyra belonged to him. She would not need their phone numbers. When he was freed, he would make sure she did not flirt with anyone but him. The way she looked toward him before she declined to go out with them, made Dunstin think she already had an idea that she belonged to him. That thought appeased him somewhat.
Cenric could not help but further torment his brother, Looks like Lyra likes to tease. I hope you’ll be able to handle her. And Warin teased, she’s a handful.
Shut up, was Dunstin’s grumpy reply. Don’t think you two will have it any e
asier with her sisters. Do you think men will not act the same way around them? Do you think they do not flirt as well? That effectively put Warin and Cenric in bad moods as well.
***
Mira and Faye walked into the silent auction, stopping at the top of the four sweeping steps that lead into the intimate ballroom. They stood gazing over the small gathering a moment. They took note of the competition, the glass display cases along the walls that held the items to be auctioned, waiters who carried trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres. They found the host and his personal bodyguards, and identified the rest of the heavily armed security circulating around the room.
Faye commented, “Looks like the usual rough crowd we were expecting.” Mira responded, “So far, no real surprises. Let’s hope it stays that way. There are a few new faces, as predicted.”
Getting out would not be the problem, but getting home with the treasure and virtue intact was always an issue. The sisters loved to dress up, and they did not go unnoticed as they made their appearance on the landing in sleek, fitted designer gowns enhanced with beadwork. They were stunning, long curly hair perfectly in place, plunging necklines exposing copious amounts of cleavage, extreme slits showing off toned legs in sky-high heels.
There was not a man in the room who did not stop to look them up and down with want in his eyes. Mira and Faye were quite a distraction in a room filled with many more men than women. The men in that room may have worn tuxedos, but they were no gentlemen. They were sharks who took what they wanted, either by fair means or foul.
But Mira and Faye were always discreetly armed. Jeweled dagger-like clips decorated their long hair, and small throwing knives were attached to straps on their upper thighs. They knew how to use the tiny weapons and were not afraid to do so if necessary. Their security team waited just outside the ballroom in the corridor, on alert for signs of trouble.
