She was going to argue but one look at Si and something told her arguing would do nothing. These men did what they wanted. They were also trouble.
* * * *
“Try her again,” Burker said to Parker.
Parker hit the redial button on his cell phone. Still no answer or text reply from Eliza Grace. It was after midnight now, they were getting concerned.
“We need to do something,” Burker said as they stood in the kitchen waiting to hear from her. They heard from Tazer and Lynch two hours ago. The situation was intensifying now that suspicion of murder, forced prostitution and an organization that seemed to spread across several states was discovered. Some sick individuals were operating in public businesses, the back rooms of bars and other businesses. The logs and information they found with the owner of Clover’s connected him to two other places and simultaneous raids were being organized for the next several nights. It made Burker sick.
“She’s not answering. She could still be doing a shoot, or maybe her phone is off or on vibrate. She’ll get to it. She’ll remember that she promised to text or call us when she was leaving,” Parker said to him but Burker saw his expression. He was getting angry, concerned, especially after viewing the information about the young women being abducted then turned into prostitutes. Women who had low self-esteem or could be easily manipulated. They gathered through info from Agent Flours that the commander’s daughter was suffering from depression and had some situations with inappropriate behavior. They were beginning to think that she may have been coerced into being a prostitute. It was just a thought, but they wouldn’t know until she was found.
Suddenly Parker’s phone buzzed.
“Is it her?” Burker asked and moved closer. He saw the text message.
Sorry. Got caught up in work and almost forgot to text. On my way home now.
Why so late? Parker text back.
He didn’t get a response. Burker’s gut clenched.
“I don’t like this. Something is up. I feel it. She’s not being honest,” Burker said to him.
They waited for a text back.
A minute passed.
Driving. Talk tomorrow.
“Tomorrow? I don’t freaking think so. She is hiding something, or is upset. Something is wrong,” Burker said and he was getting angry now.
“You don’t know that. Maybe she’s just tired.”
“She is supposed to contact us and keep us posted on where she is. How can we be her guardians if she keeps pushing us away and holding back?” Burker asked. He ran his fingers through his hair. He was really getting more and more upset. He kept thinking about the case they were helping with. About the women who were taken and turned into prostitutes. They didn’t have anyone to watch over them, support them and encourage them to succeed in life. These predators took advantage of these young women and manipulated their minds. Hell, they beat them into submission and even drugged them from what the case was revealing.
“You need to calm down. She texted us.”
“You called her and she didn’t answer. Why didn’t she want to talk to you?” he asked Parker.
Parker squinted his eyes at him.
“We can’t go over to her place and wait for her. She could get scared. You saw how shy she is. We can’t overwhelm her.”
“Overwhelm her? What the fuck is going on here, Parker? I mean really? We’re grown fucking men. We take what we want when we want it. We go in when everyone else is too scared or when the danger is so high we’re told there’s a chance we may not make it. Here we are, falling for this petite, much younger, beautiful woman and we’re walking on fucking eggshells! Why?” he yelled and then grunted before storming out of the room. He couldn’t believe this. Other men found their woman and claimed her. Maybe they needed to ease into the ménage relationship and take their time, but this? This wasn’t them taking their time. He and his brothers were scared. Scared to start a relationship they knew would be serious. They never committed to one woman before. Sure, they wanted a relationship like this because of their jobs, their intense personalities, and hoped where one may lack the others would make up for it. But then he kissed her. He was finally able to place his hands on her waist, inhale her shampoo and he wanted more. He wanted to protect her, keep her close and make her smile.
It was insane.
He pulled off his shirt and turned on the shower. He needed to calm down. There was nothing he could do about her lack of response tonight. But tomorrow? Tomorrow was another story entirely.
Chapter 5
“Are you out of your mind?” Missy Ann exclaimed.
Eliza Grace shifted her position on the bench she sat on. They went for a run together and Eliza explained what she had really been up to on Wednesdays and Friday nights.
“No, I’m not kidding. I took your advice about the bucket list thing and about reaching for some goals and achieving them. Singing on stage at a place has been a big fantasy of mine.”
“But Luther’s? That place is crazy, and so big, and rowdy. People of all ages go there, including a bunch of college kids from the local universities. Is that why you decided to do it? To fight off this fear and the memories of those college guys and what they tried to do to you?” she asked.
Eliza thought about that a minute and then remembered what happened last night. She rubbed her arm and felt the light bruising. Thank goodness there wasn’t any indication or marks.
Missy Ann reached for her arm and looked. “What the hell happened? You keep rubbing your arm like it hurts.”
Eliza Grace leaned back and covered her face with her hands. “I’m an idiot. That’s what happened. I have been so damn busy trying to prove that I’m not scared, that I’m not weak or have low self-esteem, that I placed myself in an unnecessary predicament by singing there. In more ways than one.”
“What do you mean?” Missy Ann asked her.
Eliza Grace exhaled and then took a slug from the water bottle she was almost finished with.
“Well, let me explain.”
Eliza Grace told her about the audition, getting the job and about Si, Daville and Vic and the college guys who harassed her last night.
“They sound mysterious but like trouble,” she said to Eliza Grace.
“I got the same feeling and Luther, well, he like bows down to these guys. But last night, like I explained, their words, the way they looked at me, led me to believe they were hitting on me. I let my guard down for a little bit when those college guys grabbed me and the one grabbed my arm so tight.” She rubbed her arm.
“That’s understandable. You probably had flashbacks from college.”
“I did. Si acted very protective, and calmed me down and then I realized that I needed to get the hell out of there. Luther’s and that crowd aren’t my cup of tea. Despite how awesome it was to sing on stage and perform like that, I felt unsafe.” She looked away. “I thought about Parker, Burker, Lynch and Tazer and how protected and calm they make me feel.”
“Oh God, they’re going to flip when they find out about this. About those guys who hurt you and then Si and his two buddies. They’re already jealous as hell. Plus they’re your guardians, Eliza Grace. This isn’t good at all.”
“I know. I know, believe me I didn’t get much sleep last night and then felt guilty for not texting Parker on time. I was surprised that they weren’t outside my apartment building when I got home.”
“How about disappointed they weren’t there?” Missy Ann asked very seriously.
Eliza Grace gave a small smile as she stared at her hands. “That too.”
“Well, let’s process this situation and see where we stand. It’s not so bad because no one knows you performed there and it was only two nights. You can put it behind you as the before the Hayes brothers adventure. You won’t have to ever see Si, Vic and Daville or Luther again, so no big deal there.”
“Not entirely.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Si was at one of the sho
ots I was in. That’s how I recognized him the first time I performed at Luther’s and he was in the crowd. He’s friends with Clarissa.”
“Oh shit.”
“Exactly. I don’t know how close they are or if they do business together too, so hopefully it won’t affect my modeling jobs either.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Just wait and see what happens. I have a special shoot down by a marina somewhere with Kelly Monday and a very busy week of other shoots. I wouldn’t have had time to sing at Luther’s anyway,” she said and felt sad about it. Getting up on that stage had definitely helped with her confidence level, but once she was one on one or ganged up on, she reverted back to being fearful. She hated that.
“You really enjoyed singing there despite the other crap?” Missy Ann asked.
She looked at her best friend. “I did. It was so amazing, and people loved my voice and applauded and asked for more. It was so incredible, but I don’t think I can see myself singing like that and being in the spotlight all the time.”
“You’re in the spotlight in modeling too. I mean, look at all the people who saw the calendar.”
“Don’t remind me. The Hayes brothers were furious.”
Missy Ann chuckled. “But it led to them kissing you and you accepting their guardianship. It seems everything has a way of working itself out. You need to learn to trust them.”
“It isn’t easy.”
“I get that, but maybe you can look at this relationship, this attraction as sort of a challenge to yourself to learn to trust and build up that self-confidence.”
“I can’t see it being that way. They’re older and so commanding and in charge. I think another fear with them that I have is to become so submissive that I let them boss me around and make me do whatever they want to do. I don’t want to lose me, or what character I have as a person.”
“That’s silly. They like you for who you are.”
“Petite, shy, passive, easily scared? Is that what you mean?”
Missy Ann gave her a shove. “Get serious. You are not passive. You’re cautious, and your shyness is a positive character. Most models seem stuck up on themselves and self-absorbed. You worry about others and put them before yourself all the time. If you’re so worried about the Hayes brothers’ intentions then just ask them what they see in you and what it is they want.”
“And if they lie to me?”
“Then you took a chance. Life is about taking chances, not sitting still and letting it pass you by. Go out on a date with them. Spend some alone time with each of them and see how it goes. Or, just sleep with them. Maybe popping your cherry will build your self-confidence and loosen you up,” she teased.
“Oh yeah, wise guy, what about you?” she teased back.
Missy Ann smiled.
“Well, I guess when the time comes and the right man or men come along I’ll let you know. But for now, I’m thinking I should entertain some of my own fantasies and adventures, minus the creepy guys part, of course.”
“Of course,” Eliza Grace said then chuckled.
“So what do you have planned for the rest of the day? Want to grab lunch or something?” she asked Missy Ann.
“I have to go help Mrs. Parker with the kids. Gabby has an ear infection and she has to take her to the doctor and the other kids have a busy day with karate lessons and birthday parties. This was my time of relaxation and enjoyment. The rest of the day is going to be pure chaos.”
Eliza chuckled. “Well, she’s lucky that you’re always ready to help her out.”
“I have to. She’s like family and the kids are adorable. It’s not like I have a hot date or anything.”
“You’ll get that hot date. But be careful what you wish for.”
Missy Ann smiled and then hugged Eliza Grace goodbye.
“You sure you don’t want a ride back to your apartment?” she asked her.
“Yup. I can use the time to think and since I plan to relax on the couch the rest of the day, I know I’ll be munching on some bad stuff. I’m making room for the extra calories.”
She waved goodbye and then Eliza stretched out again and then turned on her iPod. She would make it home in about twenty minutes or so if she kept a good pace.
She was listening to the music and thinking about the upcoming shoot at the marina tomorrow. She hoped they didn’t try to convince her to wear a bikini. But she sensed Clarissa’s frustration with her. Now that she may or may not have upset Si and he was somehow friends with Clarissa, maybe she should consider saying yes. It wasn’t like she couldn’t have control over the type of bathing suit.
She felt uneasy as she turned to cross the road that led to the block that her small apartment building was on. She gasped when she saw the black SUV that was following her.
When the window rolled down she stopped. As soon as she saw Burker’s face she knew he looked angry.
“Didn’t you see us following you?” he barked at her. She shook her head.
He exhaled in annoyance. “Jesus, baby, you need to be more careful. We were following you for over two blocks. You never even knew it.”
“I’m sorry. I was listening to my music and thinking about work.” She felt stupid, and once again immature in his eyes.
“We’ll meet you at your place,” he said and then pulled ahead, maneuvering the SUV like some professional driver the way he zigged and zagged then parked between two other cars so fast and so perfectly she knew it wasn’t a normal ability.
She crossed the street and pulled out her ear buds then ran her hands down the tight spandex shorts she wore in black. She also had on a purple sports bra and matching purple tank top that hugged her breasts but flared out against her waist. The sides were cut low, revealing her sides.
“We tried calling you,” Parker told her as him and Burker exited the SUV. She looked to see if Tazer and Lynch were there too.
“Tazer and Lynch will meet us in an hour,” Burker told her, looking at her body with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He had such dark eyes, and big muscles that hid behind a black T-shirt today. He held her gaze as Parker held open the front door to the main entrance of the apartment.
“I don’t bring my phone with me. I ran to the park to meet Missy Ann. We ran a few times around the lake and then I ran back here,” she told them and then punched in the passcode to get upstairs. They followed her up and when she got to the hallway she walked down to the right. It was a corner apartment and pretty big. Kenneth had helped her find it.
She lifted her shirt up and then flipped the waistband of her shorts. As her fingers brushed over the key in the little square pouch she jumped when Burker’s fingers touched her skin.
“So that’s your secret hiding place?” he asked and she pulled the key out. Her hands were shaking as she tried to get the key into the door. Burker covered her hand as he pressed close to her.
“Let me,” he whispered and pushed the key in, turned it and the door opened.
She was in a panic. They were so sexy and masculine and they did this to her. They made her feel out of control, needy in every sense of the word.
She turned around and Burker was there. He pulled her into his arms and she held onto his forearms. “I’m all sweaty.”
“You look incredible.”
He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her deeply. He ran his hands along her waist to her ass and squeezed her to him. He was kneading her ass cheeks and kissing her when she felt the second set of hands on her sides go under her shirt. Parker.
She was locked between them and it felt so good, so right. But she was sweaty and maybe even smelly from her run. She began to pull back and Burker slowly released her lips.
“Don’t pull away from me.”
“From us,” Parker added.
She looked way up into Burker’s dark blue eyes. “I’m all sweaty though and maybe even smell,” she said and lowered her eyes.
Parker turned her around and pulled her snug against
him.
“You’re beautiful and we missed you.” He covered her mouth and kissed her.
So many thoughts went through her head, including what happened last night and how unsafe and scared she was. When Parker released her lips she hugged him tight. She squeezed him, wanting to pull all his security and strength into her and surround herself in it.
She felt Burker caress her back.
“You okay, sweetie?” Parker asked her. She needed to get a grip and slow things down a bit. She eased back.
“Definitely okay,” she said to him and Parker smiled. Burker had his hand on her hip behind her. He pushed her pony tail to the side and kissed her neck.
“We want to take you out to lunch. Meet up with Lynch and Tazer a little later when they get back from business,” he said and kissed her ear and then a sensitive spot on her neck. She closed her eyes and leaned back against him. When she felt his hard erection against her back her eyes popped open.
“Oh. Okay, that sounds nice but I need to shower first.”
“We’ll wait for you,” Parker said and glanced over her body.
“Uhm, like here, in my living room while I shower?” she questioned.
Burker ran his hand along her waist pulling her closer again. He gave her ass a tap and she was shocked at how much that little move excited her and aroused her.
“Baby, we’re your guardians. We’re here to protect you and soon we’ll be even more than that. Trust us.”
She started up into his eyes and blinked a few times.
“Burker, I’m just not used to this. Not used to men in my apartment, and definitely not while I’m showering and after we kissed the way we just did.”
“We could join you instead then,” Parker said to her and she was shocked as her eyes widened. But then he plopped down onto her couch and reached for the remote control. She felt Burker’s large hand caress back and forth over her ass and hip.
“We’re gentlemen. We’ll stay right here,” he said and then reached up and stroked her cheek with his finger, tilting her chin toward him.
“Unless you decide while you’re in the shower that you want company. Then we’ll come in,” he teased and winked.
Town of Chance: Believing in Love [The Dare Series 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 8
