The Choice

by Shayla Black

  Beck and Seth would both be here. How would she juggle her time between them?

  As she tried to imagine, Raine appeared in a gorgeous red dress that made her cool, pale complexion absolutely glow. By comparison, Heavenly felt dowdy in the hodgepodge dress she’d stitched together from a bolt of floral fabric she’d been saving for a rainy day, the lace she’d torn off a second-hand dress, and a pattern her mother had left behind years ago.

  “I’m so excited!” Raine squealed, then clapped her hands. “And Hammer has no idea! Liam kept him busy all day, with a little help from Pike. Creating an emergency fire at his, um…office was a stroke of genius.”

  Heavenly was amazed the woman had pulled off a party of this size with one of her lovers none the wiser. “He’ll be thrilled.”

  Suddenly, River sidled up and raised a friendly hand to Heavenly. “Hi. Good to see you again.”

  “You, too.”

  Raine grinned his way. “There’s the porn star of the hour.”

  “Okay, don’t remind me how low I stooped to help you, storm cloud. Every time I think of that woman, I throw up a little in my mouth.”

  Heavenly frowned. If she didn’t know the whole story already, she’d be thoroughly confused. But she’d been hearing about his exploits all day.

  River pulled at the back of his neck. “But just for you, I took one for the team and cozied up to Hammer’s nemesis until she admitted all her accusations were bullshit. You’re welcome.”

  “Thank you.” Raine wrinkled her nose. “Now make me feel better and tell me she was a lousy lay.”

  “Well, after years in Afghanistan, any sex is better than no sex, but if I had to rate her? Terrible,” he confirmed. “I don’t know how Hammer ever voluntarily fucked her.”

  “Me, either.” Raine shuddered. “Watching Dean arrest her was one of the best things ever.”

  “No doubt.”

  “We’re never this mean,” Raine assured Heavenly, placing gentle fingers on her arm. “But this bitch deserves it for lying in an attempt to put Hammer in prison for the next few decades.”

  Heavenly couldn’t disagree. “Yes, and everything ended well.”

  “Perfectly,” Raine chimed. “And we’ll have a great time celebrating Hammer’s birthday, too. I’ll enjoy ribbing him about being an old man.”

  “How old?” It was a nosy question, but it hadn’t escaped Heavenly’s notice that at least a decade gaped between Hammer and Raine. They made it work. She sometimes wondered if Beck’s hesitation with her had been their age difference.

  “He’s thirty-five.”

  And she already knew Raine would be twenty-four in June. Heavenly herself would be twenty-three in a month…

  She bit her lip. “Do you know how old Beck is?”

  Raine cocked her head. “He didn’t tell you?”

  “We’ve never talked about it.”

  “He turned thirty-six in November.”

  Older than she’d imagined, but still young enough that she didn’t care. She loved every moment she spent with the charismatic doctor.

  “And in case you’re wondering, Seth will be thirty-two in July.”

  Heavenly shrugged. “Age doesn’t matter. I was just curious.”

  “Good.” Raine took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “If Beck is dating you, he’s decided it doesn’t matter to him, either. And Seth… Well, if you weren’t around, I suspect he’d be on a plane back to New York tomorrow. But he hasn’t mentioned leaving. In fact, when he flew in this time, he brought a couple of suitcases, like he’s intending to stay for a while.”

  Heavenly put a palm over her tummy, trying to calm the rioting butterflies inside. “They’ll both be here tonight.”

  “Yep. And they’ll both be on you like white on rice.” River grinned. “This is going to be interesting.”

  She glanced Raine’s way, slightly panicked. “What do I do?”

  “You really want my advice?”

  “Think twice about listening to her,” River quipped. “She’s a shit-stirrer.”

  Raine elbowed him in the gut. “I am not. I just want Heavenly to enjoy the party…and be happy.”

  “Is that why you left me alone to ‘make coffee’ when Seth dropped in the other day?” Heavenly returned.

  The smile on Raine’s face only widened. “It worked, didn’t it?”

  Heavenly couldn’t dispute that.

  “You want to drive them insane?” River asked.

  Did she? On the one hand, she didn’t want strife, especially at Hammer’s party. On the other, the woman in her shivered at the thought of being sexy enough to command their focus. “Maybe. I don’t know.”

  “That’s a yes,” River corrected, then looked at Raine. “She needs to show more skin.”

  “Agreed.” The brunette looked her over critically. “Are you wearing any makeup?”

  “Just mascara and lip gloss.” The truth was, Heavenly couldn’t afford more.

  Raine glanced at her phone. “We’ve got about thirty minutes before everyone starts arriving. Can you run interference for me until then, big brother?”

  A wide smile transformed River’s mouth. “You got it.”

  Raine took Heavenly’s hand and tugged. “Come with me.”

  Thirty minutes later, Heavenly stood in front of Raine’s full-length mirror, gaping at the changes. The expert makeup applied with a light hand made her eyes a vivid blue. Loose curls bounced in her hair. But those weren’t the only changes. She now wore a taupe-colored shift. It was simple enough—spaghetti straps that gave way to a V between her breasts, accentuated by matching satin trim that exposed a hint of cleavage. The nearly transparent fabric flowed with the curve of her waist and hips, then ended with a simple hem mid-thigh. No lace. No embellishments. Not even a bra. The garment was barely darker than her skin. Strappy sandals aside, she looked—and felt—almost naked. “Wow.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Raine nodded vigorously. “Beck and Seth are going to lose their minds.”

  She more than liked the sound of that, and this dress definitely made her feel like a woman. Sexual. Daring. And it was a thrill. The church frock she’d worn here would never have done that.

  “And keep that dress,” Raine said. “It looks way better on you.”

  “I can’t take your—”

  “You’re not,” Raine assured. “I’m giving it to you for a good cause. Trust me… You’ll definitely have their attention tonight.”

  “Thank you.” At least Heavenly hoped she would end up grateful.

  “You’re welcome. Now, let’s find a test subject.” Raine tugged on her hand again.

  “What?”

  The woman didn’t answer, merely led her down the stairs to where River waited at the bottom.

  He let out a long whistle. “Damn. I hope that dress absorbs drool, because they will definitely be salivating tonight.”

  Heavenly felt a familiar telltale blush steal across her face.

  Behind them, the front door opened, and guests started tiptoeing in quietly, careful not to alert Hammer. Raine motioned with a finger over her red lips, then pointed to the backyard. Heavenly recognized almost no one, not the older couple, nor the fifty-something man with the salt-and-pepper beard who looked like a shark in a suit. She vaguely recognized the guy with the pitch-black hair and the brow stud from her date with Beck at the gallery. He gave her a long once-over and a leering grin, not making any attempt to hide the fact he was adjusting whatever was behind his zipper.

  River punched him in the arm. “Don’t be a pig, Pike. She looks pretty.”

  “She looks fuckable,” the new guy corrected, then slanted a come-on her way. “So if you’d like to get fucked, I’m your guy.”

  No. Not with him. Never.

  Raine rolled her eyes. “She’s already got takers.”

  Pike scoffed. “I’m not worried about Beck. I can run circles around him, sweet cheeks.”

  “Scram.” Raine shooed him toward the back door.
/>   Reluctantly, he went, and Heavenly blinked after him. “How do you know him?”

  Suddenly, Raine wouldn’t meet her gaze. “He, um…works with Hammer. The older guy with the beard is Sterling, Macen’s lawyer, and…”

  Over the next few minutes, the woman slipped into hostess mode, introducing her to whomever came through the door. Then an older, elegant woman trekked down the stairs. Heavenly knew Liam’s parents had been staying with them, and she saw the resemblance between the Irishman and his mom immediately.

  “Heavenly, this is Bryn O’ Neill.”

  “Hi.” She stuck her hand in their direction. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Ah, so you’re Heavenly. Lovely to meet you, too.” Liam’s mother shook her hand, her gentle Irish lilt soft in the air, then turned to Raine with a smile. “No wonder Kenneth and Seth are tied up in knots.”

  “Oh, I don’t think—”

  “Of course they are, dear. You’ll need to make the choice sooner than you’re prepared for…and it won’t be precisely as you imagined.”

  River leaned in. “Bryn always talks in riddles. You get used to it, and I’m told it will make sense…eventually.”

  “It will,” Raine assured. “Liam’s mom is psychic.”

  Were they serious? They must be. No one was laughing.

  Bryn wagged a finger at River. “Don’t think your time isn’t coming. ’Twould be best if you made friends with Pike now.”

  River scowled. “That asshole? I’d rather dig my way to China with a toothpick.”

  “Men. Always so determined to do everything the hard way.” Bryn tsked, then turned back to Heavenly. “Dear, you needn’t be worried. Everything will come out in the wash, even the bits you’d rather not air. But so many around you care deeply. Don’t be afraid to take help when you need it. And one more thing…”

  Heavenly breathed, almost worried what the older woman would say next.

  “Follow your heart. If you do, you’ll be happier than you can possibly imagine.” Then Bryn patted her shoulder and moved on.

  Heavenly turned to Raine, who was obviously trying hard not to burst out laughing. “She really does mean what she says…if you can figure it out. Remind me one day to tell you how she and I first met. By comparison, your introduction is way less embarrassing.”

  “Okay.” Heavenly wondered if she had suddenly fallen into an alternate dimension. “Um, I think I need some wine.”

  “Come with me. Beck and Seth should both be here any minute.”

  As if on cue, Beck strolled through the door, a bag of ice in each hand and a wide smile on his face. The moment he caught sight of her, his jaw dropped and the ice slid from his suddenly slack grip. “Holy shit.”

  “See?” Raine giggled in her ear.

  Heavenly couldn’t take her eyes off Beck, either. He was dressed in charcoal slacks and a crisp white shirt, rolled up at the sleeves to expose strong, hair-dusted forearms. He looked so big, so virile, so male. When their eyes met, her heart raced. A wave of heat tingled through her body, and he made her think thoughts totally worthy of her blush.

  She sighed. “Hi.”

  A gawking Pike strolled up to Beck. “Looks like you dropped something besides your man card. Having trouble holding on to the ice because your arthritis flared up, gramps?”

  Just like that, the moment was broken. Beck turned to the interloper with a scathing glare. “Why don’t you fuck off?”

  “And miss seeing you looking like a pussy-whipped bitch? Nah.” He picked up the bags of ice and slung them over his shoulders, then sauntered past Heavenly with a wink.

  Beck leveled a killing stare at his back. “It will be hard to eat without teeth if you don’t shut up.”

  Pike laughed all the way into the kitchen. Beck followed, grabbing the bags of ice from his hands and pouring one into an elegant bucket on the island.

  Raine directed him to take the other outside, then swept everyone toward the patio. “Liam will be leading Hammer out here in less than five minutes. I need everyone in place.” She checked her phone. “Seth will be here in less than two minutes. Good.”

  Heavenly was amazed to watch the woman sprint across the back patio in stilettos yet still look graceful.

  “Shall we?” River gestured her outside.

  “Sure. I didn’t get a chance to ask if there was anything else I could do to help. Your sister just…started helping me.”

  “She wants you to enjoy the party. And okay, she wants to mess with Beck and Seth. Which gives me an idea.” He held out his hand with a grin. “Follow me.”

  Heavenly had no idea what he was up to. “What do you have in mind?”

  “All bears need a little baiting once in a while.”

  “Oh, I’m not sure that’s a good idea…”

  But River wasn’t listening. He’d already grabbed her hand and was tugging her out of the house and down the patio steps. He paused to put a glass of wine in her free hand.

  The revving of an engine on the far side of the yard had heads turning. Heavenly swiveled to see Raine holding the wide back gate open and someone driving a sleek gray sports car inside. She couldn’t figure out why, but as soon as the engine fell silent and the headlights dimmed, Seth stepped from the car—and she stopped caring why he’d parked on the grass. Instead, she stared. Even from a distance, the wave of attraction nearly pulled her under.

  “They’re coming,” someone hissed across the patio. “Hurry!”

  “Shit!” Raine dashed for the back door, Seth right behind her. They crowded onto the patio with everyone else just in time for Liam and Duncan to lead Hammer outside so everyone could yell, “Surprise!”

  Cheering and laughter ensued.

  “Happy birthday!” Raine shouted as she made another trek down to the car and tossed a big red bow over the hood.

  The car was a gift? Heavenly couldn’t imagine having the money to buy any vehicle that ran, much less enough to give someone the gift of a German precision driving machine.

  How charmed their lives would seem…if she didn’t know how much struggle and agony they’d all been through.

  After the group lifted a glass to Hammer, the party began in earnest. Beck and Seth both made a beeline toward her, but River was closer. He took her hand again and dragged her toward a pair of guys at the base of the patio, laughing and chasing back brews.

  Heavenly cast a frown his way. “I recognize Pike.” And she didn’t like him so far. “Who’s the other man?”

  He shrugged. “Does it matter? They’ll appreciate the view and ogle you enough to drive Beck and Seth insane. Play along.”

  “But I—”

  “Hey, Pike. Dean, this is Heavenly. Sweetheart, this is Officer Gorman of the LAPD.”

  “Just Dean.” The cop’s smile was full of instant charm as he moved closer. “You’re Heavenly, huh? It fits. Great to meet you. You’re not here with this jerk, are you?” He thumbed River’s way.

  “Oh, I’m just a friend of Raine’s and—”

  “She’s here with me.” Seth suddenly sidled up to her and slipped his arm around her waist. “Hi, angel. You look…amazing.”

  Heavenly met his infectious grin. Gosh, every time she got near the man, her heart thrummed and fluttered. And when he focused all his male attention on her, she felt so very female. The attraction scared her senseless, but that didn’t stop her from wanting more.

  “You wish,” Beck said as he eased up on her other side and tossed his arm around her shoulders. “She’s here with me.”

  The instant Beck touched her, another sizzle slammed through her body. Beside him, she felt delicate and precious and utterly protected. He wore a mysterious aura of power she didn’t comprehend. And, like Seth, he made her embarrassingly glad she was a woman.

  Her face flamed. She’d gone almost twenty-three years without sex, and suddenly she could hardly think of anything else.

  “Funny…” River shrugged. “Raine told me she invited Heavenly, who came here alone.
” He turned to Dean. “She was one of the nurse volunteers in the ER the day they brought my sister in after she offed my shithole of a father.”

  “I was there that day, too,” Dean said, nodding. “I’m sorry we didn’t meet then. You’re studying to become a nurse?”

  She did her best to focus on the conversation, not the pair of men flanking her. “I’m in my first year, but yes.”

  “Tell me about your classes.”

  Heavenly did, acutely aware that she had five pairs of eyes on her. Dean listened intently. Beck looked indulgent, while Seth seemed proud. River was too busy watching their reactions to notice that Pike looked at her as if he’d like to strip her down in the middle of the party and have at her.

  She backed away from his dark stare, situating herself more solidly between Beck and Seth. As the conversation turned, they all seemed interested in her recent instruction on trauma.

  “Well, I’m not really sure…” She winced, remembering a recent lab. “I’m just a volunteer. I made the mistake of asking about his scar—”

  “Well, shit. Who hasn’t got scars?” Pike leered at her, twitching the metal stud in his brow.

  “I got shot once.” Dean lifted his shirt a bit higher than necessary. She got an eyeful of wide, muscled chest and his ridged abdomen, along with the circular scar in the shape of a bullet hole between his ribs.

  “Put that shit away.” Beck rolled his eyes.

  “Oh, that’s nothing.” River tugged up his shirt to reveal a whole collection of muscles—and scars that made her gasp. “I’ve been tagged and have so many holes and repairs from back-to-back tours…”

  He clearly had. The chance to study a body with so many assorted injuries excited her. She peered closer. “Oh.”

  “Stand down, soldier boy,” Beck growled.

  “She doesn’t need to see your”—Seth waved at his abs—“stuff.”

  River and Dean shared a glance, then cracked up.

  “Just making conversation.” River winked.

  Or so he claimed. He’d accused his sister of stirring the pot, but River seemed awfully pleased with his mischief.

  “How about you fuck off, too?” Beck suggested.

  Heavenly blinked. She probably shouldn’t like how possessive he sounded…but she did.