The American Soldier Collection 2: Mastering the Art of Love (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  “It could be someone who has access to your computer correspondence. That would be the simplest way to steal the graphics on the new products. Perhaps it’s time to do some computer overhauling and place some tracking devices in position.”

  “Do it. I don’t want this to blow up in our faces. These are my brother’s ideas. How about you? Any inkling as to whom the rat might be?”

  Spider was silent a moment which made Jax feel like his good friend was on to someone.

  “I have my suspicions. I’ll work my magic, Jax. I’ll nip this in the bud before it blows way out of control.”

  “Good. So, what else do you have for me? I see three more attachments on the second e-mail?”

  Jax opened up the files.

  “That’s your woman.”

  Jax clicked on the first file. He wasn’t surprised that it contained an entire background check on Mariana. Twenty-four years old. God, she’s young and gorgeous.

  “She’s a beauty, Jax. I feel bad for her actually.”

  “Why is that?”

  “You two are quite the handful and that young woman has led a pretty tough life. It’s impressive actually that she doesn’t have a rap sheet.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Her mom, Adele Sparketta, was arrested numerous times for prescription drug possession and buying. On the records from the police department and on file, I found out that Mariana bailed her out each time. You’ll see all the documents. I got everything I could get, as you asked.”

  Jax sighed as he opened up the attachments and looked them over. Spider wasn’t kidding when he said he got all the information he could on Mariana. He had her previous home addresses, her grades, her college application, and student loans.

  “Holy shit, she owes a lot of money.”

  “Her mother took a loan out on the house they lived in to support her habit. Mariana is still paying that off, too. It’s sad when you think about it. That woman is trying to get her college education and she has all those bills, including her mother’s, breathing down her neck.”

  “This is unbelievable. Wait, this can’t be right. This is her current address? She lives in that crappy neighborhood?”

  “Yeah, unfortunately that is accurate. I watched her come in last night late. She looked exhausted.”

  “Did you see her place?”

  Spider was silent a moment.

  “Spider, I asked you if you saw her apartment?”

  “It’s a fucking icebox. Literally. I got in no problem. The locks are shit, although she did have an added bolt lock on there. Self-installed, I think. It’s really small. One bedroom if you want to call it that. There’s only enough space for a couch and tiny kitchen. There wasn’t any heat in the place when I was there. It was fucking cold. But she’s neat. Nothing was lying around.”

  Jax felt his gut clench. She was living in a shit hole apartment with no heat and there was a damn cold front in Houston right now. He wanted to get to her, and make her come home with him and Jameson. Fuck! Jameson was going to freak out.

  “So she seems organized.”

  “I don’t think she has much, Jax. The bare necessities from what I could see. I didn’t want to overstep my bounds, but there was only one dresser in the place that had undergarments and clothes. The closet was basically empty. If she owns a dozen outfits for all four seasons, that would be a lot.”

  “Fuck! Son of a bitch, I don’t like this.”

  “Hey, she’s tough, that’s for sure, and seems determined to have a better life.”

  “I appreciate all the info. I’ll be in touch if I need anything more in regards to this. Keep me updated on the other issue.”

  “Will do, Jax.”

  Jax hung up the phone and thought about Mariana as he looked at the computer.

  * * * *

  “You look upset. What’s the problem?” Jameson asked his brother as he entered the office. Jameson was fixing his bow tie. He hated formal events like this. It made him feel fake.

  Jax looked at the computer screen and explained that Spider had called about Clover Masters’s plot.

  “That piece of shit. I’ll fucking rip his throat out.”

  “Calm down, Jameson.”

  Jameson felt his blood pressure rising. Clover touched Mariana the other night at the party. That scumbag was a wannabe.

  “Who does Spider think the rat is?”

  “He thinks it may be anyone close to us or who has access to our computer system. You know e-mails and correspondence between you and I and the staff.”

  “I’d hate to think that there’s someone stealing from us. We treat our employees so well. This is the shit I’m talking about, Jax. I’m not a patient or forgiving man. If there’s a rat, I want him or her exterminated.”

  “I feel the same way. I trust Spider to handle it though. He and his brothers have a way about them.”

  Jameson nodded his head even though he wasn’t feeling so confident right now. He was a man of action. If someone messed with him, then he would mess them up. It was that simple.

  Jameson looked at his brother, who was already dressed in an almost identical tuxedo. They both wore custom-made black-on-black tuxes. The cuffs to the black designer shirt under the jacket were white. Jameson closed them with diamond cuff links that his brother had insisted looked amazing and was the proper way to wear a custom tux. Jameson could give a shit.

  He stepped to the side and immediately saw Mariana’s picture. It looked like a crappy ID picture and was slightly blurry.

  “Is that Mariana?” he asked.

  Jax looked at him, and the moment Jameson locked gazes with his brother he could see he was thinking of what to say.

  Jameson moved around the desk, and Jax began to explain. Jameson could feel his concern for her grow stronger. It was amazing, but Mariana had remained on his mind since meeting her. He wasn’t sure how he felt about the fact that Jax had Spider investigate Mariana, but at least now he had a better understanding of her reservations.

  “No wonder she seemed to shy away from us. She probably thinks we’d use her. God knows how many men have come onto her at those parties she serves at. How do we get her to see we’re different?”

  “I thought about that.”

  Jameson nodded toward the screen.

  “Scroll the mouse down. What does it say about her family?”

  Jax explained about her mother. Jameson took a deep breath and slowly released it. How could a mother, responsible for a child, act in such a way?

  “Where does she live?”

  “You don’t want to know.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  Jax released a sigh.

  He brought up the address and some pictures Spider sent along with the info. Spider was thorough.

  “That neighborhood is bad.” Jameson stood straighter and began to pace the room.

  “What did he say about it? Did he check out her apartment?” Jameson asked as he placed his one hand on his hip and stared at Jax.

  “Bad.”

  “Fuck!”

  “Tell me about it. I’m freaking out right now, Jameson. I’m trying my hardest to not act like a psycho stalker and follow her myself to ensure her safety. I can’t do that. We can’t do that.”

  Jameson ran his hand through his hair. “No fucking heat? That shit is against the law.”

  “I know it is.”

  Jax remained staring at Jameson. It was as if they were both communicating without speaking. Jameson nodded his head.

  “It can’t hurt if she doesn’t know it’s us.”

  Jax smiled.

  “I think Rudy Jones works with the housing committee and development. He would know how to get to the landlord and how to get that damn heat turned on.”

  “Make the call, Jax.”

  Jameson walked out of the room.

  It was too much to take in. His mind was going off in crazy thought patterns. He closed his eyes as he thought about how sweet and pretty she looked
that night at Roldolpho’s. He thought about the way she got him those appetizers he asked about and it wasn’t because she expected something in return. She did it to please him. Instinctually that fed his male ego. Knowing a bit about her past and her struggles, it made him want to do something for her, too. God knows he’d seen enough violence and death in the Marine Corps to know how lonely a person could feel. He hadn’t been quite the same since he got out of the Corps and after the death of so many friends.

  Then he thought about Clover Masters and how he stuck his slimy fingers next to Mariana’s breast to tip her. That fucking pig. If he ever came near Mariana again, he’d be in huge trouble.

  Jameson felt his blood boiling as he made fists by his side then tried to calm himself down.

  “We need to get going. We’re already late as is.”

  “Tomorrow, we get another package delivered.”

  “Tomorrow’s Sunday,” Jax replied as he fixed his bow tie and grabbed the keys to the Lexus.

  “A visit to her neck of the neighborhood may be in order, don’t you think?”

  “That sounds like something I would do.”

  “We’re both men who get what we want when we want it. You, however, sometimes choose things that aren’t needed. I’m simple,” Jameson teased.

  “Yeah right, you’re simple. You’ve got a short fuse and you’re very protective of what you believe to be yours.”

  “So do you, Jax. That’s why this idea about a ménage relationship came to mind. We know how a relationship like this works. We’ve witnessed the energy between multiple partners. The question is, whether our independently strong personalities can survive sharing the same woman or if it will place a wedge between us. That’s my concern,” Jameson admitted as they entered the elevator to head downstairs to the car.

  “The only way to know is to try it.”

  “At risk of hurting Mariana? I’m not sure I can be so cruel.”

  “Cruel? What are you talking about? You’re attracted to her just as I am. There’s something more there. Call it instinctive, but it’s there. My heart is racing. I’m worried about her safety now, her well-being, her future, and it’s making me antsy to see her.”

  “I’m feeling the exact same way. I’m feeling possessive and she isn’t even mine or ours,” Jameson added.

  “I have a plan,” Jax said as the elevator door opened and they walked out and then down a corridor to the parking lot. As they exited, the Lexus was parked close by. He unlocked the car and Jameson got in on the passenger side. Jax started the engine.

  “What’s you’re plan?”

  “Shock and awe her. I want her very badly. In fact, I’m glad I won’t see her tonight. If I did, I might have done something crazy,” Jax admitted, and Jameson was feeling the same way.

  “Crazy like what? Because I’m thinking I would lose it as well and this taking it slow and easing our way into her life would be useless.”

  “We’re not going to see her there. She’s probably working at another event.”

  “Or she’s working at Rothesburgh. No other gallery would dare have an event when the Rothesburgh estate was hosting the Scottish art exhibit.”

  Jameson clenched his teeth and imagined seeing Mariana there serving.

  “This evening might not be as boring as I anticipated.”

  Jax held a wicked smile as he headed out of the building and onto the highway.

  * * * *

  Mariana drank down the glass of champagne quickly. She needed it for her nerves. Here she was at the Rothesburgh estate. The mansion that was worth well over fifteen million dollars was outrageous. She tried to remember every detail she could upon arriving with a hunk of a date, Liam Michaels III, who just happened to be Scottish and wearing a kilt. Bless her pounding heart, the man was fine, but also in his forties. He was built magnificently and she memorized everything about him. From his sexy accent to his deep-green eyes and very defined cleft in his chin. He was tall, sexy, and a total gentleman. On the way over to the estate from Freda’s mansion, which was incredible, Liam explained about his business dealings and his love of Scottish art. He was somehow related to a person connected to the Royal Scottish Academy. Therefore, he had access to new and seasoned artists of his native country.

  “Are ya ready ta browse now, Mariana?” he asked in that sexy Scottish accent that did wonders to her belly.

  She smiled and nodded her head. He escorted her around the exhibits until they paused in front of a series of paintings from new artists she wasn’t aware of.

  “Ahh, it’s always nice ta see some new blood coming into their own. What do ya say ’bout this one, Mariana?” he asked, and she felt his arm around her waist and his large hand on her hip. He was acting awfully strange. She knew she had a bit of a role to play, but he was acting like she was more than a date. He whispered into her ear. He ran a finger along her collarbone.

  “These are nice, however, I can see the way the strokes of the brushes are harder, almost forced. Can’t you, Liam?” she asked, turning up toward him as she moved slightly to place some space between them.

  He was staring down into her eyes.

  He placed his fingers under her chin and tilted it up toward him.

  “I am in awe of your beauty, Mariana. You are a pleasant surprise,” he whispered then began to lower his mouth toward hers. She quickly turned away and stared at the picture. He gave her a bit of space.

  “I’m sorry. I was out of line. I know that this is not in the contract. I’ve never hired a date before, but I do have people I am trying to impress with business. As you know. Please forgive me.” He was stumbling with his words, and she felt terrible. It seemed he was not used to doing this kind of thing either.

  She looked up at him and smiled.

  “There is nothing to forgive. We seem to both be caught in the ambiance of this estate. The beauty of all this spectacular art is like—”

  “An aphrodisiac?” he teased, and she felt her cheeks blush.

  “Are we back to that, Liam?” she retorted. Then he chuckled as he took her arm and continued to walk with her through the gallery.

  * * * *

  “And whom did you say that is with her?” Jax asked Roldolpho, who had joined him and Jameson by the exhibit. Jameson noticed Mariana immediately, and they thought their prayers were answered.

  Watching her walk along dressed like a fucking model and holding hands with that Scottish man had him filled with jealousy. She looked gorgeous, and they weren’t the only men to take notice of her. Who was that man she was with? Never mind whom he was, he wasn’t going to be leaving with Mariana tonight.

  Jax looked at his brother who was in a dead stare at Mariana and the Scot.

  “I’m going to go find out who that is,” Jax stated.

  “No need to. That’s Liam Michaels III. He’s visiting from Scotland.”

  “Why is he with Mariana then?”

  Jax felt the hand touch his arm and then Freda’s soft voice.

  “Because she’s working for me now, Jax. She’s quite stunning, isn’t she? I can just imagine all the requests I will get for her.”

  “What? When the hell did this happen?” Jax asked, raising his voice and nearly causing a scene, but he didn’t care. Mariana was not going to be an escort. That would mean men touching her, holding her hand, escorting like a piece of jewelry all around Houston. No, not happening.

  “I spoke with her that night I saw her at Roldolpho’s. She is so sweet and very knowledgeable on the arts. She has natural beauty, don’t you think?” Freda asked with a smile, and then Darian Rothesburgh approached to greet them.

  As Darian exchanged pleasantries, Jameson locked gazes with his brother. Jax could see his brother losing his cool. Hell, he was losing it, too.

  “Need another drink? Or perhaps we should browse the artwork since that is why we are here,” Jameson stated to Jax. They excused themselves from the conversation and walked toward the direction they last saw Mariana headed.


  * * * *

  “This place is huge. How many people live here?” she asked Liam.

  “I’m not sure. I don’t believe more than three,” Liam replied as they stared at a daguerreotype of John Wilson Ewbank.

  “Liam, so nice to see you here. The board is happy that you were able to attend.”

  Mariana turned as she saw four men join the conversation. These had to be the business people Liam wanted to impress.

  “Thank you, Marcus. This is quite the display of Scottish art. I feel right at home,” Liam said as he shook the men’s hands. His Scottish accent was so cool.

  “Wonderful. And who is this lovely young woman you’ve brought along with you?” Marcus asked as he reached for her hand and Liam made the introductions.

  The four men stared at her body and she felt embarrassed. She was never one to flaunt her assets, but after receiving the royal treatment at Freda’s, she looked completely different. Her hair was styled in a fancy updo and the dress was slim fitting and accentuated her hips, her ass, and of course her breasts. Not that there was a low dip to the front, but the cut of the dress accentuated her breasts in such a way that it was very sexy, yet not too revealing. Margarete knew how to pick out the right dress for the right woman. Mariana was even getting used to the high heels, too. Freda had made her feel like a princess, and she was hoping this night didn’t fly by so quickly.

  “So this right here is a nice photograph taken by a well-known Scottish photographer, I believe,” Liam said, and the men turned to look at another picture with a famous person they surely would recognize.

  Liam gave Mariana a squeeze and she took her cue as the other men, two with Scottish accents, made comments about the photo taken by a famous photographer, Albert Watson. They walked closer.

  “It is quite impressive for such a simple pose. But I bet you didn’t know that Albert Watson thinks of this as one of his favorites,” Mariana began to say.

  “Do tell, my dear. It sounds intriguing,” Marcus said and took position beside her. She was surrounded by the four men as she told a bit of the tale around the photograph, which here, was blown up into poster size.