The American Soldier Collection 18: This Cradle Won't Fall (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  “What’s going on?” she asked and leaned down to check on Benny. He was awake and she turned the stroller around so he could see.

  “Looks like they’re celebrating one of the youth sports programs. They do this every so often when a team or teams win a championship.”

  “Really? That is so cool,” she said as the sirens got louder and all the kids in green and black uniforms stood on the back of a trailer as people waved and cheered.

  “Looks like the soccer team this time,” he said and smiled at her.

  They watched them pass by and Evonna stood up and then gave a wave as the boys in the back waved back. After they passed, he placed his hands on her hips and turned her toward him, her body between his legs. She placed her hands on his shoulders, that feminine touch of hers burning through his skin and arousing him.

  “Would you like to meet my brothers and me for dinner tonight?”

  “I have Benny.”

  “The restaurant in town is family friendly. We want to spend time with both of you.”

  “Is this some sort of way to ensure people around town think that you and your brothers could have a chance with me?” she asked. He eased his hands along her ass and squeezed. She gasped and gripped his shoulders, then looked around to be sure no one saw, but then he eased them up and gave her hips a shake.

  “Do we have a chance with you, Evonna?” he asked. She worried her bottom lip.

  “Didn’t we just talk about taking our time and going slow?”

  “I’ll take it as a maybe. We’ll pick you up at six.”

  She stared at him.

  “Seal it with a kiss?” he pushed. He didn’t know where this light-hearted, flirty side came from, but apparently Evonna brought it out in him. Thank God his brothers and no one else were nearby to hear him. They would bust his chops. Then he didn’t care as a moment later Evonna pressed closer, cupped his cheeks, and kissed him tenderly. He hugged her to him as she released his lips and hugged him back. It was an encouraging, effective moment, and he couldn’t wait to tell his brothers about tonight.

  Chapter Five

  Lou was on the phone with Bailey. He talked about New York, working for the Fiorre family, and Lou told him about Vye.

  “Damn, that is pretty amazing shit. I wish I was there to see you hard ass old men fall head over heels for a twenty-three-year-old woman. A baby, too, that’s crazy,” he said.

  “I know it is. Like I explained. It just kind of happened. We’re taking things slow. She’s scared, and trying to fight the whole guardianship thing.”

  “That’s funny, but hey, there was a time you guys, as well as us, avoided even seeing Ford or going into town so we weren’t chosen. We were all trying so hard not to feel an attraction to any woman because of the jobs we had,” Bailey said.

  “I know. It’s a fucking shocker. The thing is, we don’t know anything really about Benny’s dad. Could be the dick gave up and is living his shitty life, but since he came from Pennsylvania, and apparently does shit in New York from what Vye has told Ford, we were wondering if you could find out anything? Maybe get your cousins and their connections to find out whatever you can under the radar?”

  “Hey, not a problem at all. Give me the full name, any info on names of businesses, places he hangs, friends, you know the deal, whatever you got.”

  “Thanks, Bailey. So how is it working for them?” Lou asked.

  “It’s pretty fucking good actually. I just don’t like having to wear dress pants and ties and shit. Miss Salvation, hunting, shooting, and that kind of thing. Funny thing is, Donata says she misses it, too. I give it a few more weeks, tops, and she’ll be ready to head back to the ranch for a while.”

  “Well, we’d love to see you and Donata, too. Have her meet Vye and Benny.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll look this dick up and see what I can get on him.”

  “Thanks, Bailey. Talk to you soon.” Lou ended the call and looked at Kendrick.

  “Kind of makes me nervous. Like something is going to go wrong. Like what if this dick wants her back or wants to be part of Benny’s life?” Kendrick said to him.

  “I thought about that, too, but don’t you think he would have hired someone to find her, or notified a lawyer or something?”

  “Not if he’s into illegal shit.”

  “A guy who thinks he can smack around a pregnant woman and do drugs and shit, and you think he would worry about getting a lawyer to go after custody just to fuck with Vye?” Lou asked.

  “Jesus, I hope the fuck not.”

  “Me, too.”

  “I wish she would give in a bit more and accept guardianship from us. At least it would keep away other men in town who are interested and get them to stop flirting with her,” Kendrick said, sounding annoyed.

  “I know, but we decided at her pace and only to give little pushes here and there.”

  “Do we even know where she is right now? Where are Tex, Frankie, and Pierce?” Kendrick asked.

  “Frankie and Pierce are going over the schedules for our classes Monday, and Tex went into town.”

  Just then Lou’s cell phone rang.

  “It’s Tex,” he said and smiled as he listened. Then he ended the call.

  “Well?”

  “Looks like we’re going to dinner with Vye.”

  “What?” Kendrick asked and sat forward in his chair.

  “Tex said he had a really good talk with her, asked her to dinner with us tonight, and she said yes.” Lou smiled.

  “Holy shit,” Kendrick said and Lou couldn’t help but feel excited. They were going to dinner with Vye. She accepted an invite. Were the walls finally starting to come down? He sure hoped so as he called out to Frankie and Pierce to let them know. This was going to work out fine, and the call to Bailey was lost on happier thoughts and hopefully steps in the right direction to making Vye their woman completely.

  * * * *

  Vye arrived back at the farm and saw the group of people gathered by the front porch. Something was going on. Scout, Sarge, Ray, and Ella were there, as well as Sparrow and Jace. And she thought she saw Ridge and Beck, which meant Tye, Lana, Grace, and Salena were there, too.

  Ten-year-old Tye and eight-year-old Lana were by her car before she even opened the back seat to get Benny out.

  “Your aunt is here! Aunt Gay is here,” they exclaimed, and she looked up to see Aunt Gay making her way down the steps with Scout, Sarge, and Ella.

  “I’ll get Benny,” Sarge said with a smile as Aunt Gay pulled Evonna into her arms and hugged her tight. They both started crying. When Sarge came closer with the carrier, Aunt Gay pulled back and covered her mouth. “Oh my God, Vye, he’s beautiful,” she said and Vye wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “Are you okay?” Vye asked. “It was safe to come? They haven’t gone back to the apartment to threaten you, or hurt you?” Vye carried on with concern, looking over her aunt and making sure there were no bruises or anything. Her aunt held her hand and shook her head. “I haven’t seen them or heard from them since that one night.”

  “Come on up to the house. We’re going to have a nice celebration. A classic Brazzos family barbecue,” Sarge said and winked at Evonna. Evonna hugged her aunt’s side as they walked toward the house and up to the porch to see everyone. It was incredible. This was her family. They welcomed Evonna in, cared for her and Benny, and gave her the opportunity for a better life. That uneasy, pessimistic attitude was just brought down a notch. This was amazing.

  A short time later as everyone helped prepare for dinner, she pulled Scout aside and they walked toward the hallway.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, and reached out and stroked her hair. She worried her bottom lip, looked around them seeing Ray keeping his eyes on her with concern. They were all so caring and fatherly.

  “Do you have a way to contact the McCanns?” she asked. He squinted at her.

  “Well, I need you to call Tex and cancel our plans.”

  “What plans?” he ask
ed and crossed his arms in front of his chest, looking serious.

  She looked back toward Ray, who had now left the kitchen and approached.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, I just…well, today in town I spent some time talking with Tex.”

  Ray and Scout smiled.

  “That’s good.”

  “Kind of. I need you to call them and cancel the plans I made for dinner.”

  “You were going to have dinner with them?” Ray asked, seeming shocked but also amused.

  “Well, Tex asked me to, and things kind of happened in town.”

  “Things?” Ray pushed.

  “Listen, I was talking to Phillip Chase. Tex got jealous came over, interrupting, and saying we had plans, basically ending the conversation for me. We walked through town and the park afterward.”

  “Phillip is a nice guy, a bit older, and he has three brothers, too.”

  “I know.”

  She looked away.

  “You like Tex and his brothers, don’t you?” Scout asked.

  “What’s not to like? I’m just not mentally or emotionally ready to get involved in any type of romantic relationship just yet.”

  “Says who?” Ray asked.

  “Me.”

  “Really? But you said yes to dinner with them, and you let Tex act possessive as if he was your guardian,” Scout said to her.

  She took a deep breath and exhaled. Tears filled her eyes.

  “I like them. All of them, but Benny needs to come first.”

  “And you don’t think the McCann men will put you and Benny first, and help to protect the two of you, to love you and provide for you?” Ray asked.

  She opened her mouth to speak and no words came out.

  “How about I call them and you invite them to come over? They’ll be disappointed if you cancel your date. Maybe having them here around the family will be a good thing,” Scout said and Ray smiled and pulled out his phone.

  She reached out and covered his hand. “Wait, do you think that’s a good idea? Do you think they’ll be okay with that? I mean, they’re so quiet, private, and I’ve heard you say that they don’t really socialize. That you were surprised they took Ford up on the jobs running the new training center. Maybe it isn’t a good idea. Just contact them for me and let them know my aunt showed up. That’s probably better and—”

  Ray placed his hand on her shoulder as he spoke into his cell phone.

  “Hey, Tex, it’s Scout. I’ve got Evonna here. She needed to contact you about changing up the plans for tonight. Here you go,” Ray said and turned the cell phone toward her. She stared at it, at Ray, and then Scout.

  “Ask them. They’re good men, and they will take their time to show you that.”

  She swallowed hard and took the phone.

  “Hello?”

  “What’s going on? Is everything okay? Is Benny okay?” he asked and tears filled her eyes as her heart lifted with excitement and emotion at his concern.

  “Great actually. My aunt Gay showed up from New York. She’s here at the house and everyone is over. I can’t make it to dinner.”

  He was quiet a moment, then cleared his throat.

  “Um, of course. Well, that’s good news and I’m sure you want to spend time with her and the family.”

  “I wanted to spend time with you guys, too, and was looking forward to dinner.”

  “It’s okay. Another time.”

  Ray nodded toward her. “Ask him,” he whispered.

  She heard her voice crack.

  “Um, if you guys aren’t all busy tonight, if you wanted to, I mean, you don’t have to. If you feel uncomfortable I’ll understand. Um, would you all like to come over, too? We’re having a barbecue.”

  “You want us there with you? To meet your aunt, and be with your family?”

  “Is that too uncomfortable, too much?”

  “No, baby. Anything you and Benny need or want, we’re there. What time?”

  “Um, come whenever you’re ready. We’ll be here,” she said and Scout and Ray smiled as she ended the call and handed over the phone. She was shaking.

  “Don’t look so scared. That was a good thing to do, and it will help you decide if you want the McCann men in your life and as your official guardians,” Scout said to her.

  “They care about you and Benny. That is something special. Now come on, we’ve got some prep work to do in that kitchen,” Ray said and they both hugged her and kept her between them as they headed down the hallway and back to the kitchen.

  “Is everything okay?” Aunt Gay asked her as she held Benny and rocked him in her arms. Evonna smiled and felt emotional seeing her aunt holding Benny as everyone gathered around the country kitchen and the porch area, all talking while the sounds of kids laughing and playing filled the air.

  “I hope so,” Evonna said and looked at Aunt Ella.

  “What do you mean you hope so?” she asked, eyes squinted. She glanced at Valentina, Ridge, and Sparrow. “I just invited the McCann men over to join us.”

  Their excitement was obvious as Valentina clapped her hands and Ella smiled wide and then pulled Evonna into an embrace.

  “The McCann men? Those soldiers you told me about, Ella?” Aunt Gay asked, smiling.

  “You told her about them already? She just got here?” Evonna asked.

  “Are you kidding me? Gay asked who was vying for guardianship over you. I just told her about the multiple men around town inquiring, but how destiny placed you and Benny into the McCann brothers hands the first moment you stepped foot in town. It’s a love story, Vye. A beautiful one and just the beginning. I’m so excited,” Ella said.

  “A love story?” Evonna whispered and felt scared out of her mind. She stroked Benny’s cheek.

  “You’re love story, Vye. You deserve men that will love you and Benny, not physically and emotionally hurt you,” Aunt Gay said to her.

  Evonna looked at Aunt Gay, then Ella and Valentina.

  “I just don’t think I’m really ready for anything more than friendship right now.”

  “Take your time. There’s no rush. Everything has a way of working itself out. You’ll see,” Ella said to her.

  “I can’t wait to meet them,” Aunt Gay said, then smiled.

  She prayed that she hadn’t just made a huge mistake and some sort of commitment she didn’t have the strength, the courage to pursue. She was scared, and there was no hiding it, but it was too late now. She’d made a decision, and as long as she put Benny and herself and what was best for them, first, then she would wait to see how the cards fell.

  Chapter Six

  New York Grand Hotel Russian-American Art Exhibit & Fundraiser event.

  Anastasia Perchaveck stood by a series of gorgeous paintings by Malayna Merkovicz-Mulicheck, daughter of Nicolai Merkovicz and wife of Border, Krane, Star, and Lucca Mulicheck. She was extremely talented and had a gift for creating such masterpieces as the ones displayed before Anastasia. The Merkovicz and Mulicheck families were very high up in power and continued to strengthen as their families expanded.

  Anastasia’s uncle was Nuvron Perchavek, a Russian made man who headed one of the top ten families. His brother Ogar, her father, was in charge of maintaining and securing the numerous artwork of the Perchaveck family while also working with members of the black market, and stealing, smuggling, buying, and selling profitable items around the world. Anastasia not only had a love for the arts but an ability to draw in buyers and maintain repeat customers. Her identity was disguised. No one knew if she were male or female as all correspondence was done with computer-enhanced voice-over devices. It kept her safe and secure as she had connections to many untouchable Russian affiliates.

  Looking over Malayna’s artwork that was selling in the mid- hundred of thousands, she searched for the artists of the painting she had a buyer for. A rare piece brought in by the Lenvick family. Her thoughts were interrupted as a small commotion erupted near the entryway. Her uncle Nuvon had
arrived with his men. She felt the instant anxiety, the hatred she had for the man and his ways. He treated her father, his own brother, like shit, yet her dad ran the most lucrative part of the family businesses. She had been forced into her role because of her mother’s untimely illness, then death. She continued to work and hoped he, nor Creagan, his right-hand man and guard, had noticed her.

  As she sort of hid behind the extra-large, wide paintings, she thought about somehow getting out of this life, out from under Nuvon’s thumb, but knew if she did that her father would pay the price. This was her family and this was whom she was stuck with. She may as well make the best of it and make a shit load of money. She was well trained in self-defense, martial arts, and weaponry and could take care of herself. Men found that both sexy and a turn-off. She had yet to meet a man who could handle her abilities, as well as her successes.

  She glanced between the paintings when she felt the hand on her hip and then heard Creagan’s voice as he whispered into her ear.

  “Sweet, gorgeous Anastasia, I missed you,” he said as he kissed her cheek. She turned toward him, put on her fake smile, and showed her respect.

  “Creagan, so nice to see you, too. I thought that you would be working or still away on business.”

  “You know me, always doing business. It never stops,” he replied, eyeing over her body and, of course, her breasts in the slim-fitting navy blue evening gown.

  “Boy, do I know that,” she said and glanced toward her uncle where a few men stood. Creagan stroked her hip and reached up with his other hand to caress her hair from her face. She stared up at him, hating this guy as much as she hated her uncle.

  “You were away for a few days. Where did you go?” he asked her.

  “The beach.”

  “Venice?”

  “Florida, actually.”

  “How boring,” he said to her and stared at her lips. “Your uncle would like a word with you.”

  She squinted at him.

  “Come,” he said, taking her by her elbow and leading her away from the paintings and toward her uncle Nuvon. He eyed her over and gave a small smile, an approval of her attire. As if she cared what he thought.