“It makes sense. You said inside job? Well, that’s obvious. Someone on the inside has to know what you have, what’s accessible and sellable. Your guy is not the security guy. That poor moron took a nap in the soundproof room, eyes closed and probably back to the cameras, which wouldn’t have mattered anyway, because whoever the thieves are, they more than likely took out the cameras outside first,” Cora said, and the men all stared at her.
“She’s right, Calvin. You said all the outside cameras were damaged. That’s why there was no evidence caught on tape,” Gavin said aloud.
Blade stared at Cora.
He crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked her over.
“What about the thirty-minute opportunity while the bozo slept? Is that really enough time to get a forklift and a loader in there and out in that amount of time?”
“I don’t think so,” Beau said.
“I’m with you, I don’t think anyone could pull that off,” Calvin said.
“You’ve never seen an experienced machinery operator before. Thirty minutes? If they were really good they could be in and out of there with more than just the pallets of bulletproof glass and the wiring in less time. It’s more than possible,” Cora said and then walked back toward her desk.
“She’s got a past, doesn’t she, Blade? Holy fuck, she pulls off shy, innocent good girl really well. No wonder she has the five of you acting so caveman like,” Calvin whispered to Blade. Blade shook his head and exhaled. Cora definitely had a unique knowledge of this type of crime. He couldn’t help but wonder if she engaged in some illegal activities. His curiosity would have him interrogating her the moment these guys left.
“Well, the thing to do now is be prepared for this shit. Make it difficult for them to get away with it again on another site,” Blade said, changing the direction of the conversation away from Cora’s insightful view on theft.
“Or you could set them up and catch the jerks,” Cora suggested.
Calvin chuckled. “I like her line of thinking. What did you have in mind, Cora, oh, and when are you taking over the company from Blade and the guys?” Gavin laughed, but Blade got upset. Cora noticed and tried to calm the situation.
“They’re the experts, and have taught me so much about the business over the last several weeks. I find it all so intriguing, but I’m certain Blade and the guys can come up with something to stop these criminals. If you all don’t need anything else, I’m going to take a short break.” She walked out of the room, and Blade glanced at Beau and Cason, who looked just as concerned and filled with questions.
“She reminds me of Aspen,” Gavin said. They looked at him.
“Aspen? Your sister, really?” Calvin asked.
“Yep. She’s gotten into some heavy shit in her life, but is tough, professional, and ready for the next challenge. Being a survivor changes people,” he said.
“It helps that she’s more than easy on the eyes and has a killer body too,” Calvin added. Gavin gave him a shove.
“Cool it, man, that’s my sister.”
“Yeah, well, I heard through the grapevine that Storm and his team were looking to hire her to run their training program,” Calvin said.
“So what? She can handle it.”
“But can she handle Storm, Winter, Weston, York, and Zin? Talk about fucking trouble. They’ll never get their businesses legit,” Calvin added.
“They’re trying, but the truth of the matter is they’re good at the other stuff. Hey, maybe they might have some insight into these thieves running around stealing off of construction sites?” Beau added.
“Could be. I’ll call them. In the meantime let’s go over these plans. I’ve got a busy afternoon ahead of me,” Blade said, thinking about the conversation he needed to have with Cora and a round of questions about that business she said she was involved in and how she learned all about confidentiality, organization, and time essence.
* * * *
Cora was opening up a container with her salad in it just as Avery and Asher arrived with lunch for everyone. Calvin and Gavin left, both heading back to their homes. Cason, Beau, and Blade entered the kitchen, and all gathered around as the sandwiches were passed around.
“I picked up those salads you like. Why did you bring your own?” Avery asked.
“I don’t know. I guess I didn’t want to assume that you would order me something,” she said.
Avery took her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed the top.
“Baby, that’s our job to take care of you. You’re part of this family. Now, tonight we’re cooking chicken marsala. So you’d better save some room.” He leaned forward and kissed her.
“I can’t stay for dinner. I need to get home and take care of the kids, Avery.”
“Have them come here. Your mom too if she wants. Asher and I will cook enough for everyone,” he said, and she stared at him.
“Really?” she asked, sounding shocked to Avery.
“Of course. It’s a good idea for them to get used to us being around. Eventually when you all move in here it will make the transition smoother,” Asher added.
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and let her fork lie down to the side.
“What’s wrong, Cora?” Avery asked.
“Nothing.”
“Cora?” Blade said her name, and she looked up immediately. It seemed Blade had a way of making her fess up fast. He found it amusing. The man was being a commander of everyone.
“I just need to slow this down a little. For the kids’ sake,” she added. Blade raised one eyebrow.
“Slow it down?” Beau asked her, placing his sandwich back down.
“I don’t mean with us. I mean the intimacy part, I mean with the moving in, the kids, just the process.”
“When we said we wanted you we meant all of you. Kids, your mom, and you,” Beau told her.
“I know. I just don’t want to screw this up, that’s all,” she relied, twisting her hands on her lap. Asher reached over and covered them while Avery squeezed her shoulder. He could respect her feelings about this. The kids could be fragile to such a unique type of relationship.
“Take your time. Bring the kids over every day. Get them used to us and our home,” he said.
“I want this to work out. I do.”
“Does this have something to do with Anthony, and what he involved you in?” Blade asked. She shot her eyes up to look at Blade, and everyone stopped, including Avery. He could tell something was up. What had they missed this morning?
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
“You mentioned confidentiality, scheduling, ensuring time-accurate meetings and events. Your knowledge of these individuals stealing off of construction sites and selling items on the black market is not common knowledge,” Blade added.
“Sure it is. A lot of people know about that,” she said in her defense.
“No, they don’t. Not the specifics about the high demand for bulletproof glass, the expensive surveillance wiring, and the methods of getting in and out of a construction site in less than fifteen minutes.” He raised his voice, and she lowered her head.
“What do you want me to tell you, Blade? What is it you want to know about me?” she countered.
“The truth. What did Anthony have you do for him? What was the business you dealt in to involve being secretive and learning about all this stuff?”
She took a deep breath and released it.
“I don’t want to talk about it. It’s none of your business.” She stood up and prepared to toss her salad away when Avery grabbed her wrist and pulled her back and between his legs. “Don’t push us away. Talk to us and help us to understand.” He reached up and caressed her hair from her cheek. He loved her so much. He could tell this was a sensitive subject, but obviously his commander felt it important for her to share the truth with them.
“I don’t want to say. I was weaker then. He manipulated me, beat me into doing as he ordered. It was terrible and I don’t want t
o relive it,” she said, and Avery could tell she was getting very upset. She started to shake and pull from his grasp.
“Tell us what he made you do,” Blade pushed.
“Blade.” Beau questioned him, but Blade pushed.
Cora began to ramble off things to them. “He made me attend meetings, work out plans to hit places up for products we could resell on the streets. I had to plan meetings, set up locations and time schedules for everyone in position to do their job so no one got busted. He made me meet men he wanted to deal with and seduce them, get them to work with him and his men. I did crazy, dangerous, illegal shit to survive and I put my life at risk to protect my babies.”
“Why didn’t you get away from him sooner?” Avery asked. She shot her head toward him, her voice unsteady as her body began to shake harder. She couldn’t catch her breath.
“He beat me. He had no qualms about breaking my bones or damaging my face so others would know he was the man and he was in control. It took him knocking over my kids, Kever trying to rape Arabella, and her protecting me by doing one of the jobs to get me to finally see him for the piece of shit he was. I was down, controlled, and ordered to do things I didn’t want to do but was forced to. I told you I wasn’t good enough for you. For any of you. Now you see why. He took everything from me, including this body, my heart and soul, and tore it apart. I’m not good enough. I don’t deserve happiness and men like you,” she cried out and then began to hyperventilate.
“Calm down, Cora. Please, baby, it’s okay. We didn’t mean to make you remember and get upset,” Avery told her.
“Cora.” Blade said her name loudly and turned in his chair. She looked up as she held the counter and stared at him with spears in her eyes.
“Come here,” he ordered. She hesitated and he squinted firmer. She walked toward him, inhaling and releasing hard breaths but not really getting into a full-blown anxiety attack. She stepped in front of him.
“You are more than good for us. You’re perfect.” She lowered her head.
“Look at me,” he snapped at her, and she looked at him.
“You are everything each of us has ever dreamt of and more. Your past doesn’t matter. Honesty, a direct answer is what I expect and what the others expect. We’ve all had to do things we’re not proud of, but they were done to survive or to keep others alive and safe. As we said before, you’re a soldier in your own way. Now kiss me, then go back and finish our salad because afterward you’re going to help Cason and Beau figure out a plan to catch these criminals, and we need your insight to do so.”
She leaned forward, tears brimming her eyes, and she kissed Blade. Blade then lifted her up into his arms and held her against his chest. Avery moved her salad and fork closer as Blade turned her around, kept her on his lap, and they all ate lunch together.
Chapter 11
The days turned into weeks and soon it became a routine that Asher or Avery, or one of the other guys would go pick up Julia, Liam, and Cora’s mom so that they all could have dinner together like a family. They even invited Arabella and her men over one Friday to make homemade pizzas. Of course it seemed to Arabella and Cora that they did all the prep work and the guys decided on toppings and worked on eating all the pizzas. The kids were having fun and enjoying the attention and the fun they all shared together.
One night Cora snuck up on Julia talking with Avery and Asher about their muscles and all their tattoos. She couldn’t help but smile as Julia squeezed Avery’s arm and then pulled back.
“You don’t use those muscles on Mommy, do you?” she asked shyly, and Cora’s chest tightened. So hard, years ago, she tried to keep the violence away from Julia. She never wanted her to experience abuse. Even Cora’s mother would cover Julia’s eyes as Anthony smacked Cora or shoved her like she was garbage. The tears hit Cora’s eyes. Could Julia, though only five, have seen her father beat her mother? She felt so sick to her stomach, and Avery and Asher talked to Julia, answering her question.
“Of course not, Julia. That’s not what muscles are for,” Avery responded and smiled softly at Julia.
“But you make fists, and if you have big muscles like my daddy did then you’ll hit Mommy and shove her.”
Asher reached out to Julia and cupped her cheek gently. “No, baby girl, we would never lay a hand on your mommy or you or Liam. We want to protect your mommy and all of you, so no man, no bad person could ever do you harm again,” he said.
“Are we gonna be a family like aunt Arabella, Brock, Smith, Rex, and Reno? Because they keep aunt Arabella safe, and they kiss her and hug her all the time. They helped to rescue her and Mommy when Daddy and that bad man Kever came after them and hurt them.”
“Well, that’s the plan, Julia. We want you and Liam to feel safe and comfortable with all of us. We care about Mommy so much,” Asher added.
“Are you going to be my daddies?” she asked then hurried up to add, “Because Liam needs a daddy really badly. He sometimes does naughty stuff and one day he might have big muscles and tattoos and need good men like you to show him how to treat girls like princesses. Mommy is the most beautiful princess there is.” Julia smiled. So did Asher and Avery.
Cora covered her mouth and felt the tears trying to escape. She held them in and cleared her throat.
“Hey, Julia, it’s time to get ready to leave.” Asher and Avery locked gazes with her, and she quickly turned away and back toward her daughter. All this time she thought she had been successful in keeping the abuse hidden from Julia. Apparently this was something else Cora failed at too.
“Are you staying with Avery and Asher tonight? You can, Mommy. It’s Friday and Cindy Sparks said that adults and boyfriends and girlfriends are supposed to go out on Friday nights and have fun together. Grandma can take care of us,” Julia said as she held Cora’s hand, bouncing down the hallway toward Cora’s mother, Mary. Mary smiled wide as she held Liam’s hand.
“We’re going to head home and give Mommy and her friends some alone time, okay. We’ll see you for lunch tomorrow, Cora?” her mom asked.
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll be there,” Cora said, and Liam hugged his mommy and then Julia did next. Then the little stinkers went and hugged all the men.
“Take care of Mommy,” Julia said to Asher and Avery, pointing at them with a firm expression. Avery and Asher saluted her at the same time and said, “Yes ma’am.” Everyone laughed.
Cora stood on the steps and watched Blade help the kids into the truck before he headed out, giving them a ride back to the house. She hugged the post by the porch, watching the taillights of the truck slowly disappear down the road. She was frozen in place, the tears filled her eyes, and her heart ached.
“We’re going to have Brock and Smith come over and see if we can build an addition to the side of the house or maybe a separate dwelling for your mom to live in. That way she’s nearby to help with the kids and be part of our everyday lives,” Cason said, standing by the door looking out at the cool, moonlit night.
She didn’t answer him. Too choked up and about to cry knowing that her baby girl witnessed God knows how much abuse from the hands of her own father against her mother. She asked Avery and Asher if they used their muscles on Cora. My God. Cora closed her eyes and then felt the hands on her hips and the large chest press against her back.
“It’s okay, baby,” Avery told her, caressing her arms down as he wrapped his arms around her, pulled her from the pole and back against him.
“What’s going on? What’s wrong?” Cason asked. But there was silence.
The tears flowed.
“I failed her. She thinks men with muscles and tattoos are supposed to hurt women,” she whispered.
“Shh, baby, don’t do this to yourself. She’s a kid. She was like what, five years old when you escaped with Liam, your mom, and Arabella? She couldn’t have seen that much.”
“She saw enough.” Arabella pulled from him and walked further away from them. Asher came closer.
“She saw enough
to make her ask you and Asher if you use your fists and muscles on me. She saw Anthony hit me, abuse me even though my mother, Arabella, and I tried to hide it from her. God, she probably remembers him stepping on her, knocking her over to strike me for not listening and doing what he was demanding. Goddamn it!” she yelled out, and Asher turned her around and pulled her into his arms. She tried to get free, to stop him from consoling her when all she wanted to do was reprimand herself and punish herself for allowing this to happen.
“Baby, please calm down. Please, Cora, it’s in the past. We’ll show her, Liam, and you that men don’t hit women. Men don’t use their strength and muscles on women. We’ll get through this together.”
She stared up into Asher’s eyes and saw the love, the honesty of his statement.
“I don’t deserve you. Any of you.”
“Stop that. I told you we don’t ever want to hear that from you,” Beau said, joining them on the front porch.
“She’s young, Cora, and probably only remembers bits and pieces. You can’t focus on the past. Just know that the future involves all of us and we’ll make her and Liam see that we’ll protect and care for you and for them. That’s what matters,” Asher told her.
She hugged him tight, and he lifted her up and held her in his arms.
“Julia also asked if we were all going to be her and Liam’s daddies,” Avery told the others and they chuckled.
“It was just a shock to hear her tell you what she did. I’m sorry I pushed you away,” she told Asher, holding his gaze. Then she felt his hand move under her rear to her panties, pushing them aside and stroking a finger along her pussy.
“I think I know how you can make it up to me.”
“Oh really?” she asked as she leaned down and kissed his neck as he stroked her pussy.
“I have some suggestions,” Avery added, unzipping her skirt then lifting her blouse up. She raised her arms willingly as they discarded her of her clothing.
“Get her inside, Asher. Our woman needs some loving,” Avery said as he and Asher headed inside.
Soldiers of Pearl 2: Healing Souls (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 18
