by E. C. Land
“You still need medical attention,” she says quietly.
“I’m fine and if it makes you feel better, you can come by and check on me every day. Besides, Dragon’s the club medic so I know I’m in good hands.” Smiling, Gadget kisses Doc’s nose.
“I get that you think you’re in good hands and unfortunately, I can’t come here every day, not when I have other things I need to take care of. Honestly, if you’re gonna be stubborn then I have a spare room you can stay in. That way I can at least monitor you to make sure you don’t get an infection.” She rambles about the possibilities of things that could go wrong while he heals.
“If he's gonna stay with you, so am I,” my voice strains.
“That’s fine, but we can’t do this again. This can’t happen,” she murmurs, running her fingertips along her lips.
“Oh, mo chroí, it will be happening again. Like my brother said, you're ours. Now, give us a couple of minutes and we’ll follow you back to your place. I’m sure you don’t want to leave Logan alone for too long.” If my throat didn’t hurt, I’d be laughing right now at the shock on her face.
“Yeah, we know Logan is your son,” Gadget says, smirking as he walks over to his dresser. I glance over at her as I leave through the connecting door between our rooms. It’s something we did when we picked our rooms here. We each have our own space but usually the door stays open. Other than my time in the military, Gadget and I haven’t slept in separate rooms. Beds, yes, but rooms, no. Our bond keeps us close, closer than others would imagine.
Doc doesn’t say anything while watching the two of us pack a bag.
Guess Gadget’s plan won’t be needed after all. Now we just need to show her exactly how true our word is.
She’s ours. Ár chroí. Our heart.
8
Connors
I cannot believe I did that. Not only did I barge in on the club members while they were in church, but I kissed not only Gadget but Dragon as well. And the fact they called me theirs? Not one or the other but both of theirs. How does that even make sense?
Then I went and invited them to stay with me so that I can keep an eye on Gadget as he heals. I’d like to think it was the doctor in me, but it wasn’t. No, it was my libido speaking. Hell on a stick, I thought I’d lost my libido until they both kissed me. Those two men lit a fire in me that I’m having a hard time putting out right now. And with them staying with me, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to put it out.
Shaking my head as I maneuver my car into my driveway with Gadget and Dragon right behind me, I turn the car off while taking a deep breath. I can’t turn back now. Truth be told, I don’t really want to. I should but I don’t.
All I need to do is keep myself from jumping their bones. I’m sure I can avoid that from happening if I focus on anything else but their lips on me.
I jump as my door is opened.
“Didn’t mean to scare you, babe,” Gadget says gently.
“Sorry, I was just lost in thought for a minute there,” I mutter, getting out of the car.
“Good thoughts, I hope,” Dragon murmurs. I hadn’t even seen him standing behind his brother.
Damn, these two men are gonna be the death of me and I haven’t done anything other than have a brief kiss with them.
Without a response to Dragon’s comment, I lead them to the house. Inside, Emerson looks up from the couch, her jaw-dropping when she sees the men walking in behind me. When she goes to speak, I shake my head, letting her know now is not the time. I don’t think I can handle much more conversation today. I quickly show Gadget and Dragon to the spare room and get my medical kit, knowing Gadget probably needs his bandages changed.
It’s a good thing Logan is asleep right now. I’m not sure how he’ll take it, knowing we’re gonna have guests for the next few days. I’ve never brought a man around him. Well, I guess you have to date someone for that to happen. Right?
Granted, Emerson said Logan knew Gadget and Dragon from the afterschool program, but without talking to him, I don’t know his feelings about them.
I nervously step into the spare room and stop at the sight of Gadget laying shirtless on the covers of the bed, his hands behind his head and his eyes closed. Dragon is sitting on the end of the bed, his arms resting on his knees as he stares at me under his lashes. The intensity of his eyes is all-consuming. My knees feel weak as I work at keeping myself upright. Weird how Dragon can do that to me with just his eyes.
“You two about done? I need some attention over here,” Gadget mutters, being a smart ass.
Clearing my throat, I move toward Gadget and place my medical bag on the nightstand. “Well, if you stayed at the hospital like you were supposed to do, you wouldn’t be asking that, now would you?” I say, opening my bag and grabbing a pair of gloves first.
“And like I told you, Doc, I didn’t want any of them touching me. They weren’t you,” Gadget grumbles, wincing as I remove the bandage. “Damn, that fuckin’ hurts.”
“Language,” I snap. “Since you’re gonna be staying here, you need to watch your language in my house.”
“Sorry, baby, I’ll try not to cuss, especially when Logan’s around,” Gadget murmurs, placing his hand on top of mine. I hadn’t even realized I’d been resting it on his chest. Dammit.
My breath catches in my throat. Quietly, I finish cleaning the wound where he’d had the bullet removed and rebandage it. God, I don’t know what to make of these men. They’re different from any other guy I’ve known, not that there have been any since Nick. Hell, not even before Nick. I’d been a virgin when he and I met at the party my friends dragged me to the night my life changed.
Inwardly, I shake my head, not needing to go down memory lane.
“What are you thinking about so hard, mo chroí?” Dragon’s strained voice brings me back.
“Umm, nothing,” I mutter.
“Didn’t seem like nothing.” Quietly, he stands and moves around the edge of the bed, stopping next to me. Gadget moves to sit directly in front of me. They both place a hand on me almost as if in unison.
“I’m not gonna lie and say we don’t have shit to talk about, because we do. For now, though, we’re gonna let you get used to our touch before we get into the heavy shit. However, I will admit right now, Gadget and I know about your past. We’re not holding it against you but we will be talking about it as soon as we think you’re ready,” Dragon informs me. I’m not surprised they know about my past.
I go to turn away from them but they hold firm. Why? Why would they want me? They know about Nick, then they know I was the dumbass who couldn’t get away from him fast enough. Granted, I don’t regret having Logan, but I damn sure regret ever meeting Nick. Shame fills me as Dragon’s words roll through my head on repeat, combining with Nick’s voice.
“Baby, come back to us,” Gadget says softly, his fingers making soothing circles on my waist. “I know you’re probably confused right now with everything we’ve said, but we’re not going anywhere. And don’t even bother trying to push us away. You’re our woman and I hope one day you’ll say ‘yes’ to being our ol’ lady and letting us be family to Logan. We both love that kid.” His last words shock the hell out of me.
“I need to go. It’s late and you need some rest,” I whisper when I’m able to find my voice. They let me move away but not before each of them kisses me. And when I say kiss me, I mean kiss me with such passion that I felt I could burst into flames right there.
Yeah, these two men are gonna be the death of me.
Death by libido overload will be what the death certificate says.
9
Gadget
Fuckin’ hell, the look in her eyes as she took in my words kills me. I’m not sure what was running through her head, but I can only guess.
“Get some rest, brother. We have our work cut out for us tomorrow,” Dragon says, his voice strained more than usual, most likely from using it too much today.
“Yeah, like that’s gonna happ
en with her right down the hall,” I mutter, laying back down in the bed. Damn, my body feels like it’s been run over by a Mack truck. Even my dick is in pain. And unfortunately, I can’t take care of that right now. If I were to start, it would mean Dragon doing the same, and it’s not that we haven’t jacked off at the same time before, but it would be a little weird to explain if Doc walked in on it.
Closing my eyes, I attempt to fall asleep. With there being only one bed, I figured Dragon would end up stretching out on the floor, but the bed dips beside me and I know my brother has gotten in.
“Can’t sleep on that damn floor so we’re sharin’ like we do everything else,” he grunts, getting comfortable. I don’t blame him, the carpet is thin.
From what I saw of the house when we walked in, it could use some updating, such as new carpet with some actual padding. Along with some paint. Maybe Dragon and I can talk her into letting us help her do some maintenance here. I’m sure there’s some other things as well.
Finally, I drift off into a somber sleep.
Groaning, I wake up to my body feeling stiff as hell and my chest burning. Fuckin’ hell, this is bullshit.
Sitting up on the side of the bed, I hear commotion coming from the other room. Looking behind me, I see Dragon’s still out of it. I wonder if Doc peeked in here and saw the two of us crashed out in the same bed. And if she did, I wonder what ran through her mind.
Shaking my head, I stand and move stiffly toward the door. Opening it, I step into the hall. The commotion seems to be coming from the living room. I stop at the entrance to the hallway and my lips lift into a smile as I watch Doc and Logan playing with two Megazords from Power Rangers. This is an image I’d love to wake up to every morning. Logan may not be my kid but he’s Connors’s, and in my eyes, that’s more than enough. He’s a great kid.
“G-Gag-Gadget!” Logan calls my name as he stands and runs full speed toward me.
“Careful buddy, Gadget isn’t feeling all that great. You don’t want to hurt him,” Connors calls out to Logan.
“Hey Log-man, how’s it going?” I ask, kneeling down to be eye-level with Logan.
I’m great. I’m excited that you and Dragon are going to live with us, he signs with a big smile on his face.
“Logan, remember I said they were just staying with us until Gadget got better,” Connors says, trying to correct her son.
Turning to his mom, Logan signs, Why can’t they live with us? They’re my friends and they’re big and strong and can protect us from the boogeyman. I want them to stay with us. His movements become more frantic and I’m having a hard time keeping up. If Dragon were here, he’d be able to tell me. However, from the look on Connors’s face, she understands everything he’s saying.
Deciding to distract Logan from his own thoughts, I tell him he can go get Dragon. That got a smile on his face as he ran past me down the hall to the room I stayed in.
“So . . . umm . . . do you and your brother share a bed often?” she asks shyly. Turning my attention back to her, I give her a smirk while I move in close enough for our bodies to touch.
“Mo chroí, you’ll find out soon enough what all Dragon and I share. We’re not your typical pair of twins. Best way to explain it without going into detail right now is we’re one person in two bodies. We share everything,” I inform her right before pressing my lips against hers.
“Knock it off, you two. It’s too damn early in the morning for that shit. Tell me there’s coffee made already,” Connors’s sister Emerson mutters as she moves through the kitchen, clearing her throat.
“Well, if you’d have waited any longer, we might have gotten further into that kiss.” I give the two of them a wink before patting Doc on the ass and stepping away.
Connors doesn’t say anything, rather turns on her heels and goes into the kitchen with her sister.
Chuckling, I follow them, keeping my eyes directed at the woman Dragon and I have wanted for so long. Now we have her exactly where we want her. Well, close enough, that is.
As I go to follow the two of them, a knock on the door stops me. I make my way to the door and open it, only to have my blood run cold at the sight standing in front of me.
Hydro.
“Who the fuck are you?” he snarls.
“Doesn’t matter who the fuck I am, asswipe. I know who you are, and you can turn the hell around right now and go back where you came from,” I growl using my body to block his view of the inside of the house. I’m sure Connors has heard his voice, but she doesn’t need to see him.
“This is my whore of a wife’s house and I suggest you get the fuck out of my way.” He steps toe-to-toe with me.
“You mean ex-wife, fucker, and she sure as hell isn’t yours anymore.”
“We’ll see about that, Devil’s bitch. See, I know who you are too. You and your club think your shit don’t stink but watch your back. That whore in there is mine, so is that bastard she carried. Just try and keep her from me. Won’t happen. I’m out of that shithole she put me in and now it’s time to pay the piper,” he says before calling over my shoulder. “You hear me, bitch? Your time's coming. You don’t fuck with the Dragons Fire MC without getting what’s coming. You’re my property and always will be. You carry my brand.” With that, he storms off the porch and gets on his bike.
I keep an eye on him until he’s gone before turning and storming in the house, slamming the door behind me. Looking toward the kitchen, I spot my woman standing there, face pale, tears running down her cheeks. I take my eyes off her for a split second to find my brother walking in with Logan in his arms. My heart clenches at the sound coming from the boy. He’s terrified and with good reason.
Nodding to my brother, he and I move toward Connors, taking her and Logan both in our arms, surrounding them, giving them both our strength.
“He won’t touch either one of you,” Dragon growls, kissing her forehead.
“Drag’s right, baby. No one will ever get near you. Never,” I say, pressing my lips to her temple.
If that fucker thinks I’ll let him fuck with our woman, he’s got another thing coming. No one fucks with ours— and these two are ours.
Our woman. Our kid. Our family. Ours.
10
Connors
I’d know the sound of his voice from anywhere. It filled my nightmares for years, even when we were married. I shouldn’t have been as shocked as I was to find him out of jail, but I am. He wasn’t supposed to get out early. How he managed to do so is beyond me.
You’re my property and always will be. You carry my brand. His words scream in my head. Moving my hand to my collar bone, I can feel the brand he placed there. Nick had used a cattle prod to ensure I’d never be able to cover his mark, scarring my flesh with his symbol.
“Mo chroí, you’re safe. Don’t let his words get to you,” Dragon says, pulling away from me still holding my son in his arms. God, the thought of Logan hearing his father, what he did must have shook him.
Holding my arms out, I take my son and hum soothingly to him. Logan may be four years old, but he’s always loved it when I sang to him.
Once he calms down, I carry him to my room and climb in the bed, snuggling him to me. “It’s okay, baby. Everything will be okay. Just forget the words you heard out there,” I say as I rub his back.
Logan lifts his head and holds his hands up. Too upset to speak, he begins to sign, I told you Gadget and Dragon could keep the boogeyman away from us.
I still at what he’s saying. A feeling of dread fills me. Has Logan seen his father before? I figured he’d simply been talking about an unknown monster that lurks under his bed, not a real monster. Clearing my throat, I ask him, “Lo, is that the man you were speaking about earlier when you mentioned the boogeyman?” He’s nodding his head frantically, answering my question before I even finished getting it out.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Emerson asks him as she climbs in on the other side of the bed. Glancing around, I find both Dragon an
d Gadget standing at the foot of the bed, staring down at the two of us. Their faces give nothing away as to what is going on in their heads. Well, I should say besides the small tell that they’re both clenching their teeth.
Turning my attention back to Logan, I wait for him to answer his aunt’s question. He’s not looking at either of us but rather at Dragon and Gadget. I was gonna tell you about it in class, but you weren’t there. I wanted you to protect my mommy and me, he signs with tears pouring out of his eyes.
Both men move to climb into the bed. Thank God my bed is a king-sized and big enough for everyone to surround Logan.
Dragon scoops my son up into his arms as Gadget gets closer to me. “Emerson, can you give us a moment to talk?” Dragon asks.
My sister looks ready to protest but Gadget stops her. “Please, Em. We just need a moment alone with them,” he says quietly.
“Fine, but I’m not happy about this. And I’ll go ahead and say this now. Fuck them over and I’ll castrate you with your own knife,” she informs them as she leaves the room, closing the door behind her.
“Language,” I call out after her even with the door already closed.
Soon as we’re alone, Gadget is the first to speak. “Lo-man, I’m sorry we weren’t in class. I was in the hospital. But I want you to know now, if you ever need to speak to Dragon or me, whoever is there that day will get ahold of us,” he says gently.
Nodding, Logan leans into Dragon. What is it about these two my son seems to love so much? Could it be the same thing I see in them? But for me I’m too terrified to know what comes next.
“And don’t forget, you can tell your momma. She loves you and will always be here for you,” Dragon says, his voice rough.
