Just One Kiss: A Holiday Story [The Town of Pearl 8] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  “She does need looking after. She walks through the woods all alone that leads to town. I was there with Brutas the other day and she didn’t even see me,” Salvatore informed them.

  Lucifer scrunched his eyebrows together.

  “Did you speak to her about it?”

  Salvatore raised one of his eyebrows up as if Lucifer were crazy to ask him that. Lucifer sometimes forgot how closed off Salvatore was. He wouldn’t even converse with anyone unless he had to.

  “I’ll talk to her about it tomorrow when we start the job,” Lucifer said to Salvatore.

  “Don’t drag me into the conversation. Just warn her. She looks like some teenager. Anyone from outside of town looking to cause trouble could attempt something. You know the sheriff’s department can’t patrol the woods too,” Salvatore told his brother.

  “I know. I’ll mention it at some point. She walked home yesterday afternoon and wouldn’t accept a ride from me. It was chilly out. She had on this old-looking sweater that had seen better days.”

  “Lucifer, living in this town, we took on the responsibility of watching over the women and children. All of them. If you’re aware of something, or have a gut instinct about this woman that concerns you, bring it up so we can discuss this. Wyatt may have to assign her guardians,” Maxwell stated firmly in that detective tone of his.

  Lucifer thought about it as moment or two as they ate. He saw her immediately when he entered Francine’s. She looked thin, shivered as she ate a small bowl of soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. When she pulled out her money to pay for the five-dollar special, she had exactly seven dollars. When he watched her leave Mrs. Higgins’s house, she pulled that flimsy sweater tight and hunched her shoulders as she headed toward the woods to the Anders home. Could it be that she didn’t have enough money to even buy a coat or a decent meal?

  He lowered his form, suddenly feeling a sick sensation in the pit of his stomach.

  “What’s wrong?” Gabriele asked.

  He knew he probably looked shocked, but these were his brothers, his family, the only men he truly trusted and loved.

  “I’m not sure. But my gut is saying there’s more to Lucia. That maybe she’s struggling a bit.”

  “Struggling?” Maxwell asked.

  Lucifer explained his observations and expressed his concerns.

  “There’s the women’s shelter. They run that coat drive every year and have plenty of warm clothes and coats for anyone in need,” Gabriele reminded them. Now he looked concerned.

  “I don’t know. We shouldn’t assume anything. I guess the way these fall temperatures have been, we’ll know soon enough. If she doesn’t wear a coat soon, I’ll have to ask her.”

  “You sure as shit will, Lucifer. Remember, if she’s in need or in trouble, it’s our responsibility to help her,” Maxwell said.

  Lucifer looked at Salvatore, who now seemed angry or annoyed at the conversation. Lucifer wondered if his brother would ever look happy again. His prayers, his pleas of some sort of miracle occurring, had fallen on deaf ears. The struggles, the battles with his past seemed too strong for Salvatore to overcome. Brutas was a huge help, but Salvatore never smiled, never showed emotion, and just wasn’t the same man Lucifer remembered him being. Lucifer wanted his brother back. He wanted to hear him laugh like he used to years ago. It made him feel somber as he went back to eating and begged God silently to grant him his wish, for Salvatore to feel alive, loved, and whole again.

  Chapter 4

  Mary was excited as Beth helped her make a big pot of coffee and set out some fresh baked goods for breakfast. When the sounds of “Yellow Rose of Texas” echoed through the house, she nearly burst with jubilation.

  “Oh God,” Beth sighed, rolling her eyes at Mary.

  “You stop that. This is going to work. You’ll see,”

  Mary rubbed her hands together as Beth went to open the door for Lucifer and his brother. She still didn’t know how she would get Maxwell and Gabriele here, but if it all worked out, Lucifer would invite Lucia to dinner at their place soon enough. That way all the Walters men could meet her. She smiled and glanced at her watch. Lucia wasn’t due for another hour.

  That was another thing. She needed to get some busywork ready for Lucia, and then encourage her to watch over the construction job and add her opinion. That would force a conversation between Lucia and the men.

  Mary smiled then closed her eyes. Lucia is perfect for them, Lilly. Your sons deserve happiness. This is going to work.

  The sound of footsteps alerted her to the men’s arrival as she opened her eyes and smiled. Her best friend Lilly Walters helped her through so much in her life. It was only right to watch over Lilly’s sons now that Lilly was gone. They needed a little push, and Mary was ready to help them.

  * * * *

  “I guess this won’t be so bad. Not with Mrs. Higgins laying out a spread like that for breakfast,” Salvatore told his brother as they began tearing down the walls and starting the project in the upper room. Lucifer wanted to be sure the pipes and plumbing were secure before they worked on the floor below. Salvatore was pulling the planks of wood off the floor and creating a makeshift row of wood to stand on instead of balancing on the lower beams in the floor.

  “She was a good friend to mom. She’s always been so caring,” Lucifer replied as they continued throwing all the scrap into a pile. The window was open, making the room a little cold, but they could easily throw all the garbage into the Dumpster they had placed there to catch the debris. The entire room looked like it needed to be gutted.

  “Wow, you got a lot accomplished in an hour.”

  Salvatore heard the feminine voice and the knock on the door. He turned to see the young woman there. The one from the woods, Lucia.

  “Well, eleven weeks isn’t exactly enough time as is, we have to remain on schedule,” Lucifer said as he joined Lucia by the door, rubbing his gloved hands together as dust fell from them.

  She didn’t look like the teenager Salvatore thought she looked like in the woods. Instead she looked like a very beautiful woman. He absorbed her beauty as his brother made small talk. Her long brown hair was flowing over her shoulders, and the black sweater she wore accentuated her rather large breasts. Her waist dipped in, making her appear slender, and the pants she wore looked looser than he would expect a young woman to wear. Most women wore tight clothing and things that showed off their assets. Lucia definitely did not.

  “Lucia, this is my brother Salvatore. Meet Lucia.” Lucifer introduced them, and as Lucia stepped forward, the lace of her sneaker got caught on one of the split pieces of wood and both Lucifer and Salvatore reached for her.

  She gasped as they collided against her and gripped her body. Salvatore’s hands were on her shoulders as he faced her, and Lucifer’s were on her waist.

  “Whoa, are you okay?” Lucifer asked as she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and nodded her head.

  Salvatore stared at her a moment, their gazes locked, and he felt something. It was something he thought was dead inside.

  “Sorry. I’m fine.” She pulled away, and both he and Lucifer released her. Salvatore took the moment to really look at her. She was probably about five foot three. He towered over her, could probably crush her if he held her in his arms. That thought instantly brought on a surge of feelings he didn’t want to analyze. He felt possessive, protective as he remembered her walking alone in the woods, and he felt an attraction.

  “Well, I’ll let you finish the demo, and when it’s done we can go over the ideas I drew up last night. Is that okay with the two of you?” she asked, stepping from where they stood close by, appearing a bit freaked out. She headed toward the doorway now, and they both watched her. He checked out her ass. The difference in their sizes was so drastic, his one palm splayed out could probably cover her ass completely. His dick reacted, and he quickly bent down to pick up some wood that they were tossing.

  “Sounds good. Most of this stuff will be carted out of
here today. Do you know if Mrs. Higgins has a budget for this job and for the room downstairs? I don’t want to go overboard, and since you are new at this designing thing, it could get costly,” Lucifer told her.

  “Who said I was new at this?” she replied, appearing insulted, and Salvatore could tell that she was upset and now Lucifer probably felt guilty as he stepped toward her.

  “I didn’t mean to put your capabilities down. It’s just that designing a new construction takes experience and a knowledge of what materials and things cost.”

  “Don’t worry, Lucifer. I’ll try not to make this hard for you.” She turned around and walked away.

  Salvatore could hear the attitude in her voice.

  “I guess I said the wrong thing.” Lucifer turned to him in support.

  “I guess so. She’ll get over it. You have eleven weeks to get through. I’m sure this won’t be the last time you insult her.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Lucifer snapped.

  “I don’t know. Maybe you lost your touch,” Salvatore said very seriously.

  Lucifer exhaled then went back to work. They remained silent the entire time, and that was just fine with Salvatore. He had enough on his mind. Like how the hell a woman as young, petite, and shy as Lucia had such an instant effect on him.

  * * * *

  Lucia felt embarrassed. Number one, she nearly fell when she walked into the room as she tried to act knowledgeable and appear impressed with Lucifer and his brother Salvatore’s progress. She hadn’t expected Salvatore’s size, nor the appealing, large muscles of both men the moment she went into the room. Where Lucifer’s dark-brown eyes had a softer look to them, Salvatore’s appeared almost black and filled with darkness and anger.

  It instantly made her shake. Her fear of men in general was difficult enough to handle, but throw in these men’s sizes and demeanors, and she was scared out of her mind. Then she tripped, and both men came to her aid. The feel of strong male hands on her and the deep, dark expression on Salvatore’s face had her retreating to safety immediately. Lucia was intimidated by their size, and she felt like such a shrimp. It made her put the walls up and become defensive. She wouldn’t head back up there until after lunch.

  As she went over some things with Mrs. Higgins about the other part of her job, she realized that the woman was quite energetic and resourceful. She was impressed with her negotiating skills as she spoke with her designers and about adding a new handmade jewelry line to the catalogue.

  “So, this jewelry is made by some of the women who live in the shelter?” Lucia asked her.

  “Yes, there are very talented young women there. Second Chances helps them to get back on their feet again so they can live normal, happy lives. Millie has taught a lot of the women there how to promote and even market their abilities and creativity. Some of the best items I have were created by Millie and the women in the shelter. Have you ever been there?” Mrs. Higgins asked.

  “No. I heard about it when I first got into town. It sounded like a wonderful place if a person needed help.”

  “It is a wonderful place. As I mentioned, there’s a lot of talent there too. So how do you like renting the place at the Anders home? It’s not too small for you?”

  “No. It’s fine. I don’t have a lot of stuff, and she and her husbands are very nice.”

  “So what do you think about this ad? Missing anything?” Mrs. Higgins asked as she turned her laptop toward Lucia so she could see the design.

  “That looks great.”

  “Are you sure? The designer doesn’t quite grasp what I think I want. Perhaps he’s right,” she said and then stared at the design ad. It was all so interesting to Lucia. Her college degree was in graphic design, but her love was interior decorating and full-haul renovation. She could have gone for engineering on her path toward her love of computers, but that would have sent her into the business world and far from where her parents could control her. If she had just taken off and disappeared sooner, then Derek and her parents wouldn’t have had the opportunity they had.

  To think that she was part of some behind-closed-doors contractual agreement without her consent made her feel sick. She had been violated in more ways than physically. How could she ever trust another person ever again?

  “Lucia?” She heard Mrs. Higgins’s voice and then felt her hand press over Lucia’s. Lucia pulled away and quickly stood up. She knew she acted strangely, but being touched by another person, even in kindness, made her nervous. After Salvatore and Lucifer touched her upstairs, she was really on edge.

  “What’s wrong? What were you thinking about? You didn’t even hear me say your name.”

  “I’m sorry. I guess I zoned out for a moment. What is it that you needed for me to do next, Mrs. Higgins?” she asked. The older woman looked at her strangely and then gave a small smile.

  “I get that way sometimes too. Always so many things on my mind. I forget to slow down and take a few moments. How about you go check on the demolition upstairs while I check on lunch? I want your opinion on whether the entire room should be gutted. You seem like you enjoy designing. Did you go to school for that?”

  “My degree is in graphic design, but my love is interior design. You know, complete renovations, remodeling, working with people to make their dream rooms come to life.”

  “Sounds like that’s your calling. Did you have the opportunity to do that where you came from?”

  Lucia felt a bit concerned about the questions. This was what worried her and made her hold back in deep conversations. She just shook her head and then looked away.

  “Well, check on the demo while I check on lunch.”

  “Oh, I brought something with me.”

  “Don’t be silly. Lunch is a perk of the job,” Mrs. Higgins said and winked as she walked out of the room.

  Lucia took a deep breath and pressed her palms down her shirt, making sure she looked okay before she headed back upstairs. Why she felt so nervous and like she needed to look okay, she didn’t want to analyze. She was here to do a job and get paid. She needed money. This was a great opportunity, and she couldn’t screw it up.

  * * * *

  Lucifer and Salvatore were walking down the stairs when they both spotted Lucia heading toward them.

  “How is it going?” she asked.

  “It’s going well. By the end of the day, before the total demolition is complete, you can share your ideas about the design. That way Salvatore and I will know where to start first.”

  Lucifer watched her as she stared up at him and his brother. They towered over her, but she looked like she was trying to stand taller, straighter, as if not affected by them. He couldn’t help but to look her over and admire her curves and that sweet mouth of hers. He was attracted to her. There was no doubt in his mind.

  “So the demolition will be complete today?” she asked.

  “Hell no. It’s going to take the next few days. There’s a lot to do,” Salvatore said with a bit of attitude that was all Salvatore. He was rough around the edges and then some.

  “That’s what I meant. I didn’t think just the two of you could possibly have the entire room done so quickly.”

  He watched his brother’s eyebrows scrunch together, and then Lucia quickly added, “I mean, if you had to you probably could accomplish it. You seem capable and strong, and have big muscles and—”

  She covered her mouth with her hand and turned around. “See you later. Thanks for the update,” she called out and hurried out of the room.

  “That’s no way to win over a woman’s heart, Salvatore,” Lucifer teased. He couldn’t help but smile as he chuckled while heading toward the front door.

  “Lucifer, Salvatore, where are you two going? Beth prepared some sandwiches for lunch. Come on and join us in the kitchen,” Mrs. Higgins told them and walked back into the kitchen without even waiting for a response.

  “Are you kidding me? What did you get me into?” Salvatore moaned and groaned as he stood
there with his arms crossed.

  “Come on. It’s just for today. We’ll let her know we like to go out for lunch.”

  He gave his brother a nudge and headed into the kitchen with Salvatore slowly tagging along behind him.

  * * * *

  Lucia felt a little uncomfortable as she sat across from Lucifer and Salvatore. Beth and Mary sat around the table, too, as they made sandwiches. The spread of food was something Lucia would compare to a small luncheon. She didn’t want to make a pig of herself, but if she ate enough now, then she could skip dinner and save the sandwich she made for tomorrow.

  “This is a lot of food, Mrs. Higgins. You didn’t have to do this, but thank you. Tomorrow we’ll go out for lunch. We like to do that when working a job,” Lucifer told her then smiled. Lucia noticed the huge sandwiches the two men made and the piles of potato salad they placed on their plates.

  “Eat up. You’re both such big men and you work hard, you need the energy and good nutrition,” Mrs. Higgins stated with a wink before she bit into her small sandwich.

  Lucia was halfway done with her food when she realized how quiet it was. She wiped the corners of her mouth, took a sip of sweet tea, and then gulped. Lucifer and Salvatore were watching her.

  “What?” she asked.

  “For a tiny little thing, you sure got a good appetite,” Salvatore told her, and she felt her cheeks warm. She immediately shot him a look.

  “I walk a lot, burn the calories, ya know,” she replied, giving him the once-over. He placed his sandwich down on the plate.

  “Speaking of walking a lot, you shouldn’t walk through the woods alone. It’s dangerous.”

  “Excuse me?” she asked.

  “I was there the other day with my dog, and you didn’t even see me or hear me. Someone could sneak up on you.”

  She swallowed hard.

  “Oh my, Salvatore is right. The town is very safe, but the sheriff and his deputies can’t patrol the outskirts and the woods.” Mrs. Higgins added her thoughts.