by Jane Jamison
He lowered his gun, then sauntered over to the scowling man and slung his arm around his shoulders. “Tell you what. I’m going to let you and your boys have a free pass out of town. Without anyone getting hurt. But just so you know, I’ve got a lot more friends with rifles. Show up again and I’ll bring a fucking army down on your ass. Do you understand, man?”
Bandura jerked off his arm, then backed up. He pointed at Jesse. “This isn’t over. You owe me and you’re going to pay up.”
The sound of several rifles cocking had everyone except Jarrod looking up. “Better get while the gettin’s good, friend. And don’t come back.”
Bandura motioned to his gang. Slowly, keeping their guns down and their attention focused on the armed men, they made their way to their van.
“Hey, Ruben.” Jarrod grinned. “You don’t mind if I call you Ruben, right? Now that we’re good friends and all?”
Bandura turned his scowl on Jarrod again. “What?”
He lifted his hand in a friendly wave. “Y’all drive safe, okay?”
* * * *
The drive back to the ranch was long and silent. After Bandura and his gang lead-footed it out of town, Seth had joined them. She’d watched as the men good-naturedly exchanged playful banter, tipped their hats to her, and then walked off in different directions. Like what they’d done wasn’t anything unusual. They hadn’t even asked any questions.
But no talking didn’t mean there wasn’t tension suffocating her. As she sat in between her brother and Jarrod, with Seth following behind in his pickup, she knew a confrontation was coming soon. They’d even left the groceries behind. Jarrod had asked one of the other men to “tend to the mess she left inside.”
By the time they made it back to the house, Amy was ready to jump out of her skin. She trailed behind Jarrod and Seth as they led the way inside the house. Jesse tried to hurry upstairs, but Seth was quick to take his arm and haul him into the living room. Nervous about what they’d say, Amy took a seat on the couch along with Jesse while the Hill brothers remained standing.
“It’s time you tell us what’s really going on.” Jarrod crossed his arms. His expression was passive, but his anger was palpable, an invisible force in the room. “Past time.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jesse was back to his surly attitude.
She closed her eyes. How long would they put up with her brother? How long would she? And yet, she hadn’t told them the truth, either.
“Cut the shit, kid. I saw the outgoing call on my phone. You remember. The phone you stole to make that call. At least you had enough sense to put the phone back.”
She lifted her gaze to Jarrod’s. “I caught him with it and put it back.” It hadn’t occurred to her at the time to delete the number.
“And you didn’t say a damn thing to either of us?” Seth seemed more hurt than angry. “If Jarrod hadn’t noticed the number this morning, I might not have followed you into town.”
“So you thought something was going to happen?” Why hadn’t they said anything? Or better yet, kept them from going into town? And yet, the real fault lay with her. If only she’d told them.
“We didn’t know, but we figured something might happen.” The muscles in Jarrod’s arm flexed when he crossed his arms. “Did you tell your friend where the ranch is, Jesse? Or just the name of the town?”
Her brother kept his head down, his gaze on his feet. “This is bullshit.”
Jarrod was on him in the next moment, hauling him to his feet, and bringing his face an inch from his. “You’re fucking right it’s bullshit. It’s bullshit that you almost got your sister killed. It’s bullshit that a lot of good men, men who don’t even know your name, came to your rescue not only at the truck stop but in town. People could’ve gotten shot. Friends of mine could’ve been killed. You’re just damn lucky it went down the way it did. But, kid, you’re living on borrowed time unless you tell us what’s going on.”
She winced as Jarrod flung Jesse onto the couch. Although he glanced her way looking for help, she was determined not to interfere. Both she and Jesse deserved whatever they said.
“Tell us what you told your friend. We need to know if they’re going to show up on our front porch.” Seth sat down on the armchair and rested his elbows on his knees. “Come on, Jesse. It’s time to grow the hell up. Do you want those guys coming here? Do you want them to take out their anger on your sister?”
“Naw, man. They’re gone. You scared the hell out of them.”
“I wouldn’t count on it.” Jarrod backed off.
Was he ready to give up on Jesse? On her? “Tell them. Please.”
“I can’t.”
She didn’t want to do it, but it was time he learned his lesson. Even if it meant learning it the hard way. She’d face her own consequence once Seth and Jarrod found out she’d known and hadn’t told them.
“Then I will. I hope you can forgive me. I was stupid and selfish and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this earlier, but I was hoping Jesse would tell you himself. Or that something would happen and it would all go away.” She didn’t want to cry and forced back the tears burning her eyes. “I just wanted…” She swallowed hard. “I just wanted to stay here with the two of you. For once, I wanted a normal life if only for a little while. I guess Jesse’s not the only one who needs to grow up. I’m so sorry.”
She didn’t dare look at them. If she saw anger, or worse, hatred, she’d die inside.
“Amy, it’s okay. We’ll get past this.”
She lifted her gaze to Seth’s, daring to hope they’d forgive her. “I’m so very sorry.”
Jarrod let out an exasperated sigh. “Stop saying you’re sorry. Just tell us everything. No holding back any longer.”
She nodded. “I heard Jesse talking to someone, one of his friends or maybe one of his buyers. He told them to meet him at an old barn today.”
“And instead, you took him into town with you.”
She sought out Seth’s usually soft brown eyes. When she saw the tenderness there, she couldn’t believe how lucky she’d gotten. Anyone other than the Hill brothers would’ve thrown them out days ago. They would’ve been on their own facing Ruben Bandura and his gang.
“Yes. When Jesse didn’t try to run off to the barn, I figured he’d decided against it.” She shifted so she faced her brother. “Did you change your mind, Jesse?” She’d hoped he’d decided he liked it on the ranch. That maybe, just maybe, he’d decided to turn over a new leaf.
He shook his head, still keeping his head down. “I got scared.”
“Of what?” She’d never heard her brother admit he was frightened.
“Of exactly what happened. Am I right, Jesse?” Seth leaned back in his chair. “You got to thinking and realized your friend might turn over on you. That he’d tell Bandura and it’d be Bandura showing up at the barn and not your friend.”
“Jesse?” She placed her hand on his arm. “Please. Tell the truth. There’s no reason to hide anything.”
He jerked his arm, getting away from her to pace to the other side of the room. “Okay, fine. Yeah, I told the guy where to meet me. And yeah, I was scared he’d told Bandura. Fuck. Just leave me the hell alone.”
“What kind of trouble are you in anyway? This is bigger than you hitting on his girl.”
Jarrod wanted to take hold of Jesse and shake him again. Or worse. She could see the anger boiling behind his composure.
“It’s none of your fucking business. I’m getting out of here.” Jesse bounded up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
She started after him, but Jarrod pulled her back onto the couch. “I have to stop him. He can’t go it on his own.”
Jarrod held her arms, keeping her next to him. “You have to let him go. He has to man up.”
“No. I can’t. I have to help him.” Tears sprang to her eyes, born of frustration and fear. “What if he sneaks out a window?”
The men exchanged a look before Seth answered. �
�He won’t get far. Those men who saved our butts back in town are keeping an eye on the house and the road. If Bandura decides to show up, he’ll wish he’d stayed away.”
She turned toward the windows. “They’re here? I don’t see anyone.”
“Don’t worry. They’re there,” added Jarrod. “Baby, tell us why he’s running. What really went down?”
She still didn’t want to tell them, but they deserved to know. Even if it meant putting Jesse in an even worse light in their eyes. “You’re right. It had nothing to do with Ruben Bandura’s girl. Jesse lost a lot of money betting on the horses. To try to get the money back, he stole drugs from Bandura and sold them.”
“Let me guess. Then he took the drug money and tried to win back the money he’d lost, but lost it, too. He ended up with no drugs and no money.”
“And Bandura after his ass,” added Seth.
She could barely meet Seth’s eyes. “Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. I was just so…” So embarrassed? Ashamed?
Selfish. Needy.
Desperate to find love.
Jarrod pulled her against him. “It’s okay. We get it. You’ve always taken care of him and you’ll always want to. We can respect that kind of loyalty.”
“Even when it isn’t deserved.”
She glared at Seth, but knew he was right. “What do we do now? Do you think the gang really left?”
“I doubt it.” Seth walked over to the window. “Bandura didn’t seem like the type to just let things ride. He’ll be back.” He pivoted to face her. “But we’ll be ready. As long as Jesse’s willing to play along.”
“What do you mean?”
The look Jarrod and Seth exchanged didn’t make her feel any better. She pushed away from Jarrod, searching him, waiting for him to tell her. But it was Seth who answered.
“I called the sheriff. He’s the one who got the men together and they’ll keep their eyes peeled. But I had to promise we’d take you and Jesse back to Selena.”
“But why? We aren’t safe there.” Everything she’d fear was happening. Bandura was out to kill Jesse. And now the Hill men had finally had enough of her brother and his trouble. How could anyone want her with Jesse holding her down?
“I promised we’d go to the authorities and tell them what was going on. I didn’t know what it was, but I figured it had to be big.”
Jarrod turned her loose then skimmed a hand along her arm. “I had a friend of ours check things out back in Selena. People like you don’t abandon everything in a hail of bullets unless they’re in big time trouble.”
She was on her feet, backing away. “You told the authorities? Without even saying anything to me?”
“And what would you have done if we’d told you?” Jarrod stalked toward her. “You’d have done whatever you had to do to protect him. Even if it meant running again.”
Seth caught her from the other side. “You would’ve taken off and never given us a chance.”
“A chance?” She backed up, confused and excited. “A chance for what?”
“A chance to make a life together.”
Seth eased in front of Jarrod. “Amy, we want you. Not just for sex. Not just for a short time. We want you to stay. We want this to be your home.”
“You want me?” The words didn’t make sense. Not after everything she’d put them through. But then, with her mind whirling a mile a minute, nothing did. “Both of you?”
“Yeah, both of us.” Seth moved closer. “We’re a package deal.”
She wasn’t sure how to feel. Part of her wanted to run into their arms. But the other side of her, the side that had her brother’s back wouldn’t let her. Cold whipped into her, replacing the feelings of love trying to break through the icy chill.
She used his words as a weapon and landed a strike. “Just like Jesse and I are a package deal.”
“It’s not the same. Jesse’s a grown man. He needs to stand on his own two feet and make a life for himself.”
Jarrod took hold of her before she knew what was happening. She struggled against him, beating the chest that was like a stone wall. He held her as Seth moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. They cocooned her between them, letting her tears fall as she beat out her frustrations on Jarrod.
“You can’t send him to jail. Bandura can get to him inside there.”
“He may not have to go.”
Spent, she fell against him with Seth supporting her, keeping her on her feet.
“If he helps the police get Ruben Bandura, they’ll go easier on him.” Seth pulled her hair back and kissed the back of her neck. “I swear we’ll do everything we can for him. We’ll get him a good lawyer.”
“We’ll stand by his side the whole time.” Jarrod caressed her cheek. “Don’t you get it, baby? We’re here for you. That means we’re here for Jesse, too.”
“You promise?” She didn’t have a right to ask it of them, but she had to. If she didn’t, she could lose her brother.
“We promise,” whispered Seth. “Give him the chance to prove he’s a man. Let him take responsibility for once.”
“He has to do this for himself,” added Jarrod.
“But what if he won’t?” She couldn’t make Jesse turn himself in.
“He will. Give him more credit than you have in the past. He’s not there yet, but he’s grown up a lot since you two came here.”
“And if he doesn’t?” She didn’t like the sorrowful glance the two men exchanged. “You’ll turn him in anyway, won’t you?” She pushed away, needing distance between them so she could think. “No. I won’t let you.”
Jarrod’s expression left nothing to doubt even before he confirmed it. “We have to. We’ve already talked to the authorities.”
“Listen to him, darlin’. You know it’s the right thing to do. Just like you know we’re right for you.”
She shook her head, unable to say the words to deny them.
Seth walked over to her and took her chin in his hand. “You have to trust us, Amy.”
“I do trust you.” She resisted, but not enough to break free. “But I can’t do it to him. I can’t send him to jail. Not if he’ll be in danger.”
“Then don’t. Let us handle it.”
Hot tears stung her eyes. “Talk about a chicken shit move. Should I hide and pretend I don’t know anything?”
His soft smile helped a little, but not enough. “You’ll always be there for him. And he knows it, even if you don’t.”
“He’ll hate me.”
“If he does, then he’s a damn fool,” offered Jarrod as he came closer. “Will you hate us for making him go?”
“Yes.” But she heard the lie. They were right. Jesse had to face the consequences of his actions. “No. I could never hate you. Either of you.”
“Does that mean you’ll stay? I don’t want to sound all mushy, but if you walk out that door for good, I don’t think I could go on.”
She stared at Seth and saw the love there reflected on Jarrod’s face. “This is too soon.”
“It’s not soon enough as far as we’re concerned. Don’t think about how many days you’ve been here. Time isn’t how love is measured.”
Seth chuckled. “Thanks, bro, for getting even mushier than I did.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Her throat threatened to close up.
“Say you’ll stay.” Seth tipped her head back.
“Say you’ll go upstairs with us,” added Jarrod. “We’ve been saving the large room at the end just for you. For us.” He let out a breath, then took her hand. “Damn it. Say it before I lose my balls and turn into a sappy girl.”
“It.” There. She’d said the word.
“What?”
Seth shoved his brother toward the stairs. “She’s making a joke, bro. A bad one, but who cares? She said it. Now get going before she changes her mind.”
Chapter Eleven
Seth couldn’t get Amy to the big bedroom fast enough. He pushed open th
e door, letting Jarrod lead her inside. “This is your room now, darlin’. Yours and ours.”
When she turned and faced him again, her pouty lips were parted, the bottom lip quivering. The sight of her, so vulnerable, so trusting, sent shockwaves through him, making him want her more than was humanly possible. He came to her then caressed her trembling lip with his thumb.
“Amy, you’ve got to know how much you mean to us. I think we were goners the second we saw you.”
“He’s right.” Jarrod’s tone held the same urgency, the same craving he felt.
Seth tugged her shirt out of her jeans, then pulled it off her, before tossing it over his shoulder. “I can’t wait any longer. I’ve got to see you, naked and tied up. I’m going to touch you everywhere and nibble on your clit.”
Her eyes grew bigger, filled with passion. “And Jarrod?”
“Yeah. And Jarrod.”
“Damn straight and me.” Jarrod moved closer, boxing her between them. “Take a look around. Do you like what you see?”
She did, taking in the spanking bench and the play tools that hung on the wall above it. Her gaze drifted to the heavy curtains on the windows, blocking out the harsh Texas sun. Shelves lined one wall with various toys on them, including vibrators, dildos, gels, and butt plugs. Handcuffs were linked to chains and affixed to a large square, wooden board attached to the wall. Another set of cuffs hung from the bottom of the board.
“I’m not sure what all of these things are for.”
He was glad she didn’t know. If she had, that would’ve meant she’d played with other men. Just thinking about her with another man, other than his brother, made him physically ill. “You’ll learn soon enough. If you want to. Or is this too much for you?”
“You tied me up in the hayloft, but I didn’t know you were into all this.”
Was she hesitating? Was she not ready to learn the truth? But they couldn’t turn back now. “We’re getting into BDSM more and more.” He chuckled. “Maybe we went a little overboard outfitting this room, but we wanted to be ready once we found the right woman. Now that we’ve found you, we’ll ease into everything. We’ll only do what you want. Do you know about safe words?”
