Tangled by Temptation [Doms of Destiny, Colorado 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Chloe Lang

  The sound of ice cracking that Belle and Amber had heard last night had put everyone on edge again. Lunceford, the town’s most wanted criminal, was still completely off the radar. All the citizens of Destiny felt the frustration of the entire team.

  “Belle, Doc told me he’s going to release Juan day after tomorrow. Doc knows it’s a little early, but since you are a nurse he feels confident that he’ll be in good hands.”

  “Juan’s doing so well. Keeping him still will be quite the job, but thankfully, I’ve got Corey and Shane to help me.”

  “Yes, you do.” Paris winked.

  “Don’t start that now. Please.”

  “Start what?” Paris shrugged. “Let’s get Cindy some fresh sheets.”

  “Subject change? So like you.”

  “If you need to talk about your two guys, I’m here for you. You know that, don’t you?”

  She grabbed Paris’s hands. “Yes. I know. You’re a good friend.”

  Her friend’s green eyes locked in on her. “I thought things were going well with you three.”

  “They are. Too good. Once we’re done in Cindy’s room, maybe I can get my two overprotective bruisers to allow me to grab a cup of coffee with you. I can tell you all about it.”

  “You’ve got a deal, Belle.”

  Belle took a deep breath as they stepped up to Cindy’s door. The woman seemed to trust her. Maybe today might be the time Kip’s sister would share something that could be helpful for Black and the team.

  Paris nodded to the two new agents, who were quite attractive. Belle knew from their talks that Paris only had eyes for the two Ryder brothers, Doc and Mick, though she protested otherwise.

  They walked in.

  Cindy was on the phone. Her face was flushed and her eyes were red. “I won’t do that for you, you son of a bitch.”

  Belle and Paris rushed to her side.

  “The line went dead.” Cindy turned to Belle. “Kip found me.”

  Her heart skipped several beats as Belle held out her hand. “Give me your phone.”

  The woman seemed to be in a daze. “Lunceford has leukemia. He told me he’s coming for me. He wants my bone marrow.”

  “Give me your phone, Cindy. Now.” Belle had to get it to Shane and Corey, had to tell them about this new development, had to save her town from Lunceford.

  Cindy nodded and handed her the cell. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “But I do.” Belle turned around and headed to the two men she trusted more than anyone else in the world.

  She rushed past Jonas and Cooper and into Juan’s room. Juan was watching a John Wayne movie with Shane and Corey.

  All three of them looked her way.

  Shane stood. “That was fast.”

  “Mom, the movie just started.” Juan smiled. “It’s about kids who become cowboys. Do you want to watch it with us?”

  “I do, but first, I need to talk to Shane and Corey.” Juan had been through so much already. Even as brave and mature as her twelve-year-old boy was, she didn’t want to scare him. “Give us a minute, sweetheart.”

  Shane and Corey didn’t ask any questions before walking out the door with her.

  “What’s wrong, baby?” Shane always did seem to see into her.

  “Cindy just got a phone call from Kip.” She handed him Trollinger’s cell. “The bastard has leukemia. He wants her to be his donor.”

  Corey’s face darkened. “How does he know she’s a match?”

  “I doubt he does.” Working in her ex’s hematology practice had increased Belle’s knowledge about the disease. She knew that siblings and family members increased the odds for a perfect match. “Cindy is likely his best chance.”

  Corey pulled out a device that she’d learned was called a ROC. “Dylan put a tracer on her cell. With any luck, we might have the origination point of the call.”

  “Honey, you did good. This might be the best chance we’ve had to catch Lunceford.” Shane waved Jonas and Cooper over.

  “What’s up?” Jonas asked.

  Shane and Corey filled them in on the call from Kip.

  Cooper nodded. “Sounds like we need to up our game.”

  Corey looked at the screen of his ROC. “Black already knows about the call from Kip. He’s on his way here now with the rest of the team.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Shane took Belle by the hand and led her out of the courthouse. Corey walked on the other side of their dream woman.

  “Please, promise we won’t be gone long.” Belle’s concern for Juan was just one of the things he loved about her.

  “You call us overprotective.” Shane grinned. “You should look in the mirror, baby.”

  “Doc is releasing Juan tomorrow, honey.” Corey put his arm around her shoulders. “He is fine. Besides, Cooper and Jonas promised to keep an eye on him for us.”

  “I know, but I can’t help it. He’s my boy.”

  Corey nodded. “He’s our boy, too.”

  “Don’t forget that we promised to bring him sweet and sour chicken and as many fortune cookies as Mr. Phong would allow us to have.” She smiled, but Shane sensed something behind her seemingly happy demeanor that troubled him.

  She was still holding back. He and Corey both knew it. With Juan’s release tomorrow, they’d decided now was the best time to confront her before her schedule got crazy.

  He kissed her. “Let’s walk to the Wok.”

  She grinned. “The snow looks beautiful in the park, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes, it does.” He glanced over at the statue of the Blue Dragon, also known as Mother Dragon. She had a tuft of snow on her wings that only added to her regal stature.

  They headed down South Street to their destination—Phong’s Wok.

  The place was empty save one table by the front door.

  Wearing her deputy sheriff uniform, Nicole Flowers sat alone finishing her lunch. “I can’t believe you finally convinced Belle to leave the courthouse. How did you do it?”

  “We can be quite persuasive, deputy.” Shane squeezed Belle’s hand. “She needed to get some fresh air and stretch her legs. We weren’t going to take no for an answer.”

  Nicole smiled and turned to Belle. “If these two are harassing you in any way, just let me know. I’ll arrest them. Just say the word.”

  Belle grinned. “We’re only here for the delicious Chinese food. That’s all. Shane and Corey promised it would only be an hour. If they try to keep me longer, I’ll definitely let you know.”

  “You’ve got a deal.” Nicole had her ROC out, which impressed him.

  Like the rest of the team, Nicole was working day and night to find something that would lead them to Lunceford. So far—nothing.

  The mystery man’s footprints hadn’t helped them a bit. Neither had the knowledge that Kip allegedly wanted Cindy’s bone marrow. Truthfully, they hadn’t even been able to verify the bastard had leukemia. Dead ends were all they were finding on this case, and it was driving them all crazy.

  Melissa Phong, Hiro’s wife, came out of the back. “Sit anywhere you like.”

  Shane selected a booth at the far back corner of the restaurant.

  He sat next to Belle, and Corey sat across from them.

  Melissa brought them menus. “Belle, how’s your little hero doing?”

  “He’s ready to get back to the ranch. Thank you for coming to the Boys Ranch opening. Your support means so much to us.”

  “Of course. The work you and your sister do with those boys is wonderful. Let me get you some jasmine tea and I’ll give you a few minutes to decide on your meal.”

  Corey handed his menu back to her. “No need for me. You already know what I want.”

  Melissa smiled. “Chicken chow mein, right?”

  “You got it.”

  The woman turned to Shane. “You always get orange pork or kung pao beef.”

  “Orange pork tonight.” He had always treasured the matriarch of the Phong clan since he was a boy.
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br />   “Belle, you never stray from sesame chicken. Correct?”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “I bet Juan told you to bring back fortune cookies, didn’t he?”

  “How do you keep everyone’s favorite straight in your head, Melissa?”

  “I’m smart, that’s how.” The woman laughed and headed back to the kitchen.

  Shane turned to Belle. “Now that we’re alone, it’s time to tell you the real reason we brought you here.”

  “I thought we were here for lunch.”

  “True, but I’m known for not beating around the bush.” He placed his hand over hers. “We had a great talk the other night. Corey and I felt like we have everything hashed out between us. But we can tell you are once again holding something back.”

  Corey leaned forward, taking her other hand. “We don’t want any walls between us. We are family now. You are ours. Don’t you trust us?”

  She took a deep breath as her eyes welled up with tears. “It’s not a matter of trust. I just don’t want to hurt you.”

  “We know you can’t have children, sweetheart.” Shane hated seeing the suffering on her face. “We do not care. As we’ve said before, we have Juan. He’s our son. We’ll adopt.”

  “I know you feel that way now. What happens ten years from now? Will you look at me differently then? Will you regret your decision?” She began to tremble. “I love you both so much. I do not want to deny you that pleasure. I’ve been through this before. Did you know I was married once? A doctor. I cared for him but not even a fraction as much as I care for you. When I couldn’t give him children we both knew what we’d had was over. It kills me to think of you out of my life, but every day I am falling even deeper in love with you.” Her voice shook and turned to a whisper. “You’re the most wonderful men I’ve ever known. Saying good-bye will destroy me, but you deserve a woman who can give you children.”

  “I love you, Belle. And I am going to go over this one more time.” Shane touched her cheek. “But you hear me now. This is the last time we bring this up again.”

  “I agree with my brother, sweetheart.” Corey leaned forward. “You are my heart, my soul mate, my everything. I won’t spend a single day without you in my life.”

  Shane kissed her forehead. “You think our lives aren’t full? My God, Belle, you and Juan have given us everything our hearts desire. Stop second-guessing the happiness we all feel. I know you’ve been through a lot. Losing your parents when you were so young must’ve been devastating. I bet you are always on guard whenever you get happy, expecting the next shoe to fall, the next tragedy to take over, the next heart to break. Baby, you don’t have to worry any more. We will always be here for you. You are our forever.”

  “Get that through your pretty little head.” Corey’s tone deepened. He meant business. “We aren’t going anywhere. We are here. Always. Stop trying to push us away, because you can’t. Do you understand?”

  Tears streamed down her face. “Yes. I understand. I love you so much. I will never bring it up again. I swear.”

  Corey leaned all the way over the table and grabbed Belle, crashing his mouth to hers. She moaned her surrender.

  When his brother released her, Shane consumed her lips. Feeling her delicate hands on his face intoxicated him.

  They heard the familiar buzzing sound of their ROCs.

  Shane looked at his screen and saw the message from Black.

  Urgent!

  Grayson just discovered a boat filled with explosives on Lover’s Beach.

  Wolfe, Strange, and I are headed his way.

  Ross and Ward, ensure Trollinger is buttoned up.

  The rest of you stand by for orders.

  Black

  “Time to go to work, bro.” Corey jumped up from the table. “Let’s get our girl back to Juan’s room.”

  Nicole walked over. “I just got Black’s message.”

  Belle’s eyes were wide. “What’s going on?”

  Corey said, “Looks like your footprint guy is making his move.”

  “I’ve got to get to my son.”

  “Exactly.”

  Melissa came over with their tea. “Leaving already?”

  Corey nodded. “Sorry, but duty calls.”

  They all heard an explosion and ran to the door.

  His and Corey’s parents’ diner was engulfed in flames.

  Dread flattened him. Are Mom and Dads inside?

  “Go,” Belle screamed and took off for the courthouse.

  “Just go to your parents. I’ll make sure she gets to Juan.” Nicole ran after Belle.

  He and Corey bolted to the diner.

  Shane’s insides were being ripped to shreds.

  * * * *

  With every fiber of her being, Belle needed to get to Juan.

  Thank God, he is in his room and not at the diner.

  Nicole was close behind as she ran into the courthouse.

  Belle turned down the hallway to Juan’s room.

  Her heart seized in her chest when she saw Cooper and Jonas on the floor at Cindy’s door, both with gunshot wounds.

  Another man, dressed in black, was dead on the floor next to them.

  She ran to Juan’s room. The door was open.

  He’s gone. Oh God. No!

  * * * *

  Being first on the scene, Corey ran into the burning building with Shane.

  Their mother and several customers were pinned under debris in what was once the dining room.

  “Mom, first,” Shane said.

  He nodded and they went into action.

  She’s breathing. Thank God.

  Once they had her free, Shane carried her out.

  Corey saw Desirae, one of the waitresses, with blood dripping from her mouth.

  “I’m fine, Corey. Go check on everyone else.” She was helping one of the customers to their feet.

  The kitchen, the domain of his dads, was completely engulfed in flames.

  * * * *

  Belle ran out of Juan’s room, crazed with panic. She had to find Juan.

  Nicole was giving Jonas CPR. “One. Two. Three.” She bent down and breathed for the man.

  Belle stepped past them and opened Trollinger’s door, hoping to find Juan with her—safe and sound.

  The room was empty.

  She wanted to scream.

  She bent down over Cooper, who was mumbling something unintelligible.

  “Where is he? Where is my Juan?”

  Cooper closed his eyes. “Gone…away…back…she…” He groaned from the pain of his wound.

  “Please, Cooper. Tell me. Help me find my son.”

  * * * *

  Shane carried out the last person they could reach in the diner. No chance of getting back inside now. The volunteer fire department was trying to put out the flames but it was a total loss.

  Doc, Paris, and Katy were caring for the victims with the help of Doc’s brother Mick and other Destonians. His mom was in bad shape, but not life-threatening.

  Corey walked up to him, choking and covered in ash. His brother didn’t say a word but shook his head. He knew exactly what that meant. Corey hadn’t found their dads or any of the other cooks. Had Dad Curtis and Dad Eddie been in the kitchen when the bomb went off? It was obvious that had been where it had been placed.

  I will kill whoever did this.

  * * * *

  As Cooper lost consciousness, Belle felt her entire body go numb.

  Nicole was continuing to give Jonas CPR.

  Belle was completely shaken and didn’t know where to turn, what to do.

  Her cell buzzed.

  It had to be Shane and Corey. I need you.

  She read the text and realized it hadn’t come from her guys.

  Belle,

  I’ve got Juan out back. He’s safe. Come now.

  Cindy

  Without hesitation, Belle ran to get her son.

  * * * *

  Corey held his mother’s hand.

&n
bsp; Shane knelt on the other side of her.

  Doc had told them she’d taken in a lot of smoke and her arm was broken, but nothing else. She was going to recover fully.

  Corey kissed her forehead. “We’re here, Mom.”

  Through the oxygen mask, he saw her smile, which broke his heart. What would happen to her once she learned they hadn’t found Dad Curtis and Dad Eddie?

  She pulled off the mask. “Boys, I’m going to be fine. Have you called your dads yet?”

  He and Shane looked at each other and then back at their mother.

  “Oh no. You thought they were inside.” She shook her head. “They headed off to Denver this morning to get a car they bought.”

  Shane let out a big breath. “Thank God.”

  Relieved, Corey brought out his ROC. “You call Dads and Phoebe. I’ll check with Nicole about Belle and Juan.”

  Before he could punch in the number, the alarm Jena had set up in the device went off.

  Kip is inside the system.

  * * * *

  Belle ran out the back of the courthouse and saw Cindy holding a gun to Juan’s head.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Bolting to the courthouse, Shane brought out his cell instead of the comprised ROC. Using the voice feature, he gave the command, “Call Belle.”

  Corey ran beside him.

  Her voice mail came on, chilling him to his bones. Where is she? Please, let Belle and Juan be safe.

  He and Corey came around the corner and saw a disastrous scene. “Where’s Belle and Juan, Nicole?”

  “Trollinger and Juan were gone when we got here. Belle got a text from Cindy and ran out the back.”

  From Cindy? That didn’t make sense since Dylan still had Trollinger’s cell. Where had she gotten a phone?

  As they rushed to the door with their guns drawn, Corey yelled back at her. “Call Doc for help.”

  Before they got to the door, it opened and Juan ran inside into their arms.

  Shaking, their boy blurted out. “She’s got Mom.”

  Shane’s gut tightened. Trollinger.