by Becca Van
* * * *
“Fuck!” Wilder said angrily.
Dirk nodded his agreement.
“Whoever did this is looking for something,” Cree stated.
“That’s what we thought.” Walt combed his finger through his hair.
“I don’t like this,” Emmet said. “The assholes have been taunting and terrorizing Jodi for months. Why would they do that?”
“Maybe they wanted to scare her out of the house,” Ajay suggested.
“They’ve had plenty of opportunity to break in here and get what they wanted while she was working.” Dirk frowned.
“Does Jodi have insurance?” Brax asked.
“I don’t know. Didn’t think to ask her,” Walt answered.
“She can’t stay here,” Dirk stated emphatically. “If these motherfuckers come back and she’s inside, she could end up getting hurt or worse.”
“She can stay with us,” Walt said.
Dirk and Emmet nodded their agreement.
“I’ll call around to your place if we find anything,” Nash said. “We’ll go over this place with a fine-toothed comb. CSI should be here shortly, too.”
“Keep us informed,” Walt said as he glanced at Emmet, then Dirk. “Let’s get her home and into bed so she can rest.”
Dirk hated that Jodi’s house has been broken into and been destroyed, but he was also glad to have an excuse to have her in their home. If that made him a bastard, so be it.
He was hoping that once she got to know him and his brothers, she wouldn’t be averse to having a relationship with them. He also wanted to know everything about her. While he’d figured out she was all alone, since she’d told them there was no one to call when she’d been admitted to hospital after her car accident, he wanted to ask her where her family was.
Was she an orphan? Had her parents died or had she been abandoned?
He hated that she had no family to lean on or call when she needed help, but if he had his way, he and his brothers would be her support system from now on.
She was a beautiful, sexy woman, and he had a feeling she was perfect for him, Emmet, and Walt.
Now all they had to do was convince her of that.
* * * *
Jodi rolled onto her side and blinked. When she realized she wasn’t at home in her own room, she quickly sat up and stared about the room. She had no idea where she was or whose bedroom she was in, but she intended to find out.
When she flung the covers aside and saw the blue scrubs she was wearing, she wrinkled her nose. On the bedside table was the photo of her mom under the broken glass and cracked frame. She sighed and pushed her hair back from her face. She didn’t need to find out where she was, because she already knew. The Kyson brothers must have brought her back to their house. She remembered bawling her eyes out in the back of Walt’s truck and figured she’d cried herself to sleep since she couldn’t remember anything afterward.
Shoving to her feet and walking toward a door set in the side wall of the bedroom, she pushed it open and gasped when she got a load of the en-suite bathroom. It was huge, with sinks set atop a granite counter and five cupboards beneath. There was a spa bath in one corner of the room and a glass enclosed shower in another. A few yards away from the shower was another closed door, behind which she presumed was a toilet.
After using the facilities, she washed her hands while staring at herself in the mirror. The bump on her head was still big, but the swelling had reduced somewhat. The bruising, however, was darker than it had appeared that morning. Seeing her hair in a wild tangle around her head and shoulders, she opened cupboards and drawers until she found and brush and picked it up, hoping that the owner wouldn’t mind her using it.
A surge of jealousy shot into her heart at the thought of the Kyson brothers being intimate with another woman, but she quickly pushed it aside. She had no right to feel envious since the men weren’t hers. Plus, she didn’t want to get emotionally or physically involved with them.
Did she?
She shook her head then brushed her hair. Once her locks were in some semblance of order, she found a new toothbrush and some toothpaste and brushed her teeth. Once that was done, she wet a face cloth and rubbed it over her face. Feeling a little better, she walked back into the bedroom, searched out her shoes, put them on, and headed out down the hallway.
The hall was long and there were five other doors along the passage she assumed led to other bedrooms. Peeking into each as she passed them affirmed her supposition. When she got to the other end of the corridor, she turned back and gazed toward the bedroom she’d just left and frowned.
Had she been in the master bedroom? Why wouldn’t one of them have claimed it as their own?
Turning again, she gazed at the huge living room and the two large black leather sectional sofas. Jodi wondered if they had a large family that came to visit them often. If that was the case, they would need many seats, but she wasn’t sure. There was the typical large screen TV that men seemed to need, an entertainment unit filled with the latest stereo equipment.
Off to the left side of the room was a large fireplace and on the wall above the mantel was a medley of photographs. Curiosity won out and she walked toward the photos. There were pictures of all three of the brothers dressed in fatigues, as well as individual images of them smiling, guns in arms and blackout paint streaked over their faces.
There were a few photos of an older couple. One where they were standing arm in arm and smiling. Another with the three men standing behind them, head and shoulders above the older man and woman she presumed were their parents. All five of them looked as if they were laughing.
Jodi had never known the love of a family, and though she was slightly covetous, she was also glad that the brothers had experienced something she never had.
Moving away from the happy family, she slowly walked toward what she hoped was the kitchen. She was so hungry her belly was rumbling, but she ignored the growly sounds.
Jodi needed to get home so she could start cleaning up. Because she’d been on the brink of bankruptcy, she’d let her renter’s insurance lapse. There was no way she’d be able to replace everything she lost. It had taken her years to accumulate her possessions and would probably take years to replace them all, but that was the least of her worries.
She needed to figure out why she was being targeted and by whom. As far as she knew she didn’t have any enemies, but she couldn’t be sure.
Whoever was tormenting her and had broken into her home obviously wanted something, but what? Were they angry with her for some reason, or was there something else going on?
Jodi wasn’t sure she’d ever have the answers to her questions, and while she was scared, she was also pissed. If these assholes came at her again, she wasn’t going to cower in fear anymore.
She was going to face them head on.
Chapter Six
Emmet turned when he heard a rustle and when he saw Jodi standing uncertainly in the doorway to the kitchen, he placed his mug of coffee on the counter and walked over to her. He cupped her cheek with a hand, nearly moaning when her soft skin connected with his and sent tingles racing through his body and down to his cock. “How are you feeling, love?”
“Better,” she answered.
Dropping his hand from her shoulder and skimming it down her arm, he entwined his fingers with hers. “Come and have a seat.” He guided her toward the counter where his brothers sat, around to the other side of it, and tugged a stool out from beneath it.
When he saw that the seat of the stool was up around her waist and realized she’d have trouble climbing up onto it, he removed his hand from around hers, clasped her hips, and lifted her. She gasped and blushed but didn’t say anything about him manhandling her. Well, not manhandling, at least in his eyes, but helping her. Once she was settled, he moved back around to the kitchen side of the counter.
“You look better,” Walt, who was sitting on one side of her, said.
“I feel
it,” she replied quietly, blushing.
“Do you want some ice for your head?” Dirk asked. He was sitting on the other side of Jodi.
“No thanks. I’m okay. I don’t even have a headache anymore.”
“You wouldn’t be lying, would you, love?” Emmet asked.
She frowned at him and shook her head.
Jodi was still far too pale for his liking and he hated seeing the black and blue skin on and around the bump on her forehead, but at least she hadn’t been hurt worse.
“Thank you for looking after me, but I think it’s time I went back home.”
“No,” Walt said firmly.
Jodi spun her stool toward him, crossed her arms beneath her breasts, and scowled at him. “What do you mean, no? You have no right to tell me what to do.”
Walt sighed as he stared steadily into her eyes. “It’s not safe for you to be out there all alone. Some motherfuckers trashed your things. They’ve been playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with you trying to scare you, and you can’t tell me it hasn’t worked. What are you going to do if they come back?”
“I’ll call 9-1-1 like any other person would.”
Dirk grabbed hold of her seat and turned her toward him. “No one in their right mind would stay all alone when it’s dangerous. Are you lacking in common sense? Did that hit to the head make you lose your mind?”
Emmet made a growly sound in the back of his throat. Dirk was usually the most cool and calm out of all three of them, but it seemed his older brother had lost all control of his temper. He’d also just insulted Jodi, and he had a feeling if he didn’t fix things fast their chances of having a relationship with her would be over. “Dirk, that was uncalled for. Apologize.”
Dirk sighed and when his cheeks tinged a slight red hue, Emmet was gobsmacked that his brother was embarrassed. “Emmet’s right, I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m just so worried about you. Will you please forgive me?”
Jodi was the one sighing next. “Yes, I forgive you.” She stabbed a finger toward Dirk. “But don’t you ever say anything like that to me again.”
“I’ll try not to. Again, I’m sorry. I let my frustration over your situation get to me.”
“I can look after myself.” She frowned. “I’ve been doing it for a long time.”
Emmet heard a faint gurgling sound and realized it was coming from Jodi’s stomach. He shoved up from where he was leaning on the counter, walked to the fridge, and gathered up ingredients for a sandwich. Even though it was late in the afternoon, he and his brothers had an RDO, but since it was a few hours away from dinner time, he decided to make their woman a sandwich to tide her over. They’d all eaten while she’d been sleeping.
“Is there anything you’re allergic to, sweetie?” he asked.
“Not that I’m aware of,” she answered.
He carried the food items to the counter and started making her a turkey salad sandwich with mayo. When he was done, he plated it, cut it in half and pushed it toward her. “What would you like to drink, Jodi?”
“Water, please. Thanks.” She picked up half a sandwich, bit into it, and moaned.
His half hard cock twitched and pulsed to life. He was glad his back was to her when he got a glass from the cupboard and adjusted his hardening dick in his pants before filling her glass with water and putting it on the counter near her plate. As she ate, he cleaned up the mess he’d made and wiped the counter down.
“How long have you lived in Slick Rock for, love?” Dirk asked.
“Haven’t you already asked me that?”
“I might have but with everything that’s been going on, I’ve forgotten.”
“I’ve been here a little over a year.”
“Where does your family live, baby?” Walt asked.
She swallowed then placed the rest of the sandwich on the plate, grabbed the glass of water, and took a few sips. “I don’t have any family,” she replied monotone.
Even though she’d tried to keep the pain hidden from them, Emmet and his brothers could see how much she was hurting by the way she’d tensed up and tried to blank her face, but when he looked into her eyes he felt as if he could see right into her heart and soul. There were sad shadows in the depths of those blue orbs and so much fucking pain, he wanted to wrap her up in his arms, hold her tight, and never let go.
“Shit. I’m sorry, baby, that must have been hard.”
“Yeah.”
“Did you grow up in the system?” Dirk asked.
She nodded.
“You should be proud of who you are, sweetie. You’re a strong, independent woman and a business owner.”
“I’m not strong.”
Walt cupped her chin, turning her eyes toward him. “Yes, you are. A lot of kids wouldn’t have fought to get a good education the way I suspect you did. They would have railed at the world, at their circumstances, mixed with the wrong crowds, and been in trouble with the law.”
“How do you know I didn’t?” she asked.
“Did you?” Dirk asked.
“No,” she answered.
“Were your foster parents nice people?” Emmet asked.
“One couple was,” she said.
“And the rest?” Walt frowned.
She shrugged. “I survived. That’s all that matters.” Before Emmet or his brothers could ask her more questions, she asked one of her own. “Is the older couple in the photos above the mantel your parents?”
“They are,” Dirk smiled.
“Do you see them much?”
“Not as often as we’d like.” Walt pushed her plate with the unfinished portion of her sandwich closer to her. “You need to eat to keep your strength up, baby, and don’t you dare tell me you aren’t hungry, because I can still hear your stomach rumbling.”
Jodi sighed with exasperation, but she picked up the sandwich and bit into it. Emmet was happy that she finished the food then drank down her water.
She frowned after gazing into the kitchen toward the oven. “How come you’re not at work? I thought you all worked the afternoon shift.”
“We do,” Emmet said, “but we have today and tomorrow as scheduled days off.”
“Oh. Well, I’m sorry I’ve taken up so much of your time. If one of you can call me a cab or maybe drive me home, I’d be grateful.”
“That’s not going to happen, Jodi. You’re staying her with us where you’ll be safe,” Walt said.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Dirk asked. “You can stay here as long as you like, sweetie. We have plenty of room.”
“Why are you doing this?” she asked.
“Doing what?” Walt rubbed his chin.
“Being so nice to me. I’m sure you have better things to do than babysit me. What is your girlfriend going to think when she finds out I’ve been here?”
Emmet shoved her plate and glass out of the way, leaned over the counter, and held her hand between both of his. “We don’t have a girlfriend, love.”
“But we’d like to.” Dirk shifted closer to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“Every reason for me to go home. I need to clean everything up.”
“Wilder said he’ll be around later to talk to you and us. You can’t go back because your house is still a crime scene. Do you have insurance, baby?” Walt asked.
She bit her lip, lowered her head and shook it.
Emmet nudged her chin up until their eyes met. “Hey, don’t be embarrassed, love. Not everyone can afford insurance.” When he saw tears well, he cursed himself for asking such a sensitive question. Jodi didn’t let the tears fall, though, she blinked them back and took a deep breath.
“I had to let my renter’s insurance lapse. The internet café wasn’t doing so well, and I was barely keeping my head above water. No, that’s a lie, I was nearly drowning and rapidly heading toward declaring bankruptcy. The business was up for sale but there hadn’t been any queries. Talia coming in an
d wanting to buy the shop was a godsend, but then she offered me a partnership, which pulled me back from the brink of financial ruin. It’s going to take a while to get back on my feet monetary wise, that is.”
“We’re sorry things have been so hard for you lately, sweetie.”
“I have a solution,” Walt said.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“You could move in here with us. We have more than enough room. You’d have your own bedroom with an adjacent bathroom and wouldn’t have to share with three guys. You wouldn’t have to worry about paying rent, the bills, or for food.”
Emmet had stopped breathing the moment Walt had suggested she live with them. His heart was thumping against his sternum, and when he lungs started burning, he exhaled and inhaled again as he tried to will her to say yes.
Disappointment surged through him when she shook her head.
“Thank you for the offer, but I can’t. I signed a contract for three years and I can’t afford to break the lease and pay what would be owed.”
“At least stay until we find out who broke into your home and who’s trying to scare you,” Walt said.
Before she could answer, there was a knock on the door. Emmet walked out of the kitchen to see who was visiting.
* * * *
Jodi was glad someone had knocked on the door before she could respond to Walt’s offer of staying with him and his brothers. She wanted to stay because even though she’d decided to confront her tormentors if they returned, she was still scared.
However, she was more frightened of getting close to other people only to watch then turn their back on her and walk away. All her life, people had turned from her.
She was very attracted to the three brothers, but she didn’t want to get involved with them at all. It was best she keep everyone, including the three Kyson deputies, at arm’s length. That way she couldn’t get hurt again.
Physical pain she could and had dealt with over the years. Emotional pain, heartache, was a whole different story. And yet for the first time in her life she wanted to get close to someone. She’d already broken her unspoken vow by letting Talia into her life, by befriending the other woman. She just hadn’t seemed to be able to help herself. Talia was a wonderful, caring lady and had a kind loving heart. How many people would have offered her a partnership when Jodi had been unknown to her? Talia had saved her in more ways than she knew.
