by Becca Van
Would the Kyson brothers be able to do the same?
If they knew of the abuse she suffered when she was a kid, would they still want to have anything to do with her?
While she’d seen how most of the people in this town were caring and would offer a helping hand to anyone in need, she was also aware of the polyamorous relationships that were rife throughout the county. At first it had shocked her, but when she’d gotten over her initial surprise and seen how loving the men were toward their women, she’d been envious. The dreaming had started not long after that. Jodi had been astonished that she’d begun to fantasize about men touching, kissing, and making love to her.
The longer she’d lived in Slick Rock the stronger the yearning had been to have someone love her the way the other fortunate women in town had. Each time she caught herself visualizing such things she’d pushed them from her mind. Even when she’d been struggling and fighting to keep her flailing business afloat, she’d found herself envisaging having someone to lean and rely on.
That had all gone by the wayside about three months ago when the trouble at her home had started.
Although she’d never let them know, or anyone else for that matter, she couldn’t stop thinking what it would be like to have Walt, Emmet, and Dirk kiss her. Luckily, she was pulled from her fancying when Wilder, Cree, and Nash Sheffield entered the room, calling out greetings.
“Hi Jodi, how are you feeling, honey?” Wilder asked.
“Fine, thanks,” she replied.
“You don’t look as pale as you did before,” Cree said after intently examining her face.
“I had a nap,” she said, blushing.
“You certainly look better for it,” Nash said. “I’m glad you’re listening to what your body’s telling you. Don’t go back to work before the doc’s cleared you, either. Talia seems to be handling the shop okay.”
Jodi nodded, but she still felt guilty about leaving her business partner to handle everything.
“Come and sit over here, Jodi,” Wilder said after taking a seat at the dining room table and nudging the chair next to him.
She spun the stool around intent on sliding from her seat, but before she could Walt was standing in front of her. He clasped her waist in his large, warm hands, lifted her from the stool, then lowered her feet to the floor. She gazed up at him when he didn’t immediately release her.
“Okay, baby?”
She nodded. “Thanks.” He let go and when he moved aside, she hurried toward Wilder and sat next to him. “What’s wrong?”
Wilder pushed some papers toward her. “This is a statement regarding the damage done to your property as well as the front door to the house. I’ve also brought the one in regards to the two trepasser’s and the broken window from the other night. Can you read them over and, if you’re satisfied with them, sign both?”
She nodded, picked up the sheafs, and began reading. She couldn’t believe how detailed the reports were but was also glad the deputies had been so thorough. Wilder or whoever had typed up the latest statement had itemized everything that had been damaged and written how much the replacement cost would be. As much as she appreciated the effort put into it, it hadn’t been worth the time since she didn’t have any insurance, but she wasn’t about to tell him or his brothers that unless she was asked.
When she’d finished reading, she glanced at Wilder.
“Do you agree with everything on the statement?”
“I do in regard to the breaking and entering.”
“But?” Nash asked drawing her gaze.
“I can’t say about all my things since I didn’t go through it all.”
“Do you trust us, Jodi?” Cree asked.
She nodded.
“We listed all the items as we searched everything and dusted for prints,” Cree explained.
“Okay,” she said. “Does anyone have a pen?”
Wilder reached toward his shirt pocket, tugged a pen free, then handed it to her. She signed on the dotted line.
“You have insurance, Jodi?” Nash asked.
She cursed under her breath as she shook her head. “You’ve spoken to my landlord?” she asked, quickly changing the subject.
“We have,” Wilder said. “Mr. Jones was going to organize someone to come out and fix your front door this afternoon as well as put in a deadlock and locks on the windows. He said he’d send you a check to reimburse you for having the broken window replaced. He was also going to get a state-of-the-art security system.”
“Oh, there’s no need—” Jodie was cut off.
“There’s every need,” Emmet said.
“Emmet’s right, Jodi. Your life and safety are more important than money,” Nash stated.
“I don’t think it’s wise for you to go back home until we catch whoever broke into your house. You should stay here where you’ll be safe,” Cree stated
“I can’t stay here,” she said.
“Why can’t you?” Walt asked.
“I don’t want to impose or be a burden.”
“You won’t be and you aren’t,” Walt stated. “We’ll talk more about this later.” Walt gazed at the Sheffield deputies. “You have something more to add?”
Cree sighed. Wilder frowned, and Nash scrubbed a hand over his face.
“We’ve done a bit of homework and looked into who was renting the house before you, Jodi,” Cree said.
She placed her hands over her belly, trying to stop the nervous fluttering happening in her stomach, but it didn’t help.
“The last tenant had a rap sheet for dealing and using drugs, but that doesn’t mean he was a hardened criminal. We dug deeper into his info but couldn’t find anything.”
“So, why bring him up?” Jodi asked even though she wasn’t sure she wanted to know anymore. “Do you think he was one of the men who was trying to scare me and broke into my home?”
Wilder shook his head. “It wasn’t Reuben Hillman.”
“How do you know that?” She rubbed her belly.
“Because he overdosed on drugs and died not long before you came to town.”
Chapter Seven
Walt couldn’t stand being away from Jodi a second longer. Nor did he like the frown on her face or the way she kept rubbing her stomach as if it was upset. He and his brothers had followed her to the dining table. He was sitting next to her at the head of the table, close enough to touch her. After scooting his chair back, he clasped her upper arms, lifting her from her seat and into his lap.
She gasped and stared up at him, her cheeks flushed pink. “What are you doing?”
He shrugged then glanced at the three deputies. “I thought the people who were allowed to live in this town were checked out and if they weren’t model citizens, they were vetoed. At least that’s a rumor I’ve heard.”
“I think in the beginning they were,” Nash answered. “With the way the population has expanded so rapidly over last five or so years, and in larger numbers, it’s getting harder to keep track of the new arrivals.”
“You investigate people?” Jodi asked, tensing.
Walt caressed up and down her back, trying to get her to calm down. She was already way too tense and from the way she kept rubbing her stomach, she was either feeling nervous, scared, worried, or maybe even a little ill. He hated that she wasn’t feeling safe and protected, but if he had his way she would very soon. He loved having her in his home, his arms, and he would absolutely love it if she stayed permanently.
Dirk must have seen what she was doing, too, because his brother rose, walked to the kitchen, and moments later, set a glass of milk in front of Jodi. She frowned at Dirk before glancing at the milk then back to his brother. “Drink it.” Dirk pointed at the full glass. “It’ll help settle your stomach.”
“Would you force it down my throat even if I told you it made me sick?” she asked belligerently.
“Does it?” Dirk quirked a brow. “Do you have on intolerance to milk? Are you allergic to any foods? Have yo
u ever reacted to something you’ve eaten or drunk?”
Walt liked seeing this feisty side of her, because it meant all the fear and the break ins hadn’t been enough to make her close herself off entirely. His tried to stop himself from smiling when she gave an exasperated, reluctant sigh, picked up the glass, and drained the contents before slamming the glass back onto the table. “Satisfied?” she snapped.
“Yes.” Dirk grinned then sat.
Wilder, Cree, and Nash were all smiling but trying to hide their humor.
“So, what you’re saying is that you have zip?” Emmet frowned.
Wilder crossed his arms over his chest. “Yeah. I’m sorry we don’t know who’s doing this to you, Jodi. Whoever these people are, they’re looking for something.”
Jodi shoved to her feet before Walt could stop her, and she started pacing. She turned her gaze toward the Sheffield brothers. “I don’t understand any of this. I haven’t got anything that anyone would want. None of my possessions are expensive. As far as I know, I haven’t made anyone angry. I haven’t ever been on a date. Those two men I went out with while in college, were more friends than anything else. I was just hanging out with them because I was lonely. I’ve never been romantically involved with anyone.”
Walt’s breath hitched over her last declaration. If she’d never been on a date, that had to mean she was a virgin. Didn’t it? No wonder she was so skittish around him and his brothers. He hadn’t been able to understand why she’d been ignoring the attraction blazing between her, him, and his brothers. Now, he was beginning to realize that she wasn’t overlooking the sparks flying between them. She just didn’t comprehend the gravity of the situation.
Jodi might be a confident businesswoman, but she didn’t fathom her feminine magnetism. How could she not identify that she was a beautiful, sexy woman?
Had something happened to her in her childhood that knocked her self-confidence down?
He had so many questions circling in his head, he wouldn’t know which one to ask first if he ever got the chance to sit with her and really get to know her. Although he and his brothers had told her a little about themselves, they hadn’t really opened up with her, either. When he understood how hypocritical he was being, he grasped that he would have to change that. He, Emmet, and Dirk needed to tell her more about themselves. If they gave her the story of their lives, surely she’d be agreeable to telling them hers.
Cree sighed. “We’re doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this, Jodi. I don’t think you should go home, either. We need to keep you safe until we catch these assholes.”
“I’ll be fine,” she replied.
* * * *
Even though she said she’d be fine, she wasn’t sure if that was true. She was terrified of going back to her house. While her home wasn’t totally isolated, it wasn’t exactly in a bustling metropolis, either. Her nearest neighbor was about a mile from where she lived.
The first time she’d seen the house and garden and realized that she didn’t have anyone living right next door to her, she jumped at the chance to lease the place. Jodi had learned to like solitude, and while she liked some people and didn’t mind interacting while she was working, she preferred the quiet life.
From the first moment she’d stepped into the house after the estate agent had unlocked the door, she’d known there was no way she could pass up signing on the dotted line and it had been within her budget. At least in the beginning. That had changed when her savings had dwindled. She’d poured her heart and soul into her business, but it still hadn’t been enough. Looking back, she realized she should have thought things through instead of jumping headlong into dreams without looking at her idea from every angle.
Talia had saved her hide, but she sometimes still felt as if she was drowning.
And then there was her attraction to the Kyson brothers. They’d been so good to her, protecting her even though they didn’t really know her.
Her uncle’s face flashed in her mind, but she pushed his image back into the cupboard and slammed the door. There was no way she wanted to ever think about that bastard again. Just seeing that small flash was enough to have goose bumps racing over her skin and her stomach roiling.
“Jodi, are you okay?”
She blinked and gazed up at Emmet. He was standing very close to her, close enough she could smell his cologne, deodorant, or body wash. Whatever it was, the scent was enticing and she couldn’t help but breathe him in again. Underlying the fragrance was his natural manly musk that called to her on an elemental level. However, it wasn’t just Emmet that got to her. Dirk and Walt did, too. Her attraction to them was strong, but she wasn’t sure it was strong enough for her to ever do anything about it. Not after what her mom’s brother had done to her when she was just a kid.
The only reason…
She shook her and forced herself to focus on the present.
“I’m fine.” She stared into his intense brown eyes for a second or two, then she moved toward the stools at the kitchen counter, hoping to put some distance between her and the three Kyson men.
Nash clicked his fingers, drawing her gaze. “What about the internet café?”
Though she’d seen Emmet returning to his chair at the dining table, she’d seen him and his brothers all watching her avidly from her periphery, and they were frowning. Her heart clenched at the thought of upsetting the three men, but she hadn’t done anything wrong.
“What about it?” she asked.
“Didn’t you help us find the fucker after Cindy?” Nash asked.
“Shit!” Wilder frowned. “How the hell could I forget that? You were instrumental in helping us out when you gave over the number plate of that crazy prick.”
“He can’t be doing this,” Jodi said. “Isn’t he in jail?”
“Just because he’s behind bars doesn’t mean he can’t send someone after you,” Dirk said in a growly voice.
Jodi shook her head. “I don’t think it’s him. He wouldn’t have known it was me who gave you all and your colleagues the number plate.”
“She’s right,” Wilder said.
“We have to keep digging.” Cree scrubbed a hand down his face.
Nash met her gaze steadily. “We’ll find out what’s going on, Jodi, and when we do, we’ll arrest those assholes and lock ‘em up.”
“We’ll all dig deeper,” Walt said. “We have to be missing something, but until we find it, we’re searching blind.”
“What about your past?” Emmet asked. “Is there anyone that you’ve met before coming to Slick Rock who’d have a grudge?”
Jodi felt all the blood drain from her head and face. She spun away from the men so that her back was to them, gripped the edge of the counter, and hoped she wouldn’t pass out. Sucking in great gulps of air helped her stave off her impending swoon and gave her time to her emotions and fear back under control. While she’d hoped that none of the men had seen her reaction, she should have known better. Most of the men living in this town were more observant than the average Joe.
“What is it, Jodi?” Walt said from right behind her, but before she could respond or react other than nearly passing out, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her back to the dining table. Her stomach churned, and she was sure she could feel the milk she’d recently drunk curdling in her belly. Bile rose, but it didn’t help when she tried to swallow it back. Her jaw tightened, saliva pooled in her mouth, and her belly muscles spasmed.
She shoved at the arm Walt had around her waist but he just tightened his hold. She glanced up at him frantically and covered her mouth with her hand.
“Shit!” Walt jumped to his feet, taking her with him, and raced through the house. He kicked open the bathroom door midway down the hall, then sank down onto his knees.
He was just in time for her to lose the contents of her stomach as she heaved over and over again.
Tears rolled down her face as she was ill, and though she hated that Walt was seeing her vomit, ther
e was nothing she could do about it.
Finally, when there was nothing left to come up and she’d retched until her stomach hurt, she inhaled a few times and slumped back against Walt. He flushed the toilet, turned her in his arms so that she was sitting sideways on his lap, then he stood, lifting her with him. She closed her eyes, resting her cheek against his shoulder and tried not to be embarrassed over her sickening display.
She opened her eyes when he sat her down on something cold and hard, blinking when she noticed he’d brought her to the bathroom off her bedroom. After getting a washcloth from the cupboard, he wet it, wrung it out, then wiped over her face. He snagged the toothbrush she’d used previously from the holder, applied toothpaste to the bristles and handed it to her.
Jodi looked toward the door, blushing when she saw that Dirk and Emmet were standing just inside the doorway frowning at her. She lowered her gaze and tried to ignore the three men, but it was an impossibility. Even though she wasn’t looking at them, she felt the presence as if they were touching her, but she pushed those thoughts from her mind.
She’d just given herself away, and though she didn’t want to bring up her past, she had a feeling the three Kyson brothers and the Sheffield deputies were going to hound her until she’d spilled her guts.
The last thing she wanted to see on the men’s faces was pity, but she had a feeling that’s exactly what she was going to see once she told them about her mother’s brother. Pity, disgust, whatever their reaction, she was leaving as soon as she could.
Jodi didn’t care what they thought about her. All she cared about was getting her peaceful life of solitude back. She didn’t need to lean on anyone. She’d learned a long time ago the only person she could rely on was herself, and she’d kept it that way. Talia’s kindness had broken through the hard-cased shell she’d kept herself in, but her business partner and friend hadn’t asked any personal questions. She’d been hoping to keep it that way.
