“I’m proud of you, baby. I know that took a lot for you to talk to the Chief. It’s the best thing to do to help protect you.”

  “I hope it was the right decision. I just want to focus on the store and getting it all up and running.”

  He ran his hands along her body and palmed her lower back nearly to her ass.

  “I’ve thought of little else than these fine, sexy lips, baby.” He leaned down and kissed her, making her lose her mind and actually consider forgetting being friends first and move right on to being lovers. She would die and go to heaven with these three sexy brothers.

  She eased back and he gave her that expression like he wasn’t pleased she was putting on the breaks.

  “Is Louie still attending the gala tonight?”

  “Sure is. The lucky guy gets you all to himself tonight.”

  Stone squeezed her shoulders.

  “She could always head home with Louie after the gala and come back to our place so we all can spend time with her.”

  “Uhm…friends first, remember?” she teased. Junior ran his hand along her ass and squeezed it.

  “I was thinking maybe friends with benefits so you’ll take this relationship to the next level.”

  She shoved his hand away from her ass as she gasped and chuckled.

  “Nice try.”

  Stone chuckled, too.

  “So what are all these boxes for?” Louie asked, nodding toward the small stack.

  “Those are my first pieces to display in the front window. I was thinking of doing what your parents have at their shop in the front window, but something more into log cabin designs. I ordered some backdrop stuff, but what I really need are model cabins.”

  “Well, why didn’t you say so? I have a bunch of things I’ve worked on and made for their store. You can come by the house and check out my workshop,” Stone suggested.

  “Really?” she asked.

  “He must really like you, Lacey. Stone doesn’t allow anyone in his shop or to view the large assortment of items he has.”

  “Cool it,” Stone reprimanded Junior.

  “Are you sure you’re not just trying to get me into your house?” she teased Stone when he looked kind of serious and a bit embarrassed for offering her something he obviously didn’t ever do, and in front of his brother. She was touched.

  Stone wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close.

  “My shop, my house, and then my bed,” he said and then kissed her.

  She certainly was in a lot of trouble here. He was breaking down those walls she put up. He was making her forget all about abusive, no-good men and giving her hope that this thing between the four of them could be something deeper and maybe even special.

  * * * *

  Caroline held Tye’s hand as he escorted her around the party. There were so many people. It was an event for wealth, sophistication, and those intrigued by new art and artists from across the state. She felt like a princess in the designer gown Tye had made especially for her. She felt bad that he’d had to alter it slightly in the back. The bruises from his punishments rode higher than usual, so the back of her dress had to be raised an inch.

  He forgave her, as she showed him how sorry she was to have upset him the way she did. She would continue to serve him, make him realize that she belonged to only him always.

  As he spoke to numerous businessmen, she kept her eyes lowered in a submissive manner the way he’d taught her. She didn’t dare check out any other men or even the gowns or expressions of women they passed. None of them mattered. Only Tye mattered. He was her everything and she was his.

  She could feel how comfortable he was at this event. She hadn’t realized how important and well-known he was in the community. Some people really had no shame in kissing his ass.

  “And who is this lovely young beauty with you this evening, Tye?” one older man asked. He caught her eye, and when their gazes locked, she felt something. It was a first for her. She was so in tune to only Tye, she dared not even consider another man, but this one was very attractive.

  “Chancellor, how nice to see you here this evening. It’s been so long,” Tye said, shaking the man’s hand. She absorbed everything about Chancellor, his stunning green eyes, his dark hair, the tan complexion, and the air of wealth and superiority.

  “It has been a long time. Fourteen months since we sat across from one another at the board meeting for Wellington real estate.”

  “Ah, need you remind me of my failure to win over the board with my ideas of expansion?” Tye replied.

  “Destruction was more like it,” Chancellor said, and Caroline was shocked at his disrespect toward Tye, but also intrigued. Who was this man who didn’t bow before Tye Weathers, millionaire?

  “Since your date is so rude to not introduce us properly, I’m Chancellor Cummings, and you are?” he asked, taking her hand into his own and kissing the top of it. She felt her cheeks warm. He was quite sexy. “Caroline,” she whispered as Tye pulled her closer to his side in a jealous, possessive manner.

  She gasped when Tye gripped her upper arm.

  “If you’ll excuse us, we have something to do,” Tye said and practically dragged her across the room. He yanked her so hard she thought her arm might have come out of the socket. Pressing her hard against the wall by the hallway where no one could see, he reprimanded her.

  “You will suffer for flirting with that prick. Do you understand me?”

  She wondered why he hadn’t introduced her, why he made her feel like a decoration instead of his girlfriend, his lover, and mate. It was times like these she wondered why she stayed with him and followed his every order and command.

  “I wasn’t flirting.” The strike to her side was so fast no one could have seen it coming, and especially not her. She cried out and gasped for breath.

  “Do you want to be with another man, Caroline? I can make that happen very easily. Have you forgotten your job? Is it not to please me always?” he asked through clenched teeth. She felt the tears hit her eyes.

  “No, Tye. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”

  “You sure will. Now fix yourself. I won’t walk around with some puffy-eyed whore, only a woman of class and beauty.”

  He walked away from her and she took a few unsteady breaths. She could do this. What else did she have? Nothing, without Tye, even if it meant always living in pain.

  * * * *

  Lacey and Suzette were sipping some glasses of champagne and walking around the party. Lacey had already met a few artists whose designs she loved and had exchanged contact information with them. They were more than willing to display work in her store to sell on consignment.

  She felt Suzette grab her hand and when she looked at her, she looked shocked.

  “What’s wrong?” Lacey asked. Turning and following her line of sight, Lacey saw who Suzette had spotted. Instantly, something more than fear had her gripping Suzette’s hand tight.

  “Let’s leave. He didn’t see you yet,” Suzette said as she gripped Lacey’s hand tighter.

  She thought about it, about running the hell out of there and hiding from Tye. She hadn’t physically seen him in over two years, but she felt different than two years ago. She was older, more sophisticated, was starting her own business, and was maybe even considering a relationship with three men. She thought about Stone, Louie, and Junior. In a short period of time, they had managed to gain her trust, to wedge through the wall she put up out of fear of getting hurt. Oh, yeah, she was stronger than before. She was stronger because she knew what Tye had done to her was wrong, despite her father blaming it all on her.

  “No, Suzette. I’m not leaving. I’m not afraid of him.”

  “I don’t think this is such a smart idea. I mean, I’m glad you feel confident enough to face that man after what he did to you years ago, but why should you have to keep facing men like him and Jeb? You were enjoying yourself. You were making progress networking with artists.”

  “And what’s stopping me now? Fear from the past? From a man who no longer has power over me? He’s why I’ve chosen the wrong men.”

  “That’s exactly what I mean, Lacey. I know you didn’t share everything with me about your relationship with Tye. I accepted that, and what you did share with me. It was enough information for me to realize you were deeply scarred. You are a different person. You are stronger, but why face him?”

  Lacey watched as Tye stood talking with some man and the woman Tye was with lowered her eyes as the man kissed the top of her hand. She watched Tye get angry and grip the woman hard. A moment later, Tye was practically dragging her from the room.

  “Did you see that?” Suzette asked.

  She didn’t answer as thoughts of the things Tye had done to her came to mind. His evil touch and strong hold were powerful, but that deep, commanding tone that bordered between anger and rage was even more powerful.

  “There you are, beautiful.”

  Lacey turned around and nearly swung at Louie as he came up behind her, placing his hands on her waist.

  Suzette gasped, too, and Lacey could see the confusion on Louie’s face. She didn’t know what to say or do to apologize. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo and slicked-back hair. The scent of his cologne as he leaned toward her made her react instantly. She hugged him, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and kissed his neck.

  “I’m so sorry. You scared me, Louie. I’m sorry,” she whispered against his skin. The feel of his strong arms around her calmed her anxiety at seeing Tye. She felt his arms ease up and relax against her, his palm flush against her bare back and one on her neck and cheek, titling her face up towards him.

  “I didn’t mean to scare you. You look gorgeous,” he said and leaned down and kissed her.

  It was a sweet and gentle kiss. She pulled back and his concerned expression changed to a smile.

  “How are you, Suzette?” he said, and reached out, took Suzette’s hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles and winked.

  “Very good, Louie. You look nice all dressed up,” Suzette teased.

  “Thank you. You look beautiful in blue, by the way. So, have you had time to mingle? Any prospects? For business, I mean,” he said to Lacey. Both she and Suzette chuckled.

  “She’s been making some progress,” Suzette added, then took a sip from the champagne glass.

  Louie kept his arm around Lacey’s waist and she didn’t mind at all. They locked gazes and she noticed his eyes go past her, then he smiled and waved someone over. A quick glance in that direction and she saw the tall man with the dark hair that had been talking to Tye earlier. She quickly glanced at Suzette, who apparently noticed the same thing. She widened her eyes and pulled her lips tight. Lacey wondered who he was, and if he were a friend of Tye’s and a friend of Louie’s then maybe she needed to keep her distance from Louie and his brothers after all.

  “Hey, old man, what are you doing here?” Louie asked the guy who didn’t look old at all. The title got a chuckle out of the guy as he shook Louie’s hand.

  “Old man, huh? Trying to keep these two gorgeous ladies all to yourself?” Chancellor said as he winked at Lacey and then at Suzette.

  “Ladies, meet a good friend of mine and of your men, Suzette. This is Chancellor Cummings.”

  He reached his hand out to Suzette and smiled. “The social worker? Miles and Nikko’s girl?” he asked, and Lacey saw Suzette blush, then shake his hand as she smiled.

  “That would be me, although I’ve never been introduced like that before,” Suzette said to Louie. Louie smiled. “Well, Nikko did ask me to keep an eye on you tonight. Just doing my job so Team Venom doesn’t come after me.”

  “Their barks are bigger than their bites,” Chancellor replied.

  “Their guns are bigger than mine and I’m out of practice,” Louie said, and it made it sound like he knew about using guns. Lacey felt the spark of concern as well as interest. Louie with a gun?

  Chancellor took Lacey’s hand and brought it to his lips. Before he kissed her knuckles, he locked gazes with her, his dark green eyes twinkling with mischief.

  “You must be Lacey.” Her eyes widened as he kissed her hand, then lowered it. He didn’t take his eyes off of her.

  “He owned the building you just bought,” Louie told her.

  “Yes, Stone drove a hard bargain for the place. Now I understand why he was so pushy.”

  Louie reached out and caressed a strand of hair from her cheek.

  “He was looking out for her.” Louie held her gaze and smiled softly. Her heart pounded inside of her chest. She really liked Louie, and Stone, and Junior. But she was so screwed up inside.

  “He sure was. So, I hear the place is looking good. It’s a key location, so your antique shop should do well. Are you working with any specific realty agencies to promote your shop?” Chancellor asked.

  “I have to get a few jobs together and prove my abilities first. Right now, I’ve started making some connections with artists in the area. I would like some from the city and some local ones in Wellington.”

  “Well, if you need some help finding leads, just let me know. Louie can give you my number and perhaps we could work together in the near future. I’m always looking for new designers for my elite clientele.”

  “You’re a realtor?” Suzette asked him.

  He smiled. “Amongst other things, but mostly I do consulting work for wealthy clients. I have a lot of business associates from the city and across the United States looking for vacation homes, log cabins, or mansions on their own large, private pieces of land, so obviously designers who can read my clients’ desires and wants are important. I don’t deal with the same designers. That makes them get too comfortable and complacent.”

  “I appreciate you keeping me in mind. I’ll have Louie contact you when I have a portfolio together for you to view.”

  “Sounds great. Well, I’m going to do another round, talk to a few clients, and then head out. It was nice meeting you both, Suzette and Lacey. I’ll see you around, Louie. Stay out of trouble,” Chancellor said and shook his hand. Lacey and Suzette both checked out the man as he smiled and walked away.

  “He is very attractive,” Suzette said aloud.

  “You’re not kidding,” Lacey added, then felt Louie pull her closer.

  “Really?” Louie asked in a whisper. Suzette chuckled. Lacey felt her cheeks warm. She looked at Louie. “He’s got nothing on you, Louie,” she teased.

  Louie softly ran the palm of his hand up and down her back lightly as he held her gaze.

  “Quick recovery, sweetheart, and Suzette, Nikko, and Miles are great interrogators. Did you know that?”

  Suzette’s eyes widened and Lacey laughed this time.

  “Ladies’ room?” Suzette asked, and Lacey nodded her head.

  “Be good. I’ll meet you both by the champagne table over there.” He pointed and they both nodded.

  * * * *

  Suzette walked with Lacey to the hallway. “My goodness, seems Louie was getting a little jealous at the way Chancellor was looking at you and totally conversing with you.”

  “No, he wasn’t getting jealous. Besides, Chancellor pretty much indicated that he knew Stone and Louie are interested in me.”

  “And are you interested in them?” Suzette asked.

  They stopped right before the entrance to the lady’s room. Lacey held Suzette’s gaze and Suzette could see the excitement, the happiness in Lacey’s eyes. “I’d say they’re breaking down my defenses slowly.”

  “Awesome!” Suzette said, then pushed the bathroom door open. “I think they’re perfect for you. You just need to be cautious and take your time. You have a lot on your plate.”

  “I know. It’s really bad timing, but in a way, it’s kind of good. I have all these distractions and I’m not compelled to just give into the attraction. I made a huge mistake with Jeb. I think being cautious is a definite must with me and relationships with men.”

  As they passed a few women sitting in a small lounge area outside of the restrooms, Suzette noticed the woman who was with Tye earlier. She was standing by the mirror and wiping her eyes. It looked like she had been crying, and from here, Suzette could see a red mark on her upper arm. Suzette hated seeing things like this, but she couldn’t do anything. Instead, she followed Lacey into the bathroom.

  Suzette heard her cell phone go off. After she washed her hands, she checked the phone and saw that Miles had called.

  “I’m going to call Miles back. Meet you outside by the champagne table with Louie?

  “I’m going to fix my lip gloss. I’ll be right out,” Lacey told her. Suzette scanned the room and Tye’s date was no longer there. She didn’t know if Lacey had even noticed, and she didn’t want to bring it up. Lacey seemed happy, and it had been a while since she saw her best friend smiling.

  Suzette headed to the hallway and gave Miles a quick phone call. She gave him the lowdown and promised to call him and Nikko when she and Lacey were back in Wellington. Suzette headed over to the table where Louie was talking to two other men, a woman, and Chancellor again. Suzette wondered what Miles and Nikko would have said if they heard her compliment Chancellor’s good looks. They would probably get insulted, but damn, the man was fine. She smiled as she joined them and Chancellor introduced her to the others.

  * * * *

  Lacey fixed her dress and looked into the mirror. She wanted to look good for Louie. The thought was instant the moment she rechecked her lips gloss. He was so attractive and kind. She wasn’t used to men being kind unless they had ulterior motives. Her gut clenched. God, she hoped he and his brothers weren’t playing her. She would be devastated. That fact had her taking a deep breath and hoping that tonight with Louie would give her some time to get to know him better. Maybe if she spent more time with them individually, she wouldn’t feel so vulnerable when they were all surrounding her together. The three of them were so fine they gave her palpitations.