She chuckled, then headed out the door. As she came down the hallway, she noticed Tye immediately. She stopped in her tracks just as he gripped his date’s arm, gave her a shake, and turned. He looked right at her, dropped his date’s arm, and Lacey quickly turned away, but there was nowhere to go but right for him. That was the way out of the hallway to the party.

  She felt her body shaking. Then came the sensation in her belly like she wanted to vomit. It was also psychosomatic, but she was past the anxiety attacks, the nightmares, and the fear that he continued to want her. He had no control over her anymore. He had moved on and so did she.

  She straightened her shoulders and headed their way. The blonde he was with widened her eyes as if she recognized Lacey. That instantly brought her anxiety up a notch. Had Tye told the woman about her? He was so sick, so intense and controlling, he just might have been so cruel. A quick perusal of the blonde, and she saw so much in her. The blank expression, the dull eyes, the shaking of her body as Tye whispered something to her. As Lacey got closer and prepared to ignore him, pretend she didn’t even see him, like he didn’t exist, Tye waved the blonde away and the poor thing hung her head and slunk toward the side wall.

  As Lacey passed Tye and now entered the beginning of the room where lots of people were, including Louie, Suzette, and Chancellor, she felt the touch of his hand on her hand and the sound of his voice, the voice that had haunted her nightmares for months after she finally got out from under his thumb.

  She yanked her hand away. Sure, it might have been quite dramatic, but she didn’t want any remnants of the feel of him on her, touching her, acting like he still had a right to.

  “Lacey, my God, look at you. You’ve gotten even lovelier. It’s been too long,” he said and stepped closer. She held her ground.

  “I have nothing to say to you, Tye.” She turned and his voice grew firm.

  “Don’t.”

  She looked at him and widened her eyes. He took a deep breath. Controlling his anger, his need, and obsession of control over her had to be so difficult for him to do. He controlled everyone and everything around him. Not her, not ever again.

  “How are you? What have you been up to? What are you doing here?” he asked scanning her breasts with his eyes. She felt violated from those dark eyes of his, and flashbacks of his hurtful fingers digging into her flesh evaded her mind. They nearly clouded her vision and she lost focus a moment, not even hearing what he said next.

  He stepped closer and she took a step back.

  “I’ve missed you,” he whispered, but his eyes said so much more. Those dark, evil eyes told the truth about him. A man out to control and manipulate a woman’s body, mind, and soul. A man set out to kill a young woman’s self-confidence and make her reliant on his every word, his every demand and affirmation of her actions. She wasn’t that same innocent, naïve college girl looking up to the older man, the friend of her father’s, someone she thought she could trust.

  “Don’t, Tye. Go back to your date. I have nothing to say to you.”

  * * * *

  “Oh, God, no,” Suzette said as she saw Tye reach for Lacey’s hand and stop her. Her words drew the attention of both Louie and Chancellor.

  “Does she know Tye?” Chancellor asked.

  “We need to get him away from her,” Suzette said, and as she went to rescue Lacey from a possible disaster, Chancellor stopped her and looked at Louie, who seemed concerned.

  “He’s a bad man, Louie. Go get your woman.” Louie’s expression became intense and Suzette watched as Louie headed over.

  * * * *

  Lacey turned to walk away and her eyes locked with Louie’s. He looked so damn sexy and in charge as he approached with the attitude and confidence that had both attracted her to him and intimidated her about him.

  “Sweetheart, there you are. The others are waiting,” he said to her as he drew her close to his side and took her shaking hand into his own, squeezed it, then brought it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles and gave her a reassuring smile. Louie seemed to read the fear in her eyes and he slowly looked at Tye, giving the man a slow perusal. It didn’t go unnoticed by Tye, who returned the expression and seemed to ignite his own blood pressure. Tye’s face reddened and the veins on his neck pulsated.

  “Is this a friend of yours?” Louie asked.

  “No, he’s no one of importance. He had me mistaken for someone else.”

  Louie and her turned around and headed away from Tye. She could practically feel his strikes of anger against her back, and she squeezed Louie’s hand tighter and leaned into him for support. Now that she got past seeing Tye and being so close, and feeling his hand touch her, she felt about ready to pass out.

  “Are you okay?” Suzette asked. Her tone, her expression of concern, instantly had Lacey’s eyes tearing up.

  “I’ll be just fine,” she said, but looked away from all of them. She wanted to leave right now, but it would make Tye happy to see he still had an effect on her.

  “Do you want to leave?” Louie asked her.

  She tilted her head up and locked gazes with his dark blue eyes. She could see the concern, the care in them. She smiled.

  “Soon, but first I would love to hear more about Chancellor’s business and perhaps some professional advice he might be willing to offer me.” She smiled at Chancellor, who partially looked at her but also over her shoulder. She dare not look that way. She didn’t want to give Tye any indication that she cared. Instead, she did like she usually did, and plastered on her fake smile and pretended her life was normal as she hid the scars that ran so deep.

  * * * *

  Lacey dropped Suzette off at her apartment and then headed to her own place with Louie following in his car behind her. He was insistent that he follow them both home, and it was obvious that he knew something was up with her and Tye. In fact, she saw Chancellor talking to Louie at the party when she and Suzette were talking to a woman who owned a family furniture store twenty minutes from Wellington. Lacey could tell that Louie was getting upset, as he kept looking toward her, then back to Chancellor. She hoped that Louie didn’t ask her about Tye. She didn’t want to talk about him. She never told anyone. She felt that talking about it gave Tye some invisible power or control over her again. It was all in her head, but she still feared that control, even years later.

  She would dread sleeping alone in the apartment tonight. It was only ten o’clock. Too early to lay there restless. Too quiet to do anything but think. She was going to get little sleep tonight, and tomorrow at work would be hell.

  She parked her car in the parking lot and got out and locked up. Louie parked his car in one of the visitor spots and joined her by the sidewalk.

  “You don’t have to walk me up,” she whispered, but with little enthusiasm. She really did want his company. Truth was, she felt safe with him. He had protected her tonight without even being asked to, and they shared many moments, like the one in front of Tye when Louie first approached. It was like he read her mind. He knew she was scared and he just supported her, protected her, and nothing else mattered but keeping her safe.

  She felt him wrap his arm around her shoulder and pull her close. “I want to walk you up. Plus, it’s early, and this is a great time to talk and get to know one another better. Don’t you think?” he asked.

  “I guess so. Okay, come on up.”

  As she unlocked the door, she saw him pull out his cell phone. “Junior and Stone were just leaving from Crossroads. They’re asking about the party.”

  “Tell them to stop over,” she said without even thinking first. What was she thinking? She wanted things to go slowly, but she also wasn’t ready to be alone. She felt a chill and pulled her shawl tighter.

  “Can I get you something to drink? I think I have some wine, some beer, and some water,” she asked him as he texted, then closed up the phone.

  “Water would be great. They’re on their way,” he told her as he looked around the room.

  * * * *

  Louie looked at the pictures Lacey had on the fireplace mantel. The apartment was huge and beautifully decorated.

  She didn’t seem to have any pictures of her family around, not parents, any siblings. He had a lot of questions, but the one on the tip of his tongue was how she knew that guy, Tye Weathers. He was wealthy, pretty well known, and treated his date like some second-class citizen. After speaking with Chancellor about Tye, even he was concerned by Tye’s obvious interest in Lacey. He warned Louie to not let her near Tye and that the man was bad news when it came to women. It made Louie even more concerned. Lacey and Tye definitely knew one another, but how could he ask her what the relationship, if any, was?

  “This place is huge and you have it decorated so beautifully,” he told her as she approached with two bottles of water.

  “Thank you. It’s a corner unit, so it’s twice the size of the regular units in the building. I like it because it has its own private entrance and hallway,” she said, then handed him the bottle of water. Their gazes locked and he smiled at her, then looked her over.

  “You should take some pictures in here to show potential clients what you’re capable of. These unique landscape pictures, the ornate, colorful jugs mixed with more industrial pieces are eye-catching.”

  “In here? No, this is nothing,” she said, sounding so modest. She took a seat on the couch and he joined her.

  “I’m serious. Hell, I’m impressed. I love this coffee table. The combination of driftwood and metal is very cool. Not too rustic, more industrial and modern. A lot of people would be impressed with the combination,” he told her.

  He sat down opened the bottle of water and took a slug.

  “I don’t see any pictures of family. Do you have any?” he asked, and she looked a little sad. He felt bad for asking but he was trying, here. She really kept a wall up around her.

  “I do have parents and a brother. My brother lives in Tokyo. He’s a big finance guy. I haven’t seen him in years. My parents live in the city. They travel a lot and are busy with businesses,” she said as she played with the bottle of water.

  He reached over and placed his hand on her thigh. Her legs were crossed and she looked so sexy.

  “You don’t get to see them a lot?”

  “No. We have different ideas of how I should be living my life,” she said, and he understood immediately. She didn’t seem to have anyone close but her friends like Suzette, Sonya, and Bethany.

  “Sometimes parents want different things for their children. It’s hard to let them go and make their own lives,” he told her and held her gaze.

  She placed her hand over his and caressed it.

  “It’s more than that. They were always very controlling. Things happened and we all drifted apart. I really don’t talk to them anymore.”

  He reached up and pushed a strand of hair from her cheek. She was close, close enough to inhale her addictive perfume and close enough to kiss.

  “Did you have fun tonight?” he asked as he traced her jaw with his finger.

  “Sort of.”

  “You didn’t have fun?”

  “It was okay. I’m glad that you were there, and that I met Chancellor. He’s a very interesting guy.”

  “If he flirted with you any more, I was going to un-friend him.” She chuckled and touched Louie’s forearm as he held her cheek. “He was harmless and, I think, trying to get a rise out of you.”

  “That happened the moment I saw you talking to that guy you weren’t happy about bumping into.” The moment he said the words, her eyes widened and then she gripped his arm.

  “Baby, you looked scared. How do you know him?”

  She hesitated a moment and his gut clenched. Would she really lie to him? Had she been involved with him? Was he an ex?

  “Louie, it doesn’t matter. He was no one.”

  He used his thumb to caress her lips.

  He could feel her practically shaking.

  “You’re lying to me. I can feel you shaking. The man scares you and I would like you to trust me enough to tell me why.”

  “Louie, no. I don’t want to talk about it.” She started to get up, but he stopped her. He gently placed his hand on her hip and one against her cheek.

  “Tell me what I need to do to gain your trust.”

  She held his gaze.

  “I’m sorry, but I just don’t know.”

  He wasn’t happy with her answer. Instead, it caused more questions, but then he leaned forward and kissed her instead. Lost in her taste, in the feel of her in his arms, nothing else mattered.

  That kiss grew deeper, heavier, and soon he was drawing her onto his lap, using his hand to cup her breast and devour her moans. She felt incredible and she ran her hands through his hair and kissed him back just as deeply, and with similar emotion.

  But then the sound of the doorbell ringing ended the kiss. She pulled back and gasped, climbing up off his lap and straightening her dress. He stood up, too, rubbed his thumb along her lower lip, and smiled down at her.

  “You look perfect and taste even better.”

  She was trying to catch her breath as she headed toward the door. The moment he saw his brothers and watched their eyes take in the sight of Lacey, he knew everything was going to work out just fine. She was perfect. Now, if only he could get her to reveal some secrets and why she really kept such a wall around her heart.

  * * * *

  “You look gorgeous,” Junior told her as he entered into the apartment, reaching for her cheek and hair to draw her in for a kiss. He’d thought about her all night at work. He was shocked when Louie called and said to come over here.

  Was she giving them a little bit more trust? Had something happened at the party? He asked himself so many questions but knew Louie would fill him in later. He hugged her after he released her lips. She smelled incredible and felt perfect in his arms. Trailing a hand along her lower back, he locked gazes with her bold blue eyes.

  “How was the party?” he asked.

  “Crowded,” she whispered, then looked toward Stone. A glance to Junior’s left and she saw Stone standing next to Louie with his usual firm expression on his face.

  “Don’t I get a kiss hello?” he asked.

  Junior watched Lacey’s eyes sparkle and then she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as Junior released her. He watched her walk to Stone, place her palm on his chest, and stand up on tiptoes to try and reach his lips. Even in the high heels, she couldn’t. Her beauty, her femininity, her delicate qualities brought on a surge of desire as well as protectiveness. He wanted Lacey to be their woman. He wanted her to look at him, at them with trust, with love in her eyes. But even now, when he kissed her lips, when he held her in his arms, she felt tense and on edge. It didn’t sit right with him.

  * * * *

  Stone reached out and cupped Lacey’s hair and cheeks, drawing his mouth closer to hers. The feel of her palm against his chest instantly ignited that deep desire, lust, need straight to his center and, of course, his cock. She was breathtaking, and especially in the sexy dress and high heels.

  His lips touched hers and he relished the taste of them. She ran her palms up and down his chest and stepped closer against him. Stone took it as a sign to deepen the kiss and pressed his tongue between her teeth and lips and began to explore her mouth. He ran his hands along her waist to her ass and squeezed it.

  She moaned into his mouth, but she didn’t pull away. He squeezed her snugger against him, loving how delicate and soft she felt in his arms as her scent, her perfume, wafted through the air into his nostrils, penetrating his skin and igniting a deeper desire to possess her in every way.

  He felt her tense and knew that one of his brothers joined them. He could feel the other masculine body. Then he felt her shiver.

  “This is one sexy dress, Lacey. I hope that Louie was keeping a close eye on you all night. We want you all to ourselves,” Junior whispered. She tensed again and then relaxed and moaned softly into Stone’s mouth. As Stone released her lips and continued to trail kisses along her jaw and her neck, he could see Junior exploring her bare back, his fingers nudged between Stone and Lacey as Junior cupped her breast from behind her and then suckled her earlobe.

  “You smell edible.”

  “Oh God. This can’t be happening. I can’t let you make me feel like this,” she said and pressed her hands against Stone’s chest. Junior stepped slightly back and removed his hand from her breast and caressed her hips.

  “Why can’t you? We’re all feeling this strong attraction. Why do you want to fight it so much?” Louie asked her as he reached out to touch her chin and tilt it up toward him.

  Stone felt his chest tighten. Was she not into them? Was she really not attracted to all three of them? Could she not see herself in a ménage relationship?

  Lots of things went through his mind and then they all ceased as he saw Lacey’s eyes well up with tears.

  “I can’t take any more pain,” she said and pulled away from them.

  Stone looked at the stunned expressions on both Louie and Junior’s faces. As the oldest, the one who always seemed to take the lead, he confronted Lacey about her statement.

  “Baby, talk to us. Make us understand your fears,” Stone said.

  Junior stepped closer to her and took her hand into his own. “We’re not Jeb. We’re nothing like him. Our mother raised us right. So did our fathers. Is this your fear? That we could abuse you, put you down, and make you feel less of a woman or a human being? Because then I can tell you, with all truth and honesty, that we would never hurt you.”

  “Junior, you can’t make such promises. I understand how this works. How possessive and controlling men can be when they possess a woman’s body and her heart. She thinks that a man can actually love her, be faithful to her and want nothing but good things for her, but it isn’t true. You’ll eventually get tired of me, get angry at the things I can’t do to make each of you happy, and then you’ll cheat on me, leave me, or just hurt me any way you can to make me weak.”