Isabella Forn looked out toward the woods and tree line as she ran along the path. She couldn’t believe a whole year had passed, and her twenty-fourth birthday, too. It was hard not to feel on edge all the time. To try and fit in like a normal twenty-four-year-old woman, new to town. Hiding out, hoping that Serpen and Portino were too busy trying to stay undetected and maybe out of the country by now, instead of hunting her down. It didn’t look that way, as far as Agent Kever McCormick thought. Which was why he moved her here to Cherry Hill, Texas. The government didn’t deem it important to keep her alive, or protect her—hell, even use her to bait Serpen and Portino. No, instead of using the information she gave them to help lock up Serpen and Portino, they let her loose. He gave her some money, only because Agent Kever McCormick pushed for that, and they sent her on her way. No family, no place safe to go. She was still healing from her injuries, and McCormick, an experienced agent, decided to take it upon himself to help her.

  At first she thought he was after something, like most men. Her bad experience while being held captive changed her completely. She trusted no one. She trained as if any moment someone might attack, and she kept to herself. Kever brought her to Cherry Hill, and she now lived in a nice cottage on a residential street behind McCormick’s Pub & Grill, that his fathers owned. Jake and Eddie, his dads, were awesome guys. Retired jarheads, they knew a bit about her situation. In fact, they wanted her to work for them at the bar but it wasn’t as big or as crowded as Harper’s was. McCormick’s was subdued, calm, a quiet bar to relax in and have a few beers or drinks while conversing with friends. Harper’s was the young bar, with live music, huge crowds and that meant big tips. She needed money and an escape plan if need be.

  She just didn’t quite feel safe, but the training she had over the past year made her a lethal fighter. It also gave her an attitude that most people didn’t know how to take. She tried playing up sweet and quiet at the bar, but when men got flirty, or people got attitudes, hers went up a notch too and there was no playing around.

  As she continued along the path she heard the sound of a whistle blow and knew she was getting closer to the high school football field. She could see the blue uniforms. Then by the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of movement and she turned to see another runner heading her way. It was a man, and he was big, tall, and bearded, too. He slowed down as she stopped and waited to see what he was up to.

  When he used his eyes to gaze over her body in the shorts and tank top, she did the same thing back to him but it nearly backfired on her. The man was hot, good looking, rugged and had huge muscles. He could hurt her in a flash was her first thought, but then she remembered that she was in Cherry Hill, and should be safe.

  He slowed down and then stopped a few feet before her. “Checking out the practice?” he barked at her. His tone was abrupt, his voice deep and rough.

  “No. Just running by.”

  He looked at her and she felt it. Actually felt the way his gaze went over her body. She stepped back and to the side a bit so they were in the clearing more.

  He squinted at her. “You should be careful jogging out here by yourself.”

  “Why is that?” she snapped at him.

  “It just isn’t smart,” he said and then began to walk closer. She, of course, stepped back.

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” he said to her, and she was surprised he came out and said that. In fact, he exhaled and then walked past her and toward the fence.

  She stared at him as he walked away. She couldn’t help but to check out the tattoos on his arms, the muscles and the way the sweats hugged his ass then tapered down his legs. He was military, like a lot of the men in this town. Like Prime. She felt her gut clench. Why she even thought about the deputy, she didn’t know.

  She heard the whistle blow again and then the sound of shoulder pads crushing against shoulder pads. She had always liked football. Dated Mavis in high school for a year. They drifted apart when they both left for college and he wound up marrying some girl he met while studying at Virginia Tech. She attended the University of Denver, which wasn’t far from the Air Force academy so she was used to military guys. They were always so pompous and women drooled over them. The memory made her heart ache. Thank God she had sex before she had been abducted. It would have been ten times worse losing her virginity that way. She shivered just thinking about how close she came to getting raped. How Serpen and Portino forced her to do things to them.

  Kever and the other agents might think that she was safe and the last person Serpen and Portino would go after, but she didn’t believe that. She knew better, and would remember the way the men threatened her, forced her to service them, and how they imbedded in her head the things they would do to her when she belonged to them.

  She decided she better get moving. She didn’t think it was wise to stick around here and some military guy who looked wild and untamed. Plus he had an attitude. Probably picked women he could sleep with when he was in the mood. The sour thoughts angered her and she quickly headed past the field and onto the side lawn of the high school and toward the town park.

  Wesson watched the attractive petite woman run past the fence and toward the school property. He had seen her before, running through the woods, and through the outskirts of town. She ran a lot, and for long distance, like he and his brothers did. It was hard to tell if she was in great shape. She usually wore baggy black joggers, a long sleeve shirt that was loose, but not today. The shorts and tank top revealed some of what she had been hiding. She was well endowed though, he could tell that much by how her breasts moved in the shirt, and when the wind was against her body it pressed close to what had to be a flat belly. She had stunning deep, green eyes, and looked to be about twenty maybe. She disappeared quickly and he didn’t know why he kept looking. She had an attitude, was definitely jail bait, and he wasn’t into that. He was more concerned at her running in the woods alone. He saw her the other night before sundown and she barely got out of the woods before it was dark.

  He shook the concern out of his head. She wasn’t his problem. He would maybe mention it to Prime. He was a deputy and it was part of his job to protect the women of Cherry Hill. He leaned on the fence and watched his brother, Colt, coaching the varsity football team. He was fierce. Stood over six feet three, had a huge upper body, trim waist and legs. Was in excellent physical condition like all of the Jameson brothers were in. Colt couldn’t wait until the first scrimmage.

  His brother whistled that special bird call they knew well and he looked at him and waved. Wesson pushed off the fence and continued his run. Down by the lake, near the park and then onto the roadway to home.

  Chapter 2

  “I’m telling you, this band playing tonight is amazing, and the lead singer? Totally hot,” Cherise said to the other waitresses as they gathered by the bar.

  Isabella listened. She had seen the lead singer in the back talking to Harper earlier and he was good looking. The whole band was, and they sang country music, dressed like sexy cowboys, but they wore their jeans and shirts a little too tight for her liking. Hearing the other young women her age carry on about the hot guys made her suddenly feel a bit normal. Like maybe a year was enough time to have passed and her troubles were long behind her. She thought about Kever and wondered when he might call. He was working a case in New York right now, but he was hoping to head this way soon to visit his fathers and her. He had been a lifeline throughout this ordeal. Without Kever she would have wound up in some women’s shelter, or living on the streets until she could find work. Now here she was in Cherry Hill, and just trying to get her life back in order and feel normal.

  As she held the tray she looked at her wrist. The tattoo she got made her feel a mix of emotions. A black stick cross, the date of Caroline’s death—12/20/17—and a beautiful deep black and blue butterfly decorated her wrist. She lived on for her. Fought to be free, to have a life for Caroline, who lost her chance all because of their father. He disappeared, too, just like Serpen and Portino.

  “Hey, anyone see Candice? She was late the last three times she was on the schedule and now she’s a no show,” Harper asked and she looked annoyed.

  “I could use the help back here tonight. This band is popular and it’s ladies’ night so half-price mixed drinks,” Ade said from behind the bar. The place was already getting crowded and the band was tuning up and testing the speaker system.

  “Bella, can you get things started with Ade back there? You’re super good at those girlie drinks,” Harper asked her.

  Isabella looked at the other girls. “No one else who has been here longer wants the opportunity?” she asked.

  “Are you kidding me? I suck at bartending,” Cherise said and Ade nodded his head and they all chuckled.

  “As it is, I need to find more workers. Bartender and two waitresses,” Harper said.

  “What about some waiters? That would be fun, but they have to be hot, and single,” Cherise said and the girls all hooted and hollered.

  Harper chuckled. “Yeah, not sure the predominantly male patrons will be too keen on that,” Harper said and they agreed.

  “So, you up for it, Bella?” Ade asked her.

  “Bella?” Isabella asked.

  “I can’t help it. You’re petite and drop-dead gorgeous with that jet black hair and stunning green eyes. I think Bella. You know? Beautiful,” Ade said and winked.

  “Aw, isn’t that so cute. I love it. We should all start calling her Bella, for beautiful,” Cherise said.

  “See, I’m not the only one,” Ade said and she pursed her lips and then handed the tray to Cherise.

  “Well, here goes nothing,” she said and then headed toward the entrance to the bar and began to help prep and stock the bar with the fruits for the drinks, and to go over where things were. It had been two years since she bartended. She did that a lot in college and made a killing. Also got to meet some good looking guys. Boy, she wished she had engaged in some of those one-night stands, but that wasn’t her style. She needed there to be meaning, an attraction. God, why was she starting to think about hooking up with a guy? Those girls were being a bad influence on her. She heard laughter and then the cheers as the band began to get things started. Before long the ladies were coming in, she was shaking up drinks and enjoying the music.

  Ade gave a big wave and she turned to look as she shook the mixer, making sex on the beach, a drink that was very popular tonight. When she turned to look because the three ladies in front of her she was making the drinks for looked, she was shocked to see Prime there. He immediately locked gazes with her, and so did two other men. She realized instantly that the one with the beard was the guy with the attitude jogging in the woods. They were very good looking, and as Ade shook their hands hello, from across the bar she listened as other guys greeted them and called the one guy Coach. She was putting things together quickly as she poured the drinks into the glasses and added toothpicks with pineapple and a cherry on them to the glass.

  “Here you go ladies, enjoy,” she said and the ladies cheered, clinked glasses and then took long sips from the drink.

  “My God, this is so good. We are going to be ordering these all night,” the one blonde said.

  “I’m going to get drunk off my ass if I drink a few more of these,” the brunette said.

  “Well, in that case the next round is on us.” Three guys came over and they all laughed and started talking. She made her way toward the other end of the bar but could feel eyes on her as she poured a few beers, chatted a bit with a few cowboys that were glued to their seats tonight. Then Ade said he had to go downstairs to switch the kegs. She made her way toward Prime and the guys.

  “How are you doing tonight, Isabella?” Prime asked her, and he gazed over her body in the tight tank top she wore. Her jeans were super tight too and lay low on her hips, showing off her belly ring and tight abs. She knew what worked to get the tips.

  “I’m doing well, Prime, how are you? Need another round?” she asked.

  “Sure thing, darling,” he said and licked his lower lip. “I want you to meet two of my brothers.”

  She paused as she put down one beer and then looked at the two men. Both had dark brown hair and deep blue eyes.

  “Brothers?” she asked and looked at the one guy she had seen jogging. He was a big guy. Wide muscular shoulders, thick muscular arms and chest. The sight of him made women stare. And the other brother was just as big. They were intimidating in size alone.

  “Wesson,” the guy said and reached his hand out for her to shake. “We met in the woods,” he added.

  “What?” Prime asked and then she felt a bolt of an attraction as their hands touched. He didn’t release her right away.

  “Wesson. Now I can put a name to the stranger jogging my trail,” she said.

  He released her hand. “Your trail? I think it’s you that is trespassing on my route, darling,” he said to her and looked her over with a smirk.

  “Hmm, maybe,” she said.

  “This is Colt. He’s the football coach. The one whose team you were watching practicing when I came along,” Wesson said.

  “Watching me practice without me knowing?” Colt asked and shook her hand next.

  She snorted. “I wasn’t watching, more like listening. Gotta love football,” she said and when she felt his hand touch hers and there was that same attraction, she panicked. “Well, enjoy the evening and the band,” she said and then made the other two beers and placed them down. Prime looked smug as he handed her a twenty.

  She got his change and before things got a little crazy like it seemed they did around Cherry Hill, she hightailed it to the other end of the bar.

  “God damn, bro, you clearly didn’t give us a good description of her,” Colt said as he watched Isabella working the other end of the bar while Ade worked this end.

  “I said she was sweet, and very good looking with incredible green eyes,” Prime said to them.

  “She’s got an attitude. She was lucky I wasn’t some pushy guy when I met up with her near the edge of the woods. You know there have been a few times I saw her running as the sun was setting and she was in the woods where it was dark,” Wesson told them.

  “Shit, that isn’t too smart. We should warn her about taking precautions.”

  “Yeah, Deputy, you do that,” Wesson said then took a sip from his beer and looked around.

  “Hey, Coach, how are things looking for the team?” Ben Smothers came over to talk to Colt.

  Prime was feeling a mix of emotions. Obviously, his brothers found Isabella attractive like he did. He hated having this uneasy, even jealous feeling as he watched her work and guys flirted. She was short, had full large breasts, thin, toned arms, and a great ass. She had a soft, sweet voice, and she held his gaze when he spoke to her. She didn’t look away, she made eye contact, and it was powerful. There was something there. Something that made him react in a different way than with other women.

  He shook his head, then took a sip from his mug of beer. Maybe he was just overthinking things? None of them, his brothers and him, had been in a relationship in years. Colt was cautious about dating anyone local or even fooling around because he was the football coach. He also retired from the military and taught history at the high school. His brother always liked history, and had a knack for remembering important dates, and even small battles that never really made the big books. His students loved him and the way he taught. He was an awesome coach, but that wasn’t surprising considering he was an awesome football player in high school. He was the most outgoing and friendly. Had to be in order to talk to students’ parents and get the attention of his students.

  Wesson, on the other hand, could give a shit what anyone thought. He barely went out. Did his own thing, was always training, working out, doing martial arts at the dojo with military buddies or at the military base and obstacle course with Finlin. Wesson had an attitude like Finlin did. Some thought they were both such hard asses and women either stayed clear of them or threw themselves at them. Either way, his brothers weren’t biting.

  Finlin was the worst in regards to attitude and discipline. He was a constant disciplinarian. He ran the obstacle course and a facility at the base, helped to train soldiers in self-defense and hand-to-hand combat techniques, and he was a fast runner. He wasn’t here tonight with them. He refused to come hang out, but Wesson and Colt came along, and Prime thought it was pretty interesting that Wesson met Isabella while running in the woods, and neither man could take their eyes off of her as she worked right now.

  Isabella came down this end of the bar again as four women came up to order some kind of girlie drinks. Ade passed them off to Isabella.

  “Can you take care of this for me, Bella?” Ade asked, calling her Bella.

  She smiled. “No problem. Ladies, what can I get you?” she asked.

  The one blonde looked at Prime, Wesson, and Colt as she batted her eyelashes. “Sex on the beach, times three,” she said, letting the word three roll off her tongue. Her top was so low he could practically see her areola. She was trying to pull off designer, but she came off as cheap. Wesson and Colt didn’t even bat an eye.