“Just got off the phone with Alex. He had no idea about Maya looking for a place.”

  “What does he think?”

  “Thinks she must be scared to be staying in that cottage after the attack like he mentioned the other day. I suppose it was good she did this on her own. Got the sheriff to help her.”

  “And you don’t think it’s strange that Kane picked our ranch, our cottages, knowing that our brothers want to stake a claim, hell, guardianship to her?” Kase asked, sounding pissed off and as if he were betrayed or tricked or something. Rhett turned toward him.

  “They’ve been wanting us to meet her. To talk to her and get to know Maya. When she was attacked in her cottage, you saw how upset our brothers were. They were ready to kill. Nash nearly did kill that son of a bitch Hurley.”

  “He should have.”

  “Yeah, well, this isn’t the Corps. It’s law enforcement, which is why you and I don’t do that kind of work. We’d be showing all the scumbags to their maker.”

  “Hmm.” Kase grunted in agreement.

  “Alex wants us to get to know her.”

  “You saw her, Rhett. She was scared shitless of the two of us. Seen her size? We’d break her.”

  “She’s a woman, feminine, sexy, and damn gorgeous. I don’t think we’d hurt her if things progressed intimately.”

  “You don’t think so? You believe men like us can be gentle with a woman in bed, when we need, when we desire sex.”

  “It wouldn’t be just sex, man.”

  “I don’t know if I can be gentle. You’ve shared women with me since our return, and we get wild.”

  “And because of that, because it’s just sex, just fucking some woman without any strings attached, we were able to easily walk away. Satisfied, content for the time being. It isn’t enough. I get what Alex and Nash are saying and what they want. A commitment, a woman, a wife, a family like what our mom and dads have. Hell, what a lot of our friends have.”

  “We aren’t like them. We’re too hard, too cold-hearted, too unaffected by anyone. We do solo, and we don’t need complicated.”

  “You’re resistant for the same reasons I am.”

  “You sound more on board with them, Rhett, than ever, and you just met the little pixie an hour ago.”

  “And you’re as snappy as fuck for the same reason. You felt the attraction. Were staring at her body, her eyes, and wondering how she would feel in your arms.”

  “Underneath me is more like it, and I’d crush her.”

  Rhett chuckled. He ran his fingers through his hair. “She isn’t that fucking petite. We’re just big men, extra-large all over.”

  “All over is damn right, and what about her fears? What about the fact that she was raped before and then nearly raped again? How can she handle the sex with one man, never mind four like us? It could set her off or make her feel worse, or maybe we’d hurt her. I don’t think an attraction or feelings are going to make the difference and help us want her anyway. I’ve got needs and desires. Ways of making love that satisfy me physically and mentally.”

  “I hear what you’re saying, man. I do, but I think it’s all just fear talking. The uncertainty of what could happen next. How deep we could get. The unknown like no other. Courting, learning about a woman, and making a commitment not based on sex, but everything else that truly builds the foundation for a lifelong commitment.”

  “Lifelong commitment? Jesus Christ,” Kase said and ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Listen, let’s just see what happens. Who knows, maybe we’ll feel nothing at all. Maybe she’ll only be interested in our brothers.”

  “And you’re okay with that? With them having and sharing Maya and us being separate?” Kase asked.

  “Not really, but emotions, an attraction, and desire can’t be forced. We don’t have the knowledge of any of that commitment stuff. Like you said, we screwed for instant pleasure with no strings attached. This isn’t the case here. I won’t be part of hurting her more than what life has already dished out her way. I won’t.”

  “Well, neither would I. I know I can be a dick, and blow off sex with some fine piece of ass, but I know the difference here. It’s been months since we’ve engaged in anything, and that’s been out of choice,” Kase said to him.

  “Us getting older, knowing we want more, and now looking for a commitment that we’re also so afraid of.”

  Kase agreed, and they were silent as they both looked toward the cottage, knowing by tomorrow that Maya would be their neighbor and their tenant.

  Chapter 3

  Harper was walking back toward her office when she saw her assistant manager, York, leaning against the wall with her phone to her ear. She would have ignored her and slid her security card along the door lock to the office to get some work done, but then she heard York’s tone.

  “I don’t care what he has to say. Don’t fall for his bullshit, and whatever you do, Mom, do not tell him where I work or live.”

  Harper was immediately on alert. She hoped that York’s dad wasn’t back on the scene in her mom’s life and now trying to get York into his good graces. The man was supposed to be in jail.

  “He’s lying to you. Even if he got out six months ago, he wouldn’t be raking in the dough doing anything legit. He’s a criminal and he will never change. I don’t want to hear the bullshit. When he beats you again, leaves you for dead, then what? Will it be enough for you to see through his lies, or will it be too late because he kills you?

  “I can’t do this. I’m working. Do not tell him where I work. You understand me? If he shows up, I’ll have the sheriff take him out of here. I’m not being unreasonable. He’s after one thing, my abilities, and I’m not going down that dead-end road.” She ended the call and then growled low.

  “Are you okay?” York swung around to face Harper. Her face went bright red. Her lips parted. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but well, I did. What the hell is going on?”

  She shook her head. “My mom is an idiot. Why, after five years, after him nearly killing her that night, would she take him back? He’s spewing bullshit to her. Coming into the house with pockets of money and you know it’s not legit, and she still accepts him. Jesus! I would never trust him or any other man like that. This is why my life is so fucked up, Harper. Why I can’t be in any kind of relationship with a man. It’s because of trust issues, because of betrayal. If a girl can’t trust her own father, who the hell can she trust?”

  She was ranting as Harper walked closer and placed her hand on her shoulder. “Take some easy breaths. Close your eyes and try to relax. You were right to be honest with your mom and tell her not to believe the lies.”

  “It won’t matter,” York said, eyes closed as she breathed in and out slowly. When she opened her eyes, Harper could see the anger as well as the tears.

  “He’ll kill her, slow maybe, but he’ll kill her.”

  “There isn’t much you can do but to keep telling her not to trust him. She’s a grown woman, just like you and I. We are all responsible for our actions. Perhaps it’s like you’ve mentioned in the past, that your mom still loves him. She thinks she can change him. A lot of women in abusive relationships think that way.”

  “I won’t be sucked in.”

  “Why would he want to see you if he knows you can’t stand him and know he’s a lying criminal?”

  “Because he wants something from me. Wants me to work for him, or work an angle, something.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She stared at Harper, and Harper’s gut clenched. Her and York had become close over the last two years. They hung out outside of work, as well. “The numbers thing?” Harper asked.

  “Perhaps.”

  “Well, he can forget about that. You’re lucky you never got caught.”

  “I came close as a juvenile, but yeah, three years ago at twenty-one, I would still be serving time if I was caught. He was such a manipulating asshole. Here I am twenty-four years old and I’ve seen so much crap, such evil and manipulating men and grrr…forget it. I’m not doing this. I’m not going backwards. I have a great job here with you. I’m a manager of a fabulous place and living my life.”

  “You sure are. Just stay focused, and if he comes here looking for trouble, we have your back.”

  “God, I hope he doesn’t. It will be embarrassing. He could get violent, and then what?”

  “Well, there’s always a certain deputy that seems to keep his eye on you that would be willing to assist.”

  “Oh God, didn’t I just mention being unable to have any form of a relationship?”

  “Even with gorgeous, sexy, heartthrob Lotus McCuen? Girl, you are out of your mind not to give him a shot.”

  “Oh great, and what about you, Harper? Ferion and his brothers spend an awful lot of time here between their secret missions. In fact, what were you doing in the back office with Snipe the last time he was in town?”

  Harper gave her arm a slap. “Talking business, and nothing more. I’m not setting myself up to be their little hoochie mamma booty call woman for every time they come back home between missions or whatever the hell they do for the government. No thank you. I’m twenty-six. Time is ticking. Besides, this place is my life. There isn’t anything other than working. At least not unless my brothers retire from the military and want to work here and share all the stress.”

  York chuckled and then hugged Harper’s arm. “Well, then it’s just you and me. Two smart single women just trying to get through life and all the fastballs thrown our way.”

  “Yes it is,” Harper said, but she still worried about York and this potential situation with her father. Hopefully the man kept away.

  “Speaking of deputies checking on people, did you notice how shell-shocked Maya appeared when Nash Weathersen stopped by earlier?” Harper asked.

  “She was definitely surprised, but she blushed, too. Now that will be interesting to see where things wind up. Nash and Alex are fierce. Do you think she would accept them as guardians?” York asked.

  “She’ll resist. Plus, there are two other brothers. I only met them once by the sheriff’s department. Wild looking, and older, too. She wouldn’t stand a chance if they all put on the charms.”

  “They sound intimidating, and probably extra scary to Maya considering what she has gone through. I feel bad for her. She gets hit on all the time and doesn’t quite know how to handle things. Asshole men pick up on that and see her as easy prey. It aggravates me.”

  “Me, as well, but we have her back, and we’re always around so she’s safe. Rarely do we have any men who push things over the line.”

  “Lately there have been some stragglers coming in, stopping by while passing through town. Good thing we have Charge and Orlando,” York said. They headed out toward the main bar and both of them cased the place making sure everything was running smoothly. As they headed back out to the bar, Harper saw some guys talking to Maya. They were a little drunk and one just grabbed her ass. She swatted at it, and Harper went over. “Hey, keep your hands to yourself or you’re outta here,” she reprimanded.

  “Calm down, honey, we’re just having some fun. Maya is so sweet and shy. She needs looking after,” the one drunk guy said and gripped her wrist. Tight.

  Harper looked up and saw one of the bouncers, Orlando, coming over, but then the guy grunted and Maya twisted her wrist free and slammed her hand down into his gut. He roared and stood up. Harper got between the guy and Maya as Orlando got there in time and grabbed the guy.

  “You’re out of here, and your buddies, too,” Harper said, and the guy was yelling at Maya.

  “I’ll be back. We’re not done, sweetheart.” He said licked his lips.

  “You’re more than done, and you won’t be coming back or her boyfriend will lock you up,” Orlando said as he dragged the guy out of the bar. The other bouncer, Charge, ordered the others to leave, and even Ade came out from behind the bar to assist.

  “Are you okay? Where did you learn that move? My God, Maya, that was great,” She said but then saw the tears in Maya’s eyes and she was rubbing her wrist. She placed her hand on her shoulder and looked at her hand as Maya rambled.

  “I was so scared, and then I felt weak and defeated and it angered me so much. Then I just reacted. Alex and Nash taught me some things the last week, and well, I didn’t think they would work or that I could actually use them and I did and it worked,” she said, all shocked.

  Harper chuckled. She hugged her and then brought her to the bar for ice. “Well, you picked up fast and the move did work. I’d say you need to thank Nash and Alex.”

  “Oh God, they’re going to be upset about this. Do you think it will bruise? Oh, will they find out?”

  “I would say definitely yes, especially since it seems even Orlando was referring to a law enforcement man being your boyfriend. They will find out, but just make them see that you handled it because of their help with training. Which I knew nothing about. So how long has this little dating thing been happening?” She asked as Ade handed over some ice, a scowl on his face and with a pat to her hand.

  “I’m not dating them.”

  “Oh.”

  “It’s new, and well…it doesn’t matter. It’s new and I’m just trying to not be scared all the time. I’m so sick of being afraid, of being a victim. It’s why I’m looking for other work, too. Something where men aren’t always grabbing my ass or making me feel like an object.”

  Harper narrowed her eyes at her. “Things like this don’t happen too often. It’s really not bad here at all. Most of the men are locals.”

  “But when they aren’t, they zone in on us, on me, and crap like that happens. It’s annoying.”

  “I understand, and that’s why we have Orlando and Charge around just in case. But remember, you were in control. You got out of that hold, and you struck back. That right there shows you’re building up that confidence again, and not so fearful anymore.”

  “Well, I should get back to work.”

  “Ice that wrist a few minutes more. I’ll help with your tables.”

  “Thanks, Harper.”

  “No problem, Maya, and tonight the guys will walk you out.”

  Maya had set the alarm so she could get washed up, dressed, and begin packing things up. She knew that Alex and Nash would be coming over to help her. What she hadn’t expected was the bruising on her wrist or the pain. That jerk really grabbed her wrist hard last night, but when he squeezed her ass she was so angry. Despite how warm it was outside, she opted for the long-sleeve shirt to try and hide the bruising on her wrist. She really didn’t want Nash or Alex to get upset over it. It was funny how she worried about them now, and their reaction to things. Plus, she was nervous about moving into the cottage right next door to their house, yet just knowing they were there brought her peace of mind. Then of course she thought about Rhett and Kase being there, and she got all nervous again. Those two were incredibly intimidating and not very talkative. They barked.

  She had pulled her long brown hair back into a French braid and started to get things ready. She opened the door and was pulling boxes out when the trucks pulled up.

  She waited for Nash and Alex to say something about the incident last night at Harper’s, but they didn’t so she didn’t tell them.

  “Thank you so much for helping me. I really appreciate it. With my car, it would have taken several trips.”

  “Not a problem. How are you feeling?” Nash asked and placed his hand on her shoulder.