“Whoa! What happened? What did you just say?” he yelled into the phone.

  His tone, the reality of her outburst, hit her hard as she pulled the car over and tapped her forehead against the steering wheel.

  “Someone tried to push sex on you?”

  She heard deep voices in the background. “Shit.” She exhaled.

  “Melina? Are you okay?” he asked calmly, but with authority that deep tone of his was filled with.

  “Listen, I’m rambling because I’m angry. I’m shaking. I just needed to get out of there and drive, but now I can’t drive because you called and got me even more fired up. Jesus, I need to stop talking and just breathe. I need to breathe.”

  “Calm down, baby. Jesus, I can’t drive but Vetter or Trek can meet you and bring you back here. We can talk.”

  “No. I don’t need your brothers coming to get me like I am some easy woman to fool around with.”

  “I don’t think that at all, nor do they. You’re upset. I hear it, and you’re taking it out on me. On us. I know we were mean to you and I was a dick the other day. It was a combination of the drugs and feeling weak in front of you. I felt so much, and fuck, I don’t want to do this over the phone. Can you please come over? It sounds like you need to talk, too.”

  “That night at the party was a mistake. I get it. It meant nothing to you.”

  “That isn’t true. It was incredible and so much so that I freaked a little. I should have kissed you good-bye before I left. Should have held you in my arms. It could have been the last time I got to do that which pisses me off and…fuck, I don’t want to do this over the phone. I want you here. So you can see I’m telling the truth. Plus, now you have to come because I’m jealous of whomever the dick was that hit on you.”

  She snorted. “This is a mess.”

  “Come fix it with my brothers and me. Together, come on over.”

  “I just left a funeral.”

  “Then you can use a drink and some relaxing time. We have a lot of food, too. Ghost sent some. Gordon did, too, and we’ll probably have to have a party by the weekend in order to eat everything. Come over now. We’ll wait for you.”

  She thought about it and answered, “Okay, but no funny business.”

  “No funny business.”

  She ended the call and exhaled. She didn’t want to be angry with Morris. She really liked him. A lot. And she was attracted to his brothers, too. If what Jo said was true, then Morris was really trying hard to get through his need to be so manly and not need a soul, that he was pushing Melina away. She was still jittery, and wasn’t sure if it was because of Allen grabbing her like he did, or because of the anticipation of seeing Morris and his brothers and what may happen. At least she looked good in her outfit.

  * * * *

  Trek greeted Melina outside when she arrived in her blue BMW sports car. She got out and his heart skipped a beat, and his cock immediately hardened. The woman looked like some gorgeous professional businesswoman. He felt inferior, below her level. The woman could get any man she wanted. Why the hell would she want four soldiers who were getting older by the day? She closed the door, had her purse in hand, and wore dark sunglasses.

  “Hey,” he said to her, and greeted her with a kiss to her cheek, then slid his arm around her waist.

  “You look incredible.”

  “Thanks. How is your arm?” she asked, slightly pulling back.

  “Aches a lot, but it will heal.”

  She gave a soft smile.

  “Come on inside,” he said to her, and led her in, with a hand at her lower back. Her shampoo infiltrated his senses and fed the attraction he instantly felt. She took off her sunglasses as Vetter appeared in the kitchen. Trek offered her a drink.

  “Whatever you guys are having is fine.”

  “A beer all right?” Trek asked.

  “Sure.” She put her purse on the counter and her keys, and her sunglasses, and put them down as Vetter approached.

  “You okay?” he asked, closing the space between them.

  “Sure,” she said.

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her neck. Trek watched her close her eyes, as well as saw Vetter caress his palm lower, but not to her ass. He stopped and she pulled back slightly.

  “How is your side? Oh God, I almost forgot.” She was concerned for him.

  “I’m good, in fact, I think your hugs help,” he said, and winked.

  “Nice one,” she replied, holding his gaze, and stepping back.

  The floor creaked and there was Blade and Morris. Both of his brothers looked her over.

  “Who was the fucking guy who tried to seduce you at this wake?” Blade demanded to know.

  “Blade,” Trek said.

  “What? We all want to know who the dick was, and what did he say and do? Morris said you were angry and rambling about men.”

  “Actually, he grabbed my ass. Thrust against me, as he restrained me against my car, so I had reason for rambling and being angry,” she snapped at Blade. Which might not have been the smartest thing to do. His brother was quite commanding. Obviously, she felt on the defensive.

  “What?” they all said at the same time.

  Melina stepped back, nibbling her lip, but before Trek or Vetter could move, Blade did. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  Her jaw dropped, and even he could see the tears in her eyes and then she nodded. And Blade pulled her into his arms and hugged her to him. When she hugged him back and exhaled, Trek felt like maybe this could work out after all.

  * * * *

  The feel of Melina in his arms made Blade never want to let go. She smelled incredible. She was gorgeous, classy, sexy and he wanted to taste her, to kiss her, but Morris expressed concern that he screwed up and needed to convince Melina they wanted her in their lives. Also, this information about some guy grabbing her ass and restraining her had him feeling protective instantly.

  “Let’s take the beers outside and relax on the patio,” Morris suggested.

  Blade pulled back, then reached up and stroked her cheek. “You’ll explain, and then we’ll all stop the bullshit and be honest here. Come on.”

  Blade led her outside but before she sat down, Morris reached his hand out to her. “Where’s my hug and kiss hello?”

  She looked at him. “Do you deserve one?”

  He widened his eyes. “Well what the fuck did they do to deserve one?” he countered, and his brothers laughed.

  She stepped closer. He wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her against his body. He kissed her, letting his crutches fall to the side as he held her against him, deepening the kiss, until he nearly lost his balance. She pulled back and held him.

  “I thought I said no funny business,” she said to him.

  “You kissed me right back. No denying this, Melina. It’s real,” he said to her, and then they sat down on the couches outside on the patio.

  * * * *

  Morris watched her closely as she sipped her beer, crossed her legs, and looked incredibly gorgeous. In fact, he wondered if it was too late. If he screwed up by not talking to her and kissing her before he left for the mission. A mission that nearly took all their lives. He felt regretful, and guilty.

  “Whose funeral were you attending?” Blade asked her.

  “An old co-worker from the company I worked at before my current job. Her name was Priscilla, and she was very nice, a bit older than me. I was supposed to get together with her and my other co-worker and friend Nelly that I bumped into a week ago. Anyway, her passing was pretty horrific, and a shock to everyone. I wanted to be there for Nelly.” She took another sip of her beer.

  Morris squinted. “How did she pass?”

  “The police say drug overdose. They found her in a hotel room, days after she died, from what I was told. She was on a business trip, had been shooting up with drugs and they found her in the bathroom. She hit her head on the tub, it was shocking.”

  “It can be when no one knows someone has an addiction like that,” Trek said.

  “Well, I think it was extra shocking to all of us, to Nelly, her best friend, because Priscilla’s cousin died of an addiction after leaving the military, and she was devastated by it. In fact, she volunteered at the addiction center for veterans. So you could just imagine the shock.”

  “Damn, that is crazy. Are the police sure that’s what happened?” Vetter asked.

  “That’s all I know right now,” she said, and swallowed then looked away.

  “What about this guy, the one who grabbed your ass and restrained you? What’s his story and you?” Blade pushed, and Morris could tell his brother wanted answers and he was impatient to know what went down, and whether this guy was potential competition.

  “Okay, so basically I dated Allen for about six months. We worked in the same building, his father owns the company, and I met him during a presentation I did on software programs for food and entertainment industry.”

  “Food and entertainment industry?” Vetter asked.

  “Computer software? What do you mean?” Trek asked.

  “I work for Renaldi Technologies right now. Have been there a year or so, and recently invented a new computer software technology being used in upscale, high traffic restaurants and bars. The patent is coming through any day now, and then the software will hopefully go nationally and internationally.”

  Vetter whistled. “You’re a computer geek?” he asked, and she chuckled, then leaned back looking a little more at ease as she explained her capabilities, which made Morris feel another notch below her. She was smart. She invented a software program.

  “Wait, this means you’ve hit the jackpot, correct? Inventing a computer software program to be used nationally and internationally?” Morris asked, and his brothers stared at her.

  “No need to freak out. I’m very down to earth, and money is not my priority motivator like it was when I was in high school and fending for myself.”

  Morris ran his fingers through his crewcut brown hair.

  “Holy shit. What do you mean fending for yourself?” he asked her.

  She explained about her parents divorcing and battling things out, and her focus on her studies and moving away to college then renting an apartment.

  “So this guy Allen, what went wrong? Seems he had money, a good position in his father’s company,” Trek asked.

  “He wasn’t fully committed to me like I was to him,” she said, and looked at her bottle then took another sip.

  “He cheated on you?” Vetter asked.

  “Several times, and then…well it just didn’t work out.”

  “And then what? What happened?” Blade pushed.

  “I had to leave the company. Let’s just leave it at that.”

  “Wait, let’s not leave it at that. Why did you leave? Did this asshole Allen harass you, what?” Vetter asked.

  She looked hesitant. “We want to know all about you. About your life, about your fears, and what happened here. It’s obvious there’s more to this. The guy came after you today. Grabbed your ass and restrained you, which I am not taking lightly, nor should you.” Morris raised his voice. She sat forward and put her beer bottle down on the table. “Take it lightly? I am not taking anything lightly. Obviously, I was angry after it happened, Morris. I bit your head off. You don’t know what I went through. What this asshole did.” She stood up. She then paced a little, and ran her fingers through her hair. She placed her hands on her hips. “Okay, I’m going to be honest here, and if this turns to shit, if you guys aren’t as honest, as sincere as your sister believes you are then, well…I’ll deal with it, and probably never trust another man ever, again.”

  “We can be trusted, and we are honest. Tell us what happened,” Trek said to her.

  She exhaled. “Well, basically, Allen and his father are womanizing assholes. Both cheaters, and both…” She looked away and exhaled.

  “Both what?” Blade asked.

  She swallowed hard. “Both wanted me in their bed.”

  Morris did not expect that. His shock instantly went to anger. “Are you fucking serious?”

  “Those dicks. Did the father hit on you, too? Try something, too, today?” Vetter asked.

  “Allen’s dad just took an opportunity to hug me, squeeze my arms and whisper close to me. He’s a creep and then some. So evil he sent his wife into emotional distress and she’s now in some mental institution so he’s free and clear to screw anyone he chooses. It’s sickening.”

  “Allen grabbed your ass and restrained you? You should press charges,” Trek said, standing up.

  She laughed. “I don’t need to press charges. I stood up to him. I told him off. I get the feeling they’re interested in my software technology and capabilities. Allen was immediately congratulating me on my success and trying to tell me he was proud of me for accomplishing one of my goals. Like he ever listened or cared about that? I was a fool back then, and I’m embarrassed even telling you four that my boyfriend cheated on me, and that even his father wants me in his bed, but the reality is that none of it matters. If anything, getting my heart broken, being treated like some sexual object instead of the accomplished, professional woman I am, and all I’ve created because of my brain and my hard work, has taught me to not trust anyone but myself. To be weary of offers, of kindness or whatever, because ultimately the decisions I will make will affect my life, my emotional state of mind, and will affect success and failure.”

  “Did I make you feel that way? Like I used you that night? Like it meant nothing because I didn’t say good-bye and just left?” Morris asked her.

  She stared at him. “Yes.”

  “Come here. Please,” he added, legs stretched out, wearing camo shorts and one leg bandaged up.

  She walked closer as he sat up, gripped her hips and slid his palm up and down her hips as he stared up at her. “I’m sorry I made you feel that way. That I hurt you. That wasn’t my intention, Melina. I wanted you that night with not just my cock, my body, but with my heart and soul.”

  Her eyes widened. “I was scared, it felt so good, so right, and perfect. I wanted to call my brothers in, to have them feel the way you made me feel. When you put on the brakes, I understood, and I respected that. Then the call came in, and I’m in soldier mode and thinking I can’t go over to Melina and kiss her good-bye, tell her everything will be okay and we’ll talk when I get back because we weren’t dating. And I didn’t want to get all serious on you, and well I overthought things. Then I left and felt hollow inside. I thought of you a lot on the trip. I told my brothers how I felt, what went down, and they want to feel it, too.”

  “We do feel it, too. The attraction, the desire to learn more about you. To explore these feelings,” Vetter added, gazing over her body with hunger in his eyes.

  “I fucked up, but I didn’t use you. I wanted more,” he said, and slid his palms to her ass and then to her hips.

  “Wanted all of you.” He pulled her forward so she had to hold onto his shoulders and not fall against his legs. She gasped and looked into his eyes. “Kiss me, baby. Take a chance on me. On us.” Before he finished the word us, she pressed her mouth to his.

  Morris pulled her closer. She knelt between his good thigh and the couch, ran her fingers through his hair as he massaged her ass and back, and held her close. When she tightened up, he knew one of his brothers joined in. As he released her lips, Vetter had his mouth against her neck, his hand in her hair gripping a handful of thick, brown locks.

  “Vetter,” she whispered, and he tilted her head to the side and kissed her. She tilted up, the top of her dress shifted, exposing more of the deep cleavage of her abundant breasts. Morris couldn’t resist, unbuttoning the other buttons and then licking her cleavage. She moaned into Vetter’s mouth and rocked between them. Vetter released her lips.

  “Sweet, sweet Melina. You taste and feel incredible,” Vetter told her, and pressed kisses to her face, her cheeks, her mouth and then her neck. Morris cupped her breast and licked into the cup of her bra hitting her nipple.

  “Oh God, this is bad. So bad. We should slow down,” she said, panting as him and Vetter kept tasting, exploring her breast, her neck as she rocked between them.

  “No stopping. We all need a taste. Need you in our arms as well,” Trek said, joining them.

  Vetter stepped to the side, only for Trek to take his place, cup her cheeks and hold her gaze. “You’re so damn beautiful, Melina. Not all men are assholes. We’ll prove it to you.” He pressed his mouth to hers and she lifted toward Trek, kissing him as Morris pulled her arms behind her back, held her tiny wrists with on hand, and then cupped her breast again and feasted on it. Blade was there now, too.

  “She looks incredible. My God, how the fuck did we almost lose this chance,” he said, and Trek released her lips. Morris released her breasts, and Melina stared at Blade.

  “We could have missed this,” Blade said to her. Morris let her wrists go, and she reached her hand to Blade.

  He stepped closer and she knelt up, cupped his cheek and held his gaze. “Kiss me, Blade,” she said to him, and Blade, with his wrapped arm and serious expression, lifted her up into his arms and kissed her. He brought her closer to the couch, lowered her down onto it and began to explore her body with hands and mouth. He moaned, more like grunted, as he lowered her and his body pressed against hers, grunting some more, probably because of his injuries.

  Morris looked at Vetter and Trek, and they looked so hungry, so intense. He knew Melina would be their woman. This was it. This was what their friends had, their sister with her men had. A connection beyond anything they could comprehend, and definitely beyond their control.

  * * * *

  Blade felt his cock harden and his heart race and pound against his chest. This was insane. He wanted Melina. Wanted to strip her of her dress, explore her sexy body, mark and claim her his woman, their woman. He never, ever thought he would get hit with such an attraction, a need to claim and possess, but here he was, and holy shit, Melina was hot.