Crossroads: Leap of Faith [Siren APP Exclusive] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  Crossroads: Leap of Faith

  Suzette Warner is a social worker dealing mostly with domestic violence. She heeds caution when it comes to men. Her sister died at the hands of an abusive cop leaving Suzette and her aunt Marilyn to raise her two babies. When Suzette meets Miles and Nikko, she resists the attraction, because they represent everything she fears. They are intimidating, commanding, SWAT members, with big attitudes that match their big muscles. She likes them, can feel the sexual attraction, but she’s allowing the past, her job, the violence that surrounds her on a daily basis make the decision to resist them.

  Miles and Nikko Powers have found the perfect woman for them but she’s not receiving to their advances. When she’s caught in the middle of a hostage situation they realize how much they love her and wonder if they’ve lost the chance to tell her. She could die at the hands of a batterer. Something that happened to their own sister, that changed them forever.

  Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre

  Length: 20,771 words

  CROSSROADS: LEAP OF FAITH

  A Siren App Exclusive

  Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  MENAGE EVERLASTING

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting

  CROSSROADS: LEAP OF FAITH

  Copyright © 2014 by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-62741-761-7

  First E-book Publication: July 2014

  Cover design by Les Byerley

  All art and logo copyright © 2014 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  Life can often bring many changes. When faced with emotions so powerful you wonder whether you can make a rational decision, or trust your gut instincts. This is when you are at your crossroads. Turning around, running away, back to what you have continued to do in life is one choice. Taking that leap of faith is another. Whichever you choose, that is your destiny.

  May you enjoy Suzette’s journey and how the decisions she continues to make in life ultimately predict her future, and seal her fate for her very own “happy ending.”

  Happy Reading.

  Hugs!

  ~Dixie~

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  About the Author

  CROSSROADS: LEAP OF FAITH

  DIXIE LYNN DWYER

  Copyright © 2014

  Prologue

  “Nikko! What’s your fucking problem?” Miles asked, running his fingers through his hair, after stopping his brother from knocking some guy’s lights out. They were by the back of the SWAT truck. This wasn’t good.

  “That guy is an asshole. You saw what he did to his girlfriend? She may die, Miles,” Nikko replied and then started trying to take easy breaths. Miles knew that Nikko really despised batterers, or any man who was stupid enough to hit a woman. Hell, so did Miles, but they were cops, SWAT, and they had a job to do. That included keeping their cool and getting inside with no casualties, if that could be avoided.

  Miles looked at his brother, his muscles bulging, nearly tearing the material of the police uniform, his arms so bulky. Miles was trimmer, more like a cage fighter.

  “Hey, I just got worried, that’s all. We were lucky to arrive when we did. You did great. You got to him fast enough and before that last lethal strike.”

  Nikko looked at him. “You know I don’t like these fucking calls. It seems like there are more of them lately. Holding these women hostage and bringing them fear like that. I just fucking hate it.”

  “It’s just that these types of situations stand out to us for personal reasons. We have to face them as SWAT officers. We don’t get a choice in the calls we get.”

  Nikko sent him a dirty look and shook his head. He stepped away from the truck and turned toward the clean-up crew, the flashing red lights on the ambulance that now took the boyfriend, the batterer, to the hospital, too. He was claiming he had chest pains and that Nikko had tried to kill him. Miles shook his head. These calls would always be difficult for them. Especially because of what happened to their sister, Marbella.

  “Hey, Nikko, nice moves in there. You saved that woman’s life,” Jay Bird, one of their team members, told Nikko as he put out his hand for Nikko to shake. Miles watched his brother shake Jay Bird’s hand, and then the others came over. Striker, Beats, Big Guns, Tanner, and Junior.

  “I swear to God, I hate these fucking calls,” Jay Bird added as he started taking off some of his gear.

  “Me, too. I hope that woman lives. Did you see the pictures on the dresser? She’s a good-looking woman,” Tanner added.

  They all mumbled, obviously having seen them.

  “Well, let’s get back and call it a night,” Miles told them.

  “Who’s up for Crossroads?” Beats asked as he glanced over his shoulder at them.

  They all cheered, and Miles smiled. Their cousins, Doc and Stitch, owned the place. A nice, big bar that overlooked Lake Wellington in New York. There was a large beach, a boardwalk, and lots of hot chicks in bikinis. It was also a major hangout place for cops and first responders, and anyone in between or gutsy enough to go there.

  “I’m gonna find me a nice, sexy young thing, right off that beach. One wearing a string bikini and nothing else,” Beats said as they climbed up into the truck. He was already tuning in the radio, trying to find some cool dance music. The guy was a party animal, and one of the best sniper shots in the crew.

  The others started adding their similar comments, but Miles’s attention went back to Nikko.

  His brother hadn’t been the same since their sister’s death last year. He felt to blame for not being there when she had texted him. But they were on a call, way over on the other side of the county. Another team got the call, and when they arrived on scene, there wasn’t even time to negotiate. Darian took Marbella’s life and then his own.

  Now Nikko kept to himself and just did his job. He would need a few drinks tonight, some socializing with their friends to help him get through today’s incident. They couldn’t just put these situations out of their minds anymore. They needed to work through them, and hanging out with the team would be the best medicine.

  “Are we good, Lieutenant?” Beats asked. Miles looked around the truck at all the familiar faces, their extended family.

  “We’re good, Beats. Let’s go.”

  Beats gave a fist pump and then started pulling away from the scene. He turned up the radio, and Eminem’s “’Till I Collapse” emitted from the surround sound speakers. They all chuckled but then began moving in their seats to the beat, and the guys were joking around and busting on Nikko as he tried to remain straight-faced. He cracked a small smile, and Miles felt the slight release of relief from the sight. Everything wou
ld be okay. As long as they had one another and this crew, Team Venom, their SWAT team.

  Chapter 1

  “Come on, Suzette. You have to meet us there. I promised Jeb that I would meet him at Crossroads tonight and that I would bring some friends,” her friend Lacey pleaded as Suzette held the cell phone to her ear.

  Suzette looked at her cluttered desk. She had files to still go over and appointments to schedule to check on clients next week. She was planning on visiting her niece and nephew tomorrow and giving her aunt a reprieve if she needed one. Aunt Marilyn could use the break. The twin four-year-olds were a handful.

  “I don’t know if I can. I have all this work to do, clients to meet Monday, and I need to drive out to my aunt’s house early tomorrow morning.”

  “Oh come on. Can’t you even just stop in for a few drinks or to socialize? You’re twenty-four years old. You should be out partying on Friday nights.”

  Suzette rolled her eyes and released a sigh as she smiled. Lacey was a wild one. Even in college she was partying, just passing in school, and still landed a great job as a financial advisor for a big banking firm. She was drop-dead gorgeous to boot. Thin, tall, blonde hair, blue eyes, and overly sexual. Her latest squeeze was Jeb Calhoun, a local hotshot financial guy for the county, who she adored. Suzette didn’t care for him, or his controlling ways, but Lacey denied that there was anything to be concerned over. Suzette felt otherwise. Maybe she should go tonight and really get to know Jeb. If she did, she could probably see if he was legit or a controlling creep.

  “Okay, your silence is a good thing. Come on and say yes. Say yes!” Lacey cheered into the phone.

  Suzette chuckled. “Okay, crazy lady. I will meet you there. But I don’t have time to change. I really need to get these appointments made, and then I can head out.”

  “Well, what are you wearing?” Lacey asked.

  “Listen, you, I’m not going to hook up with anyone. It doesn’t matter what I’m wearing. I’m meeting you at Crossroads, right? There’re no potential guys for me there, so just cool it with any crazy ideas.”

  “How can you say that? You are gorgeous, single, have the sexiest body I know of, and can kick ass like a highly trained martial artist. Some of the sexiest cops and firefighters in the area hang out there. Never mind the businessmen like Jeb and his friends. They’ll adore you.”

  “Exactly. I don’t date anyone in those fields. Now let me get off the phone or I’m going to have to change my mind.”

  “No, you can’t. You already promised. Now what are you wearing?”

  Suzette looked down at her black, slim-fitting Ann Taylor dress and light, white sweater. She even wore her high heels and makeup today because of the court appearance. She had testified in court on behalf of Mia, a young woman who was trying to get her ex to pay child support for their three children. He tried to claim that he wasn’t the father and assaulted her. She was forced onto the streets with three young children under six, with no family, no job, or money. Suzette received a call about Mia’s case and stepped in immediately. As a social worker, she was able to find Mia and her children a safe place to reside, money for food, and everything they needed to stay off the streets and to go after the father of the children for child support.

  “I had court today, so I am wearing a dress.”

  “Heels?”

  “Yes.”

  “Awesome. With legs like yours, I’m certain even in courtroom attire you look hot. See you in a couple of hours,” Lacey said, and Suzette could imagine her friend’s exuberant expression, and then hung up. Suzette put her cell phone down on the desk and looked at the files. I am so not hot. Why does Lacey always say things like that about my body? I don’t like the attention at all. Just then, her boss came over, interrupting her thoughts.

  “Do you have a few minutes?”

  “Sure, what’s going on?” she asked him. Ned was a great guy. He had been in charge for many years and took her under his wing when she had done her internship here during college. They were a special division of social services, and she felt her calling to help here even after achieving her social work degree. He’d even helped her to achieve her master’s and clinical for counseling.

  “Detective Murphy Walker just called me.”

  “Okay.” She knew that this meant there was a special case. Someone was in trouble and would need their help.

  “He just got a case. A hostage situation where SWAT came in and was able to stop a boyfriend from killing the woman.”

  “Thank God for SWAT,” she replied. He nodded his head.

  “It’s his brother’s niece. She was in this abusive relationship and no one knew. The guy has a history of violence and served time for aggravated assault. This is the third woman he’s assaulted and nearly killed.”

  “What the hell? No one pressed charges for domestic assault before?”

  “No, Suzette, and Murphy just went to the hospital. His brother’s niece doesn’t know if she wants to press charges. She’s afraid of this guy. She needs counseling and support to see that he can’t get to her if the proper precautions are taken.”

  “So what does Murphy want us to do?”

  Ned smiled. “He would like for you to talk to her. Maybe by Sunday, at his brother’s house. They’re taking her in.”

  “What does his brother do? Are there other family members there? Children in the home?”

  “Yes, his brother, Roger, Roger’s wife Elise, and they have two teens, a boy and a girl. He works in the police department. Marine patrol on the lake. He’s a good guy. Elise’s sister divorced her husband years ago, and their daughter, the one involved here, has been trying to support herself. Bad home situation. Drinking, drugs, no financial assistance. This guy basically showed up like a knight in shining armor for Evonna. She’s only twenty years old.”

  Suzette took a deep breath and then exhaled. Her own sister was twenty-one when she met and fell in love with her boyfriend. She thought he was amazing. Astella hid all the problems and abuse. Then she confided in Suzette, and Suzette tried to get her to leave Michael but she wouldn’t. The abuse continued, and she always went back to Michael. Then Astella got pregnant. She was stuck, and Suzette just prayed that Michael wouldn’t hurt her or the babies. Somehow she made it through the pregnancy, with Michael doting on her and the twins until that night. Suzette swallowed.

  “What would you like me to do?” she asked Ned.

  He smiled at her.

  “Do what you do best, Suzette. Give Evonna all the information and truth she needs to see that a better life is available for her and that she doesn’t have to go back to this guy.”

  “You know as well as I do that I can’t force her to listen and to do something she is not ready to face or admit to.”

  “You can help to make her see a clearer picture. As an outsider but a woman with experience and knowledge of the system and successful cases similar to Evonna’s. Murphy understands this. He just wants to give it a try and see if you can help. She sees him as her uncle and a cop. Can he call you over the weekend to make plans for Sunday?”

  “Of course. I always have my cell on me, and I’ll be visiting my aunt this weekend to give her some relaxation time.”

  Ned smiled.

  “Give Aunt Marilyn my best. I want to see some updated pictures of the kids, too, so don’t forget to take some.”

  Suzette smiled.

  “I won’t.”

  Ned walked back to his office, and Suzette pulled the next file from her desk. Sometimes these situations took such a toll on her emotions. She thought about all these women, their situations, and ways to help them. More awareness was needed on these types of crimes. More intervention sooner surely would save lives.

  She opened up the file and prepared to make some calls and set up appointments. She had two hours until she had to drag herself to Crossroads. She’d better fix herself up just in case. After all, it was pretty likely that she would meet some of the officers and detectives she k
new from local cases. But she wouldn’t stay long. She would need her rest this weekend in preparation for her heavy caseload next week.

  Chapter 2

  Nikko stood by the bar with Miles. Their buddies were enjoying themselves, the bar was crowded, and everyone seemed to be letting off some steam. He still felt on edge from today, and the beers weren’t going down smoothly at all.

  “You want a nipple for that bottle?” Junior teased him, eyeing the beer in Nikko’s hand.

  Nikko gave him the stare down, and Junior raised his hands, palms up, and walked away.

  “Hey, you need to relax. You’ve just about insulted most of the team and we’ve only been here for thirty minutes,” Miles reprimanded.

  “Thirty minutes too long. I think I’m going to leave.”

  Just as he said the words, and his brother started telling him all the reasons why he should stay, Nikko spotted a woman heading toward the bar. She was gorgeous, with long brown hair, a conservative dress that hugged her curves perfectly, and a sweet smile. People moved out of the way, and guys checked out her ass as she passed. It annoyed him. Couldn’t they tell she wasn’t that kind of woman?

  He instantly felt aroused and wondered what the fuck was going on when he heard his brother give a slow whisper next to him.

  “Wow. She is perfect.”

  His stomach tightened as he watched her get greeted by a group of women and some guys over to the right of them. He recognized a few of them but not the one blonde who was all over some guy in designer jeans and a dress shirt. The guy had a look about him that Nikko didn’t care for one bit. They were suits. Businessmen who liked to hang around the local spots and pick up women. Crossroads was definitely the place to be on a Friday and Saturday night.