Hearts on Fire 3: Tasha (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  Hearts on Fire 3: Tasha

  Tasha Malone is in love with Eddie, Lance, and Tyler Martelli, her best friend’s brothers. They don’t seem to feel the same way, and are hung up on their differences in age and her lack of experience. Tasha is ready to get experience with the three of them. But everything changes when she goes out one night with her cousin Melanie. Tasha finds herself forced into a relationship with a man who killed her father, and Tasha must risk everything, including turning her back on the three men she loves and playing her role so well that the only way to lose the killer is to become his final victim.

  Note: This book contains graphic violence and abuse of the heroine by the villain.

  Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre

  Length: 52,672 words

  HEARTS ON FIRE 3: TASHA

  Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  MENAGE EVERLASTING

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer.

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting

  HEARTS ON FIRE 3: TASHA

  Copyright © 2014 by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-62741-900-0

  First E-book Publication: June 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

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

  If you have purchased this copy of Hearts on Fire 3: Tasha by Dixie Lynn Dwyer from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

  Regarding E-book Piracy

  This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.

  The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.

  This is Dixie Lynn Dwyer’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Dwyer’s right to earn a living from her work.

  Amanda Hilton, Publisher

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  www.BookStrand.com

  DEDICATION

  Thank you for purchasing this legal copy of Hearts on Fire 3: Tasha.

  I hope you enjoy this story about a woman who loved so deeply, so silently, that she was willing to give her life for each of them.

  To love and even lust from afar is such a tiring, emotional roller coaster. To watch the ones you fantasize about, you adore, and in fact already love, love another, is heart wrenching. What’s even worse is to finally get the opportunity to express that love only to be in a position of danger that forces you to give up that opportunity and push those you love further away.

  Tasha loves Eddie, Lance, and Tyler Martelli. She will do anything to keep them and her best friends safe. Including giving up her life.

  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

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  HEARTS ON FIRE 3: TASHA

  DIXIE LYNN DWYER

  Copyright © 2014

  Prologue

  “No one double-crosses me and gets away with it.” Dash squeezed Avalon’s throat. He was strangling him, the anger, the hatred and the ability to kill pumped through his veins as natural as his blood.

  “Please,” Avalon begged, his final word before the gurgling sound filtered through the small office. Avalon’s eyes widened, and Dash stared at him, loving that expression and the feeling of being the one so powerful to hold life in his hands and take it away.

  He released his hold, and Avalon, the six-foot Latino fell to the carpet. In a flash Dash’s men, Ink and Carlo, lifted up the body and carried it away. They’d take care of disposing of that piece-of-crap federal agent.

  Dash straightened out his tie, ran his hands down his pants, noticing that he wasn’t even shaking. Years of experience in taking people’s lives no longer fazed him. The sniffling sound reminded him of the audience. His best friend James and his girlfriend Melanie sat there and watched the meeting unfold.

  He glanced at the little blonde, and wondered what James saw in the flat-chested, skinny slut. She looked nothing like her cousin. That woman was a redheaded bombshell with tits and ass that drew attention to her immediately. But she also had class and sophistication. She was young, trainable, and would look pretty fucking perfect hanging on his arm to impress the bosses.

  “Melanie.” He said her name firmly and the girl looked up, eyes red, chest blotchy, as James placed his hand on the back of her neck. James knew the rules. Dash was in charge and had the final say. If he told him to kill Melanie, he’d do it.

  “You know the rules, Melanie. I don’t expect to ever hear about this, what you saw today. One order, one word to James, and you’ll end up just like Avalon. Just like Mary Ann.”

  James gripped his girlfriend’s hair and turned her head so she had to face him. James stared down into her eyes. “I’ll kill you if you ever say a word. You do as Dash says and as I say. Got it?”

  The tears rolled down Melanie’s cheeks and Dash walked closer. He held her gaze, saw the fear the weakness in her eyes. She was pathetic. There was no fight in her, no charisma. He reached out and gripped her chin. Her watery eyes held his gaze.

  “Go clean yourself up and wait for James. He and I need to talk.”

  She slowly nodded her head and rose from the chair
. He watched her walk out of the room and close the door. She did have a nice pair of legs maybe that was what James liked so much about her.

  “Carbanero wants me to take a trip out to Atlantic City for a few days. I’m leaving you in charge of shit here. That deal with LaCosta and the casino we’re taking over is going through.”

  “That’s fantastic news, Dash. Whatever you need, I’ll take care of it.”

  Dash gave James a small smile as he placed his hand on James’s shoulder. He gave it a squeeze. “I know you will. This is what I’ve been hoping for. In a month or so I could be full partners with LaCosta in the casino. I plan on negotiating some profit from the perks of the business, too.”

  “You mean the drugs and prostitution?”

  “Among other things,” Dash said as he walked around toward his desk. He eyed the piece of paper with the phone number on it. He couldn’t believe that little whore he fucked a few times in AC had been the one to blow Avalon’s cover. He’d definitely pay her a visit this time around, and he would also get rid of her when he was done. No loose ends. If she could turn on Avalon, then she could turn on Dash.

  “So is there anything else you need for now?” James asked.

  Dash looked up from his desk. “No. Just be sure to keep that woman of yours in a tight leash. I know you like her a lot, and I’d hate for her to be a liability.”

  James nodded his head. “She’s good. She’ll keep her mouth shut and do as I say.”

  “I’ll hold you to that. I’ll call you if I need that special little thing done for me I mentioned as insurance.”

  James raised one eyebrow. “Really?”

  “I’ll keep you posted. Handle things accordingly.”

  James left the room and Dash moved the mouse by his computer to pull up the video and picture he had spent a lot of time staring at. The woman’s picture came up on the screen. He had noticed her the second Melanie brought her to the club. Although she hadn’t stayed long, it was long enough for him to see how special she was, and how he instantly felt possessive of her. Especially as every fucking guy in the place tried to hit on her. He smirked as he trailed a finger down the screen. “You’re going to be my celebratory prize, baby. I’ve got my eye on you, and no one else is going to have you again.”

  Chapter 1

  The music was loud, and everyone was having an awesome time including Tasha. But it was getting late and she was feeling tipsy. She eyed over Eddie “Jr.” Martelli. He was six feet three, thirty-four years old, dark brown hair and deep brown eyes, and always had an expression so stern and in charge. He was gorgeous, just like his younger brothers Lance and Tyler. She stared at his bulging muscles, and the way he stood by the bar watching over everyone. She wished that he would watch over her. Especially her body.

  She went to take a step, realizing that maybe, just maybe, she shouldn’t had had that fourth margarita. Or was it her fifth?

  Someone bumped into her and grabbed her around the waist before she fell.

  “Hey, sweetheart. Are you okay? You need a little help?” some guy she didn’t recognize asked, and she shook her head. She felt his hand glide along her lower back and to her ass just as someone pulled him away from her.

  “Take a walk, Cody.” Lance “Lucky” Martelli told the guy and then reached for Tasha.

  She locked gazes with his jade-green eyes just as he reached up and gently pressed a stray hair from her cheek.

  “I think it’s time to go home.” He told her. She ran the palms of her hands up his chest and smiled. She knew she was drunk. She used it as an opportunity to touch Lance. She just wanted to pretend for a little while that he cared for her more than just as friends.

  “I’m okay.”

  He raised one eyebrow at her as he gave her a serious expression.

  “I’m taking you home. You’re not driving.”

  “I didn’t drive. Catalina drove me.”

  “Catalina left over an hour ago. She told you that and you said you had a ride home.”

  “I do have a ride home,” she said and then looked around feeling as if the room was spinning and then she focused on Lance. His hold remained firm.

  “With who?”

  She smiled. “With you, Lance.” She said and then hugged him, pressed her chest against his chest and absorbed his cologne.

  “Okay, sweetheart, let’s get a move on it.” Lance held her hand and as they left Eddie gave her an expression that nearly sobered her. He seemed angry, disappointed, and that didn’t sit right with her. That was exactly the opposite of what she wanted. She wanted him and his brothers interested in her. She wanted him to fall in love with her, too.

  Lance was a complete gentleman as he helped her get into his truck, buckled her in which gave her palpitations, and smiled that gorgeous GQ smile of his.

  “I’ve never seen you overdrink, Tasha. Is everything okay with you? Do you need a friend to talk to?” he asked, and she once again felt a pain to her gut, an instant-friends-and-nothing-more death sentence.

  She rolled her head to the side to watch him as the warm evening air cascaded through the windows, blowing her hair around but making her feel less drunk.

  “Life’s a bitch, Lance. I’m just trying to survive.”

  “I know you’re under a lot of stress with work and with your mom sick, but you’re not alone,” he told her.

  Sure I am. I’m alone every night in bed fantasizing about you and your brothers loving me, making love to me, heck, fucking me.

  She felt her cheeks flush and her body felt aroused and hot. She adjusted her position in the seat and wished that life would bring her what she wanted.

  He pulled the truck into her apartment complex parking lot and turned off the ignition.

  “Let’s get you upstairs and safely home,” he said. He stepped out and she absorbed everything about his truck. The dark grey interior, the firefighter sign on the window, a stick of mint gum in the holder, a notepad, and it all smelled like him. Masculine, sexy, mature. Lance was thirty-one, and a jokester, with shoulder-length brown hair she would love to tug on as she kissed him deeply. Then of course there were his jade green eyes. The man was lethal.

  Her door opened and she felt the slight feeling of disappointment that she couldn’t stay in his truck a little longer. This was the closest she had gotten to any of the three brothers in a long time. She instantly thought of Eddie and Tyler. Tyler “Tools” Martelli had been standing by the bar before she left and he was surrounded by women. But Tyler was compassionate and sincere. She didn’t think the man had ever told a lie. He was the youngest of the brothers, twenty-eight, brown hair and gorgeous hazel eyes.

  Lance helped her down out of the truck and she nearly lost her footing. His strong, solid muscles felt amazing pressed up against her body. Their gazes locked, and she felt the sparks, the chemistry between them, but Lance turned away.

  By the time they got to her apartment, she was ready to crash. As if reading her body language, Lance lifted her up into his arms as if she were light as a feather and he carried her to her bedroom. She locked onto the three pairs of thong bikini panties on her bed with matching lace bras. She wasn’t sure which dress she would wear tonight, and had matched it with the undergarments. “Sorry, I wasn’t expecting company,” she told him as he set her down on her feet.

  “Glad to hear that,” he whispered, his voice taking on a deeper, sexy tone. She swallowed hard.

  “Do you need help undressing?” he asked and then he looked like he wanted to take his words back. She stared at him.

  “I think I can handle it.” She reached back to undo the zipper and nearly lost her balance. Lance grabbed her around the waist and locked gazes with her.

  “I’ll help you, then I want you to get into bed and go to sleep.”

  “Yes, sir,” she replied and he chuckled.

  His eyes sparkled with mischief and she felt her pussy clench.

  I want him so badly. But he seems resistant even now.

 
Lace reached behind her and softly glided his hand to the top of the zipper. When he started pulling the zipper down she felt her heart racing, her palms were sweaty and she thought she might moan in pleasure.

  The second the dress was unzipped, he stepped back.

  “You’ll be okay?” he asked.

  She let the dress fall and his eyes widened right before his cheeks turned a nice shade of red.

  Make a pass at me. Please let me know that you like me as more than just friends. Please, Lance, do it. Say something.

  He reached up and clutched her cheeks between his hands.

  “I’ll text Serefina and let her know that you’re home safely. Goodnight baby,” he said and then kissed her softly on the lips. It was quick, but filled with so much more she just knew it. His hands glided down her hips and slowly away from her body. She watched him leave and she wanted the bed and floor to eat her up. How embarrassing. I let my dress fall, Lance saw me naked, and had an opportunity to let me know how he feels and he blew me off again. Will Lance, Tyler, and Eddie ever see me as anything more than their sister’s best friend? Life sucks, and then you die.

  * * * *

  Tasha was heading into Sullivan’s for an ice tea and salad. As she entered the place, she saw how busy it was. She walked up to the front, glancing and noticing Eddie, Lance, and Tyler Martelli, Sheriff Jake McCurran, and Detective Buddy Landers were sitting at a table to the right. Her chest tightened. Eddie, Lance, and Tyler looked tired, but they looked good. They were wearing their Engine 19 T-shirts and must have just gotten off of work. God, I can’t believe how attracted I am to them. I’m such an ass. Lance probably thinks I am, too. I can’t believe I showed my body to him. I can’t believe he walked out. If that isn’t a sign that they’re not interested, then what is? Another woman in their arms, snagging all their attention?