Hearts on Fire 2: Michaela (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  Alonso was on his way from New York and should arrive any time now. The sheriff called the department and asked them to contact his cell and send him to Michaela’s.

  But as he pulled up in front of the house, where multiple police cars were, he saw the unmarked police car that he didn’t recognize.

  Jake hurried into the house.

  There were Jerome and Burt talking to a man dressed in suit pants, a dress shirt, and tie, wearing a badge and a gun, and taking notes. Two deputies had the suspect handcuffed.

  “Sheriff McCurran?”

  “That’s me. Is this the asshole who broke in?” Jake asked as he reached out to shake Alonso’s hand.

  “Detective Alonso Aponte, NYPD, special crimes unit. Pleasure to meet you in person. Looks like you’re having a hell of a night.”

  “Looks that way,” Jake replied.

  “How is Michaela? Your father and his friend were just giving me an update.”

  Jake was surprised by the jealous feeling he had with this guy asking about Michaela. He knew that she was close to Alonso and that he’d helped her get through the shooting and taught her self-defense. But he was jealous anyway.

  “She’s with my brothers. She had to get stitches. The guy who attacked her, Clyde Duvall, stabbed her shoulder after he smacked her around. She’s all bruised up.”

  He watched Alonso’s face turn red, and he ground his cheek.

  “I want to see her. I’m going to need a hotel tonight, but tomorrow I’d like to see her. We’ll talk more later,” Alonso stated as he eyed the man the deputies were holding.

  “What should we do with him now, Sheriff?” one deputy asked.

  “Let’s bring him back to the department. The detective and I will need to question him. Detective Landers here will assist, too.”

  Jake introduced Alonso to Buddy. They shook hands as the deputies walked the prisoner out.

  “That guy is Solomon,” Alonso stated, and Jake’s eyes widened.

  “That son of a bitch is the one who caused all this shit? That Clyde guy said that there was a key and a safety deposit box. That’s what he was after when he attacked Michaela.”

  “We need to go over some updated information the Feds have. By the way, they should be here shortly. They’re going to want to speak with Michaela. I’d like to get you, Detective Landers, and your team up to par with what’s going on. We can head to your department now. Then we can make plans for me to talk with Michaela first thing in the morning. Does she have protection now where she’s at?”

  Again, Alonso mentioned seeing Michaela. That bothered Jake, too. He never felt so possessive over someone. To even think that Michaela could leave him and his brothers for this guy had his stomach churning. If these thoughts kept up, he would grind his teeth to the gumline.

  “I have two deputies guarding the location. Plus my brothers, and she’ll have me as soon as I can get back to her.”

  Alonso looked Jake over. There was something in his eyes, the protective vibe for Michaela that made Jake like the man. A little.

  “Good. She’s lucky to have the three of you. I guess we can head out.”

  As they started to leave, Alonso was looking around the place. “She did a great job fixing this place up. It just doesn’t do it justice in the pictures she sent over the Internet.”

  Again, Jake felt that bit of jealousy and possessiveness over Michaela. She was sending pictures to this guy over the Internet? He swallowed his annoyance as he remembered what Lisa had done. First she suggested having other people join them in their bed, and then she went out and cheated on them with two other guys. Although he knew that Lisa really wasn’t the woman he and his brothers thought she was, it still hurt to think about it. To know that what they felt and thought they had with her was meaningless to Lisa. To think she killed their baby for selfish reasons, and to hold on to the beauty of her body, and to continue to engage in sexual activity, irked him. It also played havoc on his professional skills. He thought he could spot a liar from a mile away. Someone unethical, immoral, and devious as well, but he hadn’t, and he and his brothers suffered dearly for it.

  The fear of something like that happening again, or not being able to identify the warning signs, bothered him. He knew deep down that Michaela wasn’t Lisa. But as he overanalyzed her relationship with Alonso, Alonso’s concern for her, the Internet communication and pictures, and the danger she was in, he worried a lot. Could they be making another big mistake? Could he be letting his own desire and emotions blindside him again?

  The thought made him feel like shit, and also like he was betraying the trust he asked Michaela for. She was giving them that trust even though her own experiences should have held her back from risking it all. He was being a hypocrite. So why was he feeling that wall grow a little thicker? What would it take?

  He wondered as he made his way back to the sheriff’s department, knowing that he could be away from her a hell of a lot longer than just a few more hours. That burned him inside, when all he could think about was holding her in his arms, making her feel safe, and saving her from any further harm. Billy and Hal would have to do that tonight. His job was to ensure her safety from afar, and help Alonso and the Feds end this nightmare. Then maybe he and his brothers could figure out if Michaela was really who they hoped she was and the woman they longed for to complete them.

  Chapter 9

  Billy and Hal watched Michaela with concern, listening to her moan in her sleep. It was killing them inside. But at least the painkillers were kicking in and she was sort of resting. She had fought falling asleep and kept saying that she was scared. It tore their hearts. They wouldn’t leave her side. They knew that two deputies patrolled outside. They also knew that Solomon broke into her home tonight and was looking for the key to the safety deposit box that the first guy who hurt her was looking for. It seemed to Billy that this case, this terror, was coming to a head, and keeping Michaela safe now was going to take a combined effort. They already received numerous calls offering assistance from their friends. They would probably need them.

  “What are we going to do about Jake?” Hal asked.

  Billy looked at him over Michaela’s shoulder as they lay on either side of her on the bed.

  “I think he’ll come around. He’s in his investigative mode. He’s just as angry and pissed off as we are for not being there to protect Michaela. We knew she was in danger. We were too absorbed in ourselves, and maybe subconsciously we were trying to hold back a little. You know, out of fear of this relationship failing.”

  “I know what you mean, Billy. But this is different. I recognized it as different the moment Michaela began to open up and trust us. Hell, making love to her made me feel as if I could see the world with an entirely new perspective. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. She’s special.”

  Billy smiled. He ran a finger along her hair. “I know. She’s so very beautiful, and sweet.”

  “I told her about Lisa today.”

  Billy turned to look at him, surprised at his brother’s words. He worried about her reaction. Hell, he worried that sharing their ultimate fear could make Michaela even more nervous or resistant. She could think that they were on the rebound, or they were desperate for a replacement. He didn’t think any of those things. In fact, he knew the three of them had given up on finding the perfect woman to complete them. That was when Michaela came along.

  “How did she react?”

  “She was sincerely sympathetic. Hell, she felt badly for us, and she said that she wasn’t Lisa and that the three of us needed to be sure we know that. I’ll tell you one thing. I felt a hundred percent better explaining our fear to her. I think that’s why I felt so terrible that I left her today. We had a beautiful afternoon together. If I could have called into work sick, I would have.”

  “That’s great. I think it’s perfect that we can each spend time alone with her like that as well as together. It’s a good way to get to know her and have that individual re
lationship, too.”

  “That in itself is different than with Lisa. You remember she didn’t really like having sex spontaneously unless we were all together or at least two of us were there,” Hal added.

  “Fuck yeah.”

  “I’ll tell you something else. I never felt so turned on by a woman before. I mean, I can look into Michaela’s blue eyes, and see so much emotion and such a connection to me that it’s fucking scary. Deep, too,” Hal added.

  Billy smiled. “I know what you mean. I got her something today. It’s in the other room. It has something to do with the story she told me about growing up. You know she didn’t even have a teddy bear or a doll? That’s just wrong.” Billy leaned down and kissed her softly on her good cheek.

  She moaned again, and Hal reached over to caress her hair.

  “I think we should get some sleep. I have the feeling that Jake won’t make it home tonight, and when these painkillers wear off, Michaela is going to resist taking more of them.”

  “You’re right. Let’s leave the one light on. I’ll turn this one off.”

  Billy reached up and turned off the light. He snuggled next to Michaela, and Hal did the same on the other side.

  Billy looked at her as she slept.

  She was perfect for them, and after what happened today, he wasn’t going to leave her ever again.

  * * * *

  Michaela opened her eyes. She didn’t recognize where she was. She turned toward the right and saw all the blood on the bed, and a body. A man’s body. She cried out and as she scooted back, in an attempt to get away from the dead body, her back slammed into something solid and sticky. She felt it on her back, against her spine. She turned quickly, and saw the other body, screaming in terror, she scrambled off the bed. The moment she hit the floor, the pain radiated over her shoulders and into her legs.

  She looked around, and tried to push herself up off the rug when she saw the third body. Jake’s face stared at her lifeless. She screamed again, and cried out.

  “They’re dead, and you’re next.”

  She turned toward the doorway and saw the killer. Don Dipero the hit man holding the gun and pointing it at her chest. She felt her heart sink and knew it was the end just as he shot her, she jerked backward and cried out in pain.

  * * * *

  “Michaela! Michaela!” Hal called her name and she wouldn’t respond. Billy was trying to keep her still, but she was throwing herself around. She fell to the floor off the bed as he tried to hold her. It was as if she were stuck in a nightmare.

  Suddenly her eyes popped open. She was gasping for air, hyperventilating.

  “Calm down, baby. You’re safe. You’re with us, and you’re safe.”

  She darted her bulging eyes from Hal to Billy and then toward the doorway. There was Jake, looking exhausted and wearing his uniform pants and no shirt.

  “Is she okay?” Jake asked.

  “Baby, you were having a nightmare,” Hal told her.

  Billy reached for her shoulder to check the bandage. “Shit, you could have opened up the stitches.”

  She cried and then rolled toward Hal, hugging him as she straddled his waist. Hal held her tight, trying to be sure that she didn’t bump the stitches any more then she already had.

  “I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you.”

  * * * *

  Michaela couldn’t comprehend what the hell just happened. Now that her mind was clearing, although still fuzzy, she realized that what Hal and Billy said was true. It was a nightmare, so vivid and real and obviously brought on by the damn medication.

  “I’m not taking the painkillers. Do you hear me? I’m not taking them. I can’t. I won’t, Hal. You hear me? I’ll take some damn ibuprofen.”

  Billy caressed her back and then her rear. That was when she realized she was only wearing a T-shirt and panties.

  “It’s going to be okay. Maybe if you take half a pill, it won’t happen again and might take the edge off?” Billy suggested.

  “No freaking way. I need my head clear.”

  She snuggled against Hal’s neck and she kissed his skin. She was trembling when Jake sat down on the edge of the bed. Billy kept caressing her lower back.

  She turned to look at him, and saw the exhaustion on his face, as well as something else. His eyes looked dull, and he wasn’t touching her.

  “We’re going to have some company in a couple of hours.”

  “Company?” she asked.

  “Some Federal agents, and Alonso, probably even Buddy and few of the detectives on our team. We did a lot overnight and it seems we need to ask you some questions.”

  She didn’t like how he sounded. It was almost as if he thought she was guilty of something.

  She started to sit up, and scrunched her eyes together. Billy and Hal helped her.

  “Jake, you know that Michaela is not involved in anything,” Billy stated.

  Michaela stared at him. “I’ll answer any questions I can. What did you find out? Why would they think I’ve done something illegal?”

  “There’s evidence that the Federal agents have gathered through the investigation. Solomon asked for an attorney. He’s keeping his mouth shut. Right now he’s on the way to a secure facility until the Feds can follow through with the entire legal process of questioning him. But they do have phone recordings between him and Clyde. Apparently he hired Clyde as a tracker to find you. Dipero isn’t far behind. In fact, they believe him to be in the near vicinity.”

  She gasped as Billy and Hal started to ask questions. They were concerned.

  “You should get dressed. We’ll make something to eat and then be ready for them.” Jake got up slowly and as if he was dragging from lack of energy. He looked emotionally distraught.

  “Jake?”

  He stood there, inches away from her, and stared at her face and then looked away. Why?

  “Why won’t you look at me? Do you think I’m a criminal? That I was somehow involved with my sister and a possible plan to rip off Solomon? I didn’t do anything. I don’t know a thing. How could you believe for one moment that I would be someone I’m not?”

  He sat down on the edge of the bed and cupped her good cheek.

  “Michaela, I’m sorry. I know that you’re not a bad person. I believe that you had nothing to do with this entire fiasco. I’m just tired and confused, and I guess staying guarded is what I do best.” He went to pull away and she grabbed his hand. The move hurt her shoulder but she didn’t care. Thinking that Jake was putting up a wall from fear of the past was more painful.

  “Jake. I’m not Lisa. I didn’t lie about any of this. I didn’t lie about caring for you. I didn’t lie about anything. In fact, you, Billy, and Hal know more about me than anyone else. I’m scared, Jake. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to lose the three of you. I need you.”

  He pulled her gently into his arms and hugged her tight. “I’m sorry, baby. Please be patient with me. I’m only human.”

  She chuckled. “Are you sure? I thought you were a sheriff. Aren’t sheriffs supposed to be tough as anything?”

  Billy and Hal laughed.

  “You better watch yourself, little lady. A spanking or two may be coming your way.”

  She felt her cheeks warm as Billy caressed his hand over her rear and Hal cupped her breast.

  “I don’t deserve any such thing. Besides, I’m injured and need you to take care of me. You can’t spank an injured woman.”

  Jake reached down and ran a finger between her ass cheeks. “There’s a lot of fun I can have with you. But you’re right. You’re injured and you need to heal.” He stood up and she felt so very disappointed. But then as she tried to cross her arms and huff in response, she gasped.

  All three men had scowls on their faces.

  “Get her showered and dressed. I’ll handle lunch.”

  He walked out and Billy came around to help her up and off of Hal.

  He carried her to the bathroom and started the water in the large tub f
or a bath. She was hoping for a shower, and for Billy and Hal to join her, but no such luck. As she looked in the mirror, she cringed in shock.

  “Oh God, no wonder why Jake couldn’t look at me. This is terrible.”

  Hal wrapped his arms around her waist. “He wishes he could have gotten there sooner, just as I wish I hadn’t gone to work and instead stayed with you in bed.”

  “It happened, Hal. There’s nothing we can do about it now.”

  “You’re safe with us. We’re not leaving you again. Never,” Billy stated and then leaned forward and kissed her. Hal hugged her tight and then both men gently removed her clothing before Hal placed her into the tub.

  “Be sure not to wet the bandages. I’ll go grab you some clothes.” Hal told her.

  Billy kneeled next to the tub.

  “I can imagine more nights like this, Michaela. You soaking in the tub as I come home from work, missing you so.”

  “That would be nice, Billy. Minus the hit man, the bruises, the knife wound, and the Federal agents.”

  “Yes. Minus all of that. Instead, just the four of us, happy and making love.”

  She closed her eyes. “Sounds perfect.”

  His lips touched hers and she kissed him back, enjoying the moments of relaxation, security, and love between them, knowing that shortly, she would be the subject of an interrogation she wasn’t looking forward to experiencing.

  * * * *

  Solomon felt scared and unsure even as the Federal agents followed the security vehicle to a local police department a few miles outside of town. As the car pulled alongside the back entrance to the building, they prepared to accompany the officers assigned to transporting Solomon into the building. The moment he emerged from the vehicle, he heard the squeal of tires and saw the van coming at them at a high speed. Immediately the officers pulled him down behind the car. With guns drawn and safety taken behind the patrol vehicles, the agents and officers dodged flying bullets as the officers secured Solomon and returned fire. Solomon thought this was it.