Crossroads 2: Lacey's Last Chance (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “What did he do to you?” she asked her.

  Lacey held her gaze and her lower lip quivered. Suzette reached for a napkin and gently wiped the mascara and tears from her cheeks.

  “I don’t know why I’m so upset. I should have seen this coming. I was so stupid. I don’t know what I saw in him. I’ve been trying to be everything I thought I needed to be when really, I’m just unhappy. I don’t need this. I know I don’t. But it still hurts,” Lacey said, then swallowed hard. Suzette was being patient, but she wanted to know what this was all about.

  “Tell me what took place and why you’re so upset.”

  “I was at his place. I stayed there last night. He left for the gym as usual while I showered. He always tells me to be out of there before he gets back. He’s just so bossy and I thought it was just his way, you know.”

  Suzette nodded, even though she thought Jeb sounded like a controlling asshole. She swallowed hard.

  “I finished showering and was thinking about how Jeb acts, and I got this feeling in my gut. You know? Like something isn’t right. Like this relationship doesn’t feel right. But I don’t want to be alone and now I am going to be. I just can’t seem to pick the right man.” She cried some more and wiped her eyes with the napkin.

  “Lacey, why do you say you’re alone now? Did he break things off with you?”

  Lacey shook her head.

  “I was getting ready to leave when I heard laughter, then some yelling. It was terrible, Suzette.” She lowered her voice and whispered, “He brought a woman back from the gym.”

  “Oh God, no,” Suzette said and felt her own eyes tear up.

  “It was a married woman. One I saw him flirting with last night at the party. He looked like a wild man. He was so rough with her. He practically threw her down on the bed, tore her clothes form her body, and used her shirt to tie her hands together and keep her face covered.”

  “What?” Suzette instantly felt concerned.

  “He was fierce as he fucked her right there. I couldn’t believe it. I just felt so used and so meaningless.”

  Suzette saw the sadness, the disgust in Lacey’s eyes. She hoped her friend wasn’t blaming herself, or thinking that she wasn’t good enough. Her neck was blotchy, and her eyes red. She hated seeing Lacey like this.

  That’s really what he wants. He wants to be rough, abusive, controlling, and like some animal in the bedroom, and obviously I can’t satisfy him.”

  “Oh Lacey, no. No, honey, it’s not your fault, it’s his,” Suzette told her as she pulled her into her arms and hugged her tight. “He isn’t right for you, Lacey. Can’t you see that? You deserve a man or men that would love you, cherish you, and always put you first.”

  “Men? Oh, God, that’s another thing.”

  “What?”

  “Lately, at the parties we were at, his friends would flirt with me and he let them. He insinuated sharing me.”

  “Oh, no, Lacey. You didn’t…”

  “No. No, of course not. It was recently. In the last two weeks.”

  “Well, obviously his cheating on you and you witnessing it shows he doesn’t love you. If he did, then he wouldn’t want to share you. A ménage relationship is supposed to be special and unique. You know that because you have friends who engage in that type of relationship. You see the difference.”

  Lacey forced a small smile. “Like you, Miles, and Nikko?” she whispered. Suzette felt her cheeks grow hot.

  “You were with them all weekend, weren’t you?” Lacey asked.

  Suzette pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.

  “I was. It was crazy, and you know my fears.”

  “I do. And you know mine,” she whispered, and Suzette instantly had the pain in her gut. Lacey was talking about Tye Weathers.

  “Don’t think about him. Don’t let him in your head. He hasn’t tried contacting you in any way in two years.”

  “That doesn’t matter and you know it. You saw what I got on my birthday. You know he still thinks that he has a hold on me, that he can get under my skin, break me down, and make me go back.”

  “I know. You’re right to remain on guard when it comes to him, but knowing what he did to you, knowing how he made you feel, you should realize that you don’t deserve to get involved with men like him, men that dominate in a way that make you feel like an object. If Jeb was rough with this woman, then it’s only a matter of time before he’s rough with you. You don’t need a man or men like either of them. You’ve gone through a lot. You definitely don’t need a man like Jeb in your life trying to control you, use you, and make you a play-toy for him and his friends. You got away from Tye before he could do worse to you.”

  Suzette watched the tears roll down Lacey’s cheeks.

  “I’m all alone. That’s my greatest fear.”

  Suzette squeezed her hands and held her close.

  “You’re not alone. You have me. Never forget that. I’m your best friend and I love you. We’ll get through this together.”

  “I just don’t know what I’m going to do. How do I face Jeb? How do I go to work and deal with the lies I’m sure he’ll spread, especially when I hate that damn place so much?”

  “By keeping your chin up and knowing that he’s the dick that cheated on you.”

  “I hate that job. I hate most of the people there. They’re all so fake and a bunch of gossipers.”

  “Who cares about them? Maybe it’s time for that change you talked about a year ago. Maybe it’s time to revamp your life and start fresh, you know, check out the real estate and see if that building is still available you mentioned a few months ago?”

  “I don’t think I can do that alone. I don’t think I can accept this situation and not think that somehow it’s my fault, that if I let him do the things he wanted to do to me, then he would stay and not stray.”

  “No, Lacey. That’s not what a healthy relationship is all about. You’re better than that. You’re too good for him. You need to remember that. Your words remind me of when Tye had a hold on you. His games could have ultimately cost you your life. There’s no going backwards with this. Only forward. You’ve learned from your mistakes, your weaknesses. It’s time to be strong, to be independent, and know that you don’t need a man to survive or succeed in this life.”

  “I don’t know, Suzette. I’m starting to think that the problem is with me.”

  “No, Lacey. Don’t do that. Don’t minimize your feelings and what you deserve. The right man is out there for you. It will happen when you least expect it. Look at me. I’m a damn workaholic. I avoid socializing and hanging out at Crossroads or any other places out of fear that I could meet someone and they could turn out to be like Mike. Astella would be here right now if I was more in tune to her odd behavior. When she told me about the abuse, it was too late. I’ll live with that for the rest of my life.”

  “You’re stronger than I am, Suzette. Look at you. Despite the fears, the reservations about dating a cop or any man because of Astella’s situation, here you are with two hot, sexy SWAT guys.”

  “We spent the weekend together. It’s a beginning,” she said, lowering her eyes and feeling her own gut clench. It was more than that. She loved Miles and Nikko, but she was still scared.

  “Hey, what’s wrong? They didn’t push you to do something you didn’t want to do, did they?”

  “No. Oh, God, no, I can assure you. I believe I was the aggressor at first.”

  Lacey chuckled as she wiped her eyes and leaned back against the seat. She smiled softly.

  “I have to hear this, because there is no way little miss conservative shy sex bomb was the aggressor with two men.”

  Suzette widened her eyes and exhaled. She leaned closer and whispered, “I was so emotional, so freaked out about the hostage situation, the adrenaline rush, them showing up in SWAT gear and saving all of us, that when they showed up at my place, I didn’t even bother wearing panties.”

  Lacey laughed out loud and covered her mouth
.

  “Oh my God, you little slut,” she teased, and Suzette gasped, then gave Lacey a light slap on her arm.

  “I am not. It was such an intense day and then they showed up on the scene in SWAT gear, barreling through the door, throwing those smoke canisters around and taking control of the situation. And their eyes. Oh, God, Lacey, if you saw their eyes when they locked onto me.” Suzette covered her heart with her hand as she leaned back and shook her head in shock.

  “Sounds orgasmic,” Lacey teased.

  Suzette pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and stared at Lacey.

  “It was amazing. It was so unreal. Even now, I can’t believe how it all went down. They’re so perfect.”

  “Hmmm…sounds like you fell in love. Do you think that’s such a smart idea? I mean, you don’t really know them. Astella thought Michael was the bomb, and so did you. Hell, even I thought Michael was sexy, hot, and very powerful and commanding. I just don’t want you to make the same mistake she did, or, hell, that I did. With you, it would be worse times two men.”

  Suzette sighed as the tears filled her eyes.

  “I’ve been thinking about that all morning. I held out so long, you know. I waited, worried about whether it was right or not, and then I took a chance. Was it a mistake? Right now, my answer is no. I know I love them. I feel this bond and connection with them. It’s more than just a relationship starting off from some extreme, life-threatening situation. We met before at Crossroads. I spent some time with them on the weekend at the beach during the carnival. They know about the kids, my aunt, and about Astella.”

  “You told them about Astella?”

  “Lacey, they had a sister who died in a similar fashion. From the gist of it, I believe that Nikko especially feels responsible and like he could have done more. It’s just something else we share and connect with. I’m not going to lie to you. I’m so damn scared right now.”

  Lacey clasped Suzette’s hand with hers.

  “It’s just the beginning. Everything may remain perfect or could turn to shit but, as you said, you took the chance. Go with it, and if you see them change, if you see things get intense and they start making you feel uncomfortable or fearful, then you need to take some of your own advice and get out of there. It won’t be easy. God knows I know firsthand.”

  “Listen, we have one another, always. Plus Sonya and Bethany, too. Having a guy or guys as boyfriends, lovers, or whatever doesn’t make our lives perfect and the only point of living. We have to maintain our confidence that we deserve to be treated right, that we matter, and that we should feel good about ourselves.”

  “I’m not feeling very good about myself right now.”

  “That’s because Jeb pulled a good one on you, but he won’t get the last laugh. You will. Now that he fucked up and doesn’t know you know, you can dump him first. You can get to work and let on that you’ve moved on. If he gets nasty, then you just ignore the gossip.”

  “Oh, you know I can’t ignore it.”

  Suzette smirked. “Well, then, make your own gossip. Just a few words to certain female employees and Jeb won’t be banging anything but his head against his desk in frustration.”

  Lacey laughed.

  “I like that. I love you, Suzette.”

  “I love you, too, Lacey. Let’s grab a bite and then tackle the day that’s ahead of us.”

  “Crossroads Friday for new band night?” she asked.

  “I think I can swing that.”

  “Sure your two hot, sexy SWAT guys won’t mind?”

  “We just started dating. Why would they mind?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe because of the way they were looking at you that night at Crossroads, as if you were their next meal.”

  “Well, they feasted and so did I all weekend. I think taking things slow now is exactly what we need to do.”

  Lacey chuckled.

  “Feasted, huh? God, you have to give me some details. I can’t believe you engaged in a ménage and it wasn’t a one-time thing.”

  “I sure hope it wasn’t. I may be ruined for any other man or men ever again.”

  “God, I’m jealous. I so need something so amazing like that to happen to me.”

  Suzette chuckled.

  “You never know. Nikko and Miles have some pretty hot friends.”

  “No way. I have enough to get through right now. Like work this week, and all the gossip that is bound to destroy my reputation.”

  “Don’t panic. Just remember to keep your chin up and focus on you. It’s his loss, not yours. Remember that and you’ll be just fine. Besides, I’m a phone call away, and with Nikko and Miles, I have backup if you need some muscle.”

  Lacey chuckled. “Hm…speaking of all those big muscles on your new lovers, how big are their main muscles?” Lacey teased as she raised her eyebrows up and down. Suzette felt her cheeks get awfully hot.

  “Lacey,” she reprimanded her.

  “Damn, that big, huh?”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  “With two men to satisfy, your lips won’t be sealed very often.”

  “Lacey, you’re terrible.”

  “No, honest,” she said and chuckled.

  “No, really, I’m happy for you, Suzette. I hope it works out. I guess we’ll see how they are with you this weekend on the boat.”

  “Oh, crap, the boat and party. I totally forgot,” Suzette stated, then felt bad as Lacey’s eyes welled up with tears.

  “Any chance your guys have room on their boat for me?”

  Suzette smiled. “Of course they do, and if not then we’ll get our own boat.”

  “You’d do that for me?”

  “That’s what best friends are for.”

  “Thanks, Suzette. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  “And I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  They both smiled as tears rolled down their cheeks. Lacey wiped hers away.

  “Enough of this mushy stuff. I need to be in the right frame of mind when I head to work. I can’t be all weak and emotional.”

  “You won’t be. Remember the motto, ‘I am woman, hear me roar.’”

  “Roar.” Lacey roared aloud and Suzette chuckled as they high fived one another, then laughed.

  Chapter 2

  Lacey was bent over by her desk when she heard someone clear their throat. She turned around to find Jeb standing there with his hands on his hips, glaring at her.

  “You haven’t responded to any of my calls or texts,” he said rather loudly. A peek toward the window in the office and she could see the attention his tone gained. She needed to come out on top here. She knew how Jeb and his buddies were. She heard them bad-mouth some of the women they screwed in the office. Jeb was no different. She witnessed women crying from the insults, and she wasn’t about to let that happen to her. Besides that, she didn’t plan on staying with this company much longer. Things changed.

  She had thought about it all morning. Something had to give. She couldn’t live with this negativity and the feeling of not being good enough for anyone. She needed to make herself happy. That was a first.

  “Why would I call you or reply to your texts, Jeb?” she asked and held the folders to her chest. It was more to hide her shaking hands. Even her legs felt giggly and weak. She was at war with herself. It was easier to give a little and avoid confrontation. That was before. Before he fucked that blonde on the same bed that she and Jeb had shared the night before. She felt the ache in her side. The bruising was significantly worse with his presence, even if that was psychological.

  He raised his voice.

  “I fucking call or text you, you reply immediately. Get over here,” he demanded, pointing at her and then at the rug in front of his feet as if she were some trained dog. In her head, she saw the blonde with the fake boobs moaning and asking for Jeb to slow down and complaining that he was hurting her. She saw flashes of the woman, her hands tied and her head covered by the shirt. It was meaningless sex a
nd she wanted more than that.

  “No. I don’t take orders from you, Jeb. It’s over. What don’t you get?”

  “Over? What’s over?” He stepped closer. She looked toward the left. Sure enough, a few of his buddies were there, as well as Francie, one of the young women Jeb’s friends had seduced one night and then talked badly about. They said she fucked like a cow.

  She took a deep breath.

  “Jeb, darling, my needs have changed. I tried working it out with you and I’ve kept your secret, but I can’t go on like this. It’s over. So if you’ll excuse me, I really have a lot of work to do.”

  She hadn’t expected him to physically touch her, but he did. He grabbed her wrist and jerked her closer.

  “What the fuck are you talking about? You were coming, calling my name just last night,” he said, loud enough for the office to hear.

  “Let go of me, Jeb. It’s over.”

  “It’s not over. You can’t do this to me. I’ll ruin you, bitch. I’ll tell everyone that you’re an easy lay.”

  Her temper flared at his nerve and the fact that he stood there with so many people watching and still thought that he would win out. She glanced at Francie. Her expression was grim but also hopeful, like she wanted Lacey to stand up for all of them and for all women.

  Something came over her.

  “What are you going to do, Jeb? Make up lies about me? Say that I fuck like a cow, like your buddies did about Francie? All the women in the office are onto to you and your friends’ scam. You want them to know why I’m breaking things off with you? The office wants to know what Francie and the other women didn’t reveal about you and your friends? Well, damn, I’ll tell them.” She looked at the crowd that had formed. “You all cannot satisfy a woman in bed.”

  The gasps and laughter filled the room and Jeb clenched his fists by his side.

  “Need I go on? You want your dirty laundry and your buddies’ dirty laundry to be hung out in front of everyone here? Just let me know and we’ll start talking about sizes of muscles and lack of orgasms.”