Soldiers of Pearl 5: Give Love a Chance (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “No. I’ll send you what I can. I’m working on getting another job.”

  She sure did remember Dot and how he’d showed up in the middle of the night and scared the hell out of her. She was lying in bed sound asleep, and then next thing she knew, a hand was over her mouth, and a heavy body straddled hers. She jerked, and then saw the reflection of the knife he held as he brought it to her cheek. He was big. Almost as big as Dugen and his team. Why she thought about Dugen, Perkins, Merlin, and Karl right now was crazy. Maybe it was because she imagined them all lined up ready to defend her and protect her from the likes of Dot and Raul. But they could never know about this. She couldn’t place them in danger and get them involved just because they had been Michael’s friends. It wasn’t right so she nixed that idea and took a deep breath to gain false confidence. Raul made her nuts. Even when she’d sobbed and offered Dot the house as payoff, the man had refused.

  He was silent a moment.

  “My offer stands if you’re interested. Dot said you’re way worth it, and he will willing to personally see to your safe trip and arrival. Fly out to New Jersey and maybe we’ll work this out another way,” he said to her as the tears hit her eyes and she felt sick to her stomach. She knew what he meant. Even Dot had complimented her body and told her there were other ways to pay off her debt.

  “No thank you. I’ll get you the money.”

  “The offer stands. If for some reason you can’t pay your brother’s debt off by the end of the month, then you won’t have a choice but to come out here and pay it off in other ways. I expect that money Friday.”

  He hung up, and Cynthia hugged the phone to her chest.

  Raul wanted her to sleep with him. To be his screw toy for a while until the debt was paid. She’d rather die.

  She swallowed hard and then looked back to where Dean had been sitting right before she got the phone call, but he was no longer in the chair. Her heart raced even faster. He was a soldier who had psychological problems. He seemed to be at a standstill and wasn’t progressing. But he always had his eyes on her, and it was creepy.

  She looked around her and then noticed a few nurses and then Dr. Chambers.

  “Cynthia, have you seen Dean?” he asked, and she shook her head.

  “He disappeared. Something must have spooked him. Maybe he’ll come back later in the week,” Dr. Chambers said, and everyone went about their business.

  She thought about the interview she had at the local bar in Croton called Delia’s. It was a very busy bar and dance hall. It was also pretty damn rowdy and the cops got called often, but the money was supposedly steady and awesome. She needed to make money fast and get Raul off her back. Once the debt was paid, he would leave her alone.

  As she thought the thought, she felt sick to her stomach. She hoped that he would leave her alone. Otherwise, she was going to be royally screwed. Ten thousand dollars was a lot of money. Michael hadn’t paid them what he owed, and apparently interest rates were higher than banks with Raul. She’d thought loan sharks were supposed to offer better deals than the banks. What the hell did she know? She’d never even known what a loan shark really was until three weeks ago.

  She pressed her fingers to her temples. The headache was beginning. She was stressed out. Scared. She didn’t know what she was going to do but knew she was alone in this. Her heart felt empty as tears stung her eyes. She should have learned by now that the only one she could trust was herself.

  Her cell phone rang again, and this time, as her heart felt as if it hit her throat, she saw that it was Dee calling. She exhaled in relief and then answered the call.

  “Hey, gorgeous, any luck finding a new job?” Dee asked.

  “Not yet but I have an interview after work today.”

  “Great. Where?” Dee asked.

  “Delia’s.”

  “Delia’s? Are you nuts? That place is a madhouse, and the cops are always showing up to break up fights and stuff.”

  “The money is great, and I’m not worried about the fights. I’ll be behind the bar serving drinks. That’s if I get the job.”

  “I sure do hope you know what you’re doing. Why is it that you need money so badly?” Dee asked, and Cynthia felt terrible.

  Dee was her best friend, and she should confide in her, but she couldn’t. Ever since Dee had suffered through her own dangerous circumstances and had to be saved by her boyfriends, she told Sunny and his crew everything. If they found out why Cynthia was working so much and having to pay off a debt, then they would tell Perkins and his men, and all hell would break loose.

  She didn’t need their help, their judgmental attitudes, or their controlling ways. If she let her guard down and told them a loan shark was harassing her, they would freak out on her. She wouldn’t want to face any of them if and when they found out. She would be in a whole lot of trouble. She just wanted to be left alone.

  “I just need to make more money. Things are tight, and, well, working at the clinic is part time and can be boring. I need to keep busy and set some goals for myself.”

  “I can understand that. Well, I think you’re going to be just fine there. However, what are you going to tell Perkins, Dugen, Merlin, and Karl?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean when they find out that you’re working at Delia’s, they are going to lose it.”

  “I’m not their concern.”

  “They are your guardians, and technically, you’re supposed to run this by them. You know the rules. Don’t you like them? I mean, they’re so caring and protective of you. Look at how understanding and supportive they were when Michael passed away. They wouldn’t let any other men claim you but them. That means they want to be more than friends. You really need to run this by them.”

  “I’m not running anything by them. This is my life, and I make my own decisions. I don’t need four controlling, giant, badass Marines ordering me around. They don’t like me as anything more than Michael’s sister and are just helping me out. I can handle this just fine. I need to handle this on my own. I just can’t trust, or allow myself to lean on anyone—not until I know I can survive on my own.”

  “Okay, sweetie. I didn’t mean to get your temper flaring. Just warning you that, if you get the job at Delia’s, make sure Perkins and the guys find out from you and not the grapevine.”

  “I don’t think they’ll care. It doesn’t matter what they say anyway. I was never asked whether I wanted them to be my guardians. Why do I need them anyway? I’m used to taking care of myself.”

  “It does matter because they like you, and they claimed guardianship of you. Don’t you get it? They’re spreading the word that you’re their woman. You can’t be so oblivious to all their tactics.”

  “Listen, they did that because of Michael, not for any other reasons.”

  “Are you out of your mind? They want you, and they’re perfect for you. What’s going on? I mean why are you resistant to them? They’re gorgeous, caring, and they are very well known in the community.”

  “You forgot controlling, demanding, hard, rough, and overprotective, even possessive of what is theirs. I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I’m trying to survive and get through this depressing time. I need to do this my way. I don’t need to pretend everything is perfect and that my life just goes on and I can be happy. That’s not how it works, Dee. Michael is dead. He was my brother. I failed him, and I just need time to get things right,” she replied, getting emotional—feeling her eyes well up with tears and her heart pound inside of her chest.

  She thought about Raul and the money Michael owed. If she paid off his debt without anyone knowing, then Michael’s reputation would be spared. He was a Marine for crying out loud. No one could find out about his drug problem. She needed to ensure that he’d died with his reputation as a hero, a fighter, a Marine who sought out an adrenaline rush intact. Not as some drug addict, another soldier left to fend for himself to die.

  “Honey, you didn’t fail him. He was alw
ays seeking that adrenaline rush. That need for speed, to test fate and take on dangerous challenges. He loved that motorcycle and just taking off the way he did. It wasn’t your fault. You need to move on with your life, and I think you should ease up on Perkins, Dugen, Merlin, and Karl. I can see the way they look at you. They really do care.”

  Cynthia was silent a moment. She knew if she explained what was going on to Dee that she could worry and tell her men. She needed to handle this alone. Everyone was patronizing her and checking up on her, thinking she was some weak female who couldn’t handle things on her own. They were wrong. She was stronger than they knew. She could do this and be done and save her brother’s reputation.

  “I don’t need them checking up on me. I want to do this alone. I need to, Dee, or else they and everyone else will think I’m weak and incapable of living my life, surviving on my own.”

  She heard Dee exhale.

  “I understand. I support you and want you to know that I’m here for you no matter what. If there is any trouble ever, you better call me immediately. I’ll get to you. I’ll be there for you because you’re my best friend and were the only family I had when I left Dallas.”

  Cynthia felt her chest tighten and her eyes well up with tears.

  “We made it through some heavy shit, Dee. I know you have my back.”

  “So, just one last thing before you go get yourself another job. In all honesty, you don’t have any feelings for Perkins, Dugen, Merlin and Karl?” Dee asked her.

  Cynthia thought about it a moment, but in her head, she instantly answered yes. She was attracted to all four men. She loved the way they looked, the scents of their cologne, their intimidating personas, and how big and strong they were. She could get lost in arms as big as theirs and feel safe, and cared for. Her fears of them using those muscles against her to hurt her weren’t as strong as they had been when they all first met. Her body knew she wanted them, too, but she just couldn’t say yes and give in. Not until this situation of hers was resolved.

  “It’s not the time to engage in an attraction to the four of them. They represent a lot I am familiar with and a lot I fear.”

  “Because they’re soldiers?”

  “Yes, and because of what I witness on a daily basis with soldiers trying to transition back into civilian life. Because I witness their PTSD, their anxieties, their instability and constant need to be in control when, really, they’re completely out of control. It frightens me. Michael had problems, Dee. Michael refused to get help, and even I couldn’t help him when he needed it. I’m afraid to trust any man, never mind a soldier or, in this case, soldiers. I’m just too scared. Can we leave it at that?”

  Dee exhaled. “For now we can, but I think once you’ve had time to heal, to gain some control of your life and your emotions, that things will change. You’ll see that those men truly care about you and would never hurt you, and maybe you’ll let your guard down and let them in. Trust me, I was holding back, and when I finally let my guard down and accepted my men’s love, my world got a hell of a lot better. It can be that way for you, too.”

  “Maybe, but for now, I have some things that need to get done. I’ll call you later if I get the job.”

  “Oh, you’ll get the job. With your gorgeous blue eyes and fantastic body that will look hot in the outfits they wear at Delia’s, the owners would be crazy not to hire you. You’ll be swimming in the dough you’ll be making.”

  Cynthia chuckled and thanked Dee before she got off the phone.

  I’d better be swimming in the dough, and quickly, or I could wind up in more trouble than I already am.

  Chapter 3

  Merlin was working alongside Hunter on a new retaining wall they were building outside of the shopping center in Croton. It was getting late, almost quitting time, and they had at least several more days to complete this job, if not a week.

  “This turned out really nice. I was a bit concerned when we all first got started because of the drainage issues,” Hunter said to him.

  “Yeah, it was good that Travis knows so much about irrigation and drainage,” Merlin replied as he wiped his hands on his jeans then stood up straight.

  Hunter passed him a bottle of cold water.

  “Thanks.”

  He was looking around the nearby main street and immediately he caught sight of a woman. Hunter turned to look but then turned back around, chuckling. He was in love with Dee, along with the rest of his team. Merlin and his buddies were still trying to decide when was the right time to make a move on Cynthia.

  But as his eyes absorbed the woman with long, sexy, tan legs and round, firm ass dressed in the tight black skirt and even tighter black tank top, his cock instantly hardened. He felt guilty. As if he was cheating on Cynthia when she wasn’t even his.

  “Your tongue is practically hanging out of your mouth,” Hunter teased him.

  “Holy shit. That’s Cynthia,” Travis said as he joined them.

  Merlin went from shocked to full-fledged pissed off in a half a second flat. It wasn’t until he felt the strong hand grip his upper arm that he realized he was about to book across the street and down the way to get to Cynthia.

  “Whoa, slow down there, Merlin. You need to take a few breaths and calm that temper,” Travis said, and Hunter stepped closer.

  “I didn’t know Cynthia was working at Delia’s,” Hunter said with his hands on his hips, seemingly upset about it, too. Hunter, just like Merlin, knew what kind of place Delia’s was. It was known to get pretty rowdy and be a pickup joint for men looking to pick up women.

  Merlin looked at him then Travis and back to Cynthia as the bouncer by the front door greeted her with a big smile, looking over her body as he held open the door. Cynthia smiled wide. Her breasts were pouring from the top, and he could see it from this distance, so close up, they had to be even more exposed. He growled low.

  “Calm down. I’m going to take a wild guess here and say you and the guys didn’t know about this job,” Hunter asked him.

  “Fuck no,” Merlin said through clenched teeth. He pulled his arm from Travis’s hold, and Travis moved to stand in front of him.

  “Don’t do anything rash.”

  “Rash? You’re telling me if you’d just seen Dee walking into Delia’s wearing that tight, sexy outfit that you wouldn’t go in there and drag her ass out and take her home?”

  Travis took a slow inhale and then released it. “Hell yeah, my woman would have one very sore, pink ass by the time I got through with her, but you and your team are not at that same point yet. You’ve claimed guardianship, but not possession, if you know what I mean.”

  “So I have to fucking stand here and do nothing?”

  “I wouldn’t say that. It’s obvious she’s working there tonight and just starting her shift, considering it’s four thirty. Perhaps you should head home, shower and gather your team to come back here for dinner and drinks. A little recon could help ease that anger and shock,” Hunter suggested.

  “Then casually, without making a scene, the four of you make plans with Cynthia to discuss this new career path and perhaps help her to realize that she can’t work in a place like Delia’s because it isn’t safe,” Travis added.

  Just then the roar of motorcycles filtered through the air as a group of about ten men pulled into the parking lot at Delia’s. Merlin watched them make their way inside, and they were shoving one another, acting a little wild.

  “Safe? With her body and looks, every guy will want to cop a feel, flirt with her, ask her out, hell, fuck her. Bullshit I’m waiting. I’m getting down to the bottom of this right now.”

  Merlin was steaming as he stomped down the sidewalk making his way toward Delia’s. His heart was racing, and damn it, his dick was still hard from seeing Cynthia in that sexy uniform. What the hell was she thinking? Perkins had said she wanted to get another job and needed money but hadn’t expanded on that. Was she in such financial turmoil that she needed to expose her body to get tips and make mon
ey? When he thought about her body, he felt the hunger and need that had consumed him for the better part of a year. They should have moved in on her sooner and not worried about Mike’s reaction or about her cousins’ reactions.

  They were all close friends, and this was meant to be.

  People got out of his way as he headed toward the bouncer. One look at the guy and he knew he was about to get into a pissing contest. But luckily, before he told the fat dick to get the hell out of his way, Hunter was there smiling and bullshitting with the guy about the weather and that the three of them needed an ice-cold beer after their long day working on the retaining wall in town.

  The bouncer bought it all, and Travis opened the door and whispered next to Merlin, “Calm down and handle this without making a scene.”

  Merlin felt desperate to find her to see what she was doing and confront her. He hadn’t expected to find her behind the bar and already serving drinks, smiling and chatting away with six men who sat there vying for her attention.

  He made his way closer, Hunter and Travis in tow as backup. But he didn’t need backup. If any of those men fucked with Cynthia or with him, he’d handle all of them.

  He felt jealous, angry, and sick as he watched Cynthia bend down to fill a shaker with ice and watched the men follow her every move practically hanging over the edge of the bar to get a look at her tits and her ass.

  “Easy,” Travis whispered.

  Holy fuck, he did need his friends here. Hell, he needed his team here.

  He thought about pulling out his cell and calling them. But then Cynthia started shaking the silver shaker, her breasts bouncing slightly in the too-tight tank she wore, and once again, his cock hardened.