Dare to Trust Read online

  He ground his teeth.

  He pushed her too far. She left him, and instead of trying to make things up to her and gain control of this out of control feelings he had, he decided to kill her. He tried to stay away. He tried fucking others. Nothing worked.

  He was losing his focus at work. His edge was gone and it was all Marlena’s fault.

  She turned out to be just like his mother after all. She made him try to kill her.

  Months had passed. Months. And here he was, sitting in a van, planning his next move and knowing the game had changed. He wanted Marlena back. She proved how strong she was and how special. He would find her and bring her back to him. As long as she were faithful, he would keep her alive.

  He ran a finger along her picture. He brought his fingertips to his lips and touched them back against her picture. He saw the blood, the swollen knuckles, and he felt aroused, and in need. “I’m coming for you, Marlena. You belong to me always. I’m coming.”

  * * * *

  Jack and his brothers had the day off. They came through the back door of the diner to see their parents as the breakfast crowd simmered down. His thoughts were on Marlena, and the burn she had sustained on Friday, as well as how she reacted to his brother Danny on Sunday. Danny felt that she was afraid of him, perhaps men in general, and it made them all think that someone hurt her.

  “Hey, this is a nice surprise. Nothing better to do on your days off?” their mom asked and gave them each a hug and kiss hello.

  “Nah, they’re looking to fill their bellies,” Roy chimed in as he flipped some burgers on the large grill.

  “Or maybe they came to see a particular waitress they seem very concerned over,” Regan added and Jack was too busy looking around for Marlena. He could see the back of her hair as she lifted a large amount of plates and began carrying them into the kitchen.

  She caught sight of him and his brothers and nearly dropped the dishes.

  “Marlena, you shouldn’t be lifting all those dishes at once. Not with your side aching the way it is.” Their mom reprimanded her as she took the dishes and began placing them into the sudsy sink water.

  “I’m fine, Mrs. Spencer. Really,” she said and used her forearm to wipe her brow then she turned and headed back out.

  Jack looked at his brothers, and they both appeared concerned.

  “Mom, is she really hurting from the burn?” Danny asked her.

  Their mom took a deep breath and released it. “It’s blistered up real good. Don’t know how she’s avoiding banging into anything that could pop them. I hope Vicky doesn’t set her feet in here or I may have to kick her out myself,” their mom said as she scrubbed the dishes.

  “Maybe we should talk to her, and have Dr. Anders stop in to take a peek,” Danny suggested.

  “Now, son, I know you and your brothers are concerned considering you were here when she got burned and caused the confrontation, but she’s a grown woman who likes to keep to herself. Respect that,” Regan said to them.

  “We didn’t cause Vicky to do that,” Danny said.

  “You don’t think so? Marlena is a very attractive young woman. She turns down men’s offers left and right for dates around here. So when a piece of jealous trash like Vicky comes sniffing around and sees competition, the nails come out. Poor Marlena hadn’t a clue it was coming,” their mom said, and it sounded like she was warning them to stay clear. Like maybe she thought her own sons weren’t good enough for Marlena.

  Marlena entered the kitchen, posting two more orders up onto the rack that displayed the orders that needed to be made.

  She cringed when she reached up and then she took a deep breath. Before any of them could say anything to her, she disappeared back out into the diner.

  Jack went up to their mom. He wrapped his arms around her waist and placed his head on her shoulder. “Now, Mom, you telling us you don’t think your own sons are good enough for Marlena?”

  She swung her head toward him.

  “Jack Montgomery Spencer, you dare hurt that girl or break her heart, I swear I’ll take a rolling pin to that hard head of yours.”

  “Mom, come on. Have you ever seen the three of us like the same woman? Ever see us interested in a woman at the same time?” Jack asked.

  She looked at Roy and Regan, who shrugged their shoulders.

  “That’s what I thought,” Jack said, releasing her then grabbing a fresh piece of carrot off the counter.

  “Jack, I’m warning you and your brothers. She’s special. She’s sweet and I like her.”

  “So do we,” Danny said as he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed and staring at their mom.

  She peeked through the divider where the food went up.

  “Then you’d better get out there and make your intentions known, ’cause Deputy Taylor Dawn is out there with two of his brothers, and they’ve been eyeing over Marlena for a week.”

  * * * *

  Marlena was feeling her side burn. She was pretty sure she burst one of the blisters if not all of them that were on her side. She wanted to cry it hurt so bad, but she knew it wasn’t as bad as a real burn. When that happened she could hardly breathe through the pain.

  She was avoiding the kitchen best she could and was glad she only had two tables left. But then Deputy Taylor Dawn and his two brothers Kurt and Warner arrived. Taylor was in uniform and looking good as usual. Her friends were right, the majority if not all the law enforcement in town were attractive. His brothers were very good-looking, too, but kind of rough and rugged. They had looks in their eyes that warned people to make smart choices. She smiled wide as she greeted them.

  “Good afternoon, gentleman, how are ya today?” she asked.

  “We’re doing good, Marlena, how are you?” Taylor asked her.

  “I’m good, thanks. Can I start you off with something to drink?” she asked. They gave her their drink orders but Kurt seemed preoccupied or like he was looking for someone.

  “Is everything okay, Kurt?” she asked him.

  “Oh yeah, doll, just wondering if your friend Mercedes was around. Sheriff said she was headed here for an early lunch. He’s got a meeting and needs her help in an hour.”

  “Oh, no, Mercedes doesn’t usually come here for lunch. She loves enjoying lunch down by the lake in the park by the table behind the gazebo. It’s her favorite place to go to relax. So do you need a few more minutes or are you ready to order?” she asked.

  Kurt and his brothers seemed disappointed.

  “I think we’re ready, honey,” Warner said to her. She noticed their eyes whisk at something behind her but then back at her again. Their personalities changed a little. They went from being interested in Mercedes and finding out where she was to looking her over and smiling a bunch. They gave their lunch orders and then Taylor leaned back and held her gaze.

  “We never see you out at any of the local spots. Where do you like to hang out, Marlena?” he asked.

  She felt a bit nervous and wondered why he was asking. She thought these men were interested in Mercedes. Maybe they weren’t. But then she felt the hand on her shoulder and at the same time that she flinched, she turned and saw Mike and inhaled his familiar scent.

  “Well if it isn’t the Dawn brothers. Are they treating my girl okay, or do you need me to put them in their places, Marlena?” Mike asked. She was shocked at him calling her his girl in front of these local men. She also felt a bit of fluttering in her belly like she enjoyed the sound of being his girl. But she needed to remind herself that she wasn’t his girl. She didn’t belong to anyone.

  “What the heck are you doing here on your days off?” Warner asked as he stood up from the table. That was when she realized Jack and Danny were there, too. She felt her belly tighten and her body begin to shake.

  “If you’ll excuse me, please, I’ll get this order in for you gentleman and get the drinks right out to ya.”

  “No problem, honey. You take your sweet time,” Kurt said and winked at her.

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nbsp; She felt Mike squeeze her shoulder. “We’ll grab the table in the back corner and wait for you,” he whispered. She turned around to hurry to the kitchen to put in the food order then to make the drinks.

  “Ain’t never seen those three look so pissed off before. When were you going to tell me that you snagged those three sexy Gods?” Alice, the other waitress, asked her. Marlena was shocked. She felt embarrassed as she glanced up to see Rita looking as well as Roy and Reagan.

  “I didn’t snag up anyone. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said to Alice. Then she turned around to make the ice teas for the men.

  “Honey, not only do they like you, but they’re making their claim, setting down the perimeters, and enforcing their territory.”

  “What in God’s name are you talking about? I don’t hardly know them. I’m not interested. I just want to be left alone,” she said and then headed out toward the diner. She nearly dropped the one glass of ice tea and she saw Kurt’s hands go up as if surrendering and Jack warning him about staying away. Her belly did a series of flips and flops as she approached. Could the Spencer men seriously be threatening the Dawn men over her? No way. She needed to set them all straight.

  Danny and Mike were already headed to the corner table, and when she went to place down the ice teas, Jack remained there.

  “Those burgers will be out soon,” she told them.

  “Thanks, Marlena,” Kurt said and glanced at Jack. She felt Jack place his hand on her shoulder.

  “Come on, baby, come over to our table so we can talk,” he said.

  She maneuvered her shoulder out of his hand.

  “Don’t do that, Jack. Please don’t call me such things. Are you guys here to eat or what?”

  “A little of both,” he said and winked. They headed toward the corner table.

  Marlena exhaled.

  The Dawn brothers chuckled and Jack seemed angry.

  She wasn’t certain what was going on. She didn’t get men. She just didn’t understand them. The old Marlena thought every man and woman was nice, truthful, and ready to help. She learned quickly that women could be backstabbers, and men were manipulative and only cared about what they wanted. She’d had the heck scared out of her and nearly died. It made her question people’s sincerity and their offers. It all confused her. Trying to figure out what were word games, or who may or may not be telling the truth. It was a damn miracle she let Adele, Alicia, and Mercedes into her life.

  She suddenly felt on edge as she headed over to the Spencer men’s table. Why did they have to be so damn good-looking? So tall, muscular, and just downright incredible. They even smelled good, and those damn blue eyes of theirs did a number on her body. Why couldn’t she just tell them to leave her alone? Maybe ignoring their advances might work for a while, until she figured out how to handle them.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” she asked Danny and Mike as Jack sat down at the table.

  “Hello to you, too, Marlena,” Mike said and held her gaze.

  She felt a twinge of guilt. She was never bitchy, even when she had every damn right to be.

  She took a deep breath as she looked away and exhaled. No one else came into the diner yet to sit in her section. She would be caught between the Dawn brothers and the Spencer brothers. Just her luck.

  “Hello, Deputy Spencer, what can I get you?” she asked.

  “First things first, call me Mike. Drop the formalities, Marlena, we’ve known one another too long to play that game,” he said fiercely. She’d insulted him. She could tell and she went to apologize then bit her lip.

  “I don’t play games. Now would you like to order drinks and something to eat, or are you just coming in here to waste my time and mess with your buddies over there?” she asked without even thinking first.

  “Hot damn, Marlena, you are darn sexy when you’re all fired up,” Jack said to her and Danny gave his brother a hard nudge. She gasped, felt her cheeks turn hot, and she glanced around, hoping no one heard them. But practically everyone in earshot did. She placed her hand on her hip.

  “Drinks or no drinks, Mr., Mr., and Mr. Spencer.”

  They looked shocked, and that nearly made her smile. She’d never seen these men get un-composed or appear like they weren’t in charge and setting the pace. She held her ground. Mike held her gaze but spoke to his brothers.

  “Danny, you done pissed Marlena off, and that’s not our intention coming here to see her. We missed you, Marlena. We were concerned over the blisters and hoping you were healing well.”

  “I can take care of myself, Dep—Mike. So no need to worry.”

  She almost called him deputy again but Mike raised one of his eyebrows up at her in challenge and she immediately pulled back. It turned her on that he had that control of her body and her mouth just from his sexy expression. But that also angered her. She was a fool, a sucker for a good sexy cowboy and law enforcement man. He wasn’t even wearing that sexy deputy uniform. Instead he had a tight shirt on that revealed his bulging muscles and rock-solid chest in a blue color that accentuated his eyes.

  He smirked and she realized she had been staring at him, probably drooling, when the bell rang for an order pickup.

  She tried to recover from her actions. “I’ll just grab you the usual drinks. Maybe by the time I get back, you’ll be ready to order,” she said and turned around to head toward the kitchen. She heard the long whistle from Jack as if again she shocked them by her comeback. It was funny, but she enjoyed the little back-and-forth word games with them. It made her belly do flip-flops and her mind wonder if she could let her guard down a little and get to know them better, as friends. But then she felt the fear as she picked up the order for the Dawn brothers. Men were after one thing only and she wasn’t ready to lose her heart, her soul and her newfound spirit of determination to make it on her own. No matter how good they smelled, how sexy they were, or how all three of the Spencer brothers turned her on and made her pussy cream just from a little back-and-forth banter. No way.

  * * * *

  “You have got to pull it together. She needs to be persuaded to get to know us. Maybe try the friends first thing we talked about?” Danny suggested.

  “Are you kidding me? Friends first? I’ve never been friends with a woman first. How the fuck is that even possible with Marlena when every time I see her I fucking feel out of control and possessive? She’s too damn sweet and sexy to be a friend,” Jack whispered.

  “Hell, Danny, I don’t think the kind of thoughts a friend has about another friend when I look at Marlena. I saw fucking red when I thought Taylor, Kurt, and Warner were hitting on her,” Mike added.

  “But they were messing with us. We got that straightened out quickly,” Danny added as Marlena set down the lunches for the Dawn brothers and then went back to the counter to pick up the drink orders for them.

  She returned, placing down three ice teas with lemon in front of them. Danny inhaled her perfume and then took in the sight of her gorgeous green eyes. She cringed as she reached across the table.

  “Sweetie, how is the burn, really?” he asked her and took her hand after she placed the last ice tea down onto the table. She pulled slightly but he held steady. She relaxed and he was grateful.

  “I told you, Danny, I’m okay and I can take care of myself.”

  “That’s not the point. Do you know what to look for with an infection? Do you have any first aid experience? Have you let Doc Anders look at it?” he asked and caressed her hand with his thumb, stroking the top of it. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.

  “I added new ointment and a new bandage. Won’t that be enough?” she asked, sounding concerned.

  Danny glanced at Mike. She looked from Danny to him.

  “You should let me take a look at it. When does your shift today end?” he asked.

  She hesitated a moment.

  “Five, but I’m meeting someone,” she added. Danny felt his gut clench. Was she involved with another man, or
men? They would know. They’d had their eyes on her for a while. It had to be one of her girlfriends.

  “When will you finish up with them?” Mike asked.

  “I’m not sure. Listen, I’ll be okay. I appreciate your concern. Don’t feel guilty about the burn. It wasn’t your fault. Now, would you like to order?” she asked.

  Danny released her hand.

  “Sure thing, honey,” he said, and then they each gave their food order.

  Marlena walked away.

  “Who the hell is she meeting?” Danny asked.

  “I don’t know. Could be one of the women. Don’t worry. She’s not seeing anyone,” Mike said.

  “You go in at three today. See if you see her in town meeting up with some guy,” Jack said then glanced back toward the kitchen. Danny felt disappointed and jealous. He didn’t want to lose the chance at getting to know Marlena. They’d waited months to start flirting with her. They knew she was shy and they wanted to give her time to adjust to them. But she was real timid. So much so he started wondering about her past.

  “Maybe we need to talk with Connolly,” Danny suggested.

  “What for?” Mike asked and took a sip of his ice tea.

  “To find out what Marlena is hiding about her past. The more we talk to her, the more I get the feeling that she’s scared. It’s like she doesn’t trust men. You saw her with the Dawn brothers, and she was just as shy and kept her distance from the table. That’s not just from being timid. I think someone hurt her.”

  “Fuck, he’s right,” Jack whispered.

  “Well, let’s give it some more time. If she finds out we’re snooping into her past, shell never trust us,” Mike said.

  Danny exhaled as he watched Marlena go over to a table with one woman and three men. She seemed fine with them. Hell, she was even laughing. As he watched her hand over a bill to three women, she was just as friendly. Then she headed toward the Dawn brothers again and she looked on guard. Her shoulders straightened, she didn’t come too close to the table, and she seemed on edge. There was something there and he wanted to know what. He liked her. Hell, he could see a whole future with Marlena and with him, Jack, and Mike taking care of her. What was she hiding? He really wanted to find out.