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

  “Oh God,” Hunter said and then cleared his throat.

  She’d seen him. The moment her eyes locked onto Merlin’s, they widened, and she stopped shaking the container and then looked down. Her cheeks turned a nice shade of red, and he stood there watching her.

  She poured the drinks into the special glasses and then placed them onto the bar for the waitress who approached.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Merlin asked her from behind two of the guys who sat at the bar.

  Both men turned to look at him with mean expressions on their faces.

  “Merlin, we can talk later. I’m working right now,” she said calmly, but he could tell she was not so calm and collected.

  “I don’t think so. Start talking,” Merlin said.

  “She said she’s working, buddy. Go find another bartender to bother,” one guy said to him.

  “How about I toss you out of here with that bar stool wedged so far up your ass you’ll be permanently sitting on it?” Merlin said and then stepped closer.

  “Guy, can you give him some room please? You can have your seat back in just a few minutes,” Hunter said to the guy.

  The guy’s friend hit his arm and nodded for them to walk away. They sure as shit better see that Merlin was serious about the stool up his ass. Merlin was fuming.

  He stepped into the space and looked her body over.

  “Cynthia? What the fuck?” he asked, his voice low as he said it through clenched teeth.

  “I’m working, Merlin. Can we discuss whatever your problem is tomorrow?” she asked and then had another drink order to prepare. He followed her down the bar.

  “When did you make this decision to work here? How come you didn’t talk to us about it?” he asked.

  She glanced at him as she prepared another set of mixed drinks.

  “I don’t need to discuss my every decision with you and the team, Merlin. It’s my life, and I needed another job.”

  “But here?” he asked.

  “It’s busy, and the tips are great. I need the money.”

  “We could help you out if things are rough. You’re our responsibility.”

  “Says who?” she snapped at him, surprising him.

  “Says all of us, and that’s the way it is.”

  “It’s not like that for me. I don’t need guardians or men feeling sorry for me and thinking I can’t survive without being provided for. I’ve got it covered. Now, please, don’t continue to make a scene and get me fired. I need this job. I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” she said firmly and then headed down the bar.

  “Come on, Merlin. The bouncers are coming over. We don’t need trouble,” Travis said to him.

  He pulled his arm free and started walking out with Travis and Hunter.

  “Something is going on. Cynthia would never snap at me like that. She seems different,” he said as they headed outside.

  “There’s a lot going on in her life. Losing Michael has obviously affected her, and who knows? Maybe working at the clinic has, too,” Hunter suggested.

  “Maybe.”

  “Call your team and make plans to talk to her tomorrow,” Travis said.

  Merlin looked back at the door to Delia’s.

  “And leave her here to work and let men stare at her body and flirt with her?”

  “What choice do you have?” Hunter asked.

  “I need to talk with Perkins and the guys. Something is truly fucked up here.”

  “Yeah, well, there’s nothing you can do right now. Plan on talking to her tomorrow and straightening things out. Maybe come clean about your feelings for her and make her see that you care for her and that you’re not just watching over her out of responsibility,” Hunter said.

  “Yeah, she could think that you guys are only guardians because of Michael,” Travis said, and Merlin thought about that a moment.

  “You’re right. We need to make her see we want her as our woman. I just hope it isn’t too late. There are a lot of guys in there, and she could say yes to going out with some of them.”

  “Don’t think about that. Just think about seeing her tomorrow and straightening things out. It will work out fine. You’ll see,” Travis said, and they headed back to the truck to leave for Pearl.

  * * * *

  Cynthia didn’t know why, but she’d felt guilty when Merlin arrived. He’d been so pissed off. His green eyes had bored into hers, and the way he’d looked her body over in the uniform she had to wear told her he was upset. She couldn’t help but be affected by Merlin. He was big, like six feet three, wide shoulders, muscles galore, and, oh God, a mean-looking expression that told all to clear a path. That was something that intimidated her about him but also made her body react. Her pussy actually throbbed, and her nipples hardened when he demanded to know why she was working here.

  Her gut clenched. If they found out about the debt she was paying off, they might go after Raul themselves. Heck, they could go after Dot and then maybe get hurt. Even though Merlin and his team had been Marines, this was civilian life and not the military. Raul and Dot carried weapons and seemed to know people. They were criminals, and well, a confrontation between them all and Raul and Dot could get someone hurt or, worse, killed. She swallowed hard and felt really, really guilty now. What was she going to do?

  She pretended to smile at the customers as the guys drooled over her body and added tips to her tip jar. She had to focus on the reason for taking this job. The money. Plain and simple. If all went well, she figured on the low side, she could pay off Michael’s drug debt in a few months. She would figure out how many hours she needed to work based on the tips she made working the next few nights. That combined with using part of her money working at the clinic would pay it off quicker. She even thought about paying less of a monthly payment on her credit card bill to make up more money faster. Those interest rates were legal ones, not ones bound by a criminal thug who currently owned every cent she made and would possibly make until the debt was paid.

  She just wished the bill on her credit card wasn’t so high, but Michael had hit that up, too. Even though he denied borrowing against it and told her it had been stolen and someone else had done, she knew it was him. She would deal with those bills after this situation cleared up.

  As guilty as she felt, she focused on the end results and being done with Raul without anyone ever finding out about Michael’s addiction.

  “Hey, gorgeous, get your sexy little ass over here. We need another round,” some guy yelled at her, and she placed her hands on her hips and gave him a sideways look. She needed to establish boundaries for the men that hung out here and make sure they knew they didn’t intimidate her.

  “I know you’re not talking to me like that.”

  “Oh no,” his friend said and smiled wide as he looked Cynthia over licking his lips.

  “I sure as shit am, darling. Now move that pretty little ass and lose the attitude and maybe, just maybe, you’ll get a nice fat tip tonight.”

  She swallowed hard, trying to gulp down her pride along with the little saliva in her mouth. This wasn’t her. She didn’t take orders from drunken males, but she wasn’t doing it for herself. She was doing this for Michael.

  “Well, sweetheart, why didn’t you just ask me nice in the first place, and I would take care of you no problem at all.” She wiggled her way closer and prepared the drinks quickly, placing them down one after the next.

  Meanwhile, the big guy with the attitude pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and then curled his one fat finger at her to come closer.

  She shook with trepidation but eased her body closer. He licked his lips, and she focused on his pudgy hand holding the hundred-dollar bill as it came closer.

  He placed it into the top right strap to her bra and tank top. Holding her gaze, he licked his lips and winked. “There’s plenty more where that came from, doll. Keep the drinks coming.”

  She would love to deck the guy because he was such a pig, but she’d just made a quick hu
ndred bucks, and all she had to do was be nice, flirt a little, make his drinks, and let him stuff money into her tank top. She would deal with feeling disgusted later. Michael’s reputation—and not being turned into a drug dealer’s sex toy—was her motivation.

  * * * *

  “This is bullshit! We ought to head to Croton right now and drag her ass outta there,” Dugen yelled as he paced the kitchen in their house.

  “We can’t do that, and you know it,” Perkins said and then took a slug of beer.

  “You would agree with me and Dugen if you saw what she looks like in the uniform,” Merlin stated.

  “What does she look like in the uniform?” Karl asked.

  “Fucking hot,” Merlin said. “The black skirt is so short her tan legs look long and toned and the skirt barely covers her firm, round ass. Then the tank top. Fuck, the tank top with the fucking logo on it was two sizes too small for her breasts. They were pouring from the top and looked firm, and she had a deep cleavage. Fuck, she is hot, and other men are going to hit on her and want her. I can’t take this. I don’t want to wait until tomorrow.”

  “Damn it to hell. What is she thinking? Why would she do this?” Karl asked.

  “I don’t know, but we’re going to find out,” Perkins said. “She mentioned needing the money. That’s her motivation. We’ve all been to Delia’s. Those waitresses and bartenders get hit on left and right, and it’s crazy wild in there most nights. The cash in tips is exceptional so that’s probably her motivation.”

  “She doesn’t belong there. She’s too sweet, angelic for a place like that,” Karl added.

  “She needs us to take care of her. We need to find out what she needs the extra money for. I thought Michael paid off the mortgage on the house years ago. She makes good money at the clinic even part time. All she needs to pay for are utilities and food, the basic stuff,” Dugen said.

  “We have to talk to her. But more important is her safety. We’re her guardians, and we can’t protect her if we’re not where she is,” Perkins said.

  Merlin smirked as straightened up from leaning against the counter.

  “So we’re going there?”

  “Yes,” Perkins said and reached in his pocket for his keys.

  “Fuck yeah, and if I see one guy touch her, you guys better get bail money ready,” Dugen said to them, and Perkins stopped walking to turn toward them. He pointed his finger at them.

  “No making a scene or fighting anyone. In fact, let’s call her cousins. I bet Luke, Ryan, Portland, and Shiloh will be just as interested in visiting Delia’s tonight as we are.”

  “Oh shit. They’re going to lose it,” Karl said.

  “We’ll make a plan. They know Cynthia better than we do. They’ll decide if something is up and whether or not allowing her to keep it a secret is acceptable,” Perkins stated as they headed out of the house.

  * * * *

  Luke took a slug of beer and then made a face.

  “I don’t like this one bit. No wonder you guys are so fucking hot over this,” Luke said then glanced at his brothers.

  “I say at the end of the night we tell her to tell her boss that she quits. This shit is not happening,” Shiloh added, and the others mumbled in agreement.

  They heard the roar of laughter and stared at the bar where a group of men were doing shots and flirting with Cynthia. Luke was concerned for his cousin. This was so unlike her.

  “There has to be a good reason for her taking this job and needing the money,” Perkins said to Portland.

  “I don’t know what it is,” Shiloh said. “I thought that Michael paid off the mortgage years ago. What bills could she have? She’s so conservative and a complete bargain shopper. She always budgets shit out and doesn’t hit the shopping malls like most women do.”

  “She’s been different since losing Michael. I thought she would get over it quicker because Michael had been so distant the last year,” Ryan told them. “I remember one night over a year or so ago when Portland and I hit a bar in Keanter on our way back from a road trip. Michael was in the bar drinking, and we joined him, and he started in on Cynthia. What the fuck was that about? Do you remember Portland?” Ryan asked his brother.

  “I think it was money. Michael did something and owed more money, and Cynthia was pissed at him because they had just paid something off,” Portland said.

  “Maybe it was the mortgage? Maybe it wasn’t paid off,” Ryan said.

  “Well, whatever it is, we can’t let her work at a place like this. If you guys can’t talk some sense into her then we’ll have to,” Luke said. But he really liked Merlin and the guys. He felt they would be great for Cynthia and take care of her.

  They were all quiet, but they kept glancing toward Cynthia.

  “Michael changed a lot,” Merlin said. “He wasn’t the same person. He was distant and cold and gave attitude at every conversation. We felt bad for not being with him the day he took that fall off the bike. But he was being such a dick. I feel like shit for saying that.”

  “Hey, Merlin, he was our cousin, and we saw the changes in him. We were concerned, and we said shit to him. Confronted him on his attitude and what he was doing,” Shiloh said.

  “What was he doing? What do you mean?” Karl asked.

  “He was hanging with the wrong people. We saw him out a few times, and he seemed high,” Ryan said to them.

  “He was doing drugs. We all know he was hitting shit up, but he wouldn’t stop. I swear I think he was doing it for a matter of weeks before that accident,” Portland added.

  “Cynthia mentioned failing him and thinking that his PTSD caused him to go downhill and refuse her help. I think she blames herself for his death in a lot of ways,” Luke said to them.

  “I think we all feel that way. But he wouldn’t listen. He got mean, pissed off, and even fucked up Shiloh’s bike one night when Shiloh accused him of being on something,” Ryan said.

  “Shit. We’ve seen things like this happen. Hell, we’ve attended memorial services, funerals for retired soldiers like Michael dying because of their mental baggage from serving. What are we going to do about Cynthia?” Merlin asked.

  “Have a talk with her and figure out what is really going on. Maybe talking to her about Michael’s addiction might help. I don’t know,” Dugen said, and they all got quiet then went back to watching over Cynthia.

  * * * *

  Cynthia was getting tired as the night was coming to an end. The big guy, Derek, who kept tipping her all night, was feeling pretty good. As she finished her shift, grateful that her cousins and the others had called it a night and left, she grabbed her bag, said goodnight, and headed out the door. She thought about seeing her cousins, as well as Merlin, Perkins, Dugen, and Karl. At first she was scared and a bit embarrassed. But then she thought about what Dee had said and about the men truly caring for her and wanting to take care of her. They came back here tonight because they were concerned. Could she actually count on them for help? Were they as attracted to her as she was to them? Had she ruined her chances and turned them off because of this uniform she wore and this job she took to make money? She hoped not. It seemed Raul was ruining her life in more ways than one.

  With thoughts of the men and feeling badly, she exited the building, not quite paying attention but instead in deep thought about the men she desired, but probably screwed up ever having.

  She hadn’t expected to see Derek standing there waiting for her.

  “I’ve been waiting for you, sugar.” He stepped closer, and she stepped back.

  “I think you’ve had too much to drink. You need a ride home. Let’s head back inside and call someone for you.”

  She turned around to open the door, and he grabbed her upper arm and pulled her close. His eyes were bloodshot, and his expression mean. He was hurting her arm the way he gripped it so tight. Plus his hot, smelly breath collided against her lips, and she turned away. He smelled like a saloon.

  “I been waiting on you.” He zeroed
in on her cleavage and slightly swayed because he was so drunk, and then he pulled her closer.

  “I don’t think so. You’ve got it all wrong.”

  “No. I’ve got it all right. The way I see it, I’ve paid for you. Dropped three bills in that top of yours. That’s good enough for a night in my bed.” He pulled her close and kissed her. She couldn’t push him off of her. He was a big man, heavy, muscle and fat combined. He tasted disgusting, and all she could do was scratch at his face. He released her lips.

  “I want what’s owed to me.”

  His hands roamed over her body, and he grabbed her ass and shoved against her crotch. She felt his belly and his erection.

  She was sick, angry as she shoved at him and went to run.

  She caught sight of Perkins and the others just as the large hand grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back, sending her onto the concrete.

  He pulled her back up as her tank top and bra strap ripped. She scraped her side and cried out in pain, but before Derek could continue to hurt her, someone tackled him to the ground and away from her.

  “Cynthia, are you all right? Jesus, baby.”

  Karl was there, pulling up her tank top and lifting her up into his arms. The door to the bar opened, and a group of drunk guys came out. They saw what was happening.

  “Shit, you guys wound up with her tonight? Fuck, baby, you’re ours tomorrow night. You can tell us how much better we are in bed than these gigantic dicks.”

  Cynthia gasped as Merlin slugged the guy, broke his nose, and sent him falling back into the bar against the door.

  “Now can we get the fuck out of here with our woman?” Merlin stated in a grunt as Karl carried her to their truck.

  “My car,” she said.

  “We got it. Take her to your place. We’ll drop her car at the house,” her cousin Portland told them, and even he looked extremely angry with her as he picked up her purse, took out the keys, then handed her purse to Dugen.

  Cynthia felt terrible. She’d made a mess of things. She wasn’t used to this kind of stuff. She had been so tired, and her mind was on making money and feeling guilty about lying to Merlin and Perkins and the gang. She didn’t know what to do. She’d screwed up everything, and now if she lost her job and couldn’t go back, it would take longer to pay Raul. He was going to send Dot after her. What was she going to do?