The Battlefield Series 1: Let It Go (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  She couldn’t help but to smirk at the little birdie comment. “I don’t think it’s necessary, really.”

  “Fifteen minutes, my office. See you then.” He disconnected the call and she looked at the phone with her mouth gaped open. Ledger took it from her.

  “He hung up on ya, huh?”

  “Yeah,” she said sarcastically.

  “Well, Aero was concerned. I am, too. Just go see the doctor. Maybe all you’ll need are those butterfly stitches. Just don’t tell him the screwdriver was dirty or he’ll give you a tetanus shot. That’s painful.”

  “I already had one recently,” she replied.

  He squinted at her. “Why and when?”

  “Long story, but all I can tell you is that sometimes me and tools, even lawnmower blades, don’t always get along.”

  She showed him her other hand and the light scar by her fingers.

  “Damn, you could have cut your fingers off.”

  “Came close, but I guess someone above felt I needed them.”

  “You better get moving. I’d hate for the Chief to send out a search party to make sure you get to the doctor on time,” he teased her. She chuckled.

  “Yeah, we don’t want that.”

  She slid off the stool, went to the office to grab her keys and her wallet, and then headed out the door. She got to town quickly, parked her car, and then headed along the sidewalk. That’s when she spotted Zeke Cartwright. He was wearing his police uniform and looking sexier than a cop in a small town had the right to. When she looked at him, she imagined him with his shirt unbuttoned, muscles galore staring back at her and hard abs that led down to those sexy uniform pants. She shook the thoughts from her head as the heat hit her cheeks. Fantasizing about a cop? Now she really was hanging out too much with the young, single girls who worked the bar scene.

  He caught sight of her, smiled widely, and progressed quickly toward her. She was filled with mixed emotions. She felt attracted to him, angry because Aero probably called him and told him she was heading to see the doctor, and then just downright annoyed for being treated like some child instead of a grown woman. She got her attitude up but the moment his smile faded and his eyes landed on her hand that anger deflated.

  “What happened? Are you okay?” he asked and gently lifted her hand up with his.

  “I’m fine. Just a cut.”

  “You seeing Dr. Cortland?”

  She wondered if these men were for real. She squinted at him, trying to figure out if they were just after sex or they really cared about whether or not she cut her hand and may or may not need stitches. She couldn’t help but to think the worst. Every man in her life had done her wrong and she had the scars to show for it.

  She pulled her hand back.

  “Aero thinks I need to see the doctor, so I’m here to get him off my ass,” she said and then turned around to walk toward the office door. Zeke grabbed the handle and opened it for her. She looked up at him. “What are you doing?”

  “Making sure that you’re okay and not alone. Especially if you need stitches.”

  She was shocked and stared at his bold blue eyes, trying to read his mind and coming up with squat. He and Aero confused her. Hell, their brother Finnian did, too. She placed her hand against his chest and regretted it the moment she felt the instant attraction. It was too much for her—the uniform, the gun, the badge, and all that stuff cops had on them to help them do their jobs. It was a dangerous profession but it took a special kind of person to do it.

  She pulled back.

  “I’m okay. You should go back to work.”

  “I’m on break. Come on,” he said and glided past her, taking her good hand. He led her through the waiting room, passing a few curious locals to go right to the front desk.

  “Hi, Gladys, Ms. Hopewell has an appointment with Nevin, I believe.”

  “Sure thing, Officer Cartwright. Just have a seat and he’ll be with her momentarily,” Gladys said.

  Before they could take a seat, Nevin came into the room.

  “Oh, good, no cavalry necessary,” Nevin said to them and smiled at Zeke.

  “Apparently there was a stakeout,” she said to him and then looked at Zeke. “You don’t need to be here. It’s fine and I’m good,” she said to Zeke.

  He placed his hand at her lower back and turned her toward Nevin.

  “We’ll follow you, Nevin,” he said and Nevin turned around and they headed down the hallway. She felt so on edge. Plus, just like when Aero was touching her at the restaurant, she felt heated, aroused, and that wasn’t good. She really needed to keep her distance from these Cartwright men.

  “So how did it happen?” Nevin asked. She sat on the examining table and he slowly unwrapped the bandage. She explained about putting in the deadbolt and about the screwdriver. Nevin stopped and looked down into her eyes. “You may need a tetanus shot.”

  “No. I’m good. I had one less than a year ago,” she told him as Zeke stood right by her other side and leaned near her leg. She felt claustrophobic with him this close.

  “Really? Where and why?” Nevin asked.

  She lifted up her other hand and showed him her fingers. “A lawnmower blade I was trying to change out. Caught me right here,” she said. Nevin shook his head as Zeke brought her hand and fingers closer so he could see.

  “You could have cut your fingers off,” he said to her as he held her gaze. She needed to get her hand away from Zeke. He was making her body heat up big time and she couldn’t allow that. The uniform and sexy good looks were wreaking havoc on her brain. She pulled her hand back.

  “I didn’t and I don’t need stitches today either. So, Doc, what do ya think? Butterfly stitches?” she asked.

  “What makes you think that?” he asked as he cleaned out the cut and then stared at it a moment as if deciding what to do.

  “I would know if I needed stitches. So, how about those butterfly ones so I can get on with my day?” she asked.

  “And you would know you don’t need stitches how? Ever get any besides the one on your other hand from the lawnmower blade?” Zeke asked.

  “Actually, yes, I have, but that’s none of your business.”

  “As your doctor, I should be aware of any other hospital stays, surgeries, or illnesses you may have. No allergies to any medication or anything like that?” Nevin asked.

  “No allergies to anything. I’m perfectly healthy,” she said.

  “Other surgeries?” Zeke asked, pushing the issue. She looked up into his eyes.

  “None of your business.”

  He gave her a smirk. “A mystery, huh? Lord knows I love a good mystery.”

  He stared at her lips and she was at a loss for words. Nevin cleared his throat.

  “I’ll put a few butterfly stitches for now and if it continues to bleed and doesn’t heal in another day or so, then we’ll need to do those stitches, Brooklyn.”

  She looked at him and gave a nod. “No problem. I’m sure I’ll be just fine.”

  * * * *

  Brooklyn finished up with Nevin and Zeke walked her out of the place.

  “What are you up to now?” he asked, leaning his hand on his gun holster and staring down into her eyes. She was damn beautiful and tough as nails. Every instinct inside of him thought she was hiding something, or maybe just protecting herself. That led him to believe she may have had a bad relationship in her life. He was curious about her and that curiosity had him pushing to get a little better acquainted.

  “Heading home to check on my sister and then get ready for work tonight.”

  “Well, I’ll see you tonight then. Planning on stopping in for a few beers with the guys.”

  “Good for you. Well, I’m not going to say thank you for being a chaperone while I saw the doctor. It really wasn’t necessary.”

  “Well, maybe it’s time someone showed you a little support in return for the care and support you’ve shown others,” he said to her.

  She widened her eyes, opened her mo
uth to say something, and then just stared at him. He stepped closer, placed one hand on her hip and the other he used to clench her chin. He held her gaze, could feel her shaking. He rubbed his thumb gently over her lip and wished he could kiss her right now this second. A move like that would set Brooklyn off, and she may even take a swing at him.

  “Just say thank you, darling. Nothing more is necessary.”

  “Thank you, darling. Nothing more is necessary. I mean that,” she said, using his words against him as she pulled away and quickly got into her car. He watched her go, shocked at how she’d switched his words on him and ignoring the message she thought she wanted to give. Which might have been back off, or simply, slow the fuck down. Either way, she interested him, and one call to Aero and he could confirm if his brother was on board, too.

  Chapter 5

  “Thank you so much. I appreciate the compliment. Be sure to stop by on Wednesday early if you want a chance to try that salmon special. We run out quickly,” Finnian heard Brooklyn tell a few of the members of the zoning board. He stood there waiting to speak with her after the conclusion of the meeting this evening.

  “Looks like you may be waiting a while to speak with her, son. Seems maybe you’re regretting blowing her off for the past six months?” one of his dads, Finn, said to him and then winked.

  “My hand is just fine. No, I didn’t need stitches. Yes, Aero Cartwright helped bandage it up. Well, I suppose he is an attractive man. No, I’m not dating anyone,” Brooklyn told Ms. Harper, the town gossiper. She looked like she was losing her patience and all he could do was seem to chuckle and feel bad for her.

  “Get in there and save her, son, then you’ll have her all to yourself,” his dad said to him and gave him a nudge.

  “What is wrong with you?” he asked him, feeling annoyed that his dad was acting peculiar. He didn’t even know why he came to this meeting or why there were so many people here.

  “Finnian. So good to finally see you at a meeting so we could get these approvals done. It’s been hell. I hope the business you’ve been dealing with was worth it,” one of the old-timers told him as he slapped him on the back and turned him toward a group of other elders. Before long, he was engaged in a meaningless conversation about wild animals getting into the park and what they were going to do about the summer festival traffic coming through town. Finnian glanced over his shoulder and caught sight of Brooklyn sneaking out the back door.

  He excused himself and did the same thing she did. When he headed around the corner, he nearly smacked right into her. He grabbed her hips and she gasped, looked at him, and then covered her mouth.

  “Be quiet, or they’ll see me,” she whispered. He remained holding on to her. He couldn’t resist, the woman had an incredible body. He slid his hand along the smooth, fitted material of the dress she wore. It showed off her shapely hips and of course her full breasts but wasn’t dipped low. It was conservative but tight-fitting in black. He towered over her, his chin an inch from the top of her head. He leaned his face lower to her hair to peek around the corner.

  “Who are we hiding from?” he asked but spotted Ms. Harper a mile away looking around the parking lot and calling to Ms. Smothers, asking if she saw Brooklyn.

  He felt Brooklyn’s hands push his hand off her waist as she turned toward him. She stared up into his eyes and he placed his hands on either side of her against the back wall of the building, caging her in.

  “You better stay put. One word and they’ll be over here,” he teased, looking over her lips. This was the closest he ever got to her and she was stunning. Not a blemish or mark on her skin. She had the face of an angel.

  “You threatening me?” she asked in a low, firm tone. He couldn’t resist teasing her. This was just too perfect. She was perfect.

  “I was an idiot one time too many with you, Brooklyn, I’m not making that mistake again. Are we good now? Friends?” he asked.

  She held his gaze with a small smirk of her own.

  “Well, I wouldn’t go that far. I hardly know you to be your friend.”

  He moved his hand closer to her waist and brushed his thumb along her hip bone.

  “I can change that, too.”

  “Oh, really? Kind of cocky of you, Finnian. All things considered,” she said and then glanced to the left to see if the danger was gone.

  “Oh, Ms. Harper,” he called out.

  She slammed her hand over his mouth and pulled him deeper into the darkness of the corner of the building. “Don’t you dare,” she scolded. He chuckled and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. She removed her hand from his mouth.

  “How is your hand, anyway? Heard you needed stitches.”

  “No, just butterfly ones. It’s better. Anyway, I think it’s safe now, no thanks to you,” she said and went to move but he held her firmly.

  “Not so fast,” he said and pulled her into the corner again. He had her caged in and looking so damn beautiful. He lowered down to kiss her.

  “Don’t, Finnian,” she said and pushed to the side. He grabbed her hand.

  “You’re so damn beautiful. I’m sorry. I was out of line to think I could just kiss you because we’re attracted to one another.”

  “I’m not—” She stopped herself. “Listen, I don’t date. I’m not interested in you, Zeke, Jagger, or Aero. I’m sorry but it’s not a good time for me.”

  He held her hand and stepped closer to her.

  “You feel the attraction, though. You’re as shocked as I am. I’m the idiot that has been avoiding you because of the gas station.”

  “Forget it. You have an emotional tie to the place. I came in as a stranger and turned it into the Filling Station. I get the animosity thing, but we’re past that now. Thanks for finally approving the addition. As I said inside, I’m gathering different bids from different companies and getting things started.”

  “I heard. I hope you’ll be giving Jagger a call to get his feedback on the engineering and construction.”

  “You mean because you’re on the board?” she asked, like she was accusing him of using his pull and power to get jobs.

  “Because we employ locals. A lot of them are military and a job the size of your place could keep a dozen or more of them busy for months. They could use the money to support their families.”

  She bit her lower lip.

  “I’ve been doing my research. I already called Jagger on the way over here to set up a meeting for tomorrow night. I have two other guys from two smaller companies coming in to talk.”

  “Good. Just follow your instincts, and maybe your attraction to me and my brothers as well,” he said to her and she shook her head.

  “There is no attraction. Nothing will come of this. Good night, Finnian.”

  “See you soon, Brooklyn,” he said and watched her go, wishing he could have tasted those lips of hers and wondering how the hell he got smacked in the face with finding the perfect woman and somehow pissing her off so much she wasn’t giving him the time of day. What was with the whole no dating thing, too? Bad experience, or was she playing some sort of game like most women? She did say she did her research on the companies she was considering hiring. Their financial records would be public. She could be playing hard to get when really she was betting on hitting the jackpot?

  That thought upset him way more than he expected. He hoped that he was wrong, but damn, he rarely was wrong when it came to reading women and seeing through bullshit. Hopefully his brothers would be cautious, too.

  * * * *

  “What do you think?” Derek asked Les. Les was rolling out some wire on the current job they had been doing for the last week. They were dragging it along, trying to keep busy. The customer hadn’t a clue that they were milking the job.

  “I think we need to maybe push her a little more. It didn’t help that Aero and Jesse were there. You know if they get that job at the Filling Station then they’ll bring in Aero’s brother Jagger and his construction connections,” Les re
plied.

  “I thought it would be a done deal when Finnian pissed her off by not approving the construction. I wonder what got him to change his mind?”

  “What the fuck do you think? She’s a fine piece of ass, and she has money, that gold mine, and she’s single. It don’t take a fucking brain surgeon to figure out they want a piece of that.”

  “So do we,” Derek said and gave a wink.

  “Did you see her tits? Fucking huge, and that ass? We’d have a good time with her.”

  “You were a little too friendly at our first meeting.”

  “I couldn’t resist. She smelled so good, too.”

  “Yeah, well, we need to be smart. Let’s think about this and see if we can influence her to go with us on the security project. Maybe go there after work, talk with her and not about security. Get some feelers for if she stays real late or is in really early and alone. Then maybe have our guy give her a little scare.”

  “Yeah, like how much of a scare? Should he give her some?”

  “No, but close to it. I want her in a panic and I want to be there to console her and be ready to strike while she’s vulnerable. That should seal the deal and get us our in.”

  “Then we need to do it while the place is still open. Otherwise, why the hell would we be there after hours or before hours?”

  “Smart thinking. Let’s plan this for tonight. Late. It’s Friday and she’s bound to stay past closing.”

  “Okay, I’ll call our guy, Les. I’ll fill him in.”

  “Hey, Derek, you make sure he doesn’t break any of her bones or mess up that face too badly.”

  “I got it.”

  * * * *

  Antonia was sitting outside on the front porch when she saw a black pickup truck slow down and pull over in front of the house. She pulled her sweater tighter against her chest and prepared to run inside if she had to. Her first thought was of Ray, but then she saw the neighbors across the way wave and she thought she heard them say, “Good afternoon, Chief.” Sure enough, Cesar Cortland, the Chief, was heading up her sidewalk and carrying a purple-colored box and what looked like coffee containers. She licked her lower lip and he smiled as he approached the steps.