It was a flat hand, solid, perfect smack to his cheek and eye that caused him to lose his hold as she hit the floor, shoulder first.
Then he was gone. Lifted straight up into the air as chaos erupted around her. She was trying to sit up when she heard Florence’s voice. “Oh my God. Are you okay, Serefina? I can’t believe those young men.”
When she moved, she cringed from the pain as she realized she hit the side woodwork on the molding along the floor next to the chair where the guy sat. Glancing around, the place cleared out, a stack of large bills sat on the table and workers from the back kitchen were coming over.
“Is she okay? What happened?” Al, Florence’s husband, asked. He was holding a bat and Lester was holding a shotgun.
“Oh God, this is terrible. Look at the mess,” Serefina whispered.
Lester handed the gun to one of the other guys as the workers began clearing the table.
He came over and lifted Serefina up into his arms.
“Bring her to the back office,” Florence said.
“I’m okay, really,” she stated.
“Nonsense. I should have seen that situation coming and gotten to you sooner. At least Ace and the guys did. I don’t think those men will ever step foot in here again,” he said.
A glance toward the front door and there was no sign of any of the men. They probably thought she was at fault for the incident. She did slap that jerk pretty damn hard, but he had no right touching her and pulling her onto his lap. They all saw her belly, the piercing, and he made a sexual comment.
Lester set her down on the couch.
“You go get some ice, I’ll check her shoulder,” Florence said. “Take off your blouse, Serefina. Let me see how bad it is.”
“It’s okay. I can go into the wash room and take care of it.”
“Nonsense. I feel to blame for this. We should have told that group of morons they weren’t welcome at Sullivan’s anymore. They bothered the last two waitresses. Granted Stacy and Emily went out with a few of these guys, but this was different.”
“I probably shouldn’t have slapped him so hard.”
Florence chuckled as Serefina pulled off her blouse and looked her in the eyes. “Are you kidding me? That was great. I’m sure it left a mark, too. Although I think Ice’s punches might have done a bit worse.”
“Punches? Oh no. Your sons fought with those men?”
Florence smiled. “They hadn’t taken their eyes off of you since they all arrived. I’d say my sons were ready to protect you and watch over you even before those men arrived.”
Serefina closed her eyes. She was so embarrassed, and then she heard the gasp. “Son of a bitch. I hope my boys kicked their asses,” Florence said.
“Is it bad?” Serefina asked, and got her answer as three huge men pushed through the doorway cursing.
“I have the ice,” Lester interrupted and then made a similar comment.
“Did you hit your head?” Bull asked. “It looked like you went down hard.” Bull came around to sit in front of her. Ice and Ace joined him.
“No. Just my shoulder on the way to the floor.”
“I’d better get the first aid kit,” Lester stated.
“Give it to us. We’ll take care of it,” Ice stated and then walked closer. Florence stepped out of the way.
“I’d better go back up front. Can you three take care of her?” Florence asked, and when the men gave their mother a stern expression, she raised her palms up and left the room.
* * * *
Ice was fuming. He still had enough anger in him to kill someone, but luckily Bull had stopped him from doing further damage to the asshole who hurt Serefina.
He reached over to push her hair to the side so he could see the damaged skin. She shuddered from his touch as she grabbed a hold of herself and turned toward him.
“I’ll be fine. I can go take care of it in the bathroom.”
Ace knelt down and placed his hand on her bare knee. “We’ll take care of you.”
As Ice moved her hair away from her neck, he saw an older scar, and damaged skin. It looked like she had sustained burns at some point in her life. Then he remembered when her brothers and the chief had headed out to North Carolina. She had been in a fire and lost some friends from what he remembered. But they never said that she was burned.
She looked over at him, pulling her hair back over the scarring.
“Am I bleeding?” she whispered so softly. It was hard to not move closer and kiss her tender lips. The scent of her light perfume was appealing.
“No, sweetie, just scratched up and already bruising.”
“The ice will help, and then we can apply some ointment and a bandage,” Bull stated.
“Just do the bandage. I need to get back out there to help your mom.”
“Are you kidding me? You’re done for the day,” Ace stated.
Ice swallowed hard. His brother could be so controlling and in command at all times. He always took control of every situation. But this wasn’t a job, a mission, a fire. This was a woman all three of them were attracted to. She was important, and considering that she was also the daughter of their fire chief as well as the sister of their friends, they were going to have to tread pretty damn carefully.
“I think she’ll be fine, Ace. Let’s just ice it like Bull suggested and then bandage it up so she can go back to work.”
Ace took a deep breath and released it, but kept his hand on Serefina’s knee. Ice could see him caressing it with his thumb.
“How is your hand?” Bull asked, after he handed the ice packet to Ice and walked to her other side. He gently took her hand and turned it over palm up. It was bright red.
She jerked a moment as Ice placed the cold pack onto her bruised shoulder.
“It’s okay,” she whispered, staring at Bull.
It was crazy, but the entire atmosphere in the room was different. It was so charged up with sexual and physical attraction that Ice felt his own cock thicken and push against his crotch. Sitting next to her, he towered over her small petite frame, and he felt so possessive and protective. He didn’t want to release her, or let her out of his sight. It was an outrageous and totally first ever experience in his life.
He gently ran his thumb along the top of her shoulder bone as he held the ice in place.
“It looks pretty damn red,” Bull whispered. She tried to pull it back, but Bull wouldn’t let her. She was fidgeting now, and squirming on the couch.
“Listen, I appreciate the help and the concern, but I’m a big girl and I need to get back to work. I just have an hour or so left.”
Bull seemed to ignore her as he raised her palm up to his lips as he bent forward at the same time and kissed her skin. She shuddered again.
“Bull, please don’t do that,” she whispered, her voice cracking.
“I thought a nice kiss might make it feel better. Didn’t it work?” he asked and smiled.
“Did it work?” Ace asked her as he continued to caress her knee.
“I suppose,” she said softly. Ice leaned forward and kissed her shoulder above the ice pack.
She turned toward him, her lips inches from his own. “Please don’t do this. I’m sorry, but I can’t do this.” She stood up, causing Ace to stand up and Ice, too. Bull took his time and watched her closely.
She reached for her blouse, but Bull took it and then opened it up for her. She had no choice but to turn her back toward him so she could place her arms in the sleeves. When she did, Ace stepped in front of her and began to slowly button her blouse. The scene caused so many flashes of fantasies to run through Ice’s head. He wanted her. He wanted to touch her, kiss her, and get to know the woman she was. By the intense expressions as well as actions from his brothers, he realized that they did, too.
Bull caressed her arms and inhaled against her hair. “That was a hell of a situation, Serefina. I think you need looking after.”
Ace finished up the buttons and then reached up to touch her
cheek. He gently rubbed his thumb along the bottom lip. “I agree. You need looking after.” He leaned forward as if he were going to kiss her and Serefina ducked to the left and pushed by Ice.
“Thanks for the help,” she said and walked out the door.
“Son of a bitch,” Ice stated.
“What?” both Ace and Bull asked.
“Marco was right. He said that when we met that special someone, we would know it. It’s Serefina.”
Chapter 8
Denis looked at the map he created on the computer. He had them all. The ones touched by the flames. The survivors. Two had moved not far from here, but the one who really caught his interest was nowhere to be found. It was as if she disappeared off the map entirely. He used his special abilities and the help of his master to identify them, research everything he could find out about the five of them. But this last one. The one with the powerful name stirred not only his interest but that of his master’s. Denis glanced at the notes by his computer. He had to finish up the master plans behind the condo fire and then they could maybe nab this woman, and take her with them. Or better yet, make her his last endeavor before retirement.
He traced her name, Bing searched the meaning behind it.
The burning one. The highest ranking flying angel of God that guarded the gates of heaven. You are mine. The fire within me will prevail against your power. You shall be mine. I prepare for your destruction. Serefina, Serefina, Serefina.
* * * *
Serefina awoke incredibly sore. Even the bath she took last night hadn’t seemed to help. She slowly got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. When she looked at her shoulder in the mirror, she cringed. There was a huge bruise covering her entire shoulder and upper arm. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and then brushed out her hair. As she pulled it back and to the side, she thought about yesterday, and of course about Ace, Ice, and Bull. It was so crazy. She had panicked. Completely freaked out that all three, very large, muscular men surrounded her in the small office. They were touching her gently and caring for her, but she had to ignore that. There were so many negatives about this.
For one, she felt guilty. It had taken her forever to fall asleep last night and not just because she was aroused. She would think about Matt, and the fact that they had dated for months before they made love. She had wanted it to be meaningful, and he respected that. She was in love with Matt. She thought about marriage, kids, the whole thing with Matt, and suddenly he was gone.
What confused her most was that she had even contemplated taking her own life. She felt so lost, so alone, and the pain was incredibly deep. It was like she lost her heart and soul. She wouldn’t wish that type of pain or loss on even an enemy.
Serefina thought about their size next.
Bull, Ice, and Ace were huge. That was the only way to describe them. They were tall, over six feet, and gorgeous. Ace was definitely older. That was another issue. She was twenty-three and he had to be in his thirties. Same for Ice and Bull. They were definitely in their thirties. So why would they be interested in a woman as young as her? Why would they want to share a woman?
That was assuming they wanted to share her.
She felt her cheeks warm, her nipples harden, and her pussy awaken just from the thought. Holy shit. This isn’t happening. I’ve never even considered such a relationship. Why would I now?
It was crazy but the idea of liking all three men felt natural. It didn’t seem so strange or ludicrous. Maybe because she knew such relationships existed, and especially around here. Hell, even back in North Carolina there were such relationships. But still it didn’t seem right. She shouldn’t forget about Matt so easily. It was wrong. She was a terrible person.
The tears hit her eyes as she looked at her reflection in the mirror.
“I don’t deserve three men. I shouldn’t even be alive. Why did you take Matt and not me?” she asked for the umpteenth time since the fire.
Tears rolled down her cheeks, and her heart ached.
Serefina walked out of the bathroom and climbed back into bed. She heard her phone buzzing but she didn’t care. She felt confused and tired.
She lay on her bed in her shorts and tank top until she had no more tears left to cry. When she heard the knock at the door, she wanted to ignore it. But then she heard her mom’s voice.
“Come in!” she yelled, knowing her mom knew where the spare key was under the flowerpot by the door. A few seconds later she entered.
“Hey, baby. How are you feeling?” she asked, walking into the room carrying two travel mugs of coffee and a covered plate.
“Tired.” She sat up from the bed.
“How is the shoulder?” Her mom passed her one of the mugs of coffee.
“Hurts like a son of a gun,” Serefina replied and then took a sip from the mug while holding it with two hands.
The phone on her bedside table vibrated again.
“Who keeps calling me?” Serefina asked. Her mom walked closer, gently moved her daughter’s hair over, and looked at the bruise. She gasped and Serefina moved her hair back.
“I know. It looks ugly. I’ll be wearing blouses for weeks to cover that.”
“No, Serefina. I mean, yes, the bruising from the fall is bad but what about that scarring by the back of your neck and head?”
Serefina looked at her.
“Mom, when you, Dad, and the boys came out to see me after the fire and you were so worried and wanted me to come home, I kind of lied about the injury. It wasn’t just a bad cut. I was burned during the fire. I fell, on the landing, but flames shot up from below and singed my skin.”
“Serefina, why wouldn’t you tell us? I mean you hadn’t even explained what exactly happened and how you got out.” Her mom sat on the bed beside her.
She stared at her as tears filled her eyes. “Matt saved me.”
“Oh God, baby. Can you tell me about that night?”
Serefina shook her head.
“Maybe it might help you if you talk about it.”
“I don’t want to talk about it. Living through it was enough, Mom. I’m just confused right now. Or maybe feeling sorry for myself.”
“Feeling sorry for yourself? Why would you feel that?”
“I don’t know. I’m embarrassed by what happened yesterday at Sullivan’s. I think I’m going to call Florence and tell her to find someone else.”
“No, why would you do that? You were enjoying the job, and you seemed happy there.”
Serefina stood up and walked over toward the desk. She ran her finger over the picture frame and stared at Matt. Tears filled her eyes as she remembered the day that picture was taken. They were dressed up, and had attended one of his friend’s weddings. It was a beautiful day and an amazing wedding. They were dressed up and looked good together. Matt was older than her by five years. That thought instantly brought on thoughts of Ace, Ice, and Bull. They were even older. There were three of them, too.
“That’s a great picture. I wish you had told your father and I about Matt.”
She looked at her mom, suddenly feeling foolish and guilty. “Maybe if I had shared more about him with you, then you could understand why this is so hard for me. For months now, I felt like I couldn’t go on without him. It’s been like life isn’t worth living because I can’t share it with Matt. I had seen him in everything that I did, and whomever I spoke to back in North Carolina. I walked through life numb, hollow inside here.” She whispered, placing her hand over her heart.
“I came home in all honesty as a last resort to hold on. To give life a chance at getting better, and to not feel so hollow inside anymore.”
“Honey, sometimes things like this, tragedies, happen in life and there’s nothing we can do about them. No one is saying to forget about Matt. With time, it will hurt less and less. There’s no reason to feel guilty about that.” Serefina shook her head as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I loved him, Mom.”
Her mother reached for he
r hand and covered it. “I don’t understand.”
“I loved Matt. I thought that the pain, the fact that he was my everything would always make me feel so empty inside with his absence. And yesterday…yesterday was the first time I found myself feeling something for someone else.” Serefina sniffled.
“This is what has you so upset?” Her mom turned Serefina by her shoulders and looked at her. “You met someone that you’re attracted to and feel guilty because of Matt?”
“Baby, don’t you think Matt would want you to continue to live your life? Wouldn’t he want someone to take care of you and love you? I may not have met him, but from what you told me, and the fact that he saved your life so you could survive, says a lot. I think he would want you to be happy, not sad.”
Serefina shook her head. “I still feel guilty. Besides, this situation is different. Maybe I’m just trying to latch onto something else in the hopes of getting rid of the emptiness and pain I feel in here?” She placed her hand over her chest where her heart was.
“I doubt that very much. You’re not the kind of woman to pretend feelings or emotions for someone. You’re not a liar. It’s just part of the process of healing. I’m sure that moment, when you felt the attraction, it freaked you out. The last person you felt attracted to was Matt. It’s perfectly normal to have guilt, but it’s another thing to let life pass you by and to feel like you don’t deserve to love again, or to be with another man.”
“Oh God, Mom. How do I say this?” Serefina ran her hand through her hair and put the coffee mug down.
Her mom chuckled. “Let me help you out. You gave Matt your virginity.”
Serefina turned around and felt her cheeks warm. “Yes. That was a huge deal for me. We dated for months and I really loved him. We talked about getting married.”
Her mother smiled. “So it’s the intimacy thing you’re afraid of?”
“Definitely a yes on that one.”
“Well, starting over again will be the same thing. You wait until you have strong enough feelings.”
“Mom, that’s not what I’m getting at.”
Hearts on Fire 1: Serefina (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 7