He moved so quickly, she barely had time to react. One second he was standing in front of her and the next he had his hand wrapped around her throat. The touch of his fingers repulsed her. She cringed when he brushed a strand of hair out of her face. Hazel felt her heart beating wildly. There seemed to be something cunning to his expression, to his dark eyes, something that made her wish she could read his thoughts. Then he smiled, and she knew whatever her worst fear was, was nothing compared to what he was about to do.
“I think, dearest, you need a re-education on how to be a proper wife. It will be my pleasure to re-educate you,” he said, his expression a mixture of amusement and wickedness, but he quickly continued, “It’s time we reacquainted ourselves with your favorite room in the house.”
It took all of Hazel’s concentration to keep a neutral expression on her face. She wanted to fight him with every fiber in her body. She had so much she wanted to spew at him. Consequences were what he was known for. Whatever she said or did, the consequences would be severe. She had already dug herself a deep hole with her foul mouth. To continue would be utter suicide. Too bad she didn’t give a shit anymore.
“Fuck you, Sean. I am not your fuck toy anymore.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, dearest. I have the papers that say you are mine to use as I see fit,” he said, grabbing her arm, squeezing tightly. She wanted to scream out that he was hurting her, but that would only make him smile. He got off on her pain. The more she screamed, the more turned on he would get.
She fought him as he pulled her into his arms. Before she could scream, his hand pressed over her mouth. Hazel’s heart beat wildly now as she felt his body press into hers. His breath at her ear, she heard his voice whisper, “Time to reacquaint myself with my wife.”
Hazel knew if he got her back in that bedroom, she would never come out alive. She refused to let her last moments on this earth be of him raping her and beating her to death. No, if she was going to go down, it was going to happen right where she stood, where she could defend herself better.
His grip tightened. She stubbornly looked at him, refusing to make it easy on him. Her mouth was slightly open to call him several nasty names when he moved swiftly, attempting to kiss her. Hazel managed to rip herself out of her suspended animation just in time to avert the foul mouth.
Smack!
It took a few seconds before the pain registered in her brain. A blow into her face had made her head hurtle back. Everything had gone first white, then black in front of her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, it took a few seconds for her to focus. His face was right above hers, his hand that had hit her still hovering in the air above her. She had fallen back on the couch. She was trapped under him. The echo of a scream lingered in the room, her own scream, followed by an almost unbearable silence.
Sean placed a finger on his lips and seemed to listen into the silence. Without ever taking his eyes off her, he leaned down and kissed her. He pressed his erection against her jean-clad pubic bone, grinding himself into her. When she refused to reciprocate, his hand exploded into her face again.
Smack!
This she was used to. She knew how to handle this.
The fear for her life was stronger than everything else. The wish to castrate this bastard erased all other thoughts. She needed time. She knew eventually he would get furious with her and seek out other forms of torturous entertainment at her expense. However, for him to do that, he would have to get off her. Then she would make her move. She felt the gun digging into her back. She had only recently learned to shoot a handgun. Braxton insisted she learn, and right now, she was thankful for what training she had.
“What’s the matter, Sean? Not what you remembered? Well, too fucking bad. You can beat the shit out of me all night, and I will never give you the satisfaction of giving in. You want me, well, fucker, you are going to have to beat me to get it!” she yelled.
Smack!
Fuck, that hurt! Okay, another plan. Angering the bastard was only going to get her head scrambled. Fuck, I think he broke my cheekbone!
She felt his hands on her. Groping her breasts, he squeezed them hard. She stifled a cry as the pain became too much. She tried desperately not to fight him, but she failed miserably. Just the thought of his hands touching her had her whole body revolting. Kicking and screaming, she tried to remove him from her person, but like all the times before, Sean was too strong.
Hazel concentrated on the one thing she had in her possession.
The gun.
She needed to get her hands on the weapon without alerting him. Sean continued his advances. The man was fucking insistent, to say the least. Bowing her body, she tried to buck him off. He lost his grip on her hand, and let go. Reaching behind her, her fingers touched the butt of the gun.
Every time she moved, Sean moaned, as if she was giving in to him. With her hand wrapped around the handle grip of the weapon, she turned and saw West.
He nodded.
Lightning struck again. Thunder boomed.
Out on the front porch, she saw him, not moving, immobile, and just waiting to make his move. She didn’t have to see his eyes to know the sheer fury that was in them. Hazel saw the glint of several shiny little flickers, and she knew he was armed and so were several others with him. The gates of hell were about to open, and she was in the middle of the crossfire.
She heard Neil moan. Sean grinned, and she jammed her gun where it would do the most damage. Lightning illuminated, and the thunder cracked as she pulled the trigger.
Everything happened so fast after that.
One minute Sean was on top of her, the next, he was screaming out in pain, cupping his crotch as blood gushed from his wound. Immediately, gunfire rained down on the house. Rolling off the couch, she reached for Neil who was still in and out of consciousness. Then, as quickly as it all started, it stopped. Too afraid to let go of Neil, she fought off the hands who grabbed her. The strong hands pulled her into a hard chest. The smell of woods and cedar engulfed her.
Steven.
“I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you. It’s over now,” he cooed, holding her close.
Chapter Thirteen
In the following days, life eventually returned to the Double Deuce. Though the reminders of what occurred were still visible, Steven and Neil were already making plans to remodel the living room, and the building of another barn was already underway.
After the shootout at the Double Deuce, West, who technically saved her by giving her the gun to defend herself, disappeared without a trace. No one knew where he went, not even Dexter. He left no forwarding address. However, two days later, Hazel was in the kitchen cleaning up after breakfast when she looked out on the back porch and noticed a single sunflower in a glass vase. Walking outside, she picked up the vase, smiled, and looked toward the west. She didn’t know where he was, but she hoped he’d found his own happiness, and wished him well.
Hazel had heard from Zac that the district attorney in Miami decided she would not have to testify. Apparently, jumping bail, attempted abduction, and murder were a one-way ticket to jail. Oh, the Justice Department was still pressing charges of human trafficking and embezzlement against him, and Zac told her happily to expect Sean to die in prison. Hazel knew that until he actually kicked the bucket, there was always a chance he would reach out to her in a different way.
Of course, she wasn’t going to think about that. She had lived her life looking over her shoulder for too long. Nope, this time, she was keeping both eyes forward, and she was just going to live.
She was in the master bedroom, cleaning up, when Steven walked in. “Hey, beautiful,” he said kissing her neck. Turning, she wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face against his chest.
“Hey yourself.”
“So, Neil and I were thinking we’d take you into Celestial tonight for dinner. It’s been crazy around here the last couple of days, and even though you have been bustin’ your butt making sure all of us are f
ed, and we appreciate it, Neil and I want to do something nice for you.”
“I don’t mind, Steven. I actually like it.”
“I know, but we want to give you the night off. So, get yourself all prettied up, ’cause we are leaving in three hours,” he said, then kissed the top of her head.
“How prettied up?” she asked, knowing damn well there was a smirk on her face. Steven laughed and replied, “Well, I don’t know about you, but I will be wearing a suit tonight.”
Steven disappeared down the hall. The moment she heard the back screen door slam, she raced to the phone, calling the only woman she knew who could help her dress for this evening.
* * * *
Steven and Neil paced the living room as they waited for Hazel. Looking at his watch for the millionth time, Steven groaned, “If she doesn’t light a fire, everything is going to be ruined.”
“Calm down, brother. She will be out in a minute.” Neil sighed.
“You said that five minutes ago.”
“Yep, and five minutes before that and five minutes before that. She’s a woman, Steven. Hazel will come out when she is ready and not a minute sooner.”
“She had three fucking hours to get ready. How long does it take to put on a fucking dress and do hair?” he asked. Hell, he had just walked in the house thirty minutes ago. In that time, he drank a beer, showered, watched the highlights of a football game, and managed to get dressed with five minutes to spare.
Just then, they heard the master bedroom door open. A soft fragrance drifted down the hall like a cloud. The clicking sound of heels walking toward them had them both standing up straight. They were getting ready to say something when she smiled at them. “Hiya, boys!”
Groaning, Steven cursed. He had had enough. If Hazel didn’t get her ass out here this instant, he was going to berserk!
“Ignore him, Vanessa. Thank you for coming out to help Hazel. We appreciate it,” Neil said, and then kissed her cheek.
“No problem. I love playing dress up, and Hazel has an amazing body. She can wear anything. She tried on practically everything I brought.”
Mumbling, Steven said, “Took her long enough, too.”
“I heard that,” she said, walking into the room.
Steven turned, and the last several minutes vanished.
She was radiant, wearing a simple red silk wrap dress that fell just above her knees, her hair pulled up in a loose twist, and strappy heels. Steven wasn’t sure he was going to make it through dinner. She astounded him.
“Baby, you look beautiful,” his brother said, kissing her plump red lips as he just stood there staring at her. She smiled up at Neil and then turned. When he didn’t move, she smiled and walked toward him slowly. When she reached him, he was too afraid to touch her. He didn’t want to dirty her. “So, was it worth all the aggravation?” she asked.
Carefully taking her in his arms, he hugged her to him. “Definitely worth it, Red.”
“All right, you lovebirds, I better get going. Hazel, call me tomorrow. I want the 411, in detail!” Vanessa said as she walked out the front door.
Steven barely heard her. All he cared about was the stunningly gorgeous woman in his arms and the love he saw in her eyes as she looked up at him.
“Ready?” Neil said, breaking their moment. Steven wanted to kill his brother, but they had something to do tonight. He wanted it perfect, absolutely perfect, and he wasn’t going to fuck up this time.
* * * *
Hazel couldn’t believe what she was seeing. It was just too unreal, and if she weren’t standing in Celestial, she would have thought she had lost her mind. Before her stood one of the largest teapots she had ever seen. Beautiful in construction, it actually looked like the real deal, if it weren’t for the small windows with flower boxes under them. Then there was the door.
A round door? What was she, a hobbit from Middle Earth? Were orcs going to come rushing out to get her? Looking at Neil, who obviously picked this place, she questioned him with her eyes.
“It’s the best restaurant within three counties. No disrespect to Macie, but this place is just amazing,” Neil quickly said.
“You can say that again. Just how in the hell are we going to fit in there?” Steven argued, looking at the teapot through squinty eyes. She had learned on the ride over that Neil picked the restaurant, and though Steven wanted to take her into Billings, Neil informed them that everything was going to be perfect and for them to trust him. Steven huffed and groaned, and Hazel just smiled. Now she was beginning to agree with Steven. The place was small. There was no way they were all going to fit comfortably in there.
The front door opened up, and out walked a beautiful woman with raven hair. Dressed in a flimsy skirt that fell to her ankles and a colorful gypsy top, she smiled brightly as she greeted them. “Welcome to the Flowering Tea Pot!”
Neil smiled and greeted the beautiful woman, kissing her cheek. “Hi, Moon. Thanks for doing this for me. I hope I didn’t put you out?”
“Oh, heavens no. It was nothing. Just remember to give the universe a gift, and everything will be spectacular.”
“Will do.”
“Now, everything is ready. You will not be disturbed. I’ve already done the blessing and asked the universe for a marvelous outcome. Don’t forget to lock up when you leave,” she said, winking at Neil as she handed him a set of keys. Waving good-bye, Hazel watched the beautiful woman leave. Turning to Neil, she didn’t have time to ask him what the woman meant by her cryptic words. He grabbed her hand and led her to into the teapot.
If she thought the outside was astonishing, the inside just left her speechless.
The round room, filled with flowers and twinkling lights, looked like something out of a fairytale. The floor, covered in a soft moss, gave the room an earthy, magical feel. Lit candles flickered, illuminating the room, surrounding everything in its warm light. Sitting in the center of the room was a single table, covered in a white tablecloth, with three chairs.
“I wanted someplace special, something that you would always remember. I hope you like it,” Neil said softly, looking at her. Hazel didn’t know what to say. The place was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
Turning to him, she threw herself into his arms. “It’s perfect, Neil. I love it.”
Over the next hour, they ate, talked, and laughed. It was one of the most relaxing nights she’d ever had, and she wished it would never end. They talked about their dreams, their hopes, and their wishes. She had never learned so much about Steven and Neil as she did that night. They were both open and honest with her. She knew she would cherish every minute of this night forever.
“We got you something. I hope you don’t mind,” Neil said, placing a small wooden box on the table before her. It was unique with an intricate design, and she had never seen such a thing before. Looking at it, she could tell it was handmade, and whoever did the woodwork truly was a master at his craft.
“It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.” She smiled, running her fingers over the soft wood.
“It’s a jewelry box,” Steven whispered.
“But I don’t wear jewelry. Working in a bakery, I was always too afraid I would lose something in the batter. Could you imagine someone biting into a sticky bun and cracking their teeth on a piece of jewelry?” she asked, laughing a little.
Chuckling, Neil replied, “Yeah, that would be a problem. But we wanted you to have this anyway.”
“I love it, thank you,” she said, kissing them both on the cheek.
“Open it,” Steven said coyly. Hazel’s heart pounded heavily. Looking from Steven to Neil, neither of them moved.
“Open it, baby,” Neil coaxed.
Gently removing the lid off the small box, Hazel gasped. There, placed in the center of the box, on a bed of satin, was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. A single round ruby surrounded by diamonds sparkled brightly at her.
“We know you don’t wear jewelry, but we both
hope that you will make an exception for this particular piece,” Steven said as he reached for the ring. They both got up from their seats and kneeled before her. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as Steven spoke. “You said you wanted something romantic. I think we knocked it out of the ballpark. I love you, Hazel Montgomery. Marry me?”
“Baby, I can’t bear to live without you. Marry me?” Neil asked.
Hazel looked at the two men who had come to mean more to her than her own life. They started out rough, but somehow, they persevered through everything life set in their paths. She learned a lot from her time with them. Especially that fighting with someone she loved didn’t mean bad things would happen. It just meant she had something worth fighting for, and she did have something worth fighting for. She had two.
“Yes!”
Epilogue
Her heart beat fast. She prayed she would remember this moment for the rest of her life. For so long she had been alone, and in a few minutes, her life would change.
She was finally coming home.
She still couldn’t believe this was happening. So much had happened, and yet it all felt like a lifetime ago. There were no more worries, no need to look over her shoulder in fear. They saved her from all of that. Now, she looked straight ahead and knew that if anything happened, they would be there beside her.
They loved her. Truly loved her.
The only thing missing was her mother. The sun shined brightly at the moment. Glistening rays of sparkling light filtered into the small room, illuminating everything, and just for one brief second, she smelled her.
Her mother. She was there with her, always, in her heart.
“I miss you, Momma,” she whispered to no one as she looked at the brilliant light, and just as it appeared, it vanished.
Fighting for Hazel [The Men of Treasure Cove 8] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 22