by T. S. Ryder
"Buy her?" Ryan got to his feet. His hands clenched, and he wondered if a good blow would knock sense into his partner's head or just kill him.
"He's given me a month to pay her debt and an extra two hundred and fifty thousand. If we can get it to him in that time, he'll leave her alone. Forever."
"We don't have that sort of money!"
"You don't. I have seven hundred thousand in a trust fund set up by my family. It's enough to free Dani from McGrath, and a little extra to help the farm get a better foothold. I've already talked to my family's lawyers, and I'm having the money transferred right now."
Ryan's jaw dropped. All this time, and he hadn't known his best friend was loaded. Maybe there was more to it than what Kelly had just told him, but still. They could have prevented this whole mess from ever starting!
"Don't ask me about it, Rye. Please." Killian turned away, though the pain was raw in his eyes. "There's a reason I couldn't get it before."
"You don't get off that easily."
"Fine," Killian growled. "I couldn't get it until my dad died. And now he's dead. Happy?"
Ryan grunted. Killian was never close to his family, but it wasn't like the guy was made of stone. "Sorry."
"Forget it. He was furious when I told him we shared women, and he never could accept me after that. You’re all the family I need. You and…"
"Dani."
"Yeah."
"She's our mate."
Killian shrugged.
Ryan gripped his friend's shoulder. At least they had a little hope, now. Perhaps the three-quarter of a million dollars was enough for the Leopard to let go of Danita.
But it probably wasn't going to be that easy. Clearly, McGrath didn't know about Killian's wealth any more than Ryan did, but once he did, what was to stop him from changing the terms of their deal again?
We only need a quarter of a million more to pay the Lion for permission to kill McGrath. Ryan set his mouth to a firm line. He'd find a way to get that. One way or another, McGrath was going to die.
Chapter Five – Danita
The sun pounding on the back of Danita's neck made her wish that she had an excuse to work inside. But though it was hot out, it was supposed to rain soon, and they had to get the shingling done on the house. There were just too many leaks. The boys had already stopped for lunch. Danita would go in after she got this row done.
A hand reached out and snatched her hammer away from her.
"Hey!" She whirled around to see Ryan standing over her. She scrambled to her feet, reaching for her hammer. "I'm working."
"You're stopping to have lunch. I can hear your stomach growling from inside." Without even waiting for her response, Ryan picked her up. He curled her into a ball under one arm and scrambled down the ladder one-handed. "Your phone keeps ringing, too."
Danita sighed, but there was no arguing with these two sometimes. She allowed him to carry her into the house, where a tuna sandwich was already waiting for her. Sighing, she grabbed her phone and checked the messages. Ryan brought her a glass of water before he headed back outside. Amelia had called half a dozen times. It wasn't like her to call so often, so Danita called back right away.
"Finally!" Amelia sounded stressed when she answered. "I've been trying to get hold of you all day."
"Is something wrong?"
"Wrong? No." Amelia suddenly sounded sheepish. "Not really. I just needed to let you know the wedding's been moved up. My Alphas and I are getting married in three months now, rather than five. I know that's really soon and I have a million things to do, but we decided we didn't want to wait any longer. You can still come, right?"
Danita smiled. "You live only four hours away. Of course I can take a day off and come to your wedding."
"You won't be too busy?"
"Actually, I've been having a lot of help lately… remember the two Bear shifters you saw that day when I was showing you around?"
An excited squeal momentarily deafened Danita. She pulled the phone from her ear, wincing. She chuckled as her foster-sister started demanding when they started helping her, what they were like, and if they had sex yet.
"It's not like that," Danita protested. "We're not in a relationship together."
"Why not?"
Well, because they were sent by the loan shark to keep an eye on me, holding me hostage on my own land.
Yeah, that would go over well. Danita hesitated. They had been sent by McGrath. But they had given her money to buy herself time to get the farm up and running, not to mention helping her out so much. And McGrath's response? Try to split them up. So they weren't exactly his toadies.
Was McGrath sending them to keep an eye on her still a reason not to go for it? Were they even sticking around for him by this time, or for her?
"Dani? Hello? Is it you or them stopping it from going to the next level?" Amelia's voice was heavily amused.
Danita sighed. "Me. They've made it obvious that they want to… well, they want more than just to have me, Amelia. They want to share me. At the same time. I just don't know if it's a relationship thing, or if they just want sex."
"How much are you paying them to help around the farm?"
"Nothing."
Amelia laughed. "That's not behavior of men who are looking for a one-night stand, or they would have left already. Shifters aren't like us, Dani. For them, more often than not, they see their forever mate and just stay with them, waiting for the pieces to fall into place."
"But… even if that is true… how can it work? The three of us? I know the mechanics, at least I think I do… but what if I don't want…" Danita felt her face heating. It wasn't like she hadn't been imagining what it might be like between the three of them, but there was one thing that made her hesitant.
"Remember what Tori used to say? If you can't say it, you're not old enough for it?"
Danita had to laugh at the reminder of their shared foster mother. "Fine. What if I don't want anal sex? What if it hurts?"
"It doesn't when it's done right. And trust me, when it's done right it feels good." Amelia giggled, no doubt at her own memories. "Just make sure you use lots of lube. I have to go, Dani. Wedding, three months. Be there or face my wrath. And good luck with your Bears!"
"Thanks."
Danita hung up the phone. She ate the sandwich slowly, considering what Amelia had told her. Not just about the sex, but about why the boys were helping her out. Could it be true that they had decided that she was their mate? Danita didn't know much about how shifters worked, but if she was their mate…
And even if she wasn't, why do all this if they were just going to abandon her?
There was still McGrath to worry about. The boys were convinced he wanted her, and the thought that the Leopard might be watching made her shiver. If McGrath wanted to sell her virginity—
"It's mine," she said aloud. "My body to do with what I please."
She wasn't going to let fear of McGrath rule her life. She wasn't going to deny herself what she wanted because of what he may or may not want. Besides, whatever fears she had had before were gone.
Whatever fear she felt towards Ryan and Killian at first had all but vanished, leaving only desire behind. They were exactly what she wanted, and she was going to have what she wanted.
Her mind made up and heart hammering with excitement, Danita abandoned her sandwich and ran outside to find them. They were in the barn, sweeping up a pile of loose hay. Danita grinned. What luck that they were both together. She stopped before them and put her hands on her hips
"I have a question for you two." She looked between them, unable to stop her grin from widening even further. "Who do I kiss first?"
The two Bears stopped their work. They both stared at her for a moment before glancing at each other. Identical grins blossomed over their faces. They tossed their brooms away. Ryan stalked towards her, causing her heart to beat a strange tempo, while Killian disappeared behind the pile of hay bales.
"Where is he going?"
Ryan picked her up by the thighs, hefting her to his waist easily. "To get the blanket."
Danita opened her mouth to ask what blanket, but Ryan kissed her hard. It was unlike any kiss she had had before: fiery and demanding but at the same time tender. He held her tightly. Danita gasped in surprise but quickly relaxed, immersing herself in his passion, throwing her arms around his head, wanting to be closer. All too soon, he broke the kiss. A second pair of arms wrapped around her and she found herself being handed to Killian. His kiss was just as demanding as Ryan's had been.
He laid her down on the pile of hay, covered by a blanket now. For a brief moment Dani found it odd that they had prepared for this already, but then they were laying on either side of her, both kissing her neck as their hands roamed her body, unclasping buttons, undoing zippers, easing her clothing from her body.
Danita didn't even care that she hadn't so much as kissed them before. She wanted this, she wanted them to find parts of her where no one had ever gone before, and she wanted it now.
"What do I do?" she blurted, pupils dilating with desire but not wanting to embarrass herself by doing something wrong. The boys clearly knew what they were doing, and she didn't have any experience in these matters…
"Let us worship your body. You'll get the hang of it quickly, but this time is all about us giving you pleasure." Ryan kissed her forehead. "Just relax. We'll take care of you."
She gripped his arms as he buried his face into her neck, making her skin tingle all over her body. Her eyes slid shut with ecstasy, smiling. Killian's hands stroked her thighs. Her core tightened when he pushed them apart, brushing his fingers against her. With Ryan's hands on her breasts and Killian's breath on her thighs, her heart was going so fast she thought she might have a heart attack. An exquisite tight tingling feeling build inside her, starting in her stomach and shooting through her arms and legs.
"You are so beautiful," Ryan whispered, half laying over her body as she fought to keep from writhing under Killian's touch. "So very, very beautiful. We're the luckiest men on the planet that you decided to share yourself with us."
"No, I'm lucky."
Danita clung to him, crying out as Killian built the pressure inside her tighter. It felt so good, far better than anything she had been giving herself. Just when she was at her breaking point, Killian stopped.
"Why?" she asked breathlessly.
A chuckle and the sound of a zipper coming undone answered her. Danita's heart rate spiked as she realized Killian was undressing. When his hand brushed her thigh, she planted her feet on the floor and rolled her hips upwards.
"Patience, sweetheart," Killian said. "We have to take this slow or it could hurt you."
She bit her lip and giggled with excitement as Ryan shifted his weight off her. She felt a rush of heat to her skin as she gazed at her boys undressing, their gazed locked on her. There had been times in the past that she thought she had waited too long for her first time, but right now she knew–she had waited just the right length of time.
She had waited for her boys, even if she didn't know she had been waiting for them.
"Let's get this right." Ryan lifted Danita from the hay pile, beating it flat while she clung to his warmth. Killian moved up behind her and kissed the back of her neck gently.
"This is right," she sighed. "This is perfect."
Killian laughed, tugging her away from Ryan to lay her back down on the hay. He spread out over her, slipping his tongue into her mouth. She could feel him against her and sighed in delight. It turned into a yelp as he rolled over so she was on top. Ryan draped himself over her, kissing the back of her neck as he caged them both with his huge body.
"Wait, wait." Danita swiped her hair out of her eyes. She wanted this so bad, but there was still a little fear. "I don't know if I can take you both at once."
"Not right away, no," Killian said. "Which is why Ryan gets you first. Then I get you."
"How did you decide that?"
"Rock, paper, scissors. Best twenty-nine out of thirty." He brushed the hair from her face. "Do you trust us?"
Danita sucked her lip between her teeth. Of course she did. But this was so new to her… she knew it would hurt but didn't know how much. But if anybody could take care of her, it was her boys. Her body relaxed against Killian's. She nodded.
With Killian's hands stroking her back and his mouth on hers, she shivered. His hips were firm between her thighs, Ryan's body solid behind her as he eased himself in, oh so very slowly. Almost too slowly. Her heart was going wild with delight, her nerve endings setting fire as she stretched to take him in. Twice he stopped and worked her a little before continuing.
Danita groaned. It felt so very good. She could hear Ryan grunting with effort as she started a slow, steady rhythm.
"Does that hurt?"
She shook her head. It stung a little, but there was far too much pleasure for her to risk this ending. Ryan picked up his pace, grunting. Killian's arms were firm around her waist, his mouth on hers, and the intensity of her feelings nearly drowned her. Killian caught her cries in his mouth.
"Stop that, I want to hear her," Ryan grunted from above her, his breath hot on the back of her neck.
"Then it's my turn," Killian shot back.
Danita groaned in dismay as Ryan stopped moving. With a grunt, he withdrew. Before she could protest her loss, the three rolled as though one body. Ryan's hands wrapped around her now, Killian supporting himself over them.
"Beautiful," he breathed, filling the space Ryan had vacated.
It didn't take long afterward for Danita's eyes rolled into the back of her head and she went limp. She felt her muscles spasm, heard her own voice crying out, but her world was so absorbed by the sensations these two hot bodies were given her to notice anything besides the feeling of Ryan's lips on her neck, Killian inside of her, their shared touch building flames.
For that moment, they were her whole world.
Chapter Six – Killian
Killian made sure his gun was loaded before tucking it into the back of his jeans. He would do better against McGrath if he could just shift and tear him to pieces, but the goal was to make sure everything was still on the level. Not to kill him and risk the Lion going after him, Ryan and Danita.
It had been almost three months since McGrath had agreed to let the two shifters buy Danita's freedom. Three months since Danita had moved out of her bedroom and onto the air mattresses in the living room with the Bears. Three months of bliss as they learned what rhythms worked best for the three of them.
And out of the blue McGrath had phoned Killian, demanding to talk about the seven hundred and fifty thousand they were to give him in person. That it corresponded exactly to the amount of money he was able to get from his trust fund couldn't be a coincidence.
If the Leopard wanted more money, could they get it? Even though Killian's trust fund would cover the cost of Danita's ransom, they had nothing else. They were counting on the farm to produce what they needed to survive the winter.
Of course, there was always the option of selling the farm. The alpacas weren't going to produce wool until the following year, and while they had been able to sell from the vegetable garden, it was going to be a rough winter. And that was even if McGrath didn't demand more money from them.
If it came down to it, though, Killian wasn't sure if Danita would sell. She loved her plot of land and her alpaca herd. This was her dream, and she'd fight tooth and nail for it.
Killian pushed aside his worries, focusing on the current situation. Find out what McGrath wanted. The Leopard sat on a bench in the only park this town had, spreading breadcrumbs to a group of pigeons. He smiled pleasantly at Killian, but the Bear saw his fangs. Not a good sign.
"Flanagan. Sit down."
Killian sat.
"Tell me, when I told you and Higgins to keep an eye on Miss Valdez, what part of that made you think it was acceptable to get her pregnant?"
It was like he had be
en punched in the stomach. "Pregnant?"
Danita hadn't displayed any indication of morning sickness. There was no reason for any of them to suspect she was pregnant. Killian struggled to absorb this information, his hands clenching on his knees. Was she really pregnant, or was McGrath trying to play him?
"Her doctor owes me a few favors and informed me immediately." McGrath's nostrils flared. "You should have known to keep your distance. I can forgive your interference with your attempts at fixing that little farm of hers because there is no way for her to get her plans off the ground. She has dreams, but no real way of realizing them. What I do not appreciate is you lowering her market value."
Market value. Killian clenched his jaw. His fists trembled with the desire to break McGrath's face. Danita was far more than a commodity to be sold.
"You said we could pay off her debt. We are in the process of getting the money you want for her. Surely that covers her market value."
"Well, my price just went up. Twice the amount as before, to show you just how displeased I am. And you have until the end of the month. If you don't have it then, I am going to take Miss Valdez and you will never see her again. Clear?"
Killian nodded, knowing if he moved, he would kill the Leopard. He forced himself to stay still until McGrath was no longer in sight. He made himself sit for a while longer, seething with rage.
McGrath didn't want money. Killian had already guessed that, but he had hoped that enough money would deter the Leopard from his plans. Apparently, it hadn't. He was still pretending it was about money, though, and that gave them time.
The Leopard might think that he just backed them into a corner, but he had actually given them an out.
Now they just needed an extra quarter million. Add that to the seven hundred and fifty thousand Killian was getting from his fund, and they would have a million dollars. Just enough to pay the Lion for permission to kill the Leopard.
***
As soon as he was back at the farm, Killian sought out Danita. She was feeding the alpacas, chatting to them animatedly. He strode over to her and slung her over his shoulder. They would find a way to get the rest of the money they needed to kill McGrath, but he had to make sure she was safe and far away from here.