“Someone is snooping around, looking for info on you. Don’t know if it’s those Seals or someone else.”
She felt the ache in her chest and then anger.
“Are you serious?”
“Listen, I don’t think it’s the Seals. Things aren’t coming from any direction that would indicate that, but we’re trying to pinpoint from where. You know these things take some serious digging.”
“Jesus, Pierre, what do I do? No one has even tried to look me up or investigate me.”
“We have your cover in place. You know your shit, so stick with it.”
“Keep lying to these men? I can’t do this.”
“You care about them?”
“Shit.” She exhaled, and when she looked back toward the men, they looked concerned. She forced a smile and then held her finger up indicating she needed more time. “Don’t panic.”
“I am panicking because if it isn’t them and someone else, someone involved with the case, then I could put them and anyone else in danger.”
“I don’t think there’s a need to panic.”
“This is what I was afraid of. Listen, get things set for me to leave for New York tonight.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure and make it look good. Set me up at the Ritz Carlton. The best of everything and bring in some posers. Someone wants to look into my business dealings and who I am, then we can give them a show. Make sure those posers are legitimate. Send me their files. I’ll look them over and approve them.”
“I know your requirements. I’ll make it happen and send your arrangements through the business link, so if anyone is really digging, they’ll get that through the email we have set up.”
“Excellent. I need to go.”
“Don’t worry. Enjoy the rest of the day with them.”
“I’ll try.”
She ended the call as the three men watched her and looked like they were coming over. She pretended to look at her email off the phone as she made the fake call. Simon, Aqua, and Caden walked over. She covered the mouthpiece.
“Give me a minute. I got a call, and I need to leave for business tonight,” she said and saw their surprised expressions. The person on the other end answered.
“Hi, Dave, it’s April. Yeah, I just heard from Nate, and he’s ready to negotiate the terms of the contract. I know it’s making everyone upset and antsy to close this thing, but we’re talking ten million. He wants to meet us and go over this deal to ensure it’s in his best interest to invest. I think now is the time to talk to Kevin and get him to give a little more. He wants this to happen. It’s good all around, and we each make out well.” She glanced at her watch. “I know Nate trusts my judgment, so I’m willing to jump on a plane and get there to help seal the deal. Can you get in in touch with the pilot? I’m hoping to leave around seven this evening. I have plans with friends I’m not willing to break right now, and I don’t want this guy thinking he has that control that I’ll jump when he snaps his fingers,” she said, knowing the men were listening and hoping they were buying her act. She wanted them to accept her taking off like this because of work. Her mind was already jumping to finding out who the hell was trying to find out information on her and why.
The man on the other end, an agent, replied to her, and she lipped “I’m sorry” to the guys.
“Okay, so the car will pick me up at six tonight? Great. Yes, I hope so, too. Keep me posted on the arrangements and things. I’ll touch base a little later to make sure things are set and then again tonight on the plane. Okay.”
She ended the call and then exhaled. “I’m so sorry.”
“We heard. Where do you have to fly out to?” Caden asked.
“New York,” she replied.
“How long will you be gone?” Simon asked.
“Not sure. Depends on this client and how negotiations go. It’s been one hell of a process. Over six months and every time we get close to completing this deal, something comes up. Forget it, I’m ranting. I just want this project closed so I can focus on other things, and other negotiations. I also have a few other business trips coming up overseas, and I want to handle them with a clear mind.” She closed her eyes and exhaled then felt Simon wrap his arm around her waist and hug her from behind. She exhaled and leaned back.
“Relax and it will work out fine. You seem very focused and successful,” he said and kissed her neck.
She was once again confused. Could they be the ones looking into her background? God, why did that bother her so much when she did the same on them? She knew a lot about them as far as their military experiences. She could have dug deeper. Maybe she should. Maybe she should ask Pierre about what else he found out about them that she told him not to share.
Aqua took her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her knuckles. “So a car service is picking you up at six?” he asked.
“Yes. I have some things to do before that though. I think you guys should drop me off at home. I need to pack and then gather some files and things on the computer and talk to my team about meeting tonight when I get to New York. It’s going to be a long night for me.” She felt Simon squeeze her a little tighter.
“What time can you get out of here, Chief?” Simon asked and continued to kiss her neck.
“Another hour tops. I’ll work it out so we can spend a couple of more hours with April before she needs to get ready,” he said then stepped closer, gripped her chin, tilted it up toward him, then kissed her.
When he released her lips, Aqua pulled her into his arms and hugged her. She hugged him back and held Caden’s gaze. “I have a lot to do.”
“We’re going to need a few things to hold us over until you return to us, baby,” he said, and his eyes roamed over her body before he winked.
“Let me go wrap things up. I’ll meet you at your house in an hour,” Caden said then put his sunglasses on and walked away. Aqua ran his palm along her ass, and Simon pressed up against her back. She was sandwiched between them.
He rubbed up her arm to her shoulder then neck. “We’ll hang out with Kai and them a little longer and then head out. We’re going to miss you, baby,” he told her. She stepped back, and they partially released her. Aqua kept a hand at her hip, and Simon rubbed her back.
“I’ll miss you guys, too, but remember what I said. I have a busy life and career. This won’t be the last time I have to leave for business.”
“We’ll work it out,” Aqua said.
“Yes, we’ll work it out,” Simon added.
* * * *
“What’s wrong? You seem preoccupied,” Zayn asked Caden right before he was getting ready to leave for the day and go to April’s. His mind was heavy on some things she said and her need to not share so much.
“Just things on my mind.”
“Anything I can help with?” Zayn asked.
Caden looked around them. “I don’t think so. Just trying to work things through in my head.’
“Ahh, April.”
Caden looked at him and squinted.
“It hits you out of nowhere. The possessiveness, the jealousy and protectiveness, then the questions and worry. I know what you’re going through. It will get better as you all build that trust,” Zayn told him.
“Kind of hard when she’s holding back.”
“Like you aren’t, too?” he asked.
“No, we really aren’t. Under normal circumstances, we’d hold our guard up, but with her it’s different. This whole thing is.”
Zany nodded. “Totally get it. We’re all military, all been through heavy shit and have trained our minds, our hearts to be so strong and under guard. Then we meet someone, and suddenly we’re ready to express feelings and a vulnerability that is unheard of. Rocks the mind, man, and even makes you feel on edge, snappy even.”
“Definitely snappy. I feel like when I talk to her, I’m giving orders.” He laughed.
“Been there and I still do it, but Kai seems to get it.”
&nbs
p; “Yeah, well, for some reason I feel like April does, too, but she’s also defiant. I think it’s her independence. She lives alone, seems to have a guard over her heart.”
“Well, it’s all new man. It just started. You can’t get her life story in twenty- four hours.”
“You’re right. Now she has to leave for business.”
“Ahhh, so you’re going to miss her and you’re in a pissed-off mood.”
“Pretty much. She doesn’t share much about her work either.”
“She makes good money. Must with the place she has. Heard it’s sweet.”
“I haven’t seen it, but my brothers were impressed.”
“Maybe that’s what’s bothering you. She’s all business professional and well off, and seems like she doesn’t need a man or men to take care of her.”
“I was thinking that, too, but my gut is telling me there’s more.”
“Well, I’m sure you checked her out.”
“Not yet.”
“Well, maybe you should, and that might help.”
“I don’t want to do that. It’s like asking her to trust us and then not trusting her. Maybe I can get more out of her tonight.”
“If not, then when she returns. Maybe take advantage of the time before she leaves to enforce the power of the connection the four of you have. That could help a lot.”
“Look at you, our guru on romance,” Caden teased.
“Fuck you, you know I’m right.”
“Yeah, you are. Thanks, buddy.”
“Hey, we men have to stick together.”
“Ain’t that the truth.”
Chapter Six
“Caden!” April screamed his name as he thrust into her ass from behind. She was holding on to Simon, trying to ride him at the same time. Aqua had just come in her mouth and now lay on her king-size bedspread out and gasping for breath.
Caden gripped her hair and rocked into her deeper, faster. “Fuck, I’m going to miss you, baby and this perfect ass.” He stroked faster, and then Simon cursed.
“Fuck, I can’t take it. I’m there, baby. There.” He grunted as he came. Caden wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her off of Simon. Simon moaned, and then Caden set her feet down on the floor by the edge of the bed, pressed her down so her chest hit the comforter.
“Arms out above you,” he ordered, and she came from his orders and his control.
Her breasts were pressed to the comforter, her thighs spread as he thrust into her asshole. She felt his palms slide over her ass and then up her back. When he gripped the back of her neck and hair and leaned over her, she couldn’t take it. “Caden, oh God, Caden, you’re wild.”
“And you’re so fucking giving. I love restraining you, having you under my control and command. Do you like that, April?” he asked and rocked his cock in and out of her ass.
“Yes, oh yes, I do.”
“Good girl.”
“Holy shit,” Aqua said and covered her one hand she had laying above her. Her face was pressed to the comforter, and she was completely at Caden’s mercy.
Smack.
Smack. Smack.
“Oh God.” She moaned and came some more as he spanked her ass then thrust into her again and again.
“Think about this when you’re away from us. Think about us being your men and the fact that you’re our woman, and when you get back, I want you naked, pressed over the bed, offering us this pussy, this ass, and this sexy mouth.”
Smack, smack, smack.
She cried out and came.
“Fuck,” he said and thrust three more times, then growled as he came in her ass. He waited to catch his breath, and she couldn’t even move. She felt his cock slide from her ass, and he shivered, then leaned down and began to kiss her shoulders, her spine, and each ass cheek.
“Take care of her and I’ll be right back,” he said. She felt Simon and Aqua’s hands on her skin, massaging her.
“You don’t know how long you’ll be away for?” Simon asked her.
She looked at him and lifted up. “A few days maybe.”
He looked angry, but then he gave a soft smile and caressed her cheek. Caden returned with a washcloth and rolled her to her back, pressed his thigh between her legs, and she watched him. She didn’t dare reach for the towel, or he would give her that stern expression and tell her it was their responsibility to take care of her and to protect her. She swallowed hard. This was going to be so hard. She really hoped they hadn’t investigated her, and then she hoped they did because that meant no one from her past had and perhaps they weren’t in danger.
He tossed the towel onto the floor and then slid over her once again. She straddled his waist, ran her palms up and down his chest.
“I have to start getting ready.”
He nodded then pressed his lips to hers. When he got up, Aqua took his place. He pulled her toward him, and she straddled his waist then hugged him. He ran his palm along her ass and back, caressing her, and she absorbed his cologne, the trim muscles he had all over his chest, and she kissed his neck and then his lips. Then she went to Simon. He immediately pulled her into his arms and kissed her breathless. She raised her thigh up against his hip, and he stroked a finger up into her cunt. She grabbed onto his shoulders. “Simon.’
“Shhh, just another feel. I love watching you come. Watching those sexy green eyes sparkle then flutter.” He thrust faster, and she gripped his shoulders and let go. She held his gaze as he ordered her to, and then he changed his mind. He pulled out his finger and replaced it with his cock. He rolled her fully to her back and slid right in, held her one leg up against his side, and rocked down into her. Her breasts were against his mouth, her head tilted back, and he rocked so hard, so deeply she cried out her release. “So fucking gorgeous. I’ll never get enough, baby. Never,” he said and then came. He hugged her to him, and she held his head against her chest as he suckled her nipple and tugged. She closed her eyes and absorbed being here with them, making love to them several times in just a couple of hours. Had she made the right decision to leave for a few days, or would she regret it completely?
* * * *
“April is in New York. Someone has been trying to find out information on her, and I just confirmed that it wasn’t those Navy Seals,” Pierre told Mike over the phone.
“Shit, this isn’t good. She was looking into those businessmen. She got shit on that guy, Ferrin.”
“I know, and I’m in touch with our people and making plans. I’m debating about pulling April, but I think she’ll fight me on it. Where are you now?”
“Meeting a friend for lunch.”
“Oh, you, too, huh. Must be that town. Can you send over what you got from the team there investigating those imports coming from Saudi Arabia? I got a guy who caught wind of a phone call between someone in Syria and a person running a business in Germany.”
“Shit, I got several leads going on two men from both those places. They may be involved with something together.”
“That’s what we’re thinking. I’m calling the colonel next. His teams are ready to go and moving into positions so they can jump in and assist.”
“How is April holding up?”
“Her focus is protecting those Seals, and she felt that doing this last-minute business trip would serve several purposes, including throwing them off to give a little breathing room. She really likes them.”
“Well, they really like her. I thought they were going to kill me for pretending she was my date.”
Pierre chuckled. “This is going to be rough for her. If she does care about them, then she’ll want to protect them any way she can. I’d say going in the field ever again isn’t going to happen.”
“I get that feeling, too. I’ll get on this, and make a call now before I meet my lunch date.”
“Enjoy and I’ll touch base later.”
Mike ended the call and glanced around the parking lot. Katie was meeting him there before she had to go to work. He wasn’t going to ask h
er to lunch. Not so soon, but he stayed with her for the weekend and figured he would take things slow. He made the call, keeping eyes out for her and wondering if anything could come of this. Thinking about the position he did for the government under the state police, he wondered if he could pull back, as well. This town was getting to him, and also helping him to feel like he could have the things other men had. Was he rushing this? Looking at this too deeply? Katie was sweet, and she was younger than him. She was pretty, had a good job at the hospital as a nurse, and she did it for him in bed. He smiled, made the calls, and even looked at emails and then at his watch. Where was Katie? She was twenty minutes late.
* * * *
Caden was working and driving along the side streets heading back to the department when the call came over the radio. There had been a break-in at the condos not far from where he was. He called into the department as he headed to the scene and got the low down.
“What’s the deal?” he asked.
“Well, Chief, we have two officers who arrived on the scene initially at the request of a break-in at one of the condos. Water was running from the condo above and leaking through the ceiling below. Officers on scene say there looks to have been a struggle, and no sign of the tenant, a female by the name of Katie Roark.”
“Katie Roark?” He knew that Katie had been with Mike Waters Friday night. They seemed to have hit it off well, and April mentioned him liking her.
“Anything else?” he asked.
“Blood on the rug leading to the door. Just a few spots.”
“I’m on my way.”
Caden pulled into the parking lot, and the police were on scene. Behind him came an unmarked police car, and he knew that the state police were called in. He followed them up, the area taped off so no one could contaminate any evidence. He saw what they did, a definite struggle. There was a shoe in the bathroom on the floor. The tub was turned off as water was overflowing and going down to the condo below. That was what initiated the call. Through further investigation, it was obvious that Katie was taken. Her purse and phone were on the table, and it was going off. Several texts could be seen, including two from Mike. He assumed it was Mike Waters. He pulled out his cell phone. “Mike, it’s Caden. Is Katie with you?”
Healing Hearts 4: Mission to Love (Siren Publishing Menage Everlasting) Page 9