Lisset: The Men of Treasure Cove

by Rebecca Joyce

  “Lisset?” Devlin said making her jump. Instantly his strong arms went around her as he apologized for scaring her. It wasn’t his fault. He like all the other men in town were doing what they could to protect her and her daughter. She had been on edge since being here. “There is someone here to see you.”

  “Who?” she asked, immediately apprehensive.

  “Who else would fly to the wilds of civilization to come to your rescue?” the familiar voice said and Lisset felt like weeping. Getting up from the chair she was sitting in, she didn’t have to walk far, before two strong arms enveloped her, hugging her tight.

  “Gino,” she whispered trying desperately to hold back the tears that were flowing freely.

  “You made her cry asshole,” Damien said walking into the room.

  “Hey, it’s not my fault, she loves me more,” Gino chuckled, tightening his hold on her. “I’ve always told her she was too good for you two idiots. Hell, I offered to help her divorce your asses and marry me, but she refused.”

  “Because she loves us asshole,” Devlin said. “So, paws off our woman.”

  “A failing, I am hoping she grows out of soon.”

  “Is he gone? Did you kill him?” Lisset asked pointedly, which immediately stopped all the bantering. Gino took both her hands and led her towards the sofa. Sitting down, she liked that he never once let go of her, protecting her in the way he did.

  “Lisset, I need you to listen to me. I will do everything in my power to see to it that you and little Skylar stay safe. You are famiglia and I take care of my own. Devlin and Damien love you. They would both die before they let anyone hurt you or your precious daughter. I am here to help the local law enforcement with anything I can. We will catch this man and make sure he pays for what he’s done. I don’t want you to worry anymore, okay?”

  “I’m scared Gino.”

  “I know you are, but being scared all the time isn’t healthy, not for you and not for Skylar. Trust in your men Lisset.”

  “Baby, please don’t be scared,” Damien said sitting down next to her. When his hand touched her back, Lisset felt an instant calming come over her. “This is the safest place for you and Sky.”

  “So, we’re not moving again?” she asked.

  “Not if we can help it,” Devlin said. “Your brother is here. He doesn’t want you to leave.”

  “Devlin’s right Lissie,” Sasha said letting his presence be known. “I’ve wanted you close to me for years now. Now that I have you here, I’m not letting you go without a fight. Besides, I’ve been mucking it up with Violet. I could use your help.”

  “You have not. She told me what you did and that she forgave you. You don’t need me Sasha, you never did,” Lisset said. “Tristan is with you. I am glad that the two of you found her. She is lovely and I can’t wait to get to know her better. She will be good for you both.”

  “Guys, do you mind if I have a moment with my sister?” Sasha asked and after a few seconds, Lisset heard the quiet shuffles of feet on the floor and everyone left. Sitting alone on the couch, she said nothing when the couch dipped, and Sasha took her hands in his.

  “What’s up?”

  “I wanted to talk to you about something private. Something that needs to be cleared up.”

  “Okay.”

  “It’s about Gabriel and Alexander.”

  “No,” Lisset said quickly, removing her hands from his. Her heart was beating fast. She really didn’t want to rehash this again. What happened was in the past. It should stay there. Yet, she knew Sasha. He wasn’t going to let up until everything had been dissected and discussed.

  “Lisset, you need to know that Gabriel and Alexander live here in Treasure Cove. They are married to a woman named Antoinette and they have a daughter, about the same age as Skylar. Since you never talked about what happened, I was forced to find out myself. For the longest time, I believed it was Gabriel and Alex who harmed you, but it wasn’t them was it?”

  “No,” she whispered, tears forming.

  “It was Tristan’s brother.”

  “Yes,” she replied, looking away, not wanting her brother to see her tears for shame.

  “Lissie, what happened wasn’t your fault. Never think that. No matter what you did, you never deserved what happened. Gabriel and Alex have always wondered what happened to you after you disappeared. They looked for you. They wanted to help.”

  “I made a mess of everything already, I didn’t need their pity.”

  “They don’t pity you. They never pitied you. They cared about Lisset. They didn’t know that you were my sister, did they?”

  “No,” She replied. “I kept that from them. I was just a young girl when I last saw them. I had such a crush on them. When I saw Gabriel years later, he didn’t recognize me. So, I thought I had a chance and I took it.”

  “You knew what Gabriel was?”

  “Yes,” Lisset replied softly. “I always knew in some way. He was like you, like Alex and Tristan. You all were. When you would all visit, you were all very commanding. I looked up to you all. I just wanted to be a part of your lives somehow.”

  “So, you started going to clubs.”

  “Yeah. I didn’t know anything back then. I was young and stupid. I lied to get into his club. I was scared but when Gabriel saw me, I thought that was it, everything would be fine. I learned a lot about the lifestyle from him. He was kind to me and gentle. Then Alex showed up and everything was perfect. I was happy for a while. However, I wasn’t very nice back then. I wanted more from them that they were willing to give, so I went to find it somewhere else. When they found out, Gabriel cut off all ties. I thought about telling him who I really was, but I didn’t. He and Alex started fighting and I kept adding the fuel. When Gabriel found me a new Dom, I thought that was it. So, I agreed. He didn’t know and I was so naive. I could have said no and walked away, but I didn’t. I wanted to hurt them like they hurt me. Well, the joke was on me. I was the one who got hurt.

  “I didn’t recognize Masterson Summerfield until the end. I never liked Tristan’s older brother. He always scared me. Yet, I was so blind for Gabriel and Alex, I let my illusion of what I wanted, taint the reality around me. When I realized who Masterson was it was too late. Gabriel and Alex did what they could, but I didn’t want to be an obligation to them. I wanted something they couldn’t give. So, I disappeared. You found me a couple of months later.”

  “They want to see you. They know what happened and they feel responsible. They blame themselves for what happened to you.”

  Sighing Lisset simply said, “It wasn’t their fault. It was mine.”

  “Maybe you could tell them that.”

  “I don’t know Sasha. It’s been so long. So much has changed and yet, I seem to be making the same old mistakes.”

  “I don’t think so. You are married to two good men and you have a beautiful daughter. From where I sit, I think you are right where you belong. You’re happy with Damien and Devlin and Skylar is absolutely perfect. She looks just like you Lissie, right down to her tight little curls. You did good little sister.”

  “She’s in danger because of me.”

  “Sweetie, she could climb a tree and get hurt. She could fall down the stairs. So, you made a mistake. It happens. You’re human. There are dangers everywhere Lissie. If you let the fear of what could happen affect how you live, then you’ll never really live. Accept that you can’t change your past but have the courage to change your future.”

  “What am I going to do about Sergio? He knows what Skylar looks like.”

  “Honestly,” Sasha sighed. “I don’t think he cares. From what I could find out about the man, he wants something else. For a while, we all thought it was Violet, but he had ample opportunity to get her, but didn’t. No, I think he wants someone else.”

  “Who?”

  “No clue. But there are several men in this town trying to figure it out. In the meantime, try not to worry about Skylar. My little niece will never be with
out protection. Hell, she is loving all the attention.”

  “Better watch your language around her. Damien bought her a pig and every time we say a bad word, she insists we pay the pig.”

  “I know,” Sasha said dryly. “I’ve already deposited over six hundred dollars into that pig.”

  Lisset laughed. “I guess she raised her rate.”

  “That girl is a shark.”

  “You can blame her Uncle Gino. He taught her about inflation.”

  “Great,” Sasha sighed. “So, about meeting Gabriel and Alex. What should I tell them?”

  It wasn’t going to be easy, confronting her past, but if she wanted some resolution, she had to try.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Now, I just got Skylar to sleep. She shouldn’t be any trouble,” Damien said to Zander, Emery and Dew as Devlin ushered Lisset out of the house before she could interject and say anything. “All you have to do is be here if she wakes before we get home.”

  “Wait,” Zander said interrupting. “What about Mrs. Fratteli?”

  “Our mom went to Silver Springs with Phillip and Anthony. Treasure Cove doesn’t have the right seasoning she needs for tonight’s meal. So, it will be just you guys until she gets back.”

  “You are leaving us alone with a two-year-old!” Emery shouted.

  “No, I’m leaving you alone with a serial killer,” Damien quipped. “Yes, a two-year-old! She’s asleep and she will stay that way if you keep your voice down.”

  “What if she wakes up?” Zander asked.

  “All of her toys are in the box by the window. Just let her play with them and give her a snack.”

  “I don’t like this. We’re not trained in child care,” Emery added.

  “We don’t do babies, Damien,” Zander said. “Ever.”

  “Zan’s right,” Dew said speaking for the first time. “We’re good with guns, bombs, and hand to hand combat. Give us a perp to watch and we’re your men.”

  “Oh, for crying out loud, she’s asleep. We’ll be back before she wakes up,” Damien huffed and left before they could say anything else. As the door closed, Zander looked at his brothers and wondered what in the hell they had gotten themselves into.

  “For the record, this blows,” Emery said taking a seat on the sofa. Removing his gun from its holster, he started taking it apart.

  “What are you doing?” Zander asked.

  “Cleaning my gun. What does it look like?”

  “You can’t do that here. There’s a small child here,” Zander hissed.

  “And she’s asleep.”

  “Where’s the remote?” Dew asked looking around the living room.

  “Why?” Zander inquired.

  “The Cubs are playing the Cardinals at Wrigley.”

  “I thought that game wasn’t on till later?” Zander said, helping Dew look for the remote.

  “Nope, it starts in five minutes, so stop your yapping and find the damn remote.”

  “Bad word!” a little voice shouted then giggled. Zander, Dew and Emery stopped dead in their tracks. As one, they all looked up to find Skylar Rose smiling down on them.

  ****

  Devlin wasn’t sure about this, but Lisset wanted to go. She had already been through enough shit over the last week. He didn’t like the idea of her rehashing the past. It was all done and over with. According to him, she should leave well enough alone. However, that was not what she wanted. So instead, he was going to give her moral support while she visited with Gabriel Sexton and Alexander Ellis, two of her former lovers.

  He never met the two men before, but he had heard about them. Big in the BDSM scene, Gabriel Sexton was the owner of the Pleasure Cave. He owned another club in London several years back but moved to the United States where he now resides along with his brother and wife. For all intense and purposes, Mr. Sexton seemed to be a happily married man, yet for the life of him he couldn’t understand the need for him to see Lisset.

  Something wasn’t adding up and the closer they got to the Pleasure Cave, the more his guard went up. Devlin knew he didn’t know a lot about Lisset’s past and that was okay. He didn’t need to know everything. Hell, there were things he hadn’t told her, yet something was off. He felt like the boom was about to be lowered and he didn’t like it. Lisset was his wife, and when it came to the safety and welfare of her, it was his responsibility…no one else’s.

  “You know you don’t have to do this?” Devlin said again for like the hundredth time.

  “I know Dev,” Lisset replied then said, “But I need too.”

  “Dude, what is your problem?” Damien asked. “You been wound tight since we left the house. We’re just going to have lunch with her brother and his friends. You look as if we’re going to a funeral.”

  “Shut up Damien. Lisset you don’t need to do anything. If you’re not sure about this, we can turn around and go home right now.”

  “No, I’m not sure, and I didn’t like leaving Skylar, but I have to do this. Gabriel and Alex have been blaming themselves for a long time. They deserve to hear the truth.”

  “Send them a fucking post card,” Devlin interjected roughly.

  “What is wrong with you? Why are you getting all bent out of shape over this? You said everything was fine.”

  “I know,” he growled, as he pulled into the main gates of the Pleasure Cave. Keeping quiet until he pulled to a stop, Devlin shut off the engine and got out of the vehicle. They were greeted by a beautiful blonde in a white button up shirt, black skirt that fell to her knees and very high black stiletto heels. “Hello. My name is Monica. I am the receptionist here at the Pleasure Cave. Mr. Sexton and his party are waiting in the Lobby. If you will follow me, please.”

  Devlin grabbed Lisset’s hand and together they walked into the Pleasure Cave, with Damien silently shaking his head behind them.

  ****

  “Damn it Dew, just pay the fucking pig!” Emery shouted as Skylar jumped at the harshness of his voice. However, it didn’t stop the impertinent little imp from holding her ground and saying, “Bad word! Pay Piggy!”

  Growling, Dew deposited a five-dollar bill into the pink bedazzled pig, but when Skylar didn’t move and refused to lower the pig, he looked right at her and growled, “What?”

  “Pay piggy.”

  “I did!”

  “More.”

  “No!”

  “You bad word. Pay piggy!” Skylar shouted stomping her little foot for emphasis.

  “Give her everything in your wallet man. She’s not leaving until you do,” Zander said looking at the little extortionist. Man, he was ever so happy at that moment that he never had kids, because if this was what it was like, he was going to have himself neutered immediately.

  For the last ten minutes, he watched in horror as his stubborn brother and a two-year-old had a classic Mexican Standoff. It was humiliating, because after reviewing all the alternatives, there was no way in hell Dew was going to come out of this alive. His brother was bested by a toddler.

  Grumbling under his breath, Dew removed what cash he had left in his wallet and put it in the pink pig. When he was done, he bent down, looked Skylar directly in her eyes and said, “I’m broke now. Are you happy?” Skylar smiled, quickly kissed Dew’s cheek, said thank you and then turned to Emery and said, “You bad word, pay piggy!”

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Zander moaned.

  ****

  Devlin had never been so bored before in his whole life. That and he wanted out of this place fast. The whole thing was making him uncomfortable. He could handle eating lunch but sitting at a large table with a white table cloth and so many plates and glasses and silverware lined up in order of largest to smallest, well…he was definitely out of his comfort zone.

  Yet, looking around the table, it didn’t seem to bother anyone else. Damien was too busy talking with Tristan and Alex, Lisset, Violet and Annie were in deep conversation about little pink frilly things, which left him with his former boss and Gabriel Se
xton, who both kept staring at him. It was unnerving, and if they didn’t stop, Devlin was going to lose his shit.

  “What are your plans for the future Devlin?” Gabriel asked breaking the silence.

  Devlin wondered why he was asking such a personal question. It wasn’t like his decisions would matter to the man. What he did with his life was his own business and no one else’s. “Why do you ask?”

  “Because you are married to my sister, asshole. I have a right to know,” Sasha replied.

  “Yeah, you do, but you weren’t the one who asked,” Devlin grinned. Goading Sasha was too easy.

  “Just answer the man,” Sasha said roughly.

  “Lisset wants to return to New Jersey.”

  “But she just got here,” Sasha replied shocked. “Her family is here.”

  “I am her family.”

  “Only by marriage,” Sasha ground out angrily. “Which can be easily remedied.”

  “Gentlemen,” Gabriel sighed. “This is supposed to be a nice lunch. This is the first time we’ve all been together since we were children. Please, let’s not fight.”

  “I never knew you as a child, Mr. Sexton. As for Sasha, he’s still having problems with me marrying his sister. He needs to get over it.”

  “I told you to protect her not marry her!” Sasha said slamming his hand down on the table, halting everyone’s conversation.

  “Here we go again,” Tristan muttered, then sighed.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lisset was so angry at them. They took a simple luncheon and turned it into a three ringed circus. Oh, she wasn’t just angry at Devlin, she was also angry at her brother. He was just as guilty. Her only consolation was that Violet was probably giving him an ear full. As for Devlin, well, she decided to take the high road. She was refusing to talk to him. She knew she was being childish, but so was he. She really needed him to get along with her brother and she wished Devlin would understand that Sasha was just concerned.