Lila's Loves

by Laylah Roberts

  She wanted something that was sure. It could be no coincidence she was here. She hadn’t contacted Lila in all these years so what was she doing here now?

  “Why are you here? Did you come looking for me?” Lila asked.

  “I’m here because you and that up-himself cowboy owe me,” Abigail snarled. “I’m here to collect.”

  Lila took a step towards her, hands clenched into fists. “Don’t you talk about Clay that way, you bitch!”

  “Lila? Is everything all right?”

  Lila turned to find Savannah standing in the doorway, looking worried. She forced a smile onto her face. “Fine, sorry I’m taking this long. I’ll be right out.”

  “Sure?” Savannah looked doubtfully over at the woman Abigail.

  “I’m sure,” Lila said firmly.

  “Okay, I’ll wait for you right outside,” Savannah told her.

  As Savannah left, Lila gave the other woman a hard look. “You’re the one who called the house the other day. I owe you nothing. I want you to go away and stay away.”

  “I need money.”

  “Well, you’ve come to the wrong person, lady,” Lila said, feeling sick at the realization that she was related to this woman. “Because I don’t have any money and even if I did I wouldn’t give any to you.”

  “Now, now, don’t lie. From what I heard you’re loaded. I know Richards had money and that you’re fucking his sons. So you will get me my money one way or another.”

  “Or what?” Lila said, feeling completely ill at the realization that this woman was her mother.

  “Or I will tell everyone I can that your precious cowboy stole my darling daughter. Will people think he’s so great then?”

  Lila glared at her. “You really think that people around here will believe you?”

  “Maybe, maybe not, but just think how quick it would spread far and wide, especially when I tell them that you’re fucking his sons. Think people will be so accepting of you all outside of this weird town? People like to talk and they don’t like anything out of the ordinary. I think a lot of people would love to hear about how depraved this place is, and when I tell them that Clay Richards brought my only child here and corrupted her, well, we’ll just see what they say, won’t we?”

  “You old bitch.” Lila wanted to tell her to fuck off. But she wasn’t so sure that Abigail wouldn’t do exactly as she promised. And there was no way Lila was going to risk any dirt touching Clay or her men. “What will it take to get rid of you?” she asked through gritted teeth.

  “One hundred thousand.”

  “I can’t get my hands on that sort of cash,” Lila replied incredulously.

  “You will. Meet me on Monday at 5 at that old church off Branton road.”

  “There’s no way I can get one hundred thousand together by Monday.”

  “Fine, make it Tuesday. See how reasonable I can be? Five pm. Don’t keep me waiting, darling.”

  Abigail turned and left, leaving Lila shaken and unnerved. The door opened again and she jumped, turning. But it was only Savannah.

  “Oh, Lila, I knew something was wrong, you’re pale as a ghost.” Savannah stepped forward and placed her arm around Lila’s shoulders. “What happened? Who was that woman? Do you know her?”

  Lila shook her head, holding her hand over her stomach. She felt sick and worried. Not for herself or about the money, but what Abigail might do to her men, to Clay’s memory.

  “I really want to go home,” Lila said.

  “Okay, let’s get out of here.”

  Numbly, Lila let Savannah lead her from the bathroom.

  *****

  Colin seasoned the scrambled eggs, knowing they were Lila’s favorite. He wondered if he should go check on her. She hadn’t seemed drunk last night when he’d picked her up, but perhaps she was feeling a bit worse for wear this morning.

  “Lila not up yet?” Trace asked as he walked in.

  Colin shook his head. “I was just wondering whether I should go up and get her up.”

  “I just heard her shower come on,” Gavin said as he strode in.

  Colin set the table. By the time Lila walked in ten minutes later, he had all the food out and waiting for her. They all sat down together. Everyone dug in except for Lila who looked down at her plate listlessly.

  “Have a good night, sweetheart?” Trace asked.

  Nodding, she attempted a smile. “It was really good to see Laken, and Savannah too.”

  “You don’t look like you had much sleep,” Gavin commented with a frown. “Maybe you should have stayed in bed a bit longer.”

  She shrugged and pushed the food around on her place. The three men looked at each other in worry.

  “Do you know when the money comes through from the estate?” she asked suddenly.

  “Tomorrow, I think,” Colin said. “Did you have enough money last night?”

  “Oh, yes, I had plenty with what you gave me.” She sent Gavin a frown. “I told you I didn’t want you paying me, you guys have already given me too much.”

  Trace frowned and leaned forward. “You better not try to give us any of your money, Lila,” he said sternly. “I believe we’ve already had that conversation.”

  “What conversation?” Colin asked.

  Gavin leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. Lila squirmed a bit before stilling and staring back at them all.

  “Lila seems to be under the mistaken impression that she owes us,” Trace said. “And I told her that if she tried to give us any of her money then I would spank her butt bright red. What she doesn’t understand is that we like taking care of her, that it fills something inside us to look after her, protect her, making sure that she has everything she needs.”

  Lila remained silent, nibbling on her lip.

  “Lila?” Gavin questioned. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong,” she told him, sounding uncharacteristically grouchy. This wasn’t the Lila they knew and something was wrong. Very wrong.

  “Lila, eat your breakfast,” Gavin bossed.

  “I’m not hungry.” She stood, her chair scraping back. “Nothing’s wrong. I just don’t feel like talking, all right?”

  She turned away, but Gavin grabbed her around the waist before she could flee. Ignoring the way she fought, he stood and dragged her against him, her back to his chest.

  “Shh, shh, shh,” he said. “Calm down. Calm down.” All of a sudden she burst into tears, sagging against him. Gavin sat and pulled her down onto his lap, rocking her.

  All three men looked at each other with worry.

  “Oh, baby girl, you’re overwrought, aren’t you?” Gavin crooned to her.

  “I-I’m s-sorry,” she sobbed.

  Collin crouched down in front of them. “What happened, Lila?”

  She just shook her head and buried her face against Gavin’s chest. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

  “Little one,” Colin said. “We just want to help you. Tell us what’s going on. Please.” He couldn’t stand seeing her like this. “Did something happen last night?”

  She shook her head. Everyone remained silent for a long moment before Colin sighed and ran his hand over her back. “Want to lie on the couch with me for a while, Lila?” he asked her.

  Lila nodded and he scooped her up, carrying her down to the living room and settling her on the couch. He lifted her head then sat, settling her head on his lap so he could rub her temples.

  Switching on the TV, he turned it down low. They sat there silently for a long time. Gavin and Trace popped in from time to time. About an hour after he’d settled them in, he glanced down to find her fast asleep.

  What the hell happened last night?

  Trace stepped into the room, sitting on the coffee table as he stared down at Lila, a look of love and concern on his face. Colin knew how Trace felt, he couldn’t imagine his life without her now. He couldn’t believe that he’d almost pushed her away.

  Trace sighed. “Duncan just called. Said he ha
d to chase some cowboy away from the girls last night. Apparently there were a few strangers in town because of the rodeo in Freestown. Duncan reckoned Laken was about to have the guy’s balls. Think that could be the problem?”

  Colin frowned. “Maybe. Did Duncan say if she seemed upset?” He wondered why the other man didn’t call them straight away.

  Trace shook his head. “No, he reckoned they were fine. Laken was plenty angry, but he said Lila was calming the situation down. Said he would have called us if he thought there was a problem.”

  “Next time they want a girls night one of us will be going to watch over them,” Gavin said emphatically from the doorway.

  “They’re not going to like that,” Trace warned, ever the peacemaker.

  Gavin shrugged his shoulders. “Their safety comes first.”

  “They had people looking out for them,” Colin said. “But I’d rather one of us had been there, even if we’d just watched over them from afar. Then we might have some idea of what is wrong with Lila this morning. I don’t like seeing her like this. She seems dejected. Maybe Savannah can shed some light on things.” Colin shifted Lila’s head off his lap. “I’ll go talk to her. I’ve wanted to talk to Max about a hunting trip anyway.”

  *****

  “Savi, you still in bed, darlin’?” Logan called out.

  Savannah groaned and opened one eye to look at him. “Not so loud,” she told him in a whisper as he lay down on the bed with her.

  He grinned. It amazed her how she could make this big, serious bear of a man happy. But every time he smiled a little thrill went through her.

  “Had a bit too much to drink, huh, Savi girl?”

  She winced. Damn man didn’t have volume control. “Yes,” she said quietly. “And I would really like to be left alone to wallow in self-pity.”

  “No can do, darlin’. Colin’s coming over and he wants to talk to you.”

  She opened her other eye. “He’s coming to talk to me?”

  “Apparently there’s something wrong with Lila and she’s not talking to them, they’re hoping you can help them understand what went on last night.”

  Savannah frowned. “We had a good time last night. I mean, there was a cowboy with loose hands but Duncan Jones helped us out with that.”

  “Who touched you?” Logan asked with a growl. He stood, looking ready to hunt them down and beat them to a pulp. Savannah smiled, completely taken with his protectiveness.

  “Relax, honey, he’s long gone and I wouldn’t be able to point him out to you even if I did come across him.”

  Logan scowled then waggled his finger at her. “That’s the last time you go out without Max or me running interference, young lady.”

  “It was a girls night out, Logan, I can hardly bring one of you along to play bodyguard.”

  “I happen to make a very good bodyguard,” Max said as he entered with a smile. “You wouldn’t even notice I was there.”

  Savannah scowled then winced as even that small movement seemed to make her headache worse.

  “Colin just pulled up, love,” Max told her. “Why don’t you get ready and join us downstairs?”

  Savannah rose as they left, holding her head with her hands. She spotted a glass of water and some painkillers on the bed.

  “Logan, bless you,” she said. He might be quiet and a bit over-protective but he was also the most thoughtful man she’d ever met.

  Taking the painkillers, she gulped down the water and moved into the bathroom to take a quick shower.

  I should not have had those last two or three shots.

  Fifteen minutes later, feeling a lot better than she had before, she moved slowly down the stairs to join the men in the living room.

  “Hey, Savannah,” Colin greeted, leaning over to peck her on the cheek. She sat between Max and Logan on the couch.

  “Hi, Colin. The guys said you came over to see me?” Colin was a gorgeous man. He had nothing on her two men, of course, but he was definitely a hunk with his deep brown eyes and that blond, shaggy hair.

  Colin nodded, his face more serious than she’d ever seen it. “Yes, honey, I just wanted to see if anything happened last night that would upset Lila.”

  Savannah frowned. She didn’t want to betray Lila by bringing up something she obviously didn’t want to share. There was only one moment during the night when Lila had seemed truly upset.

  That woman Lila had been talking with seemed off. Savannah had met her fair share of bad people. And that woman had wrong written all over her.

  “Savi,” Max said warningly, his eyes narrowing as he stared at her. “It’s obvious something happened.”

  Savannah stared back at him with a frown. She would not be bullied. He gave her that look which meant he was not backing down and unless she did, fast, her butt was toast.

  She just snorted.

  Colin’s lips twitched, obviously knowing exactly what was going on between them. “I think she just imagined giving you the finger, my friend,” he said to Max.

  “Hmm,” Max said sitting back and crossing his arms. Logan just watched, but that was Logan, he’d remain quiet unless he had something important to add.

  “Hey,” she said, glowering at Colin. “I thought you wanted my help.”

  “Sorry.” Colin gave her a sheepish smile. “Please, Savannah.”

  “Lila’s my friend,” she told him, agonizing over what to do.

  “And I don’t want you to betray her trust,” Colin told her earnestly. “But this is something the old Lila would do, shut herself down to hide any problems or hurts and it can be destructive. If you can help us in any way we’d be grateful. We’re worried about her. I haven’t seen her so depressed before, not even when Clay died.”

  Savannah felt a stab of worry. “Well, we had a good time last night, right up until the end. Some cowboy slapped Lila’s ass,” she saw Colin’s eyes narrow and went on quickly, “but she took care of him, and Duncan Jones was there. He quickly got rid of the guy. After that we went back to the table and had a talk. Mainly about some stuff that Laken went through with her job and her ex. Then some waitress spilled a drink on Lila so she went to clean up in the bathroom. I followed her after I realized she was taking quite a while. When I walked in she was talking to a woman.” Savannah paused, wondering how much she should say.

  “Please, Savannah,” Colin begged.

  With a sigh, Savannah hoped she wasn’t about to lose a friend, but she just knew she couldn’t keep this to herself. “Well, I didn’t recognize the woman, and I didn’t hear what they were saying, but Lila seemed kind of upset. I’m not sure exactly what they were speaking about, but I’m guessing she might have something to do with Lila acting strange today.”

  Colin sighed and gave her a smile. “Thanks, Savannah, I owe you.”

  Savannah nodded and stood with her men as Colin went to leave. “I really like Lila, I hope everything is okay.”

  “It will be. It will be.”

  *****

  Lila lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. She knew she should tell her men about last night. She’d promised to be honest with them and they wouldn’t be happy if she met her mother on Tuesday alone.

  But she just couldn’t bring herself to tell them what her mother had threatened. Shame washed through her. How could she be related to someone so awful? And what if Gavin, Trace and Colin were so disgusted that they turned away from her? She wouldn’t blame them, but it would break her.

  She let out a loud sigh. She’d retreated to her bedroom to think and yet that was the last thing she wanted to do. She wanted her men to hug her, touch her, to make love to her. Lila squeezed her eyes shut as her body heated, her nipples tightening.

  She was ready for them. Rolling her nipple between her forefinger and thumb, she groaned as sensation raced through her body to sizzle around her clit.

  “Lila?” Trace called through the door, knocking gently. “Are you okay in there?”

  She stilled, staring at the cl
osed door. Did she dare?

  Moving her free hand up to her other nipple, she licked her bottom lip. Yep, seemed she did.

  “Come in,” she called huskily.

  Trace stepped through the door and came to a sudden stop. The concern and determination on his face faded to be replaced by a hot, intense heat.

  “What.” He cleared his throat, his gaze riveted on her breasts. “What are you doing?”

  “Trying to relieve some pressure,” she replied. “Want to help me?”

  He took a step forward then another before stopping at the foot of the bed. Lila split her legs, hardly believing her own daring. Dropping one hand down, she lifted her skirt and cupped her mound.

  Trace’s breathing quickened, a light flush covering his face. “This isn’t a good idea, you’re not ready.”

  “Do I look like I’m not ready, Trace?” she asked in a low voice as she slipped one finger beneath her lacy panties.

  “Colin just pulled up… What the hell?” Gavin asked.

  Lila glanced over at Gavin who’d come to a stop just inside her bedroom. She smiled, hoping it looked inviting rather than nervous. Although since she’d started her nerves had pretty much fled. This seemed so right.

  “What are you doing?” Gavin asked, shaking himself free of his shock as he came to stand by Trace.

  “I need you guys,” she told them. “So much. I can’t wait anymore, don’t make me wait anymore. Touch me. Help me.”

  Both men’s eyes widened and she glanced down their bodies, taking in the heavy erections pressing against their jeans. Oh yeah, they wanted this. Badly.

  “You sure about this?” Gavin asked.

  She nodded.

  “Hey, Lila, we need to have a talk young… Oh, what the hell have I been missing out on?” Colin didn’t hesitate, just walked straight towards them, his gaze on her breasts.

  “Nothing yet,” she told him. “Although I have a neglected nipple that needs your touch.”

  “Baby, I thought you’d never ask.” He dropped down to his knees and raised her tight t-shirt, revealing her bra. She should have known Colin wouldn’t take any convincing. As though his readiness to dive straight in helped eliminate their hesitance, Trace and Gavin moved, stripping as Colin pulled her clothes off then moved on to his own.