“Here, this is for you. Link is making me one right now,” Donella told Ellie as she passed her a frozen margarita.
“Oh, tell him I said thank you.” She looked toward Link and he waved.
It was pretty hot outside and she could feel the sweat begin to move down her back.
“It’s so hot,” she stated.
“Come in the pool. It helps,” Justice told her.
She placed the margarita down on the side and then slowly made her way into the pool.
They watched her swimming backward a few feet away from them as she cooled off when suddenly strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind. She gasped, and then turned to see Hunter. His thick, hard body pressed against her back and her ass as he swam her back over toward Justice and Seno. When he leaned against the side of the pool, he didn’t release her, but instead kept his palm flat against her belly as if he had every right to hold her so intimately. Justice smiled and then took a slug of beer.
Seno handed her margarita and they started talking about starting a game of volleyball.
At one point Justice was watching her and kneeling in the little end of the pool. “Ellie, come here.”
She looked at Hunter and felt his palm gently tap her belly before he released her. She swam toward Justice and his huge chest and big muscles. Pulling her into his arms, he stared down at the cleavage of her breasts and then back up toward her face. Her eyes looked over his tattoos, his bulging muscles, and slight dusting of hair across the center of his chest.
“You’re just filled with surprises, aren’t you, spitfire?”
“What do you mean?” she asked, and he tipped her backward so she lay flat in his arms and he lifted her so that she was floating on her back.
“Well let’s see. First, this sexy body,” he stated, and his brothers added their comments.
“How about that belly ring,” Mace said and then reached over and gently wiggled it as he held her gaze.
“Or maybe this tattoo?” Justice said as he used his thumb to press along part of it and then he pressed under the material making her swat at his hand and then wiggle free.
They laughed, but Justice held her hand making her stay close by.
“I’m just teasing you, baby. You look incredible.” He turned her in his arms so her back was pressed against his front. As they engaged in conversation about subjects she simply couldn’t concentrate on while Justice pressed kisses to her neck, she started to feel overwhelmed. But then Seno told her about his special freelance job working as a criminal analysis for the Texas Rangers. Mace explained about his multiple jobs after retiring from the Marine Corp as a hand-to-hand combat instructor and coordinator for a nearby military training facility. His job sounded incredible and had her eyeing over his muscles along with the small scars here and there over his chest and a few by his sides. It appeared that he had some battle wounds, but before she could drool some more Seno teased him about his obsession with John Wayne.
“I love John Wayne. He was like the coolest cowboy ever.”
“So that’s why you were wearing that T-shirt,” she said and smiled. She could understand the whole collector thing. She had a thing about collecting very expensive, limited edition shoes from famous designers.
“Yes, I have a lot of cool stuff autographed by him,” Mace stated.
“Yeah, you should see the one room in the house that’s filled with John Wayne memorabilia and also swords,” Seno told her.
“Swords?”
“Yes, I collect specialty swords and knives.” As he said “knives,” she felt that bit of anxiety and fear grip her. Pulling from Justice’s hold, she started to make an excuse to leave, but Justice pulled her back and wrapped his arm around her waist. The four men stared at her.
“He’d never hurt you. None of us would,” he whispered against her neck. She felt her nipples harden as she saw Seno, Hunter, and Mace stare at her.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she whispered.
“Is that what happened to you? Did your ex pull out a knife on you?” Justice asked and she pulled from his hold.
“Don’t. Don’t talk to me about it. Don’t ask me questions. Please, just leave it alone.”
Mace took her hand and pulled her to him. “I’ll get rid of all it. I don’t need any of it,” he told her so very seriously, and by the way his brothers explained about his collections, she knew that would be unfair. But she was deeply touched that he would say such a thing. She reached up and laid her hand against Mace’s cheek.
“That’s not necessary. I know what it’s like to collect things. To have a love and appreciation for something specific like that.”
“You do? What do you collect?” he asked, and she smiled, feeling better to have gotten away from a potential interrogation by these men.
“Very unique, limited edition, designer shoes.”
He smiled.
“Oh God, that’s not being a collector, that’s being a woman,” Hunter teased her. She gave him a mean expression.
“Not the kind I collect.”
“You mean like Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin, Giuseppe Zanotti, or Givenchy?” Mace asked.
“Oh brother,” Justice stated aloud as Seno laughed and Ellie smiled wide, holding on to his shoulders.
“How do you know about high-end women’s shoes?”
“I know a lot of things, Ellie.”
“I bet you do, Mace.” She suddenly wasn’t so freaked out about the sword and knife collection thing anymore. But considering the way the men were watching her with hunger in their eyes, she was relieved when the others joined them in the pool and started a volleyball game.
* * * *
As evening came they, were all having a wonderful time. They even talked about entering a Spartan race in a couple of months. The men explained to Ellie about what it entailed. A five-mile run, thirty or so obstacles that consisted of a lot of military-based ideas. Mud pits, tunnel crawls, scaling cargo nets, and swimming across a lake and then sprinting a mile to the finish line. That conversation was the perfect opportunity for Hunter to ask Ellie about the self-defense training.
“Are you going to try and come to our open session self-defense training clinics this upcoming week?” he asked her. She had changed back into her dress, and now a light sweater as the temperature dropped. She looked just as beautiful, but he did like the emerald green bikini better.
“I don’t know.”
“You should. It’s always good to know a few self-defense moves. Even if you learn two or three, it’s good,” Justice added.
“I can show you some right now. Maybe back in the cabana, just you and I?” Mace teased her, and she blushed.
“I don’t think so. Nice try.”
Hunter chuckled at Mace. He never saw his brother so forward with a woman and flirty. A jokester, yes, but straight out forward, no.
“I can pick you up after work, and drive you over. Then maybe we could all grab dinner?” Justice suggested.
She took a deep breath and released it as she rubbed her hands together. She was nervous but she didn’t turn them down.
“Can I let you know tomorrow? I have a lot going on with this client and it’s a demanding project. In fact, I’ve been pretty tired at the end of the day,” she told them.
“Well, this could help you get that energy you’re missing. It will be fun, I promise,” Hunter told her.
“Okay. Is Tuesday available?” she asked.
“Tuesday is perfect,” Hunter said, and then they relaxed until it was time to say good night. That was the hard part. Especially because he knew all he would think about was Ellie, and how one day she would definitely share him and his brothers’ bed.
Chapter 7
“A hell of a way to start our Monday, isn’t it?” Vin said to Justice as they finished up at their latest crime scene.
Justice shook his head. “This is definitely connected to our case. I don’t like how once again Phillips and Renaldo were the last
men seen with her.”
“Is it coincidence? I don’t think so,” Vin stated.
“What the fuck? I mean this is insane. Another beautiful brunette tortured and killed. “
“What’s with leaving this body in the art district? That’s what I’d like to know,” Justice stated and Vince looked around them.
“It’s an upscale area. Big dealers around here. Could it be some kind of inside message? Maybe a business conflict?” Vin asked.
“It doesn’t sit right with me. Maybe we’ll get a better idea after we canvas the neighborhood and interview some of the storeowners. It’s our only source of info right now.”
“Detectives, this is Kelly York. She works as a manager for the art gallery, Venero’s. She knows the victim,” the other detective told them. Vin and Justice walked over to meet her.
“Hello, Miss York. I’m Detective Lawson and this is Detective Elloy. We understand that you were friends with the victim.”
“Yes, her name is Tiffany. My God, I just saw her yesterday afternoon.” The redhead covered her mouth and tried to stop the tears from flowing. Vin and Justice took out their notepads.
“How was she when you saw her yesterday?”
“She was happy. She said she landed a great gig for last night. She was psyched because she was a bit behind in her rent.”
“Did she say what type of gig this was?”
“No, just that she needed to dress really stylishly and that she was meeting someone, a partner, at the Partridge Hotel. There was some sort of private party in the banquet room.”
“How well did you know Tiffany?”
“I’ve known her for a year or so. She works part time for the manager of the gallery hosting events, private parties when the new artwork comes in.”
“Private parties, huh?” Vin asked and looked at Justice.
“Do you know if your friend was working as a prostitute or call girl?”
The redhead crossed her arms in front of her chest and got an attitude. “She wasn’t into that anymore. She tried it a few times when things were tough, but no way. Unless there was some serious dough involved, Tiffany would not sell her body.”
They gave Kelly their business cards and told her to call them if she heard anything else or remembered anything that could help catch her friend’s killer. As they headed toward the door, she yelled to them and headed back. She handed Justice a card.
“I don’t know if this has anything to do with her murder. But there’s this big shot who comes in, often looking for specific types of art. The owner of the gallery sets up private gatherings for this guy. Tiffany was at one of them a few nights ago. Maybe that’s where she met someone, the person who killed her.”
“Thank you, Kelly. We’ll look into it,” Vin said as Justice got into the car. He was staring at the card.
“Who is it? Do you know them?”
Justice looked at Vin. “Looks like this time we’re going to have a few questions for Renaldo Sentinel.”
“Oh shit.”
“Exactly.”
* * * *
Ellie was so tired and it was only lunchtime. Renaldo ordered lunch, and of course it came with a bottle of wine. They were discussing the latest updates from the project and had planned on meeting at the end of the week on-site to go over specific details.
“You haven’t touched your wine. Is it bad?” he asked her.
“I’m sorry, Renaldo. I’m so tired and if I have that glass of wine, I’m afraid that I’ll pass out.”
He smiled softly. “You work very hard. If you like, you can lie down for a while on my bed. I’ll be sure that no one disturbs you.”
She chuckled. “Has that worked for you before?” she asked, standing up and stretching. She was regretting wearing the very high-heeled shoes, but she thought she was going to have to stop at another gallery today and she wanted to look good.
“You’d be surprised, Ellie,” he whispered, eyeing her attire over.
“I need to use the bathroom, and then I’m going to get going. Why don’t you call that gallery one more time and see if I can stop by on the way back to the office?” she asked him.
“You can’t stay and work from here? I can order dinner in.”
“Oh, gosh no. Thank you so much for lunch. I’ll be right back.”
After Ellie finished in the bathroom, she pulled out her cell phone and saw that she’d missed a call from Unc, as well as from Moira. Moira wanted to go to the self-defense classes tonight because she had plans for tomorrow night. There was no way Ellie could make it tonight.
After she washed her hands and absorbed the beauty and elegance of the bathroom, she thought about Renaldo. He was quite the character, but he wasn’t boyfriend material. She felt as if he would be the type of man to constantly nitpick about his girlfriend’s appearance, dress choices, and would be overbearing. Then she thought about Justice, Hunter, Mace, and Seno. Although they were definitely used to being in charge, being dominant, macho, tough, and gorgeous, they seemed compassionate and caring. She was looking forward to seeing them again.
As she headed down the hallway, absorbing smaller pieces of art in Renaldo’s penthouse, she heard male voices and she thought one of them sounded like Justice.
As she rounded the corner she heard Renaldo asking them if they could set up a time to talk and that he had company he was entertaining for the evening.
“Renaldo?” She said his name and then saw both Justice’s and Vin’s expressions of shock at seeing her there.
“Ellie, honey, these two detectives were just getting ready to leave.” He walked closer and placed his arm around her shoulder. She immediately nudged it off and reached for her iPad. She wasn’t certain if she should act as if she knew Justice and Vin, however she remembered that he had seen them talking with her outside in the waiting area of Tratorra’s.
“Miss Morrison, so nice to see you again. We’re sorry to have interrupted your lunch date, but we have some important questions to ask Mr. Sentinel,” Vin stated, emphasizing lunch date. Justice looked very angry as he eyed her over.
“Well, you can ask away, I was just getting ready to head back to the office.” She started gathering her papers and the iPad. Renaldo stepped toward her and placed both hands on her shoulders.
“I expect an update in a few hours. I can arrange to have dinner set up by seven if you want to return by then.”
“Renaldo, I told you that I’m not available for dinner tonight. In regards to getting an update, you’ll get it as soon as I finish the designs. Thank you again for lunch.”
She walked toward Justice and Vin.
“So nice to see you again. Both of you. Good luck.” She headed out of the penthouse.
By the time she pulled her car out of the private parking lot behind the building, her cell phone was ringing.
She saw that it was Unc. “Hi, Unc. Sorry I couldn’t return your call, I’ve been in meetings all morning.”
“Not a problem. I was just a bit concerned that’s all. Are we still on for lunch Wednesday?”
“Oh God, I’m not sure I can make it. I’m on deadline with this job, I’m meeting some friends tomorrow for a workout.”
“A workout? With Moira, Donella, and Jessie?”
“Well, Moira and some guy friends of ours.”
“You’re dating someone? When did this happen? Does he know about Paul? Why haven’t you mentioned this guy until now?”
She chuckled. “I’m not dating anyone. I’m just making some new friends. I’ll try my best to make it Wednesday.” She could hear the caller ID beeping in indicating she was receiving another call.
“I’m sorry, Unc, I need to take another call. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Be safe. Hope to see you Wednesday.”
She disconnected the call and answered the next one just as she approached the exit to the long road that led to her office building.
“Hey, Ellie. You sound happy to hear from me.” She nearly missed the
parking spot as Paul’s voice echoed from her cell phone. She placed the car in park and placed the phone to her ear.
“Ahh, speechless? That’s interesting. I didn’t mean to shock you.”
She took a deep breath and cleared her mind. She needed to act confident and unaffected by him.
“What do you want, Paul?” she asked, pulling the keys into her hand while she got out of the car. She closed her door and then opened the side door to retrieve her briefcase and bag.
“I thought you would be happy to hear from me. It’s been so long. Haven’t you missed me?”
“Of course not.”
“But I heard you’re single still. Haven’t let another man touch you since me.”
She swallowed hard. Her emotions, anger, hatred and fear of this man were beginning to make her shake.
“I have nothing to say to you. Please just leave me alone.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why the hell not?” she asked, raising her voice as she walked toward the front entrance of the office building. She was going to regret parking so far away from the front entrance tonight when she got out late. But she couldn’t get any closer right now. The lot was packed.
“There was a time when you showed respect, and wouldn’t dare raise your voice to me. Someone in need of some discipline?” he threatened.
“I don’t need shit from you. Leave me alone, or I’m calling the cops.” She disconnected the call as she entered the lobby, dropping one bag she was carrying.
“Is everything okay, Ellie?” Lionel asked. He was the security guard on duty at night.
She looked up toward him as he helped her grab the bag that fell.
“Yes. Thank you for helping me. I lost my grip.”
“Sounds like a bad phone call. Is everything okay? Is that asshole ex of yours bothering you again?” Lionel asked. She gave him a soft smile. Lionel knew what had happened a year ago because his sister was a nurse at the hospital Ellie wound up in. His sister had provided care for Ellie, and Lionel visited her a few times.
The American Soldier Collection 8: She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 8