The Battlefield Series 3: Trusting Love
Trust in love, and it will never do you wrong. Carina learns the hard way that sentiment isn't always true and in fact could be deadly. After escaping an attack by two men, one she loved who betrayed her in the worse possible way, Carina is determined to survive and get lost in another town, another place, landing her in Repose, Texas. People are caring, she makes friends easily, and she works in a cool place called the Filling Station. She doesn't trust men in uniform, soldiers, or just about ninety percent of the people she sees on a daily basis. So when she gains the interest of four men who remind her too much of her troubled past, she's ready to hightail it out of there.
The Cortland men, all retired soldiers, set their sights on Carina and can tell right away she is fearful and resistant to an attraction they all feel. Jack, Milton, Jesse, and Dr. Nevin Cortland will do whatever it takes to make Carina smile, and ultimately win her love and affection. When she confides in them the wrong that was done to her and how she may still be in danger, it's a little too late, and they'll need to use all the resources of their professions to not only save her life, but also save one another.
Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Romantic Suspense
Length: 53,891 words
THE BATTLEFIELD SERIES 3:
TRUSTING LOVE
Dixie Lynn Dwyer
MENAGE EVERLASTING
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting
THE BATTLEFIELD SERIES 3: TRUSTING LOVE
Copyright © 2016 by Dixie Lynn Dwyer
E-book ISBN: 978-1-68295-389-1
First E-book Publication: July 2016
Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2016 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
If you have purchased this copy of The Battlefield Series 3: Trusting Love by Dixie Lynn Dwyer from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.
Regarding E-book Piracy
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The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.
This is Dixie Lynn Dwyer’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Dixie Lynn Dwyer’s right to earn a living from her work.
Amanda Hilton, Publisher
www.SirenPublishing.com
www.BookStrand.com
DEDICATION
Dear readers,
Thank you for purchasing this legal copy of Trusting Love. Carina has gone through something very traumatic. Despite all the love, compassion, and happiness surrounding her in Repose, she can’t seem to move on from the hurt, betrayal, and violence she experienced.
Sometimes it takes that instant connection, a common ground, and empathy of understanding between two people, strangers, for the walls to begin to come down and hope start to ignite.
It will take the compassion, understanding, that instant connection and bond between four men and Carina, to help her to finally let down her guard and trust in love.
May you enjoy her journey.
Happy reading.
Hugs!
~Dixie~
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Epilogue
About the Author
THE BATTLEFIELD SERIES 3: TRUSTING LOVE
DIXIE LYNN DWYER
Copyright © 2016
Prologue
Carina sat on the back deck at her cottage. She was going to ride her bike to Antonia’s house, which wasn’t very far from hers. She leaned back into the chair and rocked slowly. Despite the peacefulness and calm, gentle breeze her insides were anything but calm. She gripped the arms of the rocker and tried to relax her breathing. She focused on all the trees, the beautiful flowers in bloom and the warm air caressing against her skin.
Repose was breathtaking. Like another world, another planet, far, far away from the troubles of her past and the sick, demented ideas of Kilt County, Missouri. Starling Grove was home. It was where her grandparents helped to raise her after her mother died and her father continued his service in the military.
She wished there were some warning signs about what really went on in Starling Grove. It seemed to her she was pretty damn naive and wished she had decided to not go to a community college and commute but instead had gone away. Far, far away. She rocked back and forth in the rocking chair and still held on to the arms tight. Her recollection of the events left more questions and it was hard not to ponder over them and wonder about the answers. Did she really want to know?
The bottom line was that women had no rights. She loved Steven with all her heart. She gave him her virginity, allowed him control because she thought that control meant he loved her, cared about her and was protecting her. She wiped the tear before it fell. Her heart ached terribly at the memory but also at her stupidity. It was all a lie. He betrayed her in every way a man, a lover, a best friend, a future husband could ever betray his woman.
The sick, guilty feeling hit her hard. Months had now passed since the attack, the memories raw, so deep she thought they would never disappear or minimize. She couldn’t move on. Not like her new friends were, and there was this constant worry that any moment Steven and Collin would arrive to take her back. Or worse, that Cesar and other police officer
s, male residents of Repose, would turn on her, too. It kept her guarded, and there was no way around it. No way to hide the fear she had, and she was done trying.
She felt guilty, and her gut clenched knowing that it couldn’t be true here. That these were real good people, and they truly wanted to protect women, empower them and help them to succeed in life and be safe and happy. So what that they did it in multiples? No one forced a woman to get involved intimately with multiple men. It just happened. Like with Brooklyn and then Antonia. Those men adored them, and the women expressed their love and safety every moment they could. She wanted that, too. Oh, God, how she wanted to feel safe in a man’s arms, or just safe, period. She was tired of restless nights. Exhausted from feeling down about herself and lacking in self-confidence, feeling dirty, used, and downright ugly because of what was done against her will. It wasn’t fair. She wanted to rid herself of these battle wounds and move on, feel stronger, passionate about life and living.
She wiped the tears before they fell and looked out across the abundant green landscape and sighed at the peacefulness that engulfed her.
Why she was drawn to this place she would never know, but deep down she felt fate had a hand in it. There was no other explanation as she drove miles upon miles, placing states between her problems, her fears and a town no woman should be forced to be part of. She closed her eyes and willed the thoughts away. She couldn’t, though. Not living here in Repose, seeing how the town protected, cherished women and children and went above and beyond the norm to make them feel safe, to find peace, and escape in a town filled with promises.
Teary eyed, she thought about the recent weeks that had passed. They gave her a heavy heart, yet made her rejoice for the love, the connection of community. When one of their own was in trouble they all came out full force to assist. Would they do that for her? Could she ask for such a thing? Embarrassment hit her cheeks, and a dirtiness deep inside that made her feel unworthy, stupid, immature and minuscule.
Antonia came to mind. A new best friend. The only one she ever had, for the others from back home turned on her in the blink of an eye.
“He loves you though, and Collin is prime pick with his family. You should be honored they both want you as their wife.”
She remembered her friends telling her to stay, to accept the decisions of the order. The Goddamn order. Who were they? Why did they do this? How could they think they had control of women’s lives and could decide their fate?
How had she not known about the practices of slavery? Basically that’s what it was. Women chosen by leaders of an order. She shivered and wrapped her arms around her midsection, thinking she found out too little too late. That she could have been stuck there forever. Bound to two men who would do what they wanted and without anyone protecting her. Even her grandparents feared for her life, but her grandfather suffered, too. He was threatened and he and grandma helped her to escape that day. She wondered now what happened to them. Would the order have hurt her grandparents because of her? The tears now flowed as she rocked back and forth, gripping the arm rest and wondering what she could do.
Part of her wanted to train hard, practice shooting a gun like grandpa had shown her until Steven put a stop to it. She wanted to head back there and get her grandparents out, help them to escape that town and those corrupt individuals. There were so many people there suffering and scared. She couldn’t, though. Five feet four, petite and not some highly trained soldier, she would end up captured and worse off than before. She prayed every night that grandpa and grandma were okay. They would love it here. She wiped her eyes and thought about her grandma’s sweet apple pies, and the scent of tobacco from grandpa’s pipe.
Repose was the complete opposite of Starling Grove. Women were cherished, honored, respected, and safe. My God, when will I ever feel safe? When will I ever not have to look over my shoulder, lie about my real name, live without the fear of being forced back, taken against my will and raped once again?
The tears fell and she shook her head. She thought about Milton, Jack, Nevin, and Jesse. No matter how hard she tried not to, she thought of them. It was some fantasy because they were older, mature, fierce, sexy men who made her heart pound, her palms sweat, and her body actually react, which was wrong. So damn wrong. How could she ever let a man touch her again? The thought scared the hell out of her, and she blamed Steven and Collin for that, too.
Milton, Jack, Nevin, and Jesse were perfect and mysterious, plus the rumors around them and their capabilities made for a lot of fantasies for any single woman with a working libido. They were incredible men. Older by ten years or so, and experienced in many ways which made her feel silly for having a little crush. That was the best way to describe it.
She couldn’t deny the attraction. No, it was so damn strong. Way stronger than what she’d thought she felt for Steven. Being that they were older, perfect in every sense, then they would expect her full submission to them. She would have to try and get through the fears she had of a man’s touch. Their large hands and how demanding they might be of her body. More tears fell. I couldn’t fight them. I couldn’t do anything. Steven and Collin were stronger, bigger, determined.
Could these men be like them? Could they get angry and lash out? Were there secrets in this town, true practices that she would only learn about after it was too late? She swallowed hard. Starling Grove gave the illusion of small town, deep family connections, and a police force set on securing every rule and regulation beyond typical police work. She hadn’t seen the corruption, the control like a cult that ran deep under cover.
She looked at the beautiful scenery before her. Was Repose truly the safest place on earth for her to be right now, or was she better off on the run? What happened to Antonia scared the hell out of her. She couldn’t pretend that the danger was over. She couldn’t get so comfortable and trusting in this town that could turn on her as Starling Grove did. She didn’t want to believe that Cesar wasn’t legit. She believed that the people of Repose were exactly who they said they were, but that didn’t mean she could let down her defenses. Steven and Collin’s actions had lasting effects. Long after the bruises healed, the pulled groin muscle and scratches and marks, a part of her was so damaged, so wounded she didn’t think it would ever change. She wasn’t foolish enough to expect it to with time either.
She swallowed hard and listened to the sounds around her. This was her life now, until that gut instinct, that need to move on, to run again became too strong to ignore. She’d have to leave this town, leave her friends she learned to truly care for, and start all over again. That would be her life, her destiny, her continued battle in search of freedom.
She gripped the arms of the chair and stood up. No. I’m tired of being a victim and being scared. I don’t want to leave this town. I’m safe here.
She walked inside and locked the door and then grabbed her things. There was a determination, a fight slowly simmering inside of her. She wished it was stronger. Hell, she wished she was stronger but realized it was taking time. Little steps. She had to keep reminding herself she was doing the right things and taking precautions for good reason. She could do this. She grabbed her bag and headed out the front door, locking it behind her. She got on her bike and took off for Antonia’s house.
When Carina looked back at the mistakes she made, she realized that by not following her gut instincts, she was setting herself up for trouble, even danger. So she started training herself to be aware. To learn to always know what was going on around her. Taking notice of people, of vehicles, of everyday things out of place or the watchful eyes of those around her.
As she approached the corner, she saw the blue truck, and instantly her chest tightened. It was so natural it took her mind a moment to catch up with her reaction and the fear that gripped her chest. It wasn’t him. It wasn’t Collin or Steven. Mr. Melborn had the same type of vehicle. She relaxed and continued on her way. That fighting feeling, the need to move on and take control of her life and her fears
, simmered stronger.
One day, I’ll be strong enough to face everything and move on with my life. I’ll achieve any goals and dreams I’ve ever had. One day at a time, one achievement, another step, a greater success, and I’ll be there. I can do it. I want to do it. I’m not defeated. I’m just working to get stronger and I will do it, no matter what or who stands in my way. This is my life, and no one is going to take it away from me. No one.
Chapter 1
Milton stared through the scope of his rifle, his eye on the target. It was a quiet night. The sounds of the woods and the flowing stream in the distance brought him peace. He had finally relaxed, letting down that constant guard and fear that the enemy was hiding in the shadows waiting to take a pot shot at him or his brothers.
He knew he was thousands of miles away from the danger zone, a couple years back on US soil and well transitioned into civilian life, but that didn’t mean the demons were powerless. In fact, it seemed to him they had remained, waiting for the opportunity to put him on edge, make him flinch at a sound, a memory from the war zone in any form it wanted. The banging of a jackhammer as new construction was being built toward town. A car backfiring, making him jerk and duck for cover. A siren in the distance, a door slamming closed, something hard dropping on the floor—anything, even strange odd things that seemed they shouldn’t trigger something, sometimes did.
The Battlefield Series 3: Trusting Love (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 1