She lifted her suitcase up into the back of the pickup truck and it hurt like a son of a bitch. Thelma was there to assist.
“As soon as we get to the cabin, I’ll call up to Grady so he can come down and check your bandages.”
“No need for that, whomever that is. I can handle it fine.”
“Corporal was concerned.”
“I can handle it, really. Thank you so much.”
“Suit yourself,” she said and they got into the truck and took off out of the bus station, then onto the highway for about twenty minutes. Thelma then took another road and then it was back roads, with woods and the mountains in the distance.
“So how is Corporal, really? I could tell he was downplaying his own injuries when we talked, but a bullet wound to the shoulder can be dangerous if not treated immediately.”
Berlin was surprised that Corporal told the woman about the gunshot wound, but then again, he hadn’t mentioned that she was his aunt.
“I’m worried about him, but he says he has a friend he was going to see as soon as I was safely on the bus.”
“Good. Then hopefully he can wrap things up with whatever you two are involved in and can come back here soon.”
She looked out the window. “I hope so.”
* * * *
Thelma kept looking at Berlin. She was a gorgeous young woman. Really young and stood out in a crowd. As soon as Curran and his brothers saw her, they were interested. It may be difficult to keep her out of a whole different trouble than what Corporal was concerned about. It made Thelma wonder if her nephew was interested in Berlin, or if maybe they were already an item. It didn’t sound like they were, and she hadn’t asked any questions. As far as Thelma was concerned, if Berlin saved her nephew’s life, then she was okay in her book. She would do her part to make sure the young woman was safe.
An hour later they arrived at the campsite. Thelma saw that her employees were helping guests at the front of the camp. She gave a wave and once again the young guys looked at Berlin. It was getting a little darker out and she still wore the sunglasses. Thelma wondered why.
“Wow. This is impressive. I didn’t realize it was like a resort of cabins.”
“Thank you. I have thirty-five places down here and then private homes up a ways. That’s where you’ll be staying. The other extra-large cabin belongs to the men who will be keeping eyes on you.”
“Oh, Corporal’s friends?” she asked and Thelma squinted her eyes but kept driving. Why hadn’t Corporal told her that they were his cousins?
“Oh my God, this is incredible up here. It’s so private.” As they passed the large road that led up to her nephew’s cabin, she turned up the next driveway.
“Across the way are where the guys live—Grady, Damon, and Drover. I’m sure eventually they’ll introduce themselves. This place right here is yours.” As they got to the small, newly renovated cabin, Berlin was silent. One look at the woman’s face and she could tell she was impressed.
“It’s a two bedroom. Kind of small, but all new inside, plus a great fireplace. That will be the main heat source for ya. I’ll be sure to send someone up to cut wood and stack it.”
“No. That’s okay. I’ll handle it.”
“Chopping wood?” Thelma asked, turning off the ignition.
“I can take care of it. Plus, it isn’t necessary to let so many people know I’m up here.”
Thelma nodded her head but all she kept thinking was that this woman stood out with her blonde hair and curvy figure.
As they headed to the door, they both turned to the sound of a truck pulling up. Thelma noticed that Berlin moved closer to the door and set her suitcase down like she was going to pull something out.
“It’s Drover. One of the guys who will be checking in on you.”
The black pickup truck came to a stop. As he got out of the truck, Thelma looked at Berlin. She was definitely a bit skittish.
“Thelma.”
“Drover,” Thelma said and unlocked the door. She handed Berlin the key.
“This is Berlin. Berlin, Drover.”
Thelma watched Drover reach out to shake her hand. His eyes landed on her sunglasses, and then he took in the sight of Berlin. When Berlin sounded like she gasped, Thelma couldn’t hide the smirk. One look at Drover and him reaching for her suitcase and she had a feeling things were going to get interesting around here fast. She was glad she lived down at the bottom of the dirt road.
* * * *
Berlin was wondering what was with the good-looking outdoorsmen living around these parts. The guys at the bus station were super cute. This guy was handsome as could be and older, never mind tall.
“How was your trip?” he asked her.
“I got here, so I guess good,” she stated with an attitude. She needed to be smart. No one was to be fully trusted.
“This is really nice, Thelma. Thank you so much,” she said to the older woman. Thelma eyed her over.
“I’ll take you down to the grocery store tomorrow, but I picked up a few things to get you through tonight. Come down to the office around noontime if you’re up and ready to go. There’s a radio with talkies set up in the kitchen. Use that to contact me in an emergency. I know you don’t have a phone.”
“I’m sure that I will be fine. I can meet you down there in the morning. Thanks for the ride and for everything.”
“You bet,” Thelma said and looked at Drover, then back at her. “You may want to lose the sunglasses. Makes you stand out more,” she said to Berlin, and Berlin reached up and took them off, turning toward Thelma. “This stands out more,” she said and Thelma appeared shocked at the bruised cheekbone and swelling by her eye.
“Jesus. Make sure you look over her injuries, Drover. She said she was fine and could handle it, but if her idea of handling it is hiding it, God knows how bad her injuries really are,” Thelma said, and Berlin saw Drover’s intense expression with his eyes narrowed at Berlin, and it appeared he was biting the inside of his cheek.
She watched Thelma walk out of the cabin. She couldn’t help but wonder if the woman was now even more curious about what she and her nephew had gone through in New York. Well, Berlin wasn’t blabbing to anyone. It would be difficult enough to sleep at night remembering her being assaulted, nearly raped, running for her life, and shooting a big-time criminal like Terrance. She wasn’t getting much sleep anytime soon at all.
* * * *
Drover couldn’t believe how beautiful and petite the woman was. He thought maybe she had an attitude and that was why she wore the sunglasses. Maybe some city girl from New York and all, but holy shit was she gorgeous, and those eyes. They were the bluest blue he had ever seen.
She looked away from him.
“I just want you to know that you don’t need to check on me or babysit me. I can take care of myself just fine. Hopefully Corporal will get to me soon,” she said to him.
Her words affected him and he felt a bit jealous of his cousin. Was Corporal sleeping with Berlin? Was there more to him protecting her than he let on? The woman was drop dead gorgeous. The kind of woman men swarmed around, even stared at and made them lick their lips. He was shocked at the instant attraction he felt and that his cock hardened and his heart raced. Jesus, he could hardly speak.
“What are your other injuries?” he asked and stepped closer. She seemed taken aback by him ignoring her statement, but the sooner she realized that he was in charge, the better.
“Like I said. I’m fine, and can handle things myself.”
He reached out and cupped her chin and she froze in place. She totally stiffened up and stared up at him with a fear in her eyes that made his stomach clench. He looked at the bruising along her eye and cheek. God, she looked scared. Why the hell did he touch her? Fuck.
“You need to ice the hell out of this. I bet you didn’t do that at all,” he snapped at her and released her chin. He needed to get his shit together. He was in charge and so were his brothers, especially if people wer
e going to come looking for her.
“Kind of hard to do with men trying to kill me and Corporal,” she snapped back.
“Corporal didn’t give me much information about the circumstances, but put me in charge of protecting you.”
She didn’t reply, just stared up at him.
“I appreciate knowing that if I need anything that you’ll be available to assist.”
“How bad are your injuries? My brother Grady was a medic in the military and has experience. Anything you need, he can assist.”
“I’m sure I can handle it. Thank you.” She started to walk toward the door when the sound of footsteps were heard, and then his brother Grady stood there. Grady’s eyes lit up as he looked Berlin over before a scowl appeared on his face.
“Damn, that does not look good.” He walked into the cabin. “Grady, meet Berlin. Berlin, this is my brother Grady.”
She reached her hand out for him to shake but Grady went right for her chin, clutching it.
“You haven’t iced this, have you?” Grady asked.
“No.” She stepped back, causing Grady to release her chin. “As I was explaining to your brother, there was no time for it. I’ll get to it as soon as I make ice. So, if you don’t mind, I’m pretty tired and want to settle in,” she said to them, completely avoiding their eyes. Was she hiding something? Was she just scared? Was she feeling what he was feeling? Holy shit, Corporal. What in God’s name happened in New York?
“We’re right up the next path,” Drover said to her.
“I’ll give you tonight, but tomorrow I’ll stop by in the morning and check your injuries as Corporal asked me to do,” Grady told her and then turned around and walked out.
Drover saw her stare at Grady’s back.
“See you in the morning.”
* * * *
Berlin was shocked. Grady and Drover were fierce in both personalities and sizes. They were like six-foot-four and built of muscle and thickness that was beyond intimidating. She thought Corporal was a sight. These men were comparable and just as attractive, manly, and definitely older. It put her on the defensive and made her feel like she needed to stand her ground and stand up for herself or they would take control. This was not what she expected coming here. Her fingers ached and she rubbed them at the thought of having a gun, needing one. She walked to the door and locked it. Then she turned around and looked at the place. She truly hadn’t known what to expect. She’d been running on adrenaline and trying not to think about the events of the last several days.
Her life was never going to be the same. She may not ever be able to go back to New York. May never be able to continue her career in social work, and may possibly need to stay in hiding for God knows how long. Her heart and chest actually ached from the thoughts. She was alone, with no one to lean on, talk to, or count on. How long would she be able to handle that? She was a social person, enjoyed conversation and meeting new people. Helping people was in her nature. This was a total freaking mess.
She thought about Corporal and wondered where he was and if he was okay. She pressed her fingers to her lips as she looked around the small, welcoming cabin. He had kissed her before he put her on the bus. He had never done any such thing before, and when their lips touched, she felt a thrill of attraction and desire. He deepened that kiss, pressed his tongue between her lips to really ravish her mouth. It was bittersweet though. It made her wonder, wish, imagine so many things with him, but then came the separation, the loneliness, and the fear that he could get killed and she could never see him again. Tears stung her eyes. It was a kiss. A sensual, deep, meaningful kiss and she was overanalyzing it. Was it just because of the intensity of the situation, and fear for their lives that she was feeling?
She didn’t know, and she honestly didn’t want to keep thinking about that kiss or about anything coming from it. It hurt to. How could she when her life and his were in danger and they could both be hunted down and killed?
She shivered with fear. A sensation she was getting used to but not ignoring. She had to hold onto that fear at all times and be smart. Trust no one, despite how safe this place in the middle of nowhere might seem. This was her new life right now. She was truly alone and unable to trust a soul, and that was what she needed to remember.
She looked at the living room and the big, fluffy couch and chair near the fireplace. She would love to start a fire, but she really didn’t know how to use a fireplace. She lived in an apartment in the city. She would have to ask Thelma. The thought made her think that if she did, then the woman would think she wasn’t self-sufficient like Berlin claimed to be, but some city girl. Well, she was a city girl, had lost touch with the outdoors, and barely remembered her youth and camping upstate with her family. They made fires at campsites with stacks of wood. How different could an indoor fireplace really be? She closed her eyes and had a small flashback of the fearful memory. She’d left the country for numerous reasons. She grew up in a trailer park, but her parents worked hard to make ends meet as they both suffered illnesses. Her friend, plus a few others in the trailer park, had rougher lives, being abused by their parents or other family members. It was rough living, but Berlin’s parents really tried to hide the reality of their lives. That’s what the camping trips were for. The hot dogs and beans in the pot over a fire weren’t just a tradition, but a cheap meal so they could feed themselves and her.
The tears stung her eyes. She walked over to the chair and took a seat. Her body aching, her eyes so tired she knew she could pass out right there. Her stomach rumbled but it wasn’t a necessity to eat. In fact, this situation brought back a reality of the comfort she had as a child knowing how to make her parents happy and not worry by only eating a little bit so they would eat.
Her lips quivered and her eyes welled up with tears. They sacrificed everything for her and she in return did as they asked and studied hard, got scholarships to college, and got her degree in social work and business. She was going to continue for her master’s so she could run an organization as a director and budget things out, get donations, and help children and teens in trouble. It was how she met Vaile, who turned out to not be a friend or a co-worker, but a scam artist ready to sell her soul and Berlin’s body to a bunch of criminals.
She sighed and closed her eyes as exhaustion overtook her body.
* * * *
“What do you think?” Drover asked Grady.
“I think she’s scared out of her mind and has a piss poor attitude,” Grady replied.
“It’s understandable. Even though we don’t know the details of the situation, it must be bad for her to have to be in hiding and leave her life, plus those bruises. It pisses me off to know some criminal assholes hurt her, and it also makes me wonder what exactly happened.”
“Also, what other injuries does she have? She isn’t going to let me look at them. There was fear in her eyes. Like an injured doe about to be attacked by some predator. This is going to be a disaster,” Grady said.
“It doesn’t have to be, Grady. We protect her, make sure she’s comfortable and doesn’t need medical attention,” Drover stated.
“Easier said than done, I can tell already.”
“Yeah, well, she’s a city girl. She’ll need our help more often than not,” Drover said and then exhaled. They were quiet as they got into the house. Drover wondered how Damon would react to her.
“She’s got incredible eyes, don’t you think?” Drover asked Grady.
“It was hard to notice with that discolored cheekbone and scratches by her eyes.”
“True, but they are the bluest blue I’ve ever seen. In fact, despite the bruises and the fact that she is injured and on the run, makes me wonder who she is and how she got caught up in whatever mess this is Corporal got her into.”
“We don’t know the details. What if she got Corporal into the mess? What if she was somehow part of his partner, Kane, getting killed? We don’t know, Drover, and because of that we need to be extra careful. Corporal is p
utting our lives on the line here, too, and what about Thelma’s?” Grady asked.
“He wouldn’t have sent her here unless they were in serious danger. Five fucking years, Grady. Five years since we heard from Corporal. We were all super close. Hell, we shared everything and relied on one another to survive in between missions. That bond is blood deep. So, I don’t care what the situation is or that so much time has passed since we’ve shot the shit with Corporal. He calls and asks for help, I’ve got his back no matter what. That’s family.”
“I’m not saying that I don’t have his back, Drover. I’m saying we don’t know the details about this woman and her situation. It would make me feel better if I knew. Plus, we have Damon to worry about.”
“He isn’t a worry. He keeps to himself, and has dealt with his problems, anxiety, and PTSD in his own ways.”
“By isolating himself, Drover? It isn’t healthy.”
“He works out like a madman, eats well, hikes in the woods, and hasn’t caused any problems. He eats with us and showers here, so if that’s all the socializing he wants, then so be it.”
“Let’s get dinner started. Damon will be coming over soon enough,” Drover said and headed into the kitchen to wash his hands and prepare dinner. As Grady helped him, Drover thought about the pretty, scared blonde just a short walk down the trail. She was beautiful, feminine, and classy looking even in her jeans and an off-the-shoulder sweater she wore. She had the face of a model, with plump lips, a small, perfect nose, and those blue eyes that revealed emotions. Despite her fear and a bit of a defensive attitude, which he justified by her current situation, there was also a softness about her. A welcoming feeling like, under normal circumstances, she might be easy to talk to besides easy on the eyes.
He didn’t like the instant protective feeling he had, or the attraction he felt hit his gut and his chest upon locking gazes with her. He did wonder if Grady felt it, too. He glanced at him. He had a scowl on his face as he chopped potatoes to sauté in a pan.
In the Line of Fire [Love on the Rocks 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 3