“How is your knee? I heard you needed stitches.”
“It’s okay. Kind of burns a bit, but it should heal quickly.”
“Be sure to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t get infected.”
“Oh, I will. Thanks.”
He took a sip of the beer and watched her.
“Any idea who the culprits were?”
“Not really. The police think some kids messing around.”
He shook his head. “Jesus, what the hell kind of morons would do that?”
“Underage drunk ones, possibly.”
“What do you mean?”
“The police found empty cans of cheap beer, cigarettes, and candy wrappers. They’re assuming it was kids.”
“So they don’t really know for sure.”
“Nope. Well, they did find a keychain with the logo from Repose High School on it. I just hope they don’t do anything so stupid ever again. I mean, they could have shot us.”
“It had to have been scary.” He took another slug from his beer bottle. “Heard Warren Perkins and his brother Culhane were around when it happened. Sure it wasn’t one of them?” he asked, and immediately she got her defenses up.
“Positive.”
“I don’t know, Cali. I’ve heard things about those men.”
“Really? What kind of things, because I’ve heard nothing but praise for them.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong. They were good soldiers and served this country well. It’s the aftermath shit. Their crazy ways and violent tendencies. You know Shimmy lost it a few times at previous jobs. He was fired after he grabbed his boss by the throat and nearly strangled him to death.”
Cali was shocked. She ran her hand along her throat and stepped back.
“I don’t mean to scare you, Cali, just warn you. Watch those Perkins men. They’re trouble and could seriously inflict major pain on some sweet, petite woman like you.”
She nodded her head but didn’t feel right about this. Could Jester be telling the truth? She wouldn’t want to see that side of Shimmy, ever. Maybe she should keep her distance after all?
* * * *
“You dumb assholes. It was Cali and Wayde that were in those woods. Fucking Cali,” Jester yelled into the phone as he went to have a cigarette outside.
“We were just messing around. No one got hurt.”
“What if you shot her, or killed her or Wayde? He’s a damn trooper. Will you please get your heads out of your asses and tell your stupid friends to get fucking jobs. I don’t want to hear about anything like this happening again. Understand?”
“Yes, cus, I understand.”
Jester disconnected the call, put out the cigarette, and headed back inside. His cousins, the Willis brothers, were a bunch of wild kids. The family had eight children and then there were the other cousins. They could make their own small town if they wanted to. As soon as Cesar realized it was the Willis brothers who had taken those shots in the woods and were drinking, he would fry their asses big time. Cesar was still bent at the younger Willis brothers who caused his mom to fall in town and fracture her ankle. Shit, this wasn’t good at all.
Jester headed back inside to see Dominick talking to Cali along with Lori. He would make it a point to talk to Cali tonight and ask her out. He didn’t like the way Dominick reached out and touched her cheek. He didn’t care for the Perkins brothers at all. Never did, and especially not Shimmy. He always knew the guy was a loose cannon. He never had a chance to kick his ass because their fight years back had been stopped by the police. If the man or his brothers tried to move in on Cali, then he would kick Shimmy’s ass once and for all.
He felt the hand on his shoulder and smiled wide when he saw who it was, his brother, Larkin.
“Hey, bro, I thought I’d find you here.” He gave a nod to Cali and Jester watched his brother’s eyes light up. Until he saw the bandage on her knee. “Thanks, doll. Hey, how is the knee?”
She gave a soft smile that was all Cali. “It’s okay. Thanks for asking.” She set down the bottle of Bud and Larkin kept his eyes glued to her ass.
Jester saw Dominick give them a mean expression. If the guy thought it would make them back off, he was mistaken. Cali was a single woman and they had their eyes on her and planned on having her real soon.
“You hear any news about the investigation and whether the cops have a clue who was shooting?” Larkin whispered.
“Nothing. Looks like they’ll get away with it. Dumbasses.”
“Yeah, I’m thinking another ass whipping on those idiots is in order. Especially since it was Cali they nearly shot,” Larkin said.
“I’m pissed, too. If those guys keep this shit up, they’ll be behind bars in no time.”
“If they ever get caught, Jester. I have to admit, our cousins are pretty damn slick,” Larkin stated.
“Well, they better stay clear of Cali. She’s going to be mine. I’m planning on working my magic tonight,” he said then took a slug of beer. He waved her over for another one. He would get a nice buzz on, then work on asking her out.
“You’re not sharing, Jester? I’m insulted. I’m your brother.”
Jester chuckled. “Maybe I will, but I get first dibs on that sexy piece of ass.”
Larkin chuckled. “I got your back, bro. Maybe she’ll be ready and willing tonight? We could help ease that pain from her knee.”
Jester chuckled and then downed the rest of the beer. A short time later he realized she was heading out.
“Let’s do this,” he said and slightly lost his balance. Maybe he drank too much too quickly?
* * * *
Cali headed out to her car. She couldn’t wait to get home to shower and then head to bed. She was tired. When she thought about having to wrap her knee and bandage with waterproof wrapping, she groaned. Heading toward where she parked, she hadn’t expected to see Jester walking toward her along with his brother, Larkin. What the hell did they want?
“Hey, Cali, wait up,” Jester called out, Larkin following. She didn’t like how Larkin looked. He had his hands in his front pockets like he was casual and not looking for trouble, but her gut warned her not to let her guard down. She readjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder and stood by her car.
“Brooklyn let you out early, huh? I guess she’s worried about your knee and pushing it?” he asked and stood pretty close to her.
“It’s a slow night anyway.” She took out her keys and went to walk to her door when he stopped her. He got in her way and looked at her funny. She had a bad feeling when he reached out and touched her shoulder. She tightened up.
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you.”
“We talked a bunch inside.”
He smiled. “Yeah, but not about what I really wanted to talk about. You and me,” he said and moved his hand from her shoulder to her cheek. She went to step back but Larkin was there and she bumped into him.
She gasped.
“I don’t know what you’re up to but I’m not in any mood for this,” she said, but her voice shook. This was what she feared. Being unprepared to handle some sort of situation where she needed to defend herself or warn off danger.
She went to push past him and Jester wrapped his arm around her waist and hoisted her up against his chest.
“Jester, let me go.”
He chuckled and she could smell the beer on his breath. He was obviously feeling his alcohol.
“Relax, Cali. We’ve had our eyes on you for a while. It looks like you need protecting,” Larkin said to her and caressed her hair.
“Let go of me.” She went to shove at Jester and turn from his hold when he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her wrists with his hands. He pressed her against the car and she gasped.
“Let go of her.” She turned to see Shimmy and Dominick. They were ending their shifts when she left as the kitchen closed down. She couldn’t believe the relief she felt at seeing them approach, but then she heard Jester’s words to his brother.
&n
bsp; “Be ready, Larkin.”
“You kidding? I’ve waited to fuck up a Perkins for quite some time.”
“Shimmy is mine,” Jester said.
She struggled to get free. “Let go of me,” she yelled.
He pressed his lips against her ear. “Just stand still and let me handle this before you, Larkin, and I head to our place.”
“Never,” she said and struggled to get free as Shimmy and Dominick came over.
“Let her go. Right now,” Dominick said firmly.
She tried to think of one of the defense moves she learned, but she’d only attended two classes. How the hell could she do one of the moves? But as Shimmy also demanded Jester let her go, she felt his arms loosen and she went for it. She shoved her ass back, causing him to move back, and then she slammed her head back, hitting him in the nose. He released her, but then went to grab her, ripping her shirt, and she fell to the ground. In a flash, Shimmy was grabbing Jester, lifting him up by his shirt, and a fight broke out. Larkin went for Dominick and she watched Shimmy take a hit to his lip and blood splatter, but then he retaliated and started striking back, sending Jester onto his ass and out cold. Dominick and Larkin exchanged blows but Larkin wound up right next to his brother, who looked dazed and beaten up.
“You two keep your fucking hands off our woman. You ever come near her or touch her again, and I’ll finish the job,” Shimmy yelled at them.
Dominick reached for her hand and helped her up. “Are you okay?” he asked her.
She nodded but her eyes were glued to Shimmy. He had his fists by his side, his lip was bleeding, and he looked enraged.
“Fuck you!” Jester said as he helped his brother up. Shimmy stepped forward like he would attack, and something told her she had to stop him from seriously hurting these men. He was so angry. She jumped in front of him and pressed her hands against his chest.
“No, Shimmy, don’t. It’s over. They’re leaving,” she said to him. His blue eyes looked wild, and with very short military haircut, he had her shaking with intimidation. She looked at Larkin and Jester.
“Don’t bother me again. Don’t ever do anything like this again. Leave. Please, just leave,” she said. At this point, a few other people started to come out of the Filling Station to see what was going on. Shimmy had his hands on her hips and she kept caressing his chest.
“Please, calm down. I’m okay. It’s over, Shimmy,” she said to him.
Dominick placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him. “Are you sure that you’re okay?”
She nodded and as she lowered her hands, Shimmy looked down at her. His eyes scanned her face and then lower. When they widened and his hands tightened on her hips, she didn’t know what had come over him.
“That’s a bullet wound. You were shot? When?” he asked.
She panicked, felt her lips part, prepared to lie, and then she felt Dominick’s hand on her arm. He grazed his fingers over the scar on her chest. Her shirt had ripped. She hadn’t even realized half her breast was showing, and worst of all, the bullet wound she tried so desperately to hide.
“Are you guys okay? What the hell happened?” Tank, one of the bouncers, asked.
She shook her head at Shimmy and Dominick and she pulled her shirt up. She hoped they kept her secret.
“We’re okay,” Dominick said and walked over to talk to Tank. She grabbed her purse and pulled out some tissues. Shimmy leaned against her car and stared at her in a way she couldn’t describe. She stepped closer.
“Your lip is bleeding,” she said and reached up with the tissue to wipe away the blood. She got it all. She was shaking, she was so upset. When he gripped her wrist, she paused and stared up into his blue eyes. She didn’t know what to expect from him. A thousand questions? A put down? Him blaming her for this happening and saying it was her fault? She gasped when his other arm snagged her around the waist and he pulled her between his legs.
She held his gaze as he lowered her arm behind her back. He held both her wrists in his grip, and instead of feeling scared, she felt entirely turned on. His mesmerizing eyes showed something she hadn’t seen before. He looked at her scar, her neck, and then her lips.
“Shimmy?” She said his name and he pressed closer and kissed her. Immediately, he glided his free hand from her waist, up her back, and under her head until he was cradling her head. He devoured her moans and she pressed closer, wanting to feel more, aroused by his control and restraint. He smoothed his other hand away from her wrists he had held bound, and spread her hands over her ass. She remained in place, as if his move was a silent indication for her to remain with her hands behind her back. She didn’t know why she thought that or why she obeyed, but she did. He moved his lips from her mouth to her neck as they gasped for air. He licked her skin, nipped her collar bone, and she kept her head tilted back and moaned.
“Shimmy,” she whispered on a heated breath and he swirled his tongue along her other shoulder, then over the scar and along her breast.
She tightened up as she felt Dominick press up against her. He tilted her face up toward him and covered her mouth, kissing her, too. It was too much. She couldn’t even explain her body’s reaction. Hands smoothing along her hips, Dominick’s hard cock and thick muscles against her rear and her back as he kissed her with her head tilted to the side, giving his brother fuller access to her breast and exposed neck. He plunged his tongue in deeply as Shimmy maneuvered his tongue into the cup of her bra and licked her nipple. She moaned and shook as her body erupted. She tensed up immediately at the realization that she just came while two men kissed her.
She pulled back, scrambled from their hold, and turned away. She pushed her top back up and a second later Shimmy wrapped her in his arms and held her from behind. “No, baby, don’t turn away. Don’t deny what just happened. I felt it, too. I fucking felt it, too, I swear to you.”
She shook her head.
“I can’t believe that happened. Oh, God, this is embarrassing.”
Dominick was in front of her, cupping her cheeks as Shimmy softly scattered butterfly kisses along her neck and shoulder.
“Don’t ever be embarrassed. I love that you came in our arms. That you were as turned on as we were. I want all your orgasms, Cali. My brothers want them, too.”
Her eyes widened but then Dominick leaned forward and kissed her again, this time softly, tenderly until she was so relaxed she hadn’t even heard them say they were following her home and she was letting them in so they could make some plans for tomorrow.
* * * *
“Are you okay?” Dominick asked Shimmy when they were in the truck and following Cali home.
Shimmy licked his lip and then eased back against the seat.
“I’m good, and you?”
Dominick snorted. “Fucking great,” he said and Shimmy stared at the back tail lights of Cali’s car. “That was a hell of a series of events.”
“You’re telling me. I can’t stand those assholes.”
“He’s had it in for you since that fight five years ago. He still thinks he would have beaten your ass, Shimmy.”
“Well, he got a little taste tonight. I can’t believe he touched her. What the fuck?”
“I know. I saw fucking red the second we walked out and him and Larkin were near her. It’s obvious he wants her.”
“He can’t have her.”
“I don’t think she’s interested in him whatsoever, Shimmy.”
Shimmy got quiet and Dominick couldn’t believe the number of things going through his head.
“She has a gunshot wound, Dominick.”
“I know. It explains a bit more. Especially her fear of guns.”
Shimmy looked at him. “Yet she was in the woods with Wayde wanting to learn how to shoot one?”
“Well, it seemed that way and that’s what they mentioned. She wasn’t ready. Completely panicked when they were shooting. Plus, her fear of the dogs too? I’d hate to find out both fears had something to do with that scar.”<
br />
“Warren said she has PTSD and doesn’t sleep at night. It must have been bad, whatever happened.”
“Old boyfriend?”
“She orgasmed in our arms. I’m thinking she’s not very experienced.”
“Shit, which for some crazy fucked up reason turned me on. Pretty hypocritical of me.”
“Hey, you’re not the only one thinking that you don’t deserve a woman so perfect.”
“She isn’t perfect, from what we’re gathering. She’s more like trouble.”
“We do well with trouble, and what makes her imperfect? A scar, surviving whatever she went through? What?”
“Beats the hell out of me, but we’re going to find out. We’re almost there,” Dominick said and pulled the truck along the driveway that led to Wayde’s ranch. He could see one light on in the big old house to the left and then Cali continued driving up toward the detached garage and her apartment. They could no longer see the house and were hidden from view.
They parked alongside her car and got out. When she got out, she leaned against the car. Dominick joined Shimmy in front of her.
“Invite us in?” Shimmy said to her.
She hesitated. “I don’t think it’s a good idea,” she replied.
“Scared?” Shimmy pushed and Dominick was surprised. He’d never seen his brother act like this, or even talk this much. It was obvious Shimmy was affected by her kisses and by the fight to protect her tonight. That same possessive instinct was still running strong right now for him, too.
She uncrossed her arms. “You challenging me?” she asked him.
Shimmy stepped closer and took her hands. She stood up straighter. He held her gaze.
“Have I ever spoken to you so much?”
“Barked at me, put me down, snapped at me, yes.”
Dominick chuckled and took position by Cali, leaning against her car.
She glanced at him and then looked back at Shimmy.
“I’m sorry for being a dick.”
“Why are you sorry now? Because you helped to defend me in a parking lot from a drunk guy and his brother?”
“Well, partially, and also because I had you all wrong.”
The Battlefield Series 5: Breaking Through the Pain (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 9