“Well, he isn’t getting it back. He can go fuck himself.”
“He’s going to tell the cops that you robbed the jewelry store, and did those hits. Your daughter is going to find out and they’re going to find her and kill her, too.”
“Listen, we have enough money and contacts to head out now. They’ll never find us.”
“What about Cali? Aren’t you worried that Matel will go after her, find her, and kill her?”
“He won’t find her there, and if he does, then he won’t kill her until he lets me know that he has her. He wants the money and the jewelry, and the only way to get it back is to keep us alive.”
“And then what? You go back and we all die?”
“Then I pull checkmate.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean, Jack?”
“It means I have an ace in the hole that will make Matel eat out of the palm of my hand. Now help me pack and then let’s hit the road.”
* * * *
Shimmy caressed Cali’s hair as she lay on his lap on the couch. Dominick was out cold too and leaning against her with his hand on her thigh. The last two weeks they all spent time with her, snuggling and watching a movie, going for a run or swimming. She seemed to be getting more and more comfortable around them. When he felt her stir and then moan in her sleep, he caressed her hair and watched her. This was the first time she fell asleep in their presence. No matter how tired she was, she always insisted on going home or having to leave to be alone to lie down, but she had been working all weekend, and even went in this morning to help Antonia and Brooklyn with a baby shower party.
He smiled as he watched her rest. Thinking how lovely she was even now with her face scrunched up and her knees lifted to her chest. She looked uncomfortable, and then she kicked one leg and moaned as if she were in pain. That kick woke Dominick up, who rubbed his eyes and then looked at her, smiled, and then looked at Shimmy.
“She fell asleep?” he asked.
“The two of you did, and I couldn’t even reach the remote to change the channel,” he said and Dominick chuckled, but then Cali whimpered and began to move like she was having a bad dream.
Dominick caressed her thigh and Shimmy moved her hair from her face and slowly tried soothing her.
“Cali, baby. Cali,” Shimmy said her name and then suddenly she cried out and went forward, falling off the couch onto her floor. He and Dominick jumped up and reached for her but she scrambled backward away from them, her eyes not fully focused.
“Cali,” Dominick called to her and got on his knees.
She blinked several times and then she covered her face. “Oh, God. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. I…Oh, God, did I hit you?” she asked Dominick, who shook his head and pulled her into his arms, but she pushed him away and stood up. She fixed her skirt and the top she wore and her hands were visibly shaking.
“Cali, it’s okay. It was just a bad dream.” Dominick reached out to her and she stepped back. She walked behind the single seater and held the material.
“I should get ready for dinner. You need to pick up Warren and Culhane and get yourselves ready.”
“Come here, Cali,” Shimmy said to her. He knew what she was doing. Pushing them away, trying to keep them out. She was hurting and he knew exactly what she was going through. He recognized the episode she just had because he had them, too.
She shook her head. He raised both eyebrows up at her in challenge.
“It’s not a request,” he stated firmly and gave her a serious expression. She licked her lower lip and walked slowly from around the single seater to where he and Dominick stood side by side.
“Don’t push us away and don’t ever be embarrassed. It was a bad dream,” he said and reached out to take her hand. He held her gaze and she looked from him to Dominick. Dominick caressed her hair and put his finger under her chin.
“Never push us away,” he said and she nodded her head.
Shimmy pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “It’s okay. I’m glad we were here, and that you’re not alone. It’s worse when you’re alone. I know this from experience.”
She pulled back. “It’s been a while since it happened like this. Usually, if I’m really tired I can sleep a few hours.”
“That’s not enough sleep,” Dominick said to her.
“I can’t get more. I wake up alone and scared and then I can’t fall back to sleep.”
“This is what I want you to do. Pack an overnight bag. When we come back to pick you up, plan on staying at our place tonight,” he said to her.
She shook her head. “I can’t. What if I hit you or make a fool of myself and get hysterical?”
“So what? We’ll be there for you, Cali. I think that’s what you need. Safety, security, and our big, strong arms cuddling you close,” Dominick said and then winked.
She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Just do it. We’ll be back in an hour. Trust me, whatever happens it will be your decision. Most importantly, you feel safe and you trust us.”
She swallowed hard and stared up into his eyes.
“I trust you. All four of you,” she admitted.
Shimmy cupped her cheeks and smiled at her. “Good. You can trust us, with anything.” He kissed her softly and then released her to Dominick, who kissed her next.
“We’ll be back in an hour.” She nodded and they headed out the door to the truck.
“What do you think?” Dominick asked Shimmy as Dominick drove the truck home.
“I want to know what happened to her. I want to help her get through these nightmares and not feeling safe. Who abducted her and why?” he asked.
“I don’t know, but we’re going to find out. It may take more time, but hopefully she comes around soon.”
* * * *
Cali had been so nervous. It was just dinner out in town with the Perkins brothers. She knew it was to show they were together, and Lori asked if they asked Cesar for guardianship of her, but she didn’t hear anything and Cesar didn’t say a word. She still had time to spare and kept going back and forth between the black dress and the blue dress. The blue dress was a bit sexier, and she had matching panties to go with it. She couldn’t wear a bra with it though, and that was obvious by the open, low back of the dress. She hoped they liked it. She knew she liked the feel of their hands against her skin, and their lips, too. God, she loved how she felt when they were close to her. It was so crazy. She could burrow her body between any of them and feel so safe and secure. Was she being stupid here? Was this normal? She didn’t have a clue or any other intimate relationships to go by.
In college, she stuck to studying, avoided drama, and before she knew it she was graduating. That feeling hit her gut again. Even mentioning graduation made her feel anxious and shaky.
She rubbed her hands together and decided on jewelry. She didn’t have much. She thought about her mom, a woman she really didn’t know because she was so young when she died. Then she thought about her father. He still hadn’t called. She didn’t think he would. In fact, he visited her twice when she was away at college, and when she said she could get a job near school for the summer or come home so they could spend time together, he told her to stay at college. Then he added that he was too busy with work. It had hurt, but soon her focus was on graduating, getting a job, and living her own life.
Her phone rang and she glanced at it and saw it was Marlena calling. She had come by earlier, before Dominick and Shimmy had stopped by. Marlena knew they were going out to dinner and Cali told her about the nap incident and about them ordering her to pack a bag to stay overnight.
“Are you all set?” she asked.
“Yes, I think so. I keep going back and forth between the two dresses.”
“The blue one is perfect, especially for tonight. You want to be sure you’re ready for this, Cali. It’s important to be sure. This kind of relationship is different than others, and you don’t have anything to go by.”
“I know. We’ve been over it. I think, despite what I went through, I’m still a pretty good judge of character, and I also have good gut instincts. It feels right and everything is perfect when I’m with them. Plus, I think it’s time to move on and realize that I can have a life here. I can truly put the past in the past, especially with my father not calling anymore. He’s broken the connection once and for all.”
“He could still call. Maybe he has good reason.”
“No, Marlena, his job is most important. It always has been.”
“Well, just be sure, and remember you can always stop no matter how far things have gone.”
“Are you going to ask me about birth control now?” Cali teased.
“No. I was the one who picked up your prescription for you while you lived like a hermit.”
Cali chuckled.
“I’ve come a long way.”
“Yes, you have. Have fun tonight, and I’m here for you if you need to talk or if you want to share.”
Cali smiled. “Thanks, Marlena. I’d better get ready. They’ll be here soon.”
“You got this, honey.”
Cali smiled and then placed her cell phone into her purse and the charger in her overnight bag. She placed the bag behind the couch though. She was going to tease Shimmy a bit when he came.
She looked at herself one more time in the mirror. The dress was sexy and dressy, but they did say they were going to someplace special a few towns away. She heard doors slam and hurried to look out the window. Her heart felt like it caught in her throat. All four Perkins brothers were dressed up in button down shirts, and even wore Stetsons. They were dressed to kill and she felt her pussy spasm and desire fill her like never before.
She was falling in love with them. Oh God.
She smoothed her hands down the slim fitting dress and when she heard the knock she opened the door. Culhane was in front with Warren right next to him. Both men ate her up with their eyes, then Dominick whistled low and Shimmy told them to move and let him by so he could see.
She stepped back and motioned for them to come in.
“You guys look incredible and so handsome,” she said and stepped back a few steps more. Culhane stared at her intensely, making her shiver with anticipation and wonder what was going through his head. Then he took her hand, bringing it to his lips.
“You look amazing, baby. I can’t believe this dress,” he said and kissed her hand.
Warren moved in behind her and she felt his finger trace along her open back. When his hands landed on her hips from behind, he whispered next to her ear. “You’re filled with surprises, baby, and later on tonight, I’m going to reward you for picking the perfect dress for your men.”
He kissed her neck and she closed her eyes and exhaled. My men? Holy mother of God, I sure like the sound of that.
When lips pressed against hers she was turned on by Warren’s words, and the firm hold on her hips. Her nipples hardened and she hoped Culhane and Warren couldn’t see them through the front of her dress. Then Shimmy came over and Culhane stepped aside.
She locked gazes with Shimmy. As if the men watching couldn’t get more attractive to her, tonight, all of them were dressed to impress. Shimmy’s button down, deep blue shirt brought out his eyes, making them seem a little more intense than usual. He squinted at her, let his eyes roam over her from her eyes to her breasts, and she swallowed hard. They all looked so good and she wanted to look perfect for them. Suddenly she had more fears. Fears that they could find another woman more attractive than her or more mature and capable of handling their needs and desires. She looked away from his intimidating perusal and he got all alpha on her.
“No. Look at me, Cali,” he ordered, and it was an order. Though his tone wasn’t loud, the emphasis on the syllables was firm. She looked at him and he held her gaze.
“What were you just thinking as I looked at you?” he asked. She parted her lips to speak but felt stupid admitting her fears, and also her possessiveness of them.
“Cali?”
“Fear,” she said.
He looked hurt.
“You’re afraid of me?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“You’re afraid of us?” Culhane asked.
She shook her head.
She took a deep breath as she looked down at the floor and then back up at Shimmy and Culhane.
“Afraid that I’m not good enough for you. That you’re all so perfect, so handsome and sexy and you may find another woman more beautiful than me, and that maybe my lack of experience is a turn off.”
Shimmy exhaled as if relieved, like her concerns were not concerns for them at all. He stepped closer, wrapped an arm around her waist, letting his palm land possessively over her ass.
“Are you out of your mind, woman? Goddamn, Cali, you are the most sexy, stunning, amazing woman I have ever met or laid eyes on. I want to skip dinner and the surprise we have for you and slowly strip this dress from your perfect body, explore every inch of you and then sink my cock so deep in your pussy that you’ll always be a part of me forever. Fuck,” he exclaimed and covered her mouth and kissed her. That kiss grew deeper and wilder, to the point where she wanted them right here, right now, in the middle of her small living room. However, Shimmy had enough control, experience, and strength to savor this date and take their time with her. When he released her lips gently, trailing kisses along her throat, then over the scar that was partially covered by the straps of her dress, she licked her lower lip.
“I think I would be fine with staying right here with the four of you all night,” she said and her cheeks turned red.
Dominick squeezed her hips from behind her and pressed against her. He wrapped his strong, muscular arm around her midsection.
“That would be very un-gentlemanly of us. You need a first date, a real date where we get to show off our sexy, hot woman, do something special with you, that will make the anticipation of making love for the very first time tonight lead to skyrocketing levels. You’re going to feel so turned on, so ready to let us possess you, make love to you, and claim you as our woman, that there’ll be no fears, no insecurities, only need. Great, powerful need,” Dominick said and stroked his thumb over her nipple through the material of the dress. Her lips parted and she purred.
“Oh, God, Dominick, you mean I’ll feel more turned on than I do right now?” she asked.
He chuckled and she felt his erection press against her ass. She tightened up.
“You’re not the only one.” He kissed along her neck until Culhane cleared his throat and started giving orders.
“Enough of this. Willpower, Brothers. We must have willpower. Take my hand, Cali, we need to stay on schedule,” he said and Dominick released her to Culhane, but not before giving her ass a tap.
“Wait, where’s your overnight bag I said to pack?” Shimmy asked.
“Oh, I completely forgot about that,” she teased. He squinted at her and then she smiled.
“It’s been packed for hours, Shimmy. I hid it behind the couch,” she said.
He gave her a reprimanding scowl. “A nice pink ass will look good on you, Cali. Keep it up,” he said and her face flushed but Culhane chuckled and pulled her along with him.
“Damn, that dress is something else. I don’t think I’m going to be able to sit down in the truck,” Warren said and his brothers mumbled in agreement. She wasn’t so naïve that she didn’t know what they meant. Apparently the blue dress was the perfect choice after all.
* * * *
Shimmy was feeling a bit nervous. Dinner was great and conversation ran smoothly. They found out a little more about Cali wanting to pursue a career in business and accounting, which he was kind of glad about. He didn’t like her working so hard waitressing and bartending, plus she got hit on a lot and that pissed him off a bunch.
As they headed out of the restaurant, Warren pulled her into an embrace then kissed her by the truck. The sight of his brother’s hand smoothing alo
ng her bare skin on her back and then over her ass, squeezing it, aroused him. The night was perfect.
“Let’s head to Murphy’s,” Dominick stated and Warren eased his lips from hers and smiled.
“One last surprise and then we head home, baby,” Culhane told her.
Warren lifted her up to get her into the truck. She slid along the seat and into Shimmy, who immediately took her hand and held it on his lap.
She crossed her legs and the slit on the side of her dress revealed more thigh. Warren then ran his hand along that thigh before squeezing her knee.
“How does your knee feel? Are you ready to get the stitches out this week?” Warren asked her.
“Definitely. As you could see earlier, I only had to wear the small bandage, and the stitches are coming undone. I hope I don’t have too bad of a scar.”
“It will be fine. Nevin is good at what he does and that cut was pretty deep. Besides, even if you did have one, it can remind you of me taking care of you, and us sharing our first kiss against that big tree.”
She chuckled. “As opposed to getting shot at by reckless teenagers. I think I like your memory better.” She smiled.
“Good,” Warren said and moved his hand higher up her thigh.
The sexual desire was palpable in the truck. They were all ready to make love to Cali and she seemed ready, too. So when they pulled up to Murphy’s place, the gardens fully lit up in his light sculptures and displays, he wondered if this was such a good idea.
“Wow, what is this place? Oh my God, look, how beautiful.” She pointed out and sat forward in the seat. He and Warren both reached out to caress her bare back and he looked at his brother, who smiled and winked. This felt so right. It was perfect and he knew once they shared Cali that things were going to change for the better and they would all be closer than they ever were before.
Culhane parked the truck and they all got out. Murphy walked down the driveway, his prosthetic device showing. He gave a wave and they introduced him to Cali.
The Battlefield Series 5: Breaking Through the Pain (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 13