by Dace Everan
Tank grunted. He could just imagine the confusion she had gone through. He would hunt her fucking parents down and kill them.
Link caressed the crease from his cheek. “Ease up, Tank,” he hummed.
Dania peeked up at him, hand cupping his cheek. “I left. I got out ’cause I knew it wasn’t right.”
Tank nodded, eyes cold and chilling.
“What made you leave?” Link asked.
Dania turned back to him. “They dressed me in bands.” She frowned. “I guess silk? It only covered certain spots. I wasn’t comfortable with that and the man who said he owned me came back and had me tied to a chair.” She looked across the room. They had the same chair. “He did things…” The words coming from her lips halted. She gave a slight shake to her head. Tears burned her eyes she couldn’t talk about this. Not yet.
She straightened her spine, inhaling a sharp breath that sounded more like a shuddering one. “What they did wasn’t right! I knew it wasn’t!” She slumped slightly. “I had to go…what they did wasn’t right.” She defended her actions.
Link nodded. “You’re right…did he rape you?” He needed to know. Both he and Tank needed to know. Everything transpiring between the three of them would have to be done differently if she had been. His heart cringed at the thought, their sweet Dania being hurt like that. His whole being tensed, readying for her answer.
Dania furrowed her brow, shaking her head. “No… what he did do was wrong and I didn’t like it. He never fucked me.”
Link cringed. Her defenses were coming up. She was using cuss words. She didn’t like discussing this at all. He couldn’t blame her. “You’re a strong woman, Dania…” His grip tightened around her. “You keep talking if you need to. Me and Link are here,” he assured, trying to keep as calm as possible even though anger reared through him like a hurricane ready to rip anything apart in its path. He swore he would hunt this bastard down and kill him.
Dania looked at Link then Tank. “Being at that fair tonight…? I never even thought about it, never associated it with him.” She grunted and slumped. Confusion clouded Dania’s head. How had she managed to push something so fucked up so deep and forget?
She looked at Link. “I think I’m a perv. I can only get off listening to you two,” she blurted and cringed. Shit, she shouldn’t have said that.
Tank hugged her close. “Not a perv, Dania.” He nuzzled his cheek on the top of her head.
Link scooted closer and Tank opened his legs to allow him closer. “Do you know who this man was? What his name was? What did you have to call him?”
Dania furrowed her brows. “I…was supposed to call him…Master Houlka.”
Tank narrowed his eyes. “Chinese?”
Dania shrugged. “I don’t know, I wasn’t really allowed to look at him and when I did his long hair was in his face so I never got a clear look at him.”
Tank grunted. “What are your parents’ names?” he asked.
Dania looked back at him confusion in her eyes. “I don’t know?” she squeaked.
Thoughts of living in the enormous, immaculate house fluttered in her mind. She furrowed her brows. She had never been out the front door of that house till she ran. The terror she had felt opening that door thinking she would meet the end of the world. Her mother had schooled her at home. Trained her, had people come in but never had they taken her out other than to the back where she could swim or relax in the back yard.
Link took hold of her hands. “You know what they did was wrong… you understand they were not supposed to do that. Telling us their name is not going to get you in trouble.”
Dania shook her head. “No I don’t know their names. I called them mom and dad. My name is Dania Cheryl Bloom and seriously I hate that last name. I was never told their names.”
Link ran his thumb along hers. “This Houlka never called them by names?”
Dania shook her head. “I don’t ever recall names being said. Just Mr. and Mrs. Bloom. They called me pet.”
Tank growled. That did it for him! He needed to move. His anger would surge forth and poor Dania would be crushed in his grip. “Off, Dania, I need food,” he mumbled, lifting her and placing her in Link’s lap.
Link caressed her hair as she watched Tank leave the room. He kissed her cheek. “No play tonight, Tiny. You will not leave us though,” he promised.
Dania looked at him. “Tank’s mad,” she mumbled. She had upset Tank.
Link nodded. “Very, been a long time since I’ve seen him turn to eating when talking.”
* * * *
Tank paced his office. He couldn’t get the thoughts of little Dania out of his mind. The scared little Dania that first appeared in their life. Fuck! He knew there were sickos in the world that did scary shit, but to run into the victim of one, and have one live under his roof for years and not show signs? Fuck, how had he and Link missed something like this? Because the only Dania they knew was the strong woman that she was now.
He looked at the little brunette sitting at his desk. “Come on, Hill, you have to be able to work some magic here,” he mumbled. Half an hour he had been waiting for her to find something, anything!
The woman didn’t look at him but held her hand up and nodded. “Just a sec, Mr. Kiln, this takes time,” she grunted. Gosh how could she forget how pushy the big guy could get. After a few minutes of listening to Tank growl she stood up.
She grabbed a sheet of paper and looked at the hulking man. “’Kay, me, you, Link. A dinner date at your place later. I need to work my magic and it ain’t happening with you looming over me with your hulk-ness.” She passed him. As handsome as he was she had to admit the man unnerved her.
Tank grunted. “Seven o’clock. What do you want?” he grumbled, giving in. He knew Hillary worked better in her own space.
“Burgers would be awesome,” she called over her shoulder, her mind on the duty at hand of finding Dania’s parents and the story behind them.
Tank grunted, picking up his phone. He dialed Link’s number and waited, being directed to his voice mail. Shit, he forgot he had a case today.
He settled in his seat and stared at his computer screen. He wondered how Tiny was holding up. She had been quiet the rest of the weekend, keeping to her own self. It was normal behaviour for her, but she was unusually quiet.
Link had refused to let her be alone, even snuggled her in with them that night and shit if the pretty hadn’t snuggled in and fell deeply into sleep and purred the whole night through. She had been in their bed since.
Last night she had woken in the middle of the night bolting up and panting. He was sure it was a nightmare, but she had snuggled right back down and hugged his arm around her and pulled him closer to Link.
* * * *
Dania glanced around the living room, brow furrowing. Where the hell was everyone? “Link, Tank?” she called, entering the kitchen. She hummed at the aroma of burgers, yum. She crossed to the French doors that led to the back deck, smiling at them huddled over the glass table, papers strewn and Hillary from Tank’s work with them. She liked Hill. She was so… normal. “Hey Hill!” she greeted.
Hill beamed at her. “Hey Tiny, can you grab me another drink?” she asked.
Dania smiled, nodding and checking out Tank and Link’s. “You guys, too?”
Tank nodded. Link, too. “There are some burgers in the oven, Tiny,” Link shared, straightening out the papers. Hill and Tank jotted down a few notes on the papers in front of them then the three calmly started placing papers inside a large manila envelope like they did every time Dania walked in on after-hours paperwork.
Link pushed out a chair between him and Tank for Dania as she balanced three glasses in one hand and her plate of food in the other. “Serious work?” she asked, settling and glancing at the few inconspicuous papers left out.
Hill shrugged. “Just something I wanted the two hotties to check out. Hey are you still tattooing? I was thinking of getting a sun on my back.”
Dania scrunched up her nose. “Thinking pinup still.” She hummed melodically, biting into her burger.
Hill chuckled. “You and your pinups. You have one?”
Dania nodded, slapping her upper thigh. “Here, she’s really pretty. Oh shit, we should put the Hulk or Thor on you!” Her eyes lit up and Hill giggled. Right out giggled. It was the first time Dania had seen the woman giggle like a schoolgirl.
“Ah, you found my weakness. I would love Thor, but that would be huge. I would want him all over me.”
Dania giggled. “Yeah, no shit, hey?” she hummed. Thor, he was the God of all Gods as far as she was concerned. The man was hot. “Maybe Conan, I have seen a couple versions of him that I like. I was thinking of getting him on my arm?” She indicated her left arm. “Then the Hulk over here.”
Link and Tank grinned. Funny how Link was dark and built like Conan and Tank was a human specimen of the Hulk.
Hill nodded. “Hey, convention’s coming to town next month, wanna go?”
Dania took a hefty bite of her burger, nodding. “I’m all over that. I already have passes,” she mumbled through her mouth full of food.
Hill nodded. “Good, I’ll get the costumes.”
Dania narrowed her eyes, taking a long sip of her pop. “What kinda costumes?” she asked cautiously.
Hill grinned. “Catwoman and Batgirl,” she shared.
Dania scrunched up her face. “No fucking way I’m doing either. You got a Rogue or Black Widow? Oh maybe you have Wonder Woman. I can dye the hair black, got some blue contacts.” She looked at her tits. “Ah forget it, too small and tiny over here. Oh, I can go as Tinker Bell!”
Hill burst out in laughter. “Shit, I am not taking Tinker Bell!” she uttered.
Dania chuckled. “Oh come on, I’m sure there is some hot fairy out there that you like?”
Hill nodded, reclining back in her seat. “Yup, but she’s X-rated and I don’t think you’re willing to go that way.”
Dania raised a curious brow. “How X-rated we talking?” She was up for a challenge.
Hill considered her for a minute. “Really?” she asked, a zip of unexpected excitement striking her at the thought of going to the convention with Dania.
Dania shrugged. “Tell me first.”
Hill leaned forward, looking Dania over. “Any major parts would be covered… barely.”
Dania rolled her eyes. “What color’s the costume?”
Hill grinned. “Metallic green, shades of blue, and a touch of red.”
Dania thought it over. She would really need to see this costume. She could get rid of her pink and put in green and slivers of red. It could look good. “I’ll come over in a couple nights. Thursday I have a late shift. I’ll stop by on my way home.”
Hill nodded. “Sounds good. Shit, if I knew you were into dressing up I would have taken you out last Halloween.”
Dania grinned. “I was out, even danced with you, dumbass.”
Hill furrowed her brows. “I never danced with any chicks.”
Dania giggled. “I know but you did dance with an Ewok.”
Hill burst out in giggles. “Shit you were the Ewok! Fuck, you were so cute.”
Dania nodded. “Got so friggen hot in that costume, it was fun though. I actually had one woman ask me to go home with her. Fucking cuddled me all night.” She shuddered. “Definitely not into chicks.” She popped in the rest of her burger and relaxed back. “Hey, I got to do a badge today at work.” She directed the comment at Tank.
Tank grinned. Shit, he should get in and get the sweetie to ink him.
Hill looked Dania over. For an artist she sure didn’t have too much ink to show. She glanced at the intricate bracelet on her wrist. “Pretty, who did that one?” she asked.
Dania grinned, touching her bracelet. “Dan… he wasn’t going to do it, but after the story behind it he gave in.”
Hill furrowed her brows. “Why not, it’s simple enough.”
Dania shrugged. “He’s picky,” she replied, grabbing up her empty plate. “Got some research to do,” she called over her shoulder, leaving the threesome.
Hill glanced at Link then Tank. “Shit, how the hell have you two not taken that one?” She knew Tank and Link loved each other. That they were in a committed relationship but, shit, even a saint couldn’t live with that sweetness and not claim her for themselves.
Chapter Seven
Dania plopped down next to Link, glancing past him to Tank then to the television at the horror flick they were watching. Link draped an arm over her shoulders and pulled her close. Tank placed the large bowl of popcorn on Link’s lap.
They hadn’t talked to her about her parents in two weeks. She had managed to escape back to her room two nights ago, thank God. No way was she sleeping between the two during her monthly.
She grabbed a handful of popcorn and popped one piece at a time in her mouth and watched the bad guy chase his victims through the trees. “You know if they had camped at a campground this wouldn’t have happened,” she replied.
Tank chuckled. “Shit happens everywhere, Tiny,” he drawled, grabbing a handful of popcorn.
Link snorted. “We should go camping. I hear George’s brother Sam is doing a camp,” he shared.
Tank raised his brow. “Pretty little Keena coming too?” He grinned. He loved the strength she had developed over the years after she had married Sam.
Link chuckled. “Yes, Keena will be there.” He poked Dania in the ribs. “Coming?”
Dania shrugged. “Never been camping, how many nights and do I have to share a tent with you two? You got a sleeping bag for me? Do I have to wear jeans the whole weekend, because I don’t know if I can do the whole keeping my whole self covered all the time,” she declared.
She rolled her eyes at the snippety comment, wishing she hadn’t said anything about the subject. She shifted, rubbing her cramping tummy. She had resorted to stripping down in her room just to feel air on her flesh. Whenever the guys were home she wore full-legged pants at all times as well as light T-shirts with the friggen padded bras. It was stupid as far as she was concerned! She lived here. Just because she was a woman and they were men did not mean they weren’t adults and they couldn’t keep their eyes to themselves.
Tank laughed. “If you’re coming out for that you won’t be required to wear anything, Tiny.”
Dania snorted. “I’m not walking around naked out there.”
Link chuckled. “Oh come on, you don’t want to be chased around in the bush all naked?” he teased.
Dania snorted. “Yea, knowing my luck I’ll get ticks! Thank God I shave…” Oh, she shouldn’t tell them things like that. “Nah I think I’ll just stay home,” she decided.
She could walk around the house all naked here. Oh yeah, she was so staying home. She could have a long soak and run the removable shower head over her lady bits for as long as she wanted. She could sunbathe in the backyard, go for a swim naked all she wanted. She grinned. Shit yeah, she was staying home.
Link glanced at Tank. Tank smirked. “Yeah, okay, we’ll get Hill to come check on you. It’s on a long weekend. We don’t want you here all by yourself all weekend.”
Dania shook her head. “I’m twenty-two, guys. I don’t need a babysitter.” she uttered.
Link snorted. “Not a babysitter. She would be insulted if she heard you say that,” he replied.
Dania looked at him. “Fine, let me know when she’s checking up on me so I know to get dressed,” she mumbled. All of a sudden she didn’t want to sit with them. The sudden bout of crankiness that had everything to do with a babysitter had spoiled her mood. She slipped from Link’s arms and excused herself, returning to her room. There was nothing worse than them making her feel like a little girl.
Link clasped hands with Tank. “Shouldn’t have teased her. You know how cranky she gets this time of the month,” he replied, glancing at his lover then back at the television.
Tank snorted, giving Link’s hand a squeeze. “I
don’t like the idea of her all alone here.” He looked at Link. “A whole weekend, have we even ever left her for that long?” The thought scared him. He got a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach at the thought of leaving her here all alone. Yes, she was a grown woman who could take care of herself. He just didn’t want to leave her alone. Shit, Link probably didn’t want to leave her alone either.
Link shook his head. They had done a few overnights over the last six years but a whole weekend. He didn’t like the idea of her being alone either. “Maybe it would be good for her… you know she mentioned getting her own place?” he shared, not looking at Tank. Knowing the look of “hell no” would be mirrored on his handsome face.
Tank grunted. “Not happening,” he declared. No way in hell was he allowing their Dania to move out! She was exactly where she belonged, with him and Link. They loved her and she loved them. His brows furrowed. Did he have the right to think this way? Were he and Link pushing themselves on Dania? Yes, at the fair they were and were going to push a whole lot more, but since that night things were different. He and Link had gone in circles over their intentions with her.
Link pursed his lips. “She’s too young, Tank… we should never have pushed her a few weeks ago.” He hated to say, didn’t want to say it, but it needed to be said.
Tank growled. “Don’t you dare pull that shit on me, Link, you know she belongs with us,” he uttered, movie forgotten and his full attention on Link.
Link nodded. “I know, but she needs to venture out, experience life,” he defended. Not sure if it was himself or Dania that he was defending. He didn’t want to be responsible for any fallouts between them. Dania need to experience life. Yes, he wanted her to do that with them and only them, but… it was her life and she had to be the one to make the choices.