The Lieutenant's Ex-Wife

by Aliyah Burke

  Cort tilted his head and sat on the bed before patting the mattress beside him. “You tell me what’s going on and I’ll talk to my brother.”

  “Stop treating me like a child or some stooge. I’m not one of your witnesses you need to coddle,” she snapped.

  “Fair enough.” He dipped his head slightly. “I’m really not a bad guy, Sidra. Give me a chance to help.”

  “I don’t know if I can trust you.”

  “Do you trust my brother?” Cort asked.

  Did she? “Yes.”

  “Well, he trusts me.”

  Sidra sat back on the bed and dropped her face into her hands. Trust me to help you. Pete’s words ran through her mind. Swallowing hard, she looked up and found Cort staring at her with endless patience. “Okay.”

  “Good.” He stood. “I think we should do this downstairs before my brother comes in and kills me for sitting on a bed with you.”

  “Pete wouldn’t do that.”

  Cort laughed a deep, husky laugh. “You’ve got a lot to learn about the man you married, darlin’. A lot to learn. Five bucks says he’s outside the door right now, with a scowl on his face.”

  “You’re on.”

  “I’ll let you go out first.”

  Sidra moved to the door and swung it open. Sure enough, Pete leaned against the wall across from the door with a serious scowl on his face. He looked pissed enough to spit nails.

  She looked over her shoulder at Cort and said, “Well, damn.”

  He smiled. “Like takin’ candy from a baby.”

  “You two done playin’ house?” Pete snapped.

  Sidra frowned at Pete, especially when he reached out and grabbed her wrist. She resisted his tug and arched a brow when he snapped his gaze to her. “No one is playing house, Pete. Your brother was telling me I can trust him.”

  “I’ll be downstairs when you two are ready to talk,” Cort said, walking away.

  Sidra watched him stride away. The man was coiled power and grace.

  “Stop staring at my brother,” Pete bit off.

  “You brought him here. What, you want me to pretend he’s ugly?”

  “That works.”

  Shaking her head, Sidra pushed Pete up against the wall, sliding her hands over his chest. “Pete, I have a crazy man after me. One hell of a man in my bed, what could I possibly want with another one?”

  “Some people like—”

  “And some people sleep on a bed of nails.” She kissed him. “I am not trying to get in your brother’s pants. Although, I would like a bit of a heads up before you throw something that damn good looking in front of me.” Another kiss. “You know, so I don’t act like a love struck teen.”

  He growled and grabbed her tighter. “So you’re trying to get me to fight for you?”

  She smiled. “Ain’t no reason to fight. I’d never break a wedding vow.” Well, not now that I know I’m still married.

  Heat flared in his eyes. “That is very good to know.”

  They walked to the kitchen where she immediately moved to make some fresh java. This could be a long talk and she believed she’d need the comfort coffee brought her. Behind her, Pete and Cort caught up with one another and she prayed all of this would work out.

  The front door slammed. “What the hell is going on here?” Another deep voice demanded.

  Before she could get over the shock of hearing another male voice, Pete appeared at her side. “Siddy?” he said.

  “Yeah?” She looked at him.

  Pete leaned in close and whispered. “Heads up.”

  Sidra turned and swallowed hard when another buff, blond Adonis strode into the room. Oh my God! She couldn’t help but shudder. These men were unbelievable. This newest addition had the longest hair of them all, rich golden blond, which hung free to his shoulders. The same chiselled features and impressive tanned body. He wore black BDU’s and a navy blue t-shirt which seemed hard-pressed to keep his muscles in. His eyes were a deeper hue of blue than his brothers’.

  Did I say oh my God yet?

  “What the fuck, Pete?” the man thundered with a thick drawl, similar to the other two. His mouth snapped shut when he spotted her. He tossed his leather jacket onto a chair and did a slow perusal of her.

  “I think we need more coffee,” she said more to herself than anything.

  Pete muttered under his breath and dropped his arm around her. “Hi, Taber.”

  Taber?

  “Pardon my language, ma’am,” the now identified Taber said, raking a hand through his hair.

  “Forget it, Taber.” Cort spoke up. “That little darlin’ is Pete’s wife.”

  A blond eyebrow rose before a sexy and disarming grin filled his face. “So then I get to kiss my sister-in-law.” He walked towards her, his movement full of masculine swagger. “Where’d you luck out and find her, Petey?”

  “Don’t make me kill you, Tabby,” Pete said on a grumble.

  Taber never slowed. Took her free hand and bowed over it. “Welcome to the family…” he trailed off.

  “Sidra,” she supplied.

  “Sidra,” Taber said before shaking his head. “Sweetness. I’m gonna call you sweetness. Have any sisters?”

  “Back up off of her, Taber,” Pete demanded. “Sidra, this is my other brother, the middle one, Taber. He’s DEA.”

  What the flying fuck? She looked at Pete, and from his expression, he hadn’t expected Taber to arrive.

  Taber stared at her before dropping her hand and hugging his brothers. Then he glanced back at her. “So, fill me in, sweetness.”

  Pete kissed her cheek. “You wanted backup.”

  She smiled. “No, I said last time we had backup, not that I wanted it.”

  “Too bad, darlin’,” Cort said as his brothers stood beside him. “You got us.”

  Sidra stared at the three blond Kysenzki brothers standing before her. Arms crossed, strong bodies, and their handsome faces, although filled with determination and stubbornness, made one hell of a line of eye candy.

  “So I have a flyboy, a US Marshal, and a DEA agent. Lucky me.” And new nicknames. Darlin’ and sweetness.

  Pete shook his head. “No, Siddy. You have a flyboy. Only. We have their skills at our disposal.”

  More of those warm and fuzzy feelings drifted over her. Walking towards them, Sidra allowed her gaze to move over all three men before coming to a rest on Pete. Skimming her hands over his chest, she linked her arms around his neck.

  “There is no ‘only’ about you, flyboy.”

  His eyes smouldered as he lowered his head to hers. A large hand shoved between them before their lips could connect.

  “Hold on there,” Cort’s heavy drawl interrupted, “I ‘spect this kinda behaviour led to that whole being naked thing I walked in on in the living room.” He separated them. “We have talkin’ to do.”

  “See, I miss all the fun,” Taber complained playfully, dropping his arm around her shoulders.

  Sidra looked up at him and cocked a brow. “Well, that’s not making me feel better. You’re DEA and you miss things?”

  Taber chuckled. “You wound me, sweetness.”

  “I’m sure,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Just like I’m sure you’ll get over it.”

  “Your wife isn’t falling for my charm, Petey.”

  “I married a smart woman, Tabby,” Pete said with a wink for her.

  “Enough,” Cort said. “We have work to do.”

  Oldest and the most responsible. Sidra nodded. Coffee was poured and some food was out. The four adults sat around the kitchen table. Sidra was grateful for Pete’s hand on her leg.

  “Fill us in, darlin’,” Cort said, watching her carefully over the rim of his coffee mug.

  She sighed and snuck a glance at Taber. One the surface, he seemed relaxed but his eyes were hawk-like in their attentiveness. None of these men would she want on her tail.

  Chapter Four

  Pete listened as Sidra filled his brothers in on her
past with the DoJ and of their assignment which led to this current married status he had. Not that he minded.

  “So let me get this straight, for the past couple of years this man’s been after you and Petey just now decided to help?” Taber asked, glaring at him.

  “No, it’s not like that,” Sidra responded. “As far as either of us knew, we were no longer married. I found out it was still legal about three months ago. So I signed it and left again.”

  Taber looked at him. “And you?”

  “Well, when we got back from our eight-month deployment a few weeks ago, I found out. But in my case, it said I was signing over custody of our kid to her.”

  Cort and Taber snapped their heads between himself and Sidra. Pete shook his. “My thoughts also. So I tracked her down, not easy, but I did. It was that bastard’s way to find her.”

  “So there’s no kid?” Cort asked as he pinned his gaze back on Sidra.

  “Not with me there isn’t,” Sidra said. “I can’t speak for any other woman your brother may have been with.”

  Pete frowned. The thought of a kid with another woman sat ill with him as did the flippant way Sidra said it. But a child with his Siddy, that held promise. There may not be one yet, Sidra. Not yet. He wondered where that thought had come from.

  “This chip he’s after, where is it, darlin’?” Cort questioned.

  Pete watched her gaze shutter. “Near,” she said.

  “That’s what you told me, Siddy. Where is it?”

  “No, I’m sorry. I can’t say.”

  “You mean you won’t.”

  She shrugged negligently and tried to hide a yawn. Getting to his feet, Pete shared a look with his brothers.

  “I’ll take first watch,” Taber said. “Got plenty of this kickass coffee. Y’all sleep.”

  Pete fought a snarl when both Taber and Cort whispered something in Sidra’s ear. Taking her arm, he said, “Come on, Siddy, bed for you.” She went with him, and soon, they were sliding under the covers. He held her close. “Good night, Siddy.”

  “Good night, Pete. And…thank you.”

  He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes. Sidra Bonnaire was his. Pete slept for a few hours before he woke and went downstairs in his pants.

  Cort was by the coffee pot. Taber joined them soon after, snow on his clothing. Pete made up a fresh pot of coffee, well aware of his brothers watching him.

  “What?” he asked. “She is picky about her coffee and taught me how to make a so-called proper pot.”

  “Pussy whipped,” Cort said.

  “That may be true but at least I’m getting some,” Pete retorted. Cort flipped him off and Pete grinned. “What’d you find out, Taber?”

  “Not a goddamn thing. If the chip is in her vehicle, I can’t find it.”

  Pete warded off the next question. “I asked already. She’s not willing to tell me.” Taber sat at the table and Pete looked at him. “Aren’t you going to bed?”

  “Not before I hear more about Sidra Kysenzki.”

  “Bonnaire. Sidra Bonnaire.”

  “I like it better with Kysenzki added,” Taber said.

  “Me too,” Pete admitted. He looked up towards the second floor as if he could see into where she lay sleeping.

  “What didn’t she tell us, Pete?” Cort asked.

  “I know what you do. She won’t tell me why she left the DoJ. Well, not anymore than they had irreconcilable differences. She doesn’t trust them to protect her. And neither do I.” He wrapped his hands around the mug and stared at the black liquid in it.

  “What are you going to do once this is over?” Taber leant back in the chair and looked at him.

  “Go back to work.”

  “And Sidra?”

  There in lay the question. If he wanted to be honest with himself, he fell in love with her the two months they were together. And he hadn’t gotten over her, that much was obvious. He’d been merely ignoring his feelings. And it was past time for him to run anymore.

  Pete stared at his brothers and shrugged. “She’s my wife.”

  “So it’s like that, huh?” Cort asked with a slight grin on his face.

  “Yeah, it’s like that.”

  Taber stood. “Good. I like her. Now, I’m gonna get some sleep.”

  “Night, Taber. And hey,” Pete grabbed his arm, “thanks for coming.”

  Taber nodded once and walked away.

  Cort gestured to the stairs. “Go curl up to that wife of yours. I’ve got this watch.”

  Pete didn’t have to be told twice. He sent his brother a grateful nod and jogged up the stairs. Pushing open the door, he slipped in and padded silently to the bed where Sidra slept. Sidra. His wife. Siddy. His Siddy. His. And he had no intentions of letting her go again.

  He stripped off his pants and slid into bed. Her warm body immediately curled up against him. Holding her close he kissed her temple.

  “I love you, Siddy,” he whispered, closing his eyes as her scent washed over him.

  He woke alone and immediately panicked. Shoving into his jeans, Pete bolted down the stairs, his bare feet skidding to a halt on the polished hardwood floor before the kitchen. Cort sat there staring at him, eyebrows lifted in silent amusement.

  “Where’s the fire?”

  “Where’s Siddy?” Pete asked.

  Cort chuckled and ate another bite of his breakfast. “She’s outside with Taber.”

  He relaxed. For about one second. With Taber? What the fuck? Swallowing hard, Pete headed back up the stairs to the room. He showered, shaved and dressed. Then he made his way back downstairs. Cort still sat at the table and Sidra still remained mysteriously absent.

  “Hungry?” Cort asked. “There’s a plate in the oven for you.”

  Pete walked over and got it. “Thanks.” Eggs, bacon, and toast.

  “Don’t thank me, Sidra made sure to set some aside for you. Me ‘n’ Taber were ready to eat it all.”

  Pete smiled and picked up the fork. He ate in silence but his heart sped up when he heard the front door open. Taber’s deep voice intermixed with the softer one of Sidra. His breath caught when she preceded his brother into the kitchen. She wore black fitted pants and a cream-coloured turtleneck. Her hair was unconfined, falling about her face in gentle waves.

  “Mornin’,” Taber said.

  He nodded at his brother and continued to stare at Sidra. Her eyes had a sparkle in them.

  “Morning, Pete,” she said, heading for the coffee pot.

  Pete slid his chair back and blocked her way. He tugged her down on his lap. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

  “I got up to pull my watch.” She kissed him on the tip of his nose and jumped off his lap.

  “She’s pulling a watch?” he demanded.

  Taber and Cort stood near Sidra as she poured coffee. “She doesn’t take orders very well, Petey,” Cort said.

  He snorted. “Don’t I know it.”

  “Maybe the redhead would have followed orders better.”

  Pete arched a brow at her. “Is that jealousy I hear in those dulcet tones, Siddy?”

  “Aww, flyboy needs his ego stroked?” Sidra turned and walked towards him, an exaggerated swing in her hips. “Tough shit, Racer,” she said, stopping before him. “I don’t do that anymore than I do orders.” She walked away into the living room.

  Ignoring the smirks on his brothers’ faces, Pete rested his arm on the back of the chair and rested one ankle on his knee. “Not true, Siddy,” he drawled. “I remember a few orders you have no trouble followin’. Need I remind you?”

  She never slowed, never looked back. “Depends. You plan on sleeping alone tonight?”

  His mouth clamped shut. Pete had no intentions on sleeping without her in his arms.

  “Pussy whipped,” Cort muttered, sitting at the table.

  “Oh yeah,” Taber added, joining them.

  Running a hand over his short hair, Pete grinned. “Happily so.”

  “Okay. We’ll pull watch at nigh
t; that way you’re with her. I think y’all can handle the daytime and we can sleep then,” Cort informed him.

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “Assuming y’all stay alert ‘n’ don’t spend all your time…ummm…fucking,” Taber said.

  Pete got to his feet and took his dishes to the dishwasher. Then he topped off his coffee. Heading to the living room, Pete halted behind Taber and placed his hand on his shoulder, squeezing in a falsely conciliatory manner.

  “I know it sucks having to jerk off, but hold out hope, Tabby. One day you just may get to experience a woman’s touch. And a real one at that, not the one you pay for or a blow-up doll.”

  With a chuckle, he left, Taber’s growl audible. Pete scanned the living room for Sidra. She sat on the tan cushion of the window seat. Knees drawn up, arms on them, and her coffee mug held between her hands. Her head leant against the window as she stared at something only she could see. There sat upon her face a longing, an intense longing which broke his heart to see.

  “You okay, Siddy?” he questioned, sitting down at the other end of the window seat. He ran one hand up the inside of her calf.

  She focused on him and he could see the lingering sadness in their depths. “I feel bad your brothers and you are being brought into this.”

  “Don’t do that, Sidra. No point in feeling bad. We’re gonna help you.”

  “Wake us if we’re needed,” Cort said.

  Pet glanced over to see his brothers going up the stairs.

  “You wake Cort, Petey. I want sweetness to wake me,” Taber informed him.

  “Did you ever want to wake again, Tabby?” he growled.

  Taber grinned rakishly and disappeared up the stairs.

  Sidra fought back her smile. She honestly enjoyed watching the interaction between the three Kysenzki brothers. Their support and love for one another blatantly obvious. With a sigh, she rested her head against the window again. A nagging urge to tell Pete where the chip was rose up within her, but she battled it down.

  The back of her neck tingled and she knew Larson was close. It was the same feeling she got before each move she’d made. She needed to get him to agree to a meet. Closing her eyes, Sidra took some deep breaths as Pete’s hand moved up and down the lower portion of her leg, soothing her.