A Man's World 1: Savage Construction (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Becca Van

  “Doc, can you check my daughter out? Some asshole clocked her in the face and she’s too damn stubborn to seek medical attention.” Rick scowled at her.

  “Sure,” the doctor said as he moved closer. After a quick examination and telling her to ice her face often he declared her fine other than the bruising and swelling.

  “Thank you, doctor.”

  “No problem. Take some painkillers when you get home and take it easy for a couple of days.”

  Gypsy gave a mental snort. Take it easy? Yeah, right. There was way too much to be done for her to take it easy.

  After kissing her dad good-bye she headed out.

  * * * *

  Ivan glanced over at his brothers as they strolled into Rick’s room. They didn’t even get a chance to speak before Rick pounced on them verbally.

  “Tell me what the hell is going on? Where were you three when that bastard hit my daughter?”

  “Rick, we didn’t even know that Gypsy was going to fire them. If we had one of us would have gone with her. Guy would have had to have gone through us before he laid a hand on her.”

  Rick sighed with frustration and tapped one of the casts on his leg. “If I wasn’t stuck in this damn bed, I would hunt that asshole down and give him a dose of his own medicine.”

  “The sheriff and his deputies were going to go and arrest Guy for assault. Hopefully by now he’s locked up behind bars,” Leo said.

  “What about Joe?”

  “As far as we know he didn’t touch, Gypsy. He pulled Guy out of the trailer before he could hit her again,” Perry explained.

  “Thank God for small mercies.”

  “Unless he has a prior that fucker is going to get out on bail,” Ivan said.

  “Shit.” Rick scrubbed a hand over his face. “Fucking hell, that bastard knows where we live. How the hell am I going to protect my girl when I can’t even get out of this bed?”

  Leo cleared his throat as he stepped forward. “We are very attracted to Gypsy and want a relationship with her. It would be our honor to look out for her and make sure she’s safe.”

  Ivan held his breath and clenched his hands into fists as they waited for a response from their boss. He was having a hard time working out what was going on in Rick’s mind after Leo’s declaration, because he kept his expression stoic.

  “What do you mean, we?” Rick finally asked as he met each of their eyes.

  Perry stepped forward. “All of us want to get to know Gypsy and hopefully, if she is agreeable, have a relationship with her.”

  “All three of you?” Rick asked.

  Ivan spoke up this time. “Yes sir.”

  “Damn, are you serious?” Rick started laughing but Ivan wasn’t sure if it was out of incredulousness or anger, but he and his brothers nodded their heads. “For how long? Do you just want a relationship with her so you can get into her pants and then once you have will you drop her by the wayside?”

  “No,” Leo answered and then gulped audibly. “We have always been attracted to the same women, and have shared a couple of times, but earlier, when we were younger and less mature, we nearly came to blows trying to compete for women’s attention. We decided that the best thing to do was to share, but only if the woman consented.”

  Perry took over from Leo. “We don’t want a short term fling with Gypsy, Rick. We want the whole nine yards.”

  “Are you talking about marriage?” Rick questioned.

  “That’s what we want. We want marriage, kids, and everything else,” Ivan informed him.

  “And what happens to Gypsy when one or more of you gets jealous?”

  “That won’t happen, sir,” Leo replied. “We’ve already experienced a couple of ménages and jealousy didn’t come into the equation.”

  “Do you have feelings for my daughter?”

  “Yes. Gypsy is a very beautiful woman. We would treat her like a princess if she’ll have us,” Ivan said.

  “And if she doesn’t want anything to do with you three, will you treat her any differently?”

  “No,” Perry said. “We’ll always look out for her and make sure she’s safe.”

  “She’ll fight you.” Rick relaxed back in the bed and smiled at them.

  Hope began to fill Ivan’s heart and he glanced at his brothers before meeting Rick’s gaze again. “Yes, we expect her to fight us every step of the way, but we would never force or coerce her into doing anything she doesn’t want.”

  “So tell me what you’re going to do to protect my pumpkin.”

  Chapter Five

  Gypsy stood in the shower after washing her hair and body, just letting the warm water stream over her. She was hurting and even though she knew she needed to eat something so she could take some painkillers she didn’t have the energy to cook.

  She finally shut off the water, dried off, pulled on a pair of shorts and tank top, then brushed her hair. She thought about putting her hair up but she couldn’t be bothered. With a tired sigh, she headed toward the kitchen, intending on making a sandwich. Just as she reached the end of the hall and entrance to living room the front doorbell rang. She sighed with resignation and headed toward it. After checking the peep hole she opened the door and stared at the three Chadwick brothers.

  “Hi Gypsy, we thought you might be hungry.” Leo held up a bag of Chinese takeout.

  Without saying anything she stepped back and held the door open. The smell of food made her stomach growl loudly.

  Leo entered, followed by Perry and finally Ivan.

  “Sounds like we’re just in time, guys.” Ivan winked at her as he walked by.

  Gypsy shut the door and followed them into the kitchen. She took a seat at the counter and watched as the three men opened cupboards and drawers, getting plates and silverware and glasses out.

  “You’ve been here before.”

  “We have.” Leo smiled at her as he started setting out the containers of food. “Your dad put on a barbeque last weekend for the whole crew.”

  “Oh, that’s nice.” But then a frisson of fear skittered up her spine. Joe and Guy knew where she lived. Damn, she was going to have to be more vigilant from now on, making sure all the windows and doors were locked before turning in each night.

  Perry came around the counter with an ice filled towel in his hand and then he placed it gently against her cheek.

  “I don’t need…”

  “Bullshit,” Perry said. “Leave it on for a while. It will help with the pain and the swelling.”

  “Arrogant prick,” Gypsy muttered under her breath, but she held the towel to her face. It actually helped a little but she would keep that tidbit of information to herself. She realized he’d heard her when he smirked at her.

  “Yes, I am. Get used to it.”

  “Asshole.”

  “Watch the attitude, Gypsy.” Leo glared at her as he pushed a plate full of food toward her.

  Gypsy shot daggers at him with her eyes. “What gives you the right to tell me what to do? I have been looking after myself for a long time and don’t need your help.”

  “Too damn bad, baby. We are going to make sure you look after yourself and we are going to keep you safe.”

  “Safe from what?” Gypsy asked, although she already knew, but she wasn’t about to let them know that.

  Ivan sat down on one side of her while Leo sat on the other.

  Perry stayed around the other side of the bench, his hips cocked against the counter as he picked up a plate and started to eat. After he finished chewing and swallowing, Perry answered. “You’re not that naïve, darlin’. We know damn well you know what we’re talking about.”

  Gypsy just shrugged and then she picked up her fork and started to eat. Her jaw and face hurt when she opened her mouth and when she chewed. She was really going to have to take something for the pain after they left, but she wasn’t about to show any weakness in front of these three men. She had a feeling if she did that they would try to lay down the law with her and she didn�
�t want that. She’d had enough of that with her father. The last thing she wanted was more men telling her how to live her life.

  By the time she’d eaten half a plate full she’d had enough and pushed the plate aside. Perry had brought out the jug of sweet tea from the fridge so she reached for it, but Leo beat her to it and poured a glass for her.

  “Thanks.”

  “Anytime, baby.” Leo leaned down and kissed her on the temple.

  Gypsy felt heat suffuse her cheeks and she quickly looked away. That small affectionate gesture had pinged straight to her heart, but that wasn’t the only place that was reacting. The moment the three men had stepped inside the house her body had started to respond. She just hoped they hadn’t noticed she wasn’t wearing a bra and that her nipples were hard. At least they couldn’t know that they were aching for their touch.

  “Where do you keep your painkillers?” Perry asked as he set his empty plate on the counter.

  “In my bathroom.”

  “I’ll go and get them.” Ivan got up off the stool and kissed the top of her head before he left the room.

  “But you don’t know…”

  Gypsy watched Ivan go and couldn’t help but sigh as he walked away from her. His ass was so damn muscular she wanted to give it a squeeze and see what it felt like. All three of them men were built and she was having a hard time hiding her arousal.

  “He’ll find them, darlin’. Don’t stress.” Perry covered her hand. Tingles raced up and down her arm and she quickly withdrew from his touch.

  Ivan came back with the medicine and Gypsy took two capsules with a sip of sweet tea.

  “Have you had enough to eat, baby?” Leo asked.

  “Yes. Thank you for bringing dinner over. I was just going to make a sandwich.”

  “Why don’t you go and take a seat in the living room and relax while we clean up?” Perry suggested.

  “Oh, I can…”

  “Gypsy, go,” Ivan said in a firm voice, and even though she wanted to argue with them to assert her independence, her head was really hurting and she just didn’t have the strength to go toe to toe with them right now.

  She slid off the stool and walked out. After making herself comfortable in the corner of the sofa, with her head resting on the arm, she stretched out and placed the towel-wrapped ice on a cushion so it was against her cheek and closed her eyes. Gypsy dozed lightly as the pain medicine began to work but she could still hear the deep rumble of Leo, Perry, and Ivan’s voices as they cleaned up the kitchen, and she liked it a lot.

  The sofa cushion near her curled-up legs dipped and then she was being lifted and moved. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up in Leo’s eyes as he pulled her onto his lap and into his arms.

  “What are you doing?” she asked sleepily.

  “Shh, baby, close your eyes and go back to sleep. I just want to hold you for a while.”

  “Hmm.” Gypsy rubbed the uninjured side of her face against his chest as she snuggled in and then she relaxed in his embrace. It felt so nice to be held in his arms, and although she shouldn’t be letting him do this, she didn’t want to protest. She was comfortable and she loved the way he smelled. Whatever soap or body wash he used smelled spicy and it only seemed to make his underlying scent more appealing. She didn’t want him to let her go, but she knew he would have to eventually when he and his brothers left for the night.

  Leo must have been sitting in the middle of the sofa because she felt him jostle a little when his brothers sat down on either side of them. She kept her eyes closed this time when she was moved around and loved that they were strong enough to shift her to wherever they wanted.

  She ended up lying down with her head on a cushion in Perry’s lap, her body across Leo’s thighs, and her hips were draped over Ivan’s legs. It felt so good to be surrounded by their clean, musky male aromas and firm muscles and arms. She could have stayed like that forever. Perry was holding the ice pack to her injured cheek while he used his free hand to stroke her hair and head. Leo had a hand resting on her belly and his fingers were stroking over her hip bone, and Ivan was massaging the tight muscles in her calves and would occasionally caress up her thigh, and then move back down to her calf again.

  The more they touched her the more relaxed and content she felt until she felt like she was drifting on a cloud of peace and she let herself sink into sleep.

  * * * *

  Leo knew the moment Gypsy fell asleep. She had been dozing as they stroked her and he had been pleased to feel her relaxing a little more until her breathing finally changed and evened out.

  The trust she gave him and his brothers after knowing them for so little time humbled him and he vowed to do nothing to make her pull away again. He wondered if she knew how much trust she was showing them but he didn’t think she did.

  “She looks so damn peaceful, innocent, and sexy when she’s asleep,” Perry said quietly as he caressed a thumb over her cheek.

  “Yeah. She’s fucking beautiful,” Leo said.

  “When do you think we should tell her that we want a relationship with her?” Ivan asked impatiently.

  “Not yet,” Leo answered quietly. “We need to give her more time to get used to us.”

  “How much time?” Ivan asked.

  “Shit, Ivan, back off,” Perry whispered heatedly. “We’ll give her as much time as she needs.”

  “I want her so damn much, I’m aching.” Ivan sighed but he kept caressing Gypsy’s legs gently.

  “And you think we’re not?” Leo asked. “Give her a chance, bro, don’t push too fast or she’ll run in the opposite direction.”

  “She already trusts us,” Perry said.

  “How do you figure that?” Ivan asked.

  “We’re here, aren’t we? She could have slammed the door in our faces,” Leo replied.

  “That’s not the only clue.” Perry brushed the hair back from her face.

  “Shit, I was so hell-bent on getting closer to her, I’m not thinking straight.” Ivan shifted slightly in his seat. “Of course she trusts us, she draped all over us and fast asleep.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Good. So how do we tell her we aren’t leaving her here alone?” Ivan glanced at his brothers before looked back down at Gypsy.

  “We just come straight out and tell her,” Leo said.

  “And if she pitches a fit?”

  Leo shrugged. “She can yell and scream all she wants, but we aren’t leaving.”

  “Good.” Perry nodded. “Do you know if the sheriff arrested Guy yet?”

  “No. That bothers me a little. The sheriff said he would call one of us when Guy was arrested.”

  “Do you think he’s taken off?” Ivan asked.

  “I’m not sure, but it’s a possibility.” Leo ran his fingers through his hair. “He and Joe lived in a trailer just outside of town. They could have hooked it up and taken off after getting fired and assaulting Gypsy.”

  “The sheriff said he was going to put an APB out on Guy. I’m sure he’ll be picked up by the police if they see him.” Ivan rubbed Gypsy’s leg when she whimpered and moved.

  All of a sudden Gypsy rolled off of their laps and landed on her knees on the floor and she came up swinging. Leo grabbed her wrists in his hands so she wouldn’t hurt herself.

  “Gypsy, you’re safe, baby. No one here will hurt you.”

  Gypsy blinked and then her cheeks turned pink. “Shit. Sorry.”

  “Don’t be, darlin’.” Perry reached out and lifted her by her waist and brought her back onto his lap. “Did you dream about today?”

  Gypsy nodded.

  Leo reached out and took one of her hands in his. “Don’t worry, baby, we won’t let either of them get to you.”

  “I’m not worried.” Gypsy glanced away before covering her mouth as she yawned.

  “None of us were born yesterday, sweetheart.”

  Gypsy glared at Ivan and then pushed off Perry’s lap. She took a couple of steps away from them before tu
rning back around to face them all. “I know that.”

  “Good.” Leo stood up and placed his hands on his hips. “Then you won’t put up a fuss when we tell you we’ll be staying here tonight.”

  “What? Why would you do that?” Gypsy asked.

  Perry and then Ivan rose to their feet and moved closer to her. Leo took her chin between his thumb and finger when she looked toward the door and brought her eyes back to his.

  “You know damn well why.” Leo held her gaze.

  Gypsy reached up and pushed his hand away. “Look, I appreciate y’all looking out for me, but I’m fine.”

  Leo decided it was time to take charge. Gypsy was independent and feisty, but there were times when it was necessary to take the bull by the horns. “Other than still being in pain, we know you’re fine. But what the hell are you going to do if Joe and Guy come after you? Will you be able to fight two men off of you and get away from them?”

  “Geez, you don’t even know if Guy will make good on his threat.” Gypsy crossed her arms beneath her breast and cocked her hip toward him.

  That determined stance said that she meant every word she said and that she was more than capable of defending herself. And even though Leo knew she had to be a lot stronger than other women of her height and weight because of the physical work she did, she wasn’t as strong as a man. Plus he’d seen the fear in her eyes when she’d come up swinging her fists when she’d woken from her nightmare. He hated seeing that vulnerable look in her eyes, but what made him sad was that she tried to hide how she really felt from him and is brothers. Maybe she didn’t trust them as much as he’d thought.

  “Gypsy, you can argue all you want, but we aren’t leaving.” Perry crossed his arms over his chest.

  Gypsy spun on her heels and headed into the kitchen. Leo glanced at his brothers and then all three of them followed her. She grabbed a glass from a cupboard, filled it with water and drank it down, but kept her back toward them. He knew that she knew they were there. Her body had gone tense as soon as they walked in behind her.