Cerdic was angry and truly felt badly for her. It wasn’t fair that she had to live a life of fear and go from place to place because of these men who were after her.
“This may very well be the place you get to start over and begin a new life. Making friends can help. You should remain positive that Jeremy will find the men who want to hurt you,” Lew said to her, and as he placed his hand at her lower back, she jumped and shuddered from his touch.
She looked scared as she stepped away. “I’m fine, really. I guess you may be right about making friends, and maybe Jeremy will be able to solve the case. It couldn’t hurt to look into the possibility of finding work.”
“Finding work? Why?” Cerdic asked.
“Because when I heard from Jeremy, it sounded like the government might cut the ties from us and leave us with no means of financial assistance. I would have to work and probably leave your house and find something very small to start.”
“No. That won’t be necessary. You can stay in the house for as long as you want. We’ll help you.”
“But I can’t promise that I could ever replay you,” she whispered.
“It’s not necessary,” Lew said. “We’re your first friends in Treasure Town, and we won’t be the last ones you make. Now let’s go do those errands, meet up with the guys and Frankie, and then hit the grocery store before heading home.”
She nodded, and they walked down the street.
Cerdic was shocked at what he was thinking and feeling. He wanted to learn more about Sophia. He wanted to make her feel safe and have the new start she deserved, but something told him that getting her to let her guard down would be hell. He even wondered if he could keep his promise about not getting personally involved with Sophia. Maybe Lew and the others would find it too difficult, too.
* * * *
Sophia was surprised at how comfortable she felt around Frankie and all the men. Frankie had an outgoing personality, and before they’d finished lunch, she told Sophia if she ever wanted company shopping or doing errands that she could pick her up and take her into town or even meet for lunch.
“The girls get together at least a couple a times a month for ladies night out or even a day excursion. Manicures, pedicures, boutique shopping, a movie, a boat ride, whatever we plan. In fact, Friday we’re going to a wine tasting event, where you learn to paint a portrait from instructors while tasting wine and eating gourmet food. It should be pretty funny. Sometimes some of the ladies drink too much and we get hysterical over the finished artwork.”
“She’s not kidding, and she’s brought home some doozies,” Hal teased, and Frankie gave him a light slap against his arm.
“Hal!” she reprimanded, and the guys all laughed.
One glance at Lew and Cerdic and Sophia saw something flash in their eyes, and then they looked so serious.
“You should come with me. I’m the designated driver this time around so my artwork should be superb. Thank you,” Frankie said sarcastically.
Hal pulled her close and whispered into her ear as he kissed his woman. Sophia watched and could see the love, the bond, between Frankie and her men. Even the big bad sheriff, who intimidated Sophia big time, smiled and gave Frankie a sweet wink.
Frankie looked at Sophia, waiting for an answer.
“Oh, I’ll see. I’m not sure,” Sophia replied.
Cerdic placed his arm over her chair. The move not only made Sophia freeze. The table grew very quiet. Frankie’s eyes widened, and Jake, the sheriff, Hal, Hank, and Nate all watched with interested expressions.
“You can go if you want to,” he whispered close to her ear. “It might be nice to make some friends so you feel more comfortable here.”
Her heart pounded, and her breasts felt fuller, aroused by Cerdic’s close proximity, his heated breath, and sexy, caring tone.
She didn’t look at him. Instead she looked down at her lap.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good. We’ll exchange numbers and keep in touch. It’s only a few days away. You’ll have a blast, and the women are all really sweet,” Frankie told her, and then they started talking about a place called the Station and how they would all meet up there for beers while the women were out Friday night.
Sophia thought about how normal and happy they all seemed. Even these ménage relationships were so acceptable and common, and they truly seemed happy, loved, and cared for. Frankie’s men were definitely protective, too, and in a good way not an abusive way. Watching them in action with Frankie made Sophia understand the difference and realize, even more so, what her relationship with Mateo had lacked. Trust, commitment, and, mostly, respect.
* * * *
Throughout lunch, Cerdic watched Sophia’s reaction to their friends and to Frankie. She really seemed to hit it off with Frankie, and he thought that was great. But as she excused herself to go to the lady’s room, and Cerdic saw multiple men checking Sophia out, he couldn’t believe the jealous, protective feeling he had. It was instant, and it shocked him. But one glance at Lew and Cerdic saw that he looked so serious with his eyes glued to Sophia, and then he gave a near snarl at the men who blatantly watched her.
Frankie got up to take a phone call so Cerdic and Lew were left with the guys.
“So, how are things really going? Is she getting more comfortable?” Nate asked.
“Well, she’s been with us for a couple of weeks now, and today is the first time she’s allowed us to take her into town. She wants to come in alone, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Lew said with his gaze bouncing toward the group of three men who had watched Sophia walk to the lady’s room.
Jake looked over his shoulder.
“Why is that?” Nate asked.
“Just want to be sure she’s protected,” Lew replied.
“Or maybe you don’t like the fact that other men are looking at her, and you guys are attracted to Sophia,” Jake said.
Cerdic kept a straight face.
“We’re just doing the job you and Jeremy asked us to do,” Lew replied.
“Doesn’t look that way to us, but hey, stranger things have happened. It’s not like she’s some criminal,” Hal added.
“No, she isn’t, but she’s been through hell, and she needs time to recover. She sure doesn’t need four non-commitment-type SEALs fucking with her head,” Nate said very seriously.
Cerdic sat forward, his temper getting the better of him.
“What the fuck do you think, Nate? That we would take advantage of her?” Cerdic asked.
“Who said we’re the non-commitment types? You haven’t even seen us in years. You don’t know what type of men we are, what type of team,” Lew said, very seriously but calmly. Cerdic knew that tone. If this little argument went further, fists might fly.
Nate looked at Jake, and Jake nodded his head and smiled as he leaned back in his chair. He crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“So, are Gideon and Andreas attracted to her too?” Jake asked.
Nate snorted as he shook his head.
“Holy shit, who would have fucking known the four of you badass SEALs would wind up robbing the cradle big time?”
The other guys laughed, and then Cerdic exhaled and leaned back in his chair. Lew, however, retorted right back.
“My understanding is that Frankie is a good ten years younger than you, old man, so I wouldn’t talk,” Lew stated, and Cerdic chuckled.
“Ten years is one thing, but last I checked, Sophia was twenty-three, and you’re thirty-six,” Jake replied, and they all chuckled.
“Hey, all kidding aside, what’s your plan of action?” Nate asked. “I mean she’s not out of danger. Jeremy could show up and whisk her away if these men who are after her come too close. She was hurt pretty badly from my understanding.”
Lew exhaled, and Cerdic watched the door waiting for Sophia to come out. Frankie headed that way, too, after her phone call.
“I get the feeling,” Lew said and then glanced at Cerdic be
fore continuing, “that she was abused by this guy. Today on the beach, I kind of snuck up on her. I thought she would have sensed me coming closer, but she was so lost in thought, looking out at the ocean, that when she turned around toward the house, she gasped and grabbed her cover up. I saw something on her back. I tried to see what it was, but she freaked, and tears filled her eyes. There was something there.”
Cerdic swallowed hard.
“Bruising and injury?” Jake asked. Now he looked just as angry as the others did with his eyes wide and his arms crossed in front of his chest. All these men had complete respect for women and were protective of all. Of course they would show concern and be upset over this.
“Nothing was in the file Jeremy gave you guys?” Jake asked, and Lew shook his head and leaned back.
Nate exhaled. He looked around them.
“I know what it has to be. But, fuck, I hoped it hadn’t been what Jeremy meant when he said she’d suffered and he couldn’t take not getting Sophia out of there,” Nate said.
“What? What do you mean?” Cerdic asked.
“You read about this fucking guy. He branded his men, anyone close to him.” Nate then looked away, exhaling and running a hand through his hair. At first Cerdic wasn’t sure what he meant, and then it hit him like it hit Lew, Jake, Hal, and the others.
“He branded her? Burned her with a prong like she was some object, a possession?” Lew asked, teeth clenched.
“Oh fuck, no.” Hal blew out a long breath.
Lew’s eyes popped up, and then Cerdic saw Sophia and Frankie coming from the bathroom.
“They’re coming back,” Hal said.
Cerdic watched the men flirt with Sophia and Frankie. One stood up from the stool, and Cerdic and Lew were standing up in a flash that alerted the others, who all stood, too. But before they moved, Frankie pointed at the guys, saying something as she looped her arm through Sophia’s and then pointed to Cerdic and Lew and the others. The men immediately placed their hands in the air and sat back down, but their gazes roamed over the women’s asses.
“Sit down, we’re fine,” Frankie said, letting go of Sophia’s arm.
Cerdic moved so she could sit, and he couldn’t help but to touch her arm.
“Okay?” he asked, and she nodded, and they all sat back down. Everyone was quiet.
“So, Sophia, you really should consider going out with Frankie and the girls Friday. It will be fun, and the place is right outside of Treasure Town.”
“Say yes, Sophia. I promise it will be fun,” Frankie told her, and Sophia looked at Cerdic and at Lew.
Cerdic gave her a nod and a reassuring smile as he kept his arm over her chair behind her shoulders.
“Okay, I guess so, if Cerdic and Lew say it’s okay.”
Cerdic felt his chest tighten. Was she beginning to trust them and their judgment, their indication and promise that she was safe here in Treasure Town? He wasn’t certain, but he sure knew he liked her looking to him and Lew for reassurance and for their permission. He wondered if she were a natural submissive, or if her ex was so controlling and demanding, abusive, that she’d had no choice. As much as a submissive woman tuned him on, he would rather have Sophia handing over control to him because she trusted him, felt the connection, and wanted to, not because she felt she had to. Seemed to Cerdic that they sure did have a lot to figure out, but at least Lew seemed to admit he was attracted to Sophia, too. So maybe their rule of not getting involved would be broken.
* * * *
“Is there someplace else you wanted to go before we head back to the house?” Lew asked Sophia as she carried her bags of groceries and placed them into the back of the truck. Cerdic carried theirs and placed them inside.
“I think I’m good for today. I’ll probably take one of the bikes out Thursday and come here to go to the clothing store. I really don’t have a lot of things, and I’ll need something for Friday and then, of course, if I get any job interviews, I’ll need clothes, too.”
“Andreas and Gideon can always bring you. They’re off Thursday and Friday.”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be. I wouldn’t want to hold them up.” She stepped back when Lew touched her hand. She froze in place, and he stared down into her dark blue eyes.
“It’s not a problem. We like spending time with you. Don’t you like spending time with us?” he asked, and then he couldn’t resist. He reached up and pressed a stray hair behind her ear, her skin smooth against his palm.
She went to say something and then closed her mouth. He held her chin and tilted it up toward him as Cerdic came to stand right next to her. Her eyes darted from Lew’s to Cerdic’s and back again.
“Well, don’t you like spending time with all of us?” Cerdic pushed.
“Yes,” she whispered softly.
Lew gave a soft grin. “Good, then it’s settled. Andreas and Gideon will drive you into town Thursday. How about we get this stuff home and you come over for dinner tonight?”
But before she could answer, his cell phone rang. He gave her a wink, and they all got into the truck as Lew spoke to one of the tenants about a broken garbage disposal.
“Looks like I’ll be cooking the steaks on the grill tonight,” Cerdic teased, and they all headed back to the house.
* * * *
Sophia didn’t think she could handle this dinner with the four intimidating men. She thought it wasn’t a smart idea for so many reasons as she looked in the mirror and pressed her hand down the beige skirt before she readjusted her breasts in the pale blue sleeveless blouse she wore. She wondered if she should undo another button. That was what Mateo would have wanted her to do, but it wasn’t her taste. She hated flaunting her breasts. She left two undone and only because she would be busting out of the top if she didn’t and wouldn’t be comfortable. She took a deep breath.
This isn’t a date, so why am I so nervous?
But the way Lew looked down into her eyes and asked her about dinner and feeling comfortable with them and liking to spend time with them swirled around in her head. She was attracted to all four men. Their friends were all involved with ménage relationships, and the men were definitely attracted to her, but how could she follow her heart or let down her guard when danger was imminent?
Mateo would kill them if she got romantically involved with these four men. It wasn’t fair to them to place them in such danger. She felt the ache to her back. Although the branding looked more like a strange tattoo now, and was no longer raised and painful looking, she still knew what it stood for. She was Mateo’s possession, an object he owned and controlled, even now that he was gone on the run. But she knew him so well. He would return. Even if it took months or years he would do it.
The tear escaped from her eye, and she quickly wiped it away. How would Cerdic, Andreas, Gideon, and Lew react when they saw the branding? It was one thing to have sexual relationships with men and have lovers, boyfriends. But it was different, sick and despicable and degrading to be branded by one so no other man would touch her, want her, or respect her. That was what hurt the most. Perhaps her future entailed sexual partners to ease a need for a connection and some form of compassion and affection, but ultimately she would be alone, considered used, damaged goods that no one would want but for sex.
The tears flowed, and she felt sick to her stomach. She couldn’t go over there and pretend she was a normal woman with a normal body, a normal heart, and normal past. She was anything but normal. A battered, scarred victim, a woman destined to be alone and never truly loved.
She walked over to the bed and opened the container of prescription Valium the doctor had prescribed to help calm her nerves and help her to relax. The tears continued to flow, and she took a pill then drank the water. She climbed up onto the bed and cried her heart out. Thoughts of no future and always living in fear had her sniffling and moaning until exhaustion overtook her.
* * * *
“She isn’t answering. I’m going over,” Andreas said, and he put th
e cell phone back into the clip on his waist.
“We all are. Something might be wrong,” Lew added, and the four of them headed next door.
They made their way through the house as if they were in a raid, guns drawn, securing each room from bottom to top floor. Andreas’s heart was pounding for he feared she was hurt and somehow someone had gotten into the house and taken her. He thought about the conversation he and Gideon had with Lew and Cerdic about their admittance to being attracted to Sophia as well and wanting to pursue the feelings but knowing she was fearful and a victim of violence by a man who she thought had loved her. But then, as they got to her bedroom and his eyes landed on her back, the branding they feared she’d sustained in plain sight, his stomach pulled into knots. They placed their guns into their holsters, and Lew picked up the prescription bottle.
“She took Valium.”
Gideon sat down on the bed and caressed her hair from her cheek.
“Looks like she’s been crying.” Andreas couldn’t help the upset he felt and then the anger as he stared at her beautiful skin and then the letter M so bold and bright against her lower back.
“I hope she didn’t take more than one,” Cerdic said, and then it became a panic to wake her. How unstable was she? Could she try to take her life? What had possessed her to lie here and take the pills?
“Sophia? Sophia baby, wake up now. It’s Gideon,” he said to her as he caressed her cheek.
They all sighed in relief as she exhaled and then slowly opened her eyes.
“Gideon?” she whispered and then rolled to her back and stretched. The move accentuated her large breasts. Her skirt lifted, and more sexy thigh showed. Then she gasped.
“Oh God.” She went to sit up, and then she grabbed onto Gideon.
“Easy, baby. Take your time. I think you took some Valium.”
“How many did you take?” Lew demanded to know.
Her eyes widened. “One,” she whispered, and then she seemed to catch sight of their guns and the fact that they were all in her bedroom. She reached up to make sure her blouse wasn’t undone, but her breasts were so big, so beautiful, that they flowed from the top.
Hearts on Fire 6: Healing Sophia (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 6