by Chloe Lang
He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Sweetheart, money is great, but you’re the one who brought me happiness.”
Sitting in another seat facing them, Chuck tossed a football at Lance. “Who knew you could be so sappy? What happened to the playboy jetsetter you used to be?”
“What about you?” He threw it back. “You’re the one who has started writing poetry for our girl, not me. Now that’s sappy.”
Chuck leaned forward and grabbed her hands. “For this one, I’m nothing more than a fool in love and proud of it.”
“I love you two very much.” She glanced over at her mother, who was fast asleep.
Lance touched Danielle’s shoulder. “Your mom is beat.”
“No wonder,” Chuck chimed in. “Yesterday was hard on all of us.”
“Yes, it was on many levels. I realize now that everything my mother did was only her way of trying to protect me. The wall I created in my heart is crumbling, but it is still quite large. Even though it’s going to take time to rebuild our relationship, I do want to.”
“Honey, this is a perfect time for us to talk to you about the future.” Lance’s eyes were full of seriousness and warmth. “Of course you know we want you.”
She smiled. “And I want to be with you.”
“Wilde is your home, which makes it our home, too.” Chuck leaned forward, placing his hands on her knees. “There’s a house just out of town that we are looking at buying for you.”
Lance touched her on the cheek. “For all of us.”
“What house?”
Lance smiled. “The old Wilde Mansion.”
Danielle remembered how beautiful the place was, though in need of a little updating. Jessie and Charly had taken her to see it once. “Pappy Jack owns that.”
Chuck nodded. “We haven’t met him in person, but Michael told us that he’s one of the sweetest gentlemen you would ever meet.”
“Yes, he is.”
“Mr. Wilde hasn’t lived in it since his wife died.” Lance put his arm around her shoulder. “Sounds like they had quite the romance.”
The sweet old man was one of her favorite customers. He loved coming into the diner between rush hours, and she loved hearing him talk about the wonderful life he’d had in Wilde. “I’ve heard lots of stories about Pappy Jack and his brothers and their wife, Carol.”
“Michael and Harry told him that we wanted to stay in Wilde with you.” Lance stroked her hair. “The old guy told Michael that if we were interested in buying his home, he would be happy to sell it to us. He said it was time it had a family in it again.”
“Sounds like Pappy Jack.” She couldn’t wait to give the man a big hug and an extra slice of pie the next time he came into the diner. “The place is beautiful. It sits on a hill with trees all around it.”
Chuck grinned. “Michael told us that Mr. Wilde is quite fond of you, Danielle.”
“And I’m fond of him, too.”
“We know that you are in the process of tearing the wall down between you and your mother.” Lance’s tone was gentle and full of understanding. “And we also know she needs protection since she’s going to testify against the cartel. So how would you feel if she lived with us for the time being?”
“It’s your call, baby.” Chuck’s sweet gaze gave her such comfort. “The whole town is ready to protect your mother. If you don’t feel comfortable with having her under the same roof, then we’ll make other arrangements.”
She kissed them both. “You guys think of everything. I’ve never had anyone take care of me before.”
Lance stated firmly, “Get used to it, honey.”
“You want her to live with us?” Chuck asked.
“I think spending time with my mom will help both of us heal.”
“That’s the first time you’ve called her ‘Mom,’ sweetheart,” he said. “I think the wall is coming down faster than you think.”
“It feels like it is. I always had those good memories of her before my dad died. I always loved her, but with everything that happened, my heart hardened against those emotions. Sometimes I have a difficult time opening up.”
“After all you’ve been through, no wonder.” Chuck’s gentle strength gave her courage and hope. It was easy to trust him. “We’ll be here for you through all of it. Trust me.”
“I do. Sometimes I want to grab her and hug her and tell her I forgive her everything. But it doesn’t feel natural. Maybe it’s just simply hard letting go.”
Lance kissed her. “Honey, one step at a time. For both of you.”
* * * *
Holding the book, Danielle knocked on the door of Pauline’s room.
“Come in.” The sweet woman’s voice sounded just as warm as it had all those years ago.
Her mother smiled. “You go, Danielle. Talk to her alone. If she’s willing to see me, I’ll come in after.”
“She’s right,” Lance said. “Chuck and I will stay in the hallway with your mom.”
She nodded and opened the door.
Pauline looked up from the chair she was sitting in. “Danielle, is that you, my sweet child?”
She remembers me!
Tears welled up in her eyes. “Yes, it’s me.” She ran over and hugged her. “I missed you so much.”
Pauline hugged her back. “I missed you, too.”
“I brought the book you gave me.” She held it up in front of her. “I took it with me everywhere. Whenever I was in trouble or afraid, I would read it and remember all the things you taught me. It made me stronger and gave me courage to get through the dark times. Oh, Pauline, I thought you were dead. Please forgive me for running away.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for, young lady.” Pauline wiped the tears from her eyes. “You were in a terrible situation. You were a child. You did nothing wrong. I’ve missed you and prayed for you every day since the attack. Tell me everything that has happened to you, Danielle.”
“I live in Wilde because of the stories you told me about when you were a girl.”
“Oh my.” Pauline’s eyes lit up. “That’s wonderful. I have a cousin who lives there still. You may have met him. Jackson Wilde is his name.”
“Pappy Jack is your cousin? Of course, I’ve met him.”
“I haven’t seen him since Carol’s funeral. He’s the only family I have left.”
“That’s not true, Pauline.”
“I guess not. He has three sons and five grandsons, too.”
“That’s true, and they are all wonderful men. Your grandsons are married to a very dear friend of mine and they are happy as can be. But I’m not talking about the Wilde clan. I’m talking about me. I’m your family, too—and you are mine.”
“I love you, child. I’ve missed you so much.”
Danielle recounted what had happened the day she’d run away and everything that had followed. The sweet lady smiled when she talked about how she’d fallen in love with Lance and Chuck. Pauline listened intently when she told her about how she and her mother had been brought back together by Miguel’s death.
“My mother and my guys are right outside. She would like to talk to you, but that is entirely up to you.”
“Merle was in a very difficult situation, too, Danielle. You were too young to know, but I could see it every time you, she, and Miguel showed up to my house. I learned that a woman called the ambulance after Miguel attacked me. I have no doubt that was your mother.” Pauline sighed. “Yes, I want to talk to your mother, too. Bring her in, child.”
Danielle opened the door. “Mother, come in.”
Her mother ran through the door and fell to her knees, sobbing. “I’m so sorry, Pauline. Please forgive me.”
Pauline stroked her mother’s hair. “You saved my life, Merle. Don’t you know I could see right through Miguel and the prison he kept you in? I was trying to find a way to pull you and Danielle out of that horror, but before I got a chance to do it, the bastard attacked me. I never saw any of you again. Danielle told me he’s dead. Somehow I have t
o find a way to forgive him for his evil deeds. You did nothing wrong. You were doing your best to protect Danielle.”
Pauline could see the silver lining in the darkest of clouds. She was a saint.
Her mother continued to sob and put her head in Pauline’s lap. “I missed you so much. You were like a mother to me.”
“I know, my dear. Poor thing. Your mother died when you were so young.”
Tears rolled down Danielle’s cheeks as her giant wall against her mother came crashing down. She bent down and put her arms around her mom and Pauline.
“Mom, I love you.”
* * * *
Chuck leaned against the wall in the hallway outside Pauline’s room. Lance stood next to him.
Danielle came out of the door, her eyes red and puffy, clearly from crying. The smile on her face told him they’d been happy tears. “Pauline wants to meet you.”
Lance put his arm around her. “And we want to meet her, too.”
Chuck grabbed her hand. “Lead the way, baby.”
They walked into the room together. Danielle’s mother sat on the bed facing the elderly woman, whose eyes were full of life and joy.
“These must be the young men you were telling me about, Danielle. They are quite handsome. I can see where the attraction came from. You two will be good to my girl, won’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he and Lance said in unison.
Pauline’s whole face lit up. “Merle, look how happy these three are.”
Danielle’s mother smiled. “They do seem good together.”
“Have a seat, young men.” Pauline didn’t look like a woman of eighty-seven years, and she definitely didn’t act it. “I want to hear all about you and your time in my childhood hometown.”
They all talked for a couple of hours. Pauline had some of her own stories that made them all laugh. This felt good. This felt like family. It was clear to him by the way Danielle kept hugging her mother that the walls she’d built up over the years were gone. He was glad. He wanted the love of his life to be happy. She had her mother again and Pauline.
“Would you ladies excuse me and Lance for a moment? I would like to discuss something with him in the hallway.”
Pauline smiled. “Just like my Ernest. Go. Have your man talk.”
Chuck bent down and kissed the dear woman on the cheek. “Thank you, Pauline.”
Lance kissed her on the other cheek. “You’ve made our girl very happy.”
“And I just got a kiss from each of you. You’ve made my day, young men.” She winked. “Leave us ladies to our talk now.”
He and Lance nodded and walked out the door.
Lance turned to him. “What’s up, buddy?”
“I know we talked about moving Danielle’s mother in with us already, but—”
“Get out of my head. You and I are thinking the same thing. We need to move Pauline back to Wilde and in our new home, right?”
“Yes. Exactly.”
“You think she’ll agree to that?”
“I think we should talk to all three of the ladies first, but I know that’s what they need. There is still much catching up to do and healing to come.”
“Chuck, that’s why you’re the brains and I’m the pretty one.”
“I’m the brains and the pretty one, Lance,” he teased. “You know that.”
Chapter Fifteen
Danielle stood in front of the old Wilde Mansion. “I can’t believe this is actually our home.”
“I’m just glad we finally get to move in.” Chuck sighed. They’d all grown anxious over the past few weeks. “I was getting tired of hotel living.”
“Don’t tell Maude Strong that.” Lance had enjoyed the room service at the Hotel Cactus much more than the rest of them. “She is very proud of her new hotel.”
“The new Cactus is very nice, but it’s not the same as being in your own place.” Chuck pulled Danielle in tight, turning to her mom and Pauline. “Don’t you ladies agree?”
Her mom nodded. The bruises on the outside had healed, but Danielle knew it would be some time before the bruises on the inside would.
She grabbed her mother’s hand and squeezed.
Pauline, who looked ten years younger since they had sprung her from the retirement center, headed up the steps. “I completely agree with you, Charles.” Pauline was the only one left that called Chuck by his given name. He seemed to actually like it from her.
Since bringing her back to Wilde, the dear lady had reunited with her cousin, Pappy Jack, and had met the rest of her extended family. She looked more vibrant than ever. Wilde did that to a woman.
“Shall we see inside?” Lance asked.
“Definitely.” Danielle went up the stairs to the entrance of the grand home.
I’m going to be living in a mansion. An actual mansion.
They walked through the double doors to the foyer, which had the most beautiful, sweeping staircase she’d ever seen. It could’ve been featured in Architectural Digest or one of those other home design magazines.
Chuck offered his arm to her mother and Pauline. “Shall I escort you to your rooms, ladies?”
Her mother shook her head. “We’ve been here during the remodeling, son. Pauline and I can find our way. I think you three should take the tour together. We’ll catch up with you later.”
Danielle put her arms around her mother. “Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Her mom and Pauline walked hand in hand to the back of the house where their bedrooms were. They even shared a bath and a sitting room. It was good to see how wonderfully they were getting along. Forgiveness did heal deep wounds.
“What do you want to see first, baby?” Chuck always put her needs and wants before his. Loving him and Lance was like breathing now.
She giggled. “Our bedroom, of course.”
Lance kissed her. “We thought you might.”
“No time like the present.” Chuck pressed his lips to hers.
She walked between them up the stairs to their bedroom. “I think we better call this the Masters’ bedroom, as in plural, don’t you agree? There are two of you.”
Chuck grinned. “Not so subtle, baby.”
“What do you mean?” She feigned innocence, but knew he was seeing right through her.
“You know exactly what I mean,” he said firmly as they walked into the bedroom.
She couldn’t believe her eyes, seeing all the roses around the room. It was the most beautiful place she’d ever seen, but the flowers reminded her of their very beginning together. She turned and kissed each of them passionately. “This makes me so happy. I feel so at home now.”
Lance pulled her in tight. “We wanted this to be special for you, baby.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Chuck stroked her hair.
She grinned and placed her hands on her hips. “You’re not off the hook yet, guys. I love you, but I believe I told you I like sex. So let’s get back to BDSM.”
“You’re being quite sassy, baby.” Chuck’s deep tone took on a dominance that she instantly responded to. “We’ve told you a lot about the life. What happens to a submissive when she’s bratty?”
“The problem is that all you do is talk. I think I know more about how things work than a lot of people practicing the lifestyle. I am ready.”
Lance smiled. “You think so?”
“Yes.”
He cupped her breasts. “Really?” His deepening tone sent a shiver up and down her spine.
She nodded.
“What do you think, Chuck? Is our girl ready for a demonstration?”
“Let me call Austin and see if the room we reserved for tomorrow night is available now.”
She grinned, realizing they’d already planned everything for her introduction into BDSM. “You are both devils.”
“No. We are your Doms, honey.” Chuck kissed her, making her toes curl and her belly flip-flop. “I told you we would know when you were ready to dip your toe in the
water of our life. It turns out you’re ready to dive in headfirst. Hello, Austin. This is Chuck.”
As Chuck made plans for them to go to the club, Lance pinched her nipples, delivering a sting that made her tingle from head to toe with excitement.
“Don’t forget who is in charge, sweetheart.” Lance’s Dom side was coming through loud and clear.
She trembled, remembering all the discussions they’d had about protocols. “I won’t forget, Sir.”
The smile that spread across his face warmed her insides nicely.
“Come here, sub.”
She did, and he led her to the largest closet she’d ever seen, complete with a vanity and full-length mirror. Seeing it on the architect’s plans was one thing, but seeing it finished was another. “This is much bigger than the bedroom in my old house.”
“And it’s all yours, baby. Chuck and I will share the other closet.” From one of the shelves he grabbed a gift-wrapped package. He handed it to her. “This is for you.”
She opened the box and found a sexy one-piece outfit made of black leather with a zipper that ran from top to bottom in the back. Also inside was a pair of stilettos to match. “You already bought this for me?”
“Yes.” He kissed her. “Put it on, now.”
Chuck got off the phone. “A day earlier than we planned to take you to the club, but you’re a naughty, impatient girl who needs to learn her lesson.”
She giggled. “Yes, I am, Sir. Yes, I am.”
* * * *
Walking into The Masters’ Chambers, Danielle tugged on the too-short skirt that Lance and Chuck had bought for her. The cool air on her exposed skin excited her, but still she was nervous. She knew that anyone could see she wasn’t wearing panties—another requirement by her two Doms.
They stood protectively on either side of her as they approached the desk of the reception area.
Austin sat behind the desk. “Everything is ready. All I need is yours and your sub’s signatures.”
Your sub’s…? She liked being called their sub.
They read the paperwork and signed it.
“Here’s the key,” Austin said. “Room seven.”