4 Men Of The House with correct Also By page

by Knight, Natalie

“Excuse me,” I say to the bimbo whose name I don’t know.

  I walk through the party and try not to bask in the glow of attention that’s coming my way.

  “Oh, Ian, over here. How are you, baby? It’s been so long,” this buxom brunette is saying. “How about I come warm your bed up tonight?”

  She’s all over me, and I have to forcibly remove her arms from around my neck.

  “Another time,” I say, barely paying attention to who she is.

  It’s starting to occur to me that we need a fresh guest list. It does no good to see all the women I’ve fucked in one place. I guess before, I might’ve been into this behavior, but now I want none of it.

  Is Meg turning me into a one-woman kind of guy? Maybe. But I’ve little time to think about it, because I’m becoming increasingly paranoid.

  I don’t see her anywhere.

  “Ian, it’s nice to see you, man. It’s been a while. Here, take a shot with me,” this guy name Rob says to me.

  I slap his back and return the sentiment, “It’s good to see you, Rob. How you been?”

  “Great man, business is going great, and so is life, you know? May I introduce you to Jennifer?”

  I look at the beautiful woman flanking his arm and take note of the fact that she seems more conservative than the type of woman Rob is usually into.

  I take the proffered shot of vodka from him. “What’s this? Are you settling down finally?”

  Jennifer holds out her hand for me to shake, and I do so cordially.

  She says, “He is, and I have the ring to prove it.”

  She flashes a huge diamond in front of my face, and I’m painfully aware of the fact that she might be after Rob for his money. He’s loaded. He’s almost as blessed in the income department as I am.

  But a second glance at Jennifer tells me she seems like a pretty okay gal. Maybe I’ve been jaded by too many women who were only attracted to me based on my deep pockets.

  I take back the shot of vodka and hope it does something to quell my anxiety about Meg.

  I look at the ring and say, “Wow. Wow, that is great. I’m really happy for both of you. You’ve probably done a lot of good for Rob here. He used to be a pretty wild guy.”

  Rob laughs nervously and says, “Come on Ian, let’s not tell her too much about that.”

  I take the cue and say my goodbyes. I don’t want to get him in trouble. Though he and I have had many wild nights together.

  It’s no use to bring that up now, though. He seems genuinely happy with Jennifer. It only reminds me of my own situation and how Meg has lit up my life and virtually changed me.

  The vodka, however, does nothing to tame my anxiety.

  I make my way over to the bar, where I see my brothers holding court. There are guests mingling about, trying to get a piece of the action.

  I pull Evan away and say, “Hey, have you seen Meg? She came looking for you a while ago. Did you see her?”

  He looks happy, like he’s been enjoying his night.

  But to my dismay, he says, “No. I haven’t seen her all night. I’m guessing she looks radiant. I assumed I haven’t seen her because she’s hidden by mask or something. Where is she?”

  “That’s the thing. She seems to have disappeared. It’s been a while, and I’m trying to find her.”

  He offers me a drink—vodka soda—and I take it gratefully. I need alcohol to try to calm my spirit. I feel gripped by this, like I’ve never felt with anyone else. When I don’t know where she is, it makes me extremely nervous.

  “She’s probably just gone to the powder room or something. Come on, hang with us, and she’ll show up in no time,” Evan says.

  His words should make sense to me, but there’s this part of my brain that’s preoccupied with her, like maybe something’s wrong.

  I tell myself that Evan’s probably right. I don’t need to be this controlling of her. Maybe she’s having a good time. Maybe she’s met some new friends and will meet up with me later.

  I decide to relax with the guys by the bar. I drink my vodka soda, and then I have another. And another.

  “In fact, make it a martini,” I say to the bartender. “Very dry, no olives.”

  “Make that two vodka martinis,” Paul says, joining us.

  “Where’s Meg?” he asks. “I haven’t seen her tonight. I know that she probably looks fabulous.”

  “We’re not talking about Meg,” Evan says. “Ian’s becoming obsessed. He doesn’t know where she is, and it’s starting to worry him.”

  “Well, how long has it been since you saw her?” Paul asks.

  I check my watch. “Well, about an hour now.”

  “She’s probably roaming around here somewhere,” Paul says. “Luckily, the bar is the perfect place to be. She’ll probably make her way over here soon.”

  “I hope so. Matt and I were just with her before she set off looking for you two. But Evan says she he hasn’t seen her. So where is she?”

  A look of concern spreads across Paul’s face, but he tries to hide it.

  “Well, she’s made this party so damn dark and sultry, it’s hard to see anybody out here,” he says, trying to defuse the tension.

  My martini arrives and looks perfect. I take a long drink before someone touches my arm and takes my attention away from the guys.

  “Ian, this is my friend named Sam. She’s seen your name all over the papers and has always wanted to meet you,” this girl named Leslie says.

  “Hi, Sam,” I say into her shining eyes.

  Under usual circumstances, this kind of thing would make me excited.

  Sam is delightful enough to take to bed. Her straight, long blonde hair hits the middle of her back. She’s wearing a tight, little black dress.

  I’d usually be feasting on her by now, imagining myself pulling that black dress off and making my way with her.

  But tonight is different. I’m worried about Meg, and I can’t deny it. I’m not gonna be able to make small talk for long.

  “Hi, Sam, it’s very nice to meet you. This is my brother Evan. I’m sure you two will get along famously,” I say, taking my martini and leaving the bar, much to Evan’s chagrin.

  I’ve just set the woman on him, and I doubt he appreciates it. He’s as dedicated to Meg as I am. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no one else in the universe besides her.

  This is what she’s done to me. She’s literally turned my world upside down.

  And I’m starting to get fucking pissed off by the fact that I can’t find her.

  I circle the party once more and try to avoid making eye contact so that I won’t have to talk to anyone.

  She’s simply not out here.

  I look in the cabanas and by the pool. I peruse the long tables filled with guests taking their fill of caviar.

  I’m just about to make my way inside when Paul comes to find me.

  “Hey, Ian, wait up. Listen, I want to help you find Meg,” he says.

  “Good. I’ve searched the party twice. She’s not outside. I’m about to go inside and look through all the rooms. She better turn up fast, or I’m gonna call security.”

  “Good idea. I’m sure she’s around here somewhere.”

  His words do nothing to soothe me. I can tell he’s just as concerned as I am. Ever since Meg’s been at the mansion, one of us has always had an eye on her.

  Even when I’ve had to go to town for business, I know that at least one brother is in the mansion with her. Her safety is paramount, and I can’t have anything happen to her—especially on this night when the mansion is filled with people.

  I’m thinking myself very foolish for letting her leave my side. There are so many guests here that she doesn’t know. I should’ve had security vet the place more closely.

  I just wanted to celebrate. I wanted the evening to be lighthearted and fun.

  I check my watch for the hundredth time and realize the fireworks are going to start soon. This is the moment I imagined spending with Meg. I was
going to show her the lights in the sky and then proclaim my love to her.

  That’s right.

  I said love.

  And I mean it, too.

  It might’ve taken me this long to realize it, but Meg’s been capturing my heart since the first moment I laid eyes on her beautiful, sexy body.

  The fact that she has an intelligent mind and an honest soul only adds to her appeal.

  I guess you can say I’ve become beguiled by her charms. I’ve never met anybody like her ever before. She’s always offering up more layers for me to uncover.

  I know we’re meant to be together, and I plan on sweeping her off her feet—just as soon as I can find her.

  Chapter 38

  Paul

  My heart is beating hard in my chest. So hard that I can barely hear myself think.

  I don’t want to think. I don’t want to feel. I just want to find Meg.

  At first, I thought Ian was overreacting. But as the minutes began to tick by with no sign of her, I’ve become worried.

  We walk quickly through the party and through the hordes of people that have made their way in. I look directly down, avoiding eye contact. The last thing Ian and I need are some partygoers grabbing us and asking for attention.

  I have no interest in coddling women I’ve previously bedded or in talking to people about my deceased father.

  Right now, Meg is the only thing that matters. I should’ve kept a better eye on her. I haven’t even seen her this evening, and that in itself is worrisome.

  We push our way into the house without being stopped by a single person. Ian and I take the back stairs by the kitchen to avoid being noticed.

  Our plan works, because we easily make our way up to the second floor where Meg’s bedroom is.

  The door is sitting ajar, but Ian knocks gently to alert her to our presence.

  Everything is riding on this moment. She better be in here, or else there’s gonna be hell to pay.

  “Meg? Meg, it’s Ian. Are you in here?” he asks.

  There’s no answer. Only silence. Dead silence.

  We walk into her room and see that everything is left untouched. There’s no sign of her.

  She’s not here, but her presence is. I see her lipstick and perfume lying on the vanity table. I see her hairbrush and her clothes strewn about.

  I see everything but her beautiful face.

  “Fuck,” Ian says.

  We’ve got a definite problem on our hands, but neither of us is ready to admit it. Instead, we text our brothers to come join us in the hunt for Meg. Together, we can tear through every room in the mansion.

  This is the only time in my life that I’ve ever cursed how fucking big the mansion is. There are too many fucking rooms.

  We split up and take the mansion by storm, searching every cubby and closet there is. She has to be somewhere. She couldn’t have just vanished.

  “Meg? Meg, are you here?” I find myself calling frantically every time I throw a door open.

  Occasionally, I come across a couple having sex on one of the beds. It’s something I’ve done before, but right now, I just find it inappropriate.

  “Get out. You guys get the fuck out of here,” I spit to their startled faces. “We’re looking for someone!”

  It’s time to alert security, and once I meet back up with Ian, I tell him so.

  “I’ve already told them,” he says. “And I have all the household staff on watch. Everyone’s looking for her now.”

  “That’s good,” I say, more to myself than anybody else. “Security will find her. It’s what they do best.”

  He’s barely listening as we strip the house, room by room, looking for her. If only I could see her, that gorgeous face, then I’d be appeased. I don’t care what the fuck she’s doing as long as she’s safe.

  Eventually, we meet up with Matt and Evan.

  Everyone’s on high alert now. Her absence is conspicuous. She’s been missing for too long.

  “We need to look back outside,” Matt decides.

  This is a fact we’re all dreading, because the party is mainly happening outside. That means we’re gonna have to dodge our guests left and right.

  Nothing is gonna set me back from finding Meg, though. I’m determined. I’m on a fucking mission is what I’m fucking on.

  “What is she wearing?” I ask Matt as we go outside.

  “She’s wearing a backless silver dress. And the damn mask, of course. I don’t know why we ever made this a masquerade party. I can’t tell who anybody is.”

  I grunt in agreement, because suddenly, the dark and moody atmosphere of the party feels opposing. To me, it feels like the walls are closing in, as I realize Meg might really be gone.

  I know she never would’ve left of her own accord. Something must be wrong.

  Panic sets in as I look through the many party guests and try to find a silver gown. We look behind every bush and tree. We circle the party twice before venturing out farther across the extensive, perfectly maintained lawn and gardens.

  I search by myself through the gardens, wishing they weren’t a maze of rows of towering shrubs and flowers. Normally the gardens relax me, but tonight is a different story.

  Everything is steeped in darkness. I can’t tell where I’m going as the blackness of night envelops me.

  Eventually, I emerge on the other side.

  She’s okay. She must be somewhere. Surely, security would’ve seen her go otherwise.

  I go toward the tennis courts. At least there’s some light over there.

  She can’t be far. If she’s not here, then I don’t know where she could be. There’s the forest beyond the estate, but that’s about it. It’s just wilderness after that.

  My brothers are headed in the same direction. I’m ahead of them by half a mile.

  And then, to my horror, I hear Meg scream.

  The sound causes me to run—and I run fast. She sounds terrified. I can’t get to her quick enough.

  I run towards the tennis courts, which are brightly lit, save for one corner.

  That’s where she is.

  I see her crouched on the ground in the midst of an attack. There’s a guy between her legs ,and he’s just about to hit her over the head with the butt of his gun when I approach.

  I come up behind him and forcibly wield his arm back until I hear a crack. The guy cries out in pain.

  I have the advantage. I pry the gun from his closed fingers and look at Meg.

  Her dress is torn to bits, and she’s bleeding and covered in scratches. She looks horrified. Her makeup is smudged from so much crying.

  “Meg, I’m here,” I say. “Get out of the way. Now!”

  She does what I say and tries to roll away from underneath the man, but the guy has a firm hold on her, gripping her legs and causing her to cry out in pain.

  I start to see red as I realize he’s hurting her. He puts up a good fight, but I pound on him as hard as I can.

  He lets go of her leg, so he can punch me in the face a couple of times. I don’t even feel it. I feel nothing but hot, powerful fury.

  I’m gonna make him pay, whoever the fuck he is.

  I’m going to fucking make him pay.

  Chapter 39

  Evan

  The guy spurts blood, which covers my suit jacket.

  Good.

  I see my brother beating the guy who’s attacking Meg into a pulp.

  Also good.

  Luckily, we got here just in time to save her—and to stop Paul from killing the dude.

  Maybe.

  As far as I’m concerned, he can die. But of course, that won’t be good for our permanent records. I can’t have my brother going to jail forever.

  And so I do all I can to pull Paul from his moment with the guy. I pull him off, and he falls to the ground, face crazy with rage, hands covered in blood.

  “It’s okay, Paul, we’ve got him. You’ve got him. You did it.”

  He’s breathing heavily, and he sp
its blood out of his mouth.

  I see Matt and Ian attending to Meg before making sure the attacker’s done for. They get a couple of final punches in, and when they’re satisfied, they back away from the bloodied heap of a man, gesturing for Meg to follow.

  She scrambles to her feet, and her torn silver dress exposes every limb that’s battered and bruised. She looks like a mess. She looks absolutely shattered.

  “I thought I was going to die,” she sobs. “How did you find me?” Tears streaming down her face.

  Matt rushes to her side. “Baby, we’ve had eyes on you since the moment you came here. When we couldn’t find you, we went fucking crazy. We tore apart the place.”

  She cries and falls into his arms, holding onto his neck for support. He lets her cry and puts his arms around her.

  The asshole on the ground starts to scream belligerently, “You guys don’t know what you’re doing. She’s a fucking whore. A whore! You hear me? She’s been spying on you this entire time.”

  The guy slumps back to the grass, likely because so many of his bones are broken. But that doesn’t shut him up for a second.

  “She’s my girlfriend. You understand me? I have rights over her. Not that I would want the bitch now.”

  This causes a newborn sense of fury to rise in my chest, and I personally walk over to him and do the honor of kicking him hard in the gut.

  “Shut up,” I say, stomping on his broken body.

  There. Now we all get a turn.

  Ian’s calling security to alert them to our position. They’ll arrive soon, and this creep will get his dues…in jail.

  Meg is still crying, “He was going to rape me. He said he would rape me and then kill me.”

  “It’s true,” Paul says from his position on the ground. He looks at me and hands me the gun. “He was just about to use it on her when I found them.”

  I shudder to think of what could’ve happened. I take the gun, ensure it’s locked, and put it in my suit pocket.

  “The cops will be very interested to see this,” I say calmly.

  The guy keeps screaming and ranting, “I’m not going to jail. You’re the ones who stole my fortune. You hear me? You stole from me.”