by Sam Crescent
“Fuck you, William. You’ve got a tiny dick, and I’ve got to get to some action from somewhere, you fat bastard,” Anita said.
His grip tightened on her chin, making Holly cry out in pain.
“You shut your fucking mouth, bitch!” William didn’t release her. Instead, he caught her arm in a bruising grip. “You’re going to stop seeing those bastards or you’re going to give me money for spreading your legs.”
She shook her head. Fear gripped her as he threw her to the ground. With one solid kick, he landed a blow to her stomach. Curling into a ball Holly did everything to block out the pain.
Nothing was happening, Kade and Steven had opened her, and she couldn’t stop the pain.
“You back the fuck down, William.”
Holly heard the sheriff’s voice, and seconds later she heard Kade and Steven.
“Stay the fuck back, Kade. This is my job,” Matt said, yelling. Suddenly she was pulled up by her hair. Her father smashed the glass bottle and pressed the smashed end toward her face.
She cringed, trying to pull away. His hands shook, and if he pressed the glass was going into her face and she would be dead.
“Let me go,” she said. Her stomach hurt, and so did her face. His blows had been erratic.
“No. They’ve seen me. You fucking set me up. There is no getting away from this.”
Her mother stood by the door looking over at Matt Dawson, Kade, and Steven. John pulled up seconds later along with the rest of her family. Holly closed her eyes trying to block it all out. They couldn’t see her like this.
“You take my money and my kids. You’re not taking my daughter,” William said.
Opening her eyes she saw Steven and one of the deputies holding Kade back. He looked ready to do murder.
“Do you really think you’re escaping this, William? Put the bottle down and come willingly, or you’ll be making it hard for yourself.”
She felt her father’s eyes on her. Holly tried to turn away. The stench of cigarettes and alcohol was too much. Her stomach turned at the smell.
“Do you think they’ll want you with a scarred face? I could cut you and make you ugly,” he said, laughing.
“I thought you said I was ugly enough.”
John broke through the crowd. “You leave her out of this, Dad.”
She closed her eyes hoping someone would put a stop to it.
“What are you going to do, son? You’re a pussy and let your sister deal with me since you left. You’ve got no dick. You’re a cunt like the rest of them.”
“You’re not like him, John,” Holly said. She knew her brother feared turning out like him.
“I didn’t leave her alone. Holly is with me every day.”
William snarled. “You fucking your boss as well? She’s a slut, and all sluts need to be punished.” The glass pressed to her face.
Holly couldn’t contain the scream. She screamed for help. In that instant she begged, pleaded, and wished to God someone would answer. No one answered her silent prayers, but maybe someone would answer her now.
A shot rang out. The sound echoed, and the arm holding the glass dropped.
She fell to the floor hoping to get out of firing range. Covering her ears she tried to shut it all out.
Arms surrounded her filling her with warmth.
****
Kade held her tightly as she shook. Her hands didn’t drop from her ears. Glancing over at Matt he saw him restraining her father, and he was pleased his arms were around her. If not he’d have killed the bastard. There were a few cuts on her face from the glass, but nothing would leave any permanent damage.
Seeing the danger she was in would stay with him forever. She’d looked so small and fragile caught in her father’s grip. John knelt in front of her.
“Holly, I’m here, sweetie.”
Her eyes opened, and she pulled away from Kade and wrapped her arms around her brother. They stood, and he saw John breathe a sigh of relief.
“I shouldn’t have come here,” she said. “I knew it the moment the taxi was gone.”
“Why did you come here?” John asked.
“I wanted to make sure there were no other problems. He’ll never let it slide. I needed to make sure he wasn’t planning anything. I’m so stupid, John.”
His brother looked at him. Kade’s heart went out to her.
She turned to look at him. “Are you angry with me?” she asked.
Tugging her out of her brother’s arms, Kade inhaled her strawberry scent and hoped to calm his raging emotions. She could have died. When he’d pulled up in the truck to see her father kicking her, anger had filled him. There was no way she would have come away unscathed. Her soul-shattering pleas for help would stay with him forever.
Steven made his way over to where they stood. “They’re arresting her mother as well. Her brothers and sisters are putting in a complaint. My lawyer says if they agree to live with John then he could keep guardianship. He’s working out all the problems with it. My lawyer’s been working on this case for the last year. From the moment I first saw her I knew I wanted Holly. She’s the woman for us. This with her father was the final straw. We’ve got all the witnesses to prove his rash, angry, and violent behaviour.”
Kade nodded and held a shaking Holly against him. Steven reached out, stroking her hair. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“I’m so sorry. I needed to check.”
Matt Dawson walked over to them with a paramedic. “I called an ambulance. I want Holly to go with them. After the beating she took, I want her looked over and the findings put down in evidence. There is no way they’re getting away from this one. I want them both put away.”
Kade recognised the anger in the sheriff. He felt the same kind of anger.
“I’ll take her, Kade. You follow us to the hospital,” Steven said.
Kade let her go, and he hated not having her in his arms. “I’ll follow you, baby. You do what you’re told, and I’ll be there soon.”
She nodded. Kade handed her over to Steven. Besides her brother, he was the only other guy he trusted with her.
John looked at him with surprise.
“What?” Kade asked.
“I knew Steven had feelings for my sister, but I wasn’t sure about you. You’re always frowning at her. I never thought you’d love her,” John said.
Matt cleared his throat and left them to it.
“What are you trying to say?” Kade faced her brother waiting for some kind of derogatory comment.
“You’re Steven’s partner. We know you’re in a relationship with him. I didn’t think you’d want my sister. I knew Steven did. I saw you looking at her, and I thought you were jealous, but you’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
Kade stared at her brother and wished he could deny his feelings. He’d only ever been in love with Steven. There was a time when he believed he could only ever love one person. Holly was changing all of his beliefs. His feelings for her were powerful. He couldn’t change the way she was invading his heart and making him feel.
“Yes, I love her.” He’d taken her virginity and made her his woman to love and be with. Turning back to John he tapped the man on the shoulder. “Your sister is going to be well taken care of. I can guarantee it. Nothing is ever going to happen to her.”
Once he’d cleared everything up with Matt Kade climbed into his truck and made his way toward the hospital. He couldn’t get rid of the image of William kicking her in the stomach. Revulsion consumed him as he thought about the danger she was in. The glass against her throat could have easily taken her life and he’d be travelling to the hospital for an entirely different reason.
Leaving his car in the visitors’ parking lot, Kade made his way inside. He found Steven sat in the waiting room of the emergency room.
“What are you doing here?” Kade asked, taking a seat next to him.
“Holly wanted to be checked over alone. She didn’t want me there.”
Kade fr
owned. “How come?”
“The paramedic hurt her, and I went off on him. I think I scared her a little. It’s my own fault. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. I couldn’t help it. I can’t stand the thought of her being in any kind of pain,” Steven said.
Settling down, Kade looked toward the closed off area. “She through there?”
“Yeah. I’m never going to get that shit out of my mind.”
“Me neither. She’s a hard woman.”
“You can’t deny she isn’t the one. We both know she’s the one,” Steven said.
“Of course she’s the one. I don’t deny it. We’ve got to let Holly know she’s the one. We’re not letting her get away again.”
The nurse came out to find them. “Holly is waiting for you.”
They followed the nurse back to the room. Their woman sat on the bed waiting for them. She smiled the instant they walked through the doors.
“I’ll get your discharge forms,” the nurse said, leaving them alone.
Holly tucked some hair behind her ear. “I know you guys are angry with me, but I had to do something. Neither of you know what he’s like. He’s a hard man to live with and to deal with.”
****
Steven’s heart went out to her. She clearly didn’t think they knew what she’d been through all these years. They really didn’t have a clue, but they could guess. Going to her, Steven wrapped his arms around her trying to give her comfort.
“You don’t need to say a thing,” Steven said.
“If I wasn’t worried about how you’d react I’d have you over my knee,” Kade said.
Subtlety was never going to be Kade’s strong suit.
Holly chuckled.
“Please, baby, tell me there is nothing else wrong with you.” Kade caught her face between his palms.
She shook her head. “I’ve got a few cuts and bruises. Nothing else is wrong with me. The doctor ran a few tests to make sure. I’m totally fit and healthy.”
“I’m not talking about your body, baby. I’m talking about up here.” Kade pressed his fingers against her temple.
Her fingers covered his. She smiled between them. Steven’s world lit up at her smile.
“No, it’s not. I’m fine.”
“You’ve taken a lot of his abuse, Holly. Please, be honest with us,” Steven said, kissing her temple.
“I’m being honest. I spent a great deal of time working. It was only a few hours a day when I actually had to deal with him. The waiting was the worst. I used to have to wait for him.” She shivered. “Thinking about what he’d do affected me more.”
“You’ll never have to deal with him again. You’ve got us, and you’ll always have us. We’re not going anywhere.”
Her head rested on Steven’s shoulder. “Two men.”
Kade smirked. “Get used to it. You’re coming home with us. Your family can visit you at the ranch. We’re handling everything for your brothers and sisters. You’ll have nothing to worry about. I promise.”
They stood away as the nurse walked back in. She smiled among all three. “I’m so pleased to know you’ll have two strapping men taking care of you, honey. Take care and rest. If you have any concerns, call.”
Steven took her hand, and all three of them walked out of the hospital. John and the others were waiting.
He let her go to embrace her family.
“She’s our girl all right,” Kade said.
Steven stopped to let her know they were bringing the car around. He walked with Kade to the parking lot. “She’ll complete us, Kade. She’s the missing link.”
“I can’t wait to explore everything with her.”
Kade brought the car around to pick Holly up. Steven let John know to bring the family around for dinner. He’d made more than enough food to feed them all. With her safely between him and Kade, they all headed off home.
“I got John to pack your stuff up. You’ll be living with us for now on, Holly. I don’t want to hear any arguments,” Kade said.
“I’m not going to argue. It’ll be nice living with you.”
Steven took her hand, kissing her fingers. “We’ve got a lot more to say to you,” he said.
“Like what?”
He glanced at Kade to see if he wanted him to hold off. His lover nodded.
“Kade and I want this to be for forever with you.”
She pulled away frowning. “Like forever, forever?”
“Yeah, the whole ‘til death do you part or something,” Steven said, smiling.
“Both of you want this?” She looked between them.
“I’m going to let you handle this, Steven. I’m driving.”
Turning Holly to face him, Steven licked his lips. “We both want you in our lives, as our partner and lover. Kade and I want to share you between us.”
“But you’re together.”
“We want what Gavin has with his two lovers. He’s married to Heidi, and he’s committed to Landon. Kade and I are committed to each other, and you’ll be married to me.” He and Kade had discussed the arrangements some time ago. Steven was the older of the two, and he would be the one to marry his woman. Kade already wore a ring, a symbol of their relationship.
Kade would be there in the church, and they would know in their hearts that they were married to each other. There would never be a divide of love.
“Marriage?”
“Yes.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “We’d all be together.”
Her eyes glistened with tears. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Do you love us?”
She licked her lips, glancing down at their hands. Her head nodded. It was a single jerk, but that movement lifted Steven’s heart more than anything.
Gazing over her shoulder, he saw Kade was happy with the news.
“We love you, Holly. We want to make you our woman completely.”
Holly didn’t say a word. She stared at him for several seconds without moving or speaking. Then as suddenly as she’d frozen, her arms wrapped around him, holding on tight. “I never thought I’d have anyone say those words to me.”
When she pulled away tears fell from her eyes. Steven brushed them away. The instant Kade parked the truck outside the ranch he pulled her into his arms.
Steven watched feeling the emotion clog his throat.
“Never letting you go now. You’re our woman. Love you so damn much even with your shitty sweaters.”
Holly burst out laughing.
“Let’s move this inside.” Steven climbed out and went to open the door. The ranch hands were working in the far fields. Kade wasn’t always needed to assess their work.
Before they got chance to talk, John arrived with her siblings. Steven served them dinner. Holly didn’t mention about their marriage proposal. Her gaze kept falling on him and Kade.
He felt her stare on him whenever he left the table. When he turned to look at her, she’d smile and turn her attention elsewhere. Kade sat beside her with an arm along the back of her chair. There were no bruises to her face, and the few cuts caused by the glass were minor. Letting out a sigh, Steven thanked whoever was listening for looking after his woman. There was no way he’d live without her.
Holly had been in his life for a long time, a minimum of two years, but he’d only just claimed her as his own. Time didn’t matter to him. The only thing that mattered was how he felt.
Chapter Eight
Holly knelt on the bed looking at the mirror they kept on the wall at the head of the bed. She checked over the few cuts to see most of them had healed. The bruise she’d had a couple of weeks ago was long gone. Lifting up the red negligee she wore, she saw only a few minor bruises.
Since the incident with her father her two men had been the perfect gentlemen. They’d not expected anything from her at all. She’d watched them two together at night. Kade and Steven refused to touch her until she was properly healed. Holly tried to argue with them. They were not having any of it. Kade even counted
up some punishments for her. He’d made it clear he was the man in charge and she’d do as she was told. Even though she wanted to argue with him, she couldn’t help the explosion of arousal inside her whenever he went all Dom on her.
She’d been in charge for so long that she looked forward to not having to deal with it. At least her men let her watch them together. Steven had also given in and brought her to orgasm multiple times. When Kade walked in she couldn’t help sticking her tongue out at him. Instead of him getting angry he’d told Steven what she did. The rest of the night she’d not been allowed to come until both her men thought she was reasonably punished.
Both Kade and Steven were creative in the bedroom.
Watching them together was a thing of beauty. She’d gotten up close and personal as Steven claimed Kade’s ass along with Kade claiming Steven’s. Their hardness and love turned her on. She couldn’t wait to get involved in the action.
Pushing the negligee down, she let out a groan of frustration. Steven’s lawyer had sorted out the details of John’s guardianship. Holly was also put down for guardianship. She took them to school and handled as much as she could.
Her men were looking into buying a home close by so she didn’t have far to drive to see them. She still worked for Steven. Holly liked being near her men. For the first time in her life she felt free to love, and that was a whole new experience for her.
William and Anita Walker would never be part of their lives. It turned out Anita was known for dealing hard drugs and was wanted in a few states. When Holly heard the news she’d been completely shocked, but it also explained her mother’s disappearances from time to time.
None of them had to worry about their wrath. Steven’s lawyer assured her he’d sorted everything. She was free to live her life with her men. For over a year Steven had been finding the means to get her family free. Her father’s witnessed outburst had sped everything along.
Rubbing her hand down the negligee she let out a sigh. Kade and Steven had bought her a whole new wardrobe. They’d also made a visit to the pleasure shop in town. Callie was one of the nicest women Holly had met. The other woman was older than her by a couple of years, and they’d never got the chance to meet. Being a part of the Walker clan, Holly had kept to herself.