The Strand Brothers Series: Complete Set

by Lora Ann

  Chapter Three

  E

  The beast within me growled and fought to go after Lacey and teach her just who was in charge. Deal with that was simple, I found her I’d fuck her. Not an option, so restraint was priority. I sat up on a groan and worked my shorts back into place. My cock was still hard, which told me she had unleashed something I wasn’t thoroughly convinced there would be control for. Rising from the couch, I went to pour myself a glass of vodka. Thing was, my anger had been misdirected and I knew it. The pissed off reaction had been more at the situation I’d placed us in than at her. Though deep in my soul acknowledgement it was right still held true, but expressing that could be another story all together. Mr. Miyagi echoed in my mind, “‘Because sometimes, what heart know, head forget.’” I glanced down at the bulge in my shorts. “Fuck, did you ever forget!” Of course, visions of Lacey’s perfect mouth encircling my dick didn’t help my current state. To prove that, the head in question rose along my happy trail. “We need to have a talk man-to-man, my friend.” I gulped the contents in the glass and began to work my way towards the shower. This discussion needed to happen in a location where things could be taken into hand—so to speak.

  Once I had efficiently jacked off, twice, I quickly realized my cock was not going to be content without Lacey’s pussy satisfying him. Definitely a rock and a hard place—I had no intentions of breaking my vow with the man upstairs. It was time for me to put into action my knowledge of pleasure without crossing the hard line I’d implemented. Watching Lacey come was my greatest pleasure, gave me the deepest satisfaction. Could I control my urges while satisfying hers? Pondering that as I toweled off, my reflection in the mirror demanded attention. Damn those were some nasty scars. The more I studied them, the more images of detailed tribal patterns played through my mind. I sauntered into the bedroom and went to the dresser. After grabbing clean sweats and a t-shirt, I snatched a piece of paper and began to sketch. Yes, this was going to look fucking wicked when it was done. The knock at the door brought my attention back to where I was. My brothers would’ve entered with their key. So would Lacey. I opened the front door and stood in complete shock. “What the fuck?”

  Her hand came up in a little wave. “Hey, E.”

  My blood began to boil. I stared at the woman who had made Lacey a wreck as my hands became fists at my side. “Keeley,” I growled, “It better be worth it. Right now, I wanna whoop your ass. Not the fun way. The way that ensures you won’t sit for a good week.”

  Smart girl bowed her head. “I fucked up.”

  “Y’think?” She nodded, remaining in a contrite position. Thing with Keeley, I wasn’t totally convinced of her act. I swung the door wide for her to enter, watching every move as she shuffled into the penthouse. Damn, she was good. I’d give her that. “To whom do we owe this honor?”

  Right on cue, another knock. “Fucking Grand Central,” I grumbled, answering the door. Standing there was what some would consider a living nightmare. I saw one pissed off brother, inclining my head towards Keeley as I let him enter. “Tar,” I greeted as Keeley spun around like she’d seen a ghost. Her hands came up in a surrender fashion. I studied hard. No matter my feelings about my soon to be sister-in-law, I wouldn’t tolerate anyone ever hurting her. She’d been through enough in her short twenty-one years—one of the few to walk away from Senator Caleb Reynolds and his medieval form of torture on young women. This poor woman had lived to tell the story of horrors most of us could never imagine. “Start telling me what the fuck is going on here?” My eyes darted between the two of them.

  Tar’s brow cocked as he waited to see what Keeley would say. She shook her head, arms folding across her tiny breasts, and stared at the floor. I stepped between them. Tar relaxed his stance. “Sorry, E. She got away from me.”

  “You don’t say.”

  “I actually deserved it, so don’t be too hard on her.”

  Over my shoulder, I glanced at Keeley who was still holding herself tightly. Instincts told me she was hurt in some way. Emotionally or physically? She looked all right. Not even her hair was out of place, so assumption this was something else settled in my gut. I motioned towards the kitchen table. We all took a seat. Again choosing to stay between them, until I knew what the hell was going on. I addressed, “Keeley, your sister has been worried sick about you.”

  “I know,” came with a nod of her head.

  “You wanna tell me why you were here in the States but wouldn’t call her?”

  “Yes, Keeley. I’ve wondered that myself,” Tar added.

  I shot him a pointed look. “You mean to tell me she left Italy without you?”

  He chuckled, glancing towards Keeley. “She’s a resourceful girl.”

  Her head popped up at that, pleading in her eyes. Again, the need to observe both of them overwhelmed me. Something had happened. And as I took in the silent communication going on, recognition hit. “Motherfucker,” came out on a strong growl as I charged and pinned him against the wall. Definitely not my most intelligent moment, Tar was a fucking Seal, or once was, still that kind of training never left a man. My advantage had lasted all of fifteen seconds before I was on the ground, attempting to tap out. Problem with that, he was unaware of the damage my body had sustained. The edges of my vision became fuzzy and black as I fought like hell not to pussy out. I heard Keeley scream, “The fuck, Tar? He’s not okay. Look at him! Dammit…LOOK!” Embracing the darkness that now had her seductive hold on me, I surrendered.

  *****

  Keeley

  “Oh my, God. Did you kill him?” I knelt at E’s side. He seemed damaged somehow. Shit! My instincts told me Lacey had been trying to reach me for other reasons. I’d ignored them, pretending ignorance was bliss. Now the realization I had bit off my nose to spite my face stared me down.

  Tar was down on his haunches on E’s other side checking his pulse. His gaze met mine. “That move shouldn’t have done this.” He shook his head. “Something isn’t right.” He lifted the t-shirt searching E’s back. There were some fresh and nasty red welts.

  “What are those?” I inquired, running my fingers lightly over the angry marks.

  In a serious tone Tar answered, “Exit wounds.”

  “You mean from,” pausing and swallowing hard, “bullets?”

  “Affirmative. Move,” he commanded.

  Tears filled my eyes as guilt swam deep in my stomach, threatening to empty the contents any minute. I eased back but, for whatever reason, clasped E’s hand. Once Tar had him face up, I noticed the deep crinkle between his brows. “Pain,” I gasped. “He’s in excruciating pain.”

  Tar inspected as my eyes were drawn to where he was examining. My other hand flew over my mouth when I lost the fight and threw up. Hard eyes were on me once I had finished. “Clean that shit up, Keeley.”

  Dumbfounded, I simply gaped at him. Where was his compassion? He lowered E’s t-shirt and that was when I got a glimpse of concern in his gaze. I stroked E’s hair as Tar affirmed, “He’s lucky to be alive. Most of those bullets should’ve killed him.”

  Never taking my eyes off E, I answered, “Purpose and prayer.”

  “I do believe you’re correct on that, viper.” My gaze met his as he proceeded, “Now clean up this mess. Thank God there was no carpet in your line of fire.”

  Un-fucking-believable! The man was a machine not human. As I stood to search for a bucket and rags, Tar gently lifted E and carried him to the sofa. Apparently he was kind to everyone but me. Didn’t matter that I sort of deserved his disdain, still ticked me off. If he thought an apology would be coming from me, he’d soon learn that wasn’t happening. Ever. I returned and cleaned the vomit, thankful I hadn’t eaten that day. Afterwards, I put everything away and sat next to E contemplating exactly what he must’ve gone through. Again, I saw the concern knit Tar’s brow. “You really care about him.”

  He glanced my way. “He’s a good man. And he has recently been through hell.”

  No denying that
, the red puckered skin from his wounds was proof. E began to stir and I grasped his hand. “Lacey,” he moaned, tugging me forward. Before I could react, scream, or push away, his mouth was on mine. Fucking hell! He could kiss! But I fought hard not to respond. At that moment, the door opened. My sister entered on a gasped, “What the hell is going on here?”

  E’s eyes opened wide as he held me captive against his face. He withdrew his tongue, releasing my head. Careful where my hands were placed, I pushed off his chest and stood up. “Hey, Lace.”

  Her gaze threw daggers at mine. She was jealous, which to me made it funny. My twin wasn’t exactly known for negative emotions. At first I thought she would slap me. Hell, I would have if the situation were reversed. Her sapphire eyes were hard and blazing as she scanned E. He looked at her with a bewildered expression, but also, immeasurable pain was etched around the corners of his eyes. Lacey’s gaze softened as she walked over towards the bar. When she returned, there was a glass of water and a prescription bottle in her hands. E took both without argument. With her hands on her hips, my sister’s attention turned to me. “Was there a reason why you decided to kiss my soon-to-be-husband?”

  There was no mistaking the possession in her voice. E’s grin of satisfaction said he hadn’t missed it either. “Naturally, it was all my fault.” Why the snide tone with my sister? She had every right to be mad.

  E shocked me with, “Sweetness, I do believe it was me that engaged the lip lock.”

  She spun on her heels. “Why would you do that?”

  He pinched the bridge of his nose. “After our last encounter, I wanted you to know I wasn’t pissed anymore.”

  “So…” her voice rose, “you thought shoving your tongue in my sister’s mouth would make me happy?”

  “Fuck, no!”

  Her gorgeous brow had risen as she waited for his explanation. I simply couldn’t watch him squirm as he tried to recall what had happened. “Listen, Lace. He thought I was you. It was your name he called out.”

  She studied my face, looking for a tell to see if I’d lied to her. Damn. Would she ever trust me again? Have you given her reason to? Nope. Not one, so I couldn’t be upset over her doubt. Tar spoke, “She’s telling you the truth.”

  Something in his tone gave me pause. My gaze met his and I couldn’t mistake the fire banked there. Seemed my sister wasn’t the only one suffering from the effects of the green-eyed monster. Though with that being the color of his irises, it made them even more intense. E’s, “Ah shit,” drew my attention back to him. Lacey was quick as she grabbed a small trash can—I never noticed on the side of the couch—just in time for E to lean forward and hurl. His whole body shuddered. I couldn’t stifle my inquiry, “What the hell happened to him?”

  Tar put his hand on my waist and pulled me back from what was now a very private moment between E and Lacey. Welcoming the comfort, I turned into his big body. He made me feel like a child with his huge size, and, at that moment, the feeling was more than appreciated. I wanted to be cared for. I craved what my sister had found. I relished the embrace, knowing it wouldn’t last long. Like Lacey, Tar didn’t trust me. No one did. I’d given them no reason to believe I had changed. Sad thing was, I had. My actions recently were not selfish but to protect them from me. I doubted they’d believe that, but it was the God’s honest truth. I was toxic. Sooner they all realized that the better in my opinion. I stepped away from Tar and went out on the balcony. Staring over the edge, I wondered what it would feel like plummeting to the cold, hard pavement below.

  “Not on my watch, viper. Not ever,” Tar vowed as he came up behind me, placing his hands on my hips.

  “It’d be easier for you if I did.”

  “Why do you think that?”

  I scoffed, “It’s obvious you hate me.”

  He stepped closer. When he did, I felt his beautiful cock nudge my back. “Does that feel like hate?”

  “No,” I rasped.

  “Remember that,” he stated, pulling away from my body.

  The man really wasn’t one for words. But when he chose to speak, they always had a point. Strong and silent would be what my mom called him. I had to smile at that. It was an accurate description for sure. I pivoted away from the edge and held his green gaze. “You’re stuck with me.”

  “Come,” he held out his hand. “Let’s see how we can be of assistance.”

  I sashayed past him without taking his hand. “I don’t take orders.”

  He chuckled, “We’ll see about that, viper.”

  Those words went straight to my clit. Damn man!

  Chapter Four

  Lacey

  Using the rag, I wiped the smear of blood off the corner of Even’s mouth. Sure, I always worried when he spat up blood but had become accustomed to it. Doctors had told us it was to be expected with the damage done to his lungs. There was no reason to contact anyone else. Nik and Alex knew it happened frequently as well as Aimee and Sofie, even Ari was aware, but my sister had chosen to stay away when I really needed her. I wasn’t exactly feeling warm fuzzies towards her at the moment.

  E pulled me from my hurt and anger with, “Smukka, I’ve told you before she couldn’t have left the rehab facility, even if she’d answered your phone calls.”

  “But she could leave when it was convenient for her,” I huffed.

  He pulled me onto his lap, easing back on the couch. “Yes,” he tucked my hair behind my ear, “because she was further along in the treatment and no longer in lock down.”

  Tears began to streak down my face as I acknowledged he was right for the fiftieth time we’d discussed this. “Still hurts,” I confessed.

  “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t feel that way, sweetness.” He leaned forward, placing his forehead against mine. I could smell the coppery scent of his blood as he took a shaky breath. “You drive me crazy, Lacey. My restraint is being tested so much right now.”

  I traced his beautiful full lips with my finger. “You’re the one who decided to take control to a whole new level.”

  “That I did,” he rasped out before drawing my finger into his mouth and sucking. His hot tongue hitting nerves I wasn’t aware existed. My lips parted as he seized them with his. Taking without apology what absolutely belonged to him. I attempted to straddle him but his hand stilled my hips. Speaking into my open mouth, “We have company.”

  I tilted my head towards Tar and Keeley, slowly standing. She met me and hugged me hard. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  I swallowed down the scoff. She was trying and I needed to forgive her. I prayed silently, Please, Lord, help me find mercy and grace for my sister. “Give me time, Keeley.” I tugged back so I could look down into her eyes. “I do love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “Lacey,” E interrupted, “Why don’t you and your sister go talk privately in the other room.”

  I nodded, clasping hands with Keeley and leading her into the den. I poured us both some ice water and sat next to her on the oversized, chocolate brown leather sofa in front of the large, light gray stone fireplace. The room was so inviting. More traditional than art deco and I positively loved it for that reason. Not that I didn’t appreciate the modern vibes throughout the penthouse, but this room just screamed home to me.

  Keeley began to fill me in on her treatment, the facility, and staff. Some of her stories were downright hilarious. Sometimes it felt as if she were speaking of an all-girl prep school instead of a drug and alcohol treatment center. I was shocked to learn of how many famous women were there with her, though it was not my place to ever judge. We all had our demons to fight. I became aware of two distinct things as we talked: She wasn’t telling me why she’d come back to the States without contacting me. And Tar was not a subject she cared to discuss in any detail. But I wasn’t stupid. “Kee, I know something sexual has happened between you guys.”

  Her brows rose. “That obvious?”

  “Um…yeah, at least for me it is.”

&nb
sp; “In order to leave Italy, I drugged him.”

  “Shut the front door!” My eyes widened.

  “Not my finest moment. But…”

  “He’s fiiiine.”

  She bit her lip. “Hell yes, he is.”

  “And that’s when you—”

  “No,” she cut me off. “I tied him to the bed.” I gasped. “And stripped him.”

  “Keeley!”

  “Oh, don’t you dare play innocent with me. You’re about to marry the god of sex! Kinky and freaky go hand in hand when one says Even Strand.”

  Well, there was no denying that, but we were discussing her and Tar. “So, you liked what you saw?”

  “Fuck, Lace. That man is a work of art, literally. He has some gorgeous ink on that taut body of his.”

  I blushed deeply knowing how hot that was. “I completely get it.”

  She gave me a knowing grin. “I s’pose you do.” She took a drink and continued, “I thought I’d knocked him out and used the opportunity to leave. I had some unfinished business here, took care of it, and headed back to Italy.”

  My head tilted with that info dump. She was purposely leaving stuff out. Why? “Tar was hot on your heels.” Not a question, he didn’t strike me as a man who could be duped.

  “Yup. And let’s just say he taught me a lesson.” Desire lit her eyes at that. Ohhhh, Tar was a naughty boy. Okay, I liked him even more now. Let’s face it, my twin sister needed a man who could handle her. Not one she could twist around her little finger. Also, I had a feeling she needed a firm hand. I couldn’t say that made me happy, but after the torture she’d endured, it made sense. As long as it was consensual, I really didn’t care what they did in the privacy of their bedroom, or dungeon. Whatever. Heaven knew I enjoyed the balancing act on the edge. E had taught me amazing things about my body. So if she liked a healthy dose of pain with her pleasure, I would never tell Keeley it was wrong. I just hoped and prayed Tar could control the beast. One had to be careful when playing with that demon. Although, something told me he had his own tethered and fully understood how to handle both.