by Chloe Lang
Brandon glanced over at Emma and then to her. “You think that’s a good idea, sweetheart?”
“I’ll be okay, counselor. I just need to pay my respects.” She got up from their table, leaving the three Champion brothers behind. Every step she took toward Emma brought up another memory of what had happened that day at her house. Byrd hadn’t backed down until a clean fingerprint of Lily’s was pulled from her nana’s gun. With the bloody jeans added to that evidence, Shelby had been cleared of all charges. No doubt remained for anyone, including Sheriff Byrd. Lily was the killer.
When she got to Emma’s booth, the woman looked up at her with tearstained eyes. “Would you like to sit down?”
She nodded and slid into the booth opposite her. “I’m so sorry, Em. I don’t know what else to say.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry about, Shelby. I’m the one to blame.”
She reached across the table and grabbed Emma’s hand. “You can’t be, Em.”
“The only reason Lily and Mom came back to Wilde was because of me. Mom and I had a big fight.”
“Em, families fight. It’s normal. Don’t do this to yourself.”
“But you don’t understand. It was about Lily. I tried to tell Mom my suspicions that Lily had stopped taking her medications just like Sam had before. Did you know they suffered with schizophrenia?”
“I had no idea until it came out in the investigation,” she admitted.
“When Sam and Lily were on their meds, no one would ever know they had mental issues. Our father had it, too.” Emma closed her eyes. “Mom wouldn’t listen to me. After everything that happened with Sam, she just couldn’t, I guess. I should’ve confronted Lily myself when I noticed how erratic she was acting. I should’ve insisted she take her meds. I should’ve gotten Lily back to her doctor. I should’ve—”
“Em. Em, you can’t beat yourself up about this,” Shelby said, even though she knew it would take Emma a long time to heal. “I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”
“Thanks, Shelby.” Emma brought a tissue up to her eyes. “That means so much to me. Mom loved you like a daughter.”
* * * *
Justin drank his coffee, continuing to glance at Shelby, who was sitting with Norma’s daughter Emma in one of the booths by the big window of the diner. Alex and Brandon were doing the same. How all their lives had changed because of Shelby.
He and his brothers had never been tighter. They were going to share the woman they all loved. Wilde was home now.
Deuce, Carlotta’s husband and also a multi-buckle champion like he was, had agreed to start a rodeo camp with him. He couldn’t wait to get the first batch of little cowboys to show up.
Kids? God, he wanted them. A whole bunch of them.
Seth Strong and Austin Wilde came up to their table.
“Tough day for Wilde,” Brandon said.
“Very tough day,” Seth agreed. “Mind if we join you?”
“Sit.” Alex pointed to two of the empty chairs at their round table.
Justin looked over at the other Strong brothers, who were sitting with Charly. Then he turned his attention to Austin’s family, his four brothers and their wife, Jessie. She was holding their new baby girl Carol. Not Norman Rockwell, too many husbands, but not a bad picture.
Justin had never dreamed the Wilde life would be his, but he was thrilled it was going to be.
“I’m glad you’re here, Seth,” Alex said. “I want to talk to you about the poly life and how it works for you and your brothers.”
Austin nodded. “That’s why we’re here.”
“Let me tell them my news first, cousin,” Seth said firmly.
“The floor is yours,” Austin said with a grin.
“Charly is pregnant,” Seth blurted out.
“You went to another doctor?” Alex winked.
“She took one of those at-home tests,” Seth answered. “My brothers and I want to get her in to see you as soon as possible.”
“Tomorrow morning. Ten.” Alex held out his hand. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” he said, smiling.
Brandon shook his hand, too. “Seth, I’m so happy for you.”
Justin nodded, dreaming of the day that he and his brothers would have the same great news to share. He could imagine Shelby holding their baby.
“Done?” Austin asked Seth.
“All done. Time for these newbie Wilde men to get some tough love.”
Justin frowned. “About what?”
“About your new woman, that’s what,” Austin said firmly. “Shelby is important to this town. She’s important to Jessie and Charly. She works for me, so she’s important to me, too.”
He could tell it was more than Shelby being Austin’s employee that made him care about her. Obviously, she was like a little sister to Austin.
Alex pushed his coffee cup to the side. “And? Don’t leave us hanging.”
“She loves you guys.” Austin’s eyes narrowed “You three love her?”
“Yes,” they all said in unison.
“You want her to be happy?”
“Of course,” Brandon said, his tone sharpening. “That’s what we all want.”
Justin was getting impatient with Austin’s slow reveal of whatever was on his mind. “Spill it, Wilde. What’s this all about?”
“Shelby is a submissive. BDSM has been her life for a very long time. It speaks to her.”
Justin knew Austin was telling the truth, recalling all the hints she’d been dropping to him and his brothers. She’d asked if they’d ever been to The Masters’ Chambers. That had been a big hint and he’d missed it. Fuck!
Seth shook his head. “Your woman told Jessie and Charly that she’s willing to give up the life for you three bozos. She’s afraid you wouldn’t care for BDSM.”
“She actually said that?” Justin looked over at Shelby, still in the booth, comforting Emma. She was willing to sacrifice so much to make sure they got to spend the rest of their lives together.
“She did,” Seth answered. “Is she right? Is that the breaking point for you three? No BDSM?”
“Fuck no, it’s not the breaking point.” Justin’s possessive side kicked into high gear. “There is no breaking point when it comes to Shelby.”
“You heard my little brother,” Alex added. “Nothing will keep us from loving her for the rest of our lives. Nothing.”
“We would do anything for her,” Brandon said. “She’s ours. Always.”
“That’s all I needed to know.” Austin smiled. “Time for a crash course in Dom training for you three. Tomorrow night, be at my club at six sharp.”
Justin smiled. He was finally getting access into the exclusive club after all these years, but this time his reason was much more than wanting to get his rocks off. This time was about the woman he loved.
Chapter Nineteen
Shelby loved this game the guys were playing. She was in Brandon’s car blindfolded. It reminded her of the life a little, but she knew better than to indulge that side of her.
She loved the Champion brothers. They’d saved her from prison and so much more.
Miraculously, Brandon had gotten the sex tape of her off the Internet. How? She had no clue. He was wrapping up his practice, having accepted the position as D.A. here in Wilde. He’d told her that his new role would make bringing Byrd to justice easier. If anyone could get the slippery snake, Brandon could.
Justin’s limp was completely gone now, but he would never be able to return to the circuit. He didn’t seem to mind, as he was all smiles whenever talking about the rodeo camp he and Deuce were setting up in the area.
Alex was back on the clock with the construction of the hospital, but he made it a point to be back at the cabin for dinner every night.
She was so proud of all of them. Her Champions were settling into her hometown very well.
Building a life with them was worth her small sacrifice. Besides, vanilla with Brandon, Justin, and Alex wa
s very tasty and satisfying. “I can’t wait to see my surprise,” she told them.
“Patience, baby.” Justin, who had won the last round of rock-paper-scissors, sat in the passenger seat beside her. “We’re almost there.”
“You’re going to love it, sweetheart,” Alex said from the backseat.
“Here we are,” Brandon announced.
She felt the car come to a stop.
“This way, baby.” Justin helped lead her out of the vehicle. “Time to stop here.”
She nodded, heeding his words. Being sightless had her ears working harder. She heard two sets of footsteps continue on ahead.
“May I take off the blindfold yet?” she asked, feeling the excitement grow.
“Not yet, sweetheart,” Alex said, letting her know that Brandon and Justin had been the source of the footsteps. Where had they gone? What were they doing? “We’ve got a few things to do before we let you.”
“Okay. You’re the bosses.”
“Damn right, we are.” His tone was deep and forceful, even more than normal, which reached into her and pulled out a shivering response.
When the guys had told her a week ago that they wanted to celebrate their one-month anniversary together in a special way, she’d been so thrilled. Tonight was that night, and she had no idea what was in store. Had they taken her back to the dance hall in Elko? That would be fun.
After a bit, Brandon and Justin returned.
“Now?” she asked, her impatience growing to see the surprise they’d cooked up for her.
“Alex, our Shelby is on pins and needles, isn’t she?” Brandon asked.
“Most definitely,” he answered. Then she heard him walk the same direction as Brandon and Justin had earlier.
“I’m so keyed up about this, guys,” she admitted. “Please let me take the blindfold off.”
She felt fingertips on her cheek and then heard Justin say, “Once Alex comes back you can. Not before. You don’t want to ruin the surprise, do you?”
“No,” she said, though the waiting was killing her.
Finally, Alex did return, thank God.
“Take off your blindfold now, Shelby,” Brandon ordered.
She took it off. The first thing she saw shocked her. The three Champions stood in front of her, but they’d been transformed somehow. Her doctor, lawyer, and cowboy were decked out in leather vests and pants. Each of them carried a satchel, which she bet held an assortment of sexual toys. She looked past them to the building they’d brought her to for her surprise. The Masters’ Chambers is where we’re celebrating our one-month anniversary?
“Who ratted me out to you about this side of me?” she asked.
“First, Austin,” Justin told her.
Alex nodded. “Yes, him, but we’ve also talked to Jessie and Charly. They spilled the beans about you.”
Brandon reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. “There will be no more secrets, love. None.”
A delicious tremble rolled through her body. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you that I was a member here. But you don’t have to do this for me. I’m happy for the first time in my life. I’ve got three men who I am completely in love with. This isn’t the kind of club you can walk into without knowing the protocols.”
Brandon pinched her right nipple through her blouse, delivering just the right amount of sting. “We know the protocols. Austin has been giving us a crash course for the past few weeks.”
She was shocked to hear that, shocked and thrilled. “When? We’re always together.”
“When you’re at work, baby. Have you wondered why Austin has been making you work overtime?” Justin smiled. “Now you know.”
“Sounds like something he would do,” she said, feeling giddy and light. They’d done so much for her and were now doing so much more. Now because of her three wonderful men, not only was she going to have her dream of being a family with them—she was also going to stay in the life she’d known and loved for some time.
Alex stepped up and pinched her left nipple, syncing the throbbing of its twin, which was captured between Brandon’s index finger and thumb. “It’s time.”
“Yes it is,” Justin agreed.
Brandon nodded. “Shelby, you’re in for it now. Before we walk into the club, give us your safe words.”
“I use colors like most submissives trained at the club. Green. Yellow. Red. Green means—”
Both he and Alex pinched harder on her nipples, and Justin reached out and gave a tug on her hair.
“We know what the colors mean, baby.”
“Yes, Sir,” she answered. Clearly, it was more than their clothing that had turned them into three hot Doms. They weren’t play-acting. Had they also been to a munch without her knowledge? Maybe. They’d gone through training with Austin and she’d been unaware of that. They’d also been shopping for those fucking hot leathers without so much as a word to her. What other surprises would she discover about them tonight? The possibilities were endless and were making her so very warm and tingly.
“We’ve passed Austin’s class. We know the rules of the club and have become members. Since you are already a member, Shelby, we don’t have to fill out any of the forms, which is good. We have a private room set up for you tonight. Before we walk you inside, understand, we will be D/s the entire night.”
Anxious and happy, she nodded.
“Let’s test her,” Alex said. “Lower your gaze, sub.”
Still reeling from their amazing anniversary surprise, she instantly obeyed and looked down at her feet.
“Now that’s our sweet sub.” Justin’s carnal tone went right to her pussy. “Before we go in, baby, you need to know how to address us. You may call any of us Master or Sir. But you may also, to keep things clear, call me Cowboy. Alex is Doctor. Brandon is Counselor. You’ve called us these before, but it’s time you said it with respect. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Cowboy.” She liked how they’d taken her terms of endearment and made them even more powerful, more potent, more everything. God, how much training had Austin given them?
Suddenly, she saw two black boots, Brandon’s, beside her feet, which she was staring at as ordered.
He leaned into her and she could feel his hot breath on the side of her face. “You will not talk to anyone in the club unless one of us gives you permission. Understand?”
She nodded, careful not to glance his direction but to keep her eyes down as instructed. “Yes, Counselor.”
“Look at us,” Alex commanded.
She raised her gaze up and looked at her trio of Doms and felt the first drops of moisture between her thighs begin to pool.
“What state are you in, sub?” he asked.
“Green, Doctor.” Very green.
They all smiled wickedly and her tingles shot up to quakes, quivers, and shudders.
“Talk to no one but us.” Brandon’s dominance was like a hammer to her hesitation, to her doubt. “Clear?”
“Yes, Sir.”
He hauled her up into his arms. She’d been to The Masters’ Chambers a thousand times before but never had she been carried in. A long time ago she’d given up on finding men who could really love her. She’d settled for being a club submissive, talking at the monthly munch, giving advice to newbie submissives, and running a training scene with some of the club Doms from time to time. That had been enough for her, or so she thought. Now she was truly happy and utterly contented. She had a family. She leaned her head into Brandon’s shoulder. Her Doms—her Champions—took her inside.
As Brandon carried her through the doors of the club, out of the corner of her eyes she recognized several people. Charly was there, with her six cowboys, wearing one of her cute submissive outfits, a mini leather skirt with a lacey top. Mackenzie, too, was there with her guys. Jessie must’ve gotten her mother-in-law to watch baby Carol, because she was standing next to Austin by the front desk. All three women were smiling. They knew what was about to happen to Shelby, and they
were thrilled for her.
“You’re going to love what we’ve set up for you, baby,” Justin said as they passed the stages in the main room. “I’m betting you’ll be begging us to bring you here at least a couple times a week.”
Alex added, “She’ll be begging for a lot of things from us tonight, bro.”
Brandon carried her into one of the club’s private rooms, one she’d never been in before. Alex and Justin followed in behind them, shutting the door and locking it. No one could come in and interrupt them. She couldn’t leave until they were done with her. Just the way I like it.
The room was small. With its floors, walls, and ceiling painted black, it reminded her of a cell or mineshaft. On every wall were hooks and clamps. The stainless steel tables were empty. As Brandon lowered her to her feet, she saw them being filled by Alex and Justin with wicked-looking items from their satchels. Her eyes widened, seeing the paddles, dildos, and vibrators.
How trained could they be? It’s only been a month for crying out loud.
Her trembles continued, but she calmed her breathing down, knowing they’d been trained by the best. More than that, she trusted them. This was going to be fun, really fun, and so very hot.
Brandon leaned over and pressed his lips to hers—clearly the first act of possession but not the last. “Color, sub?”
“Green, Counselor.” Her future was staring her right in the face and she couldn’t be happier.
“This is our first time playing together at the club, so we will be checking in with you about your state more often than what you might think is normal. Understand?”
Well-trained, indeed. “Yes, Sir. I understand.”
Alex came over and captured her mouth with his. Even in the dark, she could tell her guys apart just from their kisses. Brandon’s lips were like clamps, his tongue like a whip, overwhelming her into submission. Alex’s kiss was softer, but just as demanding and possessive. Justin’s style was to change it up, keep her guessing. Soft sometimes. Firm the next. But always wonderful.
Alex’s tongue traced her lips. Every since he’d come to Wilde she’d been mesmerized by him. Those months of him coming and going by her desk into Austin’s office had left her with nighttime fantasies that had kept her from sleeping. But that was the past. Her dreams had become her reality. She tasted her future on his tongue as it shot into her mouth, tangling with hers.