“No, she got pregnant when things were just getting started with us branching out. Pylo fucked with her head and had her thinking we were doing things to sabotage Bragan’s business when it was the other way around. We all tried to talk to her, but she couldn’t see it, and she was carrying his baby,” Shohun told her.
“She said things like no one would want her because she was used goods and had a baby. He was filling her head with shit. There was a point we thought she was using drugs while she was pregnant, but then we heard Pylo saying his woman wasn’t allowed near anything that could harm his baby,” Perrone told her.
“The sadistic, self-centered asshole,” Gideon stated.
She started thinking about conversations she’d had with Evilly and how even she tried to help her get away from Pylo and Evilly refused. “He did have his teeth into her good,” she whispered.
“How the hell did you find her and get into this whole situation?” Charles asked.
“I called her every now and then to check on the family, on all of you, when she told me she was with Pylo. I got pissed at her, and she fought with me about it and said she was supporting me so why couldn’t I support her? Then I call one time a few months later, and she’s crying and all upset because Pylo didn’t change when she had Cara. He got worse.”
“Where were you living? What did you do for money those three years you were gone?” Gideon asked, and he looked her over, and she wondered if he thought she would sell her body for money or something. Like she couldn’t take care of herself because of what Bragan did to her and what she allowed him to do. She got her attitude up.
“Contrary to what you all believe, I was always more than capable of taking care of myself. It may have taken my boyfriend almost killing me to see I didn’t belong there, but once I was well enough to leave, I knew it was the right thing to do. Especially as you all seemed on board with letting him back into my life.”
“That isn’t true. We were trying to keep things calm as we prepared to branch out and start our own dojo to separate from Bragan and his family,” Yorvan stated.
“Oh, how nice of you to appoint me the sacrificial lamb for a new business venture.” She was pissed off, and as she turned to walk away in frustration, Gideon grabbed her arm.
“Don’t, Lori,” he said. She’d turned back to tell him she wasn’t going to get into a long, drawn-out argument when she heard her name being called in the other direction. She looked up and saw Mateo and Leif. Leif was in uniform and had his hand on the butt of his gun.
“Release her arm,” Leif ordered firmly, and Gideon immediately did.
“It’s okay, Leif,” she said, and Mateo took her hand and brought her to him and then placed her slightly behind him. He was staring nearly face-to-face with Gideon.
“Who the fuck are you, and what are you doing touching her?” Mateo demanded.
She stepped in front of Mateo and faced him. She ran her hands up his chest to calm him, and he squinted straight ahead.
“It’s okay, Mateo, these are my brothers.” He looked at her and squinted. She nodded.
She turned around to face them. Then Leif took her hand, and she gave him a smile.
“These are my brothers, Gideon, Yorvan, Shohun, Charles, and Perrone.”
“Guys, meet Leif and—”
“Mateo Lawson,” Gideon said and crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at Mateo.
“So it’s true?” Charles asked.
He stared at Mateo, and her other brothers stood close to him watching Mateo.
She felt Mateo’s arm go around her waist.
“You’re dating him,” Charles added after he stared at Mateo, but then Leif took her hand, and her brother’s eyes widened.
“Both of them?” Shohun asked.
“Actually, there are four brothers. Kyran and Marco should be coming by shortly.
“Holy shit,” Perrone said, and she took a deep breath and released it.
“Listen, we’re not going to turn this into a shit show. Been there, done that. You know the deal, so why are you all really here? I find it difficult to believe that you all suddenly want to be part of Evilly’s life and mine. Or maybe just Evilly’s.”
“We came because we heard about what he had done to her and about how you saved her, along with your friends. We didn’t know about Evilly being pregnant again,” Yorvan told her.
“How about the abuse? Don’t stand here and tell me that none of you knew about that.” She raised her voice, and Mateo gripped her hip and caressed it. She might be speaking out more to her brothers because of Mateo’s presence. He gave her confidence and made her feel loved.
“She refused to leave him. Come on, Lori. You have obviously been visiting her and helping her. So for how long, and how come you couldn’t get her to leave him?” Shohun questioned.
She went to speak and couldn’t say a word.
“I tried,” she whispered.
“So did we. So did Mom,” Perrone said.
The door to Evilly’s room opened, and her father was there.
“Cara is crying and upset,” he said, and he looked at Mateo holding her and Leif with his hand now on her shoulder.
“Excuse me,” she said and walked by her brothers. She looked over her shoulder.
“You guys can come in,” she said to Mateo and Leif.
“We’ll wait out here,” Mateo said and just stared at Gideon. He was the oldest of her brothers. He would be the one to challenge her decision to be in a ménage and also to give a hard time to the Lawson men despite the fact he didn’t have a right to.
She walked into the room and saw her mom holding Evilly’s hand as Cara sniffled. The moment Cara saw her, she reached out to her. Lori caught her mom’s expression. Perhaps she was thinking that she was Cara’s grandmother and should be assisting her daughter with caring for Cara. Maybe things would change. Maybe Evilly would go back to Dallas and let Mom, Dad, and her brothers take care of them?
She couldn’t help but feel sad. Three years she had been on her own. Three years. Yes, she was the one who’d remained hidden and never exposed where she was living to anyone but Evilly. She didn’t want their push and influence, nor did she want their sympathy. She had to find herself, establish who she was, and learn that the only person to count on was herself. If she wasn’t happy, then she would never make another person happy just by being her and not having to change. Yet, she felt a little guilty right now. Perhaps it was the ties that truly bind people? Perhaps the fact that blood should be thicker than water and that family connection should last forever despite any differences?
* * * *
“So there are four of you?” Shohun asked Leif and Mateo.
Mateo gave him a nod. “If you know who I am, then you know my brother Kyran, too.”
“We heard of him, and we’ve seen him grapple. He’s up against Niko Summers. That’s going to be tough fights for both of you,” Yorvan stated.
“We’re more than ready, and for a lot of reasons,” Mateo replied firmly.
“Understandable. So how does this work? Four men sharing one woman? When you’re tired and have had your fun, you what, dump Lori, or just one by one leave Lori with nothing?” Gideon asked.
“Gideon,” Shohun said.
“No, I want to know how this works. How four men can make a real commitment to our sister and not be using her for her body,” Gideon said firmly.
“It’s a very special kind of relationship, but it’s one where all parties have to be on board, be honest and willing to give a hundred percent,” Leif said diplomatically, but Mateo couldn’t try to be nice and ease over this awkward situation.
“It’s the kind of commitment and love we have for Lori that nearly had me knocking your brother on his ass for putting his hands on my woman,” Mateo said to Gideon and his brothers.
“That would have been interesting to see the outcome of,” Gideon challenged.
“We can find out,” Mateo countered.
“Okay, I think we need to calm down here and focus on a few facts. Evilly is in there hurting, there are a lot of emotions going on right now, and we don’t need to be making matters worse. You guys are here to visit Evilly. That’s a good thing. She needs your support right now and to focus on getting better and not going back with Pylo,” Leif said calmly, trying to be the good police offer his brother was.
“She isn’t going back with him. We’ll help her whether she wants to accept that help or not,” Perrone stated.
“Good, that’s important to know. So where are you all staying?” Leif asked.
“We don’t know yet. We figured Lori might have room, or we’ll travel back a ways and stay at a bed and breakfast or hotel,” Charles said.
“A lot of places are booked up for the festivals around town. Lori’s place is super small. We have plenty of room at our ranch,” Leif said, and Mateo was shocked.
“You’re offering to let us stay at your place?” Shohun asked him.
“You’re Lori’s family. We love her and want things to run smoothly for her. She’s sacrificed enough,” Leif said firmly.
“We don’t need to be there when you do whatever you do with our sister,” Gideon said with attitude.
“You need to stop thinking about it in a sexual aspect only. We love her, and would do anything for her. We protect her and watch over her and support her on a regular basis. One of the best aspects of a ménage relationship is knowing Lori doesn’t ever have to feel alone or abandoned. One of us can always be with her, loving her and protecting her. If she needs alone time, she has that too but knows she has four men waiting to take care of her, too. Pretty damn special.
“So, the offer is on the table. Do with it what you please. We can have the place ready for all of you in a matter of hours,” Leif said, and then his police radio went off.
“Excuse me a moment,” Leif said.
“Jesus, I can’t believe this. Why the fuck do you guys have to be so fucking nice?” Yorvan said and ran his fingers through his dark brown hair.
His brothers mumbled similar responses.
“My brother is a good person, a peacekeeper in every aspect. We would never hurt Lori or anyone she cares about,” Mateo said.
Then their father walked over.
Mateo gave the man the once-over. For a guy who looked to be in his sixties, he was in exceptional shape. Large shoulders, big muscles, and tall like his son Shohun.
“Mateo Lawson. So the rumors are true. You’re dating my daughter?” he asked and looked up at Mateo.
“We didn’t get the total scoop, Dad. Lori is dating all four of the Lawson brothers. She’s in a ménage relationship with them,” Charles, the quietest of the brothers, said.
The man’s eyes widened. “This is why she wouldn’t contact us?”
“We’ve been dating your daughter for about two months now, and have known her for nearly a year. I gather her lack of communication had nothing to do with our relationship,” Mateo told him.
The man stared at him and then at his sons.
“Mateo and Leif, he’s a cop who was just here, offered for us to stay at their ranch with them,” Shohun told their father. His dad squinted at him as Leif returned.
“You invited us to stay with you? Is this some sort of peace offering, or for you to throw it in our faces that you are destroying our daughter’s reputation and that no man would want anything to do with her when you decide the fun is over?” her father asked in anger.
Mateo went to speak his mind, but Leif placed his hand on his shoulder and stepped forward.
“I’m Leif Lawson, sir. You must be Lori’s father.”
Lori’s father nodded.
“First of all, we don’t do peace offerings, we don’t bend over for anyone, and we protect our own. I can understand your initial reaction to the news, but you don’t know us. You don’t know the particulars of a relationship like this or the depth of our love for your daughter and the power we all share between us. As far as another man ever wanting her after this? There won’t be any other men. We plan on making our relationship official once Lori is fully through all this chaos in her life. So rest assured, we are not using her.
“Now, I just spoke with my two other brothers, Marco and Kyran, after I took a call from work. They’re gathering extra supplies for the house, and when Mateo goes there in a little bit, he’ll help with whatever else you and your family might need to feel comfortable. I need to get back to work. I’m going to go say good-bye to Lori,” Leif said, and when he went to walk past her father, the man stopped him. Leif looked at his hand on his arm, then the man reached out for a handshake.
“Vallen Mars,” he said, and Leif shook his hand.
“A pleasure meeting you, sir.” He looked at Mateo and back at Vallen. “Give my brother some slack, sir, he’s never been in love before,” Leif said and winked before he walked toward the room. Mateo wanted to give his brother a kick, the damn wiseass. Lori’s brothers found Leif’s statement amusing as the sound of their chuckles echoed in the hallway.
Vallen looked at him and then stuck out his hand. “Any man willing to challenge a woman’s family to show his love and respect for her is okay in my book. Thank you for your generosity,” he said, and Mateo was surprised. He shook the man’s hand, and then the brothers followed, shaking his hand one after the other, except for Gideon.
“Gideon, shake the man’s hand. We came here to make amends.”
“I haven’t decided if he’s good enough for Lori. What if he turns out to be like Bragan? We thought he loved her once, too.”
It was in that moment that Mateo wondered if Gideon, being the oldest brother, had actually blamed himself for what had happened to Lori. Also hearing them talk about Lori being in love with another man who had in fact abused her and nearly killed her pissed him off.
“He doesn’t need to shake my hand now. I haven’t decided if I entirely like the fact that all of you are here and suddenly showing love to my woman, who felt abandoned and all alone. She left and disappeared. Struggled to make ends meet for months before winding up as a bartender in Key Largo. I won’t let any of you hurt her, or disappoint her again,” he said and walked away from them. He could tell by their facial expressions that they took his words to heart. Now he hoped Leif hadn’t made a mistake inviting them to stay at their place.
* * * *
“You did what?” Lori asked as Mateo told her and her mother that the family would be staying on the ranch while they were here in town. Her eyes filled up with tears. “Why would you do that?”
“It was Leif’s idea. You know him. Always being a peace officer.”
“That is so kind of you and your brothers, but I thought we would be staying with Lori so we can spend time with her and talk things through,” her mom said.
“Lori has been living with us,” he said.
“‘Us’?” her mom asked.
Lori swallowed.
“Yes, Mom. I am in a serious relationship with Mateo and his three brothers.”
Her mom gripped the footboard. Evilly chuckled.
“I saw that coming,” Evilly said and held on to Cara. Lori gave her a mean expression, and Evilly winked.
“I’m in love with them, Mom, and they are fully committed to me as I am to them. They protect me, watch over me, and care for me. I’m stronger, more confident, and finally feel beautiful inside and out because of them. If you, Dad, and the boys don’t like it, then you can head on back to Dallas for good,” she said firmly.
Mateo looked shocked, but Evilly stared at their mom. Her mom looked at Mateo, who had a hand on Lori’s hip.
“Three others who are as big at this one?” her mom asked.
“Yes, Mom. Mateo, Marco, and Kyran run their own dojo, and Leif is a police officer in Repose. They were all in the service.”
“Soldiers, too? Interesting.”
She stared at Lori, and Lori waited to hear something from her mom.
“Very we
ll, then. It’s a good thing we’ll be spending a few days with you at their place. Then I can maybe see if there’s anything you haven’t seen to worry you about this ménage commitment you strongly believe in.”
“Don’t overstep your bounds, Mom. Besides, you’ll be helping to care for Cara, too. She needs to know who her grandparents are and to get used to trusting you to take good care of her always.”
She then grabbed Mateo’s hand and turned to hug him tight. When he looked down into Lori’s eyes, she smiled wide and whispered, “Thank you.”
Chapter 9
“What do you think, Lyza?” Vallen asked his wife. They were lying in bed looking at a widescreen TV with the light of the moon shining through the window shades. The Lawson men had an exceptional home. More than eight bedrooms, five bathrooms, a swimming pool, a ranch, and barn, with a fully functional gym, fireplaces, country views, and a swimming hole the size of a large lake.
“I think she loves them, and they love her.”
“How can you tell it isn’t a show for us?”
“Their eyes, Vallen. They all look at her, steal a touch, a caress, and hold her gaze with passion and admiration. I recognize those looks. You’ve looked at me the same way for more than thirty years.”
He chuckled. He lay back and started at the ceiling, then sighed.
“What is it?”
“I’m worried.”
“There’s nothing we can do. She made her decision and is intimate with all four of them. She lives in a town that accepts this kind of relationship, and no one seems to be walking around angry about it. It’s a gorgeous town, and everyone has been so nice. Even the chief of police stopped by to introduce himself.”
“It’s crazy, how Cesar explained it all to us and how it works. If we lived in a place like this, neither of our daughters would have suffered pain at the hands of a man.”
“That’s not how it happened. We can’t go back in time and change things. We can only move forward.”
“This isn’t that far from Dallas. We could look into building a small weekend getaway home here. Then even the boys could use it and visit,” he said and then felt his wife roll over toward him and kiss his cheek. She ran her arm over his waist and gave him a hug.
The Battlefield Series 6: The Ties That Bind Us (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 13