Passion, Victoria 3: Tasha's Story (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Becca Van

  “Shit, duty calls. You can stay here and finish your coffee or you can follow me down to the gallery.” Nikki placed her mug in the sink.

  “I’ll come down with you.” Tasha put her mug in the sink and followed Nikki down the stairs.

  Tasha watched as Nikki greeted the two customers and headed toward the front door, she waved good-bye to Nikki as she exited the gallery, got into her car, and made her way home as exhaustion set in after the long hours she had put into her painting. She felt totally drained but she was happy, too. She’d worked her arse off and the satisfaction that washed over her at her achievements was very gratifying.

  Chapter Seven

  Tasha woke a couple of hours later as her bladder and stomach protested, one from being full and the other from being empty. She glanced at her clock and realized it was only three in the afternoon. Dragging herself off the bed, she showered and dressed into clean clothes and went to the kitchen to organize dinner. She set about chopping vegetables and some chicken in preparation for a stir-fry. She set the vegetables on the counter in a large bowl of water and covered them with a clean dish towel. She diced the chicken, placed it in a covered bowl and placed it back into the fridge. Then she decided to head down to the warehouse to see if Jason and Sean needed any help.

  She walked toward their office in the back when she didn’t see either of them in the warehouse. As she got closer to the office she could hear their voices as well as the voice of a woman.

  She slowed her pace, making sure she didn’t make any noise as she got closer to the office and stuck her head around the corner. The scene that greeted her froze her to the spot. A strange woman was wrapped in the embrace of her two lovers and they were kissing her on the cheeks. Jason was rubbing her back with his hand and Sean had his arm wrapped around her waist as he held her tight against his body.

  Tasha should have known that her new relationship with the two Gallagher brothers was too good to be true. Neither of them had once told her they cared for her, had feelings for her, or loved her. She should have known she was just a tenant, who had ended up as a friend with benefits. Why the hell had she let her guard down? Once more she began to feel ashamed and dirty. Would she never be able to be normal? Ever since she was that young girl of thirteen when she’d been accosted by Uncle Bernard she’d felt different. Why had he chosen her to touch? Was there something about her that called to perverts or made men think she was just out for a good time? If the Gallagher brothers were able to kiss and cuddle another woman, there was no way they could care for her. Was she so unworthy? Did she have a label on her forehead that said she was a slut, only good enough for men to slake their lust with and then move on when someone better came along? She felt so damn shameful and humiliated, but at least she hadn’t confronted them and asked if they cared for her. And thank God she’d never told them how she felt for them.

  Pain ripped through her body and pierced her heart. She had to bite her tongue hard enough to draw blood so she wouldn’t cry out.

  Tasha willed her feet to move and she wondered how she was able to walk on limbs that were trembling. She quickly removed herself from the scene as tears streaked down her face. She ran back up the stairs to the apartment, threw clothes into a large bag and hurried from her bedroom. She moved to the kitchen like an automaton, watching herself from outside her body as she wrote a note to her now ex-lovers letting them know she had left the apartment. Why she even bothered was beyond her, especially after what she had just witnessed.

  Tasha drove around town, not knowing where she was going or what she wanted to do. She felt as if her heart had split in two. The large lump in her chest was agony and she tried to calm her ragged breathing but it was a useless endeavor. She was in so much pain she felt sick to her stomach.

  She thought about going to Toni’s and begging for a bed, then vetoed that idea knowing her sister’s fiancés would probably rat on her and tell the two Gallagher bastards where she was. The only other places she could think of were Nikki’s or Lisa’s. Even though she and Nikki were becoming fast friends, she didn’t want to put her out as she only had one bedroom. She turned her car around and headed to Lisa’s.

  Lisa answered on the first knock, took one look at Tasha and opened her door wide to let her in.

  “What’s wrong, Tasha? What’s happened?”

  Tasha couldn’t speak. Her chest was so tight she could barely breathe. She burst into sobs as Lisa led her over to her sofa. She sat down with Tasha wrapped her in her embrace and held her while she sobbed her heart out. Lisa didn’t say anything, she just stroked Tasha’s back and made soothing noises until her crying jag began to subside.

  Tasha was so embarrassed over her breakdown when she began to get herself back under control but was finally able to look at Lisa through sore, red swollen eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Lisa. I didn’t mean to do that.”

  “You obviously needed to, so don’t apologize to me. What’s going on?”

  “They broke my heart, Lisa. I caught them in their office kissing and cuddling another woman.” Tasha started sobbing again.

  “Those fucking arseholes. Do you want me to go over there and cut their balls off?”

  Tasha laughed. Lisa looked so fierce and angry on her behalf.

  “I would love to see you do that but they aren’t worth the effort.”

  “Too true. No man is worth going to prison over. All men are fucking bastards.”

  “Yeah. God, I love them so damn much. I can’t believe…” Tasha swiped at her cheeks when she began crying again.

  Lisa hugged her tight and when she pulled back after Tasha had stopped crying again, she was frowning.

  “Are you sure that’s what you saw, honey? Sometimes things can look worse than they really are,” Lisa said logically. “I’ve seen the way Jason and Sean look at you, Tasha. They love you. They are trustworthy and wouldn’t do anything to upset you. They go out of their way to protect you, honey.

  “Just look at the way they overreacted that night you and I went out. They were beside themselves with worry. They were only angry because you hadn’t let them know where you were going. But if you had looked past that anger, you could have seen the relief in their eyes. They were worried you had been hurt and when they found you, their relief came out as anger. I can’t see them cheating on you. In fact, I can see them doing anything to make you happy.”

  “I’m sure. Jason had a gorgeous woman plastered to the length of his body with his arm wrapped around her waist. Sean was rubbing her back and kissing her head.”

  “That doesn’t mean anything, Tasha. Did they kiss her on the mouth?” Lisa asked.

  “Not when I was there, but I didn’t hang around long enough to see any more. I knew this would happen, the bastards. I knew I never should have become involved with them. That I was only setting myself up for a broken heart.” Tasha cried harder.

  “I still think you’re overreacting, Tasha. This woman could be a relative of theirs. Maybe they were offering comfort to her.”

  “I don’t think so,” Tasha replied vehemently. “Can I bunk here for a while Lisa, please?”

  “Sure you can, honey. Just don’t wait too long before you go and talk to the two men you love. You could be wrong, Tasha.” Lisa sighed and led the way to her spare room.

  “The linen closet is in the hallway, make yourself at home. I think we could both use a drink right about now, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, thanks, Lisa. I appreciate you letting me stay.”

  “No problem, honey. Come on out when you’re ready.” Lisa looked over her shoulder and then left the room.

  * * * *

  As much as she couldn’t leave Tasha out on the street, she had to wonder if what she was doing by letting her friend stay with her was the right thing to do. She could be putting her in danger.

  She also had doubts over the scene Tasha had walked in on at that warehouse. Every time she’d seen Jason, Sean and Tasha together they looked at her
friend with such longing and love in their eyes. She couldn’t imagine those two men jeopardizing their relationship with Tasha, with another woman. There had to be more to the story. She didn’t doubt what Tasha had seen but she felt there was a lot more going on that met they eye. But she would support Tasha with any decision she made, but she just hoped that if she didn’t get back with Sean and Jason she found somewhere else to live. Lisa wouldn’t be able to live with her conscience if anything happened to Natasha because of her.

  Well, there was nothing she could do at the moment. Releasing a sigh, she walked to kitchen and opened a bottle of white wine. She grabbed the bottle and platter of cheese and raw vegetables she had prepared for her dinner along with the dip and took everything into the living room where she set it up on the coffee table. She had just poured wine into two glasses as Tasha entered the living room. She had obviously washed her face and tidied herself up a bit because she looked a little better than she had when Lisa had left her to get comfortable in the spare room.

  Tasha sank down on the other end of the sofa, picked up a glass, and took a sip of her wine. She looked at the platter but didn’t make a move to reach for any of the food. Lisa wondered if her upset was affecting her stomach. If they were going to be drinking then she should at least eat something. She pushed the plate toward Tasha and nodded with satisfaction when she picked up a carrot stick and nibbled on the end.

  * * * *

  “I was going to put on a comedy movie. Do you want to watch it with me?”

  “Sure,” Tasha replied and sat back on the sofa when Lisa pushed the play button on the remote.

  The two women sat in silence as they watched the movie, nibbling on the vegetable platter and drinking their wine. Tasha was feeling a lot better by the time the comedy was over. It was just what she had needed, to have a good laugh.

  “Lisa, when are you going to tell me what you’re running from?” Tasha asked as she looked at her friend.

  “Oh God. I just knew you weren’t going to give up on that scenario.” Lisa frowned.

  “It’s only because I care for you and don’t want to see you hurt. I may be able to help you if you let me.” Tasha turned to face Lisa more directly.

  “Let me just say that Lisa isn’t my real name, but I can’t tell you what my real name is.”

  “You’re in the witness protection program?”

  “No,” Lisa answered. “That would be too dangerous.”

  “Oh shit, Lisa, are you sure you’re safe here? What’s going on?”

  “Well, no one in this town knows my real name, including those two new cops. I wish you hadn’t introduced them to me. They’ve been hounding me to go out with them, both of them, for goodness sake. The last thing I want or need is to have cops delving into my life and putting me in danger.” Lisa pressed her lips together tightly as if realizing she’d revealed too much information.

  “You’re hiding from the cops? Are you a criminal?” Tasha felt her eyes widen.

  Lisa began laughing and once she started she couldn’t seem to stop. She laughed and laughed until she began to cry.

  “I’m sorry, Lisa. I know you’re not a criminal. It was just a shock to realize you’re hiding from the law.”

  “You’re too smart for your own good, Natasha Cameron.” Lisa picked up her wine glass and drained the contents in one go.

  “Since you’ve worked it out, I may as well tell you the whole story.” Lisa grabbed the wine bottle and refilled their glasses.

  “My real name is Elizabeth Lamb. I used to live in Sydney. One night I was out with some friends from work but I left before they did as I had to work the next day and they didn’t. I was walking to my car, which was in the back of the parking lot of the hotel, when I heard a shout. I followed the noise and saw a policeman had a male on the ground with his knee in the man’s back.”

  Tasha leaned over and gripped her hand in hers. The support from her friend gave her the courage to continue.

  “The person on the ground didn’t have any weapons in his hands, but I thought he must have done something wrong because he was being detained by the cop. I watched as the cop pulled something out from near his hip, thinking they were handcuffs I turned back toward my car.” Lisa drew a ragged breath and took another sip of her wine.

  “The sound of a gunshot echoing through the night froze me in my tracks and I slowly turned back to see the cop standing over the man with a smile on his face.

  “‘That will teach you for resisting arrest, you little prick,’ I heard the cop mutter.

  “I must have made a sound because all of a sudden the cop turned to look at me.” Lisa shuddered. “The look of horror on his face when he noticed me changed to malicious intent as he began to walk toward me. I spun around, got into my car and drove so fast out of that parking lot it was a wonder I didn’t hit anything or anyone.

  “I drove to the nearest police station and reported the cop, because the man the policeman had shot in the head had not been resisting arrest. He was down on the ground with the cop on top of him. That policeman had killed with cold, malicious intent and I couldn’t let him get away with it.” Lisa’s face was pale and her body was trembling when she finished recounting what she’d witnessed.

  Tasha moved toward Lisa and took her into her arms, holding her and rubbing her arms up and down her friend’s back trying to give her some of her warmth.

  “God, Lisa, you’ve been to hell and back.” Tasha slowly disengaged from her embrace when Lisa pulled back.

  “Yeah, and do you know what? The hell is here on earth.” Lisa downed some more wine. “Those cops at the police station didn’t believe a word I said, and if they did they’re protecting a fellow officer. I am not in the witness protection program. I’ve changed my name and moved because no one seems to believe me and God knows that cop is still out there looking for me so he can get rid of his witness. I don’t know if you should stay here, Tasha, you could be putting your life in danger.”

  “There is no way I’m leaving. You need someone you can lean on sometimes as much as anyone else does. If you don’t have an outlet, you’ll fall apart,” Tasha said with concern for her friend. She looked really cold and was still shaking.

  “Too late for that, Tasha, I just fell apart and I’m probably a walking corpse.”

  “No you’re not, you’ve been here how long and survived? There is no way a city cop would look at a small country town in Victoria searching for you. Why don’t you talk to Noah and Zach? I know they’re good men, Lisa, they would be able help you,” Tasha suggested.

  “As much as I trust your judgment, I can’t trust any officers of the law. Look what happened the first time. None of them would believe me either.”

  “You don’t know that, Lisa. I won’t push you but just give it some thought.”

  Lisa looked totally drained after telling her the reasons she was in hiding. When she yawned and covered her mouth, Tasha had to do the same. It had been an emotionally upsetting day all around.

  “Well, I’m off to bed. Make yourself at home, Tasha, but I have to work at the library tomorrow.” Lisa gave a small wave good night and left the room.

  * * * *

  “Why the fuck has Tasha gone to her sister’s now? I thought everything was working out well between us?” Sean yelled and slammed his hand down on the countertop next to the note she had left them.

  “I don’t know, bro, but I intend to find out.” Jay picked up the phone.

  “Hi, Toni, it’s Jason. Could I speak to Tasha, please?”

  Sean watched his brother’s face as he frowned, listening to whatever Toni said.

  “You don’t know where she is? No we haven’t hurt her, we got home from work tonight to find a note saying she was going to spend a few days with you. Okay, well thanks anyway, Toni. Will you give me a call if she shows up? Thanks I appreciate it,” Jason said.

  “She’s not at Toni’s?” Sean’s gut churned with turmoil. He’d felt a black cloud hanging o
ver him for the last few weeks and even though he’d tried to push it away, he hadn’t been able to.

  “No and she hasn’t contacted Toni at all. What the fuck does she think she’s doing blowing hot and cold like this all the time? God, I feel sick with worry. When we find her we have to get her to open up with us completely. I’m not letting her hide from us anymore. This shit has to end. I want her in our lives permanently and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

  “Do you know any of her other friends? What was the name of that girl she met at the pub?”

  “Fuck! I can’t remember, but Noah and Zach probably know who she is. They were eating her up with their eyes,” Jason said.

  “I’ll give them a call right now.” Sean picked up the phone. “Zach, it’s Sean Gallagher. You wouldn’t happen to know the name of the lady Tasha met at the pub you and your partner were ogling do you? Lisa McDonald, okay thanks. Do you know where she lives? What…no. I think Tasha is with her. She’s taken off and we just want to find her. Okay, yeah the library, thanks, Zach, we owe you.”

  “What?” Jason asked Sean.

  “They don’t know where this Lisa McDonald lives and they’re not going to use their job to look as they would be in breach of privacy laws, but they do know she works at the library every day of the week. So one of us can head to the library tomorrow and ask her if she’s seen Tasha,” Sean suggested.

  “I’ve been thinking about why she would have taken off like she has.”

  “What did you come up with?”

  “Maybe she thinks we’ve been neglecting her,” Jason suggested.

  Sean rubbed a hand over his face. “Nah. I don’t think so. She’s been just as busy as we have. Whatever she’s been working on has kept her working too late into the night as far as I’m concerned.”

  “She has to know how we feel about her.” Jason sighed. “Surely she knows how much she means to us.”