by Sam Crescent
“This isn’t bad, sweetheart. We’re used to much worse.” He took a sip of his drink.
“But he’ll be alone. On just a snowmobile. What if something bad happens?”
He smiled at her. “Trust me, he can handle himself.”
She exhaled, trying to feel the same confidence. Was he going for batteries just so she could have her regular hot baths? If so, she could certainly do without that luxury. Opal left the living area and slipped quietly into the bedroom. Caleb was just in his long johns, rooting in his drawers for clothes.
“Don’t go,” she said softly.
He stood to his full height, turning to face her. A long-sleeved thermal shirt dangled in his hand. “I’ll be back tonight. Nothing to worry about.” He cocked his head, staring at her with such intensity. Why did she feel her eyes well up with unshed tears?
Everything was so perfect it scared her. She didn’t want to lose what she had with the Caleb and Damon. What if Caleb was killed like his parents? They were hardcore survivalists and still didn’t make it during an animal attack. So many things could happen so far off the grid, especially with such cold temperatures.
Her life had been a struggle, and she wanted to grab hold of the brothers and never let go. She didn’t want her fairy tale to end.
She shrugged. “I get nervous.”
He came toward her, tossing his shirt on the bed. Caleb wrapped his arms low on her hips, holding her close. “What happened to you?” he asked. “You can’t keep the truth locked up forever.” Caleb wiped the moisture from her eyelashes.
He spoke slowly, his words filled with kindness. Caleb was right, of course. She couldn’t expect them to open up while she closed off her darkest secrets. It was embarrassing to tell the truth.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
She swallowed hard. “You know I’ve never been with a man. That wasn’t entirely by choice. Since I was young, I was told I was fat and would never amount to anything. That brainwashing really took its toll on me.” Opal looked down, feeling shame. “Before I came here, I tried to take my life, to end everything. I really believed that death was the answer, the only way to escape the pain and depression.”
He used a curled finger to tilt her head up. “Thank God you didn’t go through with it because you’ve saved us, Opal. You’re everything to us—you have no idea. Both of us were barely hanging on. Even though we had each other, we were empty and lonely. You changed all that.”
She smiled at him, a tear slipped from her eye.
“And I couldn’t have chosen a better women to get lost in our forest. You’re gorgeous, baby. Perfect. Neither of us can get enough of you.”
He kissed her forehead, then her lips, a soft promise. She rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes and listening to the strong beat of his heart. “I don’t need warm baths, just you,” she said. “Don’t worry about the batteries.”
“It’s more than just hot water. We need the batteries for just about everything, but I promise I’ll be in bed with you tonight. Damon will be here to take care of you.”
“Okay.” She reluctantly agreed, but still didn’t have a good feeling.
****
Caleb had found a treasure in Opal. Their beautiful, young virgin was a godsend. He sure as hell enjoyed spoiling her. It seemed they’d been waiting for her their entire lives. Now that they had her, they’d never let her go.
Since she’d finally opened up to him, they could move forward. He’d continue to show her how important she was, and just how beautiful he found her. All her insecurities needed to be laid to rest.
After dressing in multiple layers of thermal clothing, he packed a backpack with emergency supplies and loaded up the snowmobile. He strapped on a container of extra gas and secured a rifle to his load.
“I’m heading out. Lock up until I get back. Keep the fire stoked,” he said.
“I know,” said Damon. “You’ve told me ten times already. I’ll take good care of Opal.”
He knew his brother was capable. Caleb was just stalling, worrying about leaving them alone while he took a run to town. There were plenty of daylight hours yet, so it would be an easy ride to where he was going. The drive home may be a bit more precarious.
“Be careful,” said Opal. She grabbed a handful of his overcoat. If felt good to have a woman waiting for him when he returned. He had purpose, something to look forward to in life. Soon she’d be pregnant with their child. He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss, not wanting to indulge himself too much. It would be all too easy to succumb to Opal and push his trip too late into the night.
“Promise, I’ll be safe,” he said. “Damon can break out the trunk of board games if you get too antsy.”
He left the cabin, the cool breeze hitting his bare cheeks. The day was clear, so he was anxious to get going. If he never had to leave his property, he’d be a happy man, but they were reliant on supplies from town on occasion. He’d be sure to pick up some nice things for Opal. They weren’t used to having a woman in the house, and they weren’t prepared for her sudden appearance.
After getting comfortable in his seat and pulling his coat closed tight, he revved the engine and took off toward the path. It wasn’t much of a path now, but he knew the direction well. He’d been using the trail since he was a kid, and they’d expanded it once they returned back from the city as adults.
He’d been through a lot with Damon. They’d been thrust into city life as teens when all they’d known was rural living. Their parents had been their rocks, their mentors, and then it was just the two of them. They manned up because they had no choice, but returning back to the family cabin was a given.
The past few years had provided a new problem. The fucking loneliness. It wasn’t natural for a man to live life without a woman. That constant craving for sex, family, and love was overpowering. He’d started to give up on his own happiness, but he couldn’t stand to see Damon suffer. His younger brother yearned for that connection only a woman could provide. But not just any woman would do, so they were still alone until Opal showed up.
Now Caleb was determined to make things work, to provide for his family and live the same life his parents had shown them by example.
He smiled to himself, feeling a sense of completeness he hadn’t known for a long time. Things were finally coming together for the White brothers.
After traveling for hours, he pulled into a clearing to fuel up and give the snowmobile a break. He unfastened his leather side bag and pulled out his water bottle. As he drank, he studied the area. There were other tracks.
He stood up and stretched his legs, scouting the immediate area. Another snowmobile pulling a sled had been through today. Since it had snowed last night, he could pinpoint the time accurately. His father had taught him the art of tracking.
Caleb’s concern grew as he tried to piece everything together. He hadn’t passed anyone on the way, but there were multiple trails leading to his property. Were trespassers heading to their cabin? Was there another nature party getting underway? He didn’t mind people hiking or snowmobiling on his massive property. But this far off the grid, it was difficult to tell friend from foe, so they preferred their privacy close to home.
He’d come too far to turn back now. He needed to get their supplies and get his ass home. Caleb was likely being paranoid. It was in his nature. Besides, Damon was a thirty-eight-year-old man and just as skilled in survival. He needed to stop treating his brother like a child.
****
“You’ve hardly eaten,” said Opal.
They’d made a hearty vegetable stew earlier. They peeled and cut the squash, potatoes, and carrots together. And the entire cabin was filled with the delicious scent as it simmered in the old cast-iron pot. He loved spending time with Opal, even to do everyday tasks. He’d never felt so comfortable with anyone besides Caleb.
He sat back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. “I think I did too much pic
king when we were cooking.” Damon smiled at her, leaning over to tweak her nose. He didn’t want to say he was worried about Caleb. His biggest fear in life was losing his brother.
“I told you,” she teased. “You were eating faster than I could peel.” She took another spoonful of the thick stew. He loved her innocence, and the fact she trusted them and didn’t think anything could go wrong. Damon wanted to keep it that way. No sense for her to worry too. Hopefully, he was just blowing things out of proportion, and Caleb would walk through the door soon.
“I won’t let it go to waste,” he said. Living off the grid, they learned not to throw anything out, especially food.
“You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”
He narrowed his eyes.
“You’re not hiding anything from me. I know you’re worried,” she said.
“Everything will be fine. The town’s a long ways out.” He was trying to convince himself as much as he tried to convince Opal.
“He’ll be home soon.” She stood up and came around to the back of his chair. Opal began to massage his shoulders, her small hands working magic. After all the wood cutting he’d done earlier, his body was full of aches.
He moaned. “That feels amazing, sweetheart.”
“You’re too tense.”
“Well, you’re making me feel a whole lot better.” He closed his eyes and savored the feel of her skilled fingers working his muscles. Damon loved the attention of a woman—his woman.
“Are you sure you’re good with all this? Sharing a woman, I mean. It doesn’t seem fair to either of you.”
He scoffed. “You don’t know me and Caleb. We need each other, but we need a family just as much. You’re perfect for us, Opal.”
She combed her fingers through his hair, and he couldn’t help but moan.
“I think I’m ready then.”
He turned in his seat. “Ready for what?”
She bit her lower lip, that sexy little habit she had when she was nervous. “What you’ve both been hinting at. I want you both to share me.”
Was she saying what he thought she was saying? “We have been sharing you.”
“You know what I mean.”
Fuck, he wanted her to say it. “Not really, baby girl.”
He patted his lap, and she sat down, her plump ass making his cock harder. “Really sharing,” she said.
Damon couldn’t hold back. He kissed her hard on the mouth. He lost himself right away, loving her taste and playful tongue. He slipped his hand under her shirt and ran his hand over her breast, giving her a firm squeeze. “Explain yourself. Tell me.”
“I want you both to take me at the same time, not just taking turns.”
His jaw clenched as he attempted to control his raging libido. “You going to let me take your ass, Opal?”
She nodded, her full lips parted.
He wanted Caleb home. Now. She was driving him crazy. He couldn’t wait to double-fuck her, claiming her properly. “You shouldn’t tell me these things when we’re alone.”
“I’ve been wanting to tell you both, but…”
Damon held her closer. “Don’t be shy with us.” He ran the backs of his fingers along her cheek. Fuck, he was in love with her. “I like it when you tell me what you want.”
“I’m a bit scared, too.”
“Don’t you worry, baby, nothing to be scared about. We’ll go nice and slow. Before long you’ll be begging us to double-fuck you.”
They kissed again, the urgency between them growing by the minute. Opal was addicting. “I feel safe with you,” she whispered against his lips. Those few words meant the world to him, and he’d spend the rest of his life living up to her expectations.
“Thank you,” he said, leaning back to get a good look at his woman.
“For what?”
“Not running away. For giving me and Caleb a chance.”
“I have nowhere to run. This is where I belong,” she said.
He gave her a kiss on the forehead and then urged her to stand. “You finish up your dinner. I’m just going to tarp the wood outside.”
Damon stepped out onto the porch, closing the door behind him. He needed a breather in order to keep behaving himself. Opal drove him crazy, but he’d wait for his brother so they could share her properly.
It had been almost four hours since Caleb left for town. It was just a normal trip, one they’d made countless times, but he had a bad feeling. Ever since those squatters had been on his land, he had a sick sense in his gut. They’d had many trespassers, but these ones were shady as fuck.
He listened for anything out of the ordinary, but it was only the usual calming hush of the forest in winter. Damon looked up at the sky, a hint of color warning of the coming darkness. He took a deep breath, trying to push away his worries so Opal didn’t get scared.
When he opened the door, Bear ran out, barking up a storm, disappearing into the woods. He grit his teeth, getting tired of the old dog acting out of character.
“Baby, I’m going to get the dog. I’ll be right back.”
He zipped his coat up and followed Bear’s trail. Even though he was a pain in the ass, it would tear him apart if he got himself killed. Bear thought he was young and invincible, but it would only take one wolf or wild cat to show him otherwise.
The light from the house faded away the farther he walked. The forest was all dark shadows. He could hear Bear ahead, so he kept trudging through the snow. When he heard a gun cock, he froze. He knew the sound well, having grown up with all sorts of firearms.
He cursed under his breath, pissed off with himself. How had he not noticed someone in the underbrush?
“Where’s your brother at?” asked the man. Damon guessed he was a heavy smoker, his voice raspy. The sound made his skin crawl.
“Gone. Who’s asking?”
“Don’t worry about who’s asking. I need an answer or we’ll have a problem. A real big problem.”
Damon briefly worried if Caleb was already in trouble. His only comfort was believing his brother was safe if this asshole was asking about him. “He’s gone to town. He could be gone for days.”
“Fuck.” The second voice came from his right. “I told you something would go wrong.”
“Shut up already,” said the man with the gun. “We’ll wait for him at the cabin. I’m freezing my ass off.”
A jolt of fear raced through Damon’s veins. He didn’t care about himself, but Opal was alone in the cabin. These animals had at least one gun. How would he protect her from them? The possibilities terrified him.
“What do you want with us? Money? I’ll go to town with you and give you the little we have.” Damon needed to keep them away from the cabin at all costs. He didn’t want to showcase how much money they actually had, but if it came to it, he’d give it all up for Opal. There was no price for a good woman.
“We’re not going anywhere. Start walking.” The first man shoved him, but he didn’t budge. “Now!”
Damon’s mind raced as he complied. He was built larger than most men, and he knew he could take down both men if he had to. But the unknown kept him from acting. He didn’t know what kind of weapons they had, how willing they were to use them, and if there were more than the two of them on the property.
Why couldn’t these lowlifes leave them alone? They lived off the grid because they wanted to get away from people and all the bullshit of society. All Damon knew was he’d take a bullet before he let either of these men put a hand on Opal.
Chapter Nine
Opal didn’t like that Damon was taking way too long. She nibbled her lip and paced the length of the sitting room. Why did the men have to go and do these things? Running fingers through her hair, she tried to think about everything she’d been taught during her trip, the whole survival of the fittest. Moving toward the kitchen, she filled up the kettle, about to make another drink when movement out of the window caught her eye. She gasped. There were a couple of men shoving and pushing Damon al
ong.
“Shit!”
Pulling away from the window, she ran to the bedroom where it was dark. In the past few weeks, she’d found the boards that were creaky. Moving toward the window, she saw Damon walking so slowly. Every now and then, someone shoved him, trying to get him to move faster. There was a small gap in the window, and she could hear them.
“What the fuck do you guys want?” Damon asked. “We don’t have any money here. We just live a simple life.”
“Not interested in your simple life, pal.” Another shove, and this time Damon fell to the snowy ground. She knew how sturdy he was, and in control, and knew instantly that he’d done that on purpose. No one could bring down a mountain like Damon.
He was slowing them down. Did he want her to escape? What did he want?
“We’ve got nothing of any value in there, so why don’t you boys just move along,” Damon said.
“When did your brother leave?”
“A couple of hours ago. He’ll be back soon,” Damon said. “Maybe not.”
Caleb had been gone a lot longer.
“Anyone else in the house?”
“No.”
He didn’t want them to know she was there. God, she didn’t want to imagine what that could mean. Her heart raced as she envisioned the horrific scenarios.
“Let’s go and take a look.”
Seconds later, she heard the door bang open, and she moved toward the bedroom door, slowly closing it. Looking around the room, she found a couple of guns. She was very much aware of how much her two men loved their guns. They wouldn’t be anywhere without them. Why didn’t Damon have a gun with him?
This was not what she was prepared for. Guns, danger, threats. Sure, there was lots of that in the city, but she wasn’t the kind of woman that got exposed to this kind of threat. When the streetlights came on, she was usually safe in her little apartment.
They were out in the middle of nowhere here. Even if she was to put a call through to local law enforcement, it would be hours before they made the trip up here, and those men could have killed Damon by then.