Rewards of Bravery

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

“Are you saying that you don’t want to make her our woman? Claim guardianship of her?” Montana asked, and Ortley heard the anger in his brother’s tone.

  “Fuck no, I want her. I want to claim her, fucking mark her if I can to keep all other men away from her.”

  Montana chuckled. “Now you’re talking,” he said, and Ortley shook his head.

  “One wrong move could send her running.”

  “Not going to happen. The chemistry is there, the care, the possessiveness and protectiveness is shared. She is going to be our woman.”

  “Until we claim guardianship of her and she accepts that, she isn’t.”

  “That’s what spending time with her is all about, Ortley. Gaining her full trust, learning about one another, and making that decision. A ménage isn’t a game.”

  Before Ortley could reply, Isla was walking down the short hallway, and one look at her, and nothing else seemed to matter but making her his woman. The thought of her with any other men or even other men hitting on her made him feel angry and out of control. He didn’t do those feelings. He was a drill sergeant and was always in control.

  “Ortley, are you okay?” she asked him as she paused and stared at him wide-eyed.

  He eyed her over, then reached out, snagged her hand, and pulled her into his arms, placing his hand possessively over her ass. “I’m more than all right with you in my arms, and as my woman. You’re beautiful, baby. I’m just admiring what’s ours,” he said and then kissed her forehead, and she hugged him in return. He was in serious trouble indeed.

  “What’s that look for?” Presley asked Curren.

  “Got an answer to why Ortley and Montana aren’t at the house. They’re taking that woman Isla to lunch,” Curren replied.

  “The one they want us to meet?” Presley asked.

  “Yeah, the one who was abducted and had the concussion. They’re serious about this.”

  Presley squinted “What do you think? Should we do a little research on her? We know how women are, especially when they know we have money like we all do. They could be falling for the whole damsel-in-distress thing,” Presley said.

  He didn’t trust anyone and was pretty rigid and direct when it came to intimacy and sex. He didn’t keep women around long, no matter how fun or good they were in bed. Lately he and Curren, who didn’t date at all either, kept meeting gold diggers or bimbos. Most women wanted their money or at minimum for them to spend their money on them.

  “What are you thinking? I mean we were out of the country when the whole situation with York happened. We did help out with the boats, the helicopters, and things. Our brothers, especially Ortley, do not date. It sounds like they like this woman. Maybe we should meet her too?” Curren asked Presley.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Hey, we’re good at identifying fakes. If this woman is using them, or playing some kind of game with them, then we’ll see right through the bullshit. Montana has been a deputy in Cherry Hill for years. He fell right into the hometown atmosphere and has been content thinking one day we could all be in a ménage relationship with one woman,” Curren said to him.

  Presley snorted. “Just like Mom and the Dads who have been pushing for that. Can you see either of us with one woman? One, to be with, commit to, for the rest of our lives? That’s bullshit.”

  “Not when you see others in that town and other towns sharing in that type of relationship. It makes sense for men like us and our brothers.”

  “Curren, we’re traveling all the time.”

  “Things are changing, plus look at soldiers we know, people who are living in that community we established. They’re happy. Most are in ménage relationships, and it works.”

  “What’s with jumping the gun on this? We don’t know this woman,” Presley said to him.

  “I’m not jumping the gun. I don’t believe in true love or having a soul mate. I think if we were going to meet someone who was compatible, who accepted us for who we are, for our dominance and control, then I would consider a commitment of some sort. With everything we’ve experienced, the loose women, the ones after money, I don’t trust women at all. We can find out about this woman in person. We just said we were going to slow things down. Let’s text them and tell them to bring her to our house for dinner around four o’clock. We can sit by the pool, have some appetizers, engage in conversation, and see what happens.”

  “Not sure about this,” Presley said, but Curren already was texting Montana and then calling the chef to tell him there would be five for dinner tonight.

  Isla learned pretty quickly that the O’Rourke brothers were very possessive and protective. Both kept a hand on her almost constantly, and when they didn’t, she would lean into them or touch them too. What happened before lunchtime, back at her house, felt more like a fantasy than a reality. It made her realize and understand how women felt when they were tag-teamed by brothers like that. It was overwhelming, and she felt on the verge of asking for more. She couldn’t though. She was old-school, and there were still those issues she faced but was working through with Charlie in therapy.

  “So, how do you like your new job?” Ortley asked her.

  They were finished with lunch and walking along the sidewalk in town, being sure that people took notice of them. Isla didn’t mind at all. She felt possessive too, even as Millie Ann Henth smiled at Ortley and Montana and asked how they were and if Ortley was ever going to teach any regular classes she could attend.

  Ortley was rude, eyed the woman over, and squeezed Isla against his side. “Never going to happen,” he said and then ushered Isla along leaving Millie with her mouth gaping open.

  “I like it a lot. All things considered with the police investigation, I guess the first three weeks have been a smooth transition,” she said, and he stopped and turned her toward him with his eyebrows narrowed as he held her gaze.

  “Police investigation?” he barked, and she froze, went to speak, and nearly stuttered. Ortley was so rough and forceful.

  “It’s okay, Ortley. I didn’t get a chance to mention it to you, but I’m looking into things, and so is the sheriff.”

  “What is this all about? Is this job safe for you? Maybe you should find something in Cherry Hill?” Ortley asked, and she smiled softly, reached up, and placed her palm against his neck. He tensed up then squinted again.

  “It’s fine, I’m safe, and it will work out. I’m not in any danger. Let me explain things to you so you understand,” she said to him. She took his hand and held it as they walked, and she told them everything that happened.

  “You’re pretty smart to have picked up on those things. They better give you a raise. It sounds like you’re underpaid,” Ortley pointed out.

  “It’s a beginning. I just got my CPA certification, so I need to build up my resume, as well as my bank account,” she said and chuckled.

  “If you’re low with funds, we can help. As your men, you are our responsibility,” Ortley said to her. She stopped short.

  “Ortley, I can take care of myself. I know we did a lot of things together. Intimate things,” she said and lowered her eyes.

  He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close, cupping her ass cheek and squeezing. “Planning on doing some more ‘intimate things’ in just a little bit.” He suckled against her neck, and she giggled and then tilted back. She stepped from his hold, fixed her skirt, and he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

  “I’m serious. I know things got wild.”

  “You didn’t like it? Don’t want to do it again?” Montana asked, and now he looked fierce too.

  “Oh, I want to do it again. I enjoyed it, a bit too much maybe.”

  “Not too much,” Ortley said.

  “Too much before we even had a first date,” she said.

  “Damn, you’re old-school, huh, Isla? Just makes you even more appealing,” Montana teased.

  “It’s more than that, and you know it, Montana. I grew up in Germany, a different way of living, differe
nt culture and upbringing. I came it the United States in my teens to visit, loved it, and decided to apply to college here. I don’t regret it, just what happened to me and my brother.”

  Tears filled her eyes, and Montana moved closer, placed his arm around her shoulder and hugged her from behind. He kissed her neck softly. She closed her eyes and relished in the feel of his lips against her skin, and the comfort he instantly brought her. Ortley took her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

  “You survived, and then were drug into another situation with York, and you get through that too,” Ortley said to her.

  “Don’t remind me. I was never so scared,” Montana admitted.

  She turned her head to look at him. “I was scared too, and I thought about you. I appreciated the both of you caring for me as I recovered,” she added.

  “We aren’t going anywhere, Isla. We took our time as you asked. For three weeks, we gave you the space you asked for, you started the job, and have been getting into a routine. We’ve been patient. We want you to meet our brothers too. Dinner tonight at our house.”

  “Montana, I don’t know them. It’s taken weeks to let the two of you close to me.”

  “But now that you let down that guard and let us in, you see we are trustworthy and we aren’t going anywhere. We want you in our lives,” Montana told her.

  “In our bed, in our arms eventually,” Ortley said firmly.

  “I can see that happening, but there are still things to work out. I’m in counseling, you know,” she said to him.

  Ortley pressed closer and kissed her forehead. “I know, baby, and you’ll get stronger, and we’ll be here, right by your side along the way.”

  “Now say yes to meeting Curren and Presley?” Montana pushed.

  “I don’t know about this.”

  “Sure you do, because you trust us already, but if you need more convincing, we could go back to your place and maybe build that trust with a little more exploring?” Ortley asked and then pressed his lips to hers.

  She hugged him tight, and Montana kissed the top of her head, and soon they were heading back to her place to build that trust.

  “They’re late,” Presley said to Curren.

  They were sitting outside on the patio by the outdoor bar and cabana. Music played softly in the background. Their estate and ranch were upscale, approximately eight thousand square feet, with fifty acres of land all fenced in, with modern amenities mixing Texas styles with European designs. There were lots of earth tones, woodwork, and custom designs including in the cabana and entertainment center. Their swimming pool was bean-shaped with a ten-person Jacuzzi hot tub, stone and wood Adirondack-style designs, with stainless-steel appliances and even an outdoor fireplace with a stone-faced two-sided base that was fifteen feet high. They did things grand and thought about adding onto the home, but they were so busy traveling and working all the time, they kept things the same.

  When they heard the voices, Presley looked up and could see his brothers flanking the blonde between them. She was complimenting the beauty of their kitchen and the home, her heels clicking on the stone tiled flooring that led to the multiple open sliders outside. What he hadn’t expected to see was a gorgeous, and very young-looking woman with bold, baby blue eyes, abundant breasts, a tiny waist, sexy legs, and for his mouth to nearly drop open.

  Curren smiled and was immediately introducing himself. “I’m Curren, it’s so nice to finally meet you, Isla.”

  She shook his brother’s hand hello. “Nice to meet you too. I love your home. It’s stunning.”

  “Thank you. How are you feeling? How is your head?” Curren asked and gazed over her body.

  “Much better. No more headaches,” she replied and then lowered her eyes and looked around the place and right at Presley.

  He was more cautious as he approached, and when he saw her close up, he had to admit she was stunning, and that German accent, though slight, was appealing for some odd reason.

  “This is Presley, our other brother,” Montana introduced them.

  “Hello,” he said, and she smiled, said hello, and went to shake his hand. The moment their fingers touched, he knew this was going to get complicated. The attraction was instant, and as she turned away, obviously feeling it, he got a good look at her ass in the tight skirt she wore. The woman was sexy and classy. She was also very young, and he wondered how smart she was, and what she might or might not be after.

  “Take a look around. Can I get you something to drink?” Montana asked.

  Ortley walked over to the couches and sat down. His brother appeared content, and Presley wondered why. Ortley never seemed content. He was always on edge, angry, and short with answers.

  “How was lunch?” Curren asked them.

  “Nice,” Ortley said, his eyes glued to Isla as she looked out toward the land.

  “That’s a lot of open space. How many acres do you own?” she asked, walking back toward them.

  Presley sat on the arm of the chair, a beer bottle in his hand. Curren now had one too, and Montana brought over a glass of white wine for her. “Thank you,” she said and then took a sip. She was nervous, he could tell.

  “Fifty acres. It’s been in the family for a long time,” Curren said.

  “That’s so nice. Was this house always here? It seems newer,” she asked him as she walked closer. Montana placed his arm around her waist, his hand on her hip looking huge. She was feminine, sexy, and obviously in great shape.

  “It was always here. We updated it a bit, redid the outside with more stonework, and upgraded different aspects of it,” Curren told her.

  “Come sit down,” Ortley said to her.

  She smiled at him, then at Presley as she moved from Montana’s hold, and walked past Presley, bumping by his leg as she passed by. He inhaled her perfume. It was light and appealing. He watched her take a seat next to Ortley, fix her skirt, and then cross her legs. Ortley placed his hand over her knee. The sight did something to Presley, and he took a sip of his beer and continued to watch her.

  “So, Isla, what do you do for a living? Still work at Harper’s, waitressing?” Curren asked her.

  “No, I used to work there, but now I work for a real estate firm in Benter,” she replied and took a sip from her wineglass.

  “She got her CPA last month,” Montana said and winked.

  “CPA, huh? That’s impressive. What real estate firm?” Curren asked.

  “Canterberry Associates,” she replied.

  Presley sat forward, and Curren immediately became angry. “What?” he snapped.

  “Canterberry Associates. I’ve been there for three weeks. Well, almost a month now, this week.” She smiled and glanced at Montana.

  Ortley squeezed her knee and caressed along it a little higher. She covered his hand and stopped him from moving up too high.

  “How the hell do you know Hagerty Canterberry?” Curren questioned her and stood up.

  “Harper knew him or someone who worked in town and heard he was looking for an accountant. So I interviewed with Randy. I actually hadn’t met Hagerty until yesterday.”

  “He’s an asshole. She shouldn’t be working for him,” Presley said to them.

  “What?” Montana asked.

  “Wait, you never met Hagerty before? You never spoke to him, and he didn’t know where you lived, or ask about us?” Curren asked her.