Sophie Oak - Siren Beloved

Dwight broke into a jog. He’d hated the Army, but they had known how to whip a man into shape. He’d kept up his physical training. He could easily cross the two and half miles between the clinic and the fairgrounds in fifteen minutes. He would take the back roads home. He lived in the foreman’s house set off a bit from the main house. If he turned the lights off, no one would notice him driving in late.

It was all going bad. Aidan was close to making a breakthrough. He’d seen it earlier in the day. Aidan was remembering more and more. That stupid dog didn’t help. The dog had stood over Aidan’s body that terrible day, barking and growling any time Dwight had gotten close. If he’d been able to get past the fucking dog, maybe he could have taken care of the problem, but by then the firefight was over, and he could hear the other squad coming in. They might have questioned a burst of gunfire, and he couldn’t get close enough to slit the dumb animal’s throat.

Now the dog stood as a symbol of all Dwight stood to lose. The animal was a touchstone, constantly calling Aidan back to that day. If Aidan remembered, the case would be reopened, and Dwight would be reviled and possibly sent to jail if they could figure out that he’d purposefully shot two of the men so they couldn’t tell what he’d done.

He didn’t regret it. He wasn’t about to give up his life for a simple mistake anyone could have made. The gun had a loose trigger. The US Army spent shit supplying their soldiers. If a soldier wanted top-of-the-line body armor, his family had to pay for it. Dwight didn’t have a fucking family. He didn’t have anything. That was why he’d gone into the Army in the first place.

He made it to his car. He’d parked at the edge of the lot, and the whole place was dark and empty. He slipped into his car and started it, leaving the lights off.

His cell phone was blinking, indicating a message. He checked the number. Karen.

“Dwight? Dwight? What happened? I woke up in my car. I think I’m in a ditch. Where are you? I feel terrible, and I can’t remember anything.”

There was the distinct sound of sirens in the background as Karen talked. He felt a little smile spread across his face.

“Dwight, the cops are here. Oh, where are you? Please come help me.”

Dwight felt a sense of relief as he shut off his phone. At least something had gone right tonight. They would find her there, disoriented, in a car that was obviously damaged by side and front impact. The cops here would put two and two together and never think about it again. Everyone would talk about the beauty queen’s fall. He was safe.

But it didn’t fix his problem. Aidan was still alive.

That had to change and soon. It was time to take out the problem once and for all. After tomorrow, Aidan would be gone, and Dwight would be free.

Lexi came awake as Bo’s car stopped. She was slumped against Lucas’s chest, her hand nestled in Aidan’s. They were all scrunched together in the backseat because no one wanted to sit apart. Bo had grumbled about being a chauffeur, but he’d driven so carefully, as though he had precious cargo.

How had she fallen asleep? She should have been nervous, terrified of getting back on the same road she’d almost been killed on, but she was between Lucas and Aidan. Their big bodies sheltered and protected her. There was nothing between them now. Not her sadness. Not Lucas’s insecurity. Not Aidan’s guilt. There wasn’t room for any of that.

“We’re here, angel.” Aidan’s hand squeezed hers.

“Safe and sound.” Bo turned his head and grinned at her. “I’m a way better driver than he is, too. You might want to reconsider.”

Aidan sat forward. He ruffled his baby brother’s hair affectionately. “I’ll give you the driver part, brother. Thank you for coming to get us.”

Bo sighed. “You’re welcome. I guess you couldn’t get a hold of Dwight. It doesn’t matter. I was happy to do it. I’m just glad you all were okay.”

“I didn’t call Dwight, Bo. I called my brother because I was in trouble. I know we’ve had our problems since Dad died, but we’re going to work it out.”

A brilliant smile broke over Bo’s face. “We will. And the whole bisexual thing is all right with me. Lucas is a nice guy. If I had wanted to screw some dude’s butt, it would be his.”

Lucas snorted and then coughed, as though trying to cover it up. “That’s a great compliment, Bo.”

Bo gave him a thumbs-up and hopped out of the car.

Lexi giggled. She couldn’t help it. She felt light. She had cried, finally and truly cried, while they had held each other in the hospital. Aidan had been right. Sharing the pain lessened it. It opened her to love. What had Leo said? Something about sanity and accepting the love offered us. She’d been insane for far too long. She was ready to accept everything these two men had to offer.

The car door opened, and Lucas slipped out. He reached back in and helped her out. Aidan jogged around the other side. Before she could really find her balance, Aidan hauled her up into his arms, lifting her against his chest.

“No walking for you,” Aidan said.

Lexi didn’t mind. It was sweet to be carried around. She felt light and delicate in his arms. But she didn’t want him to think she was too fragile. She needed more than his tender care this evening. Much more. “The doctor cleared me.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to walk.” Aidan’s voice had taken on a thick, dark quality. It seemed to change the air around them, making it charged with tension. “You never have to walk when one of your men can carry you.”

“I think I’m going to sleep out at the bunkhouse tonight,” Bo said with a knowing grin. “If you need anything, you call me.”

Lexi felt perfect nestled in Aidan’s arms with Lucas standing beside them. She nuzzled his chest, loving the way he smelled. He was still wearing his scrubs, but they had all been able to take a shower to wash away the reservoir water. She hadn’t been able to dry her hair, though. It had done that all on its own in the Texas heat. Lexi knew she must look a mess, but it didn’t matter. These men loved her. These men always thought she was beautiful. “So we’re going to be all alone in that big house? What are we going to do?”

Lexi had ideas. It was far past time for her to be in the middle.

“We’re going to have a talk, sub.” Aidan stared down at her, and even in the low light coming from the porch, she could tell his eyes had gone dark and slightly hard. “I need to make a few things clear.”

Lucas reached out and touched her cheek, a soft little caress that belied his words. “The Master and I feel we should set ground rules for how this is going to work, Lexi. Since the doctor cleared you and you feel fine, I suggested we have this little discussion of ours tonight rather than tomorrow. Please understand, this is not punishment, but we would like to play.”

“If you’re not up to it, angel, we understand,” Aidan said. “But if you want us, you should understand everything is in play tonight. We will push some boundaries.”

Lexi knew what that meant. She shivered at the thought. It was everything she wanted. They would take her together. They would be deep inside of her at the same time. “I want it.”

“God, I was hoping you would say that.” Aidan swept her up the stairs and onto the porch as Lucas got the door open. Lexi held on as Aidan walked through the front hall and toward the living room. Lexi watched Lucas following behind, a decadent smile on his face as he pulled the scrubs over his head and tossed it aside. Lucas Cameron without his shirt was a sight to behold. From his broad shoulders to his tight abs, he was simply gorgeous.