Sophie Oak - Siren in Waiting

Now Trev felt tears prick his eyes. “I had given her nothing to be proud of. I had fucked up every opportunity given to me.”

“And yet you chose to fight. You chose to fight for your life and your sobriety. God, Trev, you make it sound like you’ve had it easy. I can’t imagine the pressure you were under. Not many men would have the strength to walk away. You could have been one more cautionary tale, but you did it. You got through it. You get through it every day. She’s proud of you. She’s proud of how strong you’ve become. She’s proud of how you take care of the people around you. She’s proud of the man you’ve become.”

“How can you say that?”

“Because I’m proud.” She wrapped her arms around him, her love surrounding him.

Trev looked over her shoulder and saw Bo standing there. He’d heard everything. Trev felt himself flush with shame. Bo was one of the people he’d let down.

“I’m proud, too,” Bo said, his voice choking for a moment. “And I can speak for Beth when I say we wouldn’t be where we are without you. I need you to know that I forgive you.”

Trev’s gut tightened. “Will you please tell me what happened?”

Bo’s face turned down. “My dad got drunk one night in my junior year. Aidan had left town. Aidan was his golden boy, but he was angry that Aidan was pursuing music as a career. He didn’t think that was a masculine profession, if you know what I mean. Well, he got snockered, and he beat the shit out of me. I thought he was going to kill me. He pulled out his old Colt and shoved a bullet in it. He put it to my head and pulled the trigger.”

Trev’s blood ran cold. How could someone do that to his own child? “Bo, I had no idea.”

Bo simply shook his head. “I think Dad was shocked that he’d done it, too. He dropped the gun after it didn’t go off that first time. I ran. I ran to Austin, but I realized that if told my brother, Aidan would have killed our father.”

Trev sighed. He couldn’t imagine it. He couldn’t imagine how helpless Bo must have felt. “Bo, why didn’t you call the cops?”

Bo shrugged. “Because they would have put him in jail and then Aidan would have had to leave college to keep the ranch afloat. Because I didn’t want to go into foster care.”

“I turned you away, didn’t I?” Trev wished he could remember the night. Wished he had been a different person.

“You weren’t mean about it. I’ll give that to you. You were never a mean drunk. You just told me to get cleaned up and find some black-and-white clothes so I could join the party.”

The annual Black and White Ball at his frat. Of course. Trev had always been plastered for that. “Bo, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what I was doing. Well, I did. I knew what I risked every time I took a drink. Where did you go?”

Bo smiled. “Beth came and got me. I think that was the night that really solidified our relationship as friends. I started spending more and more real time with her. I started to love her.”

Shelley walked up and gave Bo a hug. “I’m so sorry to hear that. How could you have ever come back here?”

Bo patted her back, accepting the affection. “The strange thing was after that night, my father actually calmed down. He never hit me again. We got along for a little while. He was still a mean bastard, but he kept his distance. I stayed on because I didn’t have anywhere else to go, and I moved into the guest house. It was better after that. I loved this ranch even when I hated my dad.”

Guilt threatened to overwhelm Trev. “But I could have helped you.”

Bo shook his head. “Trev, everything happens for a reason. I believe that now. We’re here today because we did stupid shit and got our asses kicked. We made mistakes and we learned from them. That’s what brought us here. I wouldn’t take a single one back. I wouldn’t be anywhere but right here, right now.” He cleared his throat as though banishing the deep emotion he felt. “Now, dinner’s ready. You two need to come inside. Apparently we’re going to need our strength. Lexi already made a plate for Beth and headed out. She’s got five different plotlines to read to her. I think I saw Beth crying just a little.”

Trev laughed, the feeling of shame leaving him in an instant. He felt lighter. “Well, I don’t want to keep your stomach waiting.”

Shelley stepped away from Bo. “I agree with Bo. I’ve made mistakes, too. Now’s the time to start fixing them. I’m going to wash my face. I’m sure I look a mess. Does Bo have to follow me to the bathroom?”

Trev was fine with his sister’s sarcasm as long as she didn’t fight him on Bo’s bodyguard duty. “I think Aidan’s bathroom is safe enough.”

Bo frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “I don’t know. I hear sometimes women get assaulted in there.”

Trev snorted. “Damn, you heard about that, huh? Well, how about after the game, we go out and visit our little sub? You know, we promised we would give her a little something.”

“Eww!” Shelley put her hands over her ears. “Too much info, brother.”

Bo and Trev were laughing as they entered the house together.

Beth looked up as Trev walked into the barn, Bo hard on his heels.

“So, what do you think? I mean, I had the beta hero save the day in my last book. I think it’s time the heroine kicked some ass.” Lexi had a corkboard with about a hundred notes plastered to it.

Beth was sure they were an incongruous sight. The serious writer, going over plot and storyline, with her personal assistant, who Lexi’d had to prop up with pillows so she could comfortably sit up because her assistant was naked and tied up. “And when was the last time you had the Dom save the day?”

Lexi bit into her lower lip. “I guess it’s been a while.”

Beth shook her head. Since Lexi had started writing, she’d made a name for herself in erotic romance for her kick-ass heroines and quirky small towns. “It’s time. Throw Aidan a bone. The town of Joy, Wyoming, has been through a lot. Let your hero save the day.”

Lexi shrugged. “Fine. I guess the guy has to save the day every now and then. Hey, Trev and Bo! How did the game go? I’m glad you’re here. I was just telling Beth that I should get a masculine opinion.”

Bo’s eyes flared in panic. “Uh, I don’t really read much.”

“The Dom should definitely save the day, Lexi. Now, your Master requests your presence.” Trev’s deep voice didn’t leave a lot of room for disobedience.

But Lexi was a brat to the end. Beth admired that about her boss. “Fine, but I’m not doing the dishes.”

She grinned at Beth as she gathered her things. “I’m so glad you’re in the lifestyle now. We can have fun. I’ll show you all the best ways to top from the bottom.”

Trev growled Lexi’s direction.

Lexi took a little step back. “Fine. Maybe not.” But the minute Trev’s back was turned, she mouthed the words, “I totally will,” and slipped out the door.

“I love my sister-in-law, but I don’t think Lexi is a good influence on Beth.” Bo frowned at the door Lexi had closed.

Trev shook it off. “Lexi is a brat of the highest order. She’ll be good for Beth. And besides, I don’t think Beth is about to let us choose her friends.”

“Not for a second.” Beth was ready to obey Trev in the bedroom and in things that made sense, but she wouldn’t mindlessly follow him.

“Mind me now,” he said as if he could hear her thoughts. “Let Bo turn you over. I want to play.”

She could see that he did. His cock strained against his jeans. There was a slightly desperate look to his eyes. “What happened?”

“Nothing to worry yourself about. Let’s just say I’ve had an emotional day. And I just spent two hours watching Lucas and Aidan enjoy a six-pack of beer between the two of them. Now I don’t begrudge them, but it has me on edge.”