Capturing Kylie [Slick Rock 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “Kylie Mailing.” Kylie headed toward the front door, making sure she skirted the three men so she wouldn’t touch them. Just as she reached for the door, it was flung open.

  “Kylie, are you all right? What was that all…” Eva paused just after she flicked the porch light on and saw the men behind Kylie. “Xavier, Lachlan, Will, it’s good to see you. I thought you weren’t arriving until tomorrow.”

  “Hey, sweetie.” Lachlan stepped around Kylie as she moved inside the entrance and swept Eva up into his arms, hugged her tight, and planted a kiss on her lips.

  “Get your hands off my woman right now!” Quin roared, causing Kylie to jump. She edged further away from the angry-looking dominant man.

  When hands once more gripped her shoulders, Kylie looked behind her to find herself staring into deep blue eyes. “Don’t worry, baby. Quin’s not angry. He’s just playing along with Lachlan.” Xavier dug his fingers into her tight muscles.

  Kylie shrugged, hoping he’d take the hint and release her, but instead his hands clasped her tighter for a moment before dropping down to his sides. As he moved to stand beside her, her breathing escalated when she felt the heat coming from his body. Being surreptitious, she looked up from beneath lowered eyelashes to see him no more than half a finger length from her. If she shifted even slightly, his arm would brush against hers.

  “You are such a tease and a flirt, Lachlan Badon.” Eva slapped him on the shoulder as he lowered her to her feet.

  “I can’t help it when I’m in the presence of a pretty lady.”

  Kylie watched as the men slapped each other on the backs and then kissed Eva lingeringly on the lips until Pierson stepped in and pulled his fiancée into his side, giving his cousins a mock scowl.

  She walked toward Kylie, took her hand, and then introduced her. “This is my best friend, Kylie Mailing.” Eva tightened her grip when Kylie tried to pull away and then Eva turned toward the kitchen. “Come on into the kitchen and I’ll get you something to drink. Have you had dinner?”

  “Yeah, thanks, honey, but we stopped off at the diner before arriving here,” Xavier said.

  Kylie once again tried to escape Eva’s clutches, but her friend looked at her through narrowed eyes and continued pulling her along behind her. Although she knew that Eva and her men had visited Dallas a few months ago and had time with the Badon cousins, she didn’t feel comfortable in a room full of such big, brawny, handsome men. She wanted to excuse herself saying that they all needed time to catch up with each other, but she didn’t think that Eva would let her get away with that, so she stayed quiet.

  “At least let me get you men something to drink,” Eva said as they entered the kitchen.

  Xavier grinned. “I can’t say no to that.”

  Kylie helped Eva prepare the drinks and felt eyes on her as she worked. The hair on her nape prickled and when she looked over her shoulder, all three of the Badon cousins were eying her body.

  Eva sidled up to her and said for her ears alone, “What’s going on, Kylie?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Don’t give me that bullshit,” Eva whispered through clenched teeth. “I wasn’t born yesterday. I saw the way you stormed out of the house. Now, start spilling your guts.”

  Kylie glanced quickly over her shoulder once more and was relieved to see that the men were engaged in conversation and were no longer looking at her.

  She leaned back against the countertop. “I’m just tired.” She tried once more to dissemble, but the determined glare Eva gave her let her know she wasn’t about to wriggle off the hook. “Okay. Okay. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”

  “Start talking, girlfriend! I know damn well there is something going on with you. You look like you haven’t slept in months. You’ve lost so much weight you look almost gaunt, and I’ve been trying to get you to move here for the last six months, but you always had an excuse as to why you wanted to stay in Sheridan. Fess up, Kylie.”

  Kylie rubbed a hand over her aching forehead and sighed. “My life is in danger.” She quickly placed her hand over her friend’s mouth before she could screech and draw attention to them. Eva’s face paled and then she gave her a slight nod to let her know she had her shock under control. She slowly removed her hand and stepped back again.

  “Why? How?” Eva whispered urgently.

  Kylie became aware of the silence in the room and tried not to blanch when she half turned to see what the men were doing. Six pairs of eyes were pinned to her and Eva.

  “Eva, are you okay, darling?” Gray’s eyes moved from Kylie to Eva and back again.

  “I’m fine.”

  “What’s going on?” Quin asked.

  “Uh.” Kylie stalled as her mind raced from one lie to another until she snagged on the only thing that would account for Eva’s shock. “One of our friends is sick.” She made sure not to look at anyone as she lied. Eva had always told her she couldn’t lie worth a damn and now was probably no exception. She felt really bad for lying about something like that, but she didn’t want anyone knowing her business.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Pierson’s voice drew her gaze for a moment and then she turned her back on the men and faced Eva and mouthed, “I’ll tell you later.”

  “Who is sick?” Quin questioned.

  Eva said, “Sarah” at the same time Kylie said, “Louise.”

  Kylie felt her face heat, and she knew from experience that, considering her pale complexion, her cheeks were likely as red as her hair.

  “Hmm,” Quin murmured.

  “I’m really tired after traveling so long today,” Kylie said as she moved quickly toward the door. “I think I’ll go to bed. Good night.”

  Kylie rushed down the hall and into her bedroom. Once the door was closed behind her, she leaned against the wood and groaned. Quin was probably grilling Eva right now about her lie. There was no way those men out there were going to let her get away without explaining. Not unless she refused point-blank to talk. Yes! That’s what I’ll do. I’ll tell them to mind their own damn business.

  Chapter Two

  Fifteen minutes later, her bedroom door opened and Eva entered. Kylie was sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard with a book in her hand, trying to appear relaxed. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t read more than five words before her mind began to wander. She just hoped she appeared as calm as she tried to portray.

  “Kylie?” Eva sat down on the edge of the bed and waited for her to explain.

  “I’m sorry I lost it before. I’ll apologize to your men tomorrow.”

  Eva waved her hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it. They can see how stressed you are.” After a pause she asked, “Why is your life in danger?”

  Kylie clutched her hands together and gripped her fingers so hard they began to ache. “I witnessed a crime.”

  “What sort of crime?”

  “Rape and assault.”

  “Shit. No wonder you look so tired. You aren’t sleeping, are you?”

  “No.” Kylie sighed and pushed the tips of her fingers into her closed eyelids, trying to relieve the ache behind them, again. Not that it did any good.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  Kylie shook her head but then changed to nodding. She took a deep breath and began talking. “Two weeks ago, I was working late into the night at the desk in my bedroom. I couldn’t sleep so decided I may as well do something constructive and transcribe some medical notes.

  “I heard what I thought was a man’s muffled scream and pushed the curtains aside to peer out the window into the back alley. I didn’t think I was visible, since the light in my room was off, but it turned out the light from my computer screen must have been enough to illuminate my face. A man was raping a younger man, and after he’d finished he beat him so bad.” Kylie shuddered as the images flashed across her mind again. Every time she closed her eyes she saw that bastard violating the smaller man and then beating him half to death.

  “I called the cops, but he must have heard them coming. Just before he took off running, he looked up and stared right at me. He made a slashing motion with his finger across his throat in warning and then disappeared.”

  Kylie hadn’t even realized she was crying until Eva reached out and wiped the tears from her face. Then her friend pulled her into her arms and held her while she cried. When her tumultuous storm finally abated, she released her and sat back.

  “Did the police catch him?”

  “No,” Kylie croaked. “The police took my statement and the next day I went into the precinct and worked with their artist, but they haven’t been able to find him. The fucker doesn’t have a record, the DNA the authorities took from the victim didn’t match up to anything on their database, and the victim isn’t talking. From what the police have said, he may well know who hurt him but is either too scared to press charges or doesn’t want to relive his nightmare.”

  “Why do you think you’re in danger?”

  “I’ve had threatening letters. I’ve handed them over to the police but they weren’t able to get any prints or DNA from them. He must have come back and found out who I was. You know that my name is on the mailbox in the foyer like everyone else who lives in my building. He had to have come in and got my name and then looked up my phone number. The bastard had to be wearing gloves. I have been too scared to go outside and when I needed something I ordered it online and had it delivered. When I called the cops about the letters they were kind enough to send someone over to pick them up. I’ve also had phone calls in the middle of the night.”

  “What?” Eva paused to swallow as if she had a lump in her throat. “What do they say?”

  “That’s just it. Whoever it is doesn’t say anything. All I can hear is heavy breathing and then whoever it is hangs up.”

  “Have you told the police all this?”

  “Of course I have.” Kylie inhaled deeply when she heard the slight hysteria in her own voice and then released it slowly. “The cops even tapped my phone, but the prick always hangs up before the trace can be made. They can’t do anything unless this asshole makes a move. Until then, their hands are tied.”

  “Fuck.”

  “Exactly.” Kylie flung her book aside and stood. “The cops suggested I go and stay with friends or relatives for a while. I decided to do one better and move. At least this dipshit doesn’t know where I am anymore.”

  “I’m glad you’re here. My men can protect you and so can their cousins. You’ll be safe here, Kylie.”

  “I can’t stay here, Eva. If this asshole finds me, I’ll be putting all of you in danger.”

  “No, you won’t. I’ll be on my three-week honeymoon in five days’ time. There is no way I’m letting you leave. If this guy manages to find you, what are you going to do when he comes after you?”

  “I can look after myself, I have for years.”

  “Damn it, Kylie. What if he comes after you with a gun? You can’t dodge bullets and you aren’t bulletproof.”

  “You think I don’t know that?” Kylie wailed before taking another deep breath, trying to get her fear and emotions under control. She released it with a long, drawn-out sigh. “I’m going to find somewhere to live. I can’t stay here for the rest of my life.”

  “No, you aren’t going anywhere. I’ll talk to my men. They’ll figure something out.”

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea. The more they know, the more danger they’ll be in. God, Eva, I shouldn’t have come here at all. I should never have accepted being your bridesmaid, but I missed you so damn much.”

  Eva walked up to her and wrapped her arms around her. It had been so long since she’d been held, and the offer of comfort broke down the walls she had kept herself hidden behind. Kylie was so tired she didn’t know how much longer she could keep going. If she didn’t get a good night’s sleep soon, she was scared she was going to break.

  Eva eased back and kissed Kylie on the cheek when a knock sounded on the door. Kylie turned her back as her friend went to let whoever was there in, trying to compose herself and made sure no moisture was left on her face.

  “Is everything all right in here?” Quin asked, and Kylie heard the door close again.

  “No,” Eva replied in a croaky voice and began to explain what Kylie had witnessed.

  “Fuck,” Quin’s footsteps sounded behind her and then she was being pulled up against a large masculine frame. Kylie wasn’t attracted to Eva’s men, even though she found them extremely handsome. But when Quin put his arms around her, she felt safe for the first time since she had witnessed the crime taking place, and she didn’t want to let go. She’d had enough of being alone and scared, but Quin, Gray, and Pierson weren’t hers and she couldn’t rely on them. They would be leaving with Eva and she would have no one again.

  Kylie had to shore up her defenses and stand on her own two feet. She had for a long time now, so why would today be any different?

  “I’m sorry I snapped at you before.”

  “Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. You’re obviously under a lot of stress. We’ll keep you safe, Kylie. I promise. Trust us to protect you,” Quin murmured and kissed the top of head before releasing her.

  “That’s not fair to you, your brother’s, or Eva. You’re getting ready to get married and I don’t want to interrupt your plans.” She drew in a ragged breath and began to pace. “After the dress fitting tomorrow, I’m going to find a place of my own.”

  “No,” Quin stated in a loud, cold, hard voice. “There is no fucking way you’re leaving.”

  “You can’t stop me. I’m an adult and make my own decisions,” Kylie shouted and then spun away as her bedroom door was pushed open, again.

  “What’s going on?” Xavier asked as he took a couple of steps into the room. Kylie glanced over her shoulder and saw the rest of the men were right behind him. She turned to face them.

  Xavier pinned her with his eyes and her breath hitched in her throat. He had to be around six foot five and he was solid as a rock. His muscles bulged and flexed as he crossed his arms over his massive chest and held her gaze with his blue eyes. Kylie released the breath she had been holding and hoped to God that he didn’t see the way her nipples stood up and took notice. She shifted restlessly from one foot to the other and then clamped her thighs together tightly as her clit began to throb and moisture dripped from her pussy to her panties, soaking the crotch. Never had she reacted so strongly to a male as she did to this man and his brothers.

  Xavier was too ruggedly masculine to be considered handsome, but boy did he have an aura of manliness she had never encountered before. If it hadn’t been for his slightly too long brown hair and his full lips, which helped to soften his machismo, she may have been scared of his powerful appearance.

  She was finally able to wrench her gaze from his, but she was immediately enthralled when she connected with a pair of green eyes. Lachlan was just as impressive as his brother but not as tall. He was around six four, and even though he was ripped and muscular he wasn’t as big as Xavier. His hair was a deeper brown than Xavier’s and shorter. And although he was handsome in a more classical way, he also had a ruggedness about him that only enhanced his good looks, making him appear just as manly as his brother. His square jaw had dark stubble, and he looked a couple of years younger than Xavier.

  Kylie crossed her arms over her chest, hoping the three men who were staring at her hadn’t noticed her prominent nipples, and once more shuffled on her feet. Her eyes shifted again and locked on to a pair of gray eyes staring back at her. William, or Will, as his brothers called him, had sandy-brown hair and was looking at her as if she was the last woman on Earth. He was the youngest and the shortest of the three Badon cousins, and though he was a lot leaner than his brothers, his biceps and pecs bulged as he crossed his arms over his chest.

  They were three very handsome, impressive men and they got her motor revving like no other man ever had.

  Kylie managed to remove her eyes from Will’s, and as she did, she became aware of Quin’s voice rumbling quietly as he explained why she was so upset. Once Quin finished speaking, the silence in the room was almost deafening.

  Xavier stepped forward and cupped her face. “There is no way in hell you are leaving. Your life is in danger and it’s our job to protect you.”

  “No.” Kylie stepped away from him until her back connected with the wall behind her. “I’m not staying here and putting you all in danger. I couldn’t live with my conscience if something happened to you. You’re all just starting your lives. I’m not going to be the reason one of you ends up hurt.”

  “Kylie, the men of this town are very protective and dominant,” Pierson said. “All we have to do is let everyone know you are in danger and they will be on the lookout for any strangers. There is no way in hell anyone will get to you if the whole town is on alert.”

  “You guys have enough to do and on your mind without having to worry about me. I think the best thing would be if I just leave. Don’t you realize that Eva could get hurt?”

  “That won’t ever happen.” Quin pulled Eva up against his side. “We take care of our women. This asshole after you would have to go through us before hurting either of you.”

  “That’s just it.” Kylie covered her mouth when a sob escaped. “I don’t want that happening.”

  “We’ll make sure Kylie is protected.” Xavier stared at her as if daring her to refute him, but she could see by the determination in his eyes that if she argued with him, she wouldn’t stand a chance in hell. And by the indomitable set of Lachlan’s and Will’s clenched jaws they were just as dogged of mind.

  Kylie sighed and pressed her fingers to her aching eyes. She was just too tired to argue and deal with any of them right now. She’d already had one outburst tonight and she didn’t want to make a fool of herself with another. “Can we talk about this in the morning? I just want to crawl into bed and sleep.”

  “Okay,” Quin finally answered. “I can see how exhausted you are. Try to get some rest, honey. We’ll see you in the morning.”

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