“Can we be your friends too, Rose?”
Opal walked around the room, trying to take in the weapons and get a handle on the situation. Damon wasn’t tied up, so he could act if necessary. She’d rather him sit in his chair than risk getting shot.
“If you be good boys like Damon.” She leaned over and kissed Damon on the lips. Then whispered in his ear. “Caleb’s outside. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“Shit, don’t compare us to him. You’re in for the time of your life. A big girl needs a capable man.” From the corner of her eye, so noticed the closer man set his rifle on the dinette table. The butt of a gun peeked out from the waistband on the big man near the door. She had to be careful.
Last month she was working her minimum wage job, falling asleep alone in her shitty little apartment. She’d been one swipe of a blade away from ending it all.
Now she had so much to live for.
Everything became clear. Thrust into this life-and-death situation put everything into perspective. She belonged with Damon and Caleb. They healed each other, broken pieces brought together to make a whole.
Thinking she could lose Damon or Caleb gave her the realization that she wasn’t just in lust with the men, but in love. They’d changed everything, gave her hope, love, and a new reality. Damon and Caleb were the first men, no, first people, to make her feel she had value. They made her feel special when she’d been drilled with negativity her entire life. The brothers were her treasure, and she couldn’t afford to lose them.
They spoke about family, and an heir they could raise with the same homestead lifestyle. She wanted the same thing. Opal never imagined herself as a mother, but they’d put that idea in her head, and there wasn’t anything she wanted more than to give the brothers the baby they dreamed of having. She’d give their son or daughter the love she’d never been shown. Opal would love it unconditionally.
“You want a drink, honey?”
Opal bit her lip. She wasn’t a drinker, but the woman she was playing probably was. “Sure. It’ll help warm me up.”
“Hey, Huckleberry, where you keep your stash?”
Damon frowned. “We don’t drink.”
“Ah hell,” said the big man. “Go get me the moonshine from the sled.”
The other man grumbled as he zipped up his overcoat and headed to the door. She liked the odds now … if only guns weren’t involved.
Opal shrugged off her coat when the man started looking suspicious. She didn’t need to plump up her cleavage when her cups were always overflowing. He stared at her tits and licked his lips.
“What are you doing?” asked Damon.
“You shut up,” the man shouted. “She’s done with you.”
Caleb needed more time. She ran her hands through her hair, sashaying around the room. “If Caleb gets back, there’ll be four of you and one of me.” She bit her lip provocatively.
“Thems good odds,” he said. The old bastard was practically drooling. “Come over here.”
She swallowed hard and walked toward him, glancing to where his gun was kept. “What is it?”
“How about a little kiss?”
“What about my drink?”
“It’s coming. Don’t you worry about that. Trust me, you don’t need liquor to warm you up.” His twisted smile made her shudder. He reached for her, hooking his arm around her waist to pull her closer. She leaned back, desperate to keep away from him. His body odor was overpowering and she felt alone and helpless.
Damon and Caleb were worth the sacrifice.
****
He felt like a caged beast, pacing back and forth in his mind, waiting to strike. Opal said Caleb was outside. His brother was capable, but Damon refused to sit back and let his woman get manhandled. Growing up, Caleb had always been stronger and able to get things done. Damon had a soft streak and would rather keep the peace than speak his mind. All bets were off when it came to Opal.
Damon had played nice, allowing these assholes to force him back to the cabin in order to give Opal time to escape. Then he’d sat on the chair with his mouth shut, biding his time. The second that nasty fuck put his hands on his woman, Damon was out of his seat with his arm around the fucker’s neck faster than anyone could react.
“Damon!”
Opal cupped her hands over her mouth and nose, fear blazing in her eyes.