Protecting Lexi (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (3 page)

That was not something she was expecting to hear from Peter. Alexis knew she could trust him and Jane. She just hoped she wasn’t endangering these brothers by being at their ranch. She hated to be a nuisance, but she didn’t have any other options.

Alexis would have to call Caroline later that day and ask her to take care of the business while she was gone. Caroline would understand, and Alexis trusted Caroline to run the store without her. A lot of their merchandise was sold online, and Alexis could work from her laptop if she needed to.

She looked toward Peter and said, “Okay, what time in the morning shall I be ready?”

“What time did Peter say he would be here, approximately?” Max said while tapping away on the laptop.

“He said we should expect him about two o’clock this afternoon. Did you look up the case on that Lenny Cook guy?” Kane said as he sat on the recliner across from where Max was sitting.

Peter had sent over all the paperwork on the case the night before. “Yeah, he’s a lowlife scumbag that has a long record including possession of drugs, robbery, and petty theft, and now he’s added murder and attempted murder to his file. I can see why our cousin wants us to hide Alexis Brooks out here and keep an eye on her until the trial.”

Kane hated to hear of men threatening defenseless women or children. There was never any excuse for intentional threats or violence against defenseless people. He would like to spend five minutes alone with people like that.

During their time as Marines, he and Max had learned a lot about controlling one’s strength and weaknesses. In combat, they were alert and very intuitive about their surroundings. You never showed weakness. Weakness could get you killed at any given time. They were taught to protect, and they could defend themselves in any dangerous situation they found themselves in.

“Peter said she is a sweet woman. He also mentioned she is thirty-two and she has never been married.” Max looked at Kane and wiggled his eyebrows. “Maybe we can all get to know one another while being here together.”

“Max, she’s here because her life has been threatened. She’s not here to get laid, nor is she here for a vacation at a singles ranch. We have to act professional and be on our toes at all times. Do I make myself clear, little brother? What if that Lenny guy has her followed and we fail?”

“Kane, I was just kidding around. This house is heavily armed, and we have the best security money can buy. No one will get anywhere close to her while she’s staying here.”

“I know. My heart goes out to Ms. Brooks, and I want to make sure she feels safe with us while she’s here.” Kane walked toward the front window to look at the metal gates surrounding their home.

Kane rubbed the back of his neck. He had another nightmare last night that had kept him awake. It had been months since the last one. It was always the same one, memories of innocent people being killed, children and the elderly, mostly by their own countrymen

Max and Kane had served in Afghanistan during the war. Kane saw many of the men he fought with in his platoon lose their lives daily. Some were just kids out of high school that just wanted to serve their country. The one that stuck in his head the most and haunted his dreams was a kid named Chris. Chris was a quiet and shy kid that kept to himself. He told Kane that he was a farm kid right out of Oklahoma. He was a scrawny, freckle-faced, redhead kid that Kane was sure was frightened of his whereabouts and second-guessed joining the Marines.

That day they were on one of their usual trails through the valley following behind the convoy of tanks. They were always cautious of their surroundings and whereabouts. It happened so quick. Kane and his platoon watched Chris’s body explode right before their eyes. The kid never saw the IED mine detonator until he stepped on it. Things like that were common. The IEDs were either triggered by stepping on them or set off by a simple cell phone. They could be on the ground or even placed in the walls of buildings.

Kane couldn’t get the image out of his head. The kid was so young. He had his whole life in front of him. Kane was so thankful when he woke up every morning and thanked God he and Max survived the war. Max didn’t have the same issue with sleep deprivation. Sometimes Kane would wander the house at night when he couldn’t sleep or go sit out on the porch and wait for sunrise. The military psychiatrists told him it was a mild case of PTSD and he should overcome it as the year passed.

It seemed he only had the nightmares when stress or anxiety was drawn out. Maybe knowing they had a job to do with Ms. Brooks brought on the nightmare last night. He would have to contain his emotions when it came to the job at hand. Her life depended on his self-control.

* * * *

Peter drove up the long dirt driveway. Alexis could see cattle and some horses grazing off to the side of the ranch. It was beautiful. Wyoming was a beautiful state. Kane and Max Walker lived in Buffalo. It was still hard for her to believe she had allowed herself to stay with complete strangers. She valued her life. She would do anything to stay alive at this moment.

They pulled up in front of the two-story ranch-style house. The porch had white wood shutters. There were a few white Adirondack chairs on the porch along with a wooden swing. Alexis couldn’t wait to just sit there and relax in the evening and watch the sunset.

“Here we are. Let me get your suitcases from the trunk. I still can’t believe how much stuff you brought with you. Did you pack everything you own in these bags?” He laughed when he saw Alexis’s frown. “I’m just teasing you. Jane packs the same way whenever we go on trips. You women think you need an outfit and shoes for every occasion, don’t you?” Peter just laughed and shook his head. “Come on. Let’s go see where those two good-for-nothing cousins of mine are.”

Alexis watched as Peter walked toward the house with luggage in tow. Before she reached the first step on the porch, the front screen opened up. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Two of the best looking guys she had ever seen walked out the door.

“Hey, cuz, it’s about time you got here. We see you still drive slow as molasses,” the first man said as he reached out to shake Peter’s hand. “How is that sweet wife of yours doing?”

“Hey, I still have to abide by the laws even though I’m a detective. And Jane is great, thanks for asking. She said to tell you both hi,” Peter said as he went to hug the other man.

Both huge men then looked directly at Alexis. She felt herself flush. It was all she could do to not feel like a teenage girl with a crush on
two
hot men. Those two men were definitely tall glasses of water, and she was thirsty as hell.

She extended her hand. “Hello. I’m Alexis Brooks. Thank you so much for allowing me into your home under these crazy circumstances.” She watched as the first man walked down the porch steps toward her. Her legs became unstable, and she thought they were going to collapse beneath her. She didn’t think she was going to be able to stand much longer in heels that were sinking into the dirt below her. If she stayed where she was, maybe they’d come closer so she didn’t fall on her face.
Holy hell, these two are Peter’s Marine cousins he was talking about? They’re more like sex-on-a-stick. These two beautiful male species are going to protect me from Lenny Cook? It wouldn’t be so bad if they do protect and serve my body while I’m here.
She felt like all her prayers were being answered at one time.

* * * *

Alexis Brooks was breathtaking. Max thought his heart had stopped when he first caught a glimpse of her. Max wanted to sweep the black-haired beauty into his arms and take her up to his bedroom.

She had long, straight hair that went to about the middle of her back. She was shorter than Peter. She must be about five foot six, with round hips, and a slender waist that went into full, ample breasts. She didn’t look like she belonged here. She had on black and silver zebra print heels and a black, silk shirt that tied to the side of her waist. The only thing that wasn’t out of place was the tight jeans she was wearing. “Nice to meet you, Alexis Brooks. I’m Max Walker, and Peter didn’t tell us what a beautiful woman you were.” He reached to shake her hand then turned it so he could kiss her hand.

“All right, Casanova, enough already.” Kane walked down to shake Alexis’s hand next. “And I’m his older, wiser brother, Kane. It’s nice to meet you, Alexis. Now, let’s go inside and sit down so we can talk.”

* * * *

Alexis followed the three of them into the house as Max held the screen door open for her. The house was so open. The family room was opened so you could see the kitchen. There were windows surrounding the entire downstairs. It didn’t seem to matter what room you were in, there was a view of their property from every window.

“Your home is gorgeous. Is this all your land?” She turned to face them. She watched as Peter left the room, taking her things to her room. She was alone with these men.

Kane spoke first, “Yes. This is all ours. We own every piece of this land. After we got out of the Marines, we decided we wanted and needed a spacious house. We were tired of small, enclosed places. We are big men as you can see. We tend to crave open spaces now.”

They were gorgeous male specimens. God broke the mold when he created these two beautiful men. It felt like a cruel joke on her part that Peter had suggested she stay with them. The temptation would overwhelm her soon enough. Her body was already torturing her. From the moment she first laid eyes on them, her nipples had puckered, and her panties were growing wetter by the minute. They were delicious. This was going to be a long month.

“Why don’t you have a seat, Alexis?” Kane gestured with his hand for her to sit on the couch. He sat on the end of the couch as Max sat in the recliner opposite of them.

“Why don’t we get acquainted? What profession are you in?” he said as he faced her.

“I own my own business. I have a very successful lingerie store in Nebraska called Sweet Surroundings. I recently went online with my lingerie line. It has been something I have been dreaming of for years.”

“Wow, that’s very impressive, Alexis. I think I’ll go get us something to drink. What would you like, Alexis? We have soda, water, tea, or beer?” Max stood and waited for her answer.

“Um, a glass of water would be nice. Thank you, Max.” She nodded and smiled at him.

Peter walked in at that moment. “Hey, aren’t you going to offer me something?” he said, following Max from behind.

“No, I only serve the beautiful ones, not ones with an ugly mug, such as yours,” Max said as he slapped Peter on the back.

* * * *

Kane and Alexis snickered at the playfulness in Max’s tone. Kane was kind of tongue-tied for once in his life. This woman somehow left him at a loss for words. She had such a natural and refreshing aura about her. She wasn’t wearing makeup. She had a natural beauty about her. Why was he still stuck on her sexy heels and the thought of her designing and probably wearing her merchandise under her clothes?

Kane broke eye contact with her feet and looked at her face. “Can I ask how old you are, Alexis? You seem awful young to own your own business.”

“I’m thirty-two. I haven’t really had a chance to do much. I spend all my time making my business a success. Now that I’m getting older, I guess it’s time for me to start enjoying life. Before Lenny Cook turned my world upside down, I planned on going about life differently now that I have a great manager who I can trust to run things when I’m not there. It’s kind of hard for me to allow someone else to take control over something that means so much to me.”

Kane wanted so badly to take the control away from her. He wanted to see her squirm beneath him as he and Max brought her to orgasm. He and Max liked to have control in the bedroom. That was one thing they felt strongly about.

Max and Peter walked back into the room holding their drinks. Max handed her a glass and sat back down in the chair again.

“Why don’t you show Alexis around? I need to call Jane and let her know that I’ll be heading out soon. I’ll meet you all outside in a bit.” Peter pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and walked away from where they were standing.

“Come on, sugar, let us take you on a tour around the property. When we are done we’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping. We want you to be comfortable while you are staying with us here.” Kane watched as she rose from the couch and made her way to the back door. She had this amazing heart shaped ass. With her wearing those sexy shoes, it just made her ass look even better. He turned to look over his shoulder to see Max was looking at the same thing. Max smiled at him and gave him a wink as they walked through the kitchen. Kane just shook his head.

“Would you like to change your shoes before we go out in the yard? I wouldn’t want you to trip or ruin those pretty, little shoes you have there,” Max said.

“I think I will be okay. These shoes are very comfortable to walk in.”

“Okay, if you insist, ma’am,” Kane said as he reached the porch.

Alexis was so amazed with the beauty of their land. It was late afternoon, and the temperature was just perfect. Kane and Max had shown her around the barn. She was very cautious of all the hay and what might be hiding inside of it if she should happen to step in it. These were here favorite Prada shoes, and she wasn’t about to get cow manure on them.

She noticed there was a small cottage to the right of the barn. Their foreman, Billy, lived there and helped keep the place running for them. They didn’t have a large piece of land, but Max and Kane had enough cattle and horses to suit them.

Alexis watched as Billy and a German shepherd walked toward them as they stood there along the fence. Billy looked about forty-five. He had brown hair with gray on the sides.

He walked up and extended his hand, “Welcome, ma’am. You must be Alexis?” He shook her hand then motioned to the dog. “This here’s Buddy.” She looked down and patted the dog’s head and then straightened to address Billy.