she decides to go we can’t stop her.”
“We love her.”
“I know.” He put a comforting arm on Thomas’ shoulder. “The best thing we can do is show her how much she means to us. Let her get to know us without any stress, just back off and let her be.”
“Romance is the last thing on her mind.”
“Exactly. Let nature take its course. Once she’s feeling better we’ll set up a working arrangement. I expect if we insist she lives here carte blanche and no strings attached, it will make her nervous. We’ll still pay her, and she can keep up her duties and learn how to work at your office.”
“Maggie’s maternity leave starts in five weeks. With twins I’m sure she’ll be out at least six months.”
“We’ll have more than enough for Nevvie to do to keep her busy and not put any pressure on her.”
Thomas hugged him. “Please tell me she’ll stay.”
He rested his head on Thomas’ chest. “If I have anything to say about it, she’ll never want to leave.”
* * * *
Tyler’s BlackBerry rang as he prepared to depart. He glanced at the number and did a double-take—Nevvie’s phone. She’d never called the house, only his cell. Their home number was unlisted.
He waved Thomas into his office and closed the door before he answered, punching the speaker button. “Hello?”
There was a moment of silence, then a ragged voice. “Is that you, you goddamn fag?”
Tyler’s blood boiled. “Yes, it’s me, you fucking bastard. How’d you like your first look in the mirror today? Did my sweet Thomas put a hurting on you?”
“Watch your back, fag boy. If I catch up with either of you, I’ll kill you. Where’s Nevaeh?”
“She’s no longer your concern. She’s decided she’d rather be with us. She wants nothing to do with you. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave her the fuck alone.”
“Listen you goddamned queer—”
“No, you listen.” Tyler’s voice hardened. “You’re lucky you’re not in jail. If it was up to us you’d be getting your arse reamed out in a cell by a bunch of men who know only chickenshit peckerheads beat up women. If you so much as look at her again we’ll bring some friends with us and show you what a bunch of pissed off fags can really do. Remember, we know where you live, dickhead. Don’t you ever come near her again, and don’t you ever call me again, or it’ll be the last phone call you ever make.” Tyler hung up and took a deep breath to calm his nerves.
Thomas smiled. “That was…” He pulled Tyler to him and kissed him. “Sexy.”
“You did the hard work. I’ll be damned if I’ll let a piece of shit like him push me around.”
Chapter 6
It wasn’t hard for the men to control their libidos, especially with Nevvie’s black eye and wounded stare. She flinched at sudden movements and loud noises. At night she curled up next to one or both of them on the couch while watching TV, her need for tender security washing off her in desperate waves.
They held her when she cried and slept with their door open to listen for her screams as she awoke, terrified and combative, swinging against the memory of Alex’s attack. Valium didn’t even help. She shivered in their arms when yet another night terror shook her awake. After one particularly bad night, Tyler took a book to her bedroom and sat with her, reading until she fell asleep tightly clinging to his side.
Thomas leaned against the doorway, his arms crossed. Tyler motioned him over and whispered in his ear, “Do you want to sit with her? I only had about an hour’s sleep last night.”
Thomas nodded and they carefully swapped places. Tyler reached over and brushed the hair from her face, then leaned in to Thomas. “Do you want me to come back later?”
“I’ll stay with her.”
Tyler kissed him, touching foreheads for a moment before he returned to their bedroom.
Thomas closed his eyes and tried to sleep, but the anger coursing through him threatened
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