Operation Mustang [The Service Club 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) by Tonya Ramagos

to grow up a tomboy. He thought the cream was likely the most girly thing he ever saw her do.
    “Shouldn’t you be working by now?” She shot a glance at the kitchen clock. “I figured Chester would’ve informed you of the way things are around here. Hands generally start work with the rooster’s crow.”
    “While the mistress of the ranch lies around in bed until—” Diek stopped in midsentence, his eyes narrowing to slits.
    Took you long enough to catch up. Gunner had tied the rope around her wrists himself, fastened an even tighter knot around the rung in the headboard. For her to get free, she would’ve injured herself in the process or at least needed help.
    “We’ve been at it about that long, too.” Lucky, still oblivious, nudged his Stetson further back on his head. “Raven and her colt are doing fine. I thought you’d like to know that.”
    Mustang nodded. “I’m planning a stop by the stables next to see for myself, but thank you.”
    “Who untied you?” Gunner asked, keeping his tone soft, casual. No need to get worked up until he knew for sure there was a reason.
    Mustang turned her attention on him slowly, blinking at the shift in subject. “Seems one of you would know that better than me.”
    Gunner knew neither of them had untied her, but he looked to his brothers for confirmation anyway.
    “Shit,” Lucky breathed as the realization set in.
    Diek shook his head. “We didn’t do it, darlin’.”
    All color drained from Mustang’s face. “What do you mean, you didn’t do it?”
    “Exactly what he said, we didn’t untie you.” Gunner moved to her when the mug in her hand started to shake. He took it from her, setting it on the counter as he drew her against him.
    It didn’t bother him to think of someone seeing her bound, helpless, and in the perfect position for fucking as long as he or one of his brothers had allowed it. There would come a time when they would put their woman on display for the men in the club, but it would be at their say-so, on their terms.
    “Then who did?” She gazed up at him, the look in her eyes imploring him to give her an answer.
    Diek gave her one, but it didn’t help. “No one has been in or out of this house since last night.”
    “You left.” She pinned Lucky with a hard stare. “You said you checked on Raven.”
    Lucky nodded. “But Gunner and Diek stayed here. They would’ve known if someone came in while I was gone.”
    “Chester…” she started, but trailed off when Diek shook his head.
    “Chester bid his good-nights before we came to your room last night and caught me on the walkie-talkie this morning. He hasn’t been near the house, darlin’.”
    “The three of you stayed all night?”
    “We each took a guest room,” Gunner told her. “We would’ve never left you all tied up like that and alone in the house.” Even if it meant laying in torment a few short feet down the hall, knowing all they need do was return to her and they’d find all the paradise they’d ever fantasized about.
    “You don’t remember seeing anyone come in your room, hearing them speak to you, anything?” Lucky asked.
    “No. I woke up, and my hands were free. The rope was beside me on the bed, and I had a sheet covering me.”
    That was definitely not how they left her, Gunner thought.
    “What about the clamps?” Lucky asked.
    Mustang hesitated, obviously thinking back to how her bedroom looked when she awoke. “They were gone. My God, someone took them,” she whispered, horror lacing her voice. “Someone saw me like that.”
    Yeah, someone had, but who? How did someone get into the house, into her room, and out again without Gunner or his brothers hearing them?
    “It was probably Chester,” Lucky said after a moment. Gunner knew his brother was grasping at straws with that one, trying to comfort Mustang even when he should know she wouldn’t buy it.
    “Diek just said the three of you watched him leave last night. Two of you are Navy SEALs,