Suspicious Minds

Songs Remember When 1

Suspicious Minds Craig and Carson Reeves have searched for a Montgomery ever since one was responsible for putting their mother in the ground. They never expected to find sexy, stubborn Felicia Montgomery, who challenges everything they've ever known. All hell breaks loose when they fall for her and question whether to carry out their revenge against her or protect her from it. Felicia Montgomery returns to marry her betrothed and instead finds the wickedly handsome Reeves twins not only following her around, but spurring fear into a town she once called home. Instead of running, Felicia confronts them both and refuses to back down, even in the face of the truth—the Reeves family plans to put the remaining Montgomery in the ground as payment for what her family did. Dark secrets...suspicious minds...choosing between love and blood could get these brothers caught in a trap with no way out. Genre: Historical, Ménage a Trois/Quatre Length: 63,129 words

SUSPICIOUS MINDS Songs Remember When 1

Eve Adams

MENAGE EVERLASTING

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting

SUSPICIOUS MINDS Copyright © 2011 by Eve Adams E-book ISBN: 1-61034-554-1 First E-book Publication: July 2011 Cover design by Les Byerley All art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers Dear Readers, If you have purchased this copy of Suspicious Minds by Eve Adams from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book. The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment. This is Eve Adams’ livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Adams’ right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

DEDICATION Have you ever felt you were destined for something far greater than your wildest imagination? So did the heroine in this book. She never gave up and I hope her story encourages you to do the same. Everyone deserves love, no matter the cost.

SUSPICIOUS MINDS Songs Remember When 1 EVE ADAMS Copyright © 2011

Chapter 1 “She's beautiful, Victor, and she's ours. Yours and mine. Look at that face. So angelic. She's destined for greatness, mark my words. You are going to break hearts, my little Felicia. Men will stare death in the face to protect you.” –Felicity Montgomery, as she holds her newborn baby girl in her arms, 1865. June, 1886 Port Sherman, Washington Territory She was finally home. The cry of the train whistle flooded Felicia Montgomery’s eyes with emotion and expanded the lump already lodged in her throat. That same whistle used to wake her up in the morning. Just the sound of it made her nostalgic for yesteryear, missing her parents with such fierceness it made it hard to breathe. With a fresh smile, Felicia collected her bags from the conductor and offered him the last of her fractional currency. Hope filled her heart as her heel struck the hardness of the wood sidewalk, the sound like a door shutting on her past. “I’m home,” she breathed, her eyes leisurely tracing the blue-

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tinted mountains of the majestic Olympics. The beauty of the Washington Territory surpassed anything Felicia had witnessed in Boston. The air smelled fresher here, the grass greener. Even the sky seemed a more brilliant blue. She met the eyes of a few passersby and smiled. They smiled back politely and hurried by. It didn’t surprise her, not in the least. The Felicia Montgomery now didn’t look anything like the girl who left for Boston’s top finishing school four years ago. No, the Felicia Montgomery of now no longer resembled the thin, awkward girl who didn’t have a clue how to dress or care for her disobedient hair. She’d walked around in mismatched skirts and a frizzy, sun-kissed, blonde mess piled on top of her head, secretly wishing for it all to fall out overnight. Her hazel-green eyes had been hidden in the shadows of her hair. Felicia felt so inept as that girl, a girl sent away to another world, only to return a woman. Her betrothed would be very pleased with her change in appearance. She just needed to find a place to change out of her traveling clothes and into something a little more presentable. After all, Arthur Walton had no idea she’d traveled by rail half the country to see him again. In fact, no one did. The idea of traveling unannounced and unaccompanied, surprising everyone back home, had Felicia’s skin tickling with anticipation. She couldn’t wait to see Arthur’s face when he saw her again, now a fullgrown woman and back home to plan their wedding. She scanned the train depot for a friendly face, but no one gave her a second glance. Not surprising. From the letters Arthur sent begging her to never return to the mysterious letter from her father two years ago begging the same, Felicia felt it best to keep her return a secret. No, not a secret. A surprise. Her father would have insisted on traveling to Boston to accompany her. Actually, he would travel to Boston to stop her from

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returning home. He’d told her as much in his letters. And then he died. She wasn’t even here to see that he received a proper burial. “Felicia?” She tilted her chin and glanced across the dirt street when she heard someone call her name. When Felicia realized who’d called her, alarm raced up her spine. Once, many years ago, Felicia called Brittany Mason her best friend. But now? After living across the country for four years, and having her best friend return every last letter Felicia wrote unopened, those weren’t the words she’d use to describe her any longer. Still, she finally found her way home, and Brittany just happened to be here to greet her. Felicia lifted her skirts and crossed the dirty street as quickly as possible without breaking into a run. As Felicia approached, Brittany backed away, her large gray eyes darting around nervously. “What are you doing here?” “Here?” Apprehension slowed Felicia’s steps. She certainly didn’t expect Brittany to run up and hug her, but she did at least expect a little warmer welcome. “This is my home.” Brittany didn’t seem to share her belief and instead rolled her eyes. Felicia ignored the gesture in the hopes they could pick up where they left off before she left Port Sherman. God only knew she could use all the friends she could right now. With both parents gone and her betrothed insisting they live in Boston instead of the coastal town of her youth, Felicia needed someone on her side. Giving Brittany a sideways glance, Felicia felt less than confident her ex-best friend would be the right person for the job. Brittany jumped out of her skin when a loud snap caught both their attention. Felicia watched as a man driving a wagon snapped the reins on the horses again. She jerked Felicia into the shadows of a nearby building before so much as looking at her again. Finally, she let Felicia’s arm go. “Are

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you crazy?” “Excuse me?” Brittany stiffened her shoulders. With a crisp fold of her arms, she flashed her pale gray eyes at Felicia. “I can’t believe you are here.” She shook her head and added, “And I’m talking to you.” Felicia swallowed down what she really wanted to say. She’d waited four years to find out why Brittany had ignored her letters. She at least deserved an explanation after all this time. Digging deep into her finishing school training, she bit back her retort and smiled. “I came back to see you.” Brittany laughed in her face. “Right. And all those who stand by you.” Felicia frowned when Brittany hailed a coach. It stopped, and Brittany shoved her toward the door. “I beg your pardon. Just what—” “Get in! You have to go.” Brittany, deceptively strong for her size, tried to push her inside. Felicia grabbed each side and pushed back. They had to be quite a sight fighting like this in front of everyone. “You can’t be here!” Felicia held on to the side of the coach. Just what did Brittany think she was doing, pushing her around like this? Regardless of whether Brittany wanted her here or not, she refused to allow anyone to force her out. She needed answers to the mystery surrounding, well, everything. Arthur would never answer any of her questions in her letters, instead turning the focus on him moving to Boston and them starting a family. Although marriage and a family sounded absolutely perfect to her, she didn’t want to raise her children in Boston. She wanted all of her sons to fish down at the creek behind her family home. She wanted all of her daughters to attend their first dance right here at Port Sherman’s town hall. “You have to go back to Boston!” Brittany weakened, and Felicia moved to the side, away from the coach. Turning around, she drew in

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a breath and smiled politely as some of those sitting outside the stores all stared at the commotion. Oh, what her instructors back at the finishing school would say if they saw that. The heat from her embarrassment slapped her cheeks. Brittany let out a petulant sigh. “Why won’t you just go away?” Felicia stiffened. What a thing to say. Brittany’s reaction to Felicia’s appearance could only be described as insulting. Her actions convinced Felicia that Brittany wanted to be anywhere but here. Felicia started to wish the same. “Can we have tea and talk?” Brittany ridiculed her with a smile, and it did nothing to warm her pale face. “Felicia, you need to go back to Boston. You’re not welcome here. Just look at you.” That hurt. Felicia liked way she looked now, thank you very much. Her sunny blonde hair had tamed a bit, and she now had it under control in a nice roll. Of course she had a few recalcitrant curls that refused to stay up, but even they were tame enough to not make her look like Medusa. She’d grown taller and filled out exactly as a woman should. She couldn’t be that much of an embarrassment. Ignoring her want to tell Brittany Mason exactly what she thought of her welcome thus far, she tried another approach. “Please? I’ve missed you.” Brittany conceded with a roll of her eyes. “One cup.” She turned toward the coach driver and nodded for him to go. She then whisked Felicia off to the little café where they used to sit for hours and talk. Only this time they didn’t talk. They didn’t even walk next to each other. Brittany had Felicia by the arm and dragged her so fast she struggled to not trip on her skirts. A bit overwhelmed with the rush, Felicia held her tongue until Brittany led them to the back, away from the windows. “Brittany, what—” Brittany shushed her and surveyed the room after placing Felicia

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in a chair facing away from the door. She then leaned closer to Felicia and demanded in a hushed, angry whisper, “Why did you come back?” “Because this is my home.” Felicia sat back in her chair, baffled and irritated her oldest friend didn’t share the happiness she felt to be home. “You aren’t welcome here, not anymore. No Montgomery is, not after the damage your father did.” Felicia’s chest tightened, the news hitting her like a sledgehammer to her ribcage. Finally, answers to all her questions. The news of her father doing something that would somehow cause her to be unwelcome didn’t make any sense. Still, it was something. Felicia leaned closer. “I don’t understand. Why am I no longer welcome in a town my family had a hand in creating? We homesteaded here. What’s happened to change all of that?” “Your father did something terrible.” Felicia sat back, momentarily rebuffed. Her father? She refused to believe it. He’d been Port Sherman’s doctor. He’d saved lives on a daily basis. He wouldn’t have done anything to warrant this hatred toward her and her family name. “Tell me what you know.” Brittany shook her head. “I can’t.” “You can’t? Or you won’t?” Brittany slipped her hand over Felicia’s and met her eyes. Her whispers were desperate, pleading. “Felicia, you are a Montgomery. It’s bound to get out that you’re back in town. I’m taking a serious risk just being seen with you.” “What do you mean? You aren’t making any sense. None of this is making any sense.” Felicia swallowed to force the lump constricting her breathing back down. Her stomach churned with anxiety and frustration. To date, this chance meeting with Brittany did nothing to answer any of the questions looming in Felicia’s heart. In

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fact, it brought up a few new ones. “Have you heard of the Reeves family?” Felicia shook her head. “They are nothing short of pure evil. And as soon as those brothers hear of a Montgomery back in Port Sherman, they’ll come looking for you. You, and all those who stand by you.” The lump jumped back into Felicia’s throat, forcing her to swallow again. “Why would they be looking for me?” “It’s the curse. The Reeveses have sworn vengeance against the Montgomerys. Felicia, you really shouldn’t be here. And I shouldn’t be talking to you.” Brittany flitted her gaze around, bouncing it toward the door, the windows, even the people in the café. Everywhere but to Felicia. “But Brittany, what about this Reeves family? Can you tell me anything about them? Why do they hold my family in such ill regard?” “I would rather you leave on the next train before anyone else sees you and you put them in danger, too.” Felicia frowned. “How is you talking with me placing you in any danger?” “If the Reeveses found out…” Brittany shook her head to dismiss the rest of her statement, not wanting to give any more details, or not willing to divulge the answer. Felicia took a sturdy breath and slowly let it out. Frustration pounded in her cheeks. She studied her strawberry-blonde friend carefully before lowering her eyes to her own golden-red curls. As they grew up, people always mistook them for sisters, which pleased them both to no end. But now? Now a sister wouldn’t practically push her out of town without so much as an explanation. “You tell me there is some sort of curse on my family name, I’m in danger, and so is anyone who speaks to me, yet you aren’t willing to tell me why. And now I discover my father may have done something so horrific as to warrant this curse. What aren’t you telling

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me? Brittany, please.” Brittany met her gaze as hers danced with uncertainty. “You were my best friend. But that was so long ago. You went away from me, and we haven’t even spoken a word to each other in four years.” “That wasn’t my doing,” Felicia defended instantly, the burning in her cheeks increasing. How could Brittany still hold that against her? It wasn’t even Felicia’s choice. Her father had sent her away without regard to what she wanted. “I’m not talking about that.” Brittany rolled her eyes. Another trait Felicia remembered disliking about Brittany. “I don’t even know you anymore. So many things have changed.” Felicia sighed. True, from the train depot she saw many things had changed in Port Sherman since she last saw it. A new hotel on the corner stood at least two stories high. The church had been painted, and the town park had a sporting new wood bridge over the creek, but it didn’t seem that different. Instead of jumping to conclusions so soon after her long trip, she deliberately changed the subject. She really wanted to end their conversation on a happy note. She locked Brittany’s gaze with her own. “Is Arthur Walton still running the courthouse?” Brittany eyes flew open. She colored furiously as she hung her head. Curious of her reaction, Felicia tilted her head to one side. Why such a reaction over the mention of Arthur? If she didn’t know any better, she would say Brittany was somehow embarrassed over the mention of Felicia’s betrothed. “Why ask about Arthur?” Felicia laughed. Why not ask about Arthur? “He is only my beau, you tease. We’ve been writing non-stop for the entire four years I’ve been gone. I just can’t wait to see him. His last letter said there was something he needed to tell me the instant he saw me again.” “Arthur mentioned you just the other night,” she droned, her eyes blinking back fresh tears. Brittany collapsed against her chair and

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colored even deeper. Her shoulders rose and fell in rhythm to her steady breathing, her eyes focusing on her lap. Felicia’s voice broke her of her trance. “Brittany?” She abruptly blinked back the moisture in her eyes and glanced over at Felicia. “Why are you blushing?” Brittany shook her head to dismiss the question. Felicia studied the look in Brittany’s eyes and frowned. “Brittany, what is it?” “I’ve met someone,” Brittany admitted. Finally, something for them to talk about that didn’t involve the past. “That’s wonderful! Who is it? Do I know him?” Brittany nodded, but refused to divulge his identity, no matter how much Felicia begged. “Let’s just say we are both keeping it a secret for now.” “Why?” Keeping her chin down, she brought her wide eyes up to Felicia and smirked as if she was somewhat ashamed, yet somewhat not. “He’s with another.” “Brittany! What are you thinking? Is he married?” “Oh no, it isn’t anything like that. He’s just...” She paused and lost her smile as she dropped her gaze to her lap again. “He’s with this woman he doesn’t even know, and she is never around. Who knows what she is doing when she is not with him.” Felicia sipped at her tea. It was rather crass, in her opinion, to be with a man already spoken for. But, if Brittany had any information on this danger looming over her family name, Felicia would have to play along. She set down her tea, hating herself for what she was about to say. “It sounds like you are doing him a favor by taking him away from her.” “I totally agree.” She stood up and grabbed her shawl then turned toward Felicia again. “Despite what may lie ahead for you, Felicia

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Montgomery, I wish you well.” With that, Brittany Mason hurried away without so much as a wave. Baffled as to what had just occurred, Felicia sat alone at the table and sipped her tea. She didn’t feel up to chasing this person whom she’d once called her best friend. Brittany’s welcome hadn’t left Felicia with a warm feeling at all. What in the world had happened here?

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Chapter 2 “Never be afraid to stand up for yourself, Felicia. No man tells you what to do, despite what society dictates. Please, promise me you'll always use your voice.” –Felicity Montgomery, talking with her daughter after a boy teased her about her hair, 1875. Brittany raced out of the café as fast as her legs could carry her. What on earth had she been thinking sitting out in the open with a Montgomery? Did she want to risk death by being seen with Felicia? She started to panic at the thought of siding with Felicia Montgomery, or any Montgomery. Felicia deserved so much better than the cards fate had dealt. After all, she had nothing to do with what her father had done that ultimately drove him to take his own life. Why should she be blamed for something she had no control over? Besides, she was on the other side of the country—practically the other side of the world—when she lost her father. And Felicia would need a friend now more than ever once those evil Reeves twins discovered a Montgomery in town. Was she mad? The danger surrounding the Montgomery name was perfectly clear. Not only would the Montgomerys fall, but all those who stood by them. Brittany refused to be sentenced to death for siding with a Montgomery. Felicia had never said a cross word to Brittany, not even a moment ago when Brittany treated her much the same way she knew the rest of the town would as soon as they heard her name. She could secretly visit Felicia at her home. No, the Reeveses would surely be watching. She could send a letter asking her to meet

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in some discreet place. Brittany balked at that idea. She refused to send letters to Felicia when she lived across the country, but she contemplated sending them now that she’d returned? Damn! Why did Felicia have to come back to Port Sherman? The sound of hooves pounding the ground caught her attention, and she looked up. Her eyes flew open wide, and she immediately yelped in fear before turning and attempting to run away. “Brittany!” Though she didn’t want to, she turned and waited for Craig Reeves to slow his horse. He stopped directly in front of her, his knowing gaze narrowing on her. Her heart painfully stopped and refused to beat again until she ran as far away from this dangerous man as possible. He didn’t speak, but instead glowered down at her with those damned piercing turquoise eyes. A woman would be utterly lost in those powerful eyes if an executioner didn’t own them. Those eyes, and their owner, scared the hell out of her. His silence rattled her nerves, like he already knew about Felicia and wanted her to squirm until she admitted as much. The way he kept his gaze riveted to her, she knew she had no choice. If she told him about Felicia, he may even spare her. It was better to be by the devil’s side than in his path. “Yes?” Brittany shrank down as if he was about to strike. Should she do this? Was Felicia Montgomery’s reappearance so dreadful it would warrant turning on her? No, she would lie, that’s what she would do. She would lie, and Craig would be none the wiser. “Speak, woman.” Craig growled and calmed his horse as it started to stir. “Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Before reason could stop her, Brittany blurted out everything. “There’s a Montgomery back in town.” Craig’s enormous shoulders visibly straightened at the mention of the news. His face hardened. His eyes darkened. When he spoke, it sounded like thunder, like the heavens protested her telling him

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anymore. “Where?” Don’t tell him. Think of Felicia. He’ll kill her. He may even kill you for sitting with her earlier. Don’t do it. Instead of speaking, she lifted a shaky arm and extended it behind her, her index finger pointing at the café. He glanced toward the café, and before Brittany could protest, Craig jumped off his horse. He threw the reins at her and marched towards the café. “Craig! Craig, wait!” But he’d already disappeared inside before she had the strength to call out to him. Damn Craig Reeves. And damn her, too. **** Felicia sipped at her tea, wondering whether she should seek out a member of this Reeves family and question the feud between them. She wanted to question the connection between them and why it had Brittany running scared. “Oh my Lord, it’s one of them. Abigail, grab the girls.” Felicia brought her eyes up as a couple with two little girls grabbed what they could off the table and rushed out of the café. Felicia watched them with curiosity as they made their way to the door. “I wonder what that was all about,” Felicia muttered to no one in particular. Her answer came then in the shape of a moving mountain whose shoulders seemed to expand the entire frame of the door. He had coalblack hair, kept neat on the sides and loosely combed on the top, and the most incredible shade of turquoise eyes Felicia had ever seen. His dark colored shirt hugged his well-defined body, and his equally dark trousers fit him perfectly, all the way down to his booted feet. He paused briefly as he scanned the room. Then slowly, deliberately, his

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gaze rested on Felicia. Those eyes, so entrancing yet haunted somehow, captured hers, and she forgot how to breathe. She gaped at the incredible stranger, waiting for an overwhelming fear to grip her as he deliberately ate up the distance between them. But the fear never came. What did come was an undeniable and all-consuming attraction to the man dressed in black. He wore his shirt immodestly unbuttoned at the neck, revealing an impressively hard, tanned chest with ebony curls of chest hair peeking out. A dusting of dark whiskers peppered his arrogant chin and made him appear even more dangerous. She tried hard not to notice, but her gaze snapped to the enormous bulge between his legs, the outline of his cock rigid and unbelievably huge. Felicia colored and looked down at her teacup. It was at that moment she realized she no longer sat hidden in a group of people in a café as she had been only moments before but now faced that harsh gaze on her own. The room seemed to freeze as the giant made his way to her table, stopping directly in front of her, his gaze riveted to her face. Felicia’s heart flipped a dozen times as she watched him. And now with him so close, she fought to keep her breath steady. Her body responded without warning, tightening her nipples into peaks beneath her dress. The warmth spread throughout her body and twisted deep inside her, centering between her legs, which both confused and excited her. She clenched her legs together when he stopped at her table and tried to fight against the overwhelming reaction her body had to the mere presence of this handsome stranger. “Are you a Montgomery?” The stranger growled his question, his voice so deep and low Felicia’s skin prickled deliciously. She raised her widened gaze to look at his handsome face, and her lips parted slightly at the sight of him. He was simply marvelous. He had a beautiful, noble jaw. He shot her a bold and daring look, yet his eyes changed the instant he

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focused on her. His hardened lines softened as he regarded Felicia, and his gaze no longer seemed angry. It was still riveted to her face, captivating her, pulling her into it, and refusing to allow her to look away. Now that this surly giant stood so much closer to her, Felicia could see she’d underestimated how handsome he looked from the doorway. His collection of traits was set perfectly against a gloriously tan face. He studied her, his head tilted to one side, his large hands on his hips. She gaped at the magnificent stranger, unable to pull away from him. Her heart beat wildly in the back of her throat, and she had no power to swallow it back down. “Yes,” she whispered, unable to do any more. “My name is Felicia Montgomery. And you are...” “That’s not—” “Craig Reeves, Felicia. This is a Reeves.” Brittany blurted out as she peeked out from behind Craig’s large back. He shot her a glare as he brought his powerful hand up and sighed in irritation, and she quickly scurried away again. Craig brought his eyes back down to Felicia, his perfect jawline taut. Felicia held her head high as she kept her gaze in contact with his. Her heart fluttered almost painfully, making it hard to breathe, yet she refused to look away. Knowing one of them should speak and having a feeling it wouldn’t be him, she drew in a deep breath. Not ready. She let it out and drew in another. Trying not to let her voice shake, she spoke. “So, you are a member of this Reeves family I’ve heard so much about. I was thinking of seeking you out, but it appears now I won’t have to.” “You were actually looking for me?” Craig repeated in obvious disbelief, his voice a velvety whisper across her very being. “Why?” Felicia shrugged and attempted to play down the fact her heart beat fast enough to make her dizzy. “I wanted to see if the rumors were true.”

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Craig’s features changed instantly. His fine face visibly hardened again as his eyes seemed to almost penetrate through her before blinking and lifting them to the ceiling. He muttered a curse that brought warmth to Felicia’s face. After a brief moment of studying the stains on the old ceiling, Craig Reeves turned on his boots and strode away without so much as a look back. **** Goddamn it! He had the perfect chance to right the wrong done to his family and take care of a Montgomery. And here he was, practically sprinting away and labeling himself a coward with no room for question. Craig thought about the Montgomery back at the café. She was new to this town. He’d bet his own thumb to that. He would have remembered a woman like that. She had hazel eyes with a glow of yellow around the pupil, which faded until a dark green rim surrounded the outer part of her iris. They had to be the most mesmerizing eyes Craig had ever seen. She had hair the color of the sun. Warm, rich, inviting. Ah, hell. It sounded like he’d already had too much sun from the way just thinking about her hair made him hard and uncomfortable. No, never mind that. It didn’t make him anything. He couldn’t feel a damn thing for her. She was a Montgomery. Period. The way her curls danced around her face and down her creamy neck didn’t make him want to take the rest of it down and run his fingers through it. The way she met his eyes in elfin rebellion didn’t have an impact on him and have his balls aching for release. It didn’t make his mouth run dry with want or his cock twitch with a burning need to bury itself deep between her legs. Who was he kidding? He noticed everything about her, all the way down to the way she developed a little crinkle between her brows

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when she looked up at him in beautiful wonder. No Montgomery should ever be allowed to have this much of an effect on a Reeves. He swallowed hard as he mounted his horse and turned toward his house. He slowed as he passed the entrance of the café, leaning forward to catch a final glance at the young sprite calling herself Felicia Montgomery. To his chagrin, she walked out of the café precisely the moment Craig leaned forward, stopping directly in front of him. He cursed and stopped his horse before he trampled her. “Why did you leave me like that?” Felicia demanded, her feminine hands balled up on her rounded hips. Craig tore his eyes away from her hips, away from the image of him taking those hips and bending her over, fucking her from behind as he fisted that glorious mane of curls. He pulled his gaze back to her face before his imagination got the better of him. That little crinkle appeared on her brow, and he bit back a groan. Jesus Christ, did she have to be so damn striking when she looked at him like that? “I have things to do, Miss Montgomery.” Craig studied her reaction to him. Her eyes darted around nervously as she danced in place. Could it be he had the same effect on her as she on him? Could it be deeper than that? “Besides, I don’t answer to you or anyone else for that matter.” Felicia dropped her beautiful jaw. Just like everyone else in this damned town, she appeared appalled by his manners. “Well, I don’t think that was very nice at all.” Craig laughed. For a maniacal moment, he laughed, and it felt good. As much as he would like to have this conversation of nothingness carry on forever, he really did have things to do, such as inform his brother about the reappearance of a Montgomery in Port Sherman. Directing the horse around her, he started off. “I’ve never been accused of being nice.” “I can see why,” Felicia answered bravely. Craig pulled his horse

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around to her again, intrigued. She held her head high as she met his gaze, never faltering for even a moment. Damn fate for the reaction his heart had whenever she spoke. “Is that so?” Felicia reached up and pulled a curl away from her face. Craig watched the way it twisted itself around her delicate finger before she placed it behind her ear. He blinked twice and dropped his gaze when he realized she knew exactly how intently he’d been studying her actions. “I’ve heard your name come up in conversation.” Felicia lifted her petite brow and waited for his reaction. Craig smiled slightly at the sound of her crystal voice. If she wanted a reaction, she’d have to settle for that. “Yes, well,” he drawled and started his horse again, then turned back to Felicia. “That does happen. It is a small town.” “Yes, I suppose it is.” He smiled and nodded once to the young sprite before him. “Good day, Miss Montgomery.” He turned back and sped up his horse. Anything to distance himself from the delicious creature who, up until moments ago, was his sworn enemy. He didn’t expect to notice her this much. As soon as Craig heard a Montgomery drifted back into town, he'd had every intention of finding him and stringing him up for the murderous bastard he was. He could always shoot him but didn’t want to waste the bullet. At least with a hanging he could reuse the rope if there happened to be more than one Montgomery stupid enough to show his face back in Port Sherman. But now? For the first time since his vow, he doubted his original intention. His actual conviction. For two years he’d been waiting for the chance to strike back at the nearest Montgomery he could find– man or woman. But one look at this Montgomery and his mind faltered.

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What in the hell was going on? Shaking his head, Craig Reeves muttered a few of his favorite curses. He turned to see the lovely Felicia Montgomery still studying him with as much curiosity as he did her, maybe more. What were the fates attempting to do, force enemies to be something other than just that? Were the fates playing a dirty trick on Craig’s heart by having undeniable feelings towards a Montgomery? Knowing his luck, the fates would win, and Craig would fall helplessly in love with Felicia, and neither would ever rest again. Damn the fates, anyhow.

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Chapter 3 “Admit the truth, Craig. As my little brother, you don’t stand a chance. I will always have the edge over you. It may only be the two minutes I had over you when we were born, but it’s an advantage, nonetheless.” –Carson Reeves, antagonizing his twin, Craig, as he beat him at the town's Easter egg roll contest, 1876. He gritted his teeth as he fought the need to go back to Felicia Montgomery, to touch her before Carson could touch her. Craig rode into the barn and took his time putting Ace into his stall before fetching him some fresh water and oats. Carson always had more charisma than his twin, and Craig knew the minute he turned on that goddamn charm, Felicia would be helpless to resist him. That was if Carson didn’t want to kill her instead of fuck her. He thought about that. What would Carson’s reaction be when Craig told him about the sexy little Montgomery? Would he run out and try to find her, kill her as Craig had wanted to do? Or would Carson, like Craig, immediately fall for those wide hazel eyes and playful curls of sunshiny hair? They shared the same birth date, the same looks that still confused those who had known the Reeves brothers their entire lives, the same taste in women, and even the women themselves. The thought of sharing Felicia between the twins had his body awakening again, his cock surging and bulging painfully inside his denims. He wanted to sink inside her, to feel the blistering heat between her legs. It ate at him how badly he wanted her. His muscles ached with need. Without any reason to not join his brother inside the house, Craig

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marched to the side door and hesitated. As soon as he stepped past the frame, the questions would start. With a heavy sigh, he turned the knob. “Where the hell have you been?” Craig ignored Carson’s barking demand as he stepped inside the house and pulled off his gloves. After he spent ample time knocking the dirt and hay off them and then setting them down inside the mudroom, he finally turned around to face his twin. “Keeping tabs on me now?” “After what I heard, yes.” Spiking his ebony brow, he studied the way his brother glared at him with those piercing turquoise eyes. Craig had to be careful. They had a twin bond that left no secrets between them. If Carson so much as caught a glimpse of how Felicia came close to shredding Craig’s control, it would be over. “And that is?” “Is it true? Is there a Montgomery in town?” Carson pulled his six foot four inch frame out of his favorite chair and approached Craig. “Did you see him? You didn’t kill him without me, did you?” “I didn’t kill him,” Craig answered, still wondering how to tell him about the sweet little sprite he met in town. If he found her intriguing, then Carson would, too. “Who is it? Tell me the heathen son of a bitch’s name.” “Felicia.” And she had amazing eyes and the cutest little crinkle between her brows. Carson’s hardened features changed in an instant, softening as he studied his brother’s face with narrowed eyes. “You like her.” “Is that a question?” “Two years, dear brother. Two years of our plan to avenge the wrong done to our family. How quickly you toss that aside as soon as you feast your eyes on a pretty little piece of ass in skirts.” “Ah,” Craig responded with a smile. “But what a fine feast she is.” “She’s still a Montgomery, or have your already forgotten that

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part?” “I haven’t forgotten, Carson. Just because I find this impressive little woman fuckable does not lessen my want to make her pay for her father’s sins.” “That’s better.” Was it? **** Finding the Montgomery house still vacant and not a soul to be found anywhere near it surprised Felicia. She walked into the familiar home, dropped her bags down in the great room, and promptly coughed until she gagged when her actions kicked up a cloud of dust. Oh, bother. Not home for even a day and she was back to doing all her chores. With a sigh, she went in search of the proper cleaning supplies. Two years’ worth of dust and vacancy had settled on the contents of the home, but Felicia hummed and cleaned until she had it back in order. After all, this was now her home once again. Odd how no one had taken it over after her father died. A two-story home this nice should have fetched a fair price. Felicia shook her head. Another mystery for her to solve. As she cleaned, she couldn’t stop herself from thinking about the devilishly handsome man from earlier. A quiver of heated awareness ripped through her body and settled into a foreign tingle between her thighs. Her reaction frightened her. She’d never had her body respond like that, so violently, even hours after first meeting a man. Unfair. She needed to focus, to keep her senses about her. Having a man, no matter his handsomeness, questioning her return left her uneasy. She’d just need to ignore her body’s reaction to him and keep her focus on the reason she returned. She planned to marry her betrothed, and no mysterious man in black could break her of that vow.

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It took her the rest of daylight, but she finally had the house back to what she remembered it to be by nightfall. Funny, Felicia thought as she unpacked dresses in the main bedroom, the kitchen still had the needed utensils and pots and pans to cook and eat with. The living room still had all of the furniture she remembered. And the bookshelves were still lined with her favorite novels. Nothing made any sense. Why wouldn’t someone ransack the house and steal its contents? There were so many questions, and she aimed to find the answers. She’d learn the reason why a perfectly handsome stranger seemed so interested in her name. She’d bring closure to her father’s death. She just needed to do some research in town. Although she attended the required classes in art, dance, manners, and such at her finishing school in Boston, Felicia still found the time to take up research projects as an assistant to the professors. The money she made as the assistant to Professor Olson in her second year of school kept her clothed and well-fed. He paid her two dollars per week to dig up the material he requested. Felicia went down the stairs and crossed the living room into the kitchen to check on the water. Still not hot. Her mind drifted back to Professor Olson as she walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. She never learned as much as she did that year. Before he turned into a perverse and manipulative old man who wanted her for more than an assistant, he had been her mentor. He taught her to use her mind as her single most important strength and to never give up. She still carried those thoughts with her. And she would not give up on uncovering whatever mysteries surrounded the death of her father. Brittany refused to tell her what happened, so she had no choice but to find out on her own. The water on the stove screeched, and Felicia rose to tend to it. As she opened the door to the kitchen, she stopped when she realized the screech of the kettle had prematurely silenced. Slowly, Felicia peeked in to see Craig Reeves holding the kettle with a wrapped towel,

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pouring the boiling water into two cups. “What are you doing here?” Felicia demanded, barely above a whisper. How did this man have the power to rob her of her voice? Of her thoughts? Her breath? “Were you expecting another caller?” He held her gaze. That was when Felicia gave a double take. Those eyes, such a crystal turquoise, had a different look to them. They were cool, suspicious, and made her feel awkward and warm all over. His hair seemed shorter, more groomed, and he didn’t have at least a day’s growth of whiskers dusting his square chin like the man she’d met earlier that day. She took a step back, not sure whether she wanted this man in her house or not. He looked just like Craig Reeves, yet he didn’t. “Who are you?” He raked his wicked gaze across her body and set her skin ablaze. When his gaze rested on her breasts, her nipples betrayed her and puckered almost painfully. What an inappropriate response from a lady! “The name is Reeves.” He set the kettle back down on the stove before shoving his hands through his hair, seemingly annoyed he had come at all. “Clearly.” He stopped and straightened as he looked at her again, narrowing his eyes at her response. The way he watched her made her uncomfortable and heated. Was he just going to stand there and stare at her? Why wouldn’t he say anything else? The flesh between her breasts tingled. They swelled beneath his gaze, and she started to breathe in shallow gasps to control her body’s reaction. Oh, dear Lord! Not him, too! Why couldn’t she control her body around these Reeves fellows? “The name is Carson,” he finally stated. She swallowed and pulled her attention away from the sultry shape of his lips. “What is it you want, Mr. Reeves?”

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The corners of his lips curled into a dangerous grin as his gaze once again traced her frame. A few more looks like that and her resistance would melt into a worthless puddle right there in the kitchen. “Now that’s a mighty loaded question, Miss Montgomery.” Color scorched her cheeks and sent a wave of heat racing through her, twisting around her womb and liquefying her desire, causing a persistent throbbing between her legs. She hated the reaction Craig Reeves involuntarily pulled from her body. Now, she hated Carson Reeves for the same reason. “Loaded or not, it deserves to be answered.” Carson grinned and nodded. “That it does.” “Well?” “Guess I needed to see if it was true,” he said after swinging his leg around and having a seat on the bench by the island table. “If what was true?” Felicia asked out of curiosity and entered the kitchen. Her practical mind told her to scream, to run away and hide from this enormous stranger who made her feel like she’d just swam across the lake back at school and forgotten to take a breath. She really had no idea why she didn’t run, but she didn’t. For some compelling reason, this man didn’t frighten her at all. Neither Reeves did. “Join me?” Felicia could hardly turn down such a simple request and sat down on the opposite side of the island table. As she looked up at the handsome stranger in her kitchen, she colored to see him staring back at her. “What?” “You don’t look like a Montgomery.” His comment offended her. Her mother had been a very pretty woman, her father aristocratically handsome. “I’ll thank you to take that back.” He really smiled then, revealing perfectly white teeth that brightened up the dullest room. As his smile widened, he chuckled

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lightly. His eyes twinkled and that turquoise color shone brighter than the North Star. “I didn’t mean it as an insult,” he replied lightly and brought his gaze down to his cup. His eyes danced wickedly as he studied the brim, tracing the edge with his large finger. Felicia watched his finger run along the rim and found the gesture oddly arousing. Her imagination ran wild with thoughts of him using that same finger to explore her body. “Then why did you say it?” She lowered her gaze beneath her lashes. Carson chuckled again and took a long sniff of his drink then sighed and set the cup back down. After several minutes of silence, Felicia grew irritated that he wouldn’t answer her. Not only was it rude, but something inside her ached to hear that voice again. “Are you going to answer me?” He flashed another blinding grin followed by a wink that sent a thousand flutters dancing around in her insides in a heated, arousing contradiction of what she should be feeling. Unable to control her reaction, she looked away from him in hopes to hide the heat in her cheeks. Felicia sighed. Never before had she found a man more irritating, more arrogant, and more irresistible than she did either of the Reeves brothers. She brought her gaze back to his handsome face after the wave of heat ebbed. “Why was your brother so interested in me back at the café?” Carson swept his gaze over to Felicia, who found herself powerless to pull her eyes away. With the slightest movement in his eyes Felicia couldn’t even begin to comprehend, he regarded her somberly. She sensed a peculiar pain deep inside him and secretly wished she could somehow comfort him. “The reason is—” Carson faltered as he finally released her from his gaze and stiffened. “Not important.” Another velvety voice sounded from the back door to the kitchen.

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Oh, no. The other wickedly handsome Reeves. Craig stood there, taking up the entire doorway with his large frame, those glorious eyes dancing playfully as he held her gaze with his. “What the hell are you doing here?” Carson barked at his brother. “I could ask you the same thing,” Craig countered. Felicia fully expected the men to flex their muscles and fight each other for the right to stand in her kitchen and froze to the spot in fear they would do exactly that. So when they eyed each other carefully, each assessing the other with that gripping, powerful turquoise glare, Felicia held her breath. They then both broke into identical grins that sent her senses out of control. “I came to check on Miss Montgomery’s well-being,” Craig answered and flicked his gaze her way once again. It made her heart flutter and then speed up. Craig took a seat next to his brother before stealing the mug from him and lifting it to his nose. After inhaling sharply, he curled his lip and set it back in front of Carson. “What is that? Tea?” Offended at his reaction, Felicia marched over to the cupboard, pulled down an identical mug, filled it with tea leaves, and then poured water in it before setting it down in front of Craig. If he didn’t like what she had, he could very well leave. Craig eyed the mug in front of him and then brought that beautiful gaze back up to her. She held her ground and even thrust out her chin in challenge. “Got any whiskey?” Felicia gasped at his request. No respectable woman kept spirits in her house. “I most certainly do not!” Putting his hands up in surrender, he widened his eyes and sat back on the bench. Carson smacked his brother on the arm and pushed at him. “What’s the matter with you?” Craig turned and flashed a lethal glare at Carson.

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“Why are you here?” Felicia asked again. “Yes,” Carson added. “Why are you here, Craig?” Felicia huffed in frustration. “No, I mean, why are you both here? And why did you travel separately? What is it you really want?” Craig and Carson Reeves stared back at her with shocked looks in their eyes. Their identical, sexy mouths parted slightly. Oh, dear Lord, they were both so devastatingly handsome it bordered dangerous. No single man should be allowed to look so good, let alone have an identical twin. Their intense, joint gaze studied her in clear appreciation for what they saw. Felicia swallowed and tried to keep her breathing steady. She stood there, allowing the men to rake their gaze over her like some hussy, yet she didn’t have the will to turn away from those powerful eyes. When Craig stood, her entire body stiffened. He rounded the table and approached her. Not wanting him to know just how much his presence affected her, she held her ground and blinked nervously. “I’m wondering if you could clear something up for us,” he started in that deep, dreamlike voice of his that had haunted her all day. He didn’t stop until he stood only a few inches from her. So close in fact that she smelled him, his musky, masculine scent. It made the muscles between her thighs tighten and throb in desperation. “A–And what is that?” She could barely breathe from the nearness of him. Although it was highly improper, she reached up and unbuttoned the top button of her blouse in order to swallow down the enormous lump lodged in her throat. When Carson stood up from the table and joined his brother, but on Felicia’s other side, she stopped breathing altogether, knowing if she took another breath, smelled the double dose of raw masculinity surrounding her, she’d faint. Her gaze darted nervously between the two enormous, sexy men. “Craig here brags that he’s a better kisser, you see.” Carson lifted his hand and pulled one of her golden ringlets away from her face. He

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then caressed her cheek with the back of his knuckles. Felicia shuddered and closed her eyes. “I am,” Craig murmured, the heat from his breath tickling her ear and sending delicious chills racing down her spine. “I don’t see how I can clear that up,” she answered in a shaky voice, wishing she really did know the answer. Just the thought of having either one of them kiss her, to place those perfectly shaped lips over hers, had her quivering in anticipation. Since she’d never really been properly kissed, she was the last person to judge, but oh how she wanted to. Carson leaned closer. “If you would allow us to kiss you—” “Me!” She jumped back and stumbled into the wood stove. Instinctively, she brought her hand down to stop herself from falling. If it weren’t for the quick actions of the Reeves brothers, she would have burned herself quite severely. Craig shot forward and pulled her to him, slamming her into his chest. Carson stepped behind her to block her from having another brush with the stove. They sandwiched her tightly, and before she could open her mouth to protest, Craig’s lips covered hers. Just as she knew it would, her resistance melted into a pool of blistering liquid centering between her legs. Fear over her reaction and excitement at how the kiss made her limp in his arms fought for the dominant emotion. When he licked her lips open and tasted her tongue with his, testing her, she let out an involuntary moan and wrapped her arms around his massive neck. “Okay, okay.” Carson pushed them apart and replaced Craig’s position. Before Felicia recovered from Craig’s kiss, Carson captured her mouth and kissed her with an unbridled fierceness that both scared and thrilled her. It shocked her, her wicked reaction to his kiss. She rubbed her body up against his, desperate for contact with parts otherwise untainted by the touch of a man. Carson parted her lips and traced the recesses of her mouth with his tongue, causing her heart to flip as heated chills tickled her flesh.

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When she heard a distinct growl from Craig, Carson broke their kiss, and Felicia swayed to stay upright. The massive men stood there watching her, waiting for her judgment. Not wanting to seem out of sorts after kisses like that, even though she still felt faint and couldn’t catch her breath, she swallowed hard and brushed her hair out of her eyes to stall for time in order to recover. “Well?” Craig growled. “I–uh–well,” she stammered, not sure what to say. How could she choose one over the other? They both had her reeling from their touch. She wanted to feel it again. Desperately. “Do you need another sampling?” Craig took a step toward her. “Yes,” Carson agreed and also took a step toward her. Felicia put her hand up to stop them. “No! Please, just give me a moment.” The brothers exchanged satisfied looks, and the gesture made Felicia narrow her eyes in realization. They did this to her on purpose. “Out,” she ordered. They both looked at her, their smug smiles wilting from their arrogant faces. How could she be such a fool? They knew exactly what they were doing when they made up this little challenge. Tarnishing a woman’s reputation didn’t take more than a few pairs of loose lips to start rumors. It didn’t matter whether those rumors were true or not. If anyone saw the men enter or leave the house, her reputation as a respectable single woman would be ruined. She knew better. Her instructors had warned about cads. She should have never let them into her house. She was betrothed to another. How dare she have two men in her kitchen well after dark? Worse yet, how dare she kiss not one, but both of them! She wouldn’t blame Arthur if he broke off their engagement and sent her back to Boston after hearing about this. Gossip ran rampant in small towns like Port Sherman.

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Mortification slapped her cheeks, and she turned away from them, refusing them the satisfaction of seeing how much their little game affected her. By morning, she’d be branded a harlot. “Felicia?” Craig asked carefully. “Just leave,” she whispered, praying that they’d be gone before the first of her tears fell. “Please.” “But—” “Come on,” Carson rasped. “We’ve done what we came here to do.” Felicia closed her eyes and didn’t open them again until she heard the back screen door close behind them.

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Chapter 4 “I only let you win, Carson. If I beat you at everything, then where’s the fun in that?” –Craig Reeves, in response to his twin's teasing at the town's Easter egg roll, 1876. Carson took his time riding home next to his brother. The stars were out, the air crisp, and Felicia Montgomery accompanied him in his thoughts. Why would he want to rush that? Craig didn’t seem to be in any hurry to get home either, and Carson knew why. As soon as they pulled into the stables, there would be demands for answers. “She’s really something, isn’t she?” Carson prodded. “Now you understand my hesitation to say anything.” Craig looked at him. Carson studied him, knowing he didn’t need to look ahead. Deuce knew his way home, just as Ace did. Their horses, rare midnightblack twins, read the other’s thoughts, much the same way Carson and Craig did. It seemed fitting. “Yes.” Carson certainly understood his brother’s hesitation on explaining this Montgomery. Just like Craig, he wasn’t prepared to explain to the oldest Reeves brother exactly why they hadn’t already strung her up or put a bullet between her eyes as payment for the wrong her father did. “What the hell were you thinking going over to her house after dark, Carson?” “I could ask you the same.” “You know damn well why I came,” Craig barked. Ace rotated his

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ear to protect it from the loud noise. On instinct, Deuce did the same. Carson smiled and reached down to comfort his horse. “Yes, I do. I was actually so wrapped up in her that I didn’t even realize you were standing there until I saw it on her pretty face.” “You know, I really hate this twin bond sometimes.” Craig shook his head. “I felt you there, can you believe that shit? I actually felt it. Jesus.” “Don’t be so dramatic, Craig. That bond has saved our lives on more than one occasion.” “You know the gossips are going to be falling over themselves to spread word about tonight.” “They’ll never know about it,” Carson said matter-of-factly. None of them were stupid enough to be seen around the Montgomery house, let alone be out after dark. Carson shook his head. He hated gossips. They had nothing better to do than run off their mouths in an attempt to ruin someone’s life. He’d like to line them all up, every last one of them, and have people whose lives they'd torn apart have their way with the hot end of a pistol. Craig glanced over at his brother. “I thought that was what you wanted, to tarnish her reputation enough to send her away.” At first, that was exactly what Carson wanted. But then he met her. His gaze drifted up to the stars. They seemed brighter than usual. He chuckled and shook his head as he focused on the trail ahead and carefully avoided Craig’s knowing glare. The thought of that pretty little thing calling herself a Montgomery did two things to him. Half of him wanted to shout and tell the world there was a woman out there who finally made him feel alive again. But it was the other half—the half that wanted to shake her until her teeth rattled—that held him back. What in the hell did she think she was doing coming back to Port Sherman? Didn’t she understand the dangers having a Montgomery

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back in town posed? Stealing a glance at Craig, Carson wondered if his brother felt the same thing toward Felicia as he did. Of course he would. He sensed it earlier today when Craig came home and refused to talk about Felicia. Why on God’s green earth would either of them have feelings for a woman they barely knew? And a Montgomery no less? If the news fell onto the wrong ears, the twin Reeveses’ lives could be in danger as well as Felicia’s. He’d already changed his opinion of this woman, and he knew his brother had, too. Neither would be able to raise a hand to her, nor would they allow anyone else to. Craig stole a glance at his twin. “You know he’ll take her life if given the chance. All for being guilty of a name.” Carson let out a long, tired sigh. He found fighting this feud between the Reeveses and Montgomerys completely exhausting. “A rose by any other name—” “—Would still smell fucking fantastic.” The Reeveses both chuckled at Craig’s extremely loose interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic. “You know,” Craig started slowly, and Carson already knew what he wanted to say before he said it. “We could make sure she remains safe.” Exactly Carson’s thought. “And how would we do that?” Craig grinned, causing Carson to grin in return. They both knew exactly what they needed to do to keep her safe. **** The courthouse still smelled like wood oil and stale parchment. Felicia replaced the first set of deeds and pulled down the next set. Spending the night in the house of her youth, she knew she couldn’t let anyone else take it away from her. She just had to find a way to keep it in her family. Although she didn’t even have a full silver dollar to her name, she would find a way.

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After allowing only a few tears to fall over those nasty Reeves brothers last night, Felicia held her head high and made her decision. No one, not woman, man, or Reeves, would make her feel any less of a person. It was her choice and her choice alone to allow those men to kiss her. She wouldn’t make excuses for her actions or blame anyone else. She knew what she was doing, and if given the opportunity, she couldn’t say with any level of certainty that she wouldn’t allow them to kiss her again. What did that say about her as a woman betrothed to another? The very vivid dreams of Craig and Carson Reeves still had her limp and a little dizzy, dreams that brought heat to her cheeks and had her body responding in the most inappropriate ways just thinking about them. She needed a fan to cool herself. Forbidden sensuality captured her senses. She shouldn’t feel like this as she thought of not only one man, but two. On top of that, neither of them belonged to her. Arthur Walton, on the other hand, did. Clearing her mind as best she could, she quickly found the history of the deeds for the Montgomery Homestead. Walter Montgomery, her grandfather, homesteaded back in 1847, then left it to Victor Montgomery when Walter died a few years later. The records ended with no name of the person who might own it now. Felicia replaced the deeds on the shelf and went to the clerk for help. There could be the off chance no one owned it now. After all, the family didn’t owe anything on the house. The house had been in the Montgomery family for generations. “Excuse me?” Felicia asked after she noticed a dark-haired man with spectacles in the back room. As he walked out, he assessed her up one side and down the other, a curl of his lips growing into a full blown grin. “Well, hello there. Are you new in town?” “No. Well, yes.”

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He lost his smile, but not the appreciative shine in his dark eyes. “Which is it? Are you confused, sweet lady?” “No,” Felicia answered coolly and labored her breathing. She hated it when men patronized her for being a woman. “I used to live here. I’ve been away for a while.” The clerk lowered his gaze to her breasts and kept it hovering there. Felicia’s cheeks burned as she turned away from his sleazy eyes. And promptly gasped to see Craig Reeves standing in the doorway of the courthouse, the sunlight causing a glowing effect around him. He looked even better today than he did yesterday. “No one bought it, if that’s what you’re looking for.” “Pardon me?” “Oh, dear God.” The clerk paled and started to back away from the counter, his wide eyes never leaving Craig’s face. What an odd reaction. The poor man looked like he’d just seen a ghost. Felicia swung her gaze back to Craig. What was it about this man that had everyone so scared of him? And why, for heaven’s sake, wasn’t she afraid? “No one owns it,” Craig repeated as he casually strolled toward her, his hands in his pockets. His presence demanded authority, and he had her undivided attention. He wore an even darker shirt today, and it did incredible things to his features. His eyes seemed even more brilliant, his hair a little more groomed than yesterday. A warmth spread through her, liquefying her as her body responded to his mere presence. So inappropriate. Her nipples tingled and pressed against the fabric of her dress. She shouldn’t have worn such a heavy material today. It had to already be well into the eighties by the way she’d started to perspire. “You look rested,” he pointed out, his voice stroking over her like a wave on the sun-warmed sand. “I do?” “Absolutely.”

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“Really?” She hated how flattered she sounded at his attempt at a complement. To recover, she furrowed her brow and demanded, “How did you know I was here?” “I followed you. I wanted to see what brought you out to the courthouse so early in the day.” Her skin tickled deliciously whenever he talked. Color heated her cheeks, and she turned back around so he couldn’t see the reaction he drew from her. Her heart flipped in her chest, and her nerves caused her to dance in place. She looked at the desk clerk again, puzzled as to why he continued to back away as if he stood face to face with a rabid dog. She dropped her eyes down to the counter and pretended to pick at it, very much aware of how close he’d gotten to her. “You make it a point to know what I’m doing?” “I make it a point to know what any Montgomery is doing.” Craig leaned against the counter. Felicia jumped at how close he stood by her, impropriety clearly not an issue for him. And she wanted him even closer, unbelievably drawn to him even more today than last night. She swallowed and kept her eyes down to watch her fidgeting fingers. Although she couldn’t see his eyes, she felt their heat dancing across her flesh. “And what about your brother?” “Carson?” She kept her eyes hidden. “Do you have another?” Craig’s growl echoed through the courthouse. “Carson is my twin.” That much she knew. “Yes, but I’m the better looking of the two.” Oh no, not the other one. Without turning around, Felicia knew when Carson stopped on her other side. The heat from his masculine draw was every bit as scorching as Craig’s. “Sweet Jesus,” the desk clerk muttered and practically fell over himself to escape into the back room. If Felicia hadn’t been so

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preoccupied with the sudden appearance of the two men she couldn’t stop thinking about, she would have been more concerned with the desk clerk’s actions. Instead, she refocused on Craig. “Why do you have such an interest in my name?” Craig straightened up and started for the door. Bruised at his sudden dismissal, Felicia whipped around to face him. “Where are you going?” “Let him go,” Carson said and pulled her attention to him. She stared up into those gorgeous turquoise temptations. The full force of his gaze slammed into her, and she found it hard to take a breath. “Why does he do that?” He shrugged those incredibly massive shoulders. “Storm off like a child? Because he’s a big baby when he doesn’t get what he wants.” That comment had her body surging with a heat that licked parts otherwise untouched. She let out a breath and swallowed to wet her suddenly dry throat. “And what is it he wants?” Carson looked at her. Oh, dear Lord. He couldn’t mean her. Could he? And what about Carson? Did he want her, too? Nonsense! She shouldn’t even think such outlandish thoughts. She was a woman betrothed, for heaven’s sake. It wasn’t right to have impure thoughts of another man. Or two. “Do you know why no one has taken over my house?” Carson openly contemplated her question, and his expression slowly changed. What was playful and cute grew into somber and thoughtful. Without a thought, she reached over and covered his arm with her hand. “Why are you so sad?” He studied her hand on his arm, and she quickly removed it, the burn of her embarrassing display slapping her across the face. What was she thinking, touching him like that? “Thank you.” His gaze still hung over where her hand had been moments before.

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“For what?” “You’re the first person who actually gives a damn about how we feel. Most run away at the first sight of us.” “Us?” Just then Craig Reeves stormed back through the front door of the courthouse with a leather-bound book in his hand. Felicia’s heart beat wildly as he once again stopped by her side. When she swept her gaze up to him and noticed him looking over her shoulder, she glanced behind her to see Carson staring back at his twin with equal intensity. When he gave Craig a slight nod, she whipped back around in time to see Craig offer Carson the same nod. Just what did they agree to, and did it have anything to do with her? Oh, she really hoped it had something to do with her. Craig opened up the book and started to thumb through all of the different pages, his eyes scanning them for something. As soon as he found the page, his fingers gently, mournfully, brushed across a name. Carson then read it aloud without having to see the name. “Margaret Reeves.” Craig’s face grew taut after his brother spoke. “Our mother.” Felicia didn’t have to ask to know she no longer lived. She saw it in both their eyes. Sadness swirled deep inside them both, and Felicia felt it, too. Despite her vow to not cry over these two, she allowed the tears to swell. These tears were for an entirely different reason. Felicia stared up at Craig, unable to say anything more than, “I’m so sorry for your loss.” Craig’s features changed in an instant. He slammed the book shut and nailed her with a vicious glare. Carson appeared at his brother’s side, an equally menacing glare pinned to her. Fear ripped through her body. Should she run? Hide? The way these Reeves brothers looked at her had her heart hammering in her chest and her breath coming in shallow gasps. “You’re sorry.” Craig chuckled bitterly and shook his head as he

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clenched his jawline tight enough to turn it white. “You are sorry,” Carson added in a voice so low and deep it shook the world. Felicia took a step back to further the distance between her and these enormous men suddenly so angry. “The next time we visit her grave I’ll be sure to convey your condolences.” Craig released a growl so vicious Felicia shivered, terrified by his reaction. “You asked of the house.” Carson sounded impatient as he narrowed his eyes to turquoise slits. Too stunned to speak, Felicia could only nod quickly. “Unbelievable,” Craig hissed. Carson laughed hollowly. “Why are you surprised, dear brother? She’s a Montgomery. Of course her concern is nothing more than a false display in order to better her position.” Craig’s eyes flashed with murderous fury, and Felicia retreated back. She didn’t understand any of this. Last night they were so nice and charming. Obviously none of that mattered now. They weren’t any of those things now. Thrusting out her chin, she straightened her shoulders and faced them. She refused to allow these men to intimidate her even though they had her trembling inside. “And what of my house?” “The house is, and always will be, a Montgomery’s. Congratulations.” Craig clenched his teeth, pausing to keep his control. He took another breath to speak then shook his head as he turned with a curse and left the courthouse, Carson right behind him. What in the world did she say to have them turn on her like that? After several minutes of trembling and near tears, Felicia regained her composure and turned as she spotted the clerk peeking out from the back room. She desperately needed a handkerchief. “Excuse me? May I–” “Haven’t you done enough?” the desk clerk snapped acidly as he glared over his spectacles at her. Felicia dropped her mouth at his

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rude outburst and quickly snapped it back shut. “What did I do?” “As if you don’t know? You Montgomerys are all so blissfully ignorant, aren’t you?” “I don’t understand.” “Go home, Montgomery. You don’t belong here, not anymore.” Who was he to say whether she belonged here or not? She didn’t even know him. “I am home.” He shook his head, causing his spectacles to slip down the bridge of his long nose. “No, Port Sherman is no longer your home. You aren’t welcome here. No Montgomery is after what your butcher of a father did.” “My father?” “Leave here. Take this curse with you.” “Curse? What curse?” “I’ve already said too much. Just leave. Now.” That was what Brittany said. Just what on earth had gotten into everyone? With her chin held high, she turned to leave the courthouse with the tiny ounce of dignity she could muster up. A voice stopped her. “Felicia Montgomery?” She turned and almost cried to see Arthur Walton standing behind the clerk, his round spectacles placed on top of his sandy-blond hair. His handsome face broke into a warm smile that made his blue eyes dance. “I can’t believe it. You’re... here?” “Arthur!” Felicia ran into his arms so hard it knocked the spectacles off his head and sent them sliding across the floor. She laughed and cried at the same time. He held her so tight she could barely breathe. After several minutes of embracing, Felicia pulled away and looked into her beau’s eyes, wiping tears from her own. “What are you doing here?” Felicia pulled away as she studied his eyes. They were warm, but something else hinted in them. Caution. Hesitation.

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Not him, too. He studied her, his gaze roaming her body, no doubt taking in the changes to her appearance over the last four years. After reaching down and picking up his spectacles, he set them on the counter. “I really wish you’d have told me you were coming for a visit.” Felicia frowned. “I’m not here for a visit, Arthur. I’ve come home.” “Surely you’re mistaken. We agreed to marry and live in Boston.” “No, you agreed to that. I want to settle here in Port Sherman.” “Felicia,” he groaned as if annoyed by her declaration. “Don’t be naive. You cannot stay in this town.” “Would this have anything to do with why the Reeves brothers are following me around?” Arthur paled whiter than the desk clerk. “They are? Have they said anything? Or done anything? Have they hurt you?” She thought about what they did to her in her dreams last night. The warmth of her thoughts spread through her body, puckering her nipples, sending liquid heat to her pussy. “Do you know who they are?” “Yes,” she answered and swept her eyes toward the door. She noticed a shadow just on the outside, much in the shape of one of the Reeveses following her. She couldn’t explain why, but deep down she knew it had to be Craig. She felt him. Raising her voice to be sure he’d hear her, she continued. “They seem interested in my name though they won’t bother to tell me why.” Arthur’s voice shook as he spoke. “Has either one actually spoken to you?” Felicia nodded then answered for the shadow’s sake. “Yes. Although, Carson seems nicer than Craig. That one is always demanding answers from me and then storming off. Carson is much more charming than his horrid twin.” The shadow stiffened, and Felicia swore she heard his teeth grinding. Her lips curled in satisfaction, if ever so slightly.

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“What sort of questions?” Felicia lifted her gaze and thought of the first time she met Craig Reeves. “Craig’s first words to me were asking me if I was a Montgomery.” Before Felicia could continue, Arthur grabbed her hand and started toward the door. “We need to get you out of here.” His force nearly pulled her arm out of her socket. “Now!” he roared when Felicia jerked her hand away. She froze. She’d never seen this side of Arthur before. Although, when the Reeves brothers bullied her and pushed her around, it exhilarated her. With Arthur it only irritated her. “I refuse to be bullied by you, too. No one will tell me what is happening. There is something desperately wrong here.” “Felicia—” “Something happened,” she broke in with a low voice, attempting to reason with him. “Something happened involving my father. And for some reason I now have two men following me, making it a point to know where I am at all times.” She paced as she attempted to put some of the pieces of the puzzle together. “I’ve heard there is a curse upon my family name, a curse the Reeveses refuse to tell me about. In fact, no one will tell me what is going on. Now, I don’t know what those twins have to do with any of this, but I aim to find out.” She marched toward the shadow on the other side of the door. He was gone. Felicia looked up one side of the street and down the other. No sign of Craig on either side. Relieved and disappointed at the same time, she turned and waited for Arthur to join her on the steps of the courthouse. “Felicia, you can’t stay in Port Sherman. It’s too dangerous.” “I’m not leaving. This is my home, and it always will be. I know I will find the answers I am looking for. They are here waiting for me to find them.”

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“The only thing you will find here is heartache. I’ll take you to whatever town you want. We don’t have to live in Boston. Just, please, let me take you away from here.” Felicia didn’t want to leave. Regardless of what she discovered about this mysterious curse surrounding her family name, this was her home. “I wish to remain in Port Sherman.” “Felicia, please listen to reason.” She swallowed and forced her bravado to surface. “If you insist on leaving, Arthur, then you will be leaving alone.” Arthur’s blue gaze never left her face. He pleaded with her, but she’d already made up her mind. If he was half the man she hoped, he’d understand and stay by her side, fight with her if it came to that. “Will you at least let me take you to lunch? We can talk about this nonsense of staying in Port Sherman and see if I can’t change that stubborn mind of yours. At least then I can spend every moment at your side to protect you until I do convince you to leave.” “Protect me from what? What do I need protection from?” “From whom,” he corrected. She assumed he meant the Reeveses. With them she didn’t want protection. She wanted salvation. “I don’t see what all of the fuss is about. I can take care of myself.” Arthur raised his brow and chuckled. “Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me where you are concerned, Felicia Montgomery.”

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Chapter 5 “But why must I hold my tongue, Father? Those bullies deserved to be put in their place.” –Felicia Montgomery, defending herself after telling a group of boys exactly what she thought of them, 1878. Carson Reeves sat in the café, watching the warm summer breeze dance with the curtains, irritating him every time he had to push them out of his line of sight. He would move if he were here to merely enjoy a hot meal. No, he had a much better reason for his visit to this particular spot in this particular café. It had the perfect spot for him to hide and keep an eye on the courthouse. And Felicia Montgomery. His dolt of a brother just had to push it and stay behind to listen in on her conversation with that Walton fellow. She’d almost caught him, too. Carson chuckled as a grin pulled at his lips. If Craig hadn’t ducked behind a convenient bush on the other side of the courthouse stairs in the nick of time, he would have had some explaining to do. He stopped short. Explain to a Montgomery? Why the hell would a Reeves even consider such a thing? No Montgomery, dead or alive, deserved any sort of explanation, regardless of who they were. She may be beautiful, but she was still a Montgomery. None of them could be trusted. The little Montgomery sprite was too much. Just when he had her figured out, she would surprise him again. After her ramblings last night, and then again inside the courthouse, he was sure she had no idea of the curse brought down upon her family’s name. But, for knowing nothing about it, she sure as shit caught on quick.

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At first he thought it might have been a coincidence. Montgomery could be a common name. Craig could have been wrong about her. But Carson confirmed his suspicion when he found her at the old Montgomery house last night. No doubt in his mind she was the Montgomery he wanted. In more ways than he cared to admit. Damn. He raised his hand to his stubble-covered chin and chuckled under his breath. He looked more like Craig today than himself. Carson usually took special care in his appearance. Perfectly groomed hair, cleanly shaven, always impeccably dressed. He was so desperate to find her before Craig this morning that he didn’t take the time to clean up. Oh, but how his brother had. They’d practically switched appearances overnight. With a quick swipe of his hand through his hair, he attempted to brush some of the grit out. As he brought his attention up again, he saw Felicia on the stairs with Walton, the man who ran the courthouse. Jealousy shot through Carson with poisoned precision. Walton was clean cut and well mannered. Carson lowered his gaze to his black shirt and attempted to wipe some of the dirt away. Arthur Walton’s trousers weren’t stained from hard work. What kind of stains could he earn from working behind a desk in a courthouse? It shouldn’t bother him. Hell, why did it matter? Arthur Walton and Carson Reeves were cut from two entirely different cloths. Walton seemed more Felicia’s type. Why would she even give someone like a Reeves a second glance when she had someone like Walton clearly interested in her? Damn it. He did it again. Why should he care whether Felicia took notice in him or not? Or in his brother? The Reeveses’ interest in her was strictly... What? It wasn’t professional. The Reeves brothers, all three of them, had made a pact two years ago when they’d buried their mother. Carry out the curse against the Montgomerys or die trying. Yet, when he first caught a glimpse of the

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female Montgomery as she walked into her kitchen, her pretty hazel eyes wide with wonder, his dick surged, and his interest in her somehow switched to personal without his permission. Felicia emerged from the courthouse alone. Carson sat up straight, ready to move, to get to her before his brother. But then Walton joined her on the front step, and Carson sagged back down in his seat. “See anything interesting?” Craig joined him after moving his chair around next to Carson’s. “Yes,” he rasped, seeing no need to lie. Craig would pick up on it anyway. “They’re arguing.” “You sound happy about it.” Carson smiled. “Aren’t you?” Craig grunted. But after only a few exchanged words, Felicia smiled up at Walton, and Carson’s smile slowly faded. “You look like someone just told you there was no Santa Claus.” Carson tossed a glare at his brother. “That was you, if you remember.” “Yeah.” Craig grinned. The son of a bitch. “This is wrong, Craig. This is all wrong.” “What? Spying on a Montgomery?” “Why is she here?” Carson turned to look at his brother. “Why is she back in Port Sherman? No one is that naive.” “Maybe she is.” The brothers exchanged looks and didn’t have to say a word. Neither believed that statement. Felicia Montgomery may be many things, but naive was not one of them. Craig grabbed the menu off the table and opened it, hiding his face. It didn’t matter whether Carson saw his expression or not. The bond they shared gave him more than enough insight into his brother. “According to the clerk at the courthouse, Arthur Walton and Felicia Montgomery are betrothed. Can you believe that shit?” No. Not just no, but hell no. “And how did you get that out of

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him?” Craig lowered the menu just enough for Carson to see him wiggle his brows. Shaking his head, he brought his gaze back out the window to watch Felicia. Betrothed, and to someone as simple as Walton. She’d be bored by her wedding night, if not before. Carson found an unnerving satisfaction in that. What right did he have to feel anything toward her? Even that reasoning didn’t ebb the feelings Carson had thickening his cock and making it uncomfortable to sit as he watched her. In all honesty, he’d wanted her the moment he set foot in the damned Montgomery house. He wouldn’t have made the trip otherwise. He could tell by the look of heated hunger in his brother’s eyes that she’d be someone they’d both want. The dark cloud he’d enjoyed hovering over him for the past two years seemed to be fading with every passing moment since Felicia Montgomery came into town. And that troubled him. For two years, the Reeves brothers had a constant companion with them to keep their mood nothing more than fowl and to keep their task of finding a Montgomery to hang at hand. For two years, any one of them could conjure up that black cloud whenever they needed a friend. And for two years, nothing but how they planned to carry out their revenge consumed every conversation. No, not even the fact the Montgomery had been female would stop them from seeking their revenge. They’d talked about that and had all agreed. There’d been rumors that the remaining Montgomery was female. And they were all fully prepared to carry out the curse against a female if need be. But what Carson hadn’t planned on was his reaction to the female Montgomery. It took all of his self-control to fight off the blazing urge to bury his cock deep inside her pussy and fuck her until they both collapsed from exhaustion. Craig felt the same way. His head ached fiercely as he thought about how his feelings for

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her would probably grow instead of lessen. He watched as Walton stepped back inside the courthouse and Felicia smiled as she walked out onto the street. He stood. “Time to go.” “Yep.” Craig didn’t even protest. He knew the time had come for them to confront the other Reeves, the one who still wouldn’t hesitate to put a rope around Felicia Montgomery’s delectable neck. Judging by the feeling dredging up from the depths of his soul, Carson knew he’d have to watch his step around her, as would Craig. It would only be a matter of time before they’d be forced to make a choice... Between love and blood. **** Felicia drank in the warmth of the sun as she strolled through a part of town she knew with her eyes closed, having walked this same road as a little girl. Her father, active with his dealings at the courthouse, allowed her to walk with him whenever he came to town. She loved walking with her father. He used to point out the different plants, different trees, different birds. He knew so much about everything. If only she could just ask him what he knew about the Reeveses, about this so-called curse hanging over the Montgomery family name. Her gaze fell on the old tavern, which her father convinced her was full of nasties and cheats. She quickly turned her eyes away for fear someone would see her glancing at it and brand her. Embarrassment heated her cheeks at the mere thought of what went on inside a tavern. She passed the blacksmith. Smiling, she waved as old Mr. Charlesworth looked up from his anvil. For a split second she was that little girl on the leg of her father, smiling and waving at every passerby, trying to tell him or her everything about whatever plant or

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tree her father had just told her about. They all smiled and laughed, giving praises to Victor Montgomery for raising such a smart little girl. Would he think the same now? Would he think her brilliant for returning to a town where she couldn’t stop thinking about two men sworn to carry out some curse upon her family? “That isn’t polite,” her father would say about her talking to everyone. She never could understand why being friendly wasn’t considered polite. “They’ll get the wrong idea about you,” he’d reason. Felicia simply accepted his words, but would always forget as soon as another person walked by. “You need to be trained properly,” he would always say. Trained. That word still bothered her even after all this time. Not once did the instructors at her finishing school in Boston ever use that term. Yet somehow she did feel as if she’d needed to be trained. She hadn’t a clue how to act around men like the Reeves brothers. Perhaps if they had actually trained her on the subject, she wouldn’t feel like she’d just been run through the wash ringer. Maybe with the proper training she could say exactly what she wanted to say to them instead of fumbling over the most foolish things to ever escape her lips. She colored slightly. Even the thought of how ridiculous she must sound still embarrassed her. “Felicia Montgomery? Is that you?” “Hello, Mr. Charlesworth. How are you?” “My word, child. How you’ve grown. Why haven’t you come to visit?” His comment warmed Felicia’s heart. He spoke the first kind words she’d heard since returning. At least there were some people in this town who weren’t afraid to talk to her. Her thoughts changed as Mrs. Charlesworth came rushing out and practically dragged poor Mr. Charlesworth back inside. She lost her smile and lowered her eyes, crushed. So, not only did word travel fast about this so-called curse hanging over her head, but everyone

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seemed to know about it. Well, except her. She ignored the pang in her heart at yet another rejected welcome and focused on the matters at hand. She needed to find employment if she really intended to stay here in Port Sherman. She refused to be a woman reliant on her husband for survival. Since she only knew research as an employable resource aside from becoming a seamstress and having a permanent squint by the age of thirty, logically she started at the schoolhouse. Luckily, she remembered where the old schoolhouse stood. Felicia took a steady breath and scolded herself to act more civilized than when she did with either Reeves. That shouldn’t be a problem. She stepped inside and spotted an older woman cleaning off the board with soap and water. “Excuse me?” Felicia said politely. The woman turned around with a broad smile. “Yes?” A pleasant-looking woman with slightly grayed temples in her otherwise chocolate colored hair, aging eyes to match, smiled warmly. Taller than Felicia by far, this woman had to be close to six feet and was as skinny as a rail. “I was wondering if there were any openings.” “For employment?” The schoolmarm lifted her brow in surprise. “Well, I’ve recently graduated from finishing school in Boston, and I love to do research. I’m a hard worker and willing to do whatever it is you need me to. You see, I lived here a few years ago and am trying to make my own way now.” “Really? This is splendid! I’ve asked for some help with the children. There are just so many. I’ve always been turned down. But now? You? This is splendid!” She rambled and finished cleaning the board. Felicia immediately liked her. “My name is Mrs. Freely.” “Mrs.?” “Widowed.” She read the sorrow in Felicia’s eyes. “Oh, it happened years ago, dear. I’ve moved on. I’ve only been here for coming up on a year now. Miss Hornsby went to live with her sister in

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Iowa.” “I remember Miss Hornsby,” Felicia commented. Miss Hornsby was a short, pudgy woman with quite a sweat gland problem, if she remembered correctly. “It is just wonderful to hear when a grown woman wants to come back to her hometown.” Mrs. Freely set the rag and bucket of dirty water down then motioned for Felicia to join her at the large desk in the front of the single-room building. “Always surrounded by friends and such.” Felicia didn’t feel so sure about that last statement, but nodded nonetheless. “Yes, ma’am.” “Which city did you say you went to school in again?” “Boston,” Felicia answered proudly. “I don’t believe I know a single soul in that city,” Mrs. Freely remarked, her gaze tracing the ceiling as if attempting to prove herself wrong. She smiled and brought her eyes back to Felicia. “It’s so wonderful you came back.” At least Mrs. Freely thought so. Felicia hadn’t decided whether to agree with her or not, so she instead nodded and smiled politely. “The job can’t pay more than two dollars per week, but there is an old shack nearby that you could fix up. Not exactly what I’d call living in luxury, but it will do in a pinch such as this. Well, that is unless you have a place to stay already?” Felicia laughed. This woman’s mind worked so fast, almost as fast as her tongue. She just knew they would get along. “I have a house.” “You do?” “It’s the one where I grew up. It was still vacant when I returned.” “Then no shack for you.” She nodded once and managed to find some unused paper underneath the stacks and stacks of books and other used paper. “My desk,” she stopped as she caught a tower of books about to fall. After righting them, she continued. “This will have to do for the both of us for right now. I don’t know if they plan to get you a desk or

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not, but you can see this one is well used.” “I can see that.” “I need to get your name, dear.” She positioned herself and waited for Felicia to speak. “Felicia Montgomery.” As soon as she finished her last name, the schoolmarm withdrew away from the desk as if it were on fire. Her hand shook until the pencil in it broke in two. Felicia crinkled her brow. “I’m sorry, Miss Montgomery. There is no job here for you.” She snapped and stood up rigid then pointed her bony finger toward the door. “Out, please. I can’t have the children in danger.” Startled, Felicia started to back toward the door. “What did I do?” “Oh, child, it isn’t anything you did. I’m so sorry about this, Miss Montgomery, but I cannot employ you and risk…Well, I just cannot employ you.” “But if you would just give me a chance.” “Please.” Mrs. Freely staggered several steps back as if she were addressing that same rabid dog the desk clerk saw not too long ago. “Go now before you bring your curse down on me!” Felicia scurried out the door and across the street before she slowed down. Good Lord, what in the world had this entire town so scared in a name? Defeated, every harsh word spoken to her since her arrival echoed in her mind and undid the last emotional sliver of her pride. She was just sure she could cope with whatever mystery surrounded her father’s death and sent everyone in Port Sherman running in the opposite direction. Still, she refused to release any of the unshed tears that vehemently wanted to break free. Not wanting to look another person in the eye just to be rejected yet again, she kept her head down and hurried back toward the courthouse. No matter how hard she fought them, the burning tears swelled in her eyes. She hurried to the alleyway of a nearby building to allow the tears to fall in private.

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But before the first tear could fall, cruel voices filled the alleyway. “Well, if’n it ain’t the little Montgomery whore coming for a visit.” Felicia’s tears dried in an instant. Three men suddenly appeared between her and the freedom of the street. The tall, skinny one, sandwiched between two shorter, fatter men, scraped his filthy glare across her flesh. She shuddered and swallowed hard. She summoned up a false sense of bravado and met all three pairs of eyes with equal intensity. They had to be nasties and cheats from the tavern. “I’ll thank you to let me pass.” “Is that all you have to say?” The tall one sneered as he took a step toward her. Felicia staggered back in response. Without warning the short, fat one on her right lunged and grabbed Felicia around her waist while the other fat man covered her mouth with his foul hand. She tried to scream out, but the grip on her mouth barely gave her enough air to breathe. Her heart in her throat, her eyes wide and flooding with terrified tears, she whimpered and tried to kick the skinny one approaching her. She missed. “You thinks we should turn her over to the Reeveses?” the skinny man asked. “Ain’t there some sort of reward going on any Montgomery?” The fat man standing to her right reached up and stroked her cheek with his rough knuckles. It was stupid to think she’d get answers if she asked, but if she took advantage of her situation and asked these heathens, she may never find out the truth. They obviously didn’t care if they hurt her feelings and certainly did not fear her based on her name. “Why would there be a reward?” She prayed they didn't hear the quiver in her voice. The skinny man laughed. “You’re pretty, but you ain’t too bright.” “I beg your pardon!” “Let’s have some fun, Luke.” The fat man to her left squeezed her

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so hard she coughed. Of course that could have something to do with the rancid smell of stale tobacco permeating from him. “Just hold on, Butch.” Luke, the tall one, put his hand up. “Miss Montgomery here wants to know why there’s a reward on her head.” Butch growled and bared stained teeth. “We don’t owe her nothing. If them Reeveses want to hang her for something her pa did, that ain’t our business.” Felicia pushed against Butch. “What did my father do?” Luke grinned. “Your daddy is a killer, precious. The Reeves lost their mama thanks to your daddy’s butchering, and they ain’t too happy about it, let me tell you. They are out for blood. Your blood.” “No,” Felicia whispered and struggled against the hold the men had on her. “You’re lying. My father was a doctor, not a killer.” “Says you,” Butch said, his nasty breath hot against her cheek. “Now get ready, you pretty little thing. We is gonna have some fun before we turn you over to the Reeves. They’d just as soon take your purity knowing those two. Then again, they just want to see you hang. I’d rather not waste a good pussy.” Felicia closed her eyes and said a prayer. Just let it be over quickly. Panic set her heart rate into a sprint as Butch threw her on the ground, the weight of his body over hers. It knocked the wind out of her lungs, and she couldn’t even get a squeak out. Fighting for her life and gasping for air, Felicia finally found the strength to scream. Two giants appeared instantly and threw the dirty men off of her. Felicia didn’t wait around to see who had saved her. She jumped to her feet and ran for her life over to the courthouse, colliding with Arthur in the doorway. “Felicia?” His brow snapped into a frown, and he pulled her into his arms. “Please tell me that wasn’t you screaming.” She sobbed against him. “Arthur, there were men. Horrible men. They attacked me.” She broke down, trembling as Arthur brought her back into the sanctuary of the courthouse.

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“Get me the sheriff!” Arthur demanded to the clerk. The clerk stood back and crisply folded his arms as he glared at Felicia. “No.” Arthur looked up to the clerk and frowned. “What?” “I’m not doing anything to help her. You know what will happen to those who stand with her.” “For God’s sake, man,” Arthur roared and charged the clerk. “Look at her! You told me you saw them in here earlier. If they wanted to kill her, either one of them could have easily done so then. They could have easily killed all of us then.” “Kill me?” Felicia interceded. “What do you mean? Who would want to kill me?” Arthur and the desk clerk both glanced at Felicia before returning to their argument. “I value my life more than I value my loyalty to a Montgomery, and it is obvious whose side you’ll be standing by when that side falls. I, however, will not be falling with you.” The clerk slowly removed his vest and visor, set them on the counter, and walked out of the courthouse. Arthur muttered a curse that Felicia wished she had the right to say. He then knelt down in front of Felicia. “Are you hurt?” Felicia shook her head and let out a long, ragged sigh, wanting to collapse against him but unable to. It wasn’t her propriety that stopped her. He wasn’t the one she wanted by her side comforting her, whispering words of strength and compassion. “Arthur, why does this town hate me so much?” His face changed as he quickly stood up and thrust his hands deep in his pockets. He walked away from her a few feet then turned back and met her eyes. “No one told you anything about your father’s actions before he died?” She thought of what those men said. “Did my father have anything to do with the Reeves’ mother’s death?”

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“Felicia, now is not the time.” “No! Now is the perfect time. Please, tell me what happened. Tell me why everyone seems to hate me, even perfect strangers.” Something moved in Arthur’s blue eyes. He took a breath to speak, and Felicia held hers. Just as quick as his eyes agreed to help her, his body refused and he pushed her away. “I’m going to get the sheriff.” “No.” “Felicia,” Arthur started and put his hand on the doorframe without looking back at her. His shoulders rose and fell with his breath. He obviously waged an internal battle. “Wait here. I’ll be back.” Felicia barely had a chance to blink before Carson Reeves appeared by her side. “Are you all right?” She jumped as he spoke. Before she could stop herself, she leaned into him as he pulled her into his arms. Clutching him with a desperate shake in her touch, she sagged against him. And the floodgates opened. “Oh, Carson.” Openly crying, releasing every tear that had built up since she first stepped off the train, she held on to his sleeves, fearing if she let him go, he’d walk out and leave her. And she didn’t want him to leave. She needed him to hold her, just like this, bringing her comfort no one else could. “Felicia.” Craig appeared in the doorway of the courthouse. She blinked through her tears as he chopped up the distance between them. Still afraid to release Carson, she pulled him with her as Craig wrapped her in his arms. “Did you…” Carson murmured. “They’re taken care of,” Craig replied. He stroked Felicia’s hair as he leaned his chin on her head. Carson rested his hands on her shoulders, gently caressing her, tantalizing her senses with his touch. Silence enveloped them, yet it was the sweetest sound to ever fall on Felicia’s ears. The Reeves brothers held her between them, their

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joint scent so utterly masculine and overwhelming, and she’d never felt safer than she did at that moment. Craig stiffened and pulled away, as did Carson. Felicia blinked up, confused and bewildered at not only her reaction from their touch but how much she missed it as soon as she no longer felt it. “Now is not the time,” Craig growled, his turquoise eyes narrowing in on his brother. “Now is the perfect time,” Carson countered, his eyes equally intense. What were they talking about? And how did Craig know his brother wanted to talk about something that he never mentioned? She went to school with twin girls who always seemed to know the other one’s thoughts. Clearly Craig and Carson shared that same twin bond. “Felicia,” Carson started after hesitation, his eyes still on his brother. Craig gave him a slight shake of his head. Carson answered by bringing his gaze to Felicia. “I know you must have heard quite an earful about us by now.” For reasons she couldn’t begin to explain, anger replaced her fear as she abruptly threw her head back and glared at Carson and then Craig. “Because of you, both of you, I’ve lost my friends, been refused employment at the schoolhouse, and…” Her voice broke. When they both reached for her, she straightened her shoulders and gave them each a glare in turn. “Apparently, being a Montgomery has its drawbacks. The only thing I’ve heard is the fact that one or both of you plan to carry out some curse against me for something my father did. Tell me what he did.” “Ah, hell. I’m so sorry.” Craig ran his hands through his hair and stole a glance at Carson. “As am I.” “It doesn’t matter how you feel.” She looked first at Carson, then Craig. “How do you think I feel? I’ve just found out that the two men I can’t stop thinking about are only after me to hurt me."

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Carson’s eyes twinkled as he tilted his head. “You can’t stop thinking about us?” Oh, how could she make such a slip of the tongue? “That is not the point.” “Then what is?” Craig asked. She stomped her foot in frustration. “Tell me what my father did!” Craig lowered his eyes, and his shoulders pulsated with his breaths. Shaking his head, he sighed heavily and stood. “Not here.” “Not now,” Carson added. “Then when?” “The schoolmarm will contact you.” Craig took a step toward the door. “Craig, please." Carson finished for his brother. “Your position there is assured.” “Carson, don’t leave. Please, just tell me.” He held her gaze and took a breath as if to say something else then turned away to join his brother at the doorway. “Carson?” He stopped but didn’t turn. “Why do you hate me so much? What did my father do?” His shoulders visibly fell. He looked up as Craig turned to him. His head still down, he rasped, barely above a whisper, “I don’t hate you.” Carson passed his twin in the doorway and disappeared. Craig stood there watching her, waiting—for what, she didn’t know. “What about you, Craig?” “What about me?” “Do you hate me?” His lips whispered into a grin. “I may have many feelings for you, sunshine, but hate isn’t one of them.” Despite everything that had happened to her since her arrival yesterday, those sweet words from the Reeves brothers did amazing things to lift her mood.

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Chapter 6 “There is no sense in death, daughter. Your mother was sick. That’s all there is to it. She is with God and now it is just you and me.” –Victor Montgomery, holding his daughter’s hand as they stood over the fresh grave of Felicity Montgomery, 1879. Arthur returned moments after Craig and Carson left. “The sheriff wasn’t there.” Figures. Not that it mattered. He probably hated her, too. “Do you still want lunch?” She looked at him. He couldn’t be serious. After what she’d just gone through? She just wanted to go home and sort out why, exactly, she ached to have the Reeves brothers touch her again yet could barely stand to be around the man she was supposed to be with the rest of her life. “I’m not hungry.” “Then we’ll just talk. Wait here.” Felicia didn’t even bother to object. Her head hurt from all of the activities today, and it was only noon. Maybe, just maybe, she’d convince him to tell her what her father did. She couldn’t believe he’d do anything as heinous as murder. Not Victor Montgomery. But he had to have done something, and the thought that her father could have been capable of such an atrocity had her heart palpitating. Would Arthur tell her what her father did? She doubted it. No, the men she really needed to talk to, and wanted to see again, had already left her side. She thought of the words Carson had said. I don’t hate you. It wasn’t the words so much, but rather, the way he’d said them. She

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couldn’t explain it, really, other than to think he’d meant something more than what he said. And then the way Craig smiled at her, those incredibly sensuous eyes holding her prisoner as he called her “sunshine” still had her body humming. Arthur reappeared with a covered buggy. He looked around before leading her out of the courthouse and placing her in the buggy. Jerking the reins, he led them outside of town to his house. Although it was highly improper to be at his house without an escort, she simply didn’t care. She just wanted to get it over with and find a way back to her house. Maybe, just maybe, the Reeves brothers would call on her again. **** “You’ll be all right, then?” Arthur asked for the third time as he brushed the horse’s mane, hating that he didn’t have enough nerve to drag her, kicking and screaming if he had to, out of town before any of the Reeveses could get their vengeful hands on her. Felicia nodded and intertwined the reins in her fingers. She looked down to him and smiled. “I’ve already told you, Arthur. I’ll be fine.” “And you’ll be heading straight home?” “Yes, father.” Her grin widened. He studied the vision sitting in the seat. The way the sun caught her hair gave her a glow that took his breath away. She really didn’t deserve to pay for her father’s mistake. It was a challenge to keep Felicia talking about their future together so to distract her from the curse. She’d asked, over and over, and he almost gave into those enormous hazel eyes. But then he remembered the worst part of the curse—warn the Montgomery and you will fall with him. Sighing, he finally let go of the horse and waved as he watched the buggy pull out of sight, not noticing the man walking up behind him. He turned after she disappeared and collided with the wall of

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Craig Reeves’s chest. Or was it Carson? Arthur let out a nervous laugh although he really wanted to run in the opposite direction. Dear God. Would he be the first to fall? He met the man’s knowing glare, still unsure which twin it was. Not willing to risk upsetting him any more than he already appeared, he kept his greeting safe. “I didn’t see you, Mr. Reeves. What are you doing here?” “Cut the shit, Walton. You know why I’m here.” He swept his gaze off in the direction of the buggy then rested his glare back on Arthur. “I don’t know what pisses me off more, the fact you went against the warnings and sided with a Montgomery or the fact that you are attempting to do it in secret.” Definitely had to be Craig. Carson at least had the decency to watch his language. “Craig, I—” “I’m Carson,” he corrected in a growl. Arthur’s blood cooled. Carson? The nice one? What happened to him? Carson always had a pleasantness about him and kept himself well groomed. This Carson Reeves didn’t have any of those familiarities about him. He had on wrinkled clothes that looked like he’d slept in them, a day’s growth on his face, and grit covering his face. Craig never cared about his appearance. It had to be Craig. Arthur let it go. He had more to worry about than which Reeves had paid him a visit. The fact any Reeves stood on his property questioning his loyalty had the sweat beading up on his brow. “I wasn’t aware you were making house calls now.” “Did you tell her?” “No, of course not.” “Remember what happens to those who stand by a Montgomery.” Arthur started to shake. He cleared his throat to cover it up. “I need to get back to the courthouse.” “Be careful,” Carson warned in a low, menacing voice. Arthur straightened up as he jumped in his own buggy. “Make sure she is worth it.”

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Swallowing, Arthur lowered his gaze to his well-polished shoes. “Worth dying for, you mean?” “You know exactly what I mean.” “Are you really going to go through with this?” Carson arched an ebony brow. “Go through with what?” “Maybe it is you who should be asking if she is worth it.” “Is that a threat?” Arthur shook his head quickly. He was such a coward. “It was just an observation. You are so quick to blame her, you and those brothers of yours. It wasn’t her fault. Don’t you think enough blood has spilled?” “Blood is not what I’m after. I want to even the score. That’s all.” “But she didn’t have anything to do with your mother’s death!” “Then that would be one more innocent life lost, wouldn’t it?” Carson’s words chilled the air between them. “And then it would be done.” Arthur cleared his throat and debated whether to stand up to Carson. He had to, for Felicia, for himself. “I won’t let you, or anyone else, harm her.” “And I suppose you will be the one to stop me?” He chuckled and crossed his arms, widening his stance as if ready to take Arthur, the horse, and the buggy on. “Felicia is mine,” Arthur stated, wondering how long he’d be able to say that. He sensed her hesitation today at lunch. If he didn’t marry her soon, he may just lose her. She acted as if something else had her attention. Something or someone. His gaze drifted back to Carson. The Reeves brothers had a filthy reputation. They not only shared birthdates and looks, they also shared their women. They didn’t even try to deny it. It intrigued the women and pissed off the men. He really hoped Felicia hadn’t fallen under their offensive spell. “Are you sure about that?” Arthur wished he could be. Still, as long as he called her his, he’d

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protect her from the dark devil before him. “If dying to protect her is what I am destined to do, so be it.” “Quite a chivalrous man, aren’t you.” “Why are you doing this, Craig? Don’t you have a heart?” “I’m Carson,” he reminded him. “No, I don’t think you are. Carson is the levelheaded one of you two. He wouldn’t come to my house and threaten me like this.” “Yes, he would.” The other Reeves stepped out from behind the house. Where did he come from? Why hadn’t he seen either one of them arrive? “Goddamn it, Craig,” Carson barked at his brother as the other Reeves walked over and joined them at the buggy. “What the hell are you doing here?” “I couldn’t let you have all the fun.” Craig stopped next to his brother, and together they glared up at Arthur. He couldn’t stand the way they looked at him, the power in their joint presence too much for anyone to go up against. Without a word, Arthur gave in to them with sag of his shoulders. “I knew you’d see things our way.” Craig’s lip twitched. Arthur hated himself for not having the courage to stand up to the Reeves brothers. “Just tell me what it is you want.” “Stay away from Felicia,” Carson barked. Arthur looked at him. “I can’t do that. She’s my fiancée.” Craig took a step toward the buggy. “Does she know all of the women you’ve given that title to, all to get under their skirts?” Arthur’s blood slowed as realization slammed into him. How in the hell did he know that? “It isn’t like that.” Carson reached up and soothed the horse. “Save your breath, Walton. You’re among friends.” Swallowing down the lump he hadn’t even realized had formed, Arthur then jerked on the reins. He had to get away from them and find Felicia. No doubt the Reeves brothers would rush to tell Felicia about Arthur’s lovers in an attempt to try and break her heart.

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Carson held the horse still and nodded at Craig, who reached up and pulled the reins out of Arthur’s hands. Why wouldn’t they let him go? On the verge of breaking down, he yelled, “What do you want? “Revenge,” the brothers stated in unison. “But she didn’t have anything to do with what her father did.” “The sins of the father,” Carson started. “Shall be visited upon the daughter,” Craig finished. **** Lunch didn’t make her want to run away screaming as much as she feared it would. It reminded her why she’d finally agreed to the marriage her father arranged in the first place. An arrangement between the Montgomerys and Waltons would ensure a prosperous future for both families. Today Arthur took the arrangement a step further and promised her an exquisite house with hired help so she didn’t have to lift a finger. He assured her beautiful silk dresses from Paris and as many children as she wanted. She sighed. He was the perfect man to have as a husband, and when she stepped off the train, she couldn’t wait to marry the man who’d written her every week for the four years she was away. But then she met Craig Reeves. And then Carson Reeves. She couldn’t explain why they had the power to sway her want to marry Arthur, the very reason she’d returned to Port Sherman. But they had, and now, she didn’t know what she wanted. Felicia immersed herself in the book she’d pulled down off the shelf. She needed something to occupy her time and mind on something other than the Reeves brothers. The fact that she’d grabbed a story about a man and woman falling in love didn’t help her cause. The hero in the book had just declared his love for the heroine. They embraced and kissed openly, in front of everyone. Felicia’s

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heart fluttered. Would she ever feel that kind of passion? Her mind drifted to Arthur—safe, secure Arthur in his tailored suit and tie, his blue eyes always shining when he looked at her. He’d grown into a very good looking man. They’d have handsome children who would never want for anything. She’d be a fool to reject their arrangement. As a son of one of the wealthiest men in the entire Washington Territory, Arthur Walton had every privilege at his fingertips. Felicia’s father used to brag to her that he had twice the money of Caleb Walton, but would never flaunt it the way the Waltons did. Felicia always wanted to ask him why, then, she was forced to sew her own dresses and from inferior material so thin she’d have to strategically craft an outfit in order to make it decent. But she was a woman, and her father reminded her of that daily. Women didn’t question a man’s word. Women knew their place. When her father told her that he’d negotiated her hand in marriage to Arthur Walton, Felicia couldn’t have been more furious. An arranged marriage? She was only a child when he traded her life away. “You’ll go to school,” Victor Montgomery had told her, “and learn to be a proper woman, the kind a Walton would be proud to call a wife.” Felicia shuddered and wrapped her throw tighter around her. A proper wife? What exactly did that mean? Would she be forced to hold her tongue for the rest of her life? She didn’t want to be married to a man who wouldn’t allow her to be herself. Even as they had lunch and Felicia carefully walked through every step of her schooling to make sure she didn’t embarrass herself, she’d never felt more awkward. She listed lesson after lesson in her mind—only take a bite after the man, only speak to the man if first spoken to, never slurp, only one hand visible above the table. The instructions, or rather restrictions, went on and on. She must have forgotten things, though. The way Arthur watched

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her at times told her as much. She must have spoken out of turn, or slurped at her coffee, or something else to cause him to openly study her as if she’d just come off the boat. Men and women married all the time without a hint of love between them. If she married him, she may eventually grow to love him, and that may be enough. For some people. But not for her. She wanted a love so passionate it physically hurt to be apart, a love that would awaken unknown desires and introduce her body to pleasure that threatened to turn her to ash it would burn so hot. Without permission, her thoughts immediately conjured up the wickedly handsome Reeves brothers. Hunger, stark and vivid, invaded her body, a hunger to have the brothers here sandwiching her, kissing her and touching her body the way lovers would. Would they want her? The way they kissed her last night definitely told her yes, but then the words that fell from their lips told an entirely different story. They were walking, talking contradictions. The heated hunger peppered her skin, tightened her womb, and centered between her legs, dampening her drawers. She’d have to wash them again tonight. Last night, after those men invaded her home, stole her kiss, and walked out without so much as a thank you, the moisture that had collected from the ache between her thighs drenched them and also left her wanting. What in the world had gotten into her? She was fantasizing about not only one man, but two. Twins, no less! She had to do something else to take her mind off the constant throbbing of her arousal, never allowing her to forget the way the Reeves brothers made her feel during their kiss, and after. The night had snuck in and darkness took over. She could take her time lighting a few lanterns, or she could visit her parents. The night seemed warm enough. She glanced out the window and spotted stars up in the sky. Not a single cloud. It would be a beautiful night for a stroll up to the cemetery.

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She closed the door behind her, descended the front porch steps, and turned toward the graveyard. A mile would take her a bit, but it did give her time to reflect on what she knew about this prejudice against her and not on the Reeves brothers, though she had a feeling the topics would end up colliding. From the moment she stepped off the train, the small coastal town seemed distant. She didn’t want to admit it at first—this was her hometown after all—but after today she could no longer deny it. It was as if everyone had some sort of fear at the mere mention of her name. Felicia wanted answers, yet no one could give them to her. Strike that. No one wanted to give them to her. Why did everyone practically sprint in the opposite direction once she told them her name? And why, then, were there men following her around based on that same fact which drove everyone else scurrying for cover? Felicia sighed. There had to be an answer to the mayhem surrounding her. She came from a proud family, a well-to-do family, and she was now well educated. Why would the people of this town be scared of that? Her mind drifted to what those horrid men said to her when they’d had her trapped. Her father had been accused of killing someone? Not just someone, but the mother of the men following her around. That couldn’t be good. What if he really did do what those men had said? What if he really had killed Craig and Carson’s mother? The thought pinched at her chest and ate at her conscience. Regardless of what he’d done, it made no sense for her to pay for his actions. Felicia kicked a rock. It bumped and bounced in all directions just like a frightened animal. She kicked it again, and it shot sideways into the bushes. Even the rocks shunned her and ran into hiding. Felicia allowed her mind to clear for the remainder of her walk. Besides, every thought she seemed to conjure up depressed her even more. Silently, in mind and mouth, she finished her journey and

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paused outside of the dark burial ground. Slowly, she brought her hands up to the cold gate, the feeling of utter solitude being replaced with the fact she was about to visit her mother again. She pushed through the single metal gate, a set of cold chills trailing her spine as the rusty hinges shrieked in protest. Hurriedly, she glided to the far corner and knelt in front of a small marker bearing the name of the woman she’d been named after. Felicity Marie Montgomery May God grant wings to those who serve Him Born February 12, 1823 – Died March 15, 1869. “Hello, mother.” Felicia tried to steady her voice, but simply speaking shattered her control. A sob tore through her and opened up the torrent of tears. The warmth of her mother’s presence surrounded her as if gathering her tormented daughter into her arms. Sitting there at her mother’s grave site, she let the tears flow freely, and every ounce of anguish dissipated with each painful sob. “I don’t know why the people here hate me so much.” Felicia cried on her mother’s grave site, grateful to relieve the pressure building inside her. “I haven’t done anything wrong, yet they treat me as if I had. I’ve come back to marry Arthur Walton, but even he seems distant to me.” She sniffled and allowed the tears to freely flow down her cheeks and onto the ground covering her mother. “I’m starting to think it was a mistake to come back here at all.” Even as she said it, her comment felt off. Wrong. She immediately regretted saying it and sighed as even her own mother seemed to disapprove of her at that moment. The tears swelled to unbelievable portions before trailing down her heated cheeks. “Why did daddy kill himself? Can you tell me that?” Her mother evaded her as Felicia demanded answers. She didn’t

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want to be alone, so she conceded and placed her face in her hands, the sobs coming further and further apart until she had the ability to speak again. “There’s something desperately wrong here. People fear our name. They fear me, though I’ve just returned. Brittany won’t talk to me, but I suppose I should have expected that. She hated me for leaving and blames me still.” She let out a ragged, pained sigh. “I could really use a friend right now, but there isn’t a single one here for me.” **** As Felicia cried her heart out to her mother, she didn’t hear them sneak up behind her. Carson hid behind a large maple tree directly behind her while Craig, being the bolder and more foolish of the two, leaned against the tree in plain sight. Felicia dropped her head in her hands again and continued to weep, pulling at Carson’s heart with every painful sob. This was their fault. This woman, this innocent, beautiful creature, had been shunned by the entire town, all because of the Reeves brothers. Carson glanced over at Craig, scowling at him for not giving her the privacy she deserved. Craig glared back in challenge. Neither one of them were giving her any privacy, not standing where they could hear her talk to a tombstone. They’d been wrong blaming her for what her father did. After all, she didn’t cause Maggie Reeves’s death. But since Victor Montgomery was in the ground, someone had to pay for their mother’s untimely, unfair passing. An eye for an eye, or so the bible said. But seeing Felicia Montgomery full of anguish and knelt down in front of her mother’s grave ate at Carson’s midsection. What if they fell desperately in love with Felicia? Would he or Craig still have the heart to seek out their revenge?

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Ever since that kiss, his dreams were plagued with the little nymph. His mind would conjure up her portrait at the most inopportune times, stiffening his cock and rendering him helpless. And now his heart warmed just at the mere thought of her name, which scared the hell out of him. For two years he had built up this frightening hatred for the Montgomery family name. He and Craig both. But now, after only spending a handful of minutes with Felicia, he knew Craig’s want for revenge faltered as miserably as Carson’s. Could they be softening to this woman? Could Felicia Montgomery be the one person with the power to erase the hate consuming his heart as well as Craig’s and replace it with love? “Would you stop that?” Craig growled under his breath. Carson quickly cleared his thoughts. “What?” “Don’t lie to me. That fucking twin bond thing really irritates me at times.” Carson simply grinned. “Having a tough time with my thoughts?” “When they’re about falling in love, I do.” Uncanny. Carson couldn’t read Craig’s mind nearly as well. He lost his smile. “Let’s just get this over with.” “I agree.” Craig pushed off from the tree and took a step toward Felicia. “Mother, there are men here,” Felicia spoke up, and the twins exchanged glances. In an instant, Craig jumped behind the tree, shoving Carson out into the open. To his chagrin, she stood with her tiny arms crisply folded, glaring right at him. “We’ve been discovered,” Carson said and stepped back to make sure Felicia saw him turn to rest his glare on his brother. Craig conceded and came out from behind the tree, but not before he threw one of his favorite curses at Carson. “Sneaking up on me now?” Felicia took the few steps needed to be face to face with them both.

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“That’s not true.” Craig put his hands up in defense. She thrust out her chin and waited for the truth. When he didn’t give it to her, she turned that cute little stern look on Carson. “Not entirely,” Carson added. “But we were spying on you.” “Why?” He mocked her by laughing right in her face. “You’re a Montgomery, that’s why.” Felicia reached up and promptly slapped him across the face then gasped when she apparently realized what she’d done. She retreated back a step, but Craig jumped behind her and held her in place. The blow stung Carson’s cheek and knocked away any memory of remorse, replacing it with the reminder that she was, indeed, a Montgomery. Craig easily grabbed both her tiny wrists and held them tight with a single hand. Carson took a step toward her, glaring down at her terror-stricken, yet proud, face. “You nasty little wretch!” Carson hissed, the murderous look in his eyes producing a sense of fright in Felicia’s. She struggled to break free, but it only made Craig hold her with more determination. “Let go of me!” Felicia screamed and continued to struggle as the panic of the grave situation must have set in. She was alone, in a cemetery, with two men who’d sworn to carry out the curse against the Montgomerys. “No.” Craig held her, his jaw clenched so tight it turned white. Felicia frantically stomped down on his boot, sending a round of curses out of his mouth. She blushed beautifully at his loose tongue then jumped forward when Craig finally released her. Right into Carson’s arms. When she turned out of his hold and ran, he easily caught up to her right outside the rusty gate and stopped her flat by roughly grabbing her around the waist. Felicia shrieked with such heartfelt fear, such emotion, the blood in Carson’s veins stopped to take notice. He removed his grip from her waist and brought both hands up in surrender as she turned to face him, her small frame trembling like a feather in the wind. The look in

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her eye was nothing short of sheer terror, yet she had the strength to meet his eyes. Her eyes were wider than half dollars, and all of the color had drained from her lovely face. Her lower lip quivered as she bravely met her assailant’s eyes, ready to meet her fate. Too stricken to speak, Felicia stood and waited. “I’m sorry,” Carson said with painfully raw emotion. “I didn’t mean to scare you like that.” His voice broke her out of her vocal paralysis. “Is this how you plan to carry out this curse against me? Attacking me in a cemetery?” Craig joined Carson. “God, no.” “Am I to pay for what my father did? What have I done to warrant this?” As she spoke, her voice shook. Fresh tears swelled in her pretty eyes, and it tore at his heart. “Nothing,” he admitted, feeling like the monster he so proudly made of himself. He ran his hand through his hair and muttered his brother’s favorite curse. “I’m sorry, Felicia. I’m so sorry for scaring you. Sorry for the way I’ve been treating you. Sorry for…everything.” Felicia broke down, her sobs coming in large, painful gasps. Without a second thought, Carson pulled her into his arms, surprised at how easily she melted into him after he nearly frightened the life out of her. He comforted her by softly stroking her hair and holding her so tight he was sure she couldn’t breathe. “I didn’t realize how frightened you were. God, what the hell is the matter with me?” “With the both of us,” Craig added and stood behind her to comfort her. She turned and sagged against him, her head leaning on his chest. The Reeves brothers held Felicia Montgomery until she stood on her own again. Not able to explain the higher forces at hand, Carson fought every urge to kiss Felicia right there and then. No doubt Craig would want a taste as well. Carson fought the want to caress her tantalizing neck with his lips until she moaned with pleasure, to lay her down and introduce her to

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the powers of the flesh. He’d start with relieving her of her outer dress and petticoats. Craig would remove her corset and drawers. They’d each take a stocking and slowly roll it down her silky thigh, over her knee, and finally pull it off. Carson loved to lick and tease the inner thighs, while Craig enjoyed the hell out of the breasts. While Carson would part the tight curls protecting the glistening flesh of her pussy, Craig would capture her mouth and swallow her moans. His cock jumped in excitement as his mouth watered. Just one taste. He’d die without one taste of her sweet nectar. Inhaling deeply, he smelled her arousal. So musky, so feminine. Carson swallowed tightly as his cock grew and pressed up against her. He froze when Felicia pulled away and met his eyes. Oh, shit. No way could she not feel his want for her. When Craig groaned behind her, no doubt the twin bond had kicked in yet again. Carson’s cock ached from how engorged it had become, all from nothing more than the way she looked up at him with those lovely hazel eyes. Carson watched as his brother’s touch changed from captive to sensual. He gently caressed her shoulders, rubbing his thumbs up and down the exposed flesh of her neck. She visibly shuddered and closed her eyes as her mouth fell open. Slowly, Carson lowered his lips down until they gently brushed across Felicia’s. He had every intention of breaking their kiss as soon as they touched, but Felicia eagerly accepted his kiss and gathered his collar in her tiny fists, pulling him into her. She then surprised him further by opening her mouth and moaning into his. It really shocked the shit out of him when she stabbed her tongue into his mouth, searching for his. Where in the hell did she learn to kiss like that? Carson tasted her, exploring her mouth and taking his time. When she moaned again, Craig moaned behind her. “My turn,” Craig demanded and swung Felicia around, cupping her face in his hands and capturing her mouth with his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed Craig with the same fervor she

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did Carson. They shouldn’t be doing this, not out in the open and certainly not in a cemetery. “It’s late.” Carson stated the obvious, anything to break them from the erotic spell taking over. “Allow us to escort you home.” Felicia narrowed her pretty eyes at him, obviously not believing the fact he wanted to escort her safely home when only seconds ago he had his tongue in her mouth. “Will you promise to be a perfect gentleman?” “Absolutely.” He even covered his hand over his heart. “I won’t.” Craig lifted the hair from her neck and trailed kisses along her skin. He then ran his nose along her skin. Carson groaned when she closed her eyes and moaned softly. “On second thought,” she said breathlessly, “I’d rather you weren’t.” Carson damn near swallowed his tongue.

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Chapter 7 “Promise me something, my sons. When forced to make a choice between love and blood, make the right choice. Love will come and love will go. Family is forever.” –Margaret Reeves, addressing her sons after their father leaves her for a younger woman, 1880. Craig gritted his teeth and forced back every instinct he had to not beat the living shit out of his brother. His possessive nature was out of control. He knew better than to speak. Hell, no. If he did, who knew the nonsense that would fall from his lips. And watching his charismatic brother with Felicia only irritated him further. How in the hell could he make sense of the tightness in his chest when his only thought was on pulling Felicia’s attention from Carson? Felicia kept stealing glances at Carson as he fed her ridiculous stories about the different constellations. She giggled at all the right moments, and the sound sank into Craig’s heart, cracking the blackness he’d worked so hard at building. Goddamn it. “And you see that one there? That’s Ursa Major. The Big Dipper.” Felicia searched the sky. “I don’t see it.” “See those four stars in the shape of a bucket?” “No.” Carson stopped and leaned into Felicia, and Craig audibly growled. Just how did he get the short end of the stick and end up leading the horses instead of walking with Felicia? Ace and Deuce clopped behind him, the twin horses not even snorting a single protest

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for being out so late. Carson placed his cheek next to Felicia’s and pointed toward the heavens. She didn’t seem to notice the change in Carson’s stance, how he kept his groin a safe distance from her. Craig adjusted his rock-hard cock, rubbing the heel of his hand down the shaft in an attempt to relieve some of the ache bubbling up from his balls. He definitely shared his brother’s inconvenient and obvious hard-on. “I see it!” Felicia proclaimed, an undeniable shine in her eyes when she turned back to Carson. When he leaned toward her, his gaze focused on her lips, she lost her smile and started to lean toward him. “We should keep moving,” Craig interrupted and gave his brother a firm push. Felicia let out a petulant huff and hurried along after him. Carson threw Craig a vicious look. Craig didn’t have to tell him why he broke them up before they had a chance. Carson should know better. Hell, he was the more proper of the twins, the one concerned about appearances. That didn’t stop him from almost ramming his tongue down Felicia’s throat right here in front of God and who knew who else. Craig didn’t give a second thought about his reputation, but if anyone saw them with Felicia, her reputation would be ruined. She had enough to deal with and didn’t need to add something else courtesy of the Reeves brothers. “Although there are a million reasons why a betrothed woman shouldn’t be seen out with the likes of you two, I can’t seem to think of a single one.” Felicia’s cute little mouth curled into a delicious grin. “That does bring up something I’ve been meaning to ask you.” Craig moved up next to her, keeping time with her steps. The horses stayed up with him. “How is it a woman betrothed, such as yourself, is out by herself late at night? Where is your husband-to-be?” Carson cleared his throat to catch Craig’s attention. With a quick glance, Carson told Craig the topic was off limits, considering what could potentially happen when they arrived at Felicia’s house.

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That wasn’t good enough for Craig. He wanted to know why someone promised to another had no problem eagerly kissing them. He wanted answers, and before he shared another kiss or even another thought about her, he wanted to be certain he wasn’t advancing on a soon-to-be married woman. “Well?” Carson joined in, apparently finally on board with Craig’s thoughts. About damn time. Felicia let out a long, thoughtful breath. “You mean Arthur?” Craig frowned and stole a sideways glance at her. “Is there another?“ When she giggled, Craig had to close his eyes to stop from reacting to the sound. He really loved the way she laughed. Jesus and Christ, did he love it. Glancing over at his brother, he noticed the effects on him, too. “No, thank heavens.” “I take it you aren’t exactly thrilled about your marriage?” Another long sigh. “At first I was. What woman wouldn’t want to marry him?” “You,” Craig answered matter-of-factly. Felicia looked at him. “Exactly.” Did this woman ever hear of lying for propriety’s sake? She was like a breath of fresh air. Women lied all the time, all to keep their reputation intact, or to save someone’s feelings. But not Felicia. “So why marry him if you don’t want to be with him?” Carson asked. “I never said I didn’t want to be with him.” Craig picked up a stick off the road and started to pick at the little twigs poking out of it. “But you don’t love him.” Lowering her eyes, she answered, “No, I don’t.” Carson slipped his arm around her and pulled her close to him. “Felicia, why spend your days with a man you don’t love? That’s absurd.” “What choice do I have?” she mumbled but quickly stiffened and

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moved away from Carson’s embrace. “I mean, it isn’t up to me.” “Of course it’s up to you.” Carson snapped his brow into a frown. “You make your own choices.” “Can we talk about something else?” “Do you want to learn more about the stars?” Felicia smiled coyly. Craig wasn’t nearly satisfied with her evasive answers. “Tell me about the first time you kissed Arthur.” Gasping, Felicia whipped around to face him. “I most certainly will not!” “Because you won’t? Or you can’t?” She open and closed her mouth over and over. Finally, she huffed and turned around, hurrying her steps as they drew closer to her house. Luckily she lived at the end of a long, dark road. That way no one would see the Reeves brothers walking so scandalously close to the female Montgomery after dark. He found his gaze drifting over to her creamy skin on the round of her neck, his mouth watering with the need to kiss her sweet flesh again. Her breasts, so perfect in their size and position as they sat high on her chest, called to him. He shook his head and drifted his eyes to the ground as he kicked a rock. Anything to clear his mind of the thoughts that caused his cock to bulge even tighter inside his trousers. “It’s none of your business.” “Just answer the question,” he rasped. “Fine. Arthur and I have never, well, we’ve never actually, um…” “He’s never probed your mouth with his tongue, searching for yours? He’s never pulled a moan from you?” “That’s enough, Craig. If that’s the way you wish to talk to me, then hold your tongue.” He spun her around and slammed her body up against his, staring down into her heavily lidded eyes. “I’d rather you hold it.” Covering her mouth with his, he stabbed his tongue between her

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lips and fully expected her to slap him because of it. Instead, she whimpered and dissolved against him, accepting his kiss and matching its intensity. When she moaned softly, the sound gripping his balls and coiling around his dick, he finally broke the kiss. It would be his salvation as well as hers. The three of them were alone, in the shadows of the darkness, with nothing to stop them but the night. God only knew how far it would go. Felicia smiled again, this time with a slight giggle that brought a smile to Craig’s face. After she giggled again, he asked, “What’s so funny?” “If Arthur knew I was out here with either one of you, let alone the both of you, he would surely shoot you where you stand and probably refuse to marry me.” Craig laughed as well, but for an entirely different reason. Arthur Walton wouldn’t even know which end to hold. “Why would he refuse to marry you?” “He would think it highly improper. Arthur is a very proper man.” Craig held his amusement. The man was a weasel. Arthur Walton kept it no secret in his indiscretions with his relations. It shocked him that Felicia hadn’t heard about it yet. Port Sherman wasn’t that big of a town, and Arthur Walton didn’t spend too many nights alone. “He feels it isn’t proper for a man to be escorting a woman home after dark before they are married.” She swept her eyes up to a tree as it danced slightly with the wind. “He’s worried about the gossips, I suppose.” “So what would your betrothed say to having two men escort you home?” Carson asked. “As I said, he’d probably shoot you both.” “He could try. The threat of Arthur Walton coming after me doesn’t scare me.” Craig heard a noise and stiffened. A cat ran off into the night, and he settled back down. Carson gave his brother a sideways glance. “I’ll take my chances.”

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“Good. I was afraid you’d both turn tail and run.” “Should we?” Craig looked at her. “I’d rather you didn’t.” That brought a warmth to his heart and a surge to his groin. This woman had him second-guessing everything he’d ever thought he knew about the opposite sex. They were supposed to be timid, shy, seen but not heard. Felicia wasn’t any of those things, and thank God for that. A cool summer breeze lifted a loose tress of her golden-fired curls. As Felicia reached her hand up to brush it off her face, Craig’s hand beat her to it. Slowly he brushed it off her face, allowing the silky strand to curl around his finger. He studied the lock wrapped around his finger before bringing his eyes back to hers. “You’re surely going to be shot on sight.” Felicia broke their trance as she spoke. “I suppose my life is in your beautiful hands,” Craig breathed, losing himself in her eyes. They started to walk again. Craig spotted Felicia’s house off in the distance and let out a sigh in relief. The torture was almost over. The men would drop her off and say good night. He couldn’t take much more of this. She turned to face the men as they reached her front porch. “Thank you, gentlemen. I sincerely appreciate the escort.” Carson spoke up first. “You are most welcome.” “Have a good night, Felicia.” He decided then and there. He wouldn’t touch her again until he knew she wouldn’t be marrying Arthur Walton. It wasn’t right for him or Carson to pursue her if she still planned to marry him. As Felicia turned to go into her house, she stopped and turned back around. “I have stale tea.” Craig smiled at her as she met his eyes. She was simply stunning as the starlight danced across her skin, and he spotted hazel mischief dancing in those eyes. The woman would be the death of him. “No whiskey?”

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She shrugged and offered him a sensuous grin, a beautiful glow growing in her cheeks. “No whiskey.” “Do you have anything else to drink?” Carson licked his lips and took a step toward the house. Although she colored brightly, it didn’t slow her down. They’d never had a woman so brazenly tell them what she wanted. “That depends.” “On?” Carson and Craig asked in unison. “On what we can find. There may be something hidden that we haven’t explored.” Holy shit. Did she just say that? “Felicia,” Craig groaned. She hid her eyes. “I’m not asking for anything from either one of you, I promise. It’s just, if I don’t experience this, right now, with you both, I may never get the chance again.” Carson took another step. “What are you saying?” Boldly, she met his eyes. “I’m not sure, really. Come inside, Carson. You, too, Craig. Stay with me, just for a while. We can talk, or…” Craig hesitated. Women didn’t invite men into their homes after dark. Period and the end. A woman who practically threw him out of her house for asking if she had any whiskey last night certainly wouldn’t invite him in the next. One of the horses pushed at his back and shoved him forward. He turned back around and glared at them both. They simply glared back at him in return. “Tie off the horses, Craig.” Carson disappeared into the house right behind Felicia. Oh, hell no. Craig tied the horses off and took the steps two at a time to make it inside the house before Carson started without him. ****

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Felicia ran into the kitchen and slammed the door behind her, breathing so hard it made the room spin. What in the world was she doing? She couldn’t have men inside her house after dark. It didn’t stop them last night, but she didn’t invite them in last night. Tonight, she did. What did that mean? She wasn’t ready to tell them good-bye, not yet. Tomorrow she’d go to Arthur Walton and accept his offer to marry him and move away from Port Sherman. She’d made up her mind as she wept at her mother’s grave site. What did she have left here? Both parents were gone, her former best friend still wouldn’t speak to her, and she lusted after twin, delicious males. “Felicia?” Carson tried to push the kitchen door open, but with Felicia leaning her weight against it, it moved only a few inches before she forced it closed. “Are you all right?” No, she wasn’t all right. She was mad. Absolutely and utterly out of her mind. She couldn’t have two unwed men inside her house after dark. What would the gossips have to say about this? Would she be able to get to Arthur before the rumors? Did she even care to put that much effort into it? “I’ll be out in a moment.” Closing her eyes, she let out a shaky breath as she imagined Craig’s hands cupping her cheeks, his nose tracing her jaw, his lips a mere breath away from hers. The heated warmth from his skin touched hers, and she let out a shudder. Blinking her eyes back open, she let out a gasp when she spotted Craig standing there, his mouth inches from hers. When he looked into her eyes with those turquoise orbs twinkling like the sun in the summer sky, a gush of liquid raced out from between her legs and soiled her drawers. He licked his lips and lowered his gaze to focus on her mouth. She licked her lips in return. When he smiled, it lit up his eyes with fervent hunger.

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Quivering with anticipation and fear of this heated pulse beating through her body and throbbing with an ache centering deep inside her vagina, Felicia lifted her hand and touched his face. Her pulse raced when he weaved his fingers into her hair, found the pins binding it, and pulled them out. Long curls cascaded down her back and swallowed his hands. “I’ve wanted to let your hair down from the minute I first met you back at the cafe. It’s just as I imagined it would be. Pure silk.” Craig fingered her scalp, sending deliciously wicked chills down her spine. “Must I wait for an invitation?” Carson pouted from the other side of the kitchen door. Felicia stepped aside as Craig opened the door, his gaze landing on his brother. They held each other’s attention for an eternity before giving each other a single nod. She hated it when they did that. “What?” she demanded, bunching her hands onto her hips and tilting her head to the side. Her hair fell down over her shoulder, and both men watched the movement with keen interest. “I’ll get the fire nice and hot,” Craig stated. He stole a glance at her, and the way he devoured her with his eyes hardened her nipples until they hurt as they pushed against the fabric of her camisole. The aching in her pussy had her clenching her legs together to try and ease it. She didn’t understand the feeling but had to fight the urge to touch herself, to rub her mound until the ache exploded. She walked in on some of the girls back at school as they touched each other, exploring the lips beneath the curly patch of hair between their thighs. Hiding behind a large bookcase, she’d watched as one girl rubbed the other, over and over in tight little circles, until the one being touched arched her back and cried out. She wanted—no, she needed—that now. The throbbing inside her slippery lips confused her and made her long for something she didn’t even know. Clenching her thighs again, it only increased the twinge swirling inside her and liquefying her need. “I’ll find us something to eat.” Carson walked into the kitchen and

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started searching the bare cupboards. Too embarrassed to admit to her lack of food, as well as her reaction to the nearness of them, Felicia quickly walked out of the kitchen and sat down on her couch to watch Craig stoke the fire. Carson poked his head back out. “It seems we may need to improvise on finding anything to eat.” The way his hungry gaze raked over her made it hard to breathe. Why did he look at her like she was the one on the menu? Craig did an amazing job with the fire. It had to be over a hundred degrees in the room. Craig stood back from the fire, nodded at his work, and then turned and sat down next to Felicia. Carson, taking the lead from his brother, walked over and sat down on her other side. She trembled and closed her eyes to summon up the nerve for what she wanted to say. If she was to have men scandalously close to her, alone inside her house and after dark, the gossips would have her reputation ruined by morning. She might as well make it worthwhile. Brazenly, she moved her thigh and rested it against Craig’s. He looked at her, and she at him. She somehow knew, even with the way Carson verbally made his advances known, that she’d have an easier time winning Craig over. Although Carson seemed overly eager to accept her advances, in the end she knew he’d let his propriety overtake his want. Craig, on the other hand, didn’t seem to give a second thought about propriety. It was another thing she found demandingly attractive about him. He reached over and rested his hand on her knee. She opened her legs further until her other thigh touched Carson. “I’ve never been with a man before,” she boldly admitted. “Why tell us?” Craig’s fingers ever so slightly started to gather her skirts up. Carson matched his pace and lifted her skirts on his side. Felicia knew she should protest, at least make some sort of effort, but

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this was exactly what she wanted. “Because I want my first time to be,” she swallowed and gave them each a knowing glance, “with you. The both of you.” Carson was the first to speak. “But aren’t you to be married to Arthur?” “You should be untainted when you marry, Felicia. It’s only right.” Even as he protested, Craig lifted her skirts higher and higher until the hems rested on her knee. His hand hovered over her thigh. “That is unless you don’t want to marry him.” “I don’t know what I want.” She couldn’t hide the disappointment in her tone. They may have her skirts up, but it sounded like they wouldn’t take it any further than that. The dull ache between her legs roared to life in protest. “Why do you want us?” Carson asked, his hand gently caressing her knee. Because she’d be with someone like Arthur Walton for the rest of her days. He didn’t draw the reactions from her body the way the Reeves brothers did. She couldn’t tell them that. Even being brazen had its limits. “If you don’t want me,” she muttered in a choked up voice, “then just tell me.” Craig’s hand came up and moved the curls off her face. He then ran the back of his knuckles down her cheek and along her jawline. “It isn’t that, sunshine. Not at all.” She blinked at him. “Then what is it?” He opened his mouth to speak but snapped it closed again as a scowl grew on his face. “You are promised to another.” “But I don’t want another!” “Then don’t marry Walton,” he told her, as if it was simply that easy. “I have an idea.” Carson reached under her skirts and gave her drawers a firm tug. She gasped and whipped around to him. The carnal grin he gave her robbed her of breath. “What if we introduced

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you to certain acts, specific at heightening pleasure?” Felicia frowned. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.” “That makes two of us. Carson, what the hell are you yammering about?” Carson looked at Craig. “Think about it. Felicia has never been with a man. She is going to be married someday, whether it be to Arthur Walton or someone else. What a bride she’d be if she could please her husband in ways usually reserved for a place like Sugar’s.” A gasp snuck up on her. Sugar's? Only harlots and whores worked there, and only the nasties and cheats patronized a shady establishment like that. “You want me to be a wh–wh–” “Whore?” Carson finished for her. She nodded as the heat slapped her cheeks. “No. There’s a reason why the men go there. The women have, shall we say, certain skills. Every woman has the talent, you see, but only a few actually perfect their techniques. If you were taught how to use those skills to your advantage, then your future husband will never need to seek comfort elsewhere.” She studied him, searching for the downside. After having gone to finishing school to learn to be a proper lady, she thought she was ready. Not one class taught her anything about how to please a man. As a wife, it would be her duty to please him. “But, in order to be properly schooled, won’t you have to, you know…” She couldn’t say it aloud. “Felicia,” Craig jumped in, apparently now on Carson’s side. “We’ll teach you things to do to your husband that will surely please him. You will make a fine wife, but you must first learn what pleases a man.” “Exactly.” Carson nodded. “Consider it our quest to train you on how to be a proper wife.” Felicia giggled and shook her head. “Now that is something they never did teach me in finishing school. I’m sure if that class were on the curriculum, more girls would have applied to the school.” Craig and Carson exchanged smiles.

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“I’m sure I’m going mad, but it sounds like a brilliantly perfect plan.” She sat up straight and clapped her hands together. “When do our lessons start?”

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Chapter 8 “But Father, I should have a choice in my destiny. You are forcing me to marry a man I barely know. Sending me away won’t fix what isn’t broken. Please, let me live my own life.” –Felicia Montgomery, when her father tells her that he's arranged for her to be married and is sending her to a finishing school in Boston to be properly trained, 1882. Felicia kept drawing deep breaths, in and out, in and out, as she stood at the entrance to her bedroom and watched Craig and Carson set things up for her first lesson. They had candles, a wash basin with warm water and rags, and several pillows gathered from the other rooms in the house. “What are those for?” She motioned toward the pillows. “Later,” Carson answered and went back to the task of readying the room for her. Craig stood and admired the bed, now completely free of covers, with pillows lining the head and feet. “Douse the lantern and come here.” The sexy tone of his voice sent shivers through her. Felicia did as asked and approached him. The flicker of the candles danced on the walls. Looking down at her, he reached over and cupped her face with his hand. “Felicia, what happens here is between us and only us. We will never tell another, and we ask the same from you. What happens in this room is for all of our benefit. We’ll teach you how to please a man. In turn, you will please us. Is that understood?”

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She nodded quickly, eagerly. “Just tell me what to do.” Craig and Carson exchanged glances. Carson took over on the instructions after shutting the door and locking it. “We will never hurt you, but you must understand there will be some things that may scare you. It may hurt you at first, but then it will bring you pleasure beyond anything you’ve ever known.” That sounded perfect. The titillation from their words already had her skin humming. “I’m ready.” “For your lessons,” Craig stated in a silky voice, “you will come to this bedroom with nothing on from the waist down.” Felicia gasped. “No drawers?” He looked at her. “And no stockings.” How deliciously immoral and erotic. Felicia nodded in agreement. She then frowned as she thought about her current apparel. “I have them on now.” Carson’s luscious lips kicked up into a grin. “We’ll take care of that this time.” Craig added his next titillating tidbit. “However, if you come into this room again with any of those things on, you will be punished.” Felicia parted her lips as her vagina clenched in reaction to his words. “Punished?” “Craig has very strict rules. If they aren’t followed…” She turned to Carson, her chest heaving at the thought of where that statement could lead. “Then what?” “Wear your stockings next lesson and find out,” Craig replied in a husky rasp. The hunger clouding his eyes darkened them, widening the irises. “Remove your clothes.” Carson reached up and unbuttoned his shirt. “M–My clothes?” Felicia took an involuntary step back. This was real. They were really going to disrobe in front of each other. She’d be naked in front of a man for the first time since she came out of the womb.

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Carson stopped moving and shifted his gaze over to his brother. Craig looked to Felicia. “Second thoughts?” Quickly, she shook her head. “No, I need this.” More than I care to admit. “Then remove your clothes,” he ordered in a harsh voice that should have irritated and offended her. Instead, he slithered under her skin and licked at her senses, leaving her breathless and eager to carry out his instruction. Felicia’s hand trembled as she reached up and started to undo the buttons of her top, starting with the neck. She gulped when the cool night air bit at her flesh as she exposed it. “Is this the way I should act when I’m with my husband? Undress for him?” “Stop.” Craig brought his hand up and approached. Positive she’d done something wrong, she hung her head in shame. She couldn’t even undress correctly. When he cupped her neck and caressed her skin gently, she stole a glance up at him. The way his eyes caught the candlelight, causing them to dance mirthfully, held her attention. “What did I do wrong?” “It’s not what you’re doing,” he told her. “It’s what we’re not doing,” Carson added. She swept her gaze over to him as he joined them, his beautiful eyes dancing in the flickering light. “Lay down on the bed, Felicia.” “But what about me undressing?” “Let us do that,” Craig stated in a deep-heated, hungry voice. “You?” Carson explained. “Your husband will expect you to be fully clothed as you lay on your bridal bed. We will undress you.” She bounced her gaze back and forth between the men, unsure whether to go to the bed or continue undressing. Craig grabbed her hands and, walking backward, led her over to the bed. He then slowly turned and sat her down. “Lay down on your back.” As Carson gave out the orders, Craig

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followed through with them. He pushed her back and moved her hair aside as she flattened out on the bed. Her body trembled with anticipation. Just what would they ask of her? What would they do first? Which one would touch her before the other? Craig moved toward her, and she lay perfectly still, eager and wet with expectancy. That turquoise gaze hit her hard, taking her in, flooding her with hunger and need. He slowly undid the buttons holding her top on. When he leaned forward and slid the blouse from her shoulders, she released a shudder. This was really happening. She inhaled sharply when he moved forward and ran his tongue along her ear. The hot moisture from his breath sent a shock of goose bumps pebbling her skin. He moved down to the curve of her throat, and she closed her eyes, giving in to the foreign feelings racing through her. She couldn’t make sense of them, so she didn’t even try. In only her camisole on top, the nip in the air brushed across her chest and puckered her nipples. They peaked beneath the silky fabric, and she’d never felt more wanton. The hard little peaks tented the material. Felicia glanced down at her body’s reaction. She should be embarrassed but she wasn’t. Instead she felt free. Her body responded the way a body should, and she found it oddly arousing to watch. Craig then pulled her skirts down and tossed them aside into a pile of calico fabric. She lay there in her camisole and drawers, moisture pooling between her legs as she liquefied from the inside out. She fought to catch her breath. Her chest rose as the air sawed in and out of her lungs. Carson appeared next to Craig, his eyes darker than she’d ever seen them. He studied her hungrily and licked his lips. “Top or bottom?” Craig looked at his brother and answered his question with a grin. They took their positions, Craig moving up toward her face and Carson disappearing below her hips. Watching her with those captivating eyes, Craig took his hand and

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slowly ran his finger up and down the cleft between her breasts. Felicia shuddered and released a shaky breath. With deliberate ease, he slowly traced the curve of her breasts through the fabric, his gaze never leaving hers. She couldn’t close her eyes. He held her prisoner in those deep pools of blue-green crystal. This man, this gorgeous, frightening man, touched her breast and had her panting. He scraped his thumb over a hard peak and pulled a soft whimper from her. When he cupped her entire breast and kneaded it with talented fingers, she cried out, surprised at the pleasure that shot through her. Craig then leaned forward and covered her breast with his mouth, the barrier of the camisole still separating them. The blistering heat from his touch sent jolts of pulsating throbs from her breasts straight to her drenched pussy. She wanted him to touch her without anything between them. “Shouldn’t you remove my camisole?” Craig chuckled, low and hungry. “In good time. For now, just lay back and enjoy.” Oh, she definitely had that covered. He caressed her breast as he devoured the other. She weaved her fingers into his hair and pulled him closer to her, desperate for more contact. When he pulled back, she frowned as the void literally caused her pain. Ever so slowly, Craig lowered his lips down and captured hers. His kiss drove her insane with ardent need. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him as she lifted her head off the pillow to kiss him deeper. Craig laced his fingers in her hair and licked her lips open. He tasted her, exploring the recesses of her mouth with his tongue and swallowing her moan. Craig’s wicked kiss kept her occupied as Carson tucked his fingers inside the waistband of her drawers. With a less than gentle tug, he pulled them down to her hips. In time with Carson removing her drawers, Craig reached down and pulled her camisole up over her

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breasts. As the chill of the air hit her naked flesh, she let out a shaky whimper. He broke their kiss to pull the camisole up over her head while at the same time Carson pulled her drawers completely off her body. The undergarments joined the rest of her clothing in a pile on the floor. Oh, dear God. Aside from her stockings, she was completely naked, and in front of not only one but two incredible men. A proper woman would insist they cover her or at least put out the candles. But then she’d never be able to see their reaction, and what she saw sent another rush of liquid coating the lips of her pussy. The raw arousal in Carson’s eyes had her body tense and responding with visceral need. Blood pounded through her veins. She couldn’t wait to see what he did next. When both men stopped and stood up off the bed, she protested in a weak whisper. “What’s wrong?” “Damn, Felicia.” He slowly ran the pad of his thumb across the flesh covering her hip bone. It sent vicious chills racing across her skin. She arched her hips instinctively. “You’re too skinny,” Craig pointed out and sat down on the bed. It went down as he sat on the side opposite his brother. Carson then sat down on the other side so that she now had a Reeves brother on either side of her. Heat smacked her cheeks. She was afraid of this. She’d barely eaten since she returned home. Lunch at Arthur’s today was the first real meal she’d had since she left Boston. Her bones had started to show. She thought if she remained still that they wouldn’t notice. Obviously not. “When was the last time you ate?” Craig slowly traced her hip bones with his fingers. It distracted her, and she had to really concentrate to form words. “Today at lunch.” “At Walton’s house.” Carson reached over and squeezed her hips and then frowned.

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Did he disapprove of her that much? “Am I really that hideous?” “You are barely skin and bones.” She reached down and tried to cover herself back up, her mood quickly turning from desire to irritation. “I’ll thank you to not judge me.” Craig gently grabbed her wrists and pulled her arms up over her head. He then kissed her with such passion her mood shifted right back into fervent need. He traced her jaw with his lips and tongue, sending shudders ripping through her. “Tonight, we feast.” Craig nibbled on her earlobe. The heat from his breath tickled in her ears. “Tomorrow, we fill your empty cupboards with food.” Carson ran his fingers up and down her thigh, slowly making his way toward the center. She couldn’t bear to admit to them that she didn’t have any money to buy food. “Okay. No more comments on your disapproval of my appearance.” Craig and Carson exchanged looks and both nodded once. “Fine. What should I be doing right now?” “Relaxing,” Carson answered in a thick growl. She let out a giggle when Craig dove down and tickled her throat with flicks from his tongue. “How can I relax when Craig keeps nipping at my neck?” “Do you want me to stop?” He pulled back and looked down at her, his eyes shining playfully. She shook her head quickly. Hips sensual, lips pulled up into a grin, and he dived back down, licking and teasing the flesh of her shoulder. Carson moved his hand up and up until his fingers brushed against the curls protecting her pussy. Instinctively, Felicia jumped and stiffened. Instead of Carson pulling back, he used his thumb to separate her lips and trace their insides. “Oh, God.” Felicia arched her back as a coil of erotic energy

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fisted her womb. She bit her lower lip to stop herself from crying out again. “Don’t.” Craig ran his thumb along her lower lip, pulling it out from between her teeth. “Let it out, sunshine. Never hold back.” She swept her gaze to him. “Are you sure?” He grinned and nipped at her lower lip. “If anyone bites that beautiful lip, it’s going to be me.” She didn’t have any objection to that. Craig descended down and took an aching breast into his mouth, lapping at the nipple with his tongue, and again Felicia bit her lip to stop herself from crying out. This time Carson came up and kissed her, sucked her lower lip into his mouth. Craig’s mouth moved to the other breast and feasted, and Felicia arched up against him. She fisted Carson’s hair and kissed him with vehement hunger, tangling her tongue with his. He met her intensity and groaned into her mouth. One of their hands, she couldn’t tell which, moved over the flat of her tummy and covered her mound. She rocked her hips against his hand. When his finger dipped between her lips and brushed across virgin nerves, she cried out and sucked on Carson’s tongue. Craig moved back up to her neck. “Tonight we’ll teach you how to come.” “To what?” Felicia spoke against Carson’s lips. Carson pulled back and cupped her face with his hand. “Felicia, have you ever had an orgasm?” She colored furiously and lowered her eyes as she slowly shook her head. “Then tonight we change that.” “But how is that teaching me how to please my husband?” Carson grinned, and it made his eyes glimmer in the candlelight. “When you come, make sure you let us know. Your husband will want to know that he pleased you, and the only way he’ll know is if you tell him.”

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She looked back and forth as both Reeves brothers stared down at her. “So you’re saying that by pleasing me, it will please him?” They both nodded at her. “Now relax and let us find out what brings you pleasure. When you know, you can then show your husband.” Craig’s gaze shifted back down to her breast, definitely where he wanted to return. “But what about you? Shouldn’t I be doing something to please you?” Craig brought his finger up and covered her lips. “Tonight is about you, Felicia. Carson and I will show you what it feels like to become a real woman.” “And we expect you to tell us what feels good and what doesn’t. If you say nothing, then we won’t know whether you like it or not.” Carson disappeared between her legs. When the heat from his breath brushed up against her curls, she tensed and tried to close her legs. He moved his shoulders between her knees and held her open. “Felicia, relax. I promise this will feel good.” “I–I’m scared.” Craig gently caressed her cheek and glanced deep into her eyes. “Do you trust us?” That was a loaded question. These two wicked men were responsible for the way everyone treated her. They instilled fear in the good people of this town, including her. The last thing she should do was trust them. And yet, she did. Somehow she knew they’d never hurt her, despite the threats against her. “I do.” “Then let us show you how to feel, sunshine.” She loved it when he called her that. Before she could take her next breath, Carson parted her pussy lips and slipped his tongue into her slick heat, lapping at the juices that had her soaking wet. Crying out, she grabbed at the sheets and fisted them to hold on. Carson flicked his tongue across a bundle of nerves that shot a bolt of

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intense pleasure straight through her. Craig captured her mouth and swallowed her cries. Carson attacked her pussy with his tongue, flicking and teasing and building a wave of tension twisting in her womb. “This is your clitoris.” He flicked at it again, and she jerked. “Your clit is swollen, Felicia.” She didn’t know what that meant and didn’t care. “Don’t stop.” “You are about to come,” Craig pointed out. No, she wasn’t. She wasn’t about to do anything. When Carson sucked her clit between his teeth and gently nibbled, she screamed as a white-hot explosion consumed her. Blistering liquid gushed from her channel. She arched her back and slammed her fist against the bed, crying out over and over as Carson relentlessly devoured the juice her body released. Craig kissed her hard, sucking on her tongue and allowing her to suck on his. She rocked her hips as wave after wave crashed down on her, rendering her helpless but to ride them out. After what felt like a million years, Felicia slowly descended back to the bed, limp and shaking. Was that an orgasm? She’d never had such a violent release erupt inside her. It shredded her bones and left her blood syrupy. “That was amazing.” She panted and swallowed hard. “That was an orgasm.” Craig ran his tongue along her lips. She lifted her head and nipped at it. Not ready for the sweet rapture to stop, she boldly met Craig’s gaze. “I’d like another.” Carson chuckled from between her legs. “Once you start…” “You’ll never want to stop,” Craig finished.

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Chapter 9 “So it’s agreed. We avenge our mother’s death. No Montgomery is safe. Not man, woman, or child. They will all pay for the wrong they’ve done to our family." –Jonathan Reeves, making a pact with his brothers as they bury their mother, 1884. By the time Craig and Carson Reeves reached their home, they were cursing each other out, but for entirely different reasons. Craig, having a battle with his conscience, cursed Carson for his insane, albeit brilliant, idea to give Felicia lessons on the powers of the flesh. Craig didn’t want to touch her, to be tempted by the sweet taste of her kiss. But then the little ray of sunshine invited them inside. She surprised him at every turn. He didn’t know whether he liked that or not. Craig prided himself for always being the one in control. The women he and his brother shared never challenged either Reeves for control. Never. Until Felicia. She’d only been in town a few days, and already she had both Craig and Carson’s undivided attention for an entirely different reason than they originally anticipated. Two goddamn years they’d waited for revenge. Now they had their chance for retribution, to punish the remaining Montgomery for the pain her family inflicted on the Reeves. Instead, Craig and Carson wanted to fuck her. It took a hell of a lot of willpower to not remove his clothes and bury his painfully hard cock deep into the depths of her dripping cunt. Just the sound of his brother lapping up her sweet nectar when she

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came had Craig panting. He stood up and watched Carson as he ate her pussy a second time, bringing her to another body-rocking orgasm that had her screaming. God, he loved that she didn’t hold anything back. By the time they left her bed, her body completely sated and exhausted, they’d pulled four orgasms out of the little nymph. Each time she climaxed she allowed it to consume her. She didn’t fight it, and she definitely enjoyed it. She was damn gorgeous when she came. Her cheeks colored with a fiery crimson glow as her beautiful hazel eyes glazed over. Craig had to squeeze his cock tucked tightly in his pants more than once to hold back. He wanted to pull out his steely flesh and have her take it in her mouth, suck his dick until he exploded and released his seed deep down her throat. That would be too much too soon, and he didn’t want to frighten her. Then again, when it came to Felicia Montgomery, he didn’t know if anything frightened her. It made him want her even more, which brought him full circle to cursing himself for ever touching her. Carson, on the other hand, cursed Craig for the attention Felicia gave him. There was a connection between Craig and Felicia, one he could no longer deny nor did he want to. Carson, always pissed at him and his power over the opposite sex, silently seethed most of the ride home, but did take the time to spit obscenities at his twin as he thought of them. Too fucking bad. Craig had no intention of holding back when it came to Felicia. He smiled and looked up at the stars, wondering how long he’d be able to continue with their teachings without falling in love with her. It may already be too late. “What the hell are you smiling about?” Carson barked, still clearly pissed that Felicia favored Craig over him. “Stop acting like such a baby. We both got what we wanted.” Carson threw him a vicious sideways glare. “Hardly.”

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“Yeah,” Craig breathed with a smile. “Don’t forget who she is.” “I know damn well who she is, and it doesn’t fucking matter.” “She’s still a Montgomery,” Carson reminded him, as if he needed it. “I know. And you and I both know that doesn’t make a shit bit of difference now.” “Oh, but it does, dear brother. As soon as Jon hears of us doing anything with a Montgomery—” “Aside from making them pay for the sins of their father,” Craig cut in, the bitterness he’d carried with him for two years seeping back into his heart. “Precisely. As much as I do love the sweet taste of Felicia’s body, we must not forget why we went to the cemetery in the first place.” The shock of Carson’s reminder slammed into Craig. What in the hell was the matter with him? The sole purpose of them going to the cemetery was to question her in regards to what she knew about her father’s death—and to start the execution of the curse. How in creation could he let something that plagued his thoughts for two years slip his mind at the first sight of her big hazel eyes? “Lights are still on,” Carson pointed out. “You think he’ll understand?” Craig lifted his gaze and sighed. “No.” “Maybe if he met her?” “Definitely not,” Craig rasped and dismounted. He tossed the reins at Carson. “I’ll take care of this. Stay out here.” “Why? You don’t think I can take care of myself?” Craig looked at Carson. “You lie about as well as Charity used to. Remember when she broke the vase you and I got our mother for her birthday? She blamed it on the dog.” Carson laughed and shook his head. “That little rat dog, Rascal. He was so small he couldn’t even climb stairs without help. Yes, I suppose it’s best I wait out here. Don’t leave me out here to freeze.”

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“It’s summer, Carson. You can survive the dip into the fifties at night. Besides, I shouldn’t be long.” Marching up to the house, Craig paused at the door. He’d have to make this the most convincing act of his life. Opening the door, he walked in, and the tension in the air immediately caused him to stiffen. “Where the fuck have you been?” the eldest Reeves demanded with such a bitter hiss that the hairs on the back of Craig’s neck stood on end. Ah, shit. This was not going to end well. Unlike the twins, Jon Reeves had deep brown eyes that pierced his opponent upon sight. His dark brown hair had started to gray at the temples and thin at the top, causing him to look older than his thirtythree years of age. At twenty-nine, Craig not only had youth on his side, but he was clearly the bigger of the two, standing two inches taller and a full twenty pounds heavier. Craig refused to answer the rude, demanding question until he had a drink in his hand. Besides, he needed the added relaxation to mix with his blood in order to deal with his annoying brother. Well, the other annoying brother. After fixing himself a strong drink, he sank back in the den chair and finally met his brother’s waiting eyes. “I’ve been visiting our family.” “Did you see her?” His jaw pulsated and a little muscle ticked in his temple. Lie. He’d have to lie. “Who?” Craig rubbed his temples as he closed his eyes. He needed to avoid his older brother’s knowing eyes for fear Jon would learn Craig’s true feelings about the Montgomery they both knew had arrived back in Port Sherman. Craig had more control over the emotions brewing in his eyes than Carson. He only hoped he had enough control now. “You know very well who, Craig. Did you see that Montgomery whore?” A stab of anger shot through him as his brother insulted Felicia,

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but he kept his head down and eyes closed until it passed. Jon would definitely pick up something in his eyes that Craig desperately needed to hide. Maybe he should have stayed in the barn with Carson. Knowing this was going to be difficult he threw the rest of his whiskey down and replaced it with another. The pause in the argument thickened the air in the room and made the tension so tight it snuffed out the oxygen. This was dangerous. Craig and Carson had a deep bitterness consuming them, but it was nothing compared to Jon. The eldest Reeves brother would stop at nothing to make the last remaining Montgomery pay for the sins of her father. “No, I didn’t see her. I walked around for a while. That’s it.” “I saw you ride in with Carson.” Of course he did. “Carson must have known where to find me.” “Ah, yes. That imaginary bond between you two. It is a rather convenient excuse, isn’t it?” Craig ignored the jab and waited until Jon sat down before continuing. “Why are you so hell-bent on this revenge?” Jon noticed the slight change in that phrase. He narrowed his dark eyes, and Craig cussed when he realized his slip up. “Why am I? Don’t you mean we? As in all three surviving Reeveses? Or has it escaped your mind whose idea this was in the first place? In case you have forgotten, dear little brother, it was our mother’s dying wish to want every last Montgomery in the ground for the heathen devils they are.” Craig sighed. He knew it wouldn’t take much to encourage Carson to stand by him. If he could find some way to convince Jon that Victor Montgomery’s daughter had nothing to do with the doctor’s poor decisions, he may just let this vicious need for blood die. Drawing in a brave breath, he started in on what he knew would be the battle of his life—to convince the most stubborn of the Reeveses that Felicia Montgomery should not have to pay for her

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father’s crimes. “Have you even seen Felicia? She is hardly what I’d consider a threat.” “Felicia, is it?” Jon picked up. Craig leaned back in the chair with a long moan. Did his brother have to be so goddamn perceptive all the time? He threw back his second drink and decided his limit had been reached. Besides, with another drink in his system, who knew how loose lipped he’d become. “Since when are we on a first name basis with the enemy?” “Jon, she isn’t the enemy.” He glared at Craig. “Interesting. She was at the beginning of the week. Since she arrived in town, I’ve hardly seen you or Carson. What exactly happened to you in order to change your mind so abruptly?” Craig decided to come clean. Besides, he apparently wasn’t any better of a liar than Carson. It would only be a matter of time before he slipped up. “I’ve had a chance to speak with her, to spend some time with her. Carson and I both have.” I’ve spent time between her legs tasting her sweet nectar and feasted on her flesh until she came right there on my tongue. Then Carson ate her cunt while I devoured her breasts. And you know what else? Carson and I will be back tomorrow night after dark to do it all over again. “She really doesn’t know what happened between our families.” Jon sighed and rose to his feet, then paced wildly. “I can’t believe you are letting a girl get to you.” He stopped and eyed Craig, who dropped his gaze as soon as Jon’s glare grew suspicious. “Are you taken with her?” Sure as shit. Craig grinned as the whiskey mixed in his blood and clouded his mind. He didn’t want to fight the feelings any longer. “Goddamn right, I am.” His admission shocked them both. Craig dropped his smile and clenched his teeth.

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“You know what this is, don’t you?” “No.” Craig answered flatly, not really caring what theory of treachery his paranoid brother came up with this time. His mind fogged with the thought of Felicia. The alcohol only compounded his haziness. Now, he wasn’t sure of anything except the fact that he should have eaten something today. But he was so determined to find Felicia that his body was in want with an entirely different kind of hunger. He actually started to listen to his brother and knew the whiskey had gone straight to his head. Or maybe it was the little pixie dancing around in his memory, her taste still lingering on his lips, her smell still on his skin. “She is playing you for the fool you are.” “Wrong,” he answered in annoyance. “Jon, she isn’t playing anything. She wasn’t even around.” “Craig, that little wretch knows a man’s weakness.” He glared knowingly down at his brother still reclined in the den chair and smiled. “It’s obvious she has already found yours.” “Shut up, Jon.” Craig rested his gaze on his brother, warning him with a precise glare. Jon took it as a dare and accepted. “Did you go to her tonight? Did you seek her out? Or did she find you?” Craig looked at him, but didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. “Was she there? In the cemetery? Convenient, don’t you think? The one place, other than the church, that any Montgomery would find sanctuary.” “Jon, sometimes the nonsense that falls from those lips makes me wonder how we can even be blood.” Jon growled. “How can you be this foolish? For two years we have constructed our revenge, to avenge our family name by destroying every last Montgomery. Now, seeing you sitting there with that miserable lost look in those eyes, I don’t know what to think. Is Carson this lost, too?”

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“You aren’t making any sense,” Craig pointed out, though he knew exactly what his brother was saying. “What if, crazy as it sounds, you fell in love with the little wench? What then? Would you fight me? Would you fight your own twin? All to protect her?” Jon moved closer to Craig as his voice lowered, and he spoke carefully. “Would you side with the Montgomery and betray your own family name? Are you willing to make that sacrifice?” “It wouldn’t be like that,” Craig defended, though he wasn’t sure himself. Everything danced inside Craig’s head and made a puzzle out of his normal reasoning. Damn, this was where he needed Carson. He could pull logic out of his ass and challenge Jon on any nonsense that fell from his lips. Closing his eyes, he willed his twin to join them. Help. I’m already on my way. “Wouldn’t it? Craig, I know exactly what Felicia Montgomery is doing. Think about it. She doesn’t have the physical strength to fight us all, so instead she conquers the more susceptible of us from the inside. It is the rebirth of Cleopatra.” Craig sneered up at his brother in confusion. “Cleopatra? That English Queen?” Jon growled. “She was Egyptian, you imbecile.” “Who was?” Carson asked as he walked into the house. Thank God. Craig was tired of getting hammered and could really use some help. Carson took a seat in the den and rested his knowing gaze on Craig. A conversation passed between them, and they gave a single nod as they agreed on what to say. “Goddamn it! I hate it when you two do that.” “What?” They said in unison and looked up at Jon with wide eyes, feigning innocence. “Quit reading each other’s minds. It’s eerie. Some may mistake you as mad and have you committed.”

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Craig and Carson exchanged glances and neither bothered to hide his smirk. “Back to your story?” Carson emphasized the last word. “Cleopatra didn’t have the physical strength to gain her country back, so she found a way inside and divided all of Rome to do it.” Jon watched his brothers, gauging their reaction. Craig lifted an easy brow and drifted his gaze to Carson. “I thought you said she was Egyptian?” Jon growled and pulled the attention back to him. “She divided an entire country by seducing the men ruling it, causing their demise.” “So, you are comparing Felicia to Cleopatra?” Obviously, Craig wasted his mirth on his older brother. He only glared back with venom in his eyes. “If a woman can divide an entire country, then a family would be an easy task, wouldn’t it?” He recalled the way Carson watched with a darkened, predatory hunger as Craig devoured Felicia’s pussy with fervor. They worked in perfect time with each other as they pleased her, keeping her at a constant state of arousal. A woman had never had the power to resist them nor drive them apart. Felicia Montgomery was no different. Despite his better judgment, he had to ask. “Why would she want us against each other?” “Because, don’t you see?” Jon shouted. “We would fight amongst ourselves, perhaps even destroy each other in the process. Then, happily, she would be declared the winner.” Craig and Carson exchanged glances. Neither smiled. “We wouldn’t fight each other,” Craig stated, but the doubt clouded in his twin’s eyes. Carson was already pissed at the attention Felicia paid Craig over him and made it no secret. It never bothered Carson. Before Felicia. Holy shit. It all started to make sense. She practically seduced them tonight with her innocent smile and bold requests. Was that all part of the plan? Could Felicia really be pitting the brothers against

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each other in hopes that the twins would stand by her when the curse upon her finally fell? It would explain why Felicia was eagerly receptive to them even though they’d given her every reason to hate them. Jon sighed. “Have you asked her about her brother, yet?” Carson spoke up. “Jon, she doesn’t know.” Jon laughed at his answer. “Lies! She has got you two so fooled that she could tell you the sun will never shine again, and you’d believe it. The nasty imp of a girl.” Craig slowly rose to his full height of six feet four inches and looked down into the eyes of his oldest brother. Regardless of which side he stood on, when the curse fell, there would be no insulting Felicia in the bargain. “If you want this roof to remain standing, I’d advise you watch your tongue on how you speak about her.” Carson stood and put his hand on Craig’s shoulder to calm him. With labored breathing, Craig stood down but didn’t turn away from Jon. Jon softened his eyes. “Craig, a Montgomery killed our mother.” “And Victor Montgomery is in the ground because of it. We’re even.” He pushed away from his brothers. Jon shook his head and let him go then poured himself a drink. Carson stood there and swallowed as he watched the war building between his blood. “No, Craig,” Jon growled. “Two Reeves are dead because of him. And only one Montgomery is in the ground because of that.” Craig froze and whirled around to see the murderous look in his brother’s eyes. “This isn’t her fight!” Jon smiled and held the drink to his lips. “Then she shouldn’t have returned. Now that she’s home, she has a debt to pay. I won’t rest until I even the score. Just remember whose side you are on when the curse is delivered.”

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Chapter 10 “I can’t believe he’s gone. My father was the only family I had left. Without him, I feel lost. Will I ever find a sense of belonging?” – Felicia Montgomery, after receiving a telegram announcing her father's death, 1884. Busy busy busy. She had to do something to stay busy and stop herself from looking outside for the hundredth time, cursing the sun for taking too long to set. After dark it would come, her second lesson with Craig and Carson. She could hardly wait. Last night they introduced her to feelings she didn’t even know existed. She had no idea how wonderful an orgasm felt. Not only did they show her, but they showed her four times. Each orgasm shattered her soul and left her whimpering in utter bliss. Tonight she had every intention of returning the favor. Last night they made her feel alive, like she’d finally woken up from a dream that kept her in a fog. Now? Everything seemed a little brighter, a little, well, more. She even took the time to touch things around the house and enjoy the texture as if touching them for the very first time. As she folded her laundry, her fingers brushed across the fabric and she paused. Immediately it thrust her back to the feel of Carson’s shirt, to the way it caressed her skin as it rubbed against her bare flesh. Craig’s trousers were far coarser, just like the whiskers that dusted his brother’s chin. She let out a long breath as the folds of her pussy softened and tingled in anticipation of their arrival. Would one of them take his talented mouth and cover the V between her legs again? She had

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every intention of using her mouth to bring them the same exquisite pleasure they’d brought her. One at a glorious time. Felicia finished up the last of her laundry just as a knock broke through her silence. Her heart flipped in anticipation as a tight coil fisted her womb and shot heated jolts straight to her pussy. The thought that it may be the men here for the next lesson had her practically tripping over her skirts as she descended the stairs. They were early, but maybe they shared her eagerness for the lesson to begin. She threw the door open and immediately lost her smile. “Mrs. Freely?” Mrs. Freely smiled warmly. “Miss Montgomery, may I please come in?” Smiling to hide her disappointment at who came to call, she opened the door wide and offered her entry. Quickly glancing out to the street, another wave of disappointment hit her when she didn’t see the twins. “Please, call me Felicia.” Baffled as to why someone so anxious to be rid of her now wanted to see her, she led Mrs. Freely into the parlor and waited until the schoolmarm took a seat before gracefully sitting across the table from her. Carefully, so not to raise suspicion, Felicia squeezed her legs together to grant her clit a tiny bit of the friction it impatiently demanded. Mrs. Freely jumped right into her purpose before Felicia could politely ask. “I’m afraid I’ve treated you rather unfairly. It isn’t your fault what happened between the two families, and I certainly am not one to hold it against you, but you must understand the reasons behind my hesitation.” Felicia’s heart skipped. Maybe she’d get some answers now. “Go on.” Mrs. Freely took a deep breath to steady herself. She looked as nervous as a balloon in a porcupine ranch. “I–I’m just–I—”

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“Why are you so nervous?” “I’m here to offer you that job, if you are still interested.” She finally let out a breath. Felicia’s eyes lit up. Employment? She’d be able to eat something other than stale crackers. The Reeves brothers wouldn’t fixate on the fact her hip bones stuck out. She had so many other assets for them to focus on. “Really? That is wonderful! Why the sudden change?” Mrs. Freely cleared her throat again. “Mr. Reeves paid me a visit. He convinced me it was perfectly safe allowing you to work with the children. He promised not to harm them.” “Harm them?” Felicia didn’t even bother to hide the irritation and shock in her tone. “Which Reeves brother paid you a visit?” Her gaze fluttered around the room but never met Felicia’s. “It was Craig, wasn’t it?” Felicia already knew. Carson was far too sophisticated to threaten a schoolmarm. But not Craig. “I, uh, I don’t really know. They both look so much alike, and it isn’t like I’m in the best frame of mind when they pay me a visit.” Felicia’s temper hit a boiling point. Those brothers threatened a schoolmarm whose only crime was to dedicate her life to teaching children. “Why would either Reeves want to harm a child?” “Oh, it isn’t that they want to harm a child, you see.” Mrs. Freely pulled out her kerchief and dabbed at her mouth, but it didn’t cover up the fact that her hands shook like a leaf in a tornado. Her pale eyes snapped back to Felicia. And it clicked. First, Craig Reeves frightened Mrs. Freely enough to turn Felicia away. Now, the scoundrel had her so terrified she looked ready to faint. Scaring the schoolmarm into hiring Felicia was unacceptable. “And what did he say if you refused to offer me the job? Or if I refused employment?” “But, you mustn’t!” Mrs. Freely’s eyes jerked wide open. She didn’t have to answer. Felicia read the fear in her paled expression. Only Craig would pull that kind of reaction out of someone.

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Carson had less of an abrasiveness about him. Besides, Carson would never threaten an older schoolmarm, or the innocent children. But Craig would. Felicia stood and took several breaths before speaking. She couldn’t remember having such a venomous rage racing through her. The heat from her fury climbed up her neck and set her skin on fire. “Mrs. Freely, would you have hired me if Craig Reeves hadn't threatened you?” Mrs. Freely blinked before opening and closing her mouth several times. “I trust you can show yourself out.” “But, what of the position I’m offering you?” “If you are offering it based on my merit and not some idle threat—” Mrs. Freely jumped to her feet, stopping Felicia's speech. “It isn’t idle! I swear to you.” She lowered her voice along with her shoulders as she physically deflated before Felicia’s eyes. “Those men are dangerous, child. Mark my words. Nothing good will come from any dealings with them.” Her words gave Felicia pause. She’d already had such incredibly sensual dealings with them and could hardly wait for more. Would nothing good come of it? Perhaps. But, then again, they were training her to be a better wife when the time came. Although deep down she knew their offer wasn’t completely selfless, she didn’t question it. They were teaching her everything she didn’t know about a man. Well, two men. “Were you here when their mother was alive?” Mrs. Freely’s eyes misted as she nodded slightly. “Such a dear woman. People simply adored her. When word spread of her condition, it was quite the scandal.” “Condition?” “Why, she was pregnant, dear.” Felicia gasped. Pregnant? “How old was she?”

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“Well into her forties and so tiny, so fragile. The pregnancy took so much out of her.” As the daughter of a doctor, Felicia knew the safe childbearing ages. Being well into one’s thirties was dangerous enough, but forties? “What happened?” “She got sick, dear. Very, very sick. She was simply too weak.” Felicia swallowed thickly. “Did she die in childbirth?” Mrs. Freely nodded. “I want to believe the doctor did everything he could, but the stories that came after that… Such horrid stories…” Her voice faded, and she stopped as a tear streamed down her cheek. It slid into one of the many wrinkles on her face and disappeared. Felicia’s heart ached, and her insides twisted painfully as tears smarted her eyes. Poor Margaret, and poor Craig and Carson for helplessly watching their mother fade and then die before their eyes. “The older brothers were always so protective over her, especially the twins.” Her words jolted through Felicia system. “You mean there’s more than Craig and Carson?” “Oh, yes. Craig and Carson are lethal in their own right, mind you, but they are nothing compared to the oldest. Jon Reeves redefines evil. It’s no wonder those twins have turned out to be heathen devils, just like their brother.” Regardless of their influence and despite what the town thought of them, the Reeves twins were not heathen devils. Anger coiled up inside Felicia as she stormed over to the parlor doors and threw them open. She’d never be able to work for someone who hated the very men she loved. “I’m afraid I must decline your offer.” “Oh, child. You can’t be serious.” Felicia’s eyes burned as she rested her gaze on Mrs. Freely. “More than you could possibly imagine.” “Was it something I said?”

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“Good day, Mrs. Freely.” “Please, Felicia. Reconsider.” Felicia closed her eyes and fought to control her rage, not only toward Mrs. Freely but toward Craig for forcing her to come here in the first place. A distinct velvety baritone sounded from the front door. “Yes, Felicia. Reconsider the schoolmarm’s offer.” “Craig!” Seeing him made her anger twist inside her, feeding her rage. She’d happily claw his eyes out if he were closer and if her nails were longer. He invited himself inside when he spotted Mrs. Freely still standing in the doorway of the parlor, a stunned look on her face. “Everything in order, ma’am?” Mrs. Freely looked in pain as she darted her nervous gaze back and forth between Craig and Felicia. “Well, um…” “Speak, woman.” That did it. He would not push the poor schoolmarm around like he did everyone else in this town. No wonder the entire town hated him as much as they hated her. Maybe more. The time had come for someone to stand up to the Reeves brothers. Felicia marched over to him and poked his hard chest. “Don’t you dare talk to her like that. She’s done nothing wrong although I doubt that makes any difference to you.” Craig’s gaze snapped to Felicia as it narrowed. He picked up on the hidden meaning behind Felicia’s comment. She lifted her brow in challenge as she returned his look with a vicious one of her own. If she wasn’t going to get another lesson from him, she at least wanted a good fight. “Don’t forget who you’re talking to.” “I know exactly who I’m talking to. You are nothing more than a big bully, Craig Reeves, and I for one refuse to allow you the satisfaction of bullying me or this town any longer.”

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Craig stepped back as Felicia’s tone slapped him. “You think I’m a bully?” “How else is it that you always get what you want?” He spiked his brow. She heated in color and lowered her gaze. The cad. With that look, Mrs. Freely had to know the meaning behind the hunger swirling in his annoyingly beautiful turquoise eyes. “You’re stunning when you’re angry,” he whispered. When he winked, she nearly jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around him. “I’d better be going,” Mrs. Freely declared and scurried out the front door, but neither noticed. They were too caught up in the sexual tension building between them. Felicia and Craig stood there lost in each other until Mrs. Freely pulled her buggy away from the house. Only then did Felicia finally turn away from him. “I can’t believe you.” “What? Why are you so upset?” Craig casually walked toward the kitchen as if she’d invited him in, as if he wasn’t a single man inside a single woman’s home in broad daylight. Felicia glanced outside to see that the sun had finally set. Okay, so not broad daylight, but still light enough for the gossips to see. “Did you threaten that poor woman?” “I, uh, don’t know what you are talking about.” He opened the stove in the kitchen. Silently he went about the task of building the fire without answering a single question, driving Felicia close to pushing him in through the open door once the flames grew nice and painfully hot. “Craig! Would you answer me?” Felicia demanded, her tone even harsher than before. He smiled at her, winked, then grabbed two cups off the hooks above the sink. Oh, he was really something else. She both loved and hated him and didn’t know which emotion wanted to take over more. He ignored her plea and pulled out a new bag of tea leaves from

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inside his vest. “No more shoe leather.” She marched right over to where he stood and took the tea leaves from his hand then forced him to meet her eyes. “What do you think you are doing?” “Making tea. I know how you favor your tea.” “I did not invite you in.” He lifted his brow and traced her frame with that heated turquoise gaze, clearly mocking her. “Didn’t you?” Her mouth fell open as she sucked in a breath. How unbelievably brazen. How rudely bold. How perfectly true. His eyes glimmered, and Felicia’s hard wall of anger weakened. Damn him and his handsome arrogance. She’d been so looking forward to his and Carson’s visit. Now? Now she’d rather take the water he expected her to heat for the tea and pour it over his head. “I want you to leave.” “Really?” Craig took a step toward her, quickly closing the already dangerously small gap between them. “Do you really want me to leave, Felicia?” Without warning he reached down and cupped her breast, scraping his thumb over her nipple through the fabric. Jolts of erotic pulses stabbed straight into her womb and drenched her pussy. Her anger melted with her uncertainty. She let her head fall back as she closed her eyes to enjoy the jerks of delicious energy shooting through her. With every stroke of his thumb he drove her further and further away from her sanity. “Are we starting my lesson now?” “Not without me, you’re not.” Carson walked in through the kitchen door and didn’t stop until he cupped her other breast. Oh, dear Lord. It felt so naughty and so right having two men caress her in one of the most intimate ways. “You should really learn to lock your doors,” Craig mentioned huskily. “You’ll never know what kind of animal may wander in.” Craig pinched her nipple, and Felicia moaned as she swayed.

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Carson then pinched her other nipple, and it drove her to the brink. “Please.” “Please, what? What is it you want, Felicia?” Carson asked as he moved his hand up to her neck and brushed his knuckle across her exposed collarbone. “Yes,” Craig stated, mimicking his brother’s movements. “Tell us what you want, sunshine.” “Will my husband appreciate a wife with such a brazen tongue?” Craig moved in and pulled her close against his hard body. His erection pushed against her hip, and she swallowed hard. Tonight she planned to take that hard flesh into her mouth and play with it until it brought him the same pleasure he brought her last night. “Right now, I’d like to appreciate that brazen tongue.” He whispered into her ear, sending glorious chills dancing across her flesh. He then grabbed her chin and turned her head so that she faced him. She fluttered her eyes open to look deep into the depths of his turquoise eyes. “Kiss me,” she breathed against his lips. He nipped at her bottom lip before diving into her full force, claiming her lips as his and devouring her without mercy. Carson moved behind her and reached around to unfasten the buttons holding her top in place. Craig left no room for reason as he consumed her, stealing her breath and her senses. It didn’t dawn on her that Carson had removed her top and corset until the night air nipped at her exposed flesh. “My turn.” Carson ripped her from Craig’s embrace and took control, capturing her mouth into an embrace that rivaled his brother’s. Felicia whispered a moan of approval into his mouth. This was so wrong, kissing in her kitchen before darkness, out where anyone who wanted to could walk up and see them. But then again that was half of the thrill. “Should we move this to the bedroom?” Craig dove down and nipped at her neck.

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“Absolutely,” Carson agreed and led her toward the living room and the stairs that descended to heaven. It suddenly dawned on her that, per their instructions from last night, she wasn’t properly dressed for her lesson. They ordered no undergarments, and she clearly had on her proper coverings. Although the thought of them punishing her for not being properly dressed did intrigue her, she didn’t want to make this night about her. “I’m not properly dressed,” she blurted out. When both Craig and Carson pulled back and studied her in confusion, she reminded them. “I have on my undergarments. You told me I wasn’t to come to the bedroom with them on again.” A wicked glimmer shined in Craig’s eyes. “Well, then. I guess you’ll need to be punished.” Carson grinned like a schoolboy. He definitely liked the idea. “Perhaps a spanking?” Heat slapped her cheeks. She hadn’t been spanked since she was a small child. She didn’t like it then, but for some strange reason the idea of being spanked now both thrilled and scared her. “Or maybe a blindfold so she can no longer see what we are doing?” Craig slid the back of his knuckles down her arm, pulling the strap of her camisole with him. Chills ripped through her as the cool air snapped at her skin. She shuddered almost violently when he leaned over and covered her breast with his heated lips. She didn’t want to be blindfolded. Watching them as they did unspeakable and wonderful things to her excited her just as much as the act. Carson slipped his finger under the strap on his side and slid it down her arm, fully exposing her breasts. He then took her nipple into his mouth and feasted with as equal fervor as his brother. Weaving her fingers into each of their hair, she bunched her hands into fists and pulled them closer to her. With each nibble, each heated nip of their teeth, a gush of liquid desire flooded her channel and coated her already drenched pussy. She let out a whispered moan as

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they took their time devouring her. “Let it out, sunshine.” Craig slipped his hand down past the waistband of her skirts and drawers and eased a finger between her saturated folds. “My God, Felicia. You are on fire. So hot.” Her knees wobbled when he scraped his thumb across her sensitive, swollen clit. She wanted tonight to be about them, but as they took control of her body, she was helpless but to let them. “Ah!” She stiffened when Carson moved behind her and jerked her skirts and drawers down in one effortless move. Now in nothing but her stockings, she leaned back into Carson as Craig replaced his finger with his mouth. He stabbed his wicked tongue between her lips and flicked at her clit. He lifted her leg just as Carson turned her head and kissed her with unbridled hunger. His tongue flicked against her in time with Craig’s attacking her pussy, almost as if they were extensions of each other. Craig licked her from her pussy to her rear entrance. When his tongue danced and teased against her tight rear hole, she cried out into Carson’s mouth. Carson then turned her to face him, never breaking their kiss. Behind her Craig spread her cheeks and continued to lick her from her pussy to her back hole. His tongue then flicked against her rear relentlessly until, with a firm stab, he sank beyond the barrier. Felicia screamed into Carson’s mouth. She bit at his lips. Scratched at his chest. The shock of pleasure that shot through her system tightened her nipples and slickened her pussy. Craig lifted her leg and attacked, pulling her swollen clit between his lips and sucking hard. Sparks erupted behind her eyes. She threw her head back and screamed as the orgasm unraveled her. When Craig sank a finger deep into her backside, she screamed again as it brought her orgasm back with a vengeance. She rocked her hips, pumping his finger in and out, riding her

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orgasm as it just went on and on. “Come on, sunshine. Come for me again. I know you have it in you.” Craig pulled his finger out and replaced it with two, scissoring them and touching nerve endings that had her on the edge of another orgasm. “I can’t. Oh, Craig. It’s too much. I just…I can’t. Oh, God. Oh, God, Craig. Carson, help me!” Her nails bit into Carson’s chest as the orgasm swallowed her whole, chewed her up, and spit her out without a single bone. She went limp in Carson’s arms, whimpering as the aftermath of her orgasm left her weak. “My turn,” he whispered thickly. Felicia’s eyes flew open as he and Craig switched. Carson, now behind her, parted her legs and licked at her entrance. Craig released her hair from her pins and wound his fingers in it. “I love your hair. It’s like silk.” “So is this.” Carson ran his tongue between her slippery folds. Although Felicia wanted this to go on forever, she made a vow to make this night about them. Last night they showed her pleasure. Tonight she’d return the favor.

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Chapter 11 “Do you think there is such a thing as love? I consider it to be nothing more than a fairy tale meant to fill a woman’s head with the make-believe." –Felicia Montgomery, talking with a group of girls at the finishing school in Boston, 1885. “Meet me upstairs in five minutes.” Before either man could protest, Felicia escaped their embrace and ran, in nothing but her stockings and shoes, through the door to her living room and up the stairs. It felt so liberating to be free of clothes. If she knew she could get away with it, she’d run nude through her house more often. She ran into her room and quickly removed her shoes so she could crawl on her bed and light candles. She was up on her hands and knees when she felt the bed depress behind her. Before she could turn, Carson was behind her, holding her in place as Craig appeared in front of her. “Now that is a beautiful sight.” Carson ran his hands along the curves of her backside. He leaned over and placed kisses on the small of her back, sending delicious chills dancing across her flesh. Craig unfastened his pants. Felicia stared wide-eyed without blinking as he slowly unfolded the fabric protecting him. When he shifted the material of his pants and slid them down to his knees, she audibly gasped and slammed her eyes shut. “Look at me. Felicia, look at me, damn you.” Slowly, scared to see him but even more terrified not to, she opened her eyes and focused on the enormous, rigid shaft between his legs. She wasn’t a complete idiot and did know where it was supposed

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to fit, but she also knew anatomy. No way could something that size ever fit in the tiny hole between her legs. Her mouth, on the other hand, could accommodate his flesh—or at least some of it. If he tried to bury his penis in her mouth, he’d surely choke her. She licked her lips and stared at a little drop of glistening juice sitting at the end of the mushroom-shaped head. Craig wrapped his hand around his flesh and slowly stroked. “Do you like what you see?” “I want to taste it.” “Taste what?” “Your…” she couldn’t bring herself to say it. “Tell him what you want, Felicia.” Carson’s hands were everywhere as he caressed her, smoothing her skin and exploring. His fingers dipped between the folds of her pussy and found her clit. He rubbed it in lazy circles. “Say it. Let us hear you say it.” “I…I can’t.” “You can’t?” Craig stroked and took a step toward her so the end of his penis glistened a mere inch from her lips. “Or you won’t?” “Don’t ever pretend to be shy or demure with us. We know you aren’t.” She wasn’t? Did that make her a bad person? Men didn’t want women with loose tongues. Oh, but how these men did want that. They wanted her, and she wanted to give them everything. “I want to taste your cock,” she admitted brazenly, and it felt good to say it. She decided to take it a step further. “I want your cock inside my mouth.” “That’s my girl.” Craig stepped forward and slid his steely flesh between her lips. He called her his girl. The thought of her being anything to him or Carson sent her into action. As she wrapped her lips around his cock and mimicked the same movements with her tongue that Carson was now doing against her clit, Craig let out a deep groan. He fisted her hair and directed her pace, pumping his hips to move his cock in and

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out of her mouth. “Holy shit, Felicia. Are you sure you’ve never done this before?” She twirled her tongue around the head of his cock before sinking his flesh back into her mouth. Carson found the weeping entrance to her pussy and worked his finger into her hole, really sending her into a frenzy. She moaned against Craig’s cock as he pumped harder. “Fuck me, baby. That’s right. Fuck me with that sweet mouth.” Oh, God. His words were so naughty, but right now they were exactly what she wanted to hear. She rocked her hips against Carson’s tongue, finding the exact friction she needed to tighten the coil twisting inside her womb. Carson’s finger worked in and out of her pussy in rhythm to Craig’s thrusts in her mouth. He clamped down on her clit and attacked with his tongue, flicking relentlessly. She moved faster and faster as a scream bubbled up in her throat. “Jesus, woman. You are going to make me explode. Swallow me, sunshine. Drink my life as you suck it out of my dick. Just like that. Yeah, come on. That’s it. Yeah. Jesus. Fuck!” A blistering stream of sticky-sweet liquid shot from the end of his cock and down her throat. She had no idea it would taste this good. She sucked him hard, milking every last drop and swallowing it as instructed. Carson stopped sucking on her pussy to come up and enjoy the show. Craig leaned over and kissed her gently, nipping at her swollen lips and licking to soothe them. “You are everything and more, sunshine.” “Will I please my husband by doing that?” His face changed in an instant. Those turquoise eyes, once glazed over with lust and satisfaction, grew cold. “I’m sure you will.” His words cut through the air. Felicia sat back on her heels. “Did I do something wrong?” “No,” Carson answered and pushed himself between Craig and her. He lowered himself down on the bed and held her gaze with his.

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“You will make some man very happy one day.” She didn’t want to make some man happy. She wanted to make them happy. “What do I need to do to make you happy?” Carson smiled. “You already make us happy.” Felicia shifted her gaze to Craig. He had since tucked his semihard dick back in his pants. “And what about you, Craig?” “What about me?” “Do I make you happy?” He turned back and looked at her. The lines on his face softened as his shoulders sagged. “You make me a lot of things, Felicia.” “Such as?” His eyes darkened as that hunger returned. “Hot. Horny. Hard as a goddamn rock.” Heat burned into her cheeks as she challenged him. She came up to her knees and moved over to the end of the bed. He took the few steps needed to be face to face with her. They stared at each other in blistering silence for several seconds. “Prove it.” She thrust out her chin. He narrowed his eyes. “Didn’t I just do that?” “What if I want more?” “Jesus Christ,” he muttered and looked over to his brother. “I think we’ve created a monster.” “I can give you more.” Carson pushed Craig out of his way and grinned at Felicia. “Here’s another lesson for you, my dear. You’re future husband will want you ready whenever he is. I promise you, I’m ready. Are you?” She nodded and licked her lips. “Will I be sucking your…” She paused, colored furiously, and looked at Craig as he nodded for her to continue, “Would you like me to suck your cock?” “Would I ever.” He already had his dick out and stroked it for her obvious viewing pleasure. Felicia had to smile. They had such amazing family similarities. “I know what else you need.” Craig disappeared behind her, but

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she didn’t follow him with her gaze. She couldn’t tear her focus from Carson’s amazing flesh as he slowly stroked it until it grew long and hard. “Tell me if I need to do something differently.” “Trust me,” Craig said from behind her. “You don’t need to change a thing. I have to say, sunshine. Seeing you in nothing but your stockings is incredibly sexy. Bend over for me, baby.” She did and then stilled, waiting to see if either one of them said anything else about her wearing something from the waist down. “Don’t worry. We’ll be sure to punish you next time. Right now, I’m anxious to see if I can last longer than my brother.” Carson held his cock at lip level, and Felicia licked her lips open, flicking her tongue across the tip of his cock before pulling his rigid flesh into her mouth. She hummed her appreciation, and he jerked. “Jesus. Do that again.” Felicia not only hummed, she pulled him in deeper and played with his flesh like a lollipop. “Holy shit. You didn’t do that with me.” Craig’s gruff voice sounded from behind her. “I’m still learning.” Carson weaved his fingers into her hair and pulled her back to him. “You’re doing just fine. Just fucking fine. Oh, God. Yes. Amazing.” Craig stabbed his tongue deep into her slick folds, and Felicia pushed back for more. He chuckled hotly and thrust his finger into her entrance. She moaned and wiggled against his finger for more penetration. “Do you like that?” “Uh-huh.” She sucked harder on Carson’s cock when Craig inserted two fingers and slowly moved it in and out. “More.” He pulled out his fingers and pushed them back in. “So fucking tight. Do you feel the burn, baby?” “Yes.” “Do you like the burn?”

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“Oh yes.” “Do you want more?” “Uh-huh.” Sucking on Carson’s cock, she reached out and boldly wrapped her fingers around it. She had to touch it. The velvet feel of his skin wrapped around such a rigid organ had her fascinated. “Ah, Jesus. Squeeze me. Just like that. Holy shit, Felicia.” “I’m going to give you more, sunshine. It’s going to burn, but you’ll like it. I promise you.” “I want more, Craig. Please. Give me more.” When she felt the blunt end of his erection nudge against her virginal hold, she stiffened and lunged forward. Panic plunged through her body. “Is it going to hurt?” “Relax, Felicia.” Craig easily pulled her back toward him. “This is just one of the ways we plan to love you.” “I’m ready.” She wasn’t ready, but hearing him speak words of love convinced her that whatever he wanted to do to her would be worth it. Heat flared when he nudged the head of his erection into her tight hole. The intensity of the burn made her scream when he pushed it passed the barrier. “That’s it, sunshine. Relax for me. Just feel me. Can you feel me, baby?” “Oh, God. Craig!” She pushed back and sank him inside her another inch. Nerve endings exploded, and she went wild, bucking and pushing back to increase the penetration. “Holy Jesus. Calm down, Felicia.” “I–I can’t. Oh, God.” Felicia screamed. Craig grabbed her hips and tightened his hold to try and hold her in place, but she couldn’t stay still. The sensation of being so filled by him drove her into such a powerful climax. She sucked Carson’s cock with such fervor he had to widen his stance to stay upright. “Jesus God. Fuck!” Carson erupted in her mouth, and she eagerly drank down every last drop of his life. “Craig!” Felicia needed more. She needed movement against her

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clit or she’d die. Reaching down, she started to rub the swollen flesh, but Carson’s hand stopped her. “I don’t think so. No woman should ever have to touch herself.” “Especially with two men in the room.” Craig tightened his hold on her hips as he pushed his cock into her fully. “That’s it. Take me, Felicia. Take all of me. How does that feel?” “It burns. It feels good.” It confused her. So much pleasure, yet she felt pain. How could she feel both at the same time? Carson worked her clit perfectly, and she shuddered violently as the climax built inside her. Her body took over and rocked against Craig, forcing his dick all the way inside her. Carson swirled her clit faster and faster in time with Craig’s thrusts. Soon they were all moving in perfect rhythm. Craig pumped in and out of her pussy. Carson vibrated his finger across her clit and whispered broken phrases in her ear, promises of what this night meant for all of them. A ferocious release tore through her, shattering every bone in her body and dissolving her into a pile of ashes right there on the bed. Craig’s hollers joined her cries as jets of semen shot out of his cock and deep into her channel. “Too soon!” Craig growled and leaned down over her, biting at her shoulder. She couldn’t agree more. It was over too soon. Her first time, the time every girl back at the finishing school had talked about nonstop, lasted all of ten minutes. She rolled onto her back and looked up at them, smiling when they both continued to eye her with heated hunger. Apparently they didn’t want it to be over, as well. “More,” she whispered, her gaze flicking between them. They exchanged glances. Carson nodded once, but Craig shook his head. She leaned up on her elbows. “What? What is it?” Carson sank down on the bed and casually traced around her

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nipple, forcing it to immediately pucker. “I want to give you more, but my unadventurous brother doesn’t think that’s a good idea.” “That’s not true. Goddamn it, Carson. Tell her.” “Yes,” Felicia said, her voice barely a moan. Carson’s finger drove chills across her flesh as he continued to tease. “Tell me, Carson.” He pinched her nipple and she arched her back. “How much more do you want, Felicia?” “Whatever you can give me.” Turning to his brother, he lifted his brow. “See?” Craig sat down on the other side of the bed and took her hand. “Baby, you just had sex for the first time. You’re bound to be sore. For what Carson has in mind, it’s going to hurt.” If it hurt as good as when Craig’s cock slammed in and out of her pussy, then she wanted it more than anything. “What I just did with you hurt as well, but only at first. I trust you, both of you. You’d never hurt me.” They exchanged looks again. Neither one smiled. “Please, Craig. Give me more. I don’t want this night to ever end.” Craig closed his eyes when she cupped his cheek and brushed her thumb beneath his beautiful eye. He turned his head and kissed the palm of her hand. “Sunshine, what am I going to do with you?” “Love me,” she pleaded. “Please, Craig. Make love to me again.” He stood and nodded, pulling Felicia up to her knees. His gaze never left hers as he said, “I’d never do anything to hurt you, sunshine. I promise you.” Carson cleared his throat behind her, and Craig jerked his gaze to him. He narrowed it as the twins exchanged their thoughts. Enough of that. Felicia grabbed Craig’s face and forced his attention back to her. She then boldly kissed him, licking his lips open and attempting to control the kiss. He quickly changed that by pulling her against him and really

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kissing her, igniting the flame inside her into an inferno. Her nipples tightened as their kiss deepened. Carson pushed up behind her and nuzzled against her neck, delivering heated kisses along her shoulder and down her back. His erection pressed up against her lower back. He turned her to face him, breaking her contact with Craig. She whimpered in protest. And then he kissed her with equal hunger as he tore at his clothing. She whimpered again, but for an entirely different reason. His hand slipped between her legs, and he went exploring. When he found her clit, he gently stroked. Not wanting him to have all the fun, she brazenly reached down and wrapped her fingers around his throbbing cock and stroked. Carson groaned into her open mouth, and the sound burned into her senses. “That’s it, baby. Stroke me. Oh, God. Yes, Felicia.” “I can’t wait any longer,” Craig groaned behind her. “Carson?” Carson stretched out on the bed, dragging Felicia with him. She placed a knee on either side of his narrow hips and panted as the wide crest of his cock pressed against her slick pussy. She tried to lower her hips and sink his flesh into hers, but Craig grabbed her hips and held her still. Craig lowered her down to Carson’s chest. She took one of his nipples between her teeth and flicked at it with her tongue. He hissed in a breath. “This is going to burn,” Craig whispered in a strained rasp. “Just relax for me, baby.” Relax? How could she relax? Carson drove her crazy with his wicked fingers playing with her clit and spreading her juices. She trembled and closed her eyes as Craig slowly, tenderly, slipped a finger lubricated with her own desire into her backside. “Oh!” She jerked as the burn took over. He didn’t pause. He didn’t take into account that she’d never had anything inserted into her tiny back hole. He pulled out his finger and replaced it with two, scissored her, stretching her.

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She bit her lip and shuddered out a cry. “I love those noises you make,” Craig groaned. “Cry for me, Felicia. Scream as I slip my cock inside you and fuck your ass.” Oh, God. Those words. Those wicked, naughty words. She rocked back, desperate for more penetration. “Are you ready for me, baby?” “Yes,” she whimpered. She needed. Oh, sweet Lord how she needed. Craig nudged his enormous penis against her rear entrance and worked at pushing into her. Little by little, millimeter by millimeter, he worked his erection into her backside. When his flared head popped past the tight barrier, Felicia screamed. Long. Hard. Heat engulfed her as he touched nerve endings she didn’t even know she had. Just when she didn’t think she could take any more of the sweet torture, he began to move in long, smooth strokes. “Oh, God. Oh, Craig!” She screamed his name when he buried his cock to the hilt inside her. Carson rocked his hips, and the head of his cock sank into the depths of her pussy, slow and torturous. And she screamed, the intensity of the sensation of being filled by two men too much. “Let it out.” Carson pushed her down until they met, hip to hip, his cock buried deep inside her pussy. “Yes, sunshine. Take us. Take both of us, all of us. Just like that.” The walls of her pussy trembled as Carson slowly pulled out and Craig pushed in. It seemed to go on forever, the delicious rapture of one’s exit as the other entered. It was slow, too slow. She needed more. Jerking her hips back, she caught them off guard, and they both inserted into her at the same time. Felicia screamed, and the twins both growled with equal intensity. “Fuck, baby. I’m not going to last.” Craig surged inside her rear, pumping into her, his fingers digging into her hips as he drove himself

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closer to his release. Carson thrust inside her at the same time, matching Craig’s powerful rhythm. Together they pushed her higher, ever so higher, as they fucked her hard, just the way she wanted it. So close. Oh, God, she was so close. Craig reached around and flicked her clit, and she exploded into a million pieces. Her entire body dissolved, and she bit down from the force of the release. “Ouch! She bit me. Jesus, that… Oh, shit. Again. Bite me again!” Carson cried out. She did, and he powered into her as his climax consumed him. He spurted thick jets of semen deep into her pussy. “Jesus Christ!” Craig hollered and lost his pace, spilling his life into her backside and muttering broken words of pleasure. Felicia collapsed between them, her breathing tearing in and out of her lungs, her brain nothing but a fog. Her body jerked and spasmed as little bolts of pleasure released in her aftermath. She couldn’t move now if she wanted to. She didn’t know when she drifted off, only that the last thing she saw before she closed her eyes were the Reeves brothers. The last thing she felt were their strong hands holding her, and the last thing she heard was the sound of their velvety words, soothing her to sleep.

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Chapter 12 “There is rumor that the remaining Montgomery is female, Carson. Don’t look at me like that. It is no matter to me. Woman or not, she will pay for the wrong her family inflicted on ours.” –Craig Reeves, after overhearing one of the town gossips talk about a Montgomery, 1885. “Have you had a chance to visit your family?” Father Nelson asked Felicia as together they tidied up the church after his weekly service. The inside seemed so dingy. Beautiful stained glass from New York should never be dingy. It used to be such a clean little church. Her father donated the money to the church for these windows. Felicia refused to see them so dirty. It broke her heart seeing the church fall into such disarray. Father Nelson was old when she was a child. She didn’t want to be rude and ask his age, but he had to be well into his eighties. The church needed a swift and thorough cleaning. Since she didn’t have any money to tithe, she felt it only right to offer her cleaning services. Father Nelson offered to pay her if she promised to come back once a month. It wasn’t much, but it would keep her from starving. “Yes. I visited my mother just last week.” She wrung out one of the soapy rags and brought it up to a window. “I’ve also had a chance to visit with some old friends.” “Which ones, dear?” She stood on the stepping stool and moved to an upper window. “Brittany Mason. Arthur Walton.”

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“I see. And how are they doing now? Are they happy?” What an odd question. How would she know? Neither one spoke to her for more than it took to either whisk her into the back of a café or into a buggy. “I suppose so.” “That’s good. I was so worried that they were making a mistake, those two. Brittany is a good person, but I just don’t think she’s the right woman for Arthur. You, on the other hand, would have been perfect. It’s really a shame he chose her over you. I thought a child was involved, but she would have started showing by now.” She hid her shock by turning away from him and scrubbing at a stubborn spot on a window until she had control of her emotions. It didn’t hurt nearly as much as it enraged her, and she didn’t know how she felt about that. Why wouldn’t she be more hurt that the man she was set to marry already had plans to marry another? She knew why. Her heart no longer belonged to Arthur. She’d fallen and fallen hard for the Reeves brothers. It didn’t make sense, loving two men, but she had no control over her heart. Knowing she was no longer tied to Arthur felt like a thousand pounds lifted from her shoulders. Still, Arthur and Brittany? When did this happen, and how did she not know about it? Why wouldn’t Arthur tell her? Why would he still insist on marrying her and taking her away from Port Sherman? Felicia bit the inside of her lip to stop herself from saying anything. It certainly did explain a few things. Arthur’s distance. Brittany’s curtness. She fell silent and finished all of the upper windows, as agreed. Not wanting the good father to have to kneel down and to give herself some time to straighten her thoughts, Felicia took her time washing the lower ones as well. “I didn’t ask you to do those, my child.” “I know,” Felicia answered and dropped the dirty rag in the bucket. She turned to him and forced a smile. “It was my pleasure.” “How much more will that run me?” “Nothing. I feel as if I am stealing from you as it is.” She followed

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him into his chambers as he reached for his money purse. Her mood lit up as he dropped a five-dollar gold piece in her hand. “Father…” “No.” He held his hand up to silence her protest. “You deserve so much more than what you have, Felicia Montgomery. God has a plan for you, so promise me you won’t lose your faith.” “I won’t, Father. I promise.” He met her eyes with intensity then shook his head and chuckled. “My word, you look just like your mother.” “You really think so?” “Of course. Felicity Andrews was a lovely woman. She turned every man’s head, including the pure of heart.” He winked, and Felicia smiled as she hid her eyes. “Father Nelson,” she teased. “I’m only human, child. Your father was the luckiest man alive to spark her interest. I married them here, in this church.” Felicia’s heart warmed as she thought of her parents up at the altar in happier times. Now they were together in eternity. Father Nelson patted her arm with a wrinkled hand. “Don’t be sad for them, my child. They are with God now, Felicia. And he accepts all, despite their faults.” Felicia met his eyes with a furrowed brow. “What do you mean?” He brought her over to the closest pew and sat her down. “I know the times are trying for us all. You’ve lost so much, with Arthur and Brittany, with you losing your family at such an early age. Add to everything this feud between you and the Reeves and it’s no wonder you’re struggling with your faith. Everyone’s faith seems to be wavering.” She frowned and pulled her hand back as she let out a deep, sigh. “I don’t know what to have faith in anymore.” “Felicia, you sound so down.” She shrugged and failed an attempt at a smile. “I’ll be all right. I just have too much on my mind.” “Talk to me. You know I’m a very good listener, and you know

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whatever you have to say stays in strict confidence.” She couldn’t talk to a man of the cloth, not about what really had her troubled. “I’m just not sure what I want any longer.” “Still coming to terms with Arthur’s choice?” The relief that washed through her knowing she no longer had to marry Arthur had her almost giddy. “What would it mean if I weren’t that upset about it? I came back to Port Sherman to marry Arthur. Yet, now that I know I won’t be marrying him, I’m not upset.” “You’re relieved.” He said it as a statement, not a question. Felicia widened her eyes at him. “How did you know?” Father Nelson smiled warmly. “My child, these old eyes see much. Your mother had a restless streak in her, as well. She had several suitors before she chose your father.” “So, you’re saying that I will find someone, but it may take several suitors before I do?” “I’m saying that only you can choose who is right for you. Arranged marriages rarely work.” Felicia twisted her fingers together. “I suppose it’s time for me to find a proper suitor then. After all, I don’t want to be labeled a spinster.” “I hardly think we need to get you a cane and wooden teeth just yet. Have a little faith.” “I need to find what faith I do have.” “Faith isn’t something you have. It is something you feel in here.” He tapped over his heart for emphasis. “Don’t look for faith in things that aren’t there.” “What do you mean?” “Don’t place your faith in the wrong people.” “Such as?” He lowered his pale eyes as he searched for his words. “I’ve been in Port Sherman for an awfully long time. I’ve seen the good and the bad. I’ve buried innocent children sent to God before they were given the chance of life. I’ve had to give last rites to men who should never

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be forgiven for the sins they’ve committed on this earth.” She couldn’t help but think he brought this up for more than a pleasant Sunday afternoon visit. “Does this have anything to do with what my father did?” He looked at her with sad eyes. “After he lost your mother, he wasn’t the same.” She’d watched him die a little more every day after burying his wife. It tore Felicia apart knowing she couldn’t do anything to comfort him. “Do you believe he’s capable of the things I’ve heard?” Father Nelson sighed. “You are old enough now to know the truth, Felicia.” Finally. “Go on.” "I care a great deal for you, my child. I’d rather wish my heart to stop beating than see any harm brought on you.” She only wished the rest of the town felt the conviction he did. “Oh, dear God in Heaven.” Father Nelson paled as he looked beyond her toward the door. Whirling around, she watched as a large man walked in. He looked vaguely familiar, with a build much like Craig and Carson but smaller in stature with darker eyes and lighter hair that had started to gray at the temples. “Hello, Miss Montgomery.” The man’s dark gaze pierced right into her heart, his look coiling and twisting inside her like an angry snake. He approached and, without permission, brought a large hand down and easily pulled her up out of the pew. “Unhand me!” She pushed him away. At first he resisted and even grinned as she struggled. He then let her go and laughed when she stumbled back. He had to be a Reeves. Not only did he have the resemblance, he had the arrogance to go along with it. “Just who do you think you are?” “Jon Reeves.” He mock bowed and then brought his dark gaze to her again. “Yes, I am Craig and Carson’s brother.” Felicia righted her clothing and patted at her hair as she thrust out

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her chin, her gaze never leaving his. She refused to let this Reeves or any other Reeves intimidate her, even though this Reeves had her skin crawling. Not for the first time she wished one or both of the Reeves twins were by her side. “Well, I must be going.” She briskly walked out of the church before she could take another breath. She didn’t miss the way Jon smirked at Father Nelson and nodded once before following her out. “Thank you, Father. I can see by her reaction that you told her exactly as I instructed. I’ll take it from here.” Unbelievable. The Reeveses even had control over Father Nelson. She couldn’t trust anyone. With a new hurry in her step, she almost ran as she rushed toward her buggy. He called out to her. “Wait! I came to see you.” “Leave her alone, Mr. Reeves. She’s done nothing wrong.” “You stay out of this, old man. You did your job now go back inside before you and the fine people of this church fall to the curse.” Felicia turned back to see Father Nelson standing in the doorway, watching like a guardian angel. He then straightened and nailed his pale glare to Jon Reeves. “Do not threaten me. I am on God’s side, and His is always the right side.” Jon smirked and even laughed. “Perhaps. But I doubt the rest of your following will see it quite the same way when they and their loved ones fall victim to your blind faith. Now get inside.” Father Nelson narrowed his eyes, but then his shoulders fell and he turned and disappeared back inside the church. Felicia blinked several times and didn’t realize Jon had stopped next to her until it was too late. She looked up into his dark, uncaring eyes. He looked like he wouldn’t hesitate to carry out the curse against her. “How did you know I was here?” “It’s Sunday. And you Montgomerys are devout when it comes to the church.” Felicia clenched her teeth, knowing he’d just insulted her and her

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family. She turned and started to march toward the buggy. No matter how fast she walked, he easily caught up to her. Still, she didn’t slow. “What is it that I can do for you, Mr. Reeves?” “Jon, please. May I call you Felicia?” “I don’t even know you.” “Oh, come now. Why the formalities? We’re practically family.” She stopped and turned to him. Just how much did the Reeves twins share with their brother? “Excuse me?” He took her by the elbow to lead her away from Father Nelson, who had reappeared in the doorway. “My brothers tell me they met you in the cemetery.” Felicia’s heart fluttered at the thought of what that night led to. She’d had two glorious lessons since and couldn’t wait until their next lesson tomorrow. After the last lesson she could barely walk. Although the spirit was willing, the body needed to mend. “Yes, we did.” “They also told me what happened afterward.” Felicia swallowed hard and felt the color creep up her neck and clear down to her toes. If their brother knew, then who else knew? “Well, I, um, I don’t know what to say to that.” “I only tell you this to warn you.” Her heart seized. “What about?” “Well, my brothers are very bitter. They’ve let this hatred between our families consume them. I fear they are out for revenge.” They weren’t the only one. She darted a glance at Jon. “Against me.” “Well, you are a Montgomery.” “But they both told me that I wasn’t to blame for this feud between our families.” Jon nodded and gave her a somber, understanding look. “I know. It’s what I told them. It isn’t your fault. You weren’t even here. You probably don’t even know what happened. How could you, such an innocent girl, be to blame?”

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Felicia took a step back. Although he spoke the words, the hardened, murderous look in his dark eyes told an entirely different story. “I really must go.” “But aren’t you the least bit curious their plans for you?” Of course she was, but she didn’t believe a word falling from this man’s lips. “Perhaps another time.” “I will tell you this, Miss Montgomery. The twins’ devotion is a temporary thing. It’s no secret that they do enjoy sharing their women, and I’m not the only one who knows what they’ve been doing at your house after dark.” Felicia gasped and quickly coughed in an attempt to cover it up. “Why tell me this?” “Why, your reputation, of course. They intend to tarnish your reputation to the point that you won’t even be allowed to work at a place like Sugar’s.” She felt the instant her heart cracked right before it shattered into a million shards of useless muscle. Oh dear God. No. It couldn’t be true. Then, ever so slowly, comprehension sank into her senses, slowing them to a numbing halt. They came to her each night of their lessons clearly before dark. Craig suddenly appeared when Mrs. Freely paid her a visit. They certainly weren’t doing a thing to keep their arrangement discreet. She closed her eyes as she belittled herself under her breath. How could she be such a fool? They were Reeveses. And, as they reminded her every chance they could, she was a Montgomery. Without another word, she started to the buggy again. “You need to know that they also tire of their women rather quickly. You are nothing more than a plaything to them, I’m afraid. It’s best you know that now.” She felt the precise moment her hope of a future with either one of the Reeveses twins shattered, joining her heart. “Well, I thank you for your time and your concern. I’ll be fine.” “I’ll be watching, Miss Montgomery.” She had no doubt about that. The Reeveses always were.

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Chapter 13 “Of course I'm sure. I'm going home. What else could be waiting for me but happiness? I have a betrothed and a town full of friends. It’s exactly where I need to be.” –Felicia Montgomery, telling her friends at the finishing school exactly why she was returning home, 1886. The speed hovered on dangerous, but at this point she didn’t care if the buggy toppled and threw her, as long as it broke her neck and released her from this nightmare. First this blind hatred toward her all because of her name, then Arthur and Brittany, and then learning of the twins’ true intentions toward her was all too much. She should have never returned to Port Sherman. Too little, too late. She approached her house and jerked the reins to stop the horse. It worked. He stopped so suddenly it threw Felicia up and over his head, landing her square on her backside with a firm plop in the mud. Cursing the ground for being so hard, she slowly stood and examined her skirts. They were covered in thick mud, but at least they weren’t ripped. She couldn’t afford new material to patch them. When she heard clapping, she whirled around to see both Craig and Carson Reeves sitting on her porch step, no doubt waiting to turn the poisoned dagger they’d so carefully stabbed deep into her heart. And, of course, they were in plain sight. Her eyes burned, but she refused to allow a single tear to surface. Marching up her steps, she ignored them both as she pushed past them and walked into her house. They followed her in uninvited, as she knew they would. They seemed to do whatever they wanted,

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invitation or not. “What’s got you so tightly wound, beautiful?” Carson, always Carson, tried to use his charm to defuse the situation. “As if you don’t know.” “I really don’t.” “Do not expect me to be the one to inform you.” “What in creation are you talking about, woman?” Craig demanded as his turquoise glare scraped across her face. “You! Both of you! You seduced me right here in my own home then turned and confessed your achievement to your older brother. Of all the rotten things to do. Is all of this part of your plan to punish me for something I never did?” The twins exchanged glances. “Jon?” Carson took a careful step toward her. “When did you meet him?” “Does it matter?” Craig grabbed her shoulders and shook her. Hard. “What did he say? Did he hurt you?” “I’ll say. He told me everything, so kindly pay no regard to my well-being. I promise not to become too attached. In fact, I believe I’ll terminate our agreement immediately. It seems I am no longer in need of your tutoring.” And then the tears welled up inside her. Wrenching, painful sobs bubbled up and tore from her. Why would she cry over losing men she never truly had? “What happened?” Carson tried to reach for her, but she stepped back to escape his touch, only to run into the hard wall of Craig’s chest. She whipped around to push him away, but he wrapped his strong arms around her and pulled her to him. “Let me go, you rounder! I won’t let you do this to me!” She pounded at his hard chest until her fists ached. Carson tried to grab her wrists, but Craig stopped him with a shake of his head. “I hate you.”

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“No, you don’t.” She nodded but didn’t want to lie a second time. “Talk to us, Felicia.” Carson squeezed her shoulders gently. “Tell us what our thoughtful kin did to you.” “I’ll kill him if he so much as touched you.” Felicia thought of the way he manhandled her to pull her out of the pew but didn’t want anyone to die, and from the tone of Craig’s voice, she had no doubt he’d carry through with the threat. “Talk to me, sunshine. Tell me what he did to you. I’ll make it right. I promise.” It would be so easy to just lose herself in their touch, their words. She desperately wanted to believe them but deep down knew better. “I want you both to leave. I wish nothing from you.” “Felicia, listen to reason.” “Just go!” She didn’t want to listen to Carson’s reason. He had the power to talk her into anything, like having them teach her to be a better woman. A better wife. All for what? For Arthur? A man who couldn’t even be faithful to her before they married? And with her best friend of all people. Thank God she’d resolved to remain single until her last breath. At least she had Arthur to thank for that. “Do you really want us to leave?” Carson wiped at the tears flowing from her eyes. “Y–Yes.” “Then we leave.” He pulled at his brother, who jerked away. “The hell you say.” “Craig, she’s asking us to leave. We will not stay here if we aren’t welcome.” They stood there as an entire conversation passed between them. When Craig nodded and let her go—exactly what she asked him to do—she wanted to beg for him to stay. When Carson walked to the front door and threw it open, Felicia gasped in surprise as Brittany appeared in the doorway. Of course

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someone else would see the Reeves brothers at her house in broad daylight. They were succeeding in everything they set out to do. Brittany dropped her mouth at Felicia’s emotional and physical state then swept her pale gaze over to Craig and Carson. She then started to dance uneasily as realization crept into her expression. “I wasn’t siding with her, I swear. Please, don’t hurt me.” Her eyes filled with frightened tears. Craig waved her off and turned to Felicia. “Don’t do this.” She hesitated as doubt filled her mind. If he wanted to do something as vicious as taint her reputation, now would have been the perfect time for him to bring up everything they’d been doing. Brittany had the loosest lips in all of Port Sherman. “Craig, I—” “Perhaps I should come back another time,” Brittany spoke up, and the spell that held them inside each other broke. “No,” Felicia said as she finally came to her senses. The damage was already done. Craig didn’t have to say a thing. Brittany Mason was the very worst of the town gossips. No doubt news of the Reeveses at Felicia’s house would be the talk of the town by morning. “They were just leaving.” Carson had already escaped. Craig, on the other hand, took his time moving to the door. As he passed the threshold, he turned to Felicia and held her prisoner in his glare. “This isn’t over, Felicia. Far from it.” “Good day, Mr. Reeves.” Felicia kept her eyes to the ground until she felt the Reeves brothers leave, the void ripping her soul apart. **** “Why do you suppose Brittany Mason of all people came to see Felicia? And so close to sunset.” Carson sank down beneath a tree and watched as his agitated brother paced back and forth, wearing a path in the grass of Felicia’s back yard.

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Craig drew his hardened gaze up toward the house. Goddamn Brittany and her bad timing. “Confessing her sins, perhaps?” “In that case, I’d better make myself more comfortable.” Carson laced his fingers behind his head and leaned back against the tree. “We’ll be here a while.” How could Carson be so damned calm? Craig clenched his teeth together and tried to ignore the rage eating away at his insides. Jon, his own flesh and fucking blood, had hurt her. He saw it in her pretty hazel eyes. And, by God, Craig was going to kill him because of it. “You know she’s been fucking Walton, don’t you?” “The entire town knows, Craig. Brittany has made it her life’s quest to ruin the reputation of the men in this town. God knows she’s already given up on hers.” “I don’t like this,” Craig snapped, thrusting his fingers through his hair and continuing to pace. “What has got you wound so tight? So Felicia has a friend over, so what?” “She saw us, Carson. She knows why we were there. I saw it in her eyes.” Carson shrugged. “So?” Carson’s response drew him to a stop. “This from a man who takes pride in his propriety. You know damn well she’ll run out and tell everyone she meets what she saw here tonight.” “Again, I say, so?” “Felicia’s reputation will be ruined. She’ll be branded.” Carson closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. He clearly didn’t sense any of the urgency to put a stop to Brittany’s visit like Craig did. “Then I say mission accomplished.” Craig snarled at his brother as he stared at him in stunned silence. “You can’t be serious.” Carson opened his eyes and rested his gaze on Craig. He didn’t hold any amusement in them, any laughter to give away his lie. Holy shit. He really was serious.

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“Carson, brother, what are you saying?” “Don’t brother me and don’t look so goddamn shocked. You know what we set out to do here.” Originally, yes. But now? She didn’t deserve what they’d done to her. “But she’s innocent.” Jumping to his feet, Carson charged Craig and didn’t stop until he was only a few inches from his brother, the anger clear on his face. “She is many things. Beautiful. Intoxicating. The sweetest pussy I’ve ever tasted or had the pleasure to bury my dick into. But she is a Montgomery and above all else, hardly innocent.” Darkness rose inside him, consuming him, as he stared at his brother, seeing for the first time just how deep the vengeance ran in his blood. “We can’t do this.” “Do what? We can’t carry out a revenge we’ve been planning for two years? I think we are being rather kind. After all, we aren’t taking her life as we originally planned.” “Aren’t we?” Craig felt the bond between them pulling him in, the bitterness and pain from what they’d been through eating at him. His pain was Carson’s pain and vice versa. “If we ruin her reputation, she’ll be forced to leave Port Sherman. She’ll have nowhere to go.” Carson pushed away from him, shaking his head and marching back over to plop back down under the tree. “At least she’ll be away from Port Sherman and away from Jon’s watchful eyes and spies. If we don’t do something to drive her away, he will eventually carry out the curse, with or without us. You’ll thank me one day.” “Hardly.” Craig turned and stared up at the house again. He didn’t want to let her go. He couldn’t stand to be the reason that beautiful light left her eyes. It would be the death of him. “Tell you what,” Carson started and hopped to his feet. “I’ll go talk to Jon and find out what he said. You stay here and make sure Brittany knows exactly what we had planned. Trust me, Craig. It’s for the best.” Like hell it was. “I can’t do it, Carson. I can’t do that to Felicia.”

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“Why the hell not?” “Because I love her!” Craig blinked at his brother in surprise. Did he just admit that? The admission tore through him, and he turned away from his brother to hide his pained expression. He heard Carson mounting Deuce and closed his eyes against the inevitable. Carson brought his horse around. “If you truly do love her, you’ll save her. Hurt her, Craig. Hurt her to save her. It’s the only way. If she stays in Port Sherman, she’ll never be safe.” He rode off and left Craig there to face his destiny. And then break her heart. **** “What was that all about? Did they talk to you about anything in particular? Tell me exactly what happened.” Brittany seemed almost frantic for answers. It didn’t take Felicia much to make the leap why. She really didn’t have the energy to fight with Brittany. There would be plenty of time for Felicia to confront her former best friend and her stealing Arthur. Just not today. “I’ve had a very long day. Perhaps we can schedule another time for a visit?” “There is something I need to tell you.” I bet. “Give me a moment to change.” Felicia ran up the stairs. She threw open the door to her room and sucked in a painful breath. Candles burned in every corner, their angelic light flickering against the walls. Steam escaped from the water in the wash basin. The bedcovers had been turned down, and vases with fresh flowers sat centered on each nightstand. The pain twisting inside her heart nearly caused her to implode. Men hell-bent on revenge didn’t go to such elaborate measures simply to ruin a woman’s reputation. Oh, God. What did she do? Why would she send them away without so much as listening to them? She really was a fool.

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“Did they tell you something…to…upset…” Brittany slowed as she approached the doorway and saw the room. Her mouth fell open as her gaze darted from object to object. When she spotted the bed, the covers open, she let out a shaky, “Oh.” “Brittany, please.” She turned and looked at Felicia, her eyes wide in shock. But then, after several seconds, they danced as Brittany grinned. “Felicia Montgomery, you devious girl. Now that’s the way to handle the curse. I didn’t know you had it in you.” Felicia almost swallowed her tongue. Did Brittany actually approve of what Felicia had done with the Reeves brothers? Not one, but both of them? At the same time? “It isn’t what you think.” Brittany spiked her brow. “Isn’t it? The candles are a nice touch, by the way.” “What is it you need to tell me?” Felicia didn’t want to seem rude, but she really didn’t want to see Brittany right now. She wanted to run after Craig and Carson and beg them to come back. “I’d hoped we could talk.” Of course she did. So not to give Brittany any other reason to gossip about her, Felicia led them back down the stairs and into the parlor they knew so well. They’d spent endless nights in this parlor, just the two of them, talking until dawn. How Felicia missed those simpler days. Even though Felicia already knew, she wanted to have Brittany squirm until she finally confessed her news about Arthur. It may not be the nicest thing to do, but then again Felicia wasn’t in a very nice mood. Brushing as much caked-on mud off her skirts as possible, Felicia then took a seat in one of the chairs facing the fireplace. It didn’t have a cover and therefore would be the easiest to clean the stain her muddy skirts would leave. Brittany joined her in the matching chair facing the doors leading out of the parlor.

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“Now, what brings you by?” “I have some news for you, and I’m afraid you aren’t going to be very happy.” Felicia leaned back in the chair, closing her eyes to try to stop the headache coming on. She wanted to drag this out, but exhaustion threatened to take over. Now she just wanted Brittany to come out with it and leave. “Go on.” “It’s about Arthur.” Hurry up, already. “Yes?” “I, well, um, I have, well, I’ve been seeing Arthur. Romantically.” Opening her eyes, Felicia rested her gaze on her. Hearing it straight from Brittany didn’t please Felicia as much as she thought it would. It only angered her. “How romantically?” Brittany colored and dropped her gaze to her lap. “We’ve been bedding together for over a year.” “Is that so?” “Please, Felicia. You have to understand. I’m in love with him, you see. I never meant to hurt you.” “Didn’t you?” She didn’t care. She honestly felt nothing. Not toward Arthur, and certainly not toward Brittany. “Felicia?” “Was there anything else?” “Do you absolutely hate me now?” Felicia shook her head. “No. I actually feel sorry for you.” Brittany gasped, and then her silver tongue lashed out as her anger took over her sense of propriety, as it always did. She jumped up and threw her arms down at her sides. “Me? Why on earth would you of all people feel sorry for me? I have the man. I have the future. We’ll be blissfully happy, and you’ll still be here, in the house of a butcher, with a curse on your name. You should be envious of me.” “What sort of future do you have with a man who can’t remain faithful? You have a future full of doubt, Brittany. I wouldn’t want that, so I suppose I should thank you for releasing me.”

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Brittany’s temper escalated, which Felicia knew would. Whenever they fought, Felicia always remained calm and collected, which only infuriated Brittany more, just like now. Some things never change. When Brittany’s eyes glimmered with malevolence, Felicia braced herself. That look always meant she was about to go in for the kill. “You are all alone, Felicia Montgomery, and always will be. You think you are better than everyone else, but you aren’t. After I tell everyone what I saw here today, you will be branded as the loose woman you really are. No man will want to be with a harlot who entertains multiple men and under her parents’ roof. You are pathetic in your need for attention.” Felicia slowly rose to her feet as she fought to maintain her composure. Brittany’s words struck hard, slicing through her heart with sharp precision. Although she knew better than to engage in a retort Brittany would surely use against her, she did anyway. She had to say something to prove Brittany wrong. “At least I know love, which is more than I can say for you.” Brittany’s reaction almost brought Felicia to tears. She laughed at her. She actually laughed, long and loud. “Do you honestly believe that? Oh, you are more naïve that I thought. Felicia, it’s no secret that the Reeves twins share their women. They are rounders. Complete and utter scoundrels who take great pleasure in the misery of others. Just look at what they’ve done to this town. It’s only a matter of time before they get what they want from you and move on. And then where will you be? Alone. Alone and branded. Sugar’s won’t even employ you after they are through with you.” Jon’s words came floating back into her brain. Their devotion is a temporary thing. She didn’t want to believe it. Refused to believe it. Yet, somewhere in the depths of her subconscious, the doubt started to grow, to fester like an old wound that never properly healed. “She’ll never be alone.” Felicia whipped around and almost collapsed with relief to see Craig standing in the doorway of the parlor. He’d come back. The

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weight threatening to consume her lightened. She offered him an unsure smile. His gaze left hers to land on Brittany. Those piercing turquoise eyes hardened as he walked into the room. “And you’ll know better than to spread lies.” Brittany’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. “I saw the candles. I saw the bed. I know exactly what you had planned before I came in.” “What you saw,” Craig countered, “was not of your concern. The people of this town don’t take lightly to a lying gossip spreading rumors to cover up her own indiscretions.” “I beg your pardon! I’m as pure as the day I was born, thank you very much. How dare you—” “But you came here tonight to tell me that you and Arthur have been bedding together for over a year.” Felicia physically flinched when Brittany slammed her with a murderous glare. “You finally found one to bite.” Craig kept his unkind look directed at Brittany as he approached Felicia. “Arthur loves me!” “He loves parts of you, not all of you.” She gasped and colored, the anger apparent in her narrowed eyes. “If I weren’t a true lady, I’d tell you exactly what I think of you, Craig Reeves.” He grinned and lifted his ebony brow. “When has that ever stopped you?” Felicia hid her smile as she stole a glance at Craig. He didn’t bother to hide his enjoyment in telling Brittany Mason exactly what he thought of her. “So tell me, Brittany. Are you really in love with Arthur? Or is this another one of your desperate attempts to keep a man by any means necessary?” Craig’s gaze flicked to her tummy as he lifted his dark brow. Brittany gasped and covered her stomach protectively. “That is

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not the reason Arthur and I are together.” He curled his lip in disgust. “It won’t be the first time you’ve attempted to trap a man. Good thing it didn’t work or we’d be kin. Jon still hasn’t gotten over that little plan.” Felicia simply stood there and took it all in. Brittany tried to trap Jon Reeves? But he was so mean. And old. “I’m not carrying a child,” Brittany defended desperately. “Arthur and I are in love. He means to marry me.” “I hope you do like sharing,” Craig stated with a smirk. “It seems you didn’t have an issue moving in on a man promised to another, so I suppose sharing won’t bother you a bit.” This time Felicia gasped. Arthur? She still couldn’t wrap her mind around him and Brittany. Just how many women had he been with? And why was Craig willing to allow her to marry him if he knew? Now she was angry, at Brittany for stealing Arthur even though Felicia didn’t even want him, at Arthur for not having the willpower to wait for her, and damn angry at the Reeves twins for knowing all of this and never telling her. “Brittany, please leave.” She blinked at Felicia. “But I’m not finished.” “Oh, I assure you. You most certainly are.” “Damn you, Felicia Montgomery. You coming back has caused nothing but trouble. I wish you would have just stayed in Boston!” “Good night, Brittany.” Felicia just wanted this to end. At least tonight answered several outstanding questions. She no longer had any doubt about whether she and Brittany would ever become friends again. She wanted nothing to do with her former best friend. She also had her out with Arthur, and that alone made all this drama well worth it. “Felicia, please.” Craig grabbed Brittany by the elbow and less-than-gently forced her toward the front door. “She owes you nothing. You’ve shown her no kindness.”

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He closed the door to block Brittany’s yells of outrage. Thank God Felicia lived far enough out of town that the mad woman would scream herself hoarse before anyone would take notice. “She’s lucky I don’t throw out my vow to never raise my hand to a woman.” Craig shook his head when Brittany kicked the door. “I never made that vow.” When he turned and looked at her, his mouth parted right before the corners of his mouth curled into a sensual grin that made his beautiful eyes twinkle. “You surprise me at every turn, Felicia Montgomery.”

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Chapter 14 “I’ve never met a woman who could resist our charm, brother. It’s one of the many powers we possess over the opposite sex. Let’s use it to our advantage and show Felicia exactly how lucky she is to be a woman.” –Carson Reeves, in an attempt to convince his brother for them both to go to Felicia, 1886. Carson pushed her hands off his thigh. “Felicia, we already told you.” “No lesson tonight,” Craig finished. Felicia’s beautiful lips turned to a frown that made her even more adorable. Goddamn it. He hated that look. He loved that look. He couldn’t resist that look. “Why not?” Carson, always the voice of reason between the two, answered. “Because we agreed lessons would only be Monday through Thursday. Your body needs to recover.” “But I feel fine.” “How did your body feel on Friday?” Carson turned to Craig. Let’s go. Craig couldn’t stand it. He didn’t want to leave. Not now, not ever. He jerked her tight body against his and took her lips without permission, sucking her lower lip between his teeth. He had to taste her, to at least have something to tide him over until tomorrow. Carson pushed Craig away from Felicia and tossed him a glare. We agreed. I don’t care. Carson’s eyes narrowed. Craig didn’t like the turn in his brother’s

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actions. “Stop it.” Felicia slapped them both on their shoulders. “If you want to converse, do it aloud.” Craig turned to her and growled in the back of his throat when he saw the cute little crinkle between her brows. Yet another thing about her he couldn’t resist. “I believe everything is in order.” Carson grabbed Craig and shoved him toward the door. “We’ll be leaving now.” “But I don’t want you to leave.” “Felicia, my dear. As much as Craig and I would love to spend the evening with you, we really must be going.” Felicia reached out and boldly grabbed Carson, pulling his lips to hers. He gave in, but only for a moment. Damn his willpower. Craig’s cock was so hard it ached. Felicia clearly wanted them to stay. They really didn’t have anything else to do. He couldn’t find a single reason to not stay. And yet his idiot of a brother still kept their word. “Lessons are Monday through Thursday.” “But we had lessons last Sunday. I don’t see why this Sunday should be any different.” Ah, yes. Their time together after Brittany left. Felicia had aggression to release that night. She sucked Craig’s cock with such fervor it bordered painful. But goddamn was it satisfying. Carson returned, and together they made sure Felicia had every release due to her. And then they left that night barely able to walk, but it had been worth it. “I think we all know that wasn’t a lesson.” Carson smiled, lost in the memory. “I’ve come to a decision,” Felicia suddenly declared, causing Carson to pause. Craig held his breath to see if whatever she’d decided would be enough to convince Carson to stay. “And that is?” Craig circled behind her and caressed under her perfect breasts. He then kissed at her neck and rocked his hips up

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against her ass, exactly where he wanted to bury his hard cock. “Craig, please.” Carson glared at him. “You aren’t helping.” “Oh, but I believe I am.” He then cupped her breasts and pinched at her nipples. Felicia let out a shudder and leaned back against his chest. “I want you.” “And you can have us, sunshine. Anytime you want.” “Craig,” Carson warned. “No, I mean I want you. Both of you. I don’t want any other man. Not now. Not ever again. Can I have you both?” Carson stared at her. Craig stopped moving and stared at his brother. “Come again?” they both replied. “You two have taught me to speak my mind and to tell you what I want. Well, that is precisely what I’m doing now. I wish to be your woman and, someday, your wife.” Oh shit. Craig stepped back and turned Felicia to him. “Marriage? Sunshine, you can’t be married to us both.” “Not on paper, but in my heart I already am.” She turned and then looked to Carson. “I want you. Both of you. Can’t you see that?” Carson let out a sigh. “Felicia, it simply isn’t possible.” That beautiful crinkle appeared on her lovely brow. “Don’t talk to me about what is and isn’t possible. We were sworn enemies and now look at us. I’ve done things with the both of you that should be reserved for a husband and wife. We spend practically every day together. Why, we’re practically married now.” “It doesn’t work that way, sunshine. When you marry, you marry a single man. You have babies with that man. You grow old with that man. Don’t you see? There is no place for two men, not in the future you seek.” Felicia’s eyes swelled with tears, and it pulled at Craig’s heart. Goddamn it. He hated to see her cry. “Are you saying there is no future for us?”

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Neither answered. Instead they exchanged uncomfortable glances and then avoided each other’s knowing gazes. They both knew what needed to happen next. It broke Craig’s heart to even contemplate leaving her. But it never changed. Their women would eventually become attached and demand something from them they wouldn’t or couldn’t give. Like a future with them. Do it. Craig glared at his brother. Fuck you. You do it. Carson muttered a curse and nodded toward the door. “Time to go.” He stared at his brother in disbelief. Craig was always the hardened one. He was the one who could walk away without a second glance. How could Carson be so heartless? “Carson, please don’t tell me this is the end.” Heartbreaking tears spilled over and streamed down her face. “It isn’t,” Craig answered. “Craig,” Carson said in a low warning. “No, goddamn it. I’m not leaving. Not this time.” “Don’t do this, brother. You know we have to.” “No!” Craig hated how pathetic and love-struck he sounded, but it didn’t matter. He’d finally fallen and fallen hard. He couldn’t walk away. Carson straightened and looked at his brother, searching his eyes. After several seconds, he shook his head and turned away. “We’ll talk about this when we get home.” Craig pulled Felicia to him. “We’ll talk about it now.” “We are leaving.” Craig held his ground. No, damn it. Carson wouldn’t win, not this time. “No, we aren’t.” Carson gave his brother one last tense look before shaking his head and marching out of the house, slamming the door behind him. Craig stood there speechless as his twin left his side.

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He let out a sigh that rattled his nerves. Sure, Carson and he had their fair share of fights, but they’d never been over a woman. They’d never been over them standing at opposite ends. It shook Craig to no end knowing his brother—his twin—had just chosen his side. And it wasn’t next to him. He didn’t want to admit that Jon was right. But now, standing here alone with Felicia as his kin’s hatred coursed through his body, he couldn’t help but think about the curse. The sides. Even that ridiculous story about Cleopatra. Could Felicia really have the power to split up the Reeves twins? “Would you like some tea?” He really wanted whiskey, but since Felicia didn’t keep any of the good shit in her house, he’d settle for anything wet. “That’s fine.” Craig followed her into the kitchen. Felicia took her time fixing them two steaming mugs of nasty tea. Craig hated the stuff. He ended up picking bits of leaves out of his teeth for hours every time he shared a cup with her. “Why does it feel like our time together has come to an end?” He couldn’t look at her as he delivered the news. “Because it has.” More tears. Silent. Goddamn gut-wrenching. It killed him to see her cry. She didn’t bother to wipe them away, instead allowing them to fall into her steaming cup of tea. They sat there in silence, both staring off into the distance and neither looking at each other. This felt wrong. He wanted Felicia. Dear God in Heaven how he wanted her. But he didn’t want her alone. Carson and he were a part of each other. “I shouldn’t have said anything,” she said in a whisper. “You did nothing wrong, Felicia.” “Then why did Carson leave?” He couldn’t tell her the truth, that they had this planned from the very first kiss they’d shared in the kitchen. They’d tarnish her reputation, make it so no man would want her, and then leave her. She’d have no choice but to leave Port Sherman.

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It all sounded so simple when they’d originally thought of it. Hell, they thought they were doing Felicia a favor by sending her away. And now? Craig pinched at the skin between his eyes. When did it all get so damn complicated? He knew the answer but hated to admit it. He had to go and fall in love with the enemy. “Do you suppose he’s coming back?” Craig paused and tried to sense his brother. It was there, his presence, but it was faint. He sank down on one of the stools surrounding the kitchen table. “I’m not sure.” “Does he do this often? Storm off like that?” Craig shook his head and took a sip of the rancid liquid. Storming off was usually his department. “I have to admit, I fully expected you to be the one to split us up, not Carson.” That was hardly fair. “Me? Why me?” “You’re the hothead between the two. Carson is far more levelheaded.” Fuck levelheaded. The man just walked out on them. “Sorry to disappoint.” She rested her pretty hazel gaze on him. “Will you leave me, too? I don’t think I could stand losing you both. Losing one is destroying me as it is.” Tell me about it. He stood and closed the gap between them with an easy stride. Carson may be an asshole, but he was also hurt. He’d never been okay with Felicia’s attention toward Craig. Regardless, Felicia would never doubt Craig’s feelings. Without another moment’s hesitation, he lowered his mouth down to hers. His lips melted into hers, and together they shared the most explosive kiss in the history of kissing. He softly danced his tongue with hers. She moaned as his hands started to travel across her neck and down her collarbone. The room spun just as he tenderly pulled away, stealing a few last

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kisses before taking a step back. He could barely breathe, but it was all worth it. That shine in her eyes, that glow on her sun-kissed cheeks, convinced him that staying with her was the right thing to do. To hell with Carson. Craig didn’t need him anyway. He kissed her on the tip of her nose before walking out of the kitchen and taking him and his nasty tea out into the living room. He sat down on the couch and set the mug on the table in front of him. His eyes traced the room, the furniture, and finally Felicia as she sat down beside him. “What were you two fighting about?” “When?” Felicia’s eyes narrowed at him. “Well, it seems Carson is hell bent on ending this—whatever this is—before we get too attached.” “I think it’s a bit late for that.” Craig smiled, and it warmed his heart when she smiled in return, lighting up the night with the shine in her eyes. “I agree.” Felicia looked down at the mug in her hands. “I can’t believe I’m saying this after the fuss I made begging for you to stay, but you need to go.” Craig sat up straight. “Excuse me?” “Craig, he’s your brother. Your twin. You two share a bond far greater than anything I could possibly offer. You must go to him.” “Felicia, I don’t want to leave you.” “And I don’t want you to leave. Trust me. But I’ll never forgive myself if I came between the two of you. Go to him. Talk to him. If it’s meant to be, you’ll both be back.” The verbal punch to the gut caused him to physically double over. “But not alone?” She reached up and cupped his cheek with her hand. “I need you, but I need you both. That’s what I want.” “Either the both of us, or neither one.” He laughed bitterly and shook his head. Goddamn his brother. By turning his back on

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happiness, he’d killed it for them both. Craig stood and went to the front door. He turned to her when she spoke. “Bring him back to us, Craig.” With a curt nod, he walked out of the house. **** Goddamn his arrogant brother. Who was he to think he had the power to keep Felicia happy alone? Or the right? And why would he think Felicia wanted him over Carson? Who was he kidding? Felicia had always had just a little more spark in her pretty eyes when she eyed Craig. She always paid just a little more attention to him or moaned a little louder whenever Craig touched her. He hated everything about him, which meant he hated himself, too, since they were identical in just about every way. Deuce snorted and twisted his ear back. When he slowed, Carson kicked at his sides to keep him on pace. The horse grunted in protest but picked his pace back up. “Tell me, old friend. Do you hate your brother as much as I hate mine?” Deuce shook his head and fought the reins. Carson grabbed them and gave them a firm tug. He didn’t need a fight from his horse, too. “Maybe Jon is right. Maybe Felicia is the Cleopatra to our Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. She rules with Caesar then once done with him, takes Antony and rules with him. That woman really knew how to divide a country.” “But not a bond.” Carson didn’t even bother to turn around as Craig, on Ace, fell into step beside him. He felt him coming. “Come to drive us further apart, brother?” “On the contrary.” He wanted to laugh but just didn’t have it in him. Craig’s betrayal

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sliced through him. They’d always had each other’s backs. Always. “You hate our bond. Why use it now?” “Because, whether either of us likes it or not, it’s there. To deny it would be no different than denying an arm or a leg. It’s a part of us, as real as something you can see or feel.” “I wish I could believe you.” “I wish you would.” Carson glared at him, his eyes burning with the hatred and bitterness he felt toward his twin. “Two years, Craig. Two years we’ve spent planning this revenge. You’re ready to give it up for the feel of her sweet pussy swallowing your cock.” “Don’t you fucking tell me you still believe in that, not after everything we’ve been through. Think of Felicia, of what that would do to her. This is so much more than these false lessons you’ve employed to fuck her, and you know it.” Carson closed his eyes until his rage fell back under his control. Yes, he would give just about anything to stay with Felicia but would never be able to get over living—and loving—in Craig’s shadow. They were equal partners, or they weren’t partners at all. The only thing to do was sever the bond with Felicia if they were to keep theirs. Carson felt it coming. He knew it would only be a matter of time before the Reeves twins would come to blows over her. In less than a month the little pixie had successfully driven them apart. Carson wanted to believe that was her plan all along. Yet, deep down, he knew better. Felicia knew nothing of this feud between their families. She didn’t have a vicious bone in that beautiful body. Instead of allowing her warmth to invade his heart, he thought of the one person who kept the bitterness alive and strong inside him. “Think of our dear mother. What do you suppose she would say if she weren’t a rotting corpse in the ground? Do you think she’d be swayed by the shit you have clouding your judgment?” “Don’t you dare do that.”

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“Why not, Craig? Because you’d rather forget our vow to our dead mother? Our dead baby sister? Because you’d rather fuck the female Montgomery than seek your revenge?” “I can’t believe you. You have always been the one to talk me out of my insane rationalizations. Now listen to you. You sound more like Jon than yourself.” “Perhaps it is because Jon makes more sense to me than I even do to myself. Felicia’s pussy is sweet, but it hasn’t caused me to lose focus. That’s more than I can say for you.” “But she’s not to blame and you know it.” “Do I?” “Goddamn it, Carson. Listen to yourself.” Carson stiffened. He hated the way he sounded right now. He really did sound like Jon. But it was the only way for him to detach himself. He had to push Felicia out of his mind and body if he had any chance at surviving this. “Don’t put this back on me, brother. You and I both knew what we were agreeing to when we started this.” Craig laughed. The son of a bitch actually laughed, but Carson knew he felt no humor in the grave situation. How ironic that they’d switched roles. Craig was the callous bastard willing to carry out the curse on any man, woman, or child that made the mistake of associating with a Montgomery. Craig was the one who had to convince Carson more than once that they were doing the right thing by seeking out their vengeance. Craig was the man who now turned his back on everything, all for a woman. “I’m not leaving her side.” Carson knew he’d say that even before his brother spoke the words. He never thought the impervious Craig Reeves would fall. Carson lost all expression as he somberly turned to his kin. “Are you choosing your side?” Craig returned his look and even shook his head. “Don’t do this.” “I asked you a question.”

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“Carson, goddamn it. Don’t make me chose.” “I believe you already have.” Carson felt it, the break in the bond they’d shared since spending nine months together in the womb. And yet, the dark pain throbbing at the base of his heart wasn’t his pain. He was literally breaking his brother’s heart. And he felt it. Son of a bitch did he feel it.

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Chapter 15 “Be careful what you wish for, brothers. You just may get it. Fate has a funny way of granting wishes.” –Jonathan Reeves, after the twins tell him they would rather the curse die than carry it out, 1886. “Where’s Carson?” Felicia set a steaming mug of tea in front of Craig before taking a seat next to him on the couch, her mug cupped in her hands. She blew at the steam before taking in a deep breath, savoring the aroma. He let out a shuddering sigh, and his shoulders sagged as if he just collapsed on himself. “He’s not coming.” The news caused her to jerk. Tea slopped over the brim and onto her skirts. She set down her mug before she spilled the rest. “What? I thought you two made up?” Another sigh rattled through him that centered all of the tension in the room around him. “We rode home together last night, but it was a far cry from pleasant.” Felicia furrowed her brow as she watched the way he wrung his knuckles together. She’d never seen him this uptight. In a gesture meant to bring him comfort, she placed her hand over his. He looked at it before swinging that powerful gaze up to hers. She brought her hand up to his cheek. “Tell me what I can do to help.” He wrapped his arms around her, and she pulled him against her. “Just tell me this is real, that I’m not turning my back on my brother for nothing.” Holding him tight, she combed her fingers through his hair. He

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needed to hear it, and she couldn’t think of any better time. “I love you, Craig Reeves.” He pushed back and looked at her, his expression one between hesitation and cautious elation. “You do?” She smiled at him and nodded. It felt so free, finally admitting something she’d felt since first meeting him back at the café. The grin that hit his eyes and then his sexy lips lit up the entire world. “And I know you. You wouldn’t turn your back on Carson any more than he’d turn his back on you.” Craig watched her as she spoke. Even after she finished, he continued to watch her, studying her as if seeing her for the first time. She looked at him. “Why are you looking at me like that?” “You.” One word. Simple. Encouraging. Breathtaking. “Love me, Craig. Let me feel you inside of me.” “Without Carson?” Just the thought of never sharing her body with both Craig and Carson pinched at her heart. She loved them both so much. “I’d rather be with you both, but he’s not here, and I need you.” He stood and backed away from her. “Felicia, I don’t want to be someone you settle for.” Felicia rose to her feet to face him but stayed a careful distance back. If she were close enough to touch him, she knew she wouldn’t be able to resist. Instead she curled her fingers in and dug her fingernails into her palms. It didn’t do anything to lessen the ache in her tight nipples, the twist in her womb, or the deep throbbing in the heat of her pussy. “I love you. Take me, Craig. Take me and let me prove to you how much I want you.” “I know what you’re trying to do, but it won’t work.” His words were serious, but his lips whispered into a grin as his turquoise eyes glimmered wickedly. She took a dangerous step toward him. “And what is it I’m trying

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to do?” “Seduce me.” His voice came out in a thick rasp. “If you say so.” Another step. “Felicia, is this what you really want?” Before logic could overtake her sanity, Felicia stepped into his arms and bravely captured his mouth with hers. When she bit at his lips until he opened, Craig weaved his fingers into her hair and held her to him. This kiss was different. Although tender, there was a sense of urgency, of hunger unlike anything Felicia had ever experienced. He rotated his hips and ground his erection into her. She moaned in response and pushed back. The throbbing deep in her womb caught fire, melting her from the inside out. Immediately her arousal drenched her pussy, softening her, lubricating her for his taking. As their lips parted once more, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him even closer, the pulse of erotic need beating mercilessly in her clit, swelling it. His lips traced her jaw, her neck, her collarbone. Delirious with desire, she pushed her hands between the buttons of his shirt and fingered the hairs on his chest. One of the buttons broke and granted her access. With a sigh, she reached in, and when she brushed the pad of her thumb across his nipple, they both gasped. Craig pulled back, a fiendish glimmer in his darkened eyes. “Oh, yeah?” He then reached down and roughly brushed his thumb across the fabric covering her nipple. It responded without permission, tightening and peaking, giving away her body’s reaction. He teased it more through her dress, clearly enjoying the torture he put her through. She writhed and bucked her hips, not sure whether she wanted him to stop or take it a step further. He pulled back and held her prisoner with his heated gaze. “Felicia, if we do this, just you and me, there is no turning back.”

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“I understand. That doesn’t change anything. I still want you.” “Just me?” No. She wanted the entire package. Both Reeveses, touching and loving her. She didn’t want only half of them. “I won’t lie to you. I want the both of you. Without Carson it feels—” “Like half,” he finished. “I know.” Felicia combed her fingers through his hair. “For now, that’s all we have.” “Will it be enough?” “Touch me, Craig. Feel the way my body responds to you, and see if you need to ask that question again.” **** Just the sight of her shattered his control. That teasing look in her eyes, those enormous hazel beauties, stared at him with such a hungry glimmer. How could he resist that? He shouldn’t do this. It would be the biggest fucking mistake of his life, literally, and he knew it. He’d already made enough with her. Not only had he robbed her of her innocence without any intention of marrying her, now he was about to love her behind his brother’s back. She reached up and cupped his cheek, running the pad of her thumb under his eye. “I love you, Craig. I fell in love with you the second I saw you in that café. Let me show you. Let me love you.” Her words destroyed him. He swept his tongue across her lips, opening them to him. As he explored the recesses of her mouth, he covered her breast with his hand. Her taste intoxicated him. Felicia pulled his shirt out of his pants and ran her fingers up his stomach and then scraped her nails down his chest. Chills tingled his scalp and shot straight down to his painfully hard cock. He wanted her naked so he could touch her flesh, have them skin to skin. Felicia stepped back and started to unbutton her top. Craig stood there, strained and stunned, as she kept her gaze on his and

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undressed right there in front of him, and in her living room where anyone could barge in on them. God, he loved her spontaneity. “Are you going to just stand there?” “Hell, yeah. I’m not going to miss this.” Jesus, she was beautiful with her face flushed in ardent desire. She wanted him. He saw it in her heavily lidded eyes. Could he take her like this? Could he love her, all of her, and never look back? In one word. Yes. Felicia opened her top and pulled it from her skirts. She tossed it aside and then removed her corset. He then watched as she shrugged her tiny shoulders and looked at him. “Would you like me to keep going?” His mouth went dry and then started to water to the point he had to swallow several times to hold the saliva in. He couldn’t speak and instead nodded. She smiled seductively and turned from him as she pushed her skirts down, kicking them aside in a pile of fabric. Before she could lower her drawers, he strode across the room and jerked her into his arms. She gasped just before he covered her lips with his, and it drew a carnal growl from him. He tore his shirt from his body and tossed it aside. Her lips parted, her tongue twisting with his as she combed slender fingers in his hair and fisted. Lifting her into his arms, he carried her up the stairs and kicked the door open to her room, tossing her onto the bed and then stopping at the foot to remove his drawers. Shit. Where the hell was his control? He was about to take Felicia intimately without any intent of marrying her. Unless… It was stupid. It could possibly destroy them both. And yet, as the plan solidified in Craig’s mind, it became perfectly clear. Of course! Why hadn’t he thought of it before?

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“Felicia, after this, everything changes.” She blinked up at him, her eyes dark and wide. “I understand.” “No, I don’t think you do.” He pulled his clothes off and knelt down in front of her. She blushed beautifully as her gaze landed and stayed on his rigid, bobbing cock. When she licked her lips, he groaned. He couldn’t stand it. Later, they’d talk. If he didn’t bury himself deep between her thighs, he’d lose it. “First, these have got to go.” He reached down and pulled the drawers off and tossed them onto the floor. He then ran his hands along her stocking-covered legs. “But these stay.” Her witchy eyes glazed over with passion, with need. She shocked him when she lifted the camisole off her, leaving her naked in all the right places. He couldn’t resist those tender, ripe nipples and fell to her on the bed, taking a tight, hard nipple into his mouth. She moaned and pulled him closer. She had a fire inside her that he could no longer deny. He wanted to let it out, to feel it burn inside him as he made love to her. There was no fighting it. Goddamn it. He loved her. Sure as shit, Felicia Montgomery had stolen his heart. “Oh, Craig.” She allowed him to spread her legs. He ran his finger up and down the soft swell of her glistening pussy. When he brushed across her swollen clit, she jerked and cried out. “Again!” He wasn’t one to turn down an order like that. Instead of using his finger, however, he dove down and flicked his tongue across the juicy morsel. Licking and teasing, drinking up the intoxicating fluid, Craig nearly climaxed. He’d never been on the verge of losing control like this. And he fucking loved it. Standing on his knees between her legs, he then leaned down and positioned himself over her. “Are you sure about this?” She wrapped her legs around him, digging her heels into his ass and lifting her hips. His cock slipped inside her blistering cunt, and

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they both groaned. “Oh, Craig,” she purred. “Just wait, sunshine. It gets much better.” And then he started to move, slowly at first to prolong the pleasure. As they fell into a rhythm, cum boiled in his balls, and he knew he wouldn’t last long. It was everything he wanted it to be. So much, in fact, that it actually made him want to cry. “Slow and easy, baby. Just like that. Does it feel good?” “Ah,” she whimpered, but said nothing else. Shock plunged through his body, and he froze. “Am I hurting you?” “Don’t stop!” She started to buck wildly. “Felicia, Jesus. Slow down.” “Oh, Craig!” She trembled and continued to whimper as her channel fisted him. He knew she was close and feeling her pulsating around him put him that much closer to his own orgasm. He couldn’t stop. In his need for release, he pumped into her, hard, growling as his climax twisted and gripped his balls. “Shit, baby. I’m not going to make it.” Just then Felicia’s pussy clutched his cock, and he lost it. He slammed into her, and she screamed out his name as her orgasm took over. She cried over and over as she ground her hips against him, and his release erupted like a volcano, burying his life deep inside her. He continued to sink into her until he was sure both their orgasms had ebbed. Only then did he collapse and roll to her side. He turned and pulled her back to his chest and kissed her shoulder. Ah, hell. He was in such a hurry to sink inside her that he didn’t even bother kissing her, something he’d definitely remedy the next time they made love. “I love you, Craig Reeves.” Her admission destroyed what was left of his guard. Tears sprang to his eyes, and he buried his face into her hair. What sort of man cried after hearing those three words?

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A man who returned the feelings. “Turn to me. Please, Felicia. I need to see your eyes when I ask you this.” She did and looked up into his eyes, those gorgeous hazels wide with wonder. When she lifted her hand and rested it on his cheek, he fought to hold back another round of emotion. “What is it, Craig?” His gaze locked with hers, and he lost all expression as he mustered up the courage to ask the one question he never thought he’d ever ask. “Will you marry me?” **** Carson tied Deuce off behind Felicia’s house and shook his head. What the hell was he even doing here? He and Craig had an agreement, and by him being here, he was about to break it. But he had to talk to Felicia, to make her understand why they couldn’t be together. He hated knowing how much it would hurt her, but he didn’t have a choice. Jon could be such an arrogant prick at times, but they finally saw eye to eye. It took two drinks, a hell of a lot of shouting, and a few bruised knuckles and fat lips. Carson opened and closed his hand, wincing as the swollen knuckles protested. But it worked. He’d convinced his brother that ruining Felicia’s reputation and sending her away would be in all of their best interest. It was no secret what the Reeveses wanted to do to the Montgomerys. If Felicia wound up dead, every last Reeves would hang for it, whether they had anything to do with her death or not. And the Montgomerys would get the last word. They’d win. Well, that wasn’t going to happen. Carson glanced up and saw the glow of candlelight from the window to Felicia’s bedroom. He frowned. Odd. Then it hit him, and he mumbled a round of curses. Oh shit. He should have known better than to believe Craig just went for a ride to clear his head. What the hell was he thinking?

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Carson raced into the darkened house, through the kitchen, and skidded to a stop in the living room as he caught a glance at clothing on the floor. A top. Skirts. Craig’s favorite shirt, ripped at the buttons. Goddamn it! He took the stairs two at a time and threw open the door. What he saw cooled the blood in his veins. And then he saw red. The betrayal his own blood had committed left him bitter and fucking pissed. “What the hell did you do!” Carson charged his brother and pulled him out of the bed. How could he do this? They had a deal. A plan. And they never, ever went behind the other’s back to fuck the women they shared. Craig threw Carson’s hands off him. “Get a hold of yourself.” Carson sliced his gaze over to Felicia, curled up against the back of the bed, the sheet up to her neck. Her chin quivered, and as she looked up into the burning eyes of the twin she didn’t fuck, her eyes filled with tears. “Carson.” “You just couldn’t wait to get rid of me, could you?” The hurt, the undeniable treachery shook in his voice. He turned back to the man he used to call his brother. Bile hit the back of his throat. “You son of a bitch.” Craig grabbed his trousers and jerked them on. “Calm down.” “I will not.” Carson’s eyes burned as he glowered at the man he thought would always have his back, would never cross him, and would never, ever take their woman behind his back. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you?” “Not now.” “You knew the plan!” Felicia sat up straight, and Carson closed his eyes as Craig cussed. “Plan? What plan?” “It isn’t what you think, my love.” “My love?” Carson took a dangerous step toward him. He’d never wanted to kill him—not seriously—until now. “Declaring your love to her now, are you?”

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Craig must have recognized the murderous look in his brother’s eyes. “Carson, wait. There’s something you need to know.” “There’s nothing you can say that would—” “I asked her to marry me.” No. No! “Are you mad? She’s a Montgomery!” “Carson?” Felicia sank back, the look of hurt shining in her eyes. Damn Craig for putting him in this position. But if Craig wasn’t man enough to get rid of her, then he would. “And you,” he growled and turned his venom on Felicia in the hopes to scare enough sense into her to leave this town. “Are you happy now that you’ve successfully torn this family apart? When will it be enough for you Montgomerys?” “That is enough!” Craig pushed Carson away from the bed. Hard. He fell back and tripped over Felicia’s shoes. As he went down he grabbed at the dresser, pulling it over and knocking the kerosene lantern down and shattering the base, spilling the oil all over the floor. The two candles on the dresser fell over. The fuel ignited, setting the Montgomery home ablaze.

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Chapter 16 “It’s too late to walk away now, Carson. You know that just as well as I do. She’s a part of us now, and I for one plan to do whatever it takes to keep it that way.” –Craig Reeves, fighting with is twin over what to do with Felicia, 1886. Flames oozed across the wood floor and crawled up the walls within seconds. Felicia couldn’t breathe. The smoke immediately filled the room, burning her eyes as they watered, robbing her of any oxygen as she gasped for breath. The heat surrounded her, searing her skin and hypnotizing her. And then the flame reached out to her, wanting her hand to lead her into the glow. Felicia, hypnotized by the flames, simply stood there and stared as her house, the only thing she had left in this world, started to collapse around her. Comprehension slowly sank into her. She’d lost everything. Arthur. Brittany. Her virtue. And now her home. “Felicia!” Craig yelled at her, but she barely heard him. Dark smoke crawled along the ceiling, billowing up as it crept its way along, searching for release. It robbed the oxygen from the room, selfishly stealing the life supply of air for itself. She coughed when she drew in a gasp, filling her lungs with searing air. “Craig!” She cried to him, but the thick smoke hung around her like a blindfold, entrancing her with its sultry dance. The rancid heat filled her lungs, forcing her to cough again. The heat from the fire weighed down on her. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t see. The flames had licked their way up the walls, blackening them in their

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relentless path. Craig jumped through the flames and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her with him as he ran for the door. She looked down, realized she was still naked, and started to struggle. “We have to get out of here!” “Where are my clothes?” “If you two weren’t in such a goddamn hurry to fuck each other without me, you’d know.” Carson jerked off his shirt and tossed it at her. She put her arms through the sleeves and buttoned it as all three ran out of the room and down the stairs before the stairs, too, caught fire and trapped them on the second floor. She couldn’t keep up with their strides and tripped. If Craig hadn’t caught her, she would have tumbled down the stairs and probably broken her neck. When she tripped again, Craig lifted her around the waist and carried her down the stairs the rest of the way. They all stopped at the bottom of the staircase and turned to stare up at the room. This couldn’t be happening. She had to do something. Not only would the fire brigade not get here fast enough to save the house, even if they could, they more than likely wouldn’t do anything to save her. Damn this curse on her name. The curse. Felicia stole a look toward Craig, who didn’t seem all that upset at having a hand in setting her house on fire. She then looked at Carson, who appeared even less concerned than Craig. Carson caught her looking at him and quickly turned toward the front door. “We have to get out of here.” “No,” Felicia snapped and stepped away from the Reeves twins, the epiphany slowing her movement. She blinked at them, seeing them for what they really were—cold, calculating, callous bastards. The ceiling above them popped and cracked as the fire consumed the second-story floor. Embers fell into the parlor and landed on her furniture, setting it ablaze. Her eyes flooded. How could they do this? A piece of the house fell, blocking the front door. Felicia stumbled

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back and whimpered. “This way.” Craig grabbed her hand and pulled her into the kitchen. She broke out of his grasp and ran over to the pump. Panic fueled her movement, and she pumped and pumped until her arms burned. She had to get enough water to put out the flames. “Felicia, it’s too late.” Carson opened the back door and motioned for them to leave. “No! I have to save my home.” “Sweetheart.” Craig tried to stop her, but she pushed him away, and he staggered back, his eyes wide. She pumped hysterically, filling the basin with water. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she worked, causing everything to blur. The sobs consuming her made it hard for her move, but she filled the basin and reached down to pull it up. Her arms, exhausted from pumping, shook and burned as she lifted the heavy basin. Craig tried to take it from her, but she jerked it away. It slipped from her arms and fell to the floor, spilling all of the water she’d worked so hard to fetch. She didn’t have enough time to fill it again. The flames had chased them into the kitchen, and the room filled with rancid smoke. It was too late. Something snapped. With a burning hatred for the Reeves brothers and everything they’d taken from her, she screamed and charged Craig. She was going to kill him. Him and Carson. Instead of Craig falling back when she attacked, he easily picked her up and turned to the back door. “No!” Felicia kicked and screamed, bit and scratched, anything to stop him from manhandling her. But her struggles only made him squeeze her tighter. “Felicia, stop it!” Craig pulled her outside and over to Carson, standing by the large maple tree she used to climb as a child. “Leave me alone, you bastard! You did this on purpose!” Craig dropped her. “What? You can’t be serious.”

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She stood up straight and faced him. She hated him. Dear God, how she hated him. Carson appeared behind her and draped a blanket over her shoulders. She didn’t want anything from him, but the cold from the night had already seeped into her, and she trembled. Wrapping up in the blanket, she turned from them and hurried around to the front of the house when she heard shouting. Thank God. Maybe the brigade would still be able to save her house. “Felicia, stop! You can’t let them see you like that.” Craig tried to block her way, but she pushed him aside and stumbled into a run. “Let her go, brother.” Burning tears smarted her eyes as she rounded the front of the house. Of course they’d let her go. They’d succeeded in carrying out the curse against her. Not only did they take everything from her, they exposed what she’d been doing with them to the entire town by setting her house on fire. She stopped in front of everyone, careful to not meet anyone’s knowing gaze, in nothing but a man’s shirt and a blanket. “Oh, dear heavens.” A woman gasped. A few more who had gathered to watch the fire added to the comment, and none were too friendly. Words like scandal, harlot, and whore floated up from the crowd. Felicia did her best to ignore it as she turned and looked up at her home. Her resolve shattered. The fire had completely engulfed the two-story dwelling. The roof had already collapsed. With a quivering lip and silent tears streaming down her cheeks, she watched helplessly as her home quickly burned to the ground. The brigade, once they saw her and realized who lived here, stopped pumping water onto the fire. She didn’t even try to fight them. The house was beyond saving. And so was she. The crowd, the brigade, and Felicia all stood there and watched the fire eat her house until the only thing that remained was a few skeletal, charred pieces of the frame. It all happened so fast.

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Craig and Carson walked around the remains and stopped next to her. More gasps from the crowd. Felicia turned from them. It didn’t take much of a leap for everyone to know what had happened here tonight. Both men shirtless, Felicia in a man’s shirt, a blanket around her. Neither Craig nor Felicia had on any shoes. “Baby, I’m so sorry.” Craig reached for her. She wanted to go to him, to collapse against him and scream. She wanted Carson to stand behind her so the Reeves brothers sandwiched her and comforted her with soothing words. She wanted them to love her as much as she loved them. Craig was right. After tonight, everything changed. Her love turned to rage as her heart shattered. Her propriety didn’t matter. They’d taken that from her, too. The nasty Reeves brothers won. Instead of giving them the satisfaction of knowing they’d finally broken her, she blinked the tears out of her eyes and turned on them. “You’re sorry? Really? Why would you be sorry, Craig?” She took a step toward him as she thinned her lips and glared, the hatred she felt hopefully burning in her eyes. The crowd behind them fell silent. The only sound was the final pops of her house as the fire finished it off. “Isn’t this exactly what you were after?” “Sweetheart, you can’t honestly think we did this on purpose.” “That is exactly what I think.” She took another step. Craig and Carson both took a step back in retreat. Carson spoke up. “Felicia, it was an accident. We didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” She laughed, and it sounded distant, hollow, and maniacal. “You got everything you were after. Of course you meant for this to happen.” “Felicia, you aren’t being rational.” She scowled at Craig and took another step. The brothers, again, retreated another step, moving the three closer to the crowd, who’d switched from watching the house burn to watching Felicia verbally attack the Reeves brothers.

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“For the first time since stepping foot back in Port Sherman, I assure you, I am. You two have taken everything from me. Everything!” She started to hyperventilate as the words came faster and faster. “I came home to marry and live a simple life, but you two did everything to stop that from happening. And you succeeded. I can’t find employment because of this dreaded curse you’ve put upon my family. I have no home. I don’t even have a shred of clothing.” She cried openly and didn’t care. Her anger fueled her words. “And you’re sorry. Well, to hell with your apology! You had this planned from the beginning, didn’t you? Congratulations. Victory goes to the Reeves. As soon as I find a way—and I will find a way—I will be on the next train out of Port Sherman.” In a small voice, she added in a voice at beaten as her soul, “You’ve won.” Carson brought his hands up. She expected him to protest, but he didn’t. “Then mission accomplished.” What he said had her breath hitching as she fought to gasp for air. She didn’t want to believe it, but the way he looked at her, not an ounce of kindness in those cold turquoise eyes, told her the truth. “Goddamn it, Carson.” Craig growled. “We never intended for this to happen, and you know it.” Carson turned on his brother. “Didn’t we? Why lie any longer, Craig? She knows the truth.” No. No no no. She couldn’t be right. That couldn’t be the truth. No one could be that cold, let alone two of them. “Carson, I’m warning you…” Carson narrowed his eyes at his brother, unaware that even the brigade had turned to watch the brothers. “Or what? We had a deal, or have you forgotten? We’ve done what we set out to do, which was ruin the Montgomery name and stop the filthy bloodline from propagating. No one will want her now that she’s tainted. She’ll never reproduce, and the Montgomery bloodline dies with her.” Felicia swallowed and looked to Craig, who had paled. His shoulders rose and lowered with his labored breathing. But he didn’t

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deny it. He didn’t deny any of it, and what was left of Felicia’s faith collapsed. She buried her face in her hands and gave up. Her grief overwhelmed her, and she shook as violent sobs ruptured inside her. It didn’t matter. Nothing else mattered. The town hated her. The Reeveses hated her. And she hated herself for ever falling in love with two men. “That’s terrible,” a man from the crowd said. “Sampson, stay out of this.” “Hell no, Berta. Just look at her. Look at what these monsters have done to her.” His statement forced her to look up as the blacksmith, Mr. Charlesworth, stepped forward. Mrs. Charlesworth nervously jerked her gaze around, but followed her husband and stepped forward as well. Mr. Charlesworth gave Felicia a sorrowful look. “I’m so sorry, child. No one deserves what we’ve done, the way we’ve treated you. You did nothing wrong, and yet you are paying the price for your father’s mistakes.” It wasn’t the right time. It definitely wasn’t the right place. But maybe, just maybe, she’d finally get some answers. “What did my father do, Mr. Charlesworth?” “Felicia, not now,” Craig pleaded with her. Mr. Charlesworth’s features hardened as he turned a glare on Craig and Carson. “Haven’t you two done enough? Just look at her. You truly are monsters.” “Old man, remember your place,” Carson warned. Another man stepped up from the crowd. And another. And another. Soon, most of the crowd stood behind Felicia and collectively glowered at the Reeves brothers. “Or what?” Another man spoke up. “Are you going to come after me next?” “And me?” The man next to him added. Several more men, and even some women, stepped up and stated the same.

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“We all know our place,” Mr. Charlesworth stated as he straightened his shoulders, the strength of the town standing with him. “And we’ve chosen our side.” Felicia turned to Craig and Carson, who both stood there, stunned and silent. They watched as more people from the crowd stepped up behind her. Even the brigade, since her house was now a pile of charred wood and ash, lay down their hoses and stood with her. She couldn’t believe it. The entire town, it seemed, the very town who’d shunned her this past month, now stood with her against the Reeves brothers. Despite her grief, Felicia’s heart swelled. The town had chosen its side, and it sided with her. She couldn’t believe it but didn’t question it. No doubt they finally saw the Reeves brothers for what they really were. “Craig Edward Reeves! Carson Phillip Reeves! What have you two done?” An elderly woman marched forward with the help of a cane. The crowd parted and watched, all with stunned looks on their faces, as a short, rotund woman with gray hair hobbled over to them. When she stopped in front of the two Reeves brothers, she glared up at them with piercing turquoise eyes. “Nana?” Carson’s mouth fell open. Craig took a step back. This woman, who couldn’t be an inch above five feet, scared the hell out of these men. Using her cane, she pointed at them both. “Shame on you. Do you really believe this is what your mother wanted? Margaret was a kind soul. How dare you use her death as an excuse for your vengeance.” “Nana, it isn’t like that,” Craig tried to explain, but as soon as she focused that stare on him, he snapped his mouth shut. “Hold your tongue, both of you.” “Yes, ma’am,” the Reeves brothers replied in unison. “Now, child.” She turned to Felicia, and her features softened as those beautiful turquoise eyes twinkled. “I can’t excuse my grandsons for what they’ve done, and I can’t reverse the pain they’ve caused.

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What I can do is take you home with me. Don’t protest. I know you have nowhere else to go. We’ll clothe you, feed you, and then figure out what to do next.” Even though Felicia really did have nowhere to go, she at least had to put up some sort of protest before accepting this woman’s gracious offer. “Oh, thank you, but I couldn’t.” “Silence, child. You will leave with me.” And, with that, she closed the subject as she turned back to her grandsons, who both seemed to cower. “As for you, go home. Do not attempt a visit. I will deal with you when I’m ready. Come, child.” She led Felicia back through the crowd and over to a buggy. Without a word she climbed into the buggy and motioned for her to join. Felicia did, careful to keep the blanket covering her as much as possible. “Thank you,” Felicia whispered and released a shudder. “Don’t thank me, yet.” The woman snapped the reins and the horse jerked to a start. “I have a few choice words for you as well.” Felicia’s heart flipped. “Such as?” “Tomorrow, dear. Tonight we get you cleaned up and into a safe bed.”

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Chapter 17 “Why in the world would you take the twins to your bed, child, especially when you were very much aware of their intentions? I knew your mother and father, and I know they were not stupid people. I have to only assume you are not stupid as well, although based on your actions, I do have my doubts. Don’t look at me as if I don’t know. It doesn’t take much of an imagination to know what went on between the three of you.” –Edna O’Brian, lecturing Felicia the day after the Montgomery house burned down, 1886. Craig sat there staring at the house, the rain pounding down on him and dripping off his hat, the darkness of the cloud covering keeping him safely hidden from Felicia’s eyes and Nana’s shotgun. Why the hell wouldn’t she see him? He wasn’t the one who stormed into the house uninvited and knocked over the lantern and candles. He knew why. Carson, the dumb son of a bitch, had lied through his fucking teeth when he shattered Felicia, and he didn’t even hesitate to drag Craig down with him. Oh, how he hated his own twin for that. He wanted to talk to her, to let her know he had nothing to do with it. If she would just agree to see him, Craig would set everything straight. But Nana refused to let him inside the house. And so he waited there, day in and out, hoping Felicia would step outside to enjoy a breath of fresh air and to get out from under Nana’s controlling thumb. The weather worked against him. Instead of any sun breaks, Craig had sat on Ace in bone-chilling, torrential downpours, risking pneumonia and God only knew what else, all in hopes of seeing her.

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One week. He couldn’t believe it had only been a week since he last sank his rigid cock between her thighs, felt her heated flesh take him in and hold him prisoner. It felt like a millennium. Dear God, he missed her. It wasn’t just the sex, although that was incredible. He missed her giggle, the stubborn way she thrust out her chin in challenge, the cute little crinkle between her brows. The need to have her again consumed him, but it was so much more than physical. He couldn’t eat. He couldn’t sleep. He had to see her again, but every attempt earned him the angry side of Nana’s gun. He’d never stared down the barrel of a gun held by his own blood, let alone his grandmother. After the fourth time of trying to see Felicia and each time having Nana chase him off, he’d finally gotten the message. She didn’t want to see him, and who’d blame her? He was a prick. A selfish, heartless bastard who didn’t deserve the likes of her. It didn’t matter his feelings for her. Love or not, she still wouldn’t see him. He let out a sigh as a shudder shook him. Damn this relentless rain. It stole all the warmth from his body. The smart thing to do would have been to get the hell out of the weather, but Craig didn’t care about his health. Without Felicia, it didn’t matter. Ever since the Montgomery homestead burned to the ground, the weather turned, and it hadn’t stopped raining. Now as rivers of rainwater flooded the streets and washed away whatever resided in half the townsfolk’s cold storage, Craig had to wonder. Was God punishing them for what they’d done to her? Had she, like the rest of Port Sherman, somehow found a way to sway the Almighty to her side? A crack of thunder rumbled above, and it crashed into his soul. He wiped his nose on his sleeve and let out a small sigh, careful not to take too deep a breath. The rattle in his chest he’d developed since sitting out in the elements every day and night caused him to cough until the lack of oxygen sent everything spinning.

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Every raindrop that fell from the sky had somehow redirected in order to sink into him and chill him to the bone. He shuddered again and stifled a sneeze. Ace stirred, hating being out in the weather as much as Craig. “Shh, boy. It’s okay. Just a few more minutes.” The horse snorted and shook his head in protest. The sneeze snuck back up, catching him off guard and sending him into a coughing fit that damn near robbed him of consciousness. Little black dots invaded his vision, and he lost focus. The dots grew, and Craig took a breath to order Ace home but coughed so hard something popped in his ribcage and bolts of pain attacked him. Ah, shit. He’d just busted a goddamn rib coughing. Great. Just fucking wonderful. What else did he deserve for what he’d had a hand in doing to Felicia? He grabbed the reins and pulled Ace around, knowing he wouldn’t have to give him any other command. His horse dutifully carried his master back toward the Reeves ranch. By the time Ace got them halfway, Craig had such violent chills he swore he chipped teeth as they chattered. A brutal dizzy spell hit him hard, and he had to lean forward, hugging Ace’s neck, just to stop himself from slipping off the saddle. He couldn’t breathe. The broken rib—if he only broke one—hurt like hell and stopped him from taking anything into his lungs. The damn dots were back, taking over his vision. Everything started to spin. Craig closed his eyes before he puked. And passed out. **** Goddamn it. How could he do it? He didn’t just hurt her in the hopes to send her away. Hell, no. He had to go and burn her fucking house down in the process.

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No, he didn’t just hurt her. He’d broken her. Carson saw it as the beautiful spark faded from her eyes. In the process he’d turned his own twin against him. Craig wouldn’t even talk at him. If Carson walked into the room, Craig, without so much as a glare, stood up and left. For a week he’d given Carson the silent treatment. Jon seemed pleased as hell that the brothers hated each other, the callous bastard. And he couldn’t read Craig. No matter how hard he tried to tune into his brother’s mind, summon up that psychic twin bond keeping them intact, he came up with nothing. They’d never been able to turn it off before, yet somehow Craig had found a way, and knowing that Carson had done something so terrible as to break their bond made him feel even more like a piece of shit. Carson walked into the sparsely lit den, a place he and Craig frequented when they wanted solitude, and stopped when he spotted a shadow sitting by the window. “Craig? Is that you?” He hated that he even needed to ask. He should be able to feel him, damn it. Without a word, the shadow stood and walked into the sliver of moonlight shimmering through the window. Brown eyes stared back at him, and Carson had to look away before Jon picked up on his disappointment. He sank into the closest chair and watched as Jon left the den, only to return moments later with two glasses of whiskey. He set the drinks down on the table to light the lantern and then handed a glass to Carson. Squinting against the invading glow, he glared at Jon as his brother took a seat opposite him and started to sip at his drink. “Stop pouting,” Jon growled. Damn him and his ease about this whole situation. Carson thought about whether to confide in the most stubborn and hell-bent of the brothers and then decided against it. Jon would see it as a weakness. Still, he had to get it out. Since Craig refused to talk to him, and Nana wouldn’t even let him see Felicia, that left one other person. “I’m worried about Craig.”

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“Why? He’ll get over it as soon as you two start fucking another woman.” Carson tensed and had to take several breaths to calm down. Damn Jon for thinking of Felicia as just another woman. “It’s more than that.” Jon chuckled and took a pull of his drink. “Who cares? So he’s angry. So what? You got rid of the bitch. You two will be back to your little mind reading and shit before you know it.” Carson swore he felt the ground rumble between them, the echo of rage threatening to consume him, cracking like lightning. “He’s in love with her, Jon. Doesn’t that matter?” He smirked and finished his drink. “Nope.” “He’s hurting.” And so am I. “He’ll get over it.” There was only one thing—one person—that could help Craig get over it. Carson stood and walked out on Jon, leaving the drink on the table untouched. When he spotted Ace standing by the front porch, his heart refused to beat. Carson ran out the front door and froze at the sight. “Oh, my God.” Craig lay face down in the mud, the rain pounding down on his back. “Jon! Get out here!” Jon came running out and skidded to a stop when he spotted Craig on the ground, unconscious. “What the hell?” “Help me get him inside.” Carson ran down the stairs and put Craig’s arm around him. Jon did the same, and together they brought their brother inside the house. Jesus and Christ. Craig didn’t have an ounce of warmth in him. He was blue, for God’s sake. Carson pulled his vest off and used it to wipe at the mud covering his brother’s face once they lay him down on the settee in the den. “Is he breathing?”

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Carson closed his eyes and tuned into his brother. He didn’t have to check for breath to know. For the first time since burning down Felicia’s house, he felt his brother. He felt everything, and it brought tears to his eyes. Dear God, the pain. The absolute torture. Craig was a bigger mess than Carson originally thought. Tormented want shadowed his very being. The man needed Felicia like he needed his next breath. And, shocking the shit out of Carson, he felt the undeniable shame that had Craig willing to give up. Carson thought about that. Why would that shock him? Hell, he’d shocked himself at how cruel he could be, especially to someone like Felicia, who didn’t have a vicious bone in her delectable body. “Felicia,” Craig muttered in his delirious state. He stirred, but Carson easily held him down. “I know, brother. I’ll make this right.” “Why the hell would you say something like that?” Jon grumbled behind him. Carson drew in a breath and willed his message to Craig. I promise you. **** Felicia folded a napkin and let out a petulant sigh. She knew better than to be thinking about them constantly, but she couldn’t help it. She missed them. Desperately. “Stop your pouting, child.” Nana scolded and slammed her cane down onto the hardwood kitchen floor for emphasis. “Nothing good ever came from fretting over the past.” She couldn’t agree more. Still, it was all she could think about. After folding another one of the never-ending pile of napkins, she’d finally had enough. Neither Reeves brother had come to visit. Not once. She had to know why, and she knew Nana had the answer. “Where have they been? Why haven’t they come to apologize? Or

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at the very least explain?” Nana kept her turquoise gaze on her task at hand as she folded another napkin. “They know better.” That wasn’t enough. “And?” The old woman pursed her lips and continued to work in silence. Felicia had learned, after a week of pushing her for answers, when Edna O’Brian made up her mind, nothing could convince her otherwise. Not willing to push the woman who’d taken her in when she had nowhere to go, Felicia picked up another napkin and folded it. “Did you have plans for All Hallow’s Eve?” “Do you mean All Hallow’s Day?” Felicia asked, a skip in her heart. Her father warned her to never go out on All Hallow’s Eve. Only the very worst showed their true spirit on that night. Even back in Boston, as the other girls laughed and danced in the halls, drinking and flirting, Felicia hid in her room and pretended to sleep. She’d never seen such a sight and refused to be a part of it. “Heavens, no. All the fun happens the night before.” Not according to her father. “I think I’ll stay in.” “Nonsense. It will do you some good to get out.” “Nana, really. I don’t want to go.” “And deny me the opportunity to dress you up? Honestly, child. If I don’t live vicariously through you, what do I have left to look forward to?” Felicia smiled politely and continued folding the napkins until she’d finished the pile. “You could always dress up yourself.” Nana harrumphed. “No one wishes to see an old woman dress up.” Leaning forward in tease, Felicia stated, “If you wear a costume, no one will know.” The smile that spread her pale lips caused her turquoise eyes to shine and made Felicia miss the Reeves brothers so desperately it hurt to breathe. “I do like the way you think. It’s no wonder my boys keep trying

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to break down my door.” Felicia sat up at the news. “They have? When? Why haven’t I seen them? Why haven’t you told me? Were you keeping it a secret?” Nana’s cheeks colored at her slipup. “I suppose you would have found out sooner or later.” “But why keep something like that from me?” “Yes, Nana,” a man’s voice forced Felicia around. She gasped to see Jon Reeves standing there in the entryway to the kitchen. “Why not tell Felicia the truth?” “Now you just hold your tongue, Jonathan.” This Reeves didn’t seem as easily swayed as the twins. He focused his glare in on his grandmother. “Have you told her?” Nana thrust out her chin. “She’s not ready.” “I say she is.” With the help of her cane, Nana stood and challenged Jon. “You lost the right to say anything when you put that crazy notion of revenge into those boys’ heads.” He challenged her right back. “She has you as blinded as she does the twins.” “The only one blind is you, Jonathan. What gives you the right to choose the fate of this girl? Of anyone? Your mother chose to carry that baby to term even though Dr. Montgomery told her it was too dangerous. Maggie was not the first mother to die in childbirth. I don’t blame Dr. Montgomery for her death any more than I blame you.” Anger flashed in Jon’s eyes. “Then why would the coward kill himself if he didn’t blame himself? He killed my mother—your daughter—because he was too fucking drunk to know the difference between his ass and a hole in the ground.” Nana reached up and slapped Jon across the face. He stumbled back, stunned, and she charged forward, her finger wagging at him. “That’s for the language, young man. How dare you come into my house and act like a disrespectful heathen, and in front of Felicia. We

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are ladies, Jonathan Francis Reeves, and don’t you forget it.” “She is not a lady. She is a Montgomery whore!” She slapped him again. When he took a step toward her, Felicia jumped to her feet and hurried between them, facing Jon. Shaking from both fear and rage, she fought the urge to slap him herself. Instead she poked her finger into his chest. Hard. “You are an even bigger bully than your brothers. Why are you here, Jon? To upset your grandmother? Me? What?” Surprise flicked across his expression as he reached up and stopped her from poking him. “I came for you.” She gasped and struggled, the thought of this man coming to finish off the curse slamming fear into her actions. “Calm yourself, woman. I’m not here to bring you harm.” Jerking her hand out of his, she then smoothed it with her other and stepped several feet away from him. “Then what do you want with me?” “It’s Carson. He’s asked for you.” She paused, her hope cautious, her chest heaving, as she asked, “And Craig?” Jon reached up and ran his hand along the back of his neck, a trait she recognized as something the Reeves did when they had something to say and didn’t know how to say it. And then his expression grew somber. “He’s sick, Felicia. Real sick.” Terror sank into her senses as she swallowed thickly. “How sick?” He didn’t answer and didn’t have to. The look in his dark gaze, the way he dropped his attention down so as not to meet her eyes, told her. Without hesitation she went to the foyer, grabbed her shawl, and then threw open the front door. The bitter cold bit into her as the wind and rain stormed outside. “Do you have transportation?” “I have my horse.” Her heart flipped. She didn’t even want to be in the same room

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with him, and now she’d have to ride scandalously close to him. And in broad daylight. But that didn’t matter. The Reeveses had already ruined her reputation. Why not let the town think the third brother was somehow involved as well. Jon mounted the horse and reached down for her arm. She grasped it, and he pulled her up in front of him. The rain pounded down on them, and the water dripping from the brim of his hat poured down her back, sending her into a set of shivers. “Hold on,” he said against her neck. “I made a promise to Carson that I wouldn’t harm you. If we show up with so much as one of your hairs out of place, he’ll have my hide.” “Why would Carson care?” She didn’t try to hide the bitterness in her tone. He sent the horse into motion and tightened his hold on her. “You’ve had quite the effect on my brothers. They both share strong feelings for you.” Regardless of their feelings for her, they still carried out the curse that destroyed her—heart, body, and soul. She pulled in a breath and tried to stop herself from shivering from the cold. “And Craig,” Jon went on. “Well, his current state speaks for him.” “What do you mean? He’s ill because of me?” “He’s been sitting outside Nana’s house ever since the fire.” He paused before continuing. “Felicia, do you understand why my family carries such a hatred for yours?” Finally, she’d get some answers. “I’d like to.” “Once you know, maybe you’ll understand.” “I will never understand why you and your brothers hate me simply for my last name. I’ve done nothing to any of you.” Jon stiffened behind her. “That’s where you’re wrong. You have torn this family apart. The twins have barely said a word to each other. The ones they have shared have been heated, words of hatred.

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I’ve never seen them like this.” “That was not my doing,” she defended. “If you want to know the truth, I advise you to hold your tongue. My brothers may find your backtalk endearing. I, however, do not.” Her want for answers outweighed her need to tell this man exactly what she thought of him. “Go on.” “As you know, your father was Port Sherman’s doctor. My mother, God rest her soul, found herself with child and trusted your father to—” He stopped and drew in a deep breath. “She trusted him. We all did.” Margaret Reeves had died giving birth. That much she gathered from what Nana had said. “What happened?” “He murdered her,” he told her, cold and exact. “Your father, a fucking doctor whose job it was to save lives, took hers and, along with it, her baby girl’s.” “No,” Felicia told him, frantic to deny his statement. “My father was a good man. He’d never take a life.” “Why else would he take his own? He was drunk, Felicia. All the time. When my mother went into labor, he was too drunk to even stand, let alone help her. The bastard just let her scream. And then he let her die.” She shook her head, refusing to believe him. Her father rarely drank and only when entertaining. He took his oath as a doctor seriously. He’d never do something like that. “You’re lying.” “I assure you, I’m not.” “H–How can you be certain?” Leaning close to her, he whispered in her ear. “Because I was there. I saw what he did to her and to her unborn child. He butchered them, Felicia. He was drunk, and he took a scalpel to her.” “Stop it!” She struggled against him, but that only made him hold her stronger, harder. “Oh, but why? This is what you wanted, isn’t it? Now you know the truth. Now you know why your father hanged himself. The guilt

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of what he’d done was too great a burden for him to bear.” No. No no no. It couldn’t be true. Not one word of it. Her father was a good man. A great doctor. He would never do something so horrendous. “Even if those lies were the truth, that does not explain the hatred toward me. I wasn’t even here.” “He killed the last of our generation’s bloodline. We are simply returning the favor.” Oh Dear God in Heaven. That did not sound good. He turned them down a long, narrow drive, and Felicia quickened her breathing as she glanced around. She’d never been to the Reeves homestead and had no idea if Jon was really taking her there. How quickly she believed him when she feared for Craig’s health. “Where are we?” “For someone so quick with her tongue, you aren’t that quick with the mind.” She gasped at his insult. “I’ll thank you to take that back.” “If I were you, I’d be more concerned with your safety than your pride.” Stiffening in shock, her vanity transformed into fear when the meaning of his words processed through her brain. He hadn’t come to Nana’s to take her to see Craig. He’d come to complete the curse. She’d be damned before she allowed Jon Reeves—or any Reeves for that matter—to best her. Twisting, she caught him by surprise and pushed at his chest, sliding off the horse and into the ankle-deep mud. Her actions spooked the horse, and he jumped on his hind legs, throwing Jon. He landed on his back, and before he could move, the horse turned and came down, his front hooves landing on Jon. A sickening crack echoed up from Jon. He hollered out, which sent the horse into another jump. He came down again, one of his hooves slamming Jon in the chest. Jon bellowed in pain. “My ribs! The fucking horse broke my ribs.” He curled into the

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fetal position, his arms hugging his chest. Before the horse jumped again, Felicia grabbed the reins and pulled him away. She soothed him until he calmed enough for her to tie him off on a nearby tree. She then ran back to Jon and fell to her knees next to him. “Jon! Are you okay?” Blood oozed from the corner of his mouth. He coughed and contorted his face as he turned to his side. “Goddamn horse.” “We have to get you out of this rain. Can you move?” He pushed her away when she tried to lift him. “Get the hell away from me.” She ignored his vicious tongue. He may be the last person in the world who deserved her help, but he was still a person. “Come on.” “I said get away!” He pushed her. Hard. She fell back and sank down in the mud. Fine. If he wanted to play that game, she’d play it, too. Rising to her feet, she placed her muddy hands on her hips and glowered down at him. The rain pelted down on them both. “Quit being such a big baby. I’ve seen five-year-olds with more maturity than you.” He narrowed his dark gaze up at her. “What did you just say to me?” “You heard me.” She held her ground even though her knees wobbled, and she wanted to run as far away from this man as possible. “I’ve told you to hold that tongue of yours.” “And what if I don’t? What if I don’t heed a single one of your threats, Jon? What then? Would you raise your hand to me and put me in my place? Or worse? Perhaps you have a gun you can use to silence me forever, because that is what it would take for me to hold my tongue.” “Now you listen—” “No!” She stomped her foot, sending mud up on him. She was too

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spitting mad to care, or apologize. “This time you will listen to me. I love your brothers. Both of them. Equally. You and I do not have to like each other, but we do have to at least try to tolerate one another.” “And why is that?” “Craig asked me to marry him, and I said yes.” Surprise flickered in his expression. “And how does Carson feel about that?” “I may be Craig’s wife on paper, but I will be a wife to them both. If you try to stand in the way of my future with them, you will not like the outcome.” She stood there, panting, waiting for whatever malicious retort he delivered. When he turned and spit out a mouthful of blood, she braced herself. He ran the back of his hand along his jaw, smearing mud and blood along his chin. “You love them even after what they did?” “I believe in forgiveness, something you apparently do not. Now, are you going to sit in the mud and allow the rain to rob you of warmth like a pouting child, or are you going to let me help you get back on the horse?” He cringed as he held out his hand. She didn’t know if it caused him physical pain or emotional pain, and she didn’t care. Taking his hand, she wrapped his arm over her shoulder and helped him to his feet. He growled and cussed like a wild man, but he stood. “Can you get on the horse?” Nodding, he stood holding his ribs as Felicia untied the horse and brought it over. She handed him the reins and then helped boost him onto the horse. He let out another round of colorful curses that had her ears heating, but she said nothing. Once he settled, she put her foot in the stirrup and pulled herself up. “Do you want to continue to your home or should we make our way to the doctor?” “He’s already at the house,” Jon groaned. “He’s watching Craig until he wakes.”

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Her heart fluttered, the anxiety attacking her pulse and sending it out of control. She closed her eyes and said a prayer for Craig as Jon sent the horse into motion. They rode the rest of the way in silence. When they broke through the trees, she spotted the ranch house, and relief washed through her. She no longer worried about Jon hurting her. She could tell by the way he held her that he’d grown weaker as they rode. “Let me ask you something,” he said as he stopped the horse next to the house. She slid off the horse and took the reins to hold him steady while Jon climbed down. He grunted and hissed, but didn’t curse. Progress. “Are you this stubborn and vocal about your opinion with the twins?” “I assure you, I’m far worse with them.” His lip twitched as he accepted her help. “Then God help them.”

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Chapter 18 “Silence is compliance. If you never stand up for what you believe in, if you never fight for what you want, you are accepting the outcome.” –Felicia Montgomery, in a vow to herself as she hurried to Craig’s aid, 1886. Carson stood at the end of the bed as the doctor checked on Craig. Some of his brother’s color had returned, but he still hadn’t regained consciousness. Across the hall Jon lay in his bed, his rib cage wrapped, and Felicia sat in his room tending to his wounds. When did that happen? Jon left the house this morning in a rage after the latest fight between him and Carson. The oldest Reeves had, yet again, blamed Craig’s condition on Felicia. Hell, he even blamed the weather on her. He left, stating that he’d settle this once and for all. And then he’d returned with Felicia. They both looked a mess, Jon more than Felicia, but that wasn’t what had him in a state of shock. They were talking. Actually talking. “We need to keep Craig sitting up.” Dr. White stood and snapped his bag closed. “He has quite a bit of fluid in his lungs. He’ll need to wake soon, so he’ll expel it.” “What happens if he doesn’t wake soon?” The old man gave Carson a somber look. “Son, let’s just pray he wakes soon.” That didn’t sound good at all. “Are you saying that if he doesn’t wake soon, he could die?” Dr. White sighed and ran his hand through what was left of his

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gray hair. “He’s weak, Carson. If he doesn’t have the energy or want to fight, he could very well die. The pneumonia has set in deep.” Carson’s blood slowed in his veins. No. He couldn’t lose his brother. He was his best friend. If Craig died, it would destroy Carson. He glanced down at his brother and tried to feel him. Nothing. And yet he knew exactly what to do. “Dr. White, please tend to Jon now and send Felicia in.” He nodded. “I’ll need to keep her a few minutes to help me redress Jon’s wounds. It is quite handy that she is the daughter of a doctor.” Carson stood there and stared at Craig, willing him to fight, to not give up. Dr. White left and closed the door behind him. Once they were alone, Carson sat down on the bed and took Craig’s hand in his. It was so cold, like marble. Carson closed his eyes and focused on feeling his twin. Nothing. “Brother.” Carson barely restrained the agony in his voice as he spoke. It shook with emotion, but he didn’t care. Craig needed to know just how much Carson needed him. “Felicia is here. She rode on a horse from Nana’s to here in the pouring rain, but that isn’t the insane part. She rode with Jon.” Was that a twitch in Craig’s hand? Carson hurried his words and held Craig’s hand tighter. “I don’t know what she said to him, but she most definitely put him in his place. He didn’t even argue with her when she ordered him to clean up.” Craig’s fingers moved and Carson smiled. “You know her. There’s no arguing. She has somehow won over the one Reeves we both thought would surely kill her if given the chance. Do you know what that means? We no longer have to push her away to protect her. She can stay here with us. Marry her, Craig. Marry her and bring her home to us.”

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Craig squeezed Carson’s hand. Our wife. Oh, thank God. Carson heard Craig’s thoughts as if they were his own. “That’s right, brother. She will be our wife. Together. No more fighting. No more curse.” “It is about time.” Carson whipped around to see Felicia standing in the doorway. He hadn’t even heard her open the door. “Come here. Take his other hand. He needs us, Felicia. He needs both of us.” “I need you both as well,” she told him and took Craig’s hand in hers. “Do you hear me, Craig Reeves? I refuse to let you lay here and feel sorry for yourself. I love you, damn it. I love you and your brother fiercely, and if you take that away from me, I’ll never forgive you.” She jerked her gaze to Carson when Craig squeezed both their hands. Carson nodded. “Keep going. Tell him exactly how you feel, my love.” “Craig, you have ten seconds to open your eyes and tell me you love me before I walk out that door.” That wasn’t what he expected her to say. “Felicia, I don’t think threatening him is what he needs right now.” “How would you know? Have you tried?” He shook his head. “Then how would you know?” “I, uh, um…” He stopped right there. He saw that determination in her shining hazel eyes. It would be pointless to argue. She set her lips and let out a quick breath. And then, to his chagrin, she leaned down and kissed Craig. At first he didn’t move, but as she weaved her fingers into his hair, his lips parted against hers. And then she really kissed him. Craig released Carson’s hand and lifted his to cradle Felicia’s face. For a man who, up until seconds ago, was on his deathbed, he kissed with fervor. Carson felt the want surging in his veins. That

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same want consumed him now. “That’s something I hadn’t thought of trying,” Dr. White announced from the doorway. “Of course, I doubt it would have had the same effect if I had.” Felicia giggled and hugged Craig. He wrapped his arms around her as he fluttered his eyes open. “It would have gotten you a fat lip.” Although his raspy voice was barely above a whisper, he at least spoke. Carson wanted to hug him as well but knew he needed Felicia’s touch right now more than anything. Craig glanced over at him, and a thousand conversations passed between them. But one message he heard loud and clear. Thank you. **** The ceremony took less than ten minutes. It took longer to weave through the townspeople and leave the church. It seemed the entire town came out to witness a Montgomery marry a Reeves. Felicia stood back as her husband talked with Nana. She still hadn’t forgiven either twin for what they’d done, even if Felicia had. Craig nodded and kept stealing heated glances Felicia’s way as he talked with Nana. When she smacked him in the leg with her cane to center his attention, he actually smiled, and the gesture lit up the entire room with those gorgeous turquoise eyes. “I never did thank you.” Jon brought his hand up and rubbed it along the back of his neck. “For what?” She turned to look at him and noticed a cooked grin on his face. She didn’t know whether that was a good thing or not. “For showing me how wrong I was. For saving my life. I would have probably died there on that muddy road had you not forced me to get back on the horse.” She blushed and hid her smile. Jon definitely had a colorful way with words. “You’re welcome.”

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They both stood there and watched Craig talk with Nana. Well, Nana talked, and Craig did a lot of nodding. Carson stood next to him and nodded as Craig nodded. It looked like one of them in front of a mirror. “Why did you save me? I’ve been nothing but horrible to you. You could have left me there to die, and no one would have so much as questioned you.” Felicia glanced down at the ring on her finger. “We’re family, Jon. Family takes care of each other.” He frowned at her. “But we weren’t family then.” “In my heart we already were, and family does not turn their backs on each other.” He studied her for several seconds before speaking again. “Felicia, about your father.” “I’ve had a chance to talk with Nana,” Felicia said before Jon could go on. He didn’t know the whole truth of that night, and it was high time he did. “It was a stillbirth, Jon. Do you know what that means?” He shook his head. “What are you saying? The baby was already dead?” “Your mother hemorrhaged after giving birth to a stone baby.” Jon visibly swallowed as he paled. “But I was there. He butchered her.” Felicia stiffened at his comment. “My father was trying to save her.” “He was drunk.” “He was scared of you,” she countered. “You and the twins. Nana told me that you threatened him more than once that if your mother so much as felt a flicker of pain, he’d pay. That’s why he went to Nana when he’d realized the baby had died while still inside Maggie. He told Nana, and she begged him not to say anything to anyone else.” Jon narrowed his gaze in on his grandmother as his tone cooled. “Why would she want to keep something like that from all of us?”

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“I don’t know. Perhaps that’s a question for her.” “Perhaps,” he answered and fell silent. After several minutes of Nana lecturing now both the twins, Jon spoke again. “I’ve misjudged you, Felicia. Our past is just that. I hope that doesn’t adversely affect our future.” Felicia smiled and it warmed her from the inside out. “I’m looking forward to a future with my new family.” “You are quite exceptional, Felicia Reeves.” Her heart fluttered at the sound of her new married name. “Thank you.” He turned back and watched Craig and Carson with Nana. “The twins are lucky men.” She was the lucky one. She had two of them all to herself and couldn’t wait to get home and celebrate their union. As if reading her thoughts, both Craig and Carson turned to her and smiled that identical smile that had her blood racing and heat pooling between her legs. “I wish you the best,” Jon said and kissed her cheek. “I never thought I’d say that to a Montgomery.” “I’m a Reeves now.” “That you are, Felicia. That you are.” **** “I’m married.” No matter how many times she repeated that phrase, she couldn’t believe it. “And I’m about to take my wife to my bed.” Craig buried his face into the crook of her neck. “Our wife to our bed,” Carson corrected. He stopped in front of her and untied the ribbon holding the fabric of her high-neck blouse in place. “Well, I am a Reeves now. Regardless of the name on our marriage certificate, I belong to you both.” She rested her head back

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on Craig’s shoulder as his hands came around and cupped her breasts. “Take me, my husbands. Make love to me, your wife.” Carson leaned forward and took her lips gently, lovingly, yet so intense it robbed her of breath. The twins worked together to dispose of her clothes in record time before taking care of their own. Within seconds all three were gloriously naked. Craig pushed. Carson pulled. Together they led her over to the bed, and all three tumbled down onto it. Felicia giggled as she landed on Carson, Craig behind her. She pushed up to her knees as Carson moved to the head of the bed. Craig immediately went exploring with his wicked hands, caressing her hips and the curve of her ass. Felicia fisted the sheets when Craig slipped one of his fingers into the opening of her slick vagina. Slow, agonizing, torturous. She moaned when he pulled out and replaced it with two fingers. Carson captured her lips with his own and swallowed her cries of sweet rapture. She pulled in a gasp when Craig’s tongue flicked against her swollen clit. She spread her legs further to grant him access. “Carson,” she whispered his name. “Let me pleasure you. Please. If I don’t have something in my mouth, I’ll scream.” “You’ll scream regardless.” Craig’s gifted tongue assaulted her pussy, and she threw her head back to scream. Carson took that moment to slide his cock between her lips, stifling her cry. She sucked his dick without mercy, so ravished for him that she was desperate to taste his sticky-sweet cum. Her juices coated Craig’s fingers as he worked them in and out of her. He stretched her as he continued to flick his tongue against her clit, and she panted as he drew her closer and closer to her release. His fingers withdrew from her weeping vagina only to push past her tiny rear entrance. Her climax was just out of reach. It climbed higher and higher with every flick of Craig’s tongue. She ran her tongue along the underside of Carson’s heavy cock, knowing that was exactly what he needed. She loved to drive him insane.

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Carson fisted her hair and set the pace, rocking his hips and fucking her mouth. “Jesus, Felicia. Yes. So sweet. Oh, God. Suck me, baby. Just. Like. That. Yes!” He erupted inside her mouth. She swallowed every drop of the thick stream of liquid and eagerly sought more. When he pulled out of her mouth, she whimpered. And then her husbands switched places. “Take me, Felicia.” Craig’s raspy voice echoed in her ears. “Let me feel that sweet mouth on my cock.” She did, not nearly having her fill. Carson worked his fingers deep into her back hole, loosening her tight flesh for him. When he nudged up against her and pressed beyond her barrier, filling her with his flesh, she screamed out from the pleasure that burned in its intensity. Carson pushed all the way inside, and Felicia shuddered. “Please, I must have you both. Please, Craig.” Craig withdrew from her mouth. She opened her thighs wider as his cock slowly eased into her pussy. A scream escaped her as he didn’t slow, didn’t hesitate at her taking both of them at the same time. Her entire body hummed from the feeling of being so full of flesh. The twins increased their pace in perfect unison, Craig pulling out as Carson pushed and then reversing their thrusts. It was too much. Her body shuddered as the climax pushed her ever higher. “I love you, Felicia.” Craig increased his pace, pounding inside her in long, hard strokes. “So much, my baby. I love you so much.” “Felicia,” Carson groaned behind her, his voice so thick with lust it almost sent her over the edge. “Felicia, sweetheart. I love you.” They thrust harder, faster, whispering such terms of endearment that she found herself whimpering in her search of release. Just a few more thrusts, one flick of her clit, and she’d shatter. They both thrust into her simultaneously, and she threw her head back, screaming as her climax crashed down on her. She cried, tears streaming down her face, as wave after wave broke inside her,

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destroying her. “Felicia. Ah!” Craig stiffened as he drove hot streams of his release deep inside her. “Yes!” Carson spilled his life into her and collapsed against her. All three jerked and spasmed as they rode out their orgasms. Only after her soul floated back into her body did she melt down on top of Craig and then slowly move to his side. Carson stretched out behind her and then spooned up against her. Craig kissed her nose. “You will definitely make us a good wife.” She smiled and turned to her back so she could hold each of their hands. “I learned from the best. I’m only following instructions.” The Reeves twins pulled their wife closer, and in their arms, she knew she’d always be safe. Closing her eyes, she drifted off to sleep, the men she loved surrounding her. She was finally home.

THE END WWW.ALLIEKADAMS.COM/EVE.HTML

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Allie K. Adams writes as Eve Adams when a sizzling, M/F love story isn't enough. She currently resides with her family in southwest Montana, where the west is still wild and that's just the way she likes it. Please visit her website for more information or to contact her. She loves to hear from readers, so please don't be shy!

Also by Eve Adams Ménage Amour: Riding Series 1: Riding Double Ménage Amour: Riding Series 2: Riding Lessons [Tasty Treats, Volume 1] Ménage and More: Riding Series 3: Riding Cowboys Ménage Amour: Covert Lovers 1: Under the Covers Ménage Amour: Covert Lovers 2: Between the Covers Ménage Everlasting: Gideon's Ring 1: Trio Ménage Everlasting: Brides of Bachelor Bay 3: Patience is Their Virtue

Available at BOOKSTRAND.COM

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com