Wilde Love

The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 6

Wilde Love When Jessie Green came to Wilde, Nevada, she never imagined she would find a home and five gorgeous men to love. She knows what she wants, a life with the Wilde brothers, but outside forces are bent on stopping her. Just as she's ready to accept their proposal, she's kidnapped and her nightmare begins. The Wilde brothers are terrified when they discover Jessie is gone. They must put together the clues and uncover the psychopath before he delivers his dark vengeance on the only woman they will ever love. It's a race against time. If they can't save her, Wilde, Nevada will become her tomb.

NOTE! You are purchasing Siren's newest serialized imprint, the LoveXtreme Forever Series. This is the conclusion of the The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada collection. These books are not stand alone. Each is a continuation of the previous book and must be read in the numbered order. The final book contains a happily forever after for the heroine and all her men. Genre: BDSM, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Western/Cowboys Length: 25,780 words

WILDE LOVE The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 6

Chloe Lang

LOVEXTREME FOREVER

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: LoveXtreme Forever

WILDE LOVE Copyright © 2011 by Chloe Lang E-book ISBN: 1-61034-837-0 First E-book Publication: September 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 Wilde Love by Chloe Lang 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 Chloe Lang’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Lang’s right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

DEDICATION I have loved writing the stories of Jessie and her five Wilde brothers. I would like to call out a few people who have been amazing supporters of my efforts. Author Sophie Oak brought me to Siren-BookStrand. Juanita and Steven were my first beta readers. Author Heather Rainier supported me early on. Kim and Veronica provided great feedback about the stories. Author Shayla Black never stopped encouraging me. The readers at RighteousPerverts.com were the best cheerleaders ever. Joy & Ali gave me great advice. Author Melissa Schroeder nudged me along. Stephen allowed me time to work. My mother taught me to believe in myself. Haven’t quite learned that lesson, but I’m on my way, Mom. For you and many more who shared with me in the discovery of Wilde, Nevada and its curious citizens – Thank you!

WILDE LOVE The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 6 CHLOE LANG Copyright © 2011

Chapter One Jessie Greene closed her eyes, fighting back tears. “I don’t understand.” Her heart was ripping in two. His words seemed so foreign after the pleasure he’d shared with her. Her insides were humming and singing, even as her mind tried to process his words. She could still feel his cock. She was still full of his cum, and he was ripping her apart. Austin Wilde had held her body up as he made love to her while standing, allowing her to just feel, delivering a myriad of sensations and emotions. She’d clung to him with her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs around his waist as he’d given her the most amazing sexual experience. But then he’d lowered her feet to the ground and made the agonizing request. Austin’s voice rumbled in his chest. “Don’t lie, Jessie. You do understand what you have to do.” She gazed into his dark eyes, pleading for another way. “But it’s not fair.” What he asked was unimaginable to her. “Life is never fair,” he said flatly. Still naked, she felt the air skate across her skin, causing gooseflesh to pop up. Standing in front of him, Jessie felt so very

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small. She wanted to run away, but his hands on her shoulders prevented that. Breaking free from his stare, she looked past him and up into the sky. The moon was partially hidden behind the largest mountain peak. She guessed it likely was after ten, maybe even eleven. Her nerves were shot, and the time she’d negotiated from the other Wilde brothers was almost up. At midnight, four cowboys would drive onto Austin’s property like a posse of the Old West. Any chance at forever for her would be lost unless she could persuade the eldest Wilde brother to change his mind before his younger brothers arrived. Such an undertaking felt impossible, but she must attempt it. How to begin? What to try? He was the rock, not her. Hoping for some spark of an idea, she looked past the sexy Dom, and what she saw immediately reminded her of Phoenix and Dallas. The tree. A few weeks ago, they’d taken her there and introduced her to numerous wicked secrets that she’d responded to from the very first lash. She missed her men. She missed Jackson, the man who’d taken her virginity and made her a woman. She missed Denver, her teacher and amazing lover. She looked directly into Austin’s eyes, resisting the urge to blink. “There’s no way I can make that kind of choice. You or them? It’s a no-win for me.” “You must decide.” The authority in his voice and the command in his gaze made her shiver. Again, she glanced at the tree that had been like her classroom. Earlier, she’d persuaded Austin not to cut it down. For a brief moment, Jessie had thought everything was going to be okay. Now, with his demand for her to choose him or his four brothers, she realized she’d been wrong. “I can’t. You shouldn’t ask this of me.” “Maybe not, but I must.” She detected a tinge of regret in his voice and wondered what that

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could mean. Was there still hope he might be turned around? Please, let there be. If Austin didn’t move off this track, nothing would ever be the same for her. Jessie felt a heavy sadness sweep over her as she thought about the men she would have to leave behind if Austin got his way. Each of the Wilde brothers had captured her heart differently. Jackson’s humor gave her incredible joy. Phoenix’s devotion made her feel beautiful and safe. Dallas’s openness drew her in deeper. Denver’s protectiveness thrilled her. And Austin’s possessiveness wrapped itself around her entire being more than any rope or cuff. After the intimate week with the eldest Wilde brother, she could honestly say she was in love with all five cowboys. Crazy? Sure. But also true. And what Austin was asking was too much for her to deal with. “I love you. I do. But I also love your brothers. I can’t make that kind of choice.” “Sure you can, pet.” He stepped back and tilted his head toward her. “And you will.” Like her, he was also naked, and his muscled body looked like iron. His cock was still erect, though he’d already come moments ago. She shuddered as she looked at the powerful maleness in front of her. Every cell inside her craved to be taken again, to forget the disaster about to unfold. But an invisible heaviness pressed on her mind, sweeping away all sexual instincts. She needed to cry, but tears would have to wait. Mustering as much courage as she could, she asked, “Why would you ask me to do this?” “Just trust me. I’m your Master. I know what’s best for you.” “What’s best for me, or what’s best for you?” She started to turn away, but his hands became a cage around her. “Your tone just earned you the bite of my whip later.” His demeanor returned to the hard edge that had awakened so much inside

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her. As if on cue from his voice, heat rolled through her pussy. But she bit her lip, willing her desire to calm. She needed to stay composed right now. Austin hadn’t been much of a conversationalist, except when instructing her on the ways of BDSM. What can I say to reach him? Jessie recalled one of the best bits of advice she’d received long ago from her cousin, Christy. “Jessie, you don’t have all the facts about your dad and why he’s so different since your mom died. Once you do, everything will change. You’ll see.” The same was true here. Jessie needed more facts. Perhaps the way to get out of this mess was to push him to confess the truth of what was holding him back from joining his brothers and her in a plural relationship. She’d learned early that he wasn’t the kind of guy who cared for being nudged, no matter how gentle. She wouldn’t let that stop her. This was now or never. If she could get to the reasons for his refusal, she might be able to turn him around. She choked out, “I trust you on so many things but not this. Not until I know why you would ask me to reject your brothers after all they’ve done for me. Do you actually hate them?” His hands left her shoulders, and he turned away, keeping his face from her view. After a bit, he spoke in a low tone, “No. I don’t hate them, pet.” “Then why?” Austin turned back to her and stroked her hair. “You’re something, sweetheart. That’s for sure.” “Talk to me. I know it’s hard for you to open up, but I have to know.” Anxiety and frustration twisted together inside her. “Please, Master.” He didn’t speak but gazed at her with an intensity that nearly undid her. She knew if she prodded now, he would shut her out and not reply. So she waited.

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Time ticked on, but still he didn’t say a word. She prayed he would answer soon, before the others appeared. Suddenly, Austin swept her up in his arms, causing her to gasp and shudder. “If you want answers from me, you have to earn them,” he said forcefully. “Besides, you need to be punished for your brattiness.” She guessed he was doing this as a last ditch effort to compel her to choose him and not his brothers. Austin Wilde, you don’t know how stubborn I can be when it’s for something worth fighting for, but you’re about to find out. “Bring it on, Master.”

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Chapter Two Austin loved the feel of Jessie in his arms. His brothers believed that they would be able to deal with him in a plural marriage with one woman. They imagined that Jessie could be the glue to keep them all together. But he knew better. In no time at all, they would be asking him to go easy on her. Not possible for me. He didn’t have an ounce of softness inside him. “Sub, I’m going to lower you to the ground on top of my jeans. Do not move. Do you understand?” “Yes, Master.” She blinked, and her cheeks reddened. Fucking perfect! Besides, he knew this firebrand female needed a very firm hand. Hell, she craved it. She was perfect for him, and he would be perfect for her. Now, he had to convince her to make the right choice. In time, his brothers might understand, though he would never know. The best thing to do once Jessie did fully submit was to leave Wilde forever. It had always been his plan, although until recently, he’d thought he would be alone. He’d considered taking her to his dungeon but had decided against it. The way she’d kept looking toward the tree let him know his brothers were likely going to show up soon. No time like the present to get her on her knees in front of him. But he’d not brought any restraints or toys with him when he’d come to the tree to cut it down. Time to improvise. He sat the tiny bundle of beauty down on his discarded jeans. He grabbed his shirt and started ripping it into strips. “These will be your restraints, pet.”

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She chewed on her trembling lips, causing his balls to load up. Obviously, she was a nervous wreck. He needed to get her out of her head more than any time before. This time would be quite the tightrope to walk, pushing her to the very edge without her invoking her safe word. Austin’s gut clenched as he recalled what he’d done at Denver’s house. He’d ignored his vow to her. He’d put his collar around her neck and was deaf to her cries. “Master, is something wrong?” Fuck! His ruminations had frozen him like a statue. He held the remains of his shirt, now long strips of fabric, in his hands. “Not at all, pet. I’m just deciding on what punishment to inflict on your sweet little body. Let’s get you tied up, sweetheart. Stand up.” It didn’t surprise him one bit that she obeyed him, immediately jumping to her feet. Still, the worry in her eyes concerned him. A ton of worry showed there. Austin walked her to her tree. She’d claimed it, and that had changed everything. He loved her for it and would never let her go. Using the strips, he tied her arms over her head to the oak’s largest branch. He knelt down and fastened her ankles together with more of his shirt’s remains. Unable to resist touching her cute cunt, he guided his fingers through her feminine flesh. She rewarded him with a pussy shiver. He looked up into her green eyes and saw his tomorrows. His cock hardened, and an idea formed. “Do well, pet, and I will reward you.” “Yes, Master.” Her tone told him that she was curious what he would give her, yet her mind was still spinning like a top. This sexy, outsider sub had done quite the number on him. He wanted her with his whole being. By God, he would have her, too. Time to give her what she really needed. **** Jessie trembled as Austin’s gaze locked on her eyes. Without a

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single touch, his dark, sensual eyes brought on a myriad of sensations inside her. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—you’ve got incredible tits, pet.” “I’m glad you like them, Master.” Jessie yelped when Austin pinched her nipples. They were still sore from all the sex over the last week. He released her tiny bits of flesh. They throbbed and burned. “Tell me, pet. Do you trust me?” She nodded. “Good girl.” Austin fondled her breasts, opening up the deep desires inside her. When he licked her neck, Jessie thought she might climax in the next few seconds. “Don’t do it.” He slapped her ass with his open hand, delivering a quick, delicious sting. His large, calloused hands on her bare bottom felt powerful and hot. “What Master?” she asked. Two more whacks to her backside from his hand, and she felt her pussy dampen. “You know how this works, pet. No orgasms until I give you permission.” She nodded, chewing on her lip and feeling her heart race in her chest. As his fingers slid down her sides to her hips, Jessie knew if she hadn’t been tied up, she would’ve fallen. When he kissed her, everything inside her blazed hot. Desire rolled up through her, flattening out any little bits of hesitation. She wanted him to take her, to dominate her, to fill her up completely. But first, she wanted him to go on kissing her. And he did. Austin used his lips, tongue, and teeth like little erotic toys—pressing, pushing, biting, demanding submission of her mouth, her body, and her soul. Austin’s lips never left hers as his hands found her nipples and pinched them once again. Heat rose in her cheeks, and the little, sweet

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pain sent her to the entrance of the subspace he was creating for her. Her lips swelled up from his mouth torture, and still he kissed her. His hands swept up and down her body, causing her shivers to intensify. I’m so close. He stopped suddenly and released her. He stepped back and looked down at her pussy. “You almost came, pet. That’s not allowed.” “Yes, Master.” She tried to will the little sparks down, but they wouldn’t be quieted. He grinned and knelt down. “Remember, no climax.” Jessie nodded, believing somehow she could obey. She must. But when his fingers began threading through her folds and his thumb hit her clit, she knew it was hopeless. His hands were better than any toy she’d ever experienced. How he could get them to vibrate like that she couldn’t figure out, but she prayed he wouldn’t stop. “Y–Yes!” she screamed, even though clearly punishment would come for it. “No coming,” he commanded flatly but continued his torture on her pussy. As he breathed his hot breath on her clit, her body began to rock in the restraints. When she felt his tongue touch her pussy, Jessie tried so hard to hold back her climax. But Austin’s wicked torture of her pussy was too much. When he captured her clit with his teeth, she failed, and the massive orgasm fired. Her tremors began deep inside her channel then fanned out everywhere in her body, becoming stronger and more intense as they went. Barely able to focus, she watched Austin stand up in front of her. “Naughty, sub. You disobeyed me and came. Now, I’ve got to punish you.” She wondered if he would wait for her orgasm to settle back but doubted he would. Could his punishments make her climax stronger? Austin moved behind her, proving her doubts right. When she felt the sting as his hand connected with her flesh, her orgasm retreated

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for a bit. But as the pain blossomed and she fell into that wonderful subspace, her tremors turned into full-on body quakes of the most intense level. Jessie felt like warm liquid, unable to control her insides, her outsides, her mind, her thoughts, her sensations. And still he spanked her, providing her direction and comfort. Yes, comfort. With Austin, she was free just to be. She closed her eyes and let the tears brought on by the orgasm stream down from her eyes. He stopped and kissed her sore backside, so gently. “I love your ass, pet. You did so good.” “Thank you, Master. I love your discipline.” “I am your Master then?” he asked. “Of course.” “I know what’s best for you.” “You do, Master. “Then choose what I tell you to choose, pet. Me.” She knew he wouldn’t like the answer, but she couldn’t give him what he wanted. “I choose you and your brothers, Master.” “Damn it, Jessie. You’re the most irritating sub I’ve ever trained.” “Thank you, Master.” “You won’t be thanking me for long. I’m going to prove to you that I know what’s best for you if it takes me all night.” “I understand why you’re doing this, Master.” He leaned over and captured her left nipple with his mouth. He sucked hard until she was moaning through the wonderful pain. Austin stepped back, his eyes finding hers. “That’s what you respond to, Jessie. You’re sub through and through. I’ve never known anyone quite like you. We fit. We need to be together.” “I agree. Let’s be together with your brothers. I want what your mom and dads have. I need it.” “No, you don’t. You need me.” But his tone had softened slightly. Was she getting through to him? Jessie thought she might be.

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**** Looking at the crime scene added heat to Sheriff Davis’s already growing heartburn. The past few weeks had changed everything for him. Bandit’s Hideout, Vice, and Wilde were the only towns in Silver County—his county. Despite their names, none got out of hand too much. With only an infrequent bar fight to break up, a few drunks to haul to jail, and some speeding tickets to issue, his job of twenty-four years had typically been a cakewalk. Well, at least it had been until the recent crime spree. Standing over the chalk outline, he spotted the victim’s blood on the carpets, one wall, the bedspread, and a mirror. The whole scene sickened him. The body had been removed fifteen minutes ago by the county coroner. Ted Blake, his deputy and the only investigator in the county, wrote frantically on his tablet. At twenty-five, and with only four months on duty, the young officer had been chomping at the bit for some action. Regretfully for Sheriff Davis, the kid had gotten his wish. Six more years on the job was what the sheriff needed to add enough to his retirement funds and pension to get his dream. He planned on spending his retirement years on the lake with a fishing pole in his hand. That required another election. If he didn’t get the person responsible for the two murders locked up, he could kiss his chance of winning—and future lazy days in his boat—good-bye. “I better call Carson City.” His looked at his cell and saw that not a single bar was lit. He’d have to wait until he got back to his office to make that call. “We’re going to need help on this one.” “But, Sheriff, we’ve got this. If the state sends people up, we’ll get pushed to the side.” “I’m sheriff, Ted. That doesn’t change.” Getting pushed to the side wouldn’t be half bad. “Besides, we don’t have the resources or

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expertise to catch this killer. There are two people dead already. This isn’t the time for a pissing match, Ted.” “Yes, sir.” The deputy looked around the room, pointing with his pen, and then jotted down another observation. “Let’s wrap this up, son.” The kid had fire in his belly, and that actually made him smile. One day, Ted would make one hell of a good sheriff for the county. The deputy suddenly looked up from his notepad. “Sheriff, if Paul King wasn’t the one gunning for Jessie Greene, who is?”

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Chapter Three Jessie drifted out of the divine subspace of Austin’s making. They’d gone several rounds. She’d come another two times. He still hadn’t. “I’m going to untie you, pet.” “Yes, Master.” She was deliciously exhausted. Austin’s intensity and will had blown her away. She’d willingly surrendered everything to him—except for one thing. She would not, could not, concede to his request to make the impossible choice between him and his brothers. He’d won, but so had she. Hope sprang up in her like a fountain. No matter how long it took, she would have her five men. Austin’s stubbornness would be his final downfall. He wouldn’t stop trying to convince her. But Jessie had her own brand of stubbornness, too. In time, he would come around. Female stubbornness always trumped male stubbornness when it was something that really mattered. And her future with the five Wilde brothers did just that. As the ties were removed, Austin massaged her wrists and ankles. Then he lowered her to the ground, kissing her as he did. “I’m going to blindfold you, pet.” Jessie nodded. He smiled, then placed the blindfold on her. “Sweetheart, concentrate on what is going on in your body.” She felt Austin slide down beside her. He pulled her in tight into a perfect spooning position. Little sparks of heat and trembles popped up and down her flesh and deep in her womb. Even her toes continued to curl and uncurl.

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The aftershocks of the orgasms he’d given her continued to fire. “What are you doing here?” She felt Austin’s body tense and instantly fear wrapped itself around her like a noose. Who could it be? Maybe her four cowboys? By Austin’s protective reaction, she knew the answer was someone else? The intruder had crept up silently. Paul King? Her heartbeat pounded like a jackhammer in her chest. She waited for the uninvited person to answer. Nothing. Austin stood up. Then, she heard a gunshot. **** “Fuck this. Why the hell did we agree to midnight?” Jackson paced around the living room of Denver’s house. His eldest brother needed his head examined or his jaw busted. Jackson wouldn’t mind delivering the latter. “Because Jessie asked.” Denver looked at his cell. “The wait is almost over. It’s ten after eleven.” “I wish you’d stop giving us the countdown every five minutes, bro. It’s driving me batshit crazy.” Jackson hated how things were turning out. He’d already given up on his eldest brother. No matter what Austin finally decided, it didn’t change what he would do. Jackson would have a life with Jessie. He looked at his other three brothers. Dallas had not stopped pacing in a circle since Jessie had left. Phoenix stood by the window, looking out, as if he could see all the way to Austin’s house. He couldn’t, of course. And Denver had kept giving the countdown. His other three brothers had made it clear they desired the same kind of life with Jessie that their dads had chosen with their mother. Austin’s denial of their family way would crush all of them, including Jessie. But in time, they would all heal. Together. Denver’s cell went off. “It’s the sheriff.”

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Dallas stopped pacing, and Phoenix turned from the window. Jackson expected to hear that Paul King had been arrested. The motherfucker better hope to be sent away for life. If the asshole came within an inch of Jessie ever again, his next job would be pushing up daisies from his dirt bed. “Hello, Sheriff.” Denver’s face darkened as he listened to the man on the other end of the call. Jackson knew whatever he was learning couldn’t be good. Denver continued, “Got it. She’s at Austin’s, and we’re headed there now.” He clicked the phone off. “Did they find Paul King?” Dallas asked. “He’s dead, but he wasn’t the real killer.” Denver violently punched some numbers on his phone. “No answer at Austin’s.” “Fuck!” Phoenix yelled. Dallas’s hands curled into fists. He spoke through gritted teeth. “Try your cell, Denver? You gave it to Jessie, remember?” Jackson went to Denver’s gun cabinet and started pulling out pistols and rifles, handing them to his brothers. With an unknown killer still on the loose, he knew they had to act fast. “No answer on my phone either.” “Let’s go.” Dallas rushed to the door. “We’ll take my truck.” He followed, anxious to get to Jessie. Fully armed, the four brothers bolted out the door to go protect the woman they loved. **** “If you want to live, bitch, do exactly what I say.” The voice was male and firm. “Fuck you!” Jessie screamed. “Austin, talk to me. Are you all right?” No answer. She’d heard Austin fall to the ground after the gunshot. “Did you…k–kill him?” “He’s alive, but he won’t be if you don’t do exactly what I say.” The blindfold, meant to enhance her pleasure, now trapped her in

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darkness. She needed to see Austin for herself. She reached up to remove the scrap of material. “Stop. Leave it on.” She froze in place. The voice sounded oddly familiar to her, but it wasn’t Paul King’s. “Good,” the monster stated. “Stand up, Ms. Greene.” And then she recognized the voice. It was from the teenager who’d been injured in the old mine—Paul’s nephew. His accident was one of the reasons she’d come to Wilde in the first place. “No. I won’t, Rich.” “Goddamn it.” She felt his hand on her, and then a sting on her left arm. “Ouch. What was that?” “I gave you a shot of Ketamine mixed with a bit of Valium.” “What does it do?” But she felt its effects almost immediately. Her body went numb, and she couldn’t move or speak another word. Jessie tried to focus on Austin, but her mind felt foggy and terrifyingly very far way.

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Chapter Four Phoenix checked the pistol Jackson had handed him at Denver’s house—a Magnum .357 Desert Eagle. The weapon had a good weight and sleek lines with fluted barrels. Phoenix had never killed anything on two legs, but he wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet between the eyes of the person trying to harm Jessie. He looked at Jackson and Denver in the backseat. They, too, were studying their weapons. Jackson held a twelve-gauge pump-action shotgun, great for hunting small game and for taking down a killer. Of course Denver had brought his trusty Winchester rifle that Pappy Jack had given him on his fifteenth birthday. Phoenix knew Denver to be the best shot of the five of them, and with “Smoke Pole,” as he liked to call the weapon, Denver could shoot the wings off of a fly from across the room. Dallas kept one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the sidearm strapped to his leg, a menacing-looking Glock. Phoenix’s anger boiled inside him. If they did find the bastard near Jessie, they’d rain a shower of bullets into the fucker until he was nothing more than a slick spot on the ground. Phoenix looked over at the speedometer as it hit 120 and was reminded of when he’d chased Jessie’s car down Suicide Hill to save her. He clenched his jaw, praying the killer hadn’t gotten to her yet. Dallas hit the brakes, screeching the truck to a halt in front of Austin’s property. Phoenix felt a tinge of relief when he saw Denver’s truck, which Jessie had parked next to Austin’s. They all jumped from the cab and ran through his gates with guns

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ready. Phoenix scanned the grounds but found nothing alarming. Denver ran through the front door, not bothering to knock. “Jessie? Austin?” Jackson, Dallas, and Phoenix were right behind him. They all froze in the doorway, waiting for an answer. None came. They quickly went through every inch of Austin’s home, even his dungeon. There was no sign of Jessie or Austin. “Let’s check the tree,” Denver said. They all shot out the back door and up the hill. When Phoenix saw Austin on the ground, dread filled him. Dallas was the first to their eldest brother. He knelt down and placed two fingers to his neck. Phoenix didn’t see any blood on the ground. “He’s alive. Pulse is good.” “We’re late.” Jackson held up an orange dart for them to see. “Our brother was drugged.” Phoenix felt his jaw clench as he scanned the tree line. He and his brothers had all used darts on their property to tag endangered wildlife on their expansive ranch or to relocate bears and wolves to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. This was common practice with all the ranching families in the county. The dart Jackson had found hadn’t gotten them any closer to figuring out who might have Jessie now, but instead it had lengthened their list of suspects. Dallas lifted Austin, who was still unconscious, off the ground. “You guys work the perimeter and see if she’s close. I’ll get him to the hospital. If she’s not, take his truck and find her.” Without a word, Phoenix, Jackson, and Denver moved out. **** Jessie tried to beat down her panic as she struggled to focus. Her mind was still a bit muddled, but she was regaining the feeling in her

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arms and legs. She knew if she had any chance of surviving this evil, she needed to forget the recent horror and keep her head. She could fall apart later. Taking a deep breath, she prayed that Austin would be okay. If Rich had drugged him, too, the other brothers might arrive in time to save him. Jessie didn’t remember getting into a car, but hearing the engine and feeling the vibration of the road, she knew she had. “Please, let me take the blindfold off,” Jessie pleaded. Her mouth felt desert dry. As her mind cleared, Jessie became more aware of her surroundings. She was sitting up. Front seat or back seat? She wasn’t sure. When the car’s AC hit her unclothed body, she knew she was in the front seat. Jessie wrapped her arms around her chest and crossed her legs, trying to create a protective barrier. “No,” Rich stated firmly. “I already know who you are. Why keep me in the dark?” “Please, shut up. I need to think.” “Okay. Don’t get excited. Did Paul put you up to this?” “No.” “Someone else, then.” He didn’t answer. She knew she was getting close to something. The kid was too anxious to be a coldhearted killer. “Then it’s not too late to fix this mess.” “Really? How?” “Let me take this blindfold off and I’ll tell you.” “Fine. But remember, I have a gun. I’m not afraid to use it on you.” She reached to the back of her head and untied the strip of Austin’s clothing that prevented her from seeing her kidnapper. The first thing she saw was the time readout on the dash panel—12:10 a.m. The brothers are together. They’ll make sure Austin is cared for.

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She knew they’d come looking for her immediately. “So, you know how to fix things for me? Tell me, Ms. Greene.” “Turn yourself in. Tell the sheriff who put you up to this.” Rich snorted. “Right. Not happening.” He looked over at her, leaving his left hand on the steering wheel and his other on the gun in his lap. The teenager’s lips curled up into a lurid grin as he scanned her naked body. “Stop looking at me.” His head snapped to the road, though he didn’t stop grinning. He’s only a kid. But he’s also got a gun. “Are you taking me to someone?” “Shut up, please.” There’d been so many close calls on her life since coming to Wilde, she should’ve been used to it by now. She wasn’t. Jessie didn’t doubt that Rich was driving her to her death. An idea formed with a sharp clarity. If successful, she would be free of Rich and find out if Austin was alive. If a failure, she would die, but by God, it would be under her terms and not Rich’s. She uncrossed her legs. Rich didn’t seem concerned. She looked ahead through the windshield. The road twisted and curved. She waited for the perfect sharp turn ahead. Wait for it… Jessie swung her leg over the top of Rich’s and jammed her foot on the brake pedal. She grabbed the steering wheel and pulled it to turn the car right. “Fucking bi—” The car didn’t just turn but flipped over on the highway. Her body spun inside the car like clothes in a dryer. Even though she expected to die, Jessie felt proud that she’d actually made the attempt to escape the young killer. Before meeting the five men she loved with all her heart, she would’ve never even tried such a thing. They’d changed her life, even if it was about to end. ****

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Denver turned left onto one of the county’s less traveled roads. As the seconds continued to tick away with no sign of Jessie or the bastard who had taken her, Denver’s dread grew. After he and his two youngest brothers had found the car tracks near the ancient oak tree, they’d followed them to the highway next to their eldest brother’s place. Of course, there were no tracks on the pavement. Denver, Jackson, and Phoenix had made the decision to split up in order to cover more ground. They’d sped back to his place to get their trucks. Without hesitation, they’d headed off in three different directions to search for Jessie. Another text popped in from Jackson. “Still no sign of her.” Phoenix had called moments ago with the same news. His cell rang. He looked at the screen and saw it was Dallas. “Yes?” “Mom and dads are here at the hospital now. I’m heading out to look.” “How’s Austin?” “Doctor says he’ll be okay but isn’t sure how he survived such a massive dose.” Denver let out a big sigh. “Because he’s too mean to die, thank God. I’m up north on 226. Jackson’s working the east part of the county, and Phoenix is going south toward Elko.” “Okay. I’ll head west. If I find the motherfucker who took her, I’ll kill him.” Denver wanted to tell his brother that everything was going to be okay, but he couldn’t. He didn’t know that, and Dallas hated lies. “We’re checking in every ten minutes.” “Got it.” The call ended, and Denver slowed his truck, scanning in every direction. When his headlights illuminated an overturned car ahead, he came to a stop.

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Fuck! I don’t have time for this. About three or four times a year, outsiders would get lost in the back roads of the county. Most would show up at someone’s hunting cabin or ranch house, begging for directions. A few would make it to Wilde. Fewer still would take one of the hairpin turns and either flip their car on the road or end up down the mountain. Denver grabbed Smoke Pole and opened his car door. As he got closer, he saw a woman giving CPR to a man on the ground. The woman was naked, and he immediately recognized— “Jessie!” “Denver?” She finished breathing into the guy then started pushing down on the center of his chest. “One. Two. Three.” “It’s me, sweetheart.” He crouched next to her, listening to her count the chest compressions. She turned and smiled weakly at him, continuing her whispered count. “Are you okay?” he asked. “Ten. Eleven. Bruised, but I’m fine.” Rage rolled through him when he looked down at the bastard she was trying to save—Rich. “You’ve done enough for this creep.” “Twenty. Twenty-one. Do. You. Know. C. P. R? Twenty-eight. Twenty-nine. Thirty.” She tilted the teenager’s head back and lifted his chin. Then she pinched his nose and covered his mouth with hers, delivering the first of two breaths. “Yes. I do.” Denver took over the chest compressions, counting silently. “Where’s your phone?” she asked. “In my pocket. Six. Seven. Eight.” He felt her fish out the phone. She asked, “What road is this?” “County Road M, right off of Highway 226.” She dialed 9-1-1. “Yes. There’s been an accident.” She repeated the location to the operator. “Thank you.”

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“Twenty-eight. Twenty-nine. Thirty.” Once again, Jessie sent two one-second breaths into the unconscious asshole. Before Denver could start another round of chest compressions, the kid coughed, moved slightly, and began breathing shakily. “Thank God,” Jessie cried. Denver felt acid hit his tongue from the back of his throat. “He should be dead for what he’s done.” **** Jessie grabbed Denver’s arm. “He’s just a kid.” “Who tried to kill you more than once.” The angry cowboy stood up and looked at the rifle he’d placed on the ground. “I know he did, but please, don’t think about killing him.” She couldn’t imagine he would actually send a bullet into the injured teenager, but she wasn’t going to stay silent and risk it. “I don’t know the whole story, but I think Paul might’ve put him up to it.” “Paul King is dead.” “Are you serious?” “Murdered, likely by this fucker.” Her whole body began to shake, and the shock of what she’d just been through filled her. Denver quickly stripped off his shirt and wrapped her in it. He pulled her in tight and squeezed. He kissed her cheeks, and the dam of anxiety she’d been holding back finally broke inside her, releasing a flood of tears from her eyes. “Shh. I’m here, Jessie. I won’t hurt him, even if he deserves it.” She sobbed into his chest. “Let it out, sweetheart. I’m here. You’re safe.” She sniffled. “Thank you. Did you find Austin?” Please let him be okay. “He’s fine, Jessie. Mom and dads are with him at the hospital.”

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“I need to talk to him, Denver.” With shaky hands, she clicked the screen on his cell. “He’s still unconscious, but I promise you, he’s okay. This fucker dosed him real good, but my brother’s got the constitution of a grizzly bear.” His tone was filled with real admiration and affection. And her heart sank. “I couldn’t turn him around, Denver. In time, maybe I can. Right now, I’m not so sure.” “Shh. We’ll sort this all out later. Understand?” “Yes, Sir.” “You sure you’re okay?” “I’ve got a few bruises. That’s all.” Jessie truthfully didn’t think she’d broken any bones, though her body ached in more places than she cared to count. “I’m still having the paramedics check you out when they get here.” “Sure thing.” “Stupid bastard should’ve known not to take this curve so fast. He’s local. You could’ve been killed. Still, I’m glad you’re here. I suppose we’re lucky he did.” “He didn’t.” “What do you mean?” “I saw the curve and thought I had a chance to escape. So I took it.” “My God, you are smarter and more courageous than any woman or man I know.” He leaned in and kissed her. The press of his lips made her feel protected and cherished. Slowly, her nerves settled back a bit. When he ended their kiss, he stared at her. “I love you. I almost thought I’d lost you.” “I’m here now.” “And that’s where you’ll stay, sweetheart.” As Jessie listened to the approaching siren off in the distance, she

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wondered about what lay ahead. Austin was in the hospital with enough drugs to kill two or three men. She’d almost lost him. She thought about telling Denver what she’d learned from Rich. Rich had never admitted for certain, but she suspected that another person was behind the accidents and murder attempts. She’d seen Denver’s anger when he’d found her helping Rich, and she couldn’t bear to risk losing Denver to some vigilante rage. Better to wait for the sheriff to divulge that news. He’d likely be at the hospital, waiting for Austin to wake up. She couldn’t wait to see with her own eyes that the eldest Wilde brother was safe and sound. But then what would she do? If Austin couldn’t be swayed, there was no way she could stay in Wilde. She would never split up the brothers. They came as a set, not to be broken up. She must get Austin to open up and let her in on the real reason he wanted her to make such a choice. If successful, she believed there was still a chance to work things out between the brothers. When the ambulance arrived, Jessie vowed to herself to do whatever it took to get the forever she longed for.

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Chapter Five Jessie didn’t give a damn that she was only wearing Denver’s shirt as she walked with him into the hospital. The only thing she could think of was that she needed to see Austin. Daniel, one of the Wilde brothers’ dads, was waiting for them by the door. “Hi, son. Hi, Jessie.” “Where’s Austin?” she asked. Daniel grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I’ll take you to him, kiddo, but shouldn’t the doctor take a look at you first?” “The paramedics already did. I’m fine.” “See what I have to put up with, Dad.” Denver shook his head. “The EMTs said your vitals looked good, but you still needed to be seen by the doctor.” “That can wait until I see Austin.” “No, it can’t.” His tone told her he wasn’t giving her an inch. “Denver, stop manhandling her.” Maude rounded the corner. Jessie had been drawn to the woman the very first night she’d come to Wilde and checked into the Hotel Cactus—which Maude actually owned. To Jessie’s five cowboys, the woman was Aunt Maude. Maude smiled at Jessie. “Come here, honey.” “But she needs to see the doc,” Denver argued. “She will. One minute to peek in on Austin will calm her mind and may be better medicine than any sawbones could give her.” The old gal knew how to keep him and his brothers on their toes. “Son, let Maude take her to him.” Daniel Wilde’s tone was comforting. “You and I can go find the doctor.”

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“Listen to your dad, nephew.” Denver shook his head in defeat. “One minute. That’s it.” “Thank you,” Jessie breathed. “Then you will see the doctor and do whatever he says you need to do.” “Yes, Sir. I will. I promise.” Maude held out her hand. “You look pretty good for what you’ve been through. You’re really okay?” Jessie nodded and took her hand. They headed down the hallway. “I took the liberty of going in your room at the hotel and getting you some clothes. They’re in Austin’s room. I thought you could change in there.” “You’re amazing, Maude.” “So are you, honey. Awesome even.” They passed the nurses’ station, and Maude pointed to the door of room four. “He’s in there, Jessie. His mom is with him. She’s expecting you.” “Thank you so much.” “Go. I’ll try to hold off the cowboys, but I can only do that for so long.” Jessie grinned and quietly opened the door to Austin’s room. She saw him first. Her hands shot up to her mouth. The IV in his arm, his eyes closed, and the hospital room stunned her. He was a rock. He wasn’t supposed to be here. She closed her eyes and fought back the tears. She felt an arm wrap around her. Mrs. Wilde whispered, “He’s okay, Jessie. Really, he is.” She hugged the mother of her five cowboys. “I’m so sorry.” “Whatever for? You didn’t do anything to cause this.” “Rich wanted me, not Austin.” “True. But that doesn’t change anything, dear. Now, let me take a good look at you. Considering what you’ve been through, no wonder you look so shook up. You okay?”

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Jessie nodded. “Has Austin come to at all?” “No. Shouldn’t be long now. He’s going to have a lot of guilt, Jessie, when he does.” “Why?” Jessie was the one who brought the trouble to Austin. He had no reason to feel guilty. “He didn’t protect you. Sure, he didn’t have a chance, but that isn’t how the Wilde men look at things. They have to be perfect when it comes to their women.” Jessie could see the pride on her face as she spoke of her sons. “He is perfect. I’m the one that’s flawed.” “You sound like a woman in love.” “I am.” Jessie couldn’t help but smile as she thought of her men. “But I don’t know if that’s enough.” “Trust me. It will be. Austin is all thorns and steel on the outside, but on the inside—” “He’s wonderful. It’s just…that…” Jessie wanted to tell Mrs. Wilde about Austin’s demand for her to choose between him and his brothers but hesitated. “Something’s wrong? You’re torn up about more than the kidnapping and Austin being here, aren’t you?” “Yes.” “Sweetheart, we’re going to be family. I always wanted a daughter, and now I’m going to have one. I’m here for you.” Jessie trusted this woman more than any other. “He’s asked me to choose.” Mrs. Wilde looked to Austin, and then turned back to Jessie. “I’m not surprised.” “You’re not.” “Actually, I’m thrilled. You’ve got him.” A big smile lit her face. Jessie prayed she was right. “I’m not so sure.” “Don’t give up on him, honey. I’d almost lost hope for my boy, and then you came to town. You can do it.” “I’ll try. I promise.”

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“Good enough. Now, let me leave you alone with him.” Mrs. Wilde kissed her cheek. “I hung your clothes on the hooks in the bathroom.” Mrs. Wilde shut the door, and Jessie walked up to the side of the bed. Austin was completely out but breathing easily. She touched his cheek, and felt a single tear run down her face. “Master, I’m so sorry. Please be okay.” Jessie leaned down and kissed him. He didn’t wake up as she’d hoped he might. She looked up at the clock on the wall that reminded her of Denver’s obsession with time. Even with the invincible Maude working to keep Denver away, Jessie knew he’d be busting through Austin’s hospital room door at any moment. She rushed to the bathroom to dress. When finished, she sighed. It felt good to be in clothes again. Jessie left the bathroom and looked once again at Austin, asleep on the bed. “How in the world am I going to get through to you, Mr. Wilde?” **** Jessie flipped through another outdated magazine, trying to tamp down her impatience. The waiting room was filled to the max with Wildes and Strongs. Maude and her two husbands sat across from them. All but one of their sons had gone to the cafeteria, not because they were hungry, but because they wanted to kill time. The one left behind was one of the eldest, Tobias. Mrs. Wilde had gone back to Austin’s room with her three husbands. Jackson and Phoenix sat on one side of Jessie, and Denver and Dallas on the other. After she’d left Austin’s room, Jackson, Phoenix, and Dallas had arrived in a whirlwind of testosterone. Not taking “no” for an answer and with the help of Denver, they’d guided her to the doctor. After answering a bunch of questions, saying “ah,” and suffering through

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other typical medical intrusions, Jessie was given a clean bill of health by the physician to the relief of the four overprotective cowboys surrounding her in the examining room. That seemed like forever ago to her now. Jessie waited for him to wake up. The doctors had told them all that it could happen any time. As the seconds ticked away, Jessie’s worry began to expand. She’d been stretching out her brain, thinking about what she’d learned during her investigations and interviews, and turning over every fact and discovery, no matter how insignificant. All her mental aerobics were to find any inkling of who might be behind the accidents and danger to the mine, to her, and now, also to her men. Paul King had been the obvious choice of villain, but he was dead. Who then? No name rose to the surface. “What time is it?” she asked Denver. “Five minutes after you asked me the last time, sweetheart.” Maude snapped, “Don’t be a smart-ass, nephew. Answer her. I want to know, too. You’re our unofficial timekeeper.” He laughed. “Six fifteen.” Jessie peeked around the corner at the hospital’s glass doors. The sun was coming up. It had been a very long night. Please wake up, Austin. Her anxiety vibrated inside her like a live wire. “Honey, did I ever tell you about how I came to Wilde?” Maude asked, clearly hoping to distract everyone. “Maybe, but tell me again.” “I came here to talk some sense into my crazy sister’s head. Guess what?” “What?” She laughed and grabbed her husbands’ hands. “I went crazy for these two cowboys.” “Tell me how that happened.” “You’ve gone and done it, Jessie.” Tobias stood up. “What did I do?”

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“Don’t you want to hear how your dads and I met, son?” Maude giggled. He shook his head and turned to Jessie. “You’ll enjoy the story. It’s a good one. But after you’ve heard it five hundred times—” Maude sent him a loving wink. “But you were so cute back then.” Jessie grinned. “You’ve got to be exaggerating, Tobias. Five hundred?” “And twenty-five, at a minimum. That’s it. I knew I should’ve gone to the cafeteria with my brothers. Cousins, have any of you thought your girl might be hungry?” Jackson looked at Jessie. “Are you, darlin’?” “Actually, I am, but I don’t want to leave the waiting room.” “I’m on it.” He stood. “I’m coming with you.” Phoenix rose from the chair. “We’ll get enough food for mom and the dads, too. I doubt they’ve eaten either. Anyone else?” “You’re good boys. Your momma raised you right.” Maude’s tone was filled with affection. “Bring some of those cinnamon rolls and some coffee. I bet I can get your mom to eat with that combination. Your dads can always eat, so I won’t worry about them.” “Okay, Aunt Maude,” Phoenix said. Then he, Tobias, and Jackson headed to the cafeteria. When they were out of earshot, Maude continued with her story. “You wouldn’t know it by looking at the rugged cowboy he’s become, but when I first saw Toby, he was crying.” “How old was he?” “Not even two. Grant was trying to change Heath’s diaper and Greg was feeding Nate and Seth at the Horseshoe in the middle of the day. Tobias had run outside without either of these cowboys knowing it. The door to the place shut, and Tobias couldn’t get back inside. I found him sobbing at the door. I walked him back in, and these two bumblers insisted on buying me lunch.” “Sweetheart, you saved me that day, and then you saved me for

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the rest of my life.” Grant kissed his wife. “Your life sure needed changing, just like Heath’s diaper.” Maude smiled lovingly into her husband’s eyes. Greg cupped her chin and turned her to face him. “Me, too, love. I don’t know how I would’ve ever survived without you.” Then he kissed her, too. “Now, you’ve both got me rattled. You two finish the story.” Grant laughed. “You could never be rattled, Mrs. Strong.” “Oh yes, I can. Often by you.” “Good.” He continued, “Jessie, Greg, and I lost our wives on the same day.” “Wives?” Jessie blurted out and immediately wished she could take back the too-personal question. “It’s okay. What you’re thinking is true. We weren’t in a plural marriage back then. We each had our own family, a wife, and two boys.” “Heath and Nate are mine.” Greg chimed in, “Tobias and Seth are mine.” “I hate when you say that.” Maude frowned. “They’re all yours and mine.” “We know, sweetheart.” Greg continued, “We’re just stating the biological facts.” Jessie shook her head. “I wouldn’t have guessed that.” “In Wilde, not everyone is in a plural marriage, Jessie,” Grant stated. “I know, but your boys look so similar to each other.” Grant rubbed his chin. “Well, we’re brothers, and our late wives were sisters.” “Makes more sense. The twins, Dax and Drake, are yours, Maude? Biologically speaking, I mean?” The woman nodded and grinned. “Tell her the whole thing.” “Our wives had gone together to Elko to shop, leaving the boys with us for the day. We liked doing that for them, to give them a

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break.” Grant’s face darkened, as he recalled the old memory. “On the way back, a drunk driver hit them head-on. They both died instantly.” “Oh my God. I can’t imagine how tough that was for you.” “Horrible.” Greg shook his head. “We did our best to be both father and mother to our boys, but they were all still in diapers, and we were both in a grief-stricken haze.” “Then about a year later, our angel came to town and our whole life changed.” Grant looked at Maude with such adoration that it made Jessie happy for all of them. “She fell in love with the boys first,” Grant stated. “We fell in love with her the moment we met her.” “But you’d never been in a plural marriage yourselves. How did that come about?” Grant stated, “You’ve met Uncle Jack.” “I have? Oh, you mean Pappy Jack. Yes.” “Well, he and our other two uncles and aunt had been married for a few years. We were very familiar with plural marriages and how they worked. Even our cousins—Daniel, Craig, and Dillion—were about to marry Maude’s sister, Mary.” “I’m beginning to piece together the extended family tree,” Jessie offered. “And we both fell in love with her. Neither one of us would ever give her up.” Greg interjected, “It took some convincing to get her on board with the idea, but we finally succeeded.” Maude raised an eyebrow. “You wore me down.” Grant pulled her into him. “And had a ball doing it, too.” “Hush up.” Maude looked more like a schoolgirl at the moment than what her actual years were. Jessie could sense the intense love and respect between Maude and her men. She longed for the life Maude and Mrs. Wilde had. Would she ever have it? Mrs. Wilde rounded the corner with her three husbands following.

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“Jessie, Austin is awake and wants to see you. He’s back to normal.” “His normal? Grumpy and bossy?” Jackson joked. “You got it, son,” his dad, Daniel, answered. She stood, and so did Dallas and Denver. Mary Wilde shook her head. “Alone, boys. They need to talk.” “Mom, we’re not letting her out of our sight. We’ve agreed that one of us will be with her at all times until the killer is found, whoever it is.” “Fine. Go with Jessie, but stay outside the door.” “But—” His dad Dillion put his hand on Denver’s shoulder. “Alone. Remember, we men are better at protecting the body, and our women are better at protecting the heart.” Craig Wilde, their other dad, nodded. “Guard the door. One of you can go outside and watch the window if you want, son.” “We definitely want,” Dallas answered. “Good.” Craig smiled broadly, looking a lot like Jackson. Mary interjected, “But you both know that Jessie needs a private moment with Austin. For her and your brother, give it to them.” “Okay. Five minutes,” Denver informed. Jessie’s impatience to see Austin got the best of her. “You and your damn timekeeping, Denver.” Maude laughed. “She knows him all right. The boy can’t go by a clock without looking at it.” Thankful that their aunt had lightened the moment, Jessie looked straight into Denver’s eyes. “Let me have whatever time I want. You two bruisers can make sure no one comes in or out of the room while I’m with Austin. Not even nurses or doctors.” Denver shook his head. “I can’t win. Take all the time you need, sweetheart.” He turned to Dallas. “You got the outside, bro?” “Check. You cover the door.” “Will do. Aunt Maude, if we’re not back when Phoenix and Jackson show up with the goodies, tell—”

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“Tell them where y’all went.” She saluted the two cowboys. “Check.” Jessie took Denver’s arm, and they walked to Austin’s room. Just as they got to the door, a nurse came out. She smiled. “He’s all yours.” “Thank you.” Jessie turned to Denver. He nodded, leaned against the wall, and began scanning the long hallway. Jessie liked the big, muscled men protecting her. Knowing someone still had it in for her, she was glad they were here. She gingerly pressed the door wider and walked into Austin’s room. **** Against the nurse’s instructions, Austin swung his legs to the side of the bed and sat up. The tray of uneaten food one of the attendants had brought him dangled precariously on the opposite side. An IV tube was attached from the crook in his right arm to the bag of clear liquid hanging from the metal stand. Attempting to focus his mind, he inhaled and exhaled rhythmically. He could still sense the effects of the drugs in his system, but he was fighting them off with all his might. When he spotted Jessie entering through the door, he blew out a lungful of air. “Thank God. You’re okay.” She’s still wearing my collar. The sight of the band of metal with the accompanying diamond around her neck added to his heavy guilt. How the hell had he let his guard down? Jessie didn’t shut the door. Instead, she just chewed on her lip. She didn’t move a single inch toward him. The woman he loved had been attacked, kidnapped, and in a car accident. I can’t give into my self-pity. Her needs trumped his pangs of remorse. She needed him to be strong and not a pussy.

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He motioned her closer. “Austin, I’m so relieved that you’re okay.” Closing the door behind her, Jessie walked to the side of the bed. Austin thought about standing but knew he was too fuzzy still to try. She must only see strength from him. Besides, his ass showing from the thin hospital gown that didn’t quite tie together in the back gave off a less than Dom-like image. So, he remained sitting on the bed and patted the mattress. “Come sit by me, pet.” Jessie hopped up next to him. His failure to protect her weighed on him like an anchor. Still, he smiled and cupped the woman of his dream’s chin. “Are you okay?” With tears brimming in her eyes, she nodded. Austin pulled her in to his chest. “You are safe. Understand?” “Sure,” she stated flatly. He stroked her hair. She didn’t need any physical dominance from him at this moment. She needed his firm reassurance. “You. Are. Safe. Understand?” “Yes, Austin.” She began to tremble. He squeezed her, melding their bodies together. He watched her warm tears stream from her eyes, dampening his hospital gown. “I–I th–thought he killed you.” Jessie sobbed. “He didn’t, sweetheart. I’m perfectly fine.” “It’s all my fault.” “Don’t be silly, pet.” He knew Jessie needed to see the steady, powerful Dom he’d shown her, so he fought back his shame and regret. “Just tell me everything. Mom told me the little bastard is in a coma.” “Yes. He wasn’t working alone. Someone put him up to it.” Austin’s entire body tensed. “Master?” Austin wasn’t about to alarm her more, so he intentionally relaxed every muscle. “Who, pet?” “I don’t know. Paul King’s dead. His wife, too. I need to look

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over my notes again. There’s something I’m missing. A connection? I don’t know what or who.” “Shh. You’ll figure it out. I’ll help you. We all will.” “We?” “My family. My brothers. Everyone. Everything will be okay.” She shook her head. “How can it be? I give up. I can’t win.” Austin had once believed it would’ve been best for Jessie to leave Wilde and go back to DC. Not anymore. Whoever was behind these attacks wouldn’t be satisfied with her exit. They clearly wanted her completely erased. He needed to get through to her to stay in Wilde. He stroked her soft auburn hair. “Not if we don’t try. Sure it’ll be hard, pet. Very hard. But isn’t achieving the impossible worth trying?” Austin saw she didn’t look convinced. There was no way he would let her leave town, even if he had to throw her over his shoulder and drag her back to his house. He gently pulled on her hair. She tipped her head up to face him. “We got knocked down, lost our touch.” Austin challenged her. “So what? Are you too much of a city girl to get back up on the saddle?” Austin spotted a little spark of anger in her eyes. Good. Then the spark faded, and she closed her eyes tight. “Rich is just a kid. He’s in a coma because of me, Austin.” “He’s no child.” “Maybe not. Still, I rushed my investigation. I missed something critical that would’ve shed some light on this. It’s my fault.” Austin put both hands on her shoulders and made her face him. “That’s enough, sub.” She bit her lip. “No one would’ve seen that coming. We all thought Paul King was behind everything.” “There’s still someone out there that wants me dead.” Her entire body started to quake. Austin kissed Jessie, savoring her sweet, trembling lips. He felt

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her body relax against his touch. “You are safe with me, sweetheart. I won’t ever let anything like that happen to you again. Understand?” “Yes, Master.” She looked at him, and the love he felt for her nearly knocked him over. A loud crash sent Austin into protective mode. He jumped up between Jessie and the entrance to his room before spotting the mess on the floor. The tray of food that had been on the other side of the bed had fallen. The door opened, and Denver rushed in. “Everything okay?” His eyes narrowed. “We’re fine,” Austin answered. “Give us a minute.” Denver didn’t leave, which pissed him off. Austin was about to walk over to his brother and say so, when he heard Jessie’s sweet voice. “Please, Sir. Do as he says. It was only his food tray.” Denver shook his head. The look on his face said he wasn’t happy with the situation. “Okay, Jessie. I’m just outside if you need me.” He left, closing the door behind him. “Lucky for my brother you convinced him to leave.” Austin sat back down on the bed. “You’re too much. I’ve never seen any woman have such an impact on him.” “I hope that’s a good thing, Master.” “It is.” “I’m going to let you rest now.” “The hell you are. You’re not leaving me until we catch the fucker who’s trying to kill you. Understand?” “Austin, stop. You’re in no condition to play bodyguard now. Besides, your brothers are overprotective of me now, lock, stock, and barrel. Please, let them take over until you’re on your feet. By tomorrow, you’ll be back to normal.” His gut clenched with the guilt of his misstep. She could have died because he failed to keep her safe. “Okay. I trust my brothers completely.” Her smile got to him. In some strange way, it melted his cold

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heart. “Master, about what you asked of me at your tree,” she said timidly. “Sweetheart, nothing has changed about what I’m asking of you.” He hated how her shoulders sagged when he told her that. But he couldn’t lie. Not to her. “I’m not trying to be an asshole, but I know what won’t work.” “Then help me understand why, Austin. It doesn’t make sense.” “Okay. You deserve that. You do.” He took a deep breath and looked her directly in the eyes. “You saw Denver rush in here like a bodyguard?” “Yes.” “Why do you think he blasted in here like that?” “He’s on edge. All of your brothers are. There’s someone out there that still wants to harm me. Once Rich wakes up, the sheriff will find out who that person is, but until then, those four are hypervigilant.” “Yes. That’s all true. But he knew no one else was in here but you and me. Right?” Her eyes widened. “Yes, but—” “And I’m sure that one or more of my other brothers are outside the window. True?” “Dallas is.” She seemed confused by the track he was taking. He’d never told anyone why he couldn’t be a part of a plural arrangement with his brothers, and he’d never expected to fall for the same woman as them. But he had. He continued, knowing Jessie had a right to know the truth. “Think, pet. Why did he rush in?” She shrugged. “The reason is he doesn’t trust me alone with you.” She frowned. “That’s not true.” “It is. You know it. Denver is an amazing Dom, but he’s not twenty-four-seven. I am. He can be tender and soft. That’s not in me.” “But you’ve been—”

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“Shh. Let me finish. My brothers and you imagine a future with all of us living in a beautiful house with a white picket fence.” “It’s the future I pray for.” “I believe you need the bite of my whip and the strength of my firm hand. My brothers would all say that they would have no problem with my ways, but in time, they would. First, Jackson would step up to urge me to back off. Phoenix would be next. Dallas would follow. And even Master Dom Denver would eventually demand I ease up. I can’t. Softness isn’t in me. Hardness is.” “That’s not true.” Her eyes were wet again. As much as Austin hated giving her the ultimatum, he knew he must. She needed him to be strong. “So you see, pet, why you have a choice to make.” I may have failed to protect you, but by God, I’ll never fail you again. “You’re like no woman I’ve ever known. You’ve touched me, and I’ve touched you. You can’t deny that. I am the right choice for you. We fit. Jessie, you must choose me.”

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Chapter Six “Listen to me, Austin Wilde.” Jessie felt anger well up from deep inside her. The shock of the past twenty-four hours had stripped her of any restraint. She left his side and stood in front of him, and still she needed to tilt her head up to gaze into his eyes. The man was a giant. “You say you don’t have any softness, but that isn’t true. I know for a fact it isn’t.” His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t speak. She couldn’t hold back the flood of emotions that had cracked her timidity. “I never dreamed that I could fall for five men. It’s absolutely crazy but true. And I won’t say that I wish the things that I love about each of you were inside a single man. That definitely isn’t true.” “Go on, pet.” Jessie sensed the edge of anger on his lips, but still she continued. “Merging you five into one man would result in disaster and someone I couldn’t love. I want each of you for different reasons.” He commanded, “Tell me what they are.” “The reasons? Sure. Jackson can be so funny and spontaneous, and yet when necessary can be serious and focused. He makes me laugh and helps me to relax. Phoenix is like a brave knight from a fairy tale, even though he wears a cowboy hat. He makes me feel adored and beautiful, like a princess. Dallas is the most open of all you Wilde brothers. He’s charming and so very giving. When he says I’m gorgeous, I know he means it to his very soul. Denver is powerful and protective. I feel so safe and loved with him.”

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“And what about me, pet?” he asked in a low tone. She took a deep breath, and then answered, “You’re possessive and intense. You’re mysterious and often closed off. You’re demanding and impatient.” “Sounds like you’ve made your choice, Jessie.” He nodded, and she sensed resignation inside him. “Let me finish, Austin. It’s like you can read my mind and know what I need exactly when I need it. With you, I can honestly relax. I don’t have to put on a performance. I can just be.” His eyes opened, and he smiled. “And?” “And I’m completely in love with you.” Austin left the bed, standing up in front of her. He looked like a mountain, and she felt so tiny next to him. He put one hand behind her head and the other under her chin. Then he leaned down and kissed her. His lips pressed to hers, and his hand moved to stroke the soft spot behind her back, causing her knees to buckle. Without releasing her mouth, Austin secured her, wrapping one arm around her shoulders, and the other at the small of her back. She melted into him, and her entire body became limp. Time spun slowly as the kiss went on and on. Please understand and don’t leave your brothers and me, Austin. When her mouth was released, Austin sat back on the bed. He looked pale. “I guess the drug the little bastard shot me with is still in my system. Either that or your lips are laced.” Filled with concern, Jessie sat beside him and put her hand on his forehead. His skin felt cool but clammy. “Let me get a nurse.” He turned to her and grinned. “What shall I call you now? Miss Nightingale? What other tricks do you have up your sleeves, sweetheart? Don’t call the nurse. I’m fine.” “Will you at least lie down?” “If it will make you happy, I will” “Good.” Jessie stood up, walked to the head of the bed, and fluffed his pillow.

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Austin swung his muscular legs back on the bed, and stretched out his tall frame on the mattress. “The doc says I will get released later today.” Jessie was thrilled to hear that, and the nightmare she’d just endured seemed to fade away fast. “That’s great news.” “I’m not making any promises, pet, but I’m willing to meet with my brothers about you.” Hope jumped for joy inside her. “You mean it?” “Silly girl, I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.” Jessie bent down and kissed him. Then remembering how pale he’d become after their last kiss, she stepped back and gazed down at the eldest Wilde brother. “Thank you, Master.” “Jessie Greene, you should be an attorney instead of my little brother. Your arguments were so convincing, but remember, sweetheart, I’m not promising anything. I still don’t really believe this will work, but I’m willing to talk.” That Austin was open enough to at least give the future she dreamed of a chance was enough to make her believe in miracles. And if one miracle was possible, more of them had to be, too. “Thank you.” “You may not be so thankful for long, pet. First, to the business at hand.” Austin sat up, his demeanor turning strong and hard. He turned to the door. “Denver!” The door opened, and the next eldest Wilde brother rushed in, scanning the room for intruders. “What?” “Jessie needs to go now. She’s seen me in this ridiculous state far too long.” Denver pulled her to his side. “I agree.” He turned and gazed at her, clearly concerned about what had transpired in the room while he was on the other side of the door. “You okay, sweetheart?” “I really am.” Austin continued, “This sub is a handful, Denver. Take her to the club, and keep her in my office. Call the cousins, too.”

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“Good idea, bro.” Even on a hospital bed, Austin didn’t seem the slightest indisposed to Jessie. She sensed his strength returning like a growing volcano. “Whoever is still gunning for her won’t suspect us taking her to The Masters’ Chambers since it’s so public. My office is at the end of the hallway with only one way to get to it.” Denver nodded. “I like this plan.” “Do I get a say in this?” Jessie asked, though she was actually happy to leave the logistics of her safety to them. “Not about this, pet. You’re way too reckless, and without us around, would get yourself killed.” “You can say that again, bro.” Denver nodded. “If somehow the fucker figures out where we’ve taken her, we’ll be more than ready with the best man power Wilde has to offer.” She loved the two brothers’ take-charge and kick-butt manner. It made her feel like she was secure in an impregnable fortress of manliness. Austin continued, “And with the help of the cousins and the trusted angels there, we can blast the son of a bitch to kingdom come.” Jessie couldn’t believe her ears. Austin and Denver were putting together an army of cowboys to protect her. And when all of her five men were in one room, she would make her case to Austin and the others. Whatever boundary she had to push or nerve she had to touch to win the future she desired, that was exactly what she would do. **** Austin looked from his brothers to Jessie and knew they were all headed for a train wreck of epic proportions. His office nearly vibrated from all the verbal bombs being lobbed by him and Denver, standing like gladiators about to fight to the death. None of his brothers had a complete picture of what she needed. He did. She

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needed him. “Austin, what the fuck!” Denver shouted. “We deserve to know why you are dead set against a plural marriage. It’s our way. It’s what we know. For generations, our family has done this and made wonderful lives together. Our childhood was amazing with three dads and one mom. What the hell have we done for you to reject everything we know?” “You guys grew up with the silver markets going up. The town loves the Wildes when that happens. Me? I remember what can happen when silver is down and the mine has to reduce jobs to the absolute minimum. That sucks for a kid.” Jackson’s eyebrows shot up. “Does this have anything to do with what happened at the tree with Paul and the others all those years ago?” “That and so much more you don’t know.” “Is that the only reason you are rejecting this life, Austin?” Phoenix asked. “No, but it’s all you need to know now. It’s enough.” “Bullshit.” Denver pounded his fists on the desk. “This is our future with Jessie we’re talking about. We all deserve to know. She deserves to know.” “She already does, Denver.” Austin looked at Jessie. She sat on his couch between Jackson and Phoenix. His eyes met hers, and she trembled. He turned back to Denver. “So convince me that she needs you all, too.” Dallas stopped his incessant pacing. “Isn’t that what we’ve been trying to do for the last forty minutes, Austin?” “If so, you’re doing a poor job, bro.” Austin walked around his desk and sat in his chair. He knew the act put him, psychologically at least, back in the power seat. “Show me what you give her that I can’t. She’s done a much better job arguing your case than you have. Make me believe that she needs you, too.” “Now?” Phoenix asked.

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Jessie’s skin flushed a bright red, which made Austin’s cock engorge to the max. “Now.” “There’s still a killer on the loose, bro.” Denver’s tone held an edge but was lower. “Don’t you think this can wait?” “Sure. But she’s in no danger. Our cousins will be here in an hour. Tank and four other angels are on every entrance. The club is closed. We’re here. I’ve got a gun in my desk, should we need it.” Phoenix turned to Jessie and cupped her chin gently. Austin wished he had it in him to treat her that way, too. But he never could. “Beautiful, what do you think about showing him?” Phoenix asked with not even a hint of demand. “I think it’s a good idea.” Her voice sounded like tiny drops of cool rain, and Austin’s hunger grew. “Maybe if he sees with his own eyes, we can convince him.” Not possible, sweetheart. But let’s at least prove it to you. “Show me your best, brothers.” **** Jessie leaned back on the sofa as Jackson and Phoenix stripped her of her clothes. She didn’t even try to move her eyes from Austin’s. His gaze was fixed on her, demanding her focus. This was all for him. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Dallas and Denver undressing. Though tempted to turn to them, she didn’t. She wanted to see Austin and try to figure out what he was thinking, feeling, experiencing. Could this sex display work to turn him on and then turn him around? She prayed it would. Phoenix touched her chin. “You get more and more beautiful every day, angel.” “You say that all the time, cowboy.” “And I mean every word.” He leaned in and pressed his mouth to hers. A spark shot from where he kissed her all the way down to her

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toes. She felt the heat in her face as he stroked her hair. She lifted her hand to his chin. The roughness she found there felt wonderful and so very masculine. “Don’t be greedy, bro.” Jackson laughed. “I want to taste Jessie’s delicious lips, too.” “I’m ready to get naked for her, lil’ bro. Enjoy.” “Oh boy, I will.” Jackson did something that surprised her. He crawled over her, placing his legs on either side of her hips. The move had the feel of domination to her, and she liked it very much. Could Jackson ever take on a Dom role? Someday? Maybe. Right now, she liked him just the way he was, fun and full of life. His lips came down on hers with a fervor she liked. When his tongue shot into her mouth, she felt her pussy get wet. One of his hands went to the back of her neck, pulling her closer still. The other glided down her side until it finally cupped her hip. She moaned into his mouth and felt sensations of every flavor and type explode inside her. Let’s give your big brother a show, boys! She wasn’t sure the four cowboys could hear her thoughts, but they sure seemed like they could as they took turns on the couch with her. When she looked back at Austin, he seemed a bit moved, but only a bit. Jackson suddenly left the couch and leaned over his jeans. She watched him rifle through his pockets, bringing out their contents. “I’ve got two condoms and a packet of lube.” “Perfect.” Denver nodded. “Give me one of the condoms, you take the other.” “You bet Jessie’s sweet ass I will. I brought them.” She looked up at the man who’d demanded one of Jackson’s condoms. “Sir, can we show Master what we do?” “That is definitely part of the plan, sub,” he answered with a wink. “Everyone agree?” Jackson, Phoenix, and Dallas nodded. They were going full tilt.

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Austin had to come around tonight. There wouldn’t be any more chances. They had to succeed. “Good. Stand up, sub.” Jessie jumped off the couch and answered, “Yes, Denver…I mean, Sir.” Denver sat down in one of the chairs. “Come here, sub.” She obeyed, knowing Austin had the best view of what was to come. That thrilled her. Being with Sir again did, too. For the first time, all five of her men were in one room alone, and no one was making threats or about to throw punches. Instead, four of them were pleasuring her, and one was watching. It would be better if all five were pleasuring her, but this was a pretty close second best. “Over my knee.” She made sure to face the door when she did, so that her ass was as close to Austin as it could be. She expected to be spanked, but instead Sir’s hand came up between her legs and over her pussy. His fingers probed, threaded, and pressed her swollen folds, calling up the moisture from her channel. Wicked warmth grew inside her as she thought of her cowboys touching and filling every inch of her body. She craved the pleasure they would certainly give her. “What a nice, wet pussy you have for us, sub. That’s good.” “Thank you, Sir.” “But you called me by name earlier. That earned you some whacks to this pretty little ass.” Sir rubbed her backside, letting her know with touch what was about to happen. “Do you think you deserve that?” Her body started to vibrate, anticipating the spanking from Sir. “I do. I was bad.” Slap. His hand felt so powerful, and the sting felt hot. Another slap. And another. Each time he hit a different spot. In no time, she slipped into a dreamy state. Her mind drifted, still aware of her body

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and the spanking Denver was giving, but in an almost detached way. Jessie was still new to BDSM, though she’d experienced quite a lot since meeting her men. She was coming to believe it allowed her to feel pleasure on a new level and plane. Inside this space also resided complete peace. Denver leaned down and bit her ear. Then he whispered, “I know your safe word. It hasn’t changed?” She wondered if he thought Austin might’ve had her change it, but he hadn’t. “Yes. It’s the same one, Sir.” “Good. Remember, don’t come unless I give you permission.” “Yes, Sir.” “That’s enough spanking, for now.” Lifting her up into his arms, Sir left his chair. “Come on, guys, let’s take this amazing woman on a ride she won’t forget.” “Hell, yes,” Jackson agreed. Sir placed her on the couch, and soon the four cowboys were taking turns with her. Her pussy grew wetter as fingers stroked inside her over and over. Other fingers tweaked her nipples, massaged her feet, and so much more. She looked over at her other cowboy. He didn’t even blink, watching with a ferocity that reached into her all the way to her pussy. Soon, she was panting and arching her back off the sofa. After covering every inch of her body with their hands, the four cowboys began licking the same spots with their tongues. One by one, they devoured her pussy while the others bathed her breasts, neck, arms, and legs. “Oh God!” Powerful pulses fired through her body. Her pending climax rumbled for release, but Sir hadn’t given his permission yet. She choked out, “Sir, I can’t hold back any longer.” “Wait for my permission, sub.” Jessie chewed on her lips and curled her toes and fists, hoping to tamp it down for another second or two. It didn’t work, and she screamed.

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“G–God! Yes! Oh! Yes!” Jessie relished her climax and all the sensations it fired inside her—some so hot she thought she’d fry, others so violent she thought she’d pass out. “Go, darlin’. Ride that beast.” Jackson licked her clit, delivering an almost painful but amazing spark that shot from his tongue through her entire body, joining to her already mind-blowing climax. As her trembles softened, Denver stood up. “Lube up, lil’ bro. Let’s get her pretty ass filled up first. Then, I’m going to drill her tight pussy until she’s pounding on my chest for mercy.” Phoenix lifted her off the couch into his arms. She watched Jackson take a seat in the middle of the sofa. He rolled the condom on and applied a good portion of lube to it. Jackson looked up at her and grinned. “Bring her over here so I can lube up her pretty ass.” Phoenix nodded and carried her over as instructed, lowering her close enough for Jackson to lather her up. She felt his fingers in her ass as he slicked her up with lube and stretched out her rectum. It felt so very good. “Dallas, can you help Phoenix lower her onto my dick?” Jackson asked. “My pleasure.” “Actually, Jessie’s pleasure, bro.” Phoenix winked at her. “I stand corrected. Let’s send her to the moon.” The two brothers lowered her down onto Jackson’s dick. She lay against him, her back to his chest. When Denver dropped down in front of her and began laving her clit with his tongue, she actually saw stars in the back of her mind. When she felt Jackson’s tip hit her tightness, she tensed. “Breathe, darlin’,” Jackson said. She nodded and took a deep breath, letting it out slow and easy. It took several minutes for this synchronized lovemaking team to get Jackson’s dick fully inside her ass, but they finally did. She felt so filled up and stretched out, and it made her crave Denver’s dick even

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more. She needed him inside her pussy. Denver rolled the condom down his shaft. His dick seemed to be jerking a bit, probably the flood of hunger he felt. He kissed her and then positioned his legs so that his dick would go inside her pussy in the best angle. Denver’s dick had claimed the depths of her channel, hitting her G-spot for a moment of pure delight. “What color is your state, sub?” Jessie could barely get the words out. “Green, Sir. I’m all green.” Phoenix and Dallas got up on either side of the couch, the tips of their dicks hitting her cheeks. “You know what to do for them, sub?” “Yes, Sir.” She reached up and cupped their balls. They were heavy with seed. Turning to Dallas first, she licked the tip of his dick, never letting go of either cowboys’ sacs. She tasted the slick saltiness that oozed from his tiny slit. She reached and took his dick in her mouth, swallowing around him as her hand moved up to Phoenix’s shaft. As Denver and Jackson began to pummel her pussy and ass with their massive dicks, she began stroking Phoenix. She ran her tongue around Dallas’s cock and knew lasting much longer wasn’t even in the realm of possibility for her. She lifted her hand from Dallas’s sac and removed her mouth. She turned her head to Phoenix and swallowed his cock. His slickness was less salty than his brothers, but there was more of it. As her four men continued their assault into her ass, pussy, mouth, and hand, the steamrolling climax began its trek through her body. Sanity failed her. Needing to scream and beat on Denver’s chest, she released Dallas’s dick. Yesss! She pounded and clawed on Denver with an insane abandon. Her back ached, and her body wiggled. The orgasm popped and sizzled inside her pussy. The intensity of the moment overwhelmed her. “Commming!” Jackson shouted. “Fuuuck!” Denver panted as he leaned back. “Phoenix, Dallas,

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send your seed over her beautiful breasts.” The two men pumped their cocks like madmen, and both covered her chest with their white, warm liquid. Her heartbeat was racing with her breaths, but neither seemed to be slowing to give the other an advantage. Phoenix left the couch and grabbed the box of tissues from one of the end tables. He wiped her off. “Gorgeous.” As the tempo of the tremors from her orgasm subsided, Jessie looked over at Austin. There was a bead of sweat on his forehead. He’d been turned on, no doubt, but had he been turned around?

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Chapter Seven Jessie slumped forward onto Denver. He lifted her off Jackson and cradled her in his arms. She looked over at Austin, still behind his desk, and didn’t see even a hint that they’d moved him an inch to changing his mind. Her incredible climax retreated at a breakneck pace, and her shivers of afterglow turned to trembles of dread. “Shh, pet. This isn’t over.” A glimmer of hope popped inside her as Austin stood up. He held out his hand to her. “Let Jessie down, Denver.” She wondered what he had in mind but knew whatever it might be, she would be unable to resist. She waited for Denver to lower her to the floor so she could go to him, but Denver held her tight. “Why should I let her?” he asked Austin. “Please, Sir. We still have a chance if you let me down.” Denver gazed at her for the longest time, nodded, and then released her. Jessie walked over to Austin, who was now in full-on Master mode. His fixed dark eyes seemed to see into her soul. He touched the collar he’d given her. “Kneel.” She obeyed instantly, folding her hands behind her back and looking down at her lap as he’d instructed her in his dungeon before. “You see this, brothers. This is Jessie. This is what she needs. Me. You tried to convince me, and I must say I’m impressed. Now, let me show you what I bring to her.” “If she’s okay with it, then I am,” Jackson said behind her. The other three agreed, too. Jessie’s body began to vibrate. This wasn’t a pissing match at all.

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They all wanted her. “So, what do you say, pet? You game?” Austin’s voice vibrated against her skin, and she loved it. The younger four wanted him to believe they could be the kind of men she needed. Austin wanted them to see him as the only one that could be that man. One man. A part of her thought Austin might be the one, but deep down, Jessie knew she needed the others, too. As selfish as it seemed to Jessie, by God, it was the truth. She didn’t need a single melody to make her happy. Her five cowboys could provide a concert of physical and emotional music she needed. Jackson was like a light dance tune you couldn’t get out of your head. Phoenix was a love ballad that made you cry. Dallas was the serious marching song that you hummed all day long. Denver was the big symphony number that filled every space of air in a hall. And Austin was the crescendo. The big finish. Still looking down at her lap, Jessie answered, “I’m game, Master.” Austin cupped her chin and lifted it slightly until her eyes gazed into his deep, dark orbs. “Pet, I’m going to push you hard. Really hard.” “I know,” she said as bravely as she could muster. The ball was in her court. Austin had said he was impressed with the brothers’ handling of her. Now, if the other four could see she responded to his twenty-four-seven BDSM ways…well, she prayed they all would see the light. “You heard the lady. She wants this. The couch is fine where it is. Move my chair and the other two near it so that you get a clear view to this door.” Austin pointed to the entrance Jessie had seen the first day she’d come to his office. His secret chamber. She gulped. Jessie heard shuffling behind her but couldn’t stop looking at the door. What the hell was in there? She’d been to his dungeon, and her fear had turned to excitement under his skillful hands. In that room at his home, there were all manner of devices and toys to be punished

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with. She also wondered why Austin wasn’t letting his brothers come into the room. Nervousness took hold of her, and she began to shiver. After the noise of the brothers taking their positions, Denver said, “Okay, Austin. Show us.” “I will. Watch, don’t comment, and don’t move.” “Got it. We’ll remain in our seats,” Dallas barked. Jessie imagined all of them still naked and ready to watch the show she and Austin were about to give them. Her Master moved behind her, and then she felt his hands on her arms. “Stand up, pet.” “Yes, Master.” She did and was glad his arms were there to steady her as her legs were more than a little wobbly. Feeling Austin behind her caused her breaths to become more shallow and frequent. Still clothed, he guided her to his sinful closet. On closer inspection, she saw it was tiny but fully outfitted with as many toys as his dungeon. But these were fixed to the walls and ceiling. Being a bit claustrophobic, Jessie tensed, even though the door would remain open for the other brothers to see. She wondered if Austin typically shut the door during a training session. Jessie didn’t think she’d ever be able to do that, but if he asked, she would certainly give it a try. Without a word, he began attaching the restraints to her ankles and wrists. Resisting her phobia, she decided to take a look at everything inside the closet. She tilted her head down and saw a TENS unit with its long wand positioned right in front of her pussy. Straight ahead of her were nipple clamps fastened to the wall. Each clamp had wires that attached to little boxes she knew would make them vibrate on her nipples whenever Austin wanted to engage them. There were shelves to both sides of her with dildos and butt plugs of all sizes. And there was more, so much more. She couldn’t imagine another toy being added to the packed pain closet. This tiny space had to be a masterpiece in the BDSM world. “Pet, I’m going to put a ball gag on you tonight. You remember

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how you have to communicate your safe word when you’re gagged.” “Yes, Master.” If she wanted him to stop, she only needed to flex her index fingers in unison while shaking her head in the familiar “no” motion. The result was the same as saying her safe word. He would stop everything. “I’m going to break routine and put the gag on you first. You’ve only had it on once, so I want to make sure you get used to it before we continue. Open your mouth wide, pet.” She obeyed, and then the red ball was inside her mouth. She bit down on it, and he tightened the strap around her neck, leaving her the tiniest of movement for her jaw. “How’s that?” he asked. Jessie nodded and extended all her fingers, letting him know she was good to go. Then Austin went back to his usual form, putting the blindfold on her next and then the earphones with some hard-rock music. With the ball gag, blindfold, and earphones in place, the only senses he’d allowed her were smell and touch. Austin began lubing up her ass. Was he going to put a plug in her or use his dick this time? Giddy, she hoped for his dick. In her current position, it was the best idea. Jessie wondered what the other Wilde brothers were thinking right now. Austin wasn’t going to go easy on her for their sake. What he seated inside her ass wasn’t his dick, but it was new to her. One by one, she felt spheres being shoved into her ass. The sensation wasn’t painful, and it actually felt strangely pleasurable. The spheres seemed to be attached together by a little rope, but she wasn’t sure. Next, the clamps came down on her nipples. He tightened them, and the sting shot through her just as a song by Metallica began to scream through the earphones. The clamps vibrated on her tiny bits of flesh, delivering a dash of pain with a spoonful of pleasure. The vibration stopped. She braced for another round, but none came.

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Instead, she felt Austin attach another clamp to her clit, sending sensations of pain and heat through her body. That was new, and her anxiety began to mushroom. Does it vibrate like the nipple clamps? Austin removed one of her earphones. Then his sexy voice whispered in her ear, “I know we haven’t used this before, pet. But you’re going to love it. Don’t worry.” The earphone came back on, and her anxiety faded a bit. In its place, hot desire broke out all through her. Austin adjusted the tension back a bit on the clit clamp, and Jessie nodded and extended all her fingers. She felt his hands pat her back, giving her a big helping of satisfaction and pride. Jessie felt him move the wand over her skin, this time with no electricity. His free hand stroked her hair, and then all the clamps began to vibrate. She felt the bite of the TENS on her left ass cheek. The pain sent her higher, and she moaned into the gag as another bite from the lick of the wand’s electricity landed on the other side of her ass. Back and forth he went. High left. Low right. Middle left. His torture of her backside went on and on. In no time, she was in Austin’s subspace she’d come to love. Then she felt a slim vibrator being shoved into her channel. Austin hit her G-spot on the first stroke. He jerked on her hair and shoved the thing deeper. He let her hair go, and Jessie nodded and stretched out all her fingers. She wanted him to know she was good. Her skin heated as another round of vibrations from the clamps fired, and the wand hit another spot on her lower back. The charge was lesser but still so deliciously perfect. She felt so alive and energized. Her climax began to surge forward from the depths of her pussy. Austin turned on everything, and that did the trick. He removed the ball gag as her orgasm exploded inside her, delivering overwhelming sensations. She loved this moment. Needed everything he gave her. Then she felt him slowly pulling out the string of spheres from her ass. With each sphere he released from her, Jessie screamed,

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though she couldn’t hear them or anything else since she still wore the earphones. Austin removed the clamps and her earphones but left the ankle and wrist restraints on her. He leaned into her. “You ready to take my dick, pet?” “God, yes. Please, Master.” She felt him guide his dick into her ass. She loved the feeling of being filled up by his monstrous cock. He reached around and touched her throbbing clit ever so gently. Austin began pumping into her ass with a fervor that both amazed and touched her. He wanted her. That was obvious to Jessie. He leaned in, clearly not wanting to let his brothers hear, and whispered in a tone she’d not heard from him before. It was gentler and sincere. “I love you, Jessie. You’re mine. You know that, right?” Her heart leapt for joy. “I do, Master. I’m yours.” “Please, come for me, pet. Let me feel your ass vibrate on my dick.” Her body seemed to melt into vapors of steam as her womb clenched and unclenched. Her entire body fired with strong sparks, making her dizzy and happy. Austin’s body tensed behind her. “Fuuuck!” Jessie tightened her ass on his cock and felt the pulse of his load shooting. She screamed. “Oh God! Yes! Oh! Damn! Oh damn! Yes!” More screams came. Then moans. Then tiny little yelps. Finally her climax softened, and she began to breathe almost normally. Jessie trembled as Austin leaned his naked body into her back and wrapped his arms around her front. After a bit, he unfastened the restraints and began applying creams to her nipples and ass and all the other spots that had been hit with the wand. After he was done with the aftercare, Austin pulled her up, cradling her body with his arms.

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He turned around, facing his brothers, who were all still unclothed. She looked up into his eyes. The hardness and invisible boundary was back up. “Austin, what are you thinking?” “That I’m right, pet. You have to choose.” **** Slinking down the hallway to Austin Wilde’s office at The Masters’ Chamber, the killer looked back at Tank’s body on the ground. Tank had drained the mug she’d brought, just like she knew he would. Too bad he was in the way. I actually liked the guy. The other would-be protectors were easy to avoid. But the Wildes’ cousins wouldn’t be far behind. These guys always called in reinforcements from family whenever they deemed it necessary. Squatting down quietly outside Austin’s door, she pulled out the stethoscope she’d swiped from the vet’s clinic. She put it to her ears and listened. Yep, the bitch and her bastards were all in there. Arguing. She tested the doorknob and found it locked. Good thing she’d had Tank’s master key. Dead men didn’t need to open doors. Poison wouldn’t work for the next step in the plan. No. But the gun in her satchel would. Again, she put the stethoscope to the oak door and listened, waiting for the perfect moment to make a move. She would not fail. She didn’t have Paul or Rich to fuck things up. It was all on her, and tonight, she would succeed. **** “Please put me down, Austin.” Jessie looked up into his dark eyes and realized he hadn’t moved even an inch on his demands of her. Austin nodded and lowered her feet to the floor. “I’m not trying to be an asshole, sweetheart.” “Maybe not, but we’re right back where we started.” Her heart felt

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so heavy as she realized what decision she must make. She wouldn’t come between these men. Couldn’t. “Jackson, could you hand me my clothes, please?” Her heart would survive what she had to do next. “Sure thing, darlin’.” He stood up and brought her clothes to her. She looked at each of the five brothers and saw the gloom on their faces. The dream she and four of them held was no more. Even Austin’s demeanor had a dark sadness. No one spoke again until they were all dressed. Denver was the first to break the silence. “So I guess that’s that, Austin. Us or you? That’s her choice.” “Yep.” “You’re being an asshole.” Dallas stood up but this time didn’t start pacing. “How can you ask that of her? You saw how she responded to us.” “I did. But Jackson asked me three times to go easy on her. I saw how each of you reacted to what I did. Even you, Denver.” “Give us time, bro. Jackson’s really new to the scene.” Denver looked at her then back at Austin. “Besides, is pushing her to choose between us something she really needs?” Jessie had finally had enough. “I’m so sick of this talk. I’m right here, guys. I have a brain. I can make my own decisions.” Phoenix grabbed her hand. “Jessie, we’re asking too much of you.” “You can say that again.” She braced herself for what she had to say. “I’m not going to choose. Think how I would feel breaking you brothers up.” “You’re not, sweetheart. He is.” Dallas pointed at Austin. “Whatever. If I choose Austin, I lose four men I love. If I choose you guys, I lose one man I love. What kind of future would that be for me? I’m not willing to find out. If I’m going to grieve, so be it. But I will not choose.” Austin gazed at her, likely in an attempt to try to mesmerize her again. “Pet—”

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“I want to go to the ladies’ room.” Jessie walked to the door. What she really needed was to crawl into a hole and forget. She touched the handle, and realized it was still locked. The handle had a double lock that required a key on both sides. Austin pulled the key out of his pocket. “Here it is, but I’m going with you.” But before Jessie could argue she wanted to be alone for at least five minutes to try to sort things out, she felt the handle turn. The door swung open, revealing Samantha holding a pistol that was aimed right between Jessie’s eyes. She’s the real killer. Oh my God! “One move, boys, and your pretty little Jessie’s brains will be splattered all over the wall.” Jessie’s heart pounded hard in her chest. “Samantha, don’t be foolish.” She ignored her but turned to Austin. “And I know about the gun in your desk drawer. Don’t even think about it.” Jessie couldn’t stop looking at the barrel of Samantha’s gun. Was this the same gun she’d killed Paul King and his wife with? “What do you want, Sam?” Jackson asked. “The key to this door.” Samantha turned to Austin. “You’ve already got it in your hand.” The stethoscope around the woman’s neck revealed how she’d known that. Jessie wondered how long she’d been listening at the door. “Toss it over, Mr. Wilde. Gently.” Austin glared at the crazy girl but still lobbed the key over. Without a word, Samantha jerked Jessie through the door into the hallway and shut it. In a flash, she locked the door’s deadbolt with Austin’s key. “Move a muscle, and you’re dead.” Jessie heard her men on the other side of the oak door. Clearly, they were trying to break it down.

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Samantha seemed unfazed by the commotion on the other side of the door. The woman opened her satchel and tossed the two keys inside. “Only two keys to that door, and I’ve got both of them. Pretty smart, don’t you think?” What to do? I can’t run with her having the gun. “I suppose.” “Just shut up, Jessie.” Samantha meticulously placed the stethoscope in the bag. In a flash, the crazy girl pointed the gun between Jessie’s eyes. Every bit of moisture in Jessie’s body seemed to dry up like the desert. “Turn around.” This is it. I’m going to die. “I said turn around, Jessie.” She obeyed. “Good.” Jessie felt the barrel of the gun hit between her shoulder blades. “Move.” “Okay.” Jessie began to walk. As they made their way down the hall, Jessie prayed for one of the club’s bouncers to appear, but none did. How the hell had Samantha gotten through all the security. Sure, the Wilde brothers’ cousins were still on their way, but the club was closed, and there were a few guys that had volunteered for guard duty. “Turn right.” Samantha was guiding her through a hallway that was meant for deliveries, not members. When Jessie spotted Tank on the floor, she began to understand how the woman had gotten to her. Jessie didn’t spot any blood around Tank, but he still didn’t look alive. His chest didn’t rise or fall. “Keep moving. There’s no helping him now.” Jessie kept pushing forward, hoping her guys would bust down the door and come to her rescue. Until then, she would try to find a way to escape this psychotic bitch who’d been gunning for her from the very first day she’d come to Wilde.

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Chapter Eight Finally, Austin felt the door splinter as he and his brothers crashed into it one last time. Rage and fear for the woman he loved exploded inside him. He was responsible for another fuckup, and Jessie would be dead because of it. As they bolted down the hallway and found the body of Tank, his guilt rose. Why the hell had he dismissed Samantha as the killer? But he had. And they’d all overestimated the defenses they’d put in place at The Masters’ Chambers for Jessie. None of them stopped to check on Tank, recognizing it was too late. Austin’s youngest brother dialed the sheriff as they all ran to the parking lot. Jackson’s cool head impressed him. “Sheriff, Jackson Wilde here. Samantha’s behind everything. She just took Jessie at gunpoint from The Masters’ Chambers. We’re heading to our trucks to pursue her. She can’t have gotten far.” Denver was the first out the exit door. “I think we should all split up.” “Agreed.” Austin sensed that his brothers were all feeling the same heavy guilt he was. “Fuck!” Denver yelled and stopped in his tracks. As Austin stepped up beside him, he knew why Denver had yelled. Samantha had slashed every tire of every vehicle in the parking lot. “Fuck it. Let’s drive on the rims,” Austin said, even though he knew it to be hopeless. “Right.” Denver nodded. “I’ve got Tobias on the phone,” Dallas announced with his ear to

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his cell. “They’re almost here.” “How many trucks are they in?” Phoenix asked. Austin listened as Dallas spoke into his phone. After a short pause, Dallas answered. “Three.” Austin took control. “Tell them to cover Silver Highway, County 22, and Double M. You and Phoenix head up Silver and meet in the middle. Jackson and Denver, you take Twenty-two. I’ll take Double M.” Denver ran to his truck and shouted back, “If we’re lucky, we can catch Samantha.” Austin watched as his brothers jumped into the other two trucks. “Fuck luck. Let’s catch the fucking bitch that took Jessie.” His hope evaporated as sheets of rain began to fall from the sky. Even with his windshield wipers on high, the water on the glass nearly blinded him. There were too many dirt roads off of every asphalt road and highway in the county, and Samantha knew them all. With no rain and his and his brothers’ skill of noticing tracks, they still had a chance. With the rain, he had better odds of drawing a royal flush at Sneaky Pete’s on a first deal. Austin started his engine, put the truck in gear, and hit the gas pedal to the floor. Blind or not, he would find Samantha. If the bitch even left a scratch on his Jessie, he would kill her. **** Jessie clawed her way out of sleep, though it seemed to be a struggle. Somewhere in her mind the reason why was known to her, but in her current state she couldn’t find the clarity to reach the answer. “Well, Jessie. You’re finally waking up.” Samantha’s voice sounded sickly sweet. Did I fall asleep sitting up? Jessie realized she was in a chair. “I…think…so…but…” Still feeling fuzzy-headed, Jessie rolled

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questions over and over in her mind. What has happened to me? “Take your time. I’m busy getting everything set up anyway.” “Okay.” As she began to become more aware of her body, she knew that her hands were restrained behind her back and her ankles were attached to chair legs. She wondered if this was Austin’s dungeon. But Samantha is here? I’m with her. Why? A flood of memories jolted her to full awareness. She recalled what had happened at The Masters’ Chambers and in its parking lot. Oh God! Jessie kept her eyes closed, hoping to get more of her bearings. Clearly, Samantha was the one behind everything. The girl wanted her dead. Jessie remembered Samantha locking Austin’s door, the gun the woman carried, walking over Tank’s body on the floor… The last memory hurt deeply. Grouchy or not, Tank was a good man. Samantha laughed. “That roofie did quite a job on you, Ms. Greene, just like I knew it would.” Jessie opened her eyes. Samantha sat about three feet from her, twisting wires together. “You drugged me, Sam. I remember. You made me get in the back of the car and drink from that water bottle. It tasted awful. Then you handcuffed me, tied my legs together, and put a blindfold on me.” “That I did,” the lunatic said with a tone of pride. By the surroundings of rock and dust, Jessie believed they were deep in the Old Wilde Mine, the same place that had exploded only weeks ago. The bombs had been meant for her, and they would’ve gotten her, too, had it not been for the stubborn Pappy Jack. The Wilde brothers’ grandfather had recovered from the explosion that night, but there would be no surviving the amount of dynamite Sam was hooking up to Jessie’s chair and everywhere else. Jessie struggled to think clearly. “Your car couldn’t have made it here.”

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“Right again. Keeping you on my horse was quite the task, but I managed.” “I don’t remember the horse ride.” “I bet not. There’s an abandoned cabin about five miles to the west of here. I’d taken my horse there a couple of days ago to be our transport here. That’s where I left my car. I’m thankful for the rain we had. It hid our tracks, but there were times I wasn’t sure I was going to make it down the muddy trail to the cabin. It’s really meant for horses or ATVs, not cars.” Sam was talking to her like they were still buddies. But they weren’t. The girl wanted her dead, and Jessie wanted to live. Jessie had seen the slashed tires in the parking lot. It would be too late for her Wilde men to find her. Think, Jessie. There’s got to be a way out of this. Keep the killer talking until I can free my hands. Jessie tried to sound calm, though her heart was running like a race car’s engine. “Quite the plan you’ve cooked up here, Sam.” “Thanks to me. My last plan should’ve worked beautifully. I had everything set. I trusted that snotty-nosed Rich to not fuck up. But you’re too smart of a bitch for him. That’s for sure.” “I’m not too smart. Not as smart as you, obviously.” Jessie scanned the place for whatever might work to get free from this nightmare. “Don’t be condescending to me, bitch. You’re the one who fucked up your investigation.” “True. I never put you behind everything. You really are brilliant. How did you set the fire in the cafeteria? You were at Norma’s Diner according to a long list of witnesses.” Samantha turned around and set the wires back on the rock. They were attached to a big, black box. A shiny, silver laptop was next to it. Jessie looked at the young woman. She looked so innocent in the low, yellow glow coming from the droplight hanging on a bolt in the rock wall. “Please, Sam. I want to know.” “Might as well tell you everything now, considering you won’t be

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leaving here alive.” Don’t think about what Samantha’s planning. Just keep her talking. Panic scratched at all Jessie’s nerves, but still, she couldn’t help but wonder what had twisted such a bright mind to do such horrible things. “I’m listening.” “I didn’t start the fire. Paul did. He also was the one who wired the electric panel to short-circuit. We got more than we planned for, but so be it. Some people have to get hurt to make a point.” “A point to whom?” Jessie spotted a shaft right behind Samantha. If she could push the laptop down it, then the remote firing program it held likely wouldn’t be accessible to the young woman. “Austin Wilde, that’s who. Paul hated him, so getting him to come around to my plan was a snap. Sure, I had to fuck the old geezer half a dozen times, but a girl’s gotta do what she has to in order to get what she wants.” “Did you kill him?” she asked meekly. “Yes. He called me a week ago. Stupid idiot was filled with guilt. I knew it would only be a short time before he snapped and ruined everything.” “When I saw you in the kitchen at Norma’s, he was threatening you.” Jessie wanted to keep the maniacal girl talking while she executed her plan. Luckily, Samantha had placed her next to one of the Old Wilde Mine’s walls. With her rigorous training for her job at the agency, Jessie was no stranger to mines. Though her hands were tied behind her back, she still was able to stretch out her fingers. She touched a rock surface. The loose stone in the wall might work to save her. It had a sharp edge that she could use to cut her restraints. “Yep. I’d just told him that if he didn’t do what I wanted, I was going to tell his wife everything.” Samantha grinned. “You came in and misread everything.” “I guess I did.” Paul King had actually been trying to warn Jessie about Samantha. He’d told her to leave Wilde in the kitchen that day.

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The guy wasn’t a saint, but he wasn’t a devil either. “So when he announced to me that he was ready to go to the sheriff and confess everything, I knew what I had to do. I could pin everything on Paul just by putting a bullet in his wife. So, I did.” There wasn’t anything sane in Samantha. She was nothing more than a cold-blooded killer. Jessie needed to keep her wits. She needed Samantha to keep blathering on if she was going to keep the woman from hearing the sawing of the strands of the rope. “What about the explosion that almost killed Pappy Jack?” Samantha pulled her cell out of her jeans and looked at the screen. “Another five minutes of talking about this, that’s all.” “Agreed.” Jessie quietly began her work to loosen the stone. I’m going to need a manicure after this. That silly thought steadied Jessie’s nerves just enough. Destroying her nails, she began working her plan to escape. “I want to hear everything, Sam.” The delusional, brilliant woman grinned and continued, “I hadn’t told Paul about your brakes or the mine explosion, but he had an idea I was behind it.” Continuing her quiet attempt to free the rock with the little sharp edge, she asked, “You and Rich?” Though she’d tried to sound calm, her nerves had prevented that. “Jessie, it’s okay to be scared.” Samantha patted her leg, and Jessie felt sickened by the touch. “Anyone would be terrified.” Jessie froze her fingers in place, knowing if she moved them, her captor would feel the motion. “I suppose so, but I still want to know how you did all this. It really is remarkable. Go on about Rich. You got him to go along with your plan.” “You’re getting smarter.” Sam removed her hand from Jessie’s thigh, and the rock removal began again. “Thank you. I appreciate that,” Jessie lied. “A couple of blowjobs and kisses, and presto—my own little slave. Rich is a whiz with cars. I got him to climb into the Old Mine

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and set the first round of explosives, but the little bastard got tripped up coming back and got hurt. That was before you came to Wilde and fucked up everything.” “I didn’t mean to, Samantha.” “I know, Jessie. But that doesn’t change the fact that you did fuck up the whole shooting match.” Jessie couldn’t feel any sympathy for the crazed woman. She’d done some horrible things and needed to pay the price, but something had pushed the poor girl to bats-in-the-belfry land. Jessie wanted to know what—or who. “So you and Rich planted the explosives?” “I was too soft then. I should’ve blown his ass up in the mine, but instead, I made sure someone found the prick to take him to the hospital.” Jessie resisted smiling when the rock was freed into her hand. Going on a hunch, she asked, “Still, it was a nice thorn in Austin Wilde’s saddle, yes?” Samantha nodded, and Jessie knew she was on to something. Everything inside the woman seemed to center around the eldest Wilde brother. Paul clearly had a grudge. Rich probably didn’t but would likely do anything for the one who’d enchanted him. Almost free. Please, God, don’t let Sam hear. “Austin had to deal with the Feds showing up to investigate all the accidents. Quite ingenious.” “You think that’s something, Jessie.” Samantha’s lips curled up in a wicked self-admiration. “I bet you didn’t know I killed Phoenix’s horse, Demon.” Jessie’s hand shook, almost causing her to drop the stone. Thankfully, she was able to keep it secure. The memory of watching Phoenix suffer as the old horse died filled her with heaviness for him. There wasn’t a chance in hell Jessie could feel any sympathy for the crazy bitch, ever. “How?” “I work at the diner but moonlight at our local vet’s as a tech.

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Boy, it’s come in handy. I read everything on the Internet about how to kill a horse in a way that could fool the best vets. Jessie, did you know there was a lot of insurance fraud in horse racing a while back? Those bastards got away with a ton but finally were caught. Why do you think?” “I don’t know.” How long will it take for this damn rope to cut through? Panic was setting in. “Maybe you’re not so hot like the Wilde brothers think.” Sam snorted. “I knew no one would think Demon’s demise was anything more than old age. I was careful when I electrocuted the glue bag, placing the nodes where his saddle had rubbed. Just as I suspected, the vet chalked everything up to colic and didn’t even notice the tiny burns on Demon’s skin.” The way Samantha recounted the gruesome tale, like it was something to be proud of, made Jessie sick to her stomach. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Such cruelty came from a dark place. Keep her talking. That’s one of my tasks. The other is to get free of this damn rope. “And the photos of me and the brothers?” “All me.” “Getting my boss’s e-mail would be simple, but how did you get my dad’s?” “I’m really proud of that. Remember when your laptop came up missing that first day at the mine?” “I do.” “Paul snagged it without anyone’s knowledge. I gave him a nice little drink, much like the one I gave to Tank. I knew then that Paul was going to become a liability to me.” “What was in the drink, Samantha?” Jessie wished the completely insane woman wasn’t such a whiz. She imagined what Samantha might’ve accomplished had she used her brain for good instead of evil. “Paul had a bad heart, so the dosage of the drug I used was quite light. That he almost ran you over was pure kismet. Even I couldn’t

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have planned for that. Too bad he survived. From then on, he was very suspicious of me, but I denied, denied, denied. Then I fucked him whenever he got that look in his eyes.” “So you had my laptop? Is the bank president in on this, too?” “No. I placed a nasty little tracker on it and made sure Malcolm’s little flunky found it. I knew that Malcolm returning it would throw all of you off my trail. It worked like a charm.” “What did your tracker do?” “Jessie, you’re very consistent to log out of your office’s server, but you never turn your computer off. Around two in the morning, my little code would fire up on your laptop, and I could do anything I wanted with it. Download. Read e-mails. Anything.” “And you found my dad’s e-mail. Amazing.” Jessie recalled the email she’d written and then rewrote to send to her boss. This bitch had made sure the more sinister e-mail made it to her boss even after she’d deleted it. “What can I say? I’m the light in my mother’s eyes. I’ve loved computers since I was tiny.” Jessie was running out of things to inquire about, and she sensed Samantha was about to return to her monstrous work. “Why me? Why do you want me dead, Sam?” “Austin Wilde is why.” The girl turned back to her wires and began wrapping them furiously. “I hate that fucker.” Jessie’s hunch was right that Sam had it in for Austin. “What in God’s name did he do to you?” Samantha jerked back around. “He fucked up my dream. I’m supposed to be the one with the Wildes, not you. Everyone in town expected that. My mom. Everyone. Since Jackson and Phoenix were closer in age to me, I did everything to snag them. But they held back. I knew it wasn’t them. Someone else was pulling their strings. Dallas and Denver, though sexy as hell, I didn’t even try to seduce. I knew if I was to get the five brothers to marry me, I had to prove to Austin that I was the one. So, I broke into his office. It wasn’t hard at all to

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get a key to it. I’m a girl who knows how to get men to do her favors.” “That’s how you unlocked the door tonight.” “Give this woman a certificate. Right.” “What did you do after getting into his office?” There can’t be more than a strand or two left on this damn rope. “I took off my clothes and waited. I tried to unlock the door to his secret room but couldn’t. Tonight I saw it was nothing more than a naughty closet. He’s a fucking fraud.” Jessie knew arguing with her would probably set the little monster off. Instead, she continued, “What happened when he found you in his office?” Jessie’s fingers were sore, but the final strand broke. I’m free. Her ankles were still tied to the chair, so her only chance to push the laptop down the chasm was to lunge with all her might. “He rejected me, Jessie. The motherfucker rejected me. Told me to put on my clothes and go back home. He wouldn’t even listen when I told him I knew a thing or two about being a sub. I am perfect for the Wilde brothers. Why can’t they see that?” Jessie watched tears stream down Samantha’s cheek. “You poor thing,” she lied. The bitch had killed two people at least, and who knew how many more, and Phoenix’s horse. She didn’t have a right to cry. “I know, right. I deserve to be Mrs. Wilde.” When Samantha placed her head in her hands and sobbed, Jessie didn’t hesitate to act. She burst forward with every speck of muscle and energy inside her, lunging to push the laptop into the shaft. It worked! The metal clanged to the bottom, and Jessie guessed it was at least twenty feet deep. “Bitch!” Samantha pulled Jessie’s hair. “That didn’t change a thing. I already started the clock. In ten minutes, this whole place will explode.” Jessie punched, clawed, and bit her captor, but with her ankles

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restrained, she was no match for the deranged woman. Samantha was able to pull her and the chair up onto the place the laptop had just been—the two boulders on the side of the chasm that the silver computer had fallen into. “You’re going to die next to my laptop, Jessie!” Samantha reached for her, and Jessie realized the insane woman was going to push her into the shaft. On instinct, Jessie reacted. She sent a glob of spit into the girl’s eyes, temporarily blinding her. Blinking, Samantha grabbed her hand. Jessie tried to pull her hand back from the crazed female but couldn’t. “If I can’t have them, Jessie, neither can you. Let’s die together, and make them all suffer.” Horrified, Jessie felt the girl tug on her hand and fall back into the shaft. This is it! This is how I die. Still hoping to break free, Jessie closed her eyes and prayed for a painless ending. But then she felt a jerk, and Samantha’s hand slipped from hers. I’m not dead. The chair had lodged on the other side of the boulder, keeping her from the fall. Still, she dangled precariously over the rock, looking into the gray below. The droplight hanging from the bolt sent enough light for Jessie to see her captor and would-be killer was dead. Samantha’s body was twisted into the shape of a pretzel. She started the clock. How much time do I have left before the explosion? Maybe ten minutes? No more. Jessie tried to pull herself back over the boulder but couldn’t. Only the chair kept her from falling to her death. Images of the Wilde brothers came to her mind. She wished she could say good-bye and tell them how much they’d meant to her. They’d changed her and made her see herself in a new way. She wasn’t the virgin who’d shown up in Wilde several weeks back. Now she was a confident woman who knew what being loved by such amazing men meant. Even knowing it probably was fruitless, she continued trying to free herself.

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Then instinctively, she also began to scream. “Help me! I’m in here!” Please, God, I don’t want to die.

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Chapter Nine The nurse walked into the teenager’s room. He was out of his coma and whispering something. “Rich, you don’t have to talk. I’m so glad you’re with us.” He blinked and shook his head from side to side slowly. Again, he whispered. “Are you in pain?” She leaned in close and checked the monitor. Vitals were improving, though he wasn’t out of the woods yet. His words were loud enough for her to finally hear. “No. Old Mine. She’s taken her to the Old Mine.” **** Images of Jessie being mangled plagued Austin’s mind. He pushed them aside as he and his brothers ran into the Old Wilde Mine. She can’t be dead. She just can’t. They’d gotten the call from the sheriff about Rich’s revelation. Austin’s first thought had been to call Heath, their cousin. He had a two-seater plane. Ranching was his life, but flying was his passion. He even had a commercial license in his wallet. Landing in one of the fields near the Old Wilde Mine would’ve been nothing to him. But when Austin got him on the cell, Heath told him he was in Carson City. He’d gone there to enlist some buddies he knew who worked for the state with some pull to join the search for Jessie. With all the rain from last night and this morning, they couldn’t get to the mine by ATVs or motorcycles. So they’d saddled their fastest horses, brought some mining gear, and rode like wild men to

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the Old Wilde Mine. Pushing the beasts so hard wasn’t something he or his brothers ever did, but with Jessie in peril, they had to now. As they rounded the corner, Austin saw the entrance. What if Rich was lying, confused, remembering something Samantha had shared with him that he believed to be true but wasn’t? But when Jackson silently pointed to the trees up on the hill with Samantha’s horse grazing there, he knew Jessie and the female murderer were inside. In a flash, he and his brothers leapt from their horses, strapped on the gear, including the hard hats with lights, and bolted to the entrance. Thankfully, Jackson knew this mine almost as good as Pappy Jack. “Where do we go, lil’ bro?” Austin asked. “If I know Samantha, she’s gone deep into the mine with Jessie.” Denver pointed down the tunnel. “Lead the way.” Twenty minutes in, Austin heard a voice. Jessie’s. “Help! God, let someone come.” The despair in her tone crushed Austin. With pistols drawn and shutting off their hardhats’ lights, he and his brothers shot down the tunnel toward the woman of their dreams. Her voice echoed down the tunnel. “How could you have done this, you stupid dead bitch?” She continued to rant. “Breaking your neck was too easy a death for a monster like you.” Samantha’s dead. No need to be stealth now. “Jessie, we’re coming.” “Oh my God! Guys, hurry. Before her fall, Samantha set off a timer that will detonate all these explosives in here. There can’t be more than five minutes left.” “We’re going to save you, pet. I promise.” They rounded the corner and saw Jessie’s legs and her ankles tied to the chair that had apparently kept her from falling down the shaft. There were enough explosives around the place to blow the all of them clear to California and back. Without hesitating, he ran to her and pulled the chair back over the boulder.

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Jessie leaned into him. “I’m glad you’re all here, but we’ve got to get out of here fast.” Austin quickly untied her ankles and lifted her up in his arms. He ran for all he was worth down the tunnel. His four brothers followed. For years, he thought he would leave his brothers someday. Now, after everything he’d seen and been through with them, he couldn’t imagine it. He’d never believed he could be soft, but holding Jessie in his arms now, he knew better. She’d shown him so much about himself. She was everything to him, the love of his life. The darkness inside him lifted around the light of this amazing woman. BDSM would always be a part of his sexuality, but now with Jessie, he could expand into other avenues. Baby steps, sure. But she deserved his best effort, always. Racing for the entrance and safety, Austin hoped they’d all make it out in time to get to the future he now desired—a life of sharing Jessie with his brothers.

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Chapter Ten Sitting in Austin’s dining room, Jessie sipped on the herbal tea like an automaton. She didn’t really taste it, merely lifted it over and over to her mouth. She was completely wrung out, every muscle and nerve dull. Like her soul. Her hair was still damp from the bath Austin had given her. Wrapped in his white robe, she loved the feel and smell of his scent. It was the only thing that kept her grounded. Lee Carpenter, her biological father, had just left, along with the sheriff. She’d recounted every moment of her time in the mine. She’d forced herself to say the words, pushing them out of her mouth, hoping that when she’d told the story she could be done with it. The case that had brought her to Wilde for the agency was now closed, as were the murders the sheriff had been investigating. Though Lee had asked her to return to the agency, she’d declined. Jessie wasn’t sure what she wanted to do next career wise, but her old job didn’t hold any interest to her now. Facing death between the eyes and coming out alive on the other end had changed her. She wasn’t the same woman who had walked into Wilde. And it wasn’t just the tragedy that had changed her. The Wilde brothers had changed her forever. Austin walked in with a plate of crackers, cheese, and fruit. “Seriously, cowboy, I can’t eat. The tea is enough for now.” The brothers had taken her to Austin’s place after the mine explosion. The doctor had made a house call. Once again, he’d given her a clean bill of health, announcing to the five worried cowboys that she was tough as nails.

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I sure don’t feel tough. She was glad that the nightmare was finally over. “Okay, pet, but Phoenix went to quite a lot of trouble to put this together for you. He’s going to be disappointed you didn’t taste it.” Jessie felt her shoulders sag. Even with the crazy bitch, Samantha, dead, she still had one other worry. Though not life threatening, she knew it was certainly awful enough that her heart would never survive. She couldn’t handle another moment with Austin’s demand over her head. She looked directly into Austin’s eyes. His demand for her to make the impossible choice had not been resolved. It never could be. I just want to get this over with. I can’t bear much more. “Where are your brothers?” “They’re all outside.” He sat the plate of food down. “I asked them to give us a moment together.” Her heart hurt. Maybe it had been better to be numb. At least when her heart was numb it hadn’t felt like an aching chasm in her chest. “Austin, I just can’t make—” “Shh. Before you say more, let me talk.” His voice was deep but without the familiar edge. It was gentler than she’d ever heard it before. Jessie braced herself for another round of his arguments of why she should choose him. He’d pulled her from the mine and saved her life. He deserved her ear one last time. “Okay.” “Stand up, pet.” The hot cowboy that had captured her heart cupped her chin. “Yes, Master.” God, how can I leave him? Dread and sadness rolled through her body. When she was fully on her feet, Austin leaned down and kissed her. For a moment, nothing else mattered. The world stopped turning, and her insides warmed up. Our last kiss. I’ll never forget it. Jessie began to sob into his mouth, unable to hold back her pain of having to

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leave him and his brothers. Austin released her lips. “Jessie, don’t cry.” “I–I...can’t help it. Master, I just can’t choose.” He pulled her close, and she melted into him. “I know, pet.” “I love Jackson. I love Phoenix. I love Dallas. I love Denver.” Her entire body began to shake as she sobbed. He squeezed her tight. “That’s what I want to tell you, pet. You don’t have to choose. I won’t make you.” “I love your brothers, but I love you, too, Austin.” She closed her eyes. “I can’t live without you either.” Austin’s eyes were warmer than she could ever remember. “I love you, too, sweetheart. I’ve been a fool my whole life. You made me see that.” She blinked back her tears and looked into his eyes. “What do you mean?” “When I was tied to the tree all those years ago, I felt I had no control.” His gaze didn’t falter, but she could see the ancient pain he held in his dark orbs. “You were only a child.” Jessie reached up and touched the line of his jaw. “It had to be terrifying.” “It was. But as the hours passed, I made a promise to myself to never give my power over to anyone, no matter what. That included my brothers. I let one single instant rule over everything my parents had taught me. I let that moment in time be more important than the love I received from my family.” His voice remained steady but very quiet. His honesty was overwhelming, but Jessie had to know more. “Why, Austin? Your brothers have always loved you.” “True, but for a very long time I believed that sharing a woman would require an act of trust I just didn’t have in me.” He closed his eyes as he continued telling her his deepest secrets. “I vowed that first night at the tree that I would go my own way someday and leave Wilde and my brothers behind forever. They hadn’t changed. I had.”

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“You were only a boy.” Jessie’s heart flattened out, thinking about the pain Austin had carried for so many years. Austin opened his eyes. “I closed off everyone and everything. No one was ever able to break down my walls. I built them too high. Sometimes I think I loved being safe more than I loved anything. I can see that those walls were my own safe word.” He paused and then smiled. “But then this firebrand from DC rolls into town and changes everything. I thought I could back off and let you and my brothers have a life. I was wrong. When you came to my house, you devastated me. I knew I had to have you.” She shook her head. “Now, you’re willing to let me go? Give me up? Let your brothers have me? Not happening, cowboy.” He laughed. “You’re too much. Be quiet and let me finish.” Jessie had a hundred arguments ready to fly. As Austin began stroking her hair, she snapped her jaw shut. “Where was I? I remember. I was talking about the firebrand from DC.” Austin’s fingers grazed her cheek. “Pet, you’ve seen that when I’m pushed I can be very hardheaded. You’ve helped me see things differently about everything.” “I did?” she asked meekly. “Yes. Sure, I enjoy BDSM. It’s become a huge part of my life. In some ways, it saved me. It allowed me to be intimate in a way I could handle. I can’t leave it behind. But now that I know you like the soft side of sex, I’m more than willing to give tenderness a try, too. Not all the time, you understand, but sometimes. I love you, Jessie Greene. You’re mine. I won’t let you go.” “I love you, too.” She squeezed her eyes shut, hating the choice he was pushing her to. “And your brothers? What about them?” “How could I even consider keeping a vow that I made as a boy? I knew it the instant we pulled you out of the mine. They’re my brothers. They’d do anything for me. I love and respect them. I won’t leave them.” Austin ran his fingers down her neck and to her shoulder. Then he laughed. “Besides, I saw how you responded to

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them and they to you during that hot sex show you all put on for me in my office. I’ve gotta see that again.” Her heart clenched. It felt like it might stop. “You mean you’re staying, and I don’t have to choose?” “That’s exactly what I mean, pet.” Relief and rapture shot through her like hot geysers. The world had stopped when he’d made his demand for her to choose the impossible, and now, it opened up again. Her world. Her men. Oh God, yes! Austin kissed her again, and this time her entire body softened. His tongue shot into her mouth, and she became warm and dizzy. “What was that for?” She already knew the answer. He was in charge. Austin pinched her nipples through her shirt, delivering two sharp stings. She could feel the dreamy space approaching. “It’s time to take you to my brothers. They’re outside waiting for us.” “They know you’re staying?” Jessie gazed into the cowboy’s dark fiery eyes, and she knew he was telling the truth. “I get my dream?” “Our dream, Jessie. Yes, they know.” He pulled on her hair, urging her closer to him. “Time to tie you up—shibari-style.” She remembered how amazing the Japanese bondage play had been. She was ready to go there again and trust her five cowboys. “Yes, please. Yes, Master.” As he stripped her of the robe, Jessie felt completely giddy, knowing what he had in store for her. Where she’d been cold and numb before, heat lit her. She felt the coolness of the night air on her skin, and her nipples jutted out even more. “Follow me, pet.” He didn’t wait for her but marched towards the dungeon—she knew very well—in his home. He slipped the blindfold over her eyes, the light fleeing in an instant. She couldn’t see, but she could feel. The silky ropes caressed

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her skin, the vines of his love encompassing her body. This was how he told her he loved her. It was his language, and she’d learned to translate it. He wrapped her in the thin bonds with expert precision. Every tie was a connection between the two of them. In no time, she was completely tied up and blindfolded—helpless. Every nerve popped to life, and shivers shot over her skin. When he placed the headphones in her ears, she could only hear the pounding of a drum solo from his iPod, deafening out all other sounds in the room. She felt Austin lift her onto the table with wheels. Jessie settled back in the confining darkness as Austin rolled the table with her on top of it out the backdoor. He’s taking me to his tree and my four other cowboys. A hunger like she’d never felt before welled up inside her. Finally, I get to be with all my men. When the table stopped rolling along, she felt five pairs of hands touch every intimate part of her body. Strong hands caressed her. Someone pulled off the headphones and then the blindfold. She was surrounded. They stared down at her like a hungry pack of wolves. She felt deliciously helpless as they stalked around her. Not a one of them wore a stitch of clothing. Their magnificent bodies were on full display. Five gorgeous, gloriously hard cocks jutted toward her. “She looks beautiful, brother,” Jackson said, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. Austin smiled down at her. “She does, indeed. I’ll have to teach you all how to tie up our gorgeous bride. I’m afraid she’ll require an awful lot of discipline.” Austin picked her up and flipped her over his knee. The ropes that bound her kept her in the perfect position. She couldn’t move, couldn’t fight. She was at Austin’s mercy. “Count of ten, pet. That’s two from each of us. I know you didn’t intend to put yourself in danger, but it happened.” He smacked her

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ass, lighting up her flesh. “You are not allowed to die.” He smacked her again. She fought not to laugh. Austin really would attempt to discipline her if she died on him. He would come after her in the afterlife, and she would get such a spanking. “Never leave us.” Phoenix’s hand smacked her twice in rapid succession. “Don’t forget you’re ours.” It was Dallas’s turn. Jessie merely groaned as he got his sweet licks in. She couldn’t forget she belonged to them. She felt them always. “We love you, baby.” Jackson’s hand caressed her stinging backside in between slaps. And Denver. She could feel him staring at her. He’d always been clear how he loved her backside when it was pink. Smack. Smack. “Don’t forget you have more than one Master.” Never. She would never forget. “Yes, Sir.” Austin flipped her back over, his hands skimming her skin. He kissed her as he undid the ties that bound her. “I love you, Jessie.” She nodded, far too emotional to speak. Austin laid her down, his stare telling her plainly to be still. The Wilde brothers obviously wanted to play with their woman. “God, you’re so sexy.” Jackson didn’t wait for any signal or word but leaned down, swallowing her left breast. Phoenix did the same to her right breast. Their tongues and teeth worked her up into a hot frenzy. “We’re going to pleasure you night after night, from now on.” Dallas massaged one of her legs. It felt heavenly. Denver kissed her feet. “Sweetheart, you mean everything to us.” Then he swallowed her toes, sending a tremble through her body. Austin rubbed her stomach and leaned down until his lips were within touching distance. He sent a hot blast of his breath over her pussy, and her clit began to throb. “You did this, pet. You brought me and my brothers together, and now you are completely ours.”

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“Yes, Master. And you five are mine.” She licked her lips. Everything she wanted, had dreamed of, was right here in her grasp. “Did you see that, Phoenix?” Austin sent her a wicked wink. “The little kitten must be starving. She’s licking her lips.” “I’ve got something to feed her with then.” Phoenix moved until his hard cock was inches from her mouth. “Are you hungry, angel?” She nodded. His cock teased her lips, its silky texture a pure pleasure. She licked at the head, but Phoenix seemed impatient. He pushed past her lips and teeth, feeding her his cock like the savory treat it was. She struggled to take it all. He was so big, so thick, but she was able to swallow every inch of his cock. He groaned, and his eyes closed. Jackson bathed her breast and nipple, causing heat to well up inside her. Dallas rubbed her calves and licked her legs, as Denver continued sucking on her toes. The concert of these men made her light headed and electric. Her pussy dampened, as Austin’s tongue circled her clit. Her back arched off the table, and tingles spread throughout her body. They continued tasting, touching, massaging every place on her body until she needed to come so badly it almost killed her. “Don’t come yet, pet.” Clearly, Austin was reading her state. “Yes, Master.” But she wasn’t sure she could hold back no matter what he ordered her to do. “Let’s get her on the blanket.” He lifted her up off the table. Since she’d been on the table, she hadn’t been able to see the blanket until now. In one corner of it, there was a pile of condoms, lubricant, four dildos, and one plug. Her men had come prepared for a little fun. Jessie wondered why Austin didn’t lower her to the ground but soon found out why when he said, “Let’s slick up her pretty, little ass.” Jackson applied lube to her backside, stretching out her entrance. Her skin was delightfully sensitized from her spanking. The more

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cream he applied, the more she began to respond. Sensations were firing throughout her body. “She’s ready for us.” Jackson rubbed his hand on her ass. It felt amazing and inviting. Austin nodded. “Lil’ bro, hop down on the blanket.” “My pleasure.” The youngest Wilde brother stretched out on the cover and then rolled a condom down his shaft. Jessie wanted him inside her. She prayed Austin would take possession of her pussy with his cock. “Ready, pet?” Again, Jessie nodded, too afraid that if she answered Austin aloud, she might sound incoherent. Austin slowly lowered her down with her back to Jackson. She felt the tip of his dick hit her ass’s entrance. A wicked tremble moved through her body and into her pussy. As the eldest Wilde brother lowered her more, Jackson pierced through her backside’s tight ring, melting her into a hot bubbling brew of want and thirst. The remaining cowboys shifted around her. “Grab Dallas’s and Phoenix’s cocks,” Austin ordered. She obeyed, and enjoyed feeling the pulsing in each of them. Denver moved into a position so that she could again suck on his cock. He cupped her chin. “You know what to do, sweetheart. Suck me dry.” “Yes, Sir.” She opened her mouth wide, and swallowed his cock down her throat. “Good, pet. Very good. You be a good sub, and stroke Dallas and Phoenix until they shoot their loads. With Denver, you need to swallow every drop. Jackson is enjoying your tight ass. I will claim your pussy. Understand?” “Yes, Master.” And she did and couldn’t wait to come. Her pussy was soaked.

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Austin crawled up on top of her. His weight was a kind of restraint, and she loved it. Then he kissed her again. Her toes curled, and her womb tightened. When he drilled into her with his hard dick, her eyelids fluttered. All five brothers are making love to me. She was surrounded by them. She was overwhelmed by them. Tears filled her eyes. They were together. They wouldn’t be apart again. She didn’t have to choose. She only had to love them, and her heart burst with emotion. She had enough love for all of them. The strokes of two cocks into her body sent her to the stratosphere. She pumped on Dallas’s and Phoenix’s cock, all the while sucking on Denver’s. Her orgasm began to well up. She could no longer hold back, and thankfully, Austin didn’t command her to. Sensations seared her depths as the five men continued their erotic choreography into her body. She stopped sucking Denver. “I’m so close. I’m about to come.” “Do it. I’m about to do the same,” Phoenix proclaimed. She nodded and licked his shaft. Then she wrapped her lips around Denver’s cock again and took it down her throat. In its own way, it was more than symbolic of his possession of her, and that thrilled and excited her. “Fuuuck!” Jackson shoved his entire cock up her ass. It felt amazing and sent her into a mini-subspace state. Her fist pumping on Dallas and Phoenix worked like a charm, and she felt their male cream on her hands. Denver’s seed shot down her mouth. Then Austin drilled into her with his massive cock. His stare locked in on her and he whispered in her ear, “Come for us, pet.” Her entire body shook violently as her womb clenched, unclenched, and clenched again. Tears rolled down her cheeks, in part because of the awesome sex she’d just experienced. The other part?

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Her five men were on the same page. They wanted a life together, sharing her. Wilde was now her home, and the Wilde brothers were the reason. **** Jessie sat between Maude and Mary at the Wilde mansion looking at the coffee table with the Tarot cards spread out. Carlotta sat across from them. Michael, with another bridal magazine in his lap, sat beside the fortune-teller. Jessie smiled. The last several weeks had been a whirlwind after her five guys had all knelt in front of her, asking for her hand in marriage. The memory of the Old Wilde Mine exploding with Samantha’s dead body wasn’t so ever present as it had been just a month ago. Her Wilde brothers had rescued her just in time. No one was surprised when Norma sold the cafe to Carlotta and left town with her other girls. She never spoke to Jessie but did send a card. All it said was, “I’m so sorry, Ms. Greene. Believe me, I didn’t know my girl was so troubled.” Carlotta sipped on an herbal tea, looking down at the Tarot cards on the table. “De cards say June. Dat’s de best time vor your vedding, my dear.” Jessie smiled. “June it is.” Maude shook her head. “My nephews aren’t going to like waiting so long, hun.” “I will not go against the cards. Carlotta hasn’t steered me wrong yet.” “Dat’s my girl,” Carlotta said. Michael asked, “Do your cards work for us gays, too?” They all laughed. Carlotta patted his knee. “You got da sight. I see it inside you. Come to my new business tomorrow morning.”

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“The diner?” “Yes. I vill read your cards. Perhaps deres a man or two in your future, my boy. You know, I have a nephew who is about our age. You like cowboys?” “Do I? I’ll see you tomorrow.” Michael turned to Jessie. “Your five grooms are going to have a big crowd at the wedding. How many people are you inviting?” “You’re my best man. I talked to my cousin, Charly. She was stunned, of course, when I told her everything. But she’s going to be my maid of honor.” “Maybe she can get her own set of cowboys.” Michael grinned at Maude. “You’ve got six boys, right?” “I do, but even in Wilde, there are limits. Three men and one woman is the max.” Jessie was confused. “What about me?” “Hun, you’re the luckiest girl in town. Keeping the mine undivided gives you a free pass. Let Charly get to town. I bet she’d be perfect for Drake, Dax, and Seth. If not them, then the older boys, Nate, Heath, and Tobias, would be happy to step up.” “Maude, you’re a total mess.” “I’ve been called a lot worse.” Jessie laughed. “Charly is only coming for the wedding. She’s got a line on a great job in Malibu.” “Drats.” Maude looked truly disappointed. “I was hoping to get at least three of my boys hitched.” “Who else is coming from your side?” Michael asked. “My two dads…wow, that still sounds funny. Anyway, they’ve both agreed to walk me down the aisle. That’s it. Short list.” “You want some celebs at your special event?” Michael punched some buttons on his iPhone. “I’ve got some names that could really spice things up, Jessica.” She shook her head. “Put that thing away.” Denver walked in, followed by Jackson and Phoenix. “Forgive us,

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ladies and gentleman. We’re going to take Jessie away from you for a bit.” “Where are Dallas and Austin?” Jessie asked. “Where we’re going,” Phoenix answered. Mary grabbed Jessie’s hand and squeezed. “Go. You’re going to like this surprise.” **** Jessie stood surrounded by her Wilde brothers. Mrs. Wilde had been right. She did like the surprise. Actually, Jessie loved it. “So the house will face this way?” Denver put his arm around her shoulder. “If that’s what you want, sweetheart.” “I do. I like seeing that mountain.” She loved the spot they’d chosen for the family home. Phoenix nodded. “I knew you would, angel.” “It’s going to be a really big house.” She sighed, looking back down at the plans on the ground in front of them secured by some stones her cowboys had collected to keep them from blowing away. “Big, but if you look here”—Dallas pointed to one of the pages— “we can add on should we need to, honey.” “I say we get started filling it up, right now.” Jackson laughed. Jessie smiled. “No way. Not until after the wedding, at the very least.” But truthfully, she wanted to have a baby as soon as possible. She’d asked Maude and Mary about it, and they told her that being so deeply in love oftentimes had that impact on women. It had happened to both of them. “So you’re sure you want a log-cabin home, pet?” Austin asked. “It will be perfect to raise our kids. And about this old practice of kicking the boys out to build their own houses, that’s gotta change.” Denver’s eyebrow shot up. “You think so, sweetheart?” “Seriously, guys, it’s a waste. Now that we’re all going to be

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living together in one house, what are you going to do with your houses?” “She’s got a point.” Dallas rubbed his chin. “But what can we do with them? Sell them?” “Let’s start a charity for troubled teens.” Jessie thought about Norma’s note and knew that was exactly what she wanted to do. If they could reach some, it would all be worth it. “We’ll hire the best counselors and start with a camp. Get the kids around animals. Later, who knows? A group home, maybe? Let’s see where it takes us.” Denver kissed her. “I knew the moment I saw you at the Horseshoe, you’d be trouble.” Phoenix stepped up and kissed her. “Whatever you say, angel.” As he moved aside, Dallas took his place. “You’ve got the sweetest heart, Jessie.” Dallas, too, pressed his lips to her mouth. Next, Jackson stood in front of her. And he gave her another devastating cowboy kiss. “You’ve made my dreams come true, darlin’.” “Come here,” Austin commanded. Instantly she obeyed. He touched the new collar on her neck. It wasn’t the one he’d given her before. That one had been retired for this platinum beauty all five men had selected. Austin put his arms around her shoulders and turned her to face his brothers. He nodded to each of them. “This amazing woman, Jessie Greene, soon to be Jessie Wilde, has given us a real home.” He swept his arm to the gorgeous landscape, and then he cupped her chin. “Thank you for saving me, pet.” The eldest Wilde brother’s lips covered hers, and Jessie knew she, too, had finally come home.

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THE END WWW.CHLOELANG.COM

ADVANCED PREVIEW Strong Attraction: The Strong Cowboys of Wilde, Nevada

Chapter One Charlene Wynn looked at her cell. One bar. Please, let it be enough to get a call out. The large sign on the empty road mocked her. It informed travelers that Wilde, Nevada was a mere sixty-two miles ahead. Its motto would’ve normally caused her to grin, but she wasn’t in a grinning mood no matter how ironic the welcome. Wilde, Nevada—population 969, we welcome you with 1,938 arms. “And almost as many dicks, too, apparently,” she muttered to herself. “Fuck-fuck-fuckity-fuck.” Her mother’s frequent admonishment to curb her tongue fired in her head. Aloud, as if her mother was standing with her, Charly said, “I know. I know.” She had a very good excuse for flinging the f-bombs, though. Her old car, which looked like it had been through a couple of wars, was dead on the side of the road in the middle of bumfuck. No stranger to an engine, she’d changed the oil, topped the fluids, and aired the tires to get the beast up to par for the 2300-mile-long trip from Baltimore to Wilde. She’d only stopped once in Lincoln, Nebraska after already having traveled twenty hours. The one night at

the hotel had cost her thirty-eight dollars, leaving her less than four hundred bucks to her name. Not much but enough to get her to Malibu. She’d hit the road at four in the morning today, and now, sixteen hours later, with only an hour of driving left to get to Wilde, her car had crapped out on her. Still, she hated to call her cousin, Jessica Greene, for help, but she didn’t have a choice. “Hello,” a strange voice answered. “I’m sorry, I must—” “No. No. This is Jessie’s phone. She’s indisposed at the moment, getting her wedding dress fitted. I’m Maude Strong.” “Oh. How long before I can talk to her?” She didn’t want to tell the woman on the other line her troubles. Independence was so important in her life, and she normally was self-sufficient. Not this time. Fuck! “Awhile. Is this Charlene I’m talking to?” The voice on the other end of the phone sounded very welcoming. “Yes.” Even listening to the woman’s warm tone, the truth of the matter was Charly didn’t want to be here. She’d only agreed to come to Northern Nevada to try to talk some sense into Jessica. Wilde had put some kind of spell on her cousin. Marrying a stranger she’d only just met a couple of months ago was nuts. Marrying five was completely insane. Preventing Jessica’s wedding was the only reason she’d taken this detour on her trip to Malibu. Charly didn’t have any interest in the town or its citizens. “Where are you, hun?” the woman asked, pulling Charly from her musings. “You need some help?” Though her nerves were frayed, Charly tried to sound chipper. “Yes, I do.” ****

Halfway between Vice and Wilde, Nevada, Drake Strong expected to come upon the bride’s stranded cousin at any moment. His current errand pissed him off, but he wasn’t about to cry over spilt milk—literally. He eased his foot off the gas pedal, slowing his three-quarter-ton Chevy Silverado Crew Cab to the speed limit while continuing to scan the road ahead for any sign of the woman he’d been sent to rescue. He’d first learned about Charlene Wynn a week ago at Norma’s Diner. His ears had perked up when Jessie Greene, the Wilde brothers’ fiancée, had mentioned that she, too, had a cousin. That very moment he’d wondered if the twenty-five-year-old coming to town for the wedding might be perfect for him and two of his brothers— Dax and Seth—as much as his five cousins’ big-city girl had been for them. Seeing how Jackson, Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, and Austin openly doted on their bride to be made Drake want even more to find the woman who would sweep him, Dax, and Seth off their feet. But the instant Jessie had mentioned her cousin’s summa cum laude distinction with her bachelor’s and her recent completion of a master’s degree in psychology, his she-might-be-the-one fantasy had crumbled to dust. That kind of woman just wasn’t his type, nor would such a woman be Dax’s and Seth’s dream girl. Over the years, his three older brothers—Nate, Heath, and Tobias—had competed with him, Dax, and Seth for the affection of several beautiful women in town. Drake smiled. This would be a first. Let them have free rein with Miss Charlene Wynn when she gets to town. The northeastern girl likely would be one of those who skipped breakfast, ate two grapes and a single lettuce leaf for lunch, and for dinner downed a diet drink in the idiotic hopes of keeping her unflattering board shape intact. Any person who dared to join her for one of those sparse meals would certainly have to tolerate academic blathering and arrogance from her.

I hope she doesn’t float one of those three-dollar words at me on the ride back to Wilde. With the mood I’m in, I won’t be able to hide what I think of that, no matter what the fallout to come from her and the other wedding revelers. The whole town had become completely obsessed with the Wilde wedding, and though he’d tried diligently to steer clear of the craziness, he’d been swept up in the matrimonial mess when the phone call had come from Ms. Wynn. A grumbling in his gut reminded him that his earlier lack of restraint had been the cause of being on this mundane mission in the first place, instead of riding fences where he felt more at home than anywhere else. The call for help had come just as he’d begun cleaning up the broken glass, chocolate cake, and milk on his mother’s kitchen floor. How he wished he’d found the willpower to resist his mom, Maude Strong. But he never could. Her offer of dessert had turned him into a clumsy fool tripping over the saddle that he’d brought into the house. If I’d only left it on the porch, I might’ve gotten away before the girl called. “Your cousins have their hands full with a million chores your Aunt Mary has given them, Drake.” His mom had smiled. “Be a dear son, and go get Ms. Wynn.” He’d considered trying to find one of his dads to take on the rescue, but when his mother had given him the don’t-argue-withyour-mom glare, he had just nodded that he would go. Dax, his identical twin, had been much smarter than him, even skipping their mother’s blue-ribbon pot-roast meal. Seven minutes younger than Drake, his twin definitely had gotten the brains between them, while he’d been blessed with more brawn and—though the actual measuring hadn’t been done since they were thirteen—at least a half inch where it really counted. Just then, Drake recalled that he hadn’t seen any of his brothers, except Heath, in the last couple of days, which was very unusual. “Damn it, why didn’t I think to lay low while these nuptials were

in full tilt?” he asked aloud just as he spotted the 1995 white Ford Fiesta on the shoulder on the opposite side of the road. The car’s hood was up, but that wasn’t what was demanding Drake’s instant and absolute attention. The perfect, curvy ass in white jeans wiggling in front of him was. Not an inch of her would ever be called stick like. Hot fuck, I’d love to take a ride on those curves. The little thing stood on her front bumper, leaning into the engine in such a way that her amazing body folded into the most appetizing shape, causing his balls to load up. This job was actually turning out to have some nice fringe bennies. Since there was no traffic on the county road, Drake made a U-turn on the asphalt to point back the way he’d just come. He wanted to get his truck in front of the old Ford in case he needed to tow it back to Wilde, but he was having trouble keeping his mind on the task instead of on the sexy bottom half, for the moment temporarily hidden from view by the hood, he’d just seen. Wonder what the upper half is like? As Drake slowly passed the heap, his rescuee stepped down from her perch in a single bound, causing her full breasts to bounce in the cotton top and her taut nipples to pierce the white fabric. Both her upper and lower were harmoniously matched. Tipping his hat as he worked the truck in front of the Ford, he thought that such a delectable presentation of womanly beauty should’ve been classified as a barely concealed weapon out here in the Wild West. “Charlene Wynn?” he mouthed. She nodded and chewed on her thick, lush lips. Her shoulders sagged in an apparent sign of relief that he was the one who’d been sent for her and not some deranged stranger. Once his truck was parked, he got out of the cab and walked over to the dazzling temptation. “Welcome to Nevada, Ms. Wynn.” Drake realized she couldn’t be more than five foot two, which with his six-six height created quite a

contrast. She’d be so easy to lift up in his arms and carry around, and his cock stood up and cheered in his jeans at the idea. When she flipped back her long, dark hair, the beast between his legs nearly ripped the denim in two. “Are you one of Jessie’s men?” she asked, holding out her hand for him to take. Her voice reminded him of a spring shower, refreshing and light. Like a pocket watch swinging from side to side, her sea-blue eyes with full eyelashes mesmerized him. He shook her hand and enjoyed the feel of her soft, delicate fingers. “No. I’m one of their cousins. Drake Strong. Pleased to meet you, Ms. Wynn.” “Just Charly. I’m really sorry about this.” Her lips were luscious and wet. She was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen in his life. “Don’t worry about it,” he said in his deepest tone, hoping to impress her. “Let’s take a look and see if it might be something I can fix on the spot.” Her pretty little eyebrows shot up. “I think I’m going to need a new starter.” “Really? Why do you think that?” “Unless the battery is dead, and it shouldn’t be since I just replaced it before this trip, it’ll be the starter.” She put her hands on her curvy hips, causing lust to fill him up. “When I turn the key in the ignition, nothing.” “You know a thing or two about engines, yep?” “I’ve had to.” Charly nodded, and even that small gesture ignited something hot and uncontrollable in him. Did the woman have a clue how fucking hot she was? Watching her, he doubted it. “Why?” “Being a full-time student for the past seven years, I’ve had to do a lot of things to save money. Surprise you, Drake?” “Some.” He wondered what other surprises this girl had up her sleeves. “Belts look good. Fluids are fine.”

“I changed my oil only two days ago.” She was close enough for him to get a whiff of her scent of warm honey and clover. He realized that his nose had to be connected to his dick somehow, since the message of her sweet-smelling notes made his cock rock hard. “If it turns out to be the starter, I’m going to have to wait on changing my brakes.” “You can change your own brakes?” “That and a whole lot more, cowboy.” “I look forward to finding out about the more.” She frowned. “How much longer?” Drake wondered...“I want to try to jump-start your car just to rule the battery out as the problem.” Charly shrugged. After getting her to turn the key a couple of times with his jumper cables attaching her battery to his, Drake knew the beautiful would-be home mechanic was right about the starter. After unhooking the cables, he closed the hood. “We need to tow you to the garage in Elko. Let me get my chains—” “Don’t need them,” Charly said, holding her own set. “Keep them in the trunk for these kind of occasions.” Then, without waiting for him, she crawled under her front bumper, obviously with no care about keeping her clothes out of the dirt. Her upper half disappeared, leaving her lower half in the white, tight jeans for him to enjoy without hesitation. He was so tempted to crawl down and pull off her pants to see the pretty pussy he knew was behind the denim. That vision caused his cock to extend more to the almost painful. Damn, if all prenuptial tasks were this good, he’d have to give some serious thought to ditching his saddle and spurs for a wedding planner’s clipboard.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Chloe Lang began devouring romance novels during summers between college semesters as a respite to the rigors of her studies. Soon, her lifelong addiction was born, and to this day, she typically reads three or four books every week. For years, the very shy Chloe tried her hand at writing romance stories but shared them with no one. After many months of prodding by an author friend, Sophie Oak, she finally relented and let Sophie read one. As the prodding turned to gentle shoves, Chloe ultimately did submit something to Siren-BookStrand. The thrill of a life happened for her when she got the word that her book would be published. Chloe’s family consists of a wonderful man she’s been married to for twelve years and a precious daughter.

Also by Chloe Lang Siren LoveXtreme Forever: The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 1: Going Wilde Siren LoveXtreme Forever: The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 2: Wilde Fire Siren LoveXtreme Forever: The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 3: Running Wilde Siren LoveXtreme Forever: The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 4: Wilde Nights Siren LoveXtreme Forever: The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 5: Wilde Surrender

Also by Sophie Oak and Chloe Lang Siren LoveXtreme: Playing the Field

Available at BOOKSTRAND.COM

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com