“Why, when you can have anyone?”
“Because, she could be my greatest investment. By the time I’m done conditioning her, I’ll make a lot of money just off her assets in Europe.”
“Are you fucking crazy? You’d prostitute her out? I thought you meant to keep her for yourself.”
“I could see myself with her for a very long time. But you know me. Things grow old to me quickly. I’ve never really committed my heart to anyone. And she has a lot to offer the right man. If I can profit off of that, then I’ll do it. Now let me get ready. I want to be sure that every moment I spend with her gives me insight as to how to help mold her into the woman I need her to be. Perhaps by next week, she’ll be in my bed, and I’ll truly have an understanding of her marketability.”
* * * *
“Say that again?” Unc asked her. He was shocked. Utterly speechless when she told him about Justice, Mace, Seno, and Hunter. She first explained about Paul and then the inability to get the order of protection. He was very upset.
“I know it’s a lot to take in, Unc. But I really need someone to talk to about this. I’m scared.”
He leaned back and stared at her. “Four men? How? How could this even be a possibility after what Paul did to you? I don’t think it’s a smart idea. I think you’re focusing on their professions and what they stand for as American soldiers. What if they’re not so perfect and they hurt you? Paul could have killed you that night, and he was one man with a knife.”
She ran her finger tip over the rim of her ice tea glass.
“I know. I’ve been thinking about all those things, yet I still come back to my feelings for them. I like them a lot. I’ve never considered a ménage before. Hell, I wasn’t even sure that I would ever want to date or be interested in dating. But I like them, each of them, for different reasons, but also the same ones.”
“Like what? Because they’re highly trained, they have big muscles and sexy bodies?” he asked and she felt her cheeks warm.
“Well, that is a definite plus. But I guess it’s how safe I feel when I’m with them. I don’t feel on edge except well, my anxiety about the attraction.”
“Have you slept with them?” he asked, shocking her. “Don’t look so stunned. Any person’s first reaction to finding out that their friend, a woman, was considering engaging in a ménage relationship would focus on the sex. Have you been able to get that close to them?”
She shook her head.
He leaned back in his chair, stared at her, and released a sigh. “But you want to?”
“I like them. I like how Justice is so strong and authoritative. He acts tough but he really is a softy. I like how Seno is meticulous and calm. He’s always so in tune to emotions and has this way of watching over me. Then there’s Mace. He’s such a character. He makes me laugh, he understands my obsession with collecting shoes because he collects, too.”
“Shoes?” he asked, and she chuckled.
“No, he collects John Wayne memorabilia, and swords and knives.”
“Swords and knives?” He raised his voice and sat forward.
“I know. It’s crazy, and I hate knives, but I trust him, Unc. I trust the others, too. And then there’s Hunter. “
“Which one is he, the perfect soldier or the detective?”
“No, Justice is a detective, Hunter teaches self-defense, and works in computers for the government. He’s an amputee. He lost part of his leg while serving in the Marine Corps.”
“Damn. That’s a lot to handle. You’re not turned off by that, or fearful that he may be mentally unstable?”
“What do you mean? Because it’s difficult to face being an amputee and trying to live a normal life? Hell, you should see him, Unc. He’s incredible. He took first place in this special race on Saturday. He was the first amputee to ever accomplish that. Hunter does not know the words ‘give up.’ He’s a fighter, a survivor like me.”
She lowered her eyes to her lap and then Unc took her hand.
“You are a survivor and a fighter. I just want what’s best for you. Brian would want me to ensure that you were safe, loved, and well cared for.”
“You’ve been a great friend,” she replied as her cell phone began ringing. She pulled her hand away from his to answer the call.
“Okay, I can bring the painting to the site. Can you have them wrap it really good? It’s raining so hard out there. Great, see you then.”
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, it’s the client I’m working for. He’s really into artwork and special one-of-a-kind pieces for his new restaurant chain. You probably know him, Renaldo Sentinel.”