The Greatest Fight of All (The American Soldier Collection 5)

Murphy could tell that his brothers were feeling on edge. Was she going to break things off before they got started? What was holding her back?

When she wrapped her arms around Brody’s waist and held him close, he released a sigh of relief.

“Last night was incredible. I just don’t know how a relationship like this can work. The four of you are control freaks.”

“Control freaks? Honey, we’re leaders. We’re set in our ways,” Ricky stated.

“I know that and it’s going to take some time to get used to. Like today on the phone, Murphy, I told you that we would talk later and you kept pushing. I don’t like being pushed.” She pulled from Brody’s arms.

Brody reached for her hand to stop her.

“Baby, this is new to all of us, too. My brothers and I talked about us last night. We understand what this type of relationship entails. We know what we want and we know we want you. We’ll go slow,” Brody told her.

Waylon spoke up next, drawing her complete attention to him and his deep voice.

“Don’t push us away. Don’t run from this.”

She was silent and Murphy wondered what was going through her head. “I’ll try. I promise.”

“How about we work on that dinner while you relax?” Ricky suggested.

She smiled. “I’ll just go change and get washed up.”

She walked from the room and Murphy looked at his brothers.

“We’ll work it out,” Brody stated, but Murphy had a bit of an uptight feeling.

* * * *

Amelia freshened up then threw on a light sundress. She hadn’t bothered with sandals. As she brushed her hair, she heard her cell phone ringing. At first she felt a twinge of anxiety, hoping that it wasn’t Mano. She reached for it, saw the caller ID, and smiled. Sylvia.

“Hey you, what’s going on?” she asked as she stood in front of the mirror and made sure that she looked okay. Ricky, Brody, Murphy, and Waylon were very attractive men. She felt almost inferior in good looks and great body department. How could any woman resist such attractive men?

“How am I doing? How are you doing, chica? Word is, Mano knows you’re in Houston.”

“So he knows I’m in Houston. Who cares?”

She turned around and fixed the messy comforter on the bed. She wondered if one of the men had tried to make it this morning, smiling to herself as she thought about the possibility of more mornings like today with them.

“I heard that he called you. I know he did. He was hounding me for your number since the day after you left New York.”

“You gave him my number?” Amelia felt her chest tighten. Why would Sylvia do that?

“Hell no! I told that asshole he fucked up with you big-time and that you deserved better. He wasn’t too happy, but he did seem determined. He told me about his new gigs and making money legit, ya know?”

“I know.”

“He called didn’t he? Shit, Amelia, what are you going to do?”

“He can call me all he wants. I won’t believe his lies and I won’t go down that road again.”

“He’s determined, Amelia. He hasn’t given up on you. He won’t give up on you. I’m worried.”

“Please don’t worry. I’m safe here.”

“Well I do worry. So how are the cowboys out there? Any prospects?”

Amelia heard the floor creak and turned to see Waylon standing in the doorway with his arms crossed in front of his chest and a rather upset expression on his face. Did he hear her talking?