Double Trouble (The Sinful 7 of Delite, Texas 5)

“Then tell them not to interfere.” He knew he sounded pissed off, but he really didn’t give a shit. Sally was his woman. Steven and he would take care of her.

“I think they just want Sally to come back here to Delite. That young woman has been through enough in her life. She doesn’t need this crap. But my hands are tied. If they aren’t harassing her or trying anything, then there’s nothing I can do but threaten them a little and keep them aware that we’re watching them. Believe me, even Susanna is ready to take matters into her own hands and go after Garret and Keiffer.”

“I understand. Thank you for the update. Let her sister and friends know that Sally is doing well. We’ll take good care of her.”

“I know you and Steven will. Good luck. I’ll be in touch.”

Mason disconnected the call and gave Steven the lowdown.

“They shot at her fucking windshield? Jesus, is Elise okay?” Steven asked.

“What? What happened?” Sally asked as she entered the kitchen with the dogs following her. Steven stared at her, absorbing her attire as an overwhelming need to pull her into his arms invaded his mind. His brother beat him to it.

“Hey, are you feeling okay?” Steven asked as he pulled her into his arms and between his legs as he sat on the stool by the island. She clutched his shoulders, looking up at Mason and him, and he felt his gut clench. She was going to be upset about the news.

“I’m fine, Steven. What happened to Elise?” she asked.

“She’s okay,” Steven stated as Mason walked closer to her.

God, she was precious. She was wearing a soft gray sweater, dark skinny jeans, and thick, gray wool socks. She was petite and feminine and sure as shit didn’t deserve the harassing she was getting from Garret and Keiffer.

He placed a hand on her hip then another on her shoulder as he pushed her long brown hair aside.

“Elise is okay. She was headed out of Dixie Chix to her car when someone shot out the windshield, trying to scare the crap out of her.”

“Oh God, no.” She covered her mouth with her hand and Steven pulled her tighter against him.

“She’s okay. BJ knows it was Garret and Keiffer, but just can’t prove it. Then on top of that, someone went and shot out Garret’s windows at his house. Garret called the cops,” Mason told her.

She turned toward him and now her back was facing Steven. Steven kept his hands on her waist.

“Who would have done that?”

Mason was silent a moment. God, he never thought he would feel so possessive over a woman. He was actually hesitant in telling her that Virgo and Dale were suspected of it. Would she cheer for them? Would she blush, perhaps indicating that she had feelings for them?

“Well, who?”

“BJ thinks that it was Virgo and Dale trying to send Garret and Keiffer a message back. You push us and we’ll push you.”

“Oh no. I wish they hadn’t done that. They could have gotten hurt, or worse. What if Garret and Keiffer shot back at them?”

“Honey, Virgo and Dale are highly trained soldiers. They could eliminate Garret and Keiffer just like any one of us could and there would be no evidence and no getting hurt. Believe me, we’ve thought about it ourselves,” Steven stated, and Sally pulled from his arms and stepped to the side. She looked angry as she crossed her arms and glared at him.

“Steven, I don’t want to hear that kind of talk. It would kill me if any of you got hurt. If I were there right now, I would ring Virgo’s and Dale’s necks for pulling such a stunt. They could have wound up in jail.”

Mason stared at her a moment and couldn’t hide his emotions.

“You got a thing for Virgo or Dale?”

She shot a look at him and he raised his eyebrows at her.

“Are you seriously asking me that after what we just did? After I gave you my virginity?” She was outraged, and he suddenly felt like a sophomoric ass. She began to walk out of the room when he grabbed her arm, turned her around, and stared down at her.

“Fuck if I know why I said that. I’ve been drinking you off my mind and out of my heart for months, Sally. I finally lost the battle and I’m crazy about you. I feel fucking jealous of any other man trying to protect you, care for you, or hell, hug you, the way I’ve seen Virgo give you hugs. It pisses me off, okay?” He raised his voice as he released her arm. He began to turn away from her, but she stopped him. Mason felt her delicate, slim fingers clasp onto his wrist and turn him toward her. The palm of her other hand caressed up his chest to his shoulder. She reached up and placed her hands against his cheeks.

“I know it’s crazy, but my life has been nothing but crazy, so why would falling in love, instantly, with two very dominant, bossy, military cowboys be any different? I don’t have those types of feelings for anyone but you and Steven.”

He wrapped his arms around her and hoisted her up so he could kiss her. They battled over control of that kiss until he placed her ass on the island in the kitchen and squeezed her to him. Releasing her lips, he reached up and held her face between the palms of his hands.