Armored Hearts (The Town of Pearl 7)

“It’s all good. Her friend Aspen is fine, too. It’s going to take a few days to organize a pickup. Can she stay a little longer or do I need to call the Inn in Pearl?”

“No. Of course she can stay. We’re taking her into Pearl tonight,” Ford told Silas.

“Nice. She’ll like that. But I’m sure she’ll want to get back to work in Chicago. Her phone has been ringing nonstop. She missed meetings and client appointments. Never mind dates. I never realized how many men were interested in her. But Fenton read the texts. She probably can’t wait to return to her lavish life and all the parties and activities with friends. I’m sure you’re all sick of listening to that club music she blasts all day long,” Silas said and chuckled.

“We got her to listen to some country,” Fisher said and Ford thought about how she’d tried to force the club music on them over the surround sound. But she came around and started listening to country music. Especially the real sappy love songs.

“That’s funny. India listening to country music. I’m sure she’s ready to return to her city lifestyle. Again, thanks for helping me out with this. I put the money in the account.”

“You didn’t have to do that. We don’t want money for watching over her. She’s your sister,” Fenton barked.

“It was what we discussed. I know you all were planning on taking a break from the freelance work. I just wanted to make it up to you. Use some tonight for dinner at the Inn. I’m sure she’s going to be thrilled to head back to Chicago, and I bet you’ll be thrilled to get back to your lives without worrying about her.”

“Yeah. We can get things back to normal again. We’ll tell India,” Ford said then disconnected the call.

* * * *

India felt the tears roll down her cheeks. So they really didn’t want her to stay. They’d just said that and made her think that the decision to leave was all on her and they cared. But hearing what they said. Learning that they were getting paid to watch over her and that they would use some of the money to take her out to town tonight really pissed her off. So the sex, the complete feeling she felt was just on her end only? At least that’s what Fenton, Ford, and Fisher acted like and showed in their response to her brother.

They thought she was a high-class snob. Hadn’t they realized she liked staying out here with them? She loved the country air, had even enjoyed finally being able to sit out on the porch swing and enjoy the quiet. It was when she was sitting on that bench that she realized how noisy and constantly active Chicago was. She was going nonstop all the time, barely spending time in her penthouse suite. She didn’t really need such a big place. She thought about her lifestyle, the clubs, the dating, and the friends who partied on Dom Pérignon and spoke with their noses in the air. It got on her nerves. But it was her life. Besides, it seemed the men were not really truthful about wanting her forever. If they had, wouldn’t they have told her brother that things changed and she was staying? She would have been touched by their possessive statement. But what did it matter? That wasn’t the case.

She would go out with them this evening. Perhaps she would make love with them one more time tonight. But tomorrow, she would sneak out early, send for her things later, and head into town to grab a bus. She was foolish to think that five sexy, retired military soldiers with attitudes and a life in Texas would want more than ju

st sex from a good time city girl like her.

She gulped the lump of emotion in her throat and straightened out her shoulders.

She’d had her heart broken only once before, but this, this was worse than anything she’d ever felt before. In fact, it was five times worse.

India heard Flynn and Grey calling her name.

She answered back as she wiped her eyes, checked her face in the small mirror, and met them by the stairs.

Grey whistled as he looked her over.

“You look gorgeous, baby. I missed you,” he said as Grey pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. She squeezed him back, knowing that their time was limited. She wondered, as he inhaled her perfume and kissed her neck, whether or not Grey and Flynn wanted her to stay.

But then she remembered they were a team. They did everything together. Their decision was made. She wasn’t as important as she thought she was to them. They were going to let her go and she wouldn’t beg them to let her stay. It was over. The sooner the morning came, the better off she would be.

“Are you all set?” Ford asked as he joined them by the stairs and the living room area.

“All set. Doesn’t she look incredible?” Flynn asked as he lifted her hand and kissed the top.

“She sure does. You better stick by our side tonight, India,” Fenton warned her and she had to gulp down the tears. Normally her belly would do a series of flips, but knowing he was playing along made her feel like crap. She took Grey’s hand as he led her out of the house and to the truck.

* * * *

Flynn was watching India since she’d arrived in town with them. She truly seemed impressed with the town, the various shops and new construction. Yet when he held her hand or one of the others showed affection, he could sense her uneasiness. He wondered if it was an insecurity about being in a ménage relationship in a public place. They’d never really discussed having this relationship and what this type of relationship entailed. Ford felt that she would learn by seeing the other couples and ménage relationships in town.

She would really get a sense of it when they went to the Inn to meet their friends and their woman Cora.

Flynn smiled and winked as India pointed to one of the handmade clocks that Drake Santos made.

“That is incredible. Someone you know made that?” she asked Fenton.

He nodded his head. “He does it all himself. You should see his little display in town,” Fenton told her.

“Does he sell them online, too? My friends in Chicago would go crazy for this. In fact, I know at least three people who would want one.”