Dedication

To my readers because without you, I would still be writing books in my spare time, terrified to let anyone read it. Thank you!

Content Warning

This book has references of pregnancy loss, loss of a partner and suicide. There is also mention of cheating but it is not between the main female character and her men. It is a why choose romance, meaning the main character ends up with more than one lover. If any of these things offend you or upset you, please do not continue.

1. Jane

ONE

Jane

8pm Saturday Night

I slid the black dress down my body, feeling the fabric hug my curves. It was one of the few tight dresses I owned. I brought it with me from Dallas to wear for Callum, and just maybe for Aiden and Nathan, too. Just thinking about them hurt my heart more than I’d like to admit. I hated feeling like this so soon after losing Henry and the baby.

Zipping up the dress, I looked in the mirror, admiring the way I looked tonight. I was still a little self-conscious about my stomach, but I was ready for a night of dancing with Darcy. Slipping on black wedges, and luckily, I remembered how to wear them. I put my jewelry on, fluffed up my curls and made sure my smokey eyes were sharp.

My phone vibrated on my nightstand, and I picked it up to see Darcy’s text message. I’m here.

Grabbing my crossbody bag, I walked towards the front door. Pausing, I admire my beautiful home that was almost finished being built. I left the kitchen light on and a lamp in the living room just in case I came home a little drunk and I needed to minimize running into things. I locked up and walked towards Darcy sitting in a slick, black Mercedes SUV.

I opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. “Damn girl, do you have a garage full of cars?”

Darcy laughed as she reversed. “I wish. This is Mary’s car. We drive together to work, and she never goes out,” she said, playing some club music. “That’s how I’m able to get extra money doing Ride Share, like I did for you. To get extra money.”

“That’s really smart, Darcy,” I said, noticing that she was going in a different direction than I had taken to go to work the last few days. I still couldn’t believe that it had been three weeks since I left Dallas. It felt like I arrived yesterday seeing Aiden, Nathan and Callum shirtless, finishing the home that I designed with my late husband Henry. My lip quivered at the need to cry. I wasn’t just mourning the death of my husband anymore. Somehow these guys wormed their way into my life, and this past week without them had been miserable. Mountain View was lackluster without them.

“You ok there?” Darcy asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Uh… yeah, I’m fine. It’s just sometimes life catches up to me and it takes me a moment to process it,” I said, not ready to talk about the guys. How do I explain I might have feelings for all three of them?

She gave me a woeful expression. “Is it too soon for this? You know, us going out?”

“Oh no, girl, I’m so ready for this. I definitely need a night where I can dance my ass off and just let loose for a moment.” Relaxing, I smiled at her. “I’ve been mourning for nine months, and I just need a moment to help me forget, even if it’s only for a few songs.”

She returned my smiled, looking a little relieved. “Ok girl, let’s go dance our asses off.”

We spent the next hour singing to Britney Spears and almost every pop artist from the two thousands while we pregamed it with little shot bottles Darcy brought. By the time we arrived at Misfits, I was feeling relaxed and ready to dance.

It was still early, but when we turned the corner to the front of the club, a line was already forming, wrapping around the front of the building.

“Shit,” she said as we stopped behind a couple and she looked around at the line up to the door, “I figured since we were early, we wouldn’t have run into this.”

“You said it was new, right?” I asked, seeing at least thirty people were in line and it looked like no one was getting in.

“Yeah, it just opened.” Darcy looked bummed out. “I hope we aren’t too late. I knew it was going to be busy because the city hasn’t had a new club in years. We are all starved for something new.”

I laughed because that made sense. If I lived in a small town, I would feel the same way after a while. “I’m sure they are just building the hype, so they have a better turnout. You know, exclusivity.”

“Darcy?” a deep voice brought our attention to a very attractive man. Tall, broad, and he looked like Henry Golding. He wore a navy suit with a black v-neck underneath and black converse.

“Evan,” Darcy said in a breathy voice.

“How are you?” He asked, looking shy and unsure of himself, which made him even more handsome.

“I… I’m good. Yeah, I’m good,” she looked nervous.

“That’s good to hear. You look good, really good Darce.” He glanced at her body appreciatively.

Darcy’s cheeks flushed pink, and she bit her bottom lip. I couldn’t help but enjoy this entire interaction, grateful that I wasn’t the only one who reacted to men by blushing all the time.

“Uh…. Thanks,” she said, tucking a hair behind her ear. “Oh! I’m sorry. Evan, this is the new girl in Mountain View. Jane, this is Evan.”

“Hi! Nice to meet you.” I smiled, extending my hand.

“You’re the girl from Texas?” He shook my hand, giving me a smile that made me understand why Darcy was so smitten. He was hot and very charismatic.

“Yup, that would be me.” I shrugged, getting used to everyone already knowing about me.

“I can see why Aiden and the guys said you were beautiful. It seems you’ve made quite the impression on them,” he said, glancing at Darcy, who had her eyebrows up.

“Uh…. Yeah, they’ve been great and uh… the house looks amazing.” It was my turn to stumble on my words, still blushing from his earlier comment.

Evan smiled like he knew something I didn’t. “Come on Darce, you don’t need to wait in line.” He held his arm out to her, looking at her like she hung the moon and the stars. She gave him a small smile, looking like he did the same for her. “Come on Texas.” He offered me his other arm, and I took it, liking the nickname. We walked up to the entrance; the bouncer opened the door, not even questioning us. Evan had to be someone important. Did he own the club?

“OG” by DJ Snake played as we walked into the club. It was a lot swankier than I expected. A gorgeous bar was to our right, and we passed an enormous dance floor already half full. Strobe lights skipped to the beat of the music, showcasing a glittery chandelier. Two more bars were on either side of the dance floor.

“Wow! This looks amazing!” Darcy looked in awe and I realized what a small-town girl she was. If we continued being friends, maybe we’d go to Vegas to see some really amazing clubs.

Evan walked us to the bar, flagging down a bartender, who hurried over to us when he saw Evan. “I’m sure you’re used to clubs like this, Texas.” I laughed at Darcy, already picking up Evan’s nickname.

“Not just Dallas. Have you been to Vegas?” Evan leaned over the bar and said something to the bartender.

“Nope, I’ve been dying to go. I’m sure this is really tame.” She swayed her hips to the music, and I watched Evan glanced at her ass as he clenched his jaw.

I raised my brows suggestively at her, eager to ask her about him. She laughed at me, looking over her shoulder to catch Evan staring at her. He looked sheepish as she caught him.

“Anything you ladies need, just ask Mark, and he’ll take care of you. I need to get going, but it was nice meeting you, Texas.” He nodded at me and then looked at Darcy. “It was great seeing you, Darce. I’ve missed you.” He leaned down to kiss her cheek, lingering for a few seconds before he walked away. Her gaze followed him as he disappeared into the crowd of people on the dance floor.

“Ooooh girl, you need to spill it.” I leaned against the bar, noticing Mark looking at us expectantly. “Two shots of Casamigos,” I asked before I turned my attention back to Darcy.

She gave me a sad smile. “Not much to say, but we will never be more than just friends.” She looked back at where Evan disappeared, and I knew that look. She was in love.

“You don’t have to tell me anything. I’m just being nosy,” I said, feeling guilty.

Mark laid the two shots on the bar and I got my card to pay, but shook his head. “Evan told me he would take care of your drinks for the night.”

“He what?” Darcy looked surprised.

“He’s paying for everything. Let me know if you need anything else.” He smiled at us before going to help someone else.

“Wow, Darcy.” I picked up the shots, giving her one and clinking our glasses before we downed them.

She didn’t even flinch with her shot. She stared out into the distance, lost in whatever was going on in her head. I let her have a moment knowing that familiar feeling of being caught up in your own emotions.

“We dated while we both attended Monroe University,” she said, finally turning her gaze to me, looking forlorn. “We dated for a few months before he got the news that his younger sister had cancer. It was stage three, and her odds were not good. She qualified for an experimental drug, but it was in Chicago and even though they covered the treatment. Living expenses, food and anything else they would need while they lived there for six months wasn’t covered.”

“He got a job to help his parents pay for the medication her insurance didn’t fully cover, but when he heard they didn’t have any money to go to Chicago, he got desperate. Her chances of survival with this experimental drug were seventy percent and even though the community had raised money for them, it wasn’t enough.” She looked on the verge of tears.

“Darcy, you don’t have to tell me.” I grabbed her hand, giving her strength for whatever she needed.

“He made a deal with the devil and got the money he needed.” Her face transformed into hate. She leaned closer to me, whispering. “He sold himself to some thug named Lucio.”

I stilled at the name, goosebumps peppering my body. I didn’t know if I should say something, but before I had a chance to say anything, Darcy leaned back.

“He broke up with me after he made the deal and for the last three years, he’s kept his distance, even though I said I wanted to weather the storm with him. We haven’t talked until today.” She waved the bartender over, ordering two more shots. “He said he was keeping me safe, the only way he knew how, because he worked for a very dangerous man.”

I clenched my jaw as my emotions overwhelmed me. Did the guys push me away because Lucio was dangerous? My heart fluttered at the thought, but my brain quickly shut it down. They didn’t even talk to me about it. Instead of being adults, they took the decision away from me. I felt angry and betrayed that they didn’t even have the decency to tell me anything. Apparently, this was a man issue because Evan did the same with Darcy. I felt even more of a kinship with Darcy.

“I’m sorry Darcy. It’s his loss because you deserve so much better than someone who can’t see that you’re worth fighting for.” I hugged her.

“Thank you. I haven’t told anyone about Evan. Everyone just thinks it was a mutual break-up.” She pulled away, dabbing at her eyes. “I still love him, and it kills me to see him, even if it’s from afar. I hadn’t seen him in a while, so when he appeared my brain couldn’t help but feel like that college girl again.”

The bartender brought four shots, looking at Darcy sympathetically. I was glad I brought cash because he deserved a good tip. “Alright, let’s forget about boys for the evening and just enjoy being young and beautiful.” I gave Darcy a shot.

“Here’s to new friendships,” she said, clinking my glass before throwing it back.

I passed over the next one. “Here’s to new beginnings,” I said, and we took it.

“Damn, Ok… I’m ready to dance!” Darcy grabbed my hand, making our way to the dance floor just as Doja Cat’s “Woman” started to play. I raised my hands up and moved my hips to the beat, feeling the alcohol make my movements more fluid. We danced our stress away, occasionally dancing together to keep the handsy men away. We were a sweaty mess when we took a break to get another shot and some water.

“Thanks for coming out with me tonight.” Darcy chugged some water.

“Thanks for inviting me. I needed to get out and live a little,” I smiled, opening my water bottle.

“So, what do you think of Aiden and the guys? I saw you blush when Evan said they thought you were beautiful,” she said as I was drinking my water, making me cough at her boldness.

“I think they are nice,” I said when my coughing fit subsided.

“Girl!” She looked excited. “You have a horrible poker face. Spill it!”

“I don’t know…”

“Jane Ramos?” A voice interrupted me, and I turned around to see the last person I wanted to see. Lucio. I froze.

“It is you, Jane. I’m so glad you’ve come to the club tonight.” Lucio leaned against the bar with two men who looked like guards behind him. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight. From what I’ve heard, you and the boys are no longer talking. Hello Darcy.” He looked behind me, and I felt Darcy tense up. I guess even though Evan tried to keep his distance, Darcy was still on Lucio’s radar.

“How the hell do you know Lucio?” Darcy whisper-yelled at me.

I continued to stare at the man who fucked everything up. I glared at him, hoping my disgust for him showed.

“I was hoping for a warmer welcome, but I guess it might be asking too much since the last time we saw each other was stressful,” he said so nonchalantly.

“Stressful?” I snapped. “You kicked his ass and stabbed him.” It took everything in me not to slap this man across the face because I knew it would make everything worse.

“Semantics,” he shrugged as he looked down at his fingernails. “Let me make it up to you. He has a fight starting in about thirty minutes, and I know you would love to see him.”

“A fight?” I almost screamed in frustration. “You stabbed him five days ago and you want him to fight?!”

Lucio looked at me with fire in his eyes at the tone I was giving him. “You must think I give a shit about Callum, but I don’t.”

“It doesn’t seem like a good way to keep your investment safe. He just had a concussion and if he gets another one so soon, you won’t have a fighter to bring in the money he does,” as I raised my voice. I knew I was playing with fire, but he could get Callum killed.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing you’re here.” He grabbed me by the arm. “Let’s go make sure my investment stays safe.” He pushed me into the arms of one guard and he tried to drag me away. I bent down low, pulling my arm, so he let go and I kneed him in the balls. I turned around to see Darcy struggling to get past the other guard.

“Get the fuck away from me.” Darcy yelled.

“Darcy, it’s ok.” I got in between them. “I’ll be right back. Please, don’t do anything stupid. I need you safe.”

She hugged me. “Don’t go with him. He’s a dangerous man,” she said in my ear.

“I know,” I whispered. “Please just wait for me here, I promise I’ll be back. I need to go with him to make sure Callum is ok.”

“Jane…” she sounded like she was about to protest.

“I’ll be fine,” I said as they pulled me back, and Darcy growled at the guard who was manhandling me.

“You don’t have to be an asshole. I can walk.” I yanked my arm out of his grip and walked to Lucio, who was watching the exchange with irritation.

“Are you done causing a scene?” He snapped.

“I was just making sure my friend was going to be ok waiting for me. I wanted to ease her worry since you’re forcing me to come, instead of just fucking asking.” I kept eye contact with him, so he didn’t know I was afraid.

He gave me a deranged smile. “I love a woman with sass, Jane.” He grabbed my hand and dragged me behind him. I felt like I was falling deeper into the rabbit hole and Lucio was my guide, like a vicious Mad Hatter. It took everything in me not to shiver and show him weakness.

We walked down a series of hallways and arrived at an enormous room that looked like an MMA fighting ring. The arena looked packed, and a fight was already taking place. I quickly looked for Callum in the cage as Lucio continued to hold my hand as we made our way to our seats.

“Don’t worry, he’s up next,” Lucio said as he sat me down forcefully and said hello to someone behind us.

I looked at the fight happening in front of me, both fighters dancing around the ring, while taking jabs at each other. One of them had a split in his eyebrow and a busted lip. The other looked completely unscathed. I balled my fists in anger that Callum was fighting tonight. I was beyond worried to even see how he was healing and if it was enough for him to fight. I guess that didn’t matter, since Lucio called the shots and Callum had no choice but to obey.

“Ah, Evan,” Lucio said, grabbing my attention.

“Lucio.” He walked up to us looking relaxed and not even looking at me.

“I need you to watch Mrs. Ramos for me, while I go check on an investor.” He gave me a stern look. “No funny business, or I’ll make sure Callum won’t be able to walk out of here.”

I stilled at the threat. “I’ll stay right here.”

He stared at me for a moment before leaving, satisfied with what he saw on my face.

“Let’s go Derek,” he said to the bodyguard I kneed in the nuts, and he glared at me as he walked by.

Evan and I watched them leave, and once they disappeared in the crowd, Evan turned to me. “Where’s Darcy?” he growled, sitting next to me.

“They left her at the bar at. She tried to come with me, but I told her she was safer if she just waited for me,” I muttered.

“What are you doing here?” He stood by me, schooling his features into a bored expression. It was then that I realized how much emotions he hid.

“I’m here for Callum.” I glared at him, mad at him for Darcy.

“Mayers?” he asked, confused.

“Yeah, your boss thinks it’s ok for him to fight after almost killing him on Sunday.” I wanted to scream at him, but I knew it was no use.

“Shit, I didn’t realize you were the girl that was with the guys,” he said, looking lost in his thoughts. “Fuck. Ok, you need to behave and not piss off Lucio. He’s a vindictive fucker and hates to be humiliated, so just sit quietly until you’re with your men.”

“They’re not my men,” I said, taken aback by his assumption.

“Sure, Texas, you keep telling yourself that. Lucio’s coming back and I need to go check on Darcy,” he said. The asshole walked up to us, looking at the cage, and the unscathed fighter wailing on his opponent. Evan left as the referee called the fight, and a rush of people came to the aid of the unconscious fighter. Once everyone had cleared the cage, they cleaned and prepped it for the next fight. Nerves bundled in my stomach, feeling nauseous from the alcohol I had earlier.

Loud music started, and spotlights illuminated an entrance right behind us. My heart skipped a beat at seeing the guys again. I stood up with the rest of the crowd and looked behind me. A woman in lingerie walked out first with a group of guys that weren’t my own. The crowd got louder yelling, “Bromley!”

He was just as tall as Callum but looked wider, more muscular, and he had a cocky smirk on his face. Just as he and his crew made it down to the cage, another spotlight lit up an entrance right across from us. Another woman in lingerie walked out and behind her my men walked. My men? All of them seemed tense with looks that said they were ready to kick anyone’s ass that fucked with them. Callum was front and center looking deadly with a scowl on his face that looked still slightly bruised. He wasn’t shirtless like the other guy; he had a tight tank on with shorts that were just as tight, showing off his muscular body.

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