MySugarDaddy Page 8

Nadine came into the room holding Max and watched as Roman stepped forward. Roman reached over and ran his finger down Laura’s cheek. “Beautiful.”

  Daniel could have sworn sparks flew just watching Roman touch Laura. “Well, that’s settled. Roman, I suggest you move your belongings in here later today, but for now we need to hustle if we’re going to get everything done before this storm hits”.

  He hated to break the sexual tension going on, but someone had to think straight. And it was obvious both Grant and Roman were in a daze.

  Chapter Eleven

  The cooing sounds her son made had Laura smiling as she changed his diaper. The snowsuit was tucked into the stroller, and she and Alex would be spending the day with Nadine.

  “He’s such a handsome little guy, and always smiling.” Tracy leaned over the couch and tickled Max’s belly.

  “So tell me, what do you think about all this Triad stuff? How’s the rest of your family going to deal with it?” Laura asked Tracy.

  Tracy snorted. “Honey, you have nothing to worry about. I think Roman has been preparing our folks for a while, but you’re not the only woman in our family with three men. There is our Aunt Julie on my dad’s side and then there is my sister Sandra, who’ll be here later on. She’s got two men, but…” Tracy leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Her men claim to be Skinwalkers.”

  Laura froze. Her mother had introduced her to a family of them when she was six. “Really? I met a few of them when I was small, but don’t remember much.”

  Tracy’s gaze was serious. “You should have seen my father when he found out. Do you believe in other beings from other worlds?” Tracy handed Laura Max’s shoes.

  “Yes, there is no doubt about it. My mother and I used to talk about it.” Laura smiled and leaned back. “We’d sit out under the stars at night and just talk. We both agreed, you’d have to be stupid not to. I mean to think we’re the only intelligent beings among millions and millions of plants out there just sounds stupid, you know?”

  “We are going to get along great, and you’re right.” Tracy handed her the other shoe. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. I have this strange sense that the man I’m supposed to be with is out there.” She pointed up. “And not here on this earth.”

  Before Laura could pick up Max, Tracy reached over and lifted him. “I’ve got him. You get your socks and boots on while I wrap him up in his blankets, then we’ll head next door.”

  By the time Laura got herself and Max ready, the temperatures were already dropping. Alex opened the door and the cool air hit Laura. “Damn,” she mumbled and drew the sweater around her tighter. “They’d better get me a coat, and soon.”

  The screech of an eagle had her looking up and waiting. Was it her mother? Laura stepped farther onto the sidewalk and watched as the great bird took a dive down toward her.

  “Laura, watch out!” Tracy shouted, but Alex held her back.

  “No, watch,” she heard Alex whisper as the great bird landed on the fence post close to her.

  “You knew about the Triad, the three brothers, didn’t you?” Laura asked, stepping closer. She heard footsteps and knew the three men in question were behind her.

  “Laura, step back slowly,” Grant ordered, but she just waved her hand at him.

  “It’s fine, Grant. Mom’s come to talk again, haven’t you?”

  The animal stared at her for a minute, before she heard her. “It’s time for me to move on, my little girl. You are in good hands now. The three men behind you will take great care of you and Max. I love you, my little angel.” With that, the bird lifted up and flew overhead.

  “Momma, I love you.” Tears rolled down Laura’s cheeks as she watched the bird ‘til she could see it no more. Strong arms wrapped around her from behind.

  “You’ll see her again. Your mother is a strong spirit and even the next world won’t keep her from checking on you from time to time,” Roman said, just holding her.

  “For so long, it was just the two of us. It’s as if a part of me is gone, but I’ll be okay I have Max and now all of you.” She turned and looked at Roman.

  With all three men they were tall, but Roman was beyond tall. She felt like a child next to him, but his eyes were so expressive showed every emotion and way he stared at her made her feel so special.

  “You are special to all of us. We might have just met, but our souls have known each other for a lifetime.” Roman stepped back and held out his hand. “My lady.”

  Behind him, Grant and Daniel groaned. “He just has to pull that old-world crap,” Grant grumbled and turned, moving back toward the main house. He stopped and looked at her over his shoulder. “Don’t do that again, please. Those birds are known to attack.”

  “They won’t attack her.” Roman grasped her hand and followed Grant and Daniel. Tracy and Alex walked behind them, pushing the stroller. “Animals speak to her.” Roman looked down at her. “You talk to the ground too, don’t you?”

  Laura shrugged. “I don’t know if you would call it talking to the Earth. I know where to plant things and sometimes I can sense what the soil needs, but that’s about all.”

  They stepped into the house, where Nadine and Richard were talking with two other men and a woman. “My sister,” Tracy said from behind Laura.

  “Hey squirt, when did you and the wolf boys get in?” Grant said hugging his sister and nodded to her men.

  “We just got in, and from the looks of things, I’m glad I did. So that’s her.” The woman’s gaze met Laura’s, and at once Laura knew this sister did not like her.

  Not one to hide, Laura stepped forward and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Laura McGill.”

  “I know who you are,” she snapped.

  “Sandra, don’t even start,” Tracy stepped up next to Laura.

  “Start what? Boy, does this bitch have you all fooled. Belinda told me all about her and how she seduced poor Warren. I hope you don’t think my brothers are going to support your bastard son,” Sandra yelled. She was so furious, spit flew everywhere as her men each grabbed an arm.

  No one said anything for a minute as Sandra kept yelling. For the first time since coming there, Laura actually felt unwelcome. She turned when she heard Max’s whimpers.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll take Max back to the house,” Laura said, and turned to see Alex ready to go off on the Sandra.

  Walking toward Alex, Laura shook her head. “Come, we can work from the house next door. Plus, I was going to start the chili for tonight’s supper. It will be easy for the men to dish out when they are ready to eat.” She turned the stroller around and was ready to walk out, but Roman placed his hand on her arm.

  “Please don’t go,” he said. “My sister doesn’t have all the facts, or she wouldn’t be saying these things. Plus Mom has all the big pots here.”

  Laura looked over her shoulder to see Grant and Daniel following Sandra and her men out of the room.

  “Laura’s not going anywhere,” Nadine announced and came over, hugging Laura tight. “I’m sorry about my Sandra. Please give Grant and Daniel time to talk to her. You’ll see, she’ll come around as soon as she knows the truth.” Nadine frowned. “But you’re right, chili would be great for tonight. We could make sheets of cornbread to go with it. Let me go check and see if we might need something from town. Alex, why don’t you bring Max into the kitchen we can set him in the playpen I’ve set up?” Nadine took Alex’s arm, leaving Laura and Roman in the living room alone.

  “Do you really believe she’ll accept me?” Laura turned and looked up at Roman.

  “My sister is like you. She trusts everyone and I’m afraid she fell for the bitch’s lies, but once Sandra knows the truth she’ll come around.” His hands slid down to her ass and he squeezed her butt. “I can’t wait to spend some alone time with you.”

  Roman lifted her to meet his gaze. “Give me a kiss, baby,” he whispered before covering her mouth with his.

  Electricity shot through her, or at least
Laura could have sworn that’s what it was. She slid her arms around his neck, holding on as his kiss deepened.

  He tasted of mint and coffee. Laura couldn’t think as her back met the wall. This man knew how to kiss—she’d move one way and he’d counter it, keeping her right where he wanted her. Breaking the kiss, Roman placed his forehead against hers. “You are a hot little thing.”

  Lowering Laura so her feet now touched the ground, Roman stepped back. Grant and Daniel were behind him. Both were smiling and shaking their heads. “Come on, lover boy, we have a room full of men we need to organize. Laura, Sandra has been given the facts and her husbands are staying with her ‘til she calms down. I’m sorry about what happened,” Grant came to her side and cupped her cheek.

  “If I’d known she’d behave like this…” He looked down the hallway where they had taken her.

  “It’s not your fault, Grant. I just hope someday we can get along. It’s going to be hard to be cooped up here with her if she hates me so much, but I’ll try to stay out of her hair as much as possible.”

  “No. I’ve already told Sandra if she can’t accept the truth she will stay in her room. I will not have you stuck somewhere because she can’t handle the truth.” Grant kissed the top of her head.

  “Roman, while we’re in town this afternoon, maybe you and Laura can have lunch together and get to know each other better while Max takes a nap. You can set up the web cameras and such in the basement of our house, since we’ll be using this one as a place we store some of our supplies. We need to get moving on the construction of another building and finish the plans for the new barn. Mom was right about it being a perfect mess hall and a place for the men to bunk down in when we need them close.”

  Daniel watched Laura move into the kitchen after each of them had given her a kiss. For the next few hours they would be buried in wires and meetings, before heading into town.

  Following his brothers, toward the basement Roman stopped and glanced over his shoulder. “Something isn’t right.”

  A shiver went up his spine as Roman did an about face and started to move toward the kitchen. He looked at Grant and his brother shrugged, turning to follow him into the kitchen.

  Once there, Daniel noticed Laura standing outside, her arms wrapped around herself, looking up at the mountains to the left. Roman moved to her side, engulfing her in his embrace, as Daniel and Grant moved nearby. “It’s not a winter storm coming.” She looked up at Daniel with tears rolling down her face.

  “What do you mean it’s not a winter storm?” Daniel asked as he brushed the tears from her cheek.

  “She’s partly right,” said Roman. “There is a winter storm coming, but something man-made will be here first. We need to warn the townspeople now. Mom, are the propane tanks filled? Grant, we need to pull all the vehicles we have into the underground tunnels ‘til this is over.”

  “EMPs,” Grant said and Roman nodded. “I can’t tell where they’ll come from, but our enemy has already hit parts of the U.S. and Europe,” Roman looked away for a minute.

  “Maybe three hours,” Laura said. “But are they nuclear?”

  The sound of birds—lots of birds—drew their attention to the sky. Eagles, ducks, geese, all sorts of birds were coming in from the west. “No, not nuclear yet,” Roman said. “There wouldn’t be any animals coming from the west if it was.”

  All at once, they looked down at Laura. “Mom!” The three of them yelled. “I want you to take all the females down to the underground compound and carry whatever you can. I’ll have a few men help loading up the supplies. Daniel, you stay with the women. Roman, I need you with me.” Grant looked up to see Sandra in the door with her men behind her. “Don’t start now,” he snarled.

  Sandra shook her head. “I can help. Please.”

  “It will be okay. You go do what you have to,” Laura said, placing her hand on Grant’s arm. “Just make sure you are back in time.” Daniel turned and yanked her into his arms. Over her head, Grant looked at him. “Keep her safe. We’ll be back in an hour. Looks as if Dad’s crazy idea was a good one.”

  “I heard that!” his dad yelled and he smiled.

  “Grant, get whatever medicine and canned things you can just in case we’re underground for a while. You might want to get extra electrical parts to take down with us just in case things get burned up.”

  “We will. Now let’s move,” Grant yelled, running into the house and shouting orders as he went, Roman right behind him.

  “Let’s go, ladies. Laura, don’t lift anything. I want you and Max in the bunker. You can help set things up as we bring them down,” Daniel said.

  “Alex, Alex, where are you, damn it?” Rafe and Justin yelled from inside the house. When they came outside and saw her, they relaxed.

  Alex rolled her eyes and slapped at their hands. “Go do what you have to. I’ll be fine,” she snapped. As they tried to kiss her, she yanked herself out of their arms. “I told you there would be none of that.”

  Ushering Laura and Max toward the back of the house, Daniel heard Rafe snarl. “We’ll finish this later.”

  “No, we won’t,” Alex yelled and came running up next to them. “Maybe I should leave.” She sighed and followed Laura down into the tunnels.

  Laura was already shaking her head. “Nope, you’re staying, so get used to it. Plus, there is nothing left back at home. Your house is gone, as is mine. We can have the new start we wanted now.” Laura took her friend’s hand. “We all have to learn to leave our baggage behind.”

  “You’re one to talk. Have you told them?” Alex covered her mouth at the last minute, looking at him.

  “Alex, if I didn’t love you, I’d deck you right now,” Laura said and looked over her shoulder at Daniel.

  “We’ll talk later,” Daniel said, wondering what Laura hadn’t told them.

  “No time to worry about that now. Get them settled and start loading the bunker. I got a call from the general. NY, Texas, Cleveland and California have all been hit with EMPs. The same with Paris, London and Rome. Not only have these new associates of Hager’s given him access to EMPs, they are more organized and their numbers are bigger than anyone counted on.”

  Daniel pressed in the code and the wall opened up allowing them to enter. Both Laura and Alex gasped, looking around. “This side of the tunnels will hold more than a thousand men and women,” he said. “There is another set of tunnels on the other side of the property. They will hold another thousand. My father and grandfather planned this and when Grant, Roman and I heard about them, we started adding things we knew we would need. Also, we started making it bigger. Eventually, we want to build an underground town down here. Come, I’ll show you where the storage areas and our separate quarters are. Laura, I’ll need you to point out to the men where everything should go and to keep track of what comes in. Alex, I need you to make sure Laura doesn’t lift anything, and help her when she needs it. Mom will be coming down and she’ll open up the kitchen down here in a few. As soon as we get what we can down here for supplies, you two can help her there,” Daniel said, showing them to their personal rooms, then to the storage areas.

  “I’ll get the heat moving in here too, but please stay safe.” Daniel kissed the top of Laura’s head before turning and heading for the control room.

  Daniel ran the rest of the way through the tunnel to the control room. He punched in the passcode and flipped the lights on as soon as entered. “Laura and Alex are both set,” he barked into the phone. “Tell the men to start bringing in the supplies I’ll have the doors open for the vehicles here in a minute. I’m here activating the lifts now.” Daniel opened the cargo bay doors to allow the cars, trucks and off-road machines to enter.

  Daniel was glad he and his brothers had installed the new security cameras and alarms. Daniel turned on the cameras, making sure the one in the storage room was on so he could keep an eye on Laura.

  Laura turned in a circle. He could see a grin on her face and Alex was laughin
g. Laura spun once more before turning to the camera and lifting her dress to show him her ass.

  Daniel laughed so hard he swallowed the wrong way, almost choking.

  Chapter Twelve

  Flipping her dress down, Laura grinned as Alex wiped the tears from her eyes. “You are so bad,” Alex said, leaning over and putting Max’s pacifier back into his mouth.

  “With everything going on around here, we need to laugh,” Laura nodded to the camera. “They’re putting their lives on line to protect us and everyone around us. So tell me what’s going on with you and those three hunks.” Laura eyed Alex before pointing to the shelf as two men came in bringing in supplies.

  “Nothing. I told them to back off. I’m not sure I’m ready, Laura. Everyone I’ve loved has died—well, except for you, and I refuse to let go of you. So be warned, I will kick your ass if you get hurt.” Alex looked around and waited ‘til the men left for more supplies. “When are you going to tell them they have a right to know?” Alex asked and patted the seat next to her. “Come rest for a few.”

  Laura sat down and propped her feet on the tires in front of them. “I had planned on telling them before our world went to hell. I didn’t want to get serious with them until they knew.” She looked down at her hands. “I might not tell them. I want children, so why even bring it up?”

  “Because you have big babies and you have a hard time delivering them. Damn it, Laura, I almost lost you when you had Max. You know you can have C-sections—you’ll just have to plan them.” Alex nudged her with her shoulder. “Now tell me, how do you feel about having three men claiming you? Little weird isn’t it?”

  She shook her head. “No, what’s weird is having a man around at all. Going from doing everything myself and depending on no one, to having three of them all of a sudden wanting to do everything for me.” Laura sighed. “I’m afraid to get used to it. Hell, I’m still having a hard time with losing my mom.” She got up and nodded to six men who were carrying in supplies.