06 All Bark And No Bite Read online

  Junior snorted in disbelief, “A little girl will never outplay me.”

  She raised an eyebrow at him and then opened her briefcase she had dropped on the floor when she walked in. She pulled the stack of papers she had gathered over the last few days. Letters she hadn’t opened until yesterday, things she hadn’t known until then.

  “First of all, here is the real Last Will and Testament of our father. He sent it to me because he knew you would destroy it if you ever found out he changed his Will. He went to another lawyer, this will be filed this morning in, oh,” Lily said and looked at her watch, “about thirty minutes from now in the state of New York, making it a legal document and the official last Will of Senior Digrossi.”

  Junior’s eyes flared and he held out a hand to see what Senior had done. Lily gave him a smug look and then flipped the envelope on the desk. He snapped it up with a snarl and she watched as he greedily read the Will. As if his father would have given him anything, Senior knew who his killer would be if he were dead. The older man, when incarcerated in prison, had finally realized the monster he had empowered with his company. Junior and his brother were both evil. Senior took the responsibility for raising them to be psychos.

  “What the fuck?” Junior ground out when he got to the last part of the Will. Lily knew what it said, none of her friends knew, she hadn’t known how to tell them. So instead once again she had run. Her purse was leaning against her leg. She felt her cell phone vibrate. Shit, she really thought she would actually have more time to pull this off before they called. Lily itched to see who was on the ID, but she focused.

  “As you can see, our father knew exactly what you were doing. He knew you were stealing from his company and putting the money where he couldn't find it, but he did. So did I. As of, um, five minutes ago,” she said looking at her watch, “I believe the funds have been transferred into an account you will not have access to. They were company funds and you were embezzling. So, with what I have, we can do one of two things.”

  Lily paused and waited for Junior to understand fully what she just said. He was breathing heavily and the pasty, white face had gotten even paler as she spoke. When she was done, however, and reality seemed to sink in, Lily continued before he could open his mouth.

  “As I said, one of two things. First, I can call the nice lawyer who helped me this morning and have him send all the papers to the proper authorities. I believe with everything we have on you, you would be looking at solitary for the rest of your miserable life, or...” she said, turning her head to the side to keep from laughing at the fish face Junior was currently sporting. She had obviously taken the wind out of his sails.

  “Or what, you vicious bitch?” Junior ground out.

  Lily turned back and grinned at him as her phone vibrated again on her leg. “Or you can step down quietly, let me take over, and we can be one big, happy, fucking family.”

  Lily had no idea if he was going to buy her bullshit, but she was certainly going to try. She wanted to be in control of the company and be able to take it apart piece by piece, but most importantly, she needed to find the information only Junior had: who he sent to kill her last sibling they were looking for, and where that sibling was. So far, they had hit a brick wall. All the documents had been erased, and only Junior seemed to know where this person was. She was desperate to end this, and since Senior handed her the means with which to do it, Lily grasped it with both hands.

  Chapter One

  Four weeks previous

  Lily knew what she was going to do, but it didn’t make it any easier when Christmas was just around the corner. So many documents and she could only read them when she was alone—like that happened when she had so many people in her home. Bear was still recuperating, and she was trying to figure out what to do.

  How could they have forgotten the holiday? The snow falling and the roads icing up could have been an indication to them that they were in winter, but all of them were so wrapped up in bringing the Digrossi family down, they forgot how close the holiday was.

  Being secluded in the backcountry of New York State tended to do that, especially when you ordered all of your food and necessities in and went out only when there were special things they needed. None of them had left the place since there was a hit out on them. So much for keeping the down low, Lily thought.

  Things had progressed a lot since they first found out about the hit; breaking into the computers of the company Junior now ran was the catalyst to this whole thing. But the information was in pieces, and they needed to put them together. Now they were planning. Lily just wasn’t sure she liked the way things were being laid out. Plus, no matter what they were doing, there still were two other siblings out there they needed to find.

  Crazy to think that old man Digrossi fathered so many of them, however, in his sick mind, he really thought he was creating heirs to his throne, albeit an illegal empire which no one in their right mind would want to be involved in. He may have been crazy, but he wasn’t stupid. Senior coded his information. Unfortunately, the key to breaking it was on the hard drive Jazz left in the building.

  Everyone was at her home in Massena, New York. Lily had plenty of room, and so it made it possible for everyone to stay there. Her land held a main home that had six bedrooms and three cottages, which Jazz and her men, and Phoebe and her men had already bought two, plus the land surrounding. The construction was almost complete on their homes, and the two bedroom spare cottage had been revamped and enlarged to a three bedroom already. Therefore, Calli and Ginny and their men were in the cottage, and Bailey and her men were in the main house. All with plans on building separate homes for each of them. The group decided when this was all over they still wanted to be able to have these times when they were together.

  The security around the house was extensive. Steve and Jolly ran their own security company, so there was a new perimeter system, which was around the entire hundred acres of land. Then they had men wandering around the land, all the men staying in huge RVs that were parked all over. When she looked out the window, she could see some of the men cutting wood, or checking the other buildings to make sure no one was hiding in them.

  Lily plumped the pillows behind Bear then smiled hesitantly down at him. She had no clue what the hell she was doing. Her life was a mess, and it seemed to be spiraling out of control with every passing second.

  Hitmen, mobsters, and new siblings seemed to pop up every day. How the hell was she supposed to deal with this, and deal with two men wanting her? Bear and Trent refused to listen to her when she told them she just wasn’t the woman for them.

  She knew her friends had similar issues; however, they seemed to have gotten over it more rapidly than her. Jazz was immersed into her ménage relationship with Lily’s newfound half-brother. Then there was Bailey and Calli, they were both in a ménage with wonderful men who seemed to love and adore each of them. It was quite the endorsement for ménage relationships. However, Lily wasn’t as strong as them. She looked at the amazing creatures her friends were and knew she fell short.

  Lily was honest with herself. She knew what she looked like in her oversized sweatshirts and jeans. She was like the cat lady from down the block, literally. Just yesterday, she found another stray cat and put him in the barn, which made six in the last few years. All of them starting in the barn, then they would wander into the house and stay.

  ‘Looney’, the first cat that had migrated to her large house, was the Queen of the Jungle. She was named ‘Looney’ because of her propensity for attacking something in the air only she could see. And many times it ended up being close to people who would inevitably be scratched by the cat. Lily tried to move the cat back out into the barn, but the damn thing snuck in somehow. And she would lead a new cat whenever they appeared. So cat lady, yay, that was her.

  “Do you need anything?” she said softly and walked around the bed to bring the table back to where it stood.

  Bear smiled at her and patted the bed
next to him. Lily felt her cheeks flush. When he was hurt a week ago, Lily made the decision to try this whole thing. The thought of one of her men being hurt scared the shit out of her. Then, of course, the thought of being with two men also scared the shit out of her. She wasn’t sure yet what this all entailed. Since her decision and pronouncement of trying the ménage, they actually had not had the opportunity to speak about how this was supposed to work.

  Lily looked over her shoulder. Trent came into the room and shut the door quietly, leaning against the wall. He crossed his feet and his arms, looking at her intently. She shifted nervously and looked at Bear. His real name was Sebastian Bronte Timon—it really didn’t fit him. He had a short, military-style haircut, his face was angular and gruffly handsome, his blue eyes were soul searching. But it was his nickname that fit him the best. When Lily first saw him, his sheer size scared the shit out of her until the huge man opened his mouth. His voice was like warm, smooth chocolate, which she could sit and listen to for hours. Her best friend told her his voice would be her downfall, and she had been right. But it was also his ability to make her feel as if she was the only one on the planet that he cared about. Lily knew that if she allowed it, he would envelope her in his net and never let anyone hurt her.

  Trent was cut from the same cloth, although he was slightly smaller, he was no less devastating. Where Bear looked like the live version of GI Joe, Trent looked as if he could have stepped off the cover of a GQ magazine. His brown, long hair as well as the tall, lithe, perfectly sculptured and muscular body that went along with his green, sparkly eyes and narrowly, handsome face made her shy around him at first. How could such a drop-dead gorgeous man actually want to date her? Shit, was being in a ménage even considered dating?

  Lily went and sat on the bed, staying closer to the edge, fearing she would fall off if one of them made the wrong move. “What’s up?”

  “Well, that's what we want to talk about. When we were in New York, you said you were ready to give this a shot, but so far you have been avoiding being in the same room with Trent and I. We were just wondering if you were backing out of that deal.”

  Lily sighed and looked at the men. “No,” she said softly, stood, and then shifted nervously on her feet. “I’m just not sure what the hell I am supposed to do,” she blurted out.

  Both men chuckled, but Bear was the one who answered her. “Sweetheart, there is nothing to do, we just are.”

  Lily looked confused. “I don’t get it.”

  “If you were dating one man, what would you do, hold their hands when you were sitting watching television or walking down the street? Or how about kiss them good-bye when they left?” Trent said softly, and Lily rolled her eyes.

  “Of course,” she snapped. “But there are two of you.”

  “Yeah, we know that, it doesn’t make it different. We both like to hold hands with our woman and we both also would like a kiss. However, if this whole thing is making you feel uncomfortable, then we'll back off,” Bear replied.

  “I am not uncomfortable, that’s the wrong word. I guess if I had to name it, I would say that I’m feeling anxious,” Lily said.

  Trent came to her side and ran a hand down her arm. “How about, we start with something simple.”

  Lily was mesmerized by the look in his eyes as she nodded and waited. They were close to the edge of the bed, and Trent backed her up until her legs hit the edge and she automatically sat down. Bear reached out a hand and grabbed hers. She smiled and turned to look at the large man.

  “Come here, sweetheart,” Bear grumbled, smiled when she was hesitant, and looked at Trent for something.

  “Go on, I will get my chance. Until the big baby here is well, I guess I can actually be nice,” Trent teased and Bear laughed.

  “Whatever, ignore him, he's just being a whiny ass,” Bear said and pulled her until she was leaning over his body, taking care not to hit one of his wounds. Although he was healing nicely, Lily knew for a fact he was still sore.

  She felt the first brush of a kiss on her cheek and she turned her head. Bear captured her lips in the sweetest kiss she had ever received. The kiss was slow and sexy. His lips teased hers until she was ready for more.

  Lily turned her head and sealed her mouth over his, as she felt his hand tangle in her hair and hold her still while he took over. His tongue pushed into her mouth softly, and she opened, giving him free access to what he wanted. He tasted of mint, and she smiled. They planned this, nice.

  Bear groaned and pulled back after fully exploring her mouth and smiled at her. “Thank you,” he said and looked into her eyes. She saw desire and passion there and wanted to sink into his arms and remain there forever. Nothing could touch her while he was protecting her. She felt safe.

  Then Trent tugged on her arm, and she reluctantly stood, only to be enveloped in another set of arms that made her feel safe and aroused. She looked up at Trent and smiled, then he leaned down and captured her mouth in a heated kiss. He didn’t tease or go slowly. Trent consumed, claimed, and he branded her lips with his, explored her mouth with his making sure she knew who was in charge. Lily gladly handed over the reins, and sunk into his embrace.

  This was what it was like? she thought, and then something clicked, there was no choosing or jealously. They would work together as a unit. This was something she could deal with.

  Chapter Two

  Lily and the other women were currently in the living room of the Big House, a fire roaring in the fireplace, keeping them warm and casting a comfortable glow around the room. There was all new furniture, deep brown leather with huge cushions. The room was so large they were able to have several couches, as well as chairs, enough to fit all of them should they decide to sit in the room together. Lily bought a case of all of their favorite wine and also fruit juice for those who were pregnant. The conversation was getting entertaining as they talked about how they got to where they were.

  They were supposed to be talking about the holidays, but somehow the conversation changed a few minutes ago. The plans for the holidays were set and they knew who was doing what. They were making their own traditions for the season, like cutting their tree on Christmas Eve, and then having a tree trimming and decorating party. It would be fun, and then in the morning they would meet for breakfast, have their present opening, and then a meal, while the men watched their football games. The women were reminded that it was their tradition.

  The men were in the back of the house. Two offices had been put in there, one for Bear and one for Trent, since they were the ones who were going to be living here. Lily knew if she survived what she had planned for after Christmas that she would marry these men. They’d asked her a million times already. Bear finally was feeling up to moving around, and for the last week came downstairs to work and talk to his friends. Lily and her men’s relationship was going slow. However, she liked how they made her feel cherished and special. She already decided that Christmas Eve was going to be their first time together. She hoped to talk to her friends about it in private beforehand. She was so completely lost when it came to seducing men.

  The computers were humming as they worked furiously to find the two missing siblings. They were out there on their own, with no idea that at any minute they could be killed just because of who their biological father was. Lily had a feeling that the last two siblings were somehow important since they were impossible to find. All of them speculated on who they could be, and hopefully soon they would find out.

  The conversation turned when Calli demanded to know “how the fuck all of them attracted danger.”

  Junior Digrossi and his full brother, Sam, were hell-bent on killing off their half brothers and sisters, so they could not lay claim to the inheritance. So it was like this, all of them came together by chance. Bailey was the one who started this whole ball rolling when she discovered that Senior Digrossi was the head of a mob syndicate.

  It had all started when she worked for the Digrossi family as an accountant in
Colorado with no problems, until she stumbled on the illegal activity. Bailey was nothing if not honest, and she sent the information to the Feds. Before they could respond to help her, Digrossi found out and sent a hitman to kill her. Thankfully, one of her new husbands had been driving by in a cab. Noah and Dallas were millionaires who were wonderfully quirky. Noah liked to drive a cab once a month to listen to people and talk to them. They bought a building they turned into a huge condominium that used to be a cab depot in downtown Denver. It was a very romantic story. However, Bailey was the catalyst for the fall of the Senior Digrossi.

  Lily loved Bailey. She was fun and charming as was the rest of the group they now called family. Steve and Jolly owned the security company. Dallas had hired them to protect Bailey, and Jolly was injured when Bailey went to court for the first time. Their wife, Calli, was the amazing clothes designer of what she was now wearing.

  Ginny, who was Dallas and Noah’s secretary, met Andres in this whole mess, and they fell in love. Then it turned out that Andres was one of the ‘honored’ children of Digrossi. He knew Bailey because he was the lawyer for the company but didn't know about the illegal stuff, and when he found out, he actually turned state’s evidence to the Feds.

  Then came Trent, he had been working undercover for the Feds and befriended Andres. But when his cover was compromised, he faked his own death. Lily heard that was a tense reunion. However, now they were close, and his longtime friend agreed to help Andres find more proof. That led Trent and his best friend to Jazz.

  Phoebe had just come into her life. She was a sister who was trying to take the Digrossi family down. Then Junior killed Senior, and the shit hit the fan. Every one of her friends was in hiding, and she was sick of it. Now was the time they had to pull together. Lily was going to have to manipulate a little to make that happen. Sadly, she knew this was going to piss someone off. Probably her so-called men, but more than likely it was going to be her brothers and sister.