Seducing a Good Girl (Book 3 of the Billionaire Bad Boys)

18

Nicki stood by the family van leaning heavily on her cane. The fall she took yesterday had jarred her knee good and left her with a persistent stabbing pain from her knee to her hip. She’d been limping badly even with her brace on so she found herself using her cane again. It was depressing; she’d come so far, and now she felt like she was back at square one.

Her father was busy talking to neighbours, and Bryce was waiting for Lacy to come out of the ladies’ room. Millie was bouncing Morgan on her hip while she talked to some friends. Jove kept checking his watch impatiently. He hated church and Nicki was sure he only went because Millie made him. Jove was a terrible sinner, and Millie always said sinners needed church more than others. Though she was sure, Jove would rather be watching football.

Jove came over to the van and leaned against the door and smiled at Nicki. “You look about as excited as I feel. What’s wrong not feeling the church thing anymore?”

“No,” She said shifting her weight and sighing when she felt the twinge of pain throb through her joints. “I just want to go home.” She said and looked over to where Mark Harris and the others gathered around the tailgate of his truck. He looked no worse for wear despite the gash to the chest she’d given him.

Mark looked in her direction, and his eyes narrowed in annoyance. He then lifted his hand to his eyes and then pointed at her. She got the message, he was watching her, and he wasn’t done punishing her for her assault yesterday. His silent threat no longer scared her, if anything it only pissed her off. It made her so mad to know he got away with what he did to her.

Jove had noticed the looks that passed between them, and he flipped Mark off. “You want me to kick his ass?” Jove offered. “I’d be happy to do it.”

“No.” She sighed. “There’s no point it would just perpetuate a cycle of violence. I’d rather forget it and move on with my life.”

“It’s no trouble at all I could snap his arm like a twig.” He promised. Nicki smiled. She had no doubt he could. Jove was crazy strong, and as ex-military, he had extensive combat training that was going to waste here in Devon.

“I appreciate the offer, but no thank you.”

“Well if you ever want him to suffer I’d be happy to introduce him to a world of hurt.”

Nicki smiled. “Thank you.”

“Ok, I’m going to round up my girls and get out of here I’ve had about as much religion as I can take for one day.” He said and walked off to drag Millie away.

It wasn’t long after that her family packed up and headed home. They drove home, and as they pulled up to the house, Nicki saw an expensive car parked near the porch and sitting in her father’s old wicker chair was Dominic waiting. He came to his feet as the van pulled up. He looked good in his designer jeans and purple button-up shirt which he’d left untucked and unbuttoned at the neck.

Nicki got out of the van and limped her way up the steps. Dominic looked at her like a starving man offered an apple. He realized he was staring and he looked back at the chair next to him and picked up a dozen roses and offered them to her. She was insulted that he thought he could disappear for several weeks and she’d welcome him back over a few stupid roses.

She swatted the roses out of his hands and glared at him. She was still angry. “Nicki.” He called to her softly as she pushed past him and limped her way inside. She barely got through the door when she was shocked by what she saw. The whole house was packed with fresh cut flowers and balloons that read I’m sorry. A strong floral fragrance filled the house and Nicki was stunned. This must have taken some time and a lot of money. On the coffee table were open velvet jewelry boxes filled with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies.

Nicki turned around to find Dominic directly behind her. “I’m an asshole, and I’m sorry. I’ve missed you so much, and we can live anywhere you want to.” He said taking out his cellphone and offering it to her. “In a week this is all ours.” She looked down and realized they were pictures of an amazing house. “It’s just outside Helena so we could be here in under an hour whenever you want.”

“What about New York?”

“I love New York but I love you more, and New York just isn’t home if you’re not there with me.” He said. “Please forgive me and give me a second chance to give you the life you deserve.”

Tears streamed down Nicki’s cheeks. She dropped her cane and threw her arms around him and hugged him close burying her face in his neck. “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too.” He said and kissed her forehead. He hugged her tight and then Nicki heard Lacy gasp as she came in.

“My god, look at this place,” Lacy said with surprise.

“Way to go, man,” Bryce complained. “You’re making me look bad. I can’t top this.” He teased as he and Mitchell made their way around him and Nicki.

Mitchell looked at Dominic with a stern frown. “So, you’re moving to Montana?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Suddenly Mitchell smiled. “Good, we’ll see you on Sundays. Don’t miss mass and you bring the beer.” He grinned and walked away.

“Yes, Sir,” Dominic said happily. He looked down at Nicki. “Does that mean he accepts me?”

“We drink Coolers,” Mitchell informed him from the kitchen. “Come on you two; lunch is served.”

“Already?” He asked surprised.

“Lacy prepares everything before we go to church,” Nicki explained. “Let’s go eat and you can show me the house again.”

***

Dominic took lunch with his new family and tried not to draw attention to the fact that Nicki had seemed to regress to her weakened state relying on her cane again. He didn’t want to draw attention to it or the bruise on her forehead, which was difficult not to look at. The sight of it annoyed him greatly. He had hoped his mother had been wrong about the bruise, but it had time to form, and now it was very noticeable. Someone had hit her hard, and that made him feel violent which wasn’t usual for him. He was normally a peaceful man.

While Lacy cleaned up and Nicki did her best to help, Dominic went out to the porch with the men. They were talking, but Dominic was distracted thinking about Mark laying his hands on Nicki. “I think we need more beer,” Bryce said, slapping Dominic on the back. “Come on rich boy let’s take a ride into town; you’re buying.” Dominic looked at his beer; it was still half full. Bryce took the beer from him and placed it on the porch rail. “We’ll take your car.” He said heading for Dominic’s rental.

Dominic got into the car and looked to his rightful seat at Bryce who was enjoying the fancy car. “Don’t we have more beer?”

“I thought we might grab a drink in the tavern. Let’s stop and pick up Jove.”

“Where does he live?”

“Right next door.” Bryce pointed to the next property over. They swung by, and Dominic waited in the car as Bryce went into the house to get Jove. They came out quickly, but Millie was following her husband warning him that he best not do anything foolish and Jove just smiled promising he would behave. Then the two men got into the car with Jove in the backseat.

“Alright,” Jove grinned leaning back in his seat and draping his arms over the back of the seat, “let’s go looking for a fight.”

“Looking for a fight?” Dominic asked turning in his seat to look back at Jove.

“We are looking for a fight, aren’t we?” Jove asked Bryce.

Dominic looked at Bryce questioningly. Bryce smiled and shrugged his powerful shoulders. “I thought you might want to have a chat with Mark Harris and his buddies. And that maybe Jove and I would back you up.”

“I’m not a violent man,” Dominic informed him.

Jove leaned forward resting his arms on the headrests of the front seats. “The man crippled your wife and then just the other day he called her a w***e and slammed her head against the bar.”

“But not before his buddy tripped her and banged up her knee again. Haven’t you noticed she’s limping badly and relying far too much on her cane?” Bryce reminded him. “You have Mark Harris to thank for that.”

“Come on we’re all family now you can trust in us,” Jove said applying some peer pressure. “We’ve got your back brother. Mark Harris has been running amuck in this town for too long; someone needs to put him in his place.”

“Someone needs to make him pay,” Bryce added.

Dominic had to admit the idea of popping Mark a good one before he was hauled off to prison was tempting. He wasn’t a violent man, but he would take great pride in making the man bleed. “Or have we read you wrong?” Jove asked. He looked at Bryce. “Maybe he’s not as in love with Nicki as we thought. Is that it Dom? Are you not that into her?”

“Do we care about Nicki more than you do?” Bryce asked.

“As a man, if anyone touched my wife the way Mark and his friends have touched Nicki, I’d kill him. I’d smash a beer bottle and slit his throat ear to ear. But that’s just me.” Jove said and looked at Bryce. “What about your bro?”

“I’d make sure no one found the body,” Bryce added. “But then again that’s just us.” Bryce looked back at Jove. “Not every man has a backbone.”

“I have a backbone,” Dominic said he knew these men were trying to manipulate him but he wanted to knock Mark Harris the hell out. “Let’s go find him.”

“That a boy.” Jove grinned and patted him on the shoulder before relaxing back in his seat. “Let’s go pick a fight.”

They drove into town and went right for the tavern. Bryce assured Dominic that Mark would be there. “The man’s an alcoholic he’ll be here,” Bryce promised.

They went inside, and Bryce was right Mark was at his table with his friends three sheets to the wind and harassing the waitress. The poor woman was trying to fend him off, and the men were getting vulgar. Dominic had a mental picture of Mark making the same vulgar s****l comments to his wife, and it pissed him off. Then Mark grabbed the waitress by the butt and Dominic snapped. He went after Mark. He rushed across the bar and dragged Mark from his seat and threw him against the wall. He wrapped his hands around the man’s throat and squeezed. Mark’s fingers clawed at his hands trying to pry his hands from around his throat.

His friends came to his aide, but Bryce and Jove stepped in and kept them at bay. Mark kicked Dominic and sent him back a few feet. Jove and Bryce caught him before he fell and pushed him back into the fight. Both men came out swinging. Mark punched Dominic in the face and bust his lip then Dominic picked up a chair and broke it over Mark knocking him to the ground. He then began to kick Mark over and over.

“How’s that feel motherfucker? Do you like beating on women? I will f**k you up. Don’t you ever touch my wife again.” Mark was lying on the floor holding his sides with Dominic kicking him in the ribs, blinded with rage, and soon Bryce and Jove were pulling him off the man and dragging him out of the tavern still swinging. They dragged him to the car and pushed him into the passenger seat.

Jove held Dominic down. “Easy bro… easy… you did it; he’s down. Let’s get out of here before the Sheriff shows up.”

Dominic was confused. “I thought the Sheriff was useless?”

“Taking down a rich boy that threatened to take him down?” Bryce scoffed. “No, I think he’d get off his ass to prosecute you. Let’s get the hell out of here. I’ll drive.”

***

They’d been gone too long just to be stopping for beer. Millie and Morgan came over for dinner, and Nicki was watching her father play with his granddaughter when the men came home. They all came inside, and Jove and Bryce were laughing like they’d just been on the most exciting night out. Nicki was horrified when Dominic came in behind them with his bottom lip swollen and cracked.

“Oh my god.” She gasped and got up. She went to him and touched his face and pulled her hand back when he flinched. “What happened? You look like you’ve been in a fight.”

“Yeah, a fight he won,” Jove said proudly. “You should have seen him kick Mark’s ass. It was a thing of beauty.” He said putting his arm around Millie.

“You were fighting again?” Millie scolded. “You know how the Sheriff is looking for any reason to put you away.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Jove promised. “But my boy Dom here waged a little personal war.”

Nicki looked at him with wide eyes. “Why would you do that?”

“He hurt you,” Dominic said.

“So, you went medieval on him? That’s not like you.” She said surprised. Dominic wasn’t a violent man. He was peaceful, and that’s what she loved about him. Nicki then looked at Jove. “Why do I feel like you had some influence in this?”

“Don’t look at me I was just along for the ride; it was Bryce’s idea,” Jove confessed.

Everyone looked at Bryce surprised. “What?” He shrugged, “He deserved it.”

Nicki looked at Dominic. “You come with me.” She ordered and then started up the stairs.

Nicki limped her way up to the room that had always been hers. It was very small only big enough for a bed and a small standing dresser. Nicki had spent twenty-one years in this room. The house wasn’t very big, and it housed five people. Once Dominic was in the room Nicki shut the door and locked it. She then turned to Dominic.

“What are you doing letting Bryce and Jove get you in trouble? Those two are bad influences on you.”

“All I did was exercise my right as a husband to defend and avenge my wife. That man hurt you, and for that, he deserves to be punished. The cops won’t do anything, so I saw to it myself.” He said with conviction.

“I appreciate that you want to protect me, but I don’t want you fighting. That’s not who you are. That’s not the man I’ve fallen in love with.” Nicki thought it sweet that he wanted to take care of her, but he’d said it himself when they first met. Dominic was a lover, not a fighter.

Judging from his busted lip, Nicki would assume Mark got in a few lucky shots. She lovingly caressed his face. “I’m not a fighter, but that man deserved what he got.” He then smiled. “Besides it’s not like you haven’t had a few fights. Must I remind you about Evette?”

Nicki felt sheepish, and she cast her eyes down and blushed. She supposed he was right how could she chastise him for fighting when she had done similar things. “Ok how about we both make a promise no more fighting for either of us.”

“Ok.” He agreed and took her in his arms. Dominic took Nicki’s cane from her and leaned it against the dresser. “I say we kiss and make up.” She liked that idea. Dominic kissed her. It was a gentle but lingering kiss that made her knees weak.

Nicki melted against Dominic, and he backed her up until she felt the bed at the back of her legs. He eased her back onto the mattress and crawled on top of her. His hands were caressing her curves and unzipped the front of her jeans. He worked her pants down her legs and tossed them on the floor where her panties soon joined them. Nicki pushed Dominic’s jeans down to free his arousal. He pulled her legs around his waist and entered Nicki quickly.

It was heaven and instant gratification to be lost in each other’s arms once more. It had been so long. She’d missed the way he felt. Nicki surrendered to the sinful sensations as Dominic kissed her neck and caressed her breast sliding his hand beneath her shirt. Having been separated for so long, it didn’t take long for Dominic to bring Nicki to completion before finding his release.

When it was over Dominic held Nicki as they lay in bed together. Dominic was telling Nicki all about the house he’d bought, and she was excited to see it but from what he said she’d have to wait a week. They were whispering back and forth loving the intimate time alone when there was a knock on the door, and Lacy’s voice came through the door announcing that dinner was served.

They got dressed and went downstairs joining the rest of the family for dinner. It felt nice to have everyone together and all getting along. The conversation around the table was lively as the men debated what skills were important for waging war and changing the world. A topic spawned from Clint’s confession that he wished to join the military when he came of age.

As ex-military Bryce argued that combat training was most important, but Jove argued that brains were what separated great soldiers from subpar soldiers. Even Dominic voiced an opinion saying that soldiers didn’t change the world. Good men died in the field, but it was money that changed the world. Only those with money had the power to change the course of wars. It was a less popular theory of modern warfare, but Nicki felt they were all in some small way right.

War was not a topic Lacy liked. She had been engaged once before Bryce, and he had been an active soldier who died on the frontlines. Since then Lacy had been an active hater of the military. She insisted the conversation was inappropriate for dinner, so Bryce changed the subject to something more personal. He said grace. Everyone held hands and bowed their heads while Bryce said grace. He thanked the lord for the food, for bringing their growing family together around the table, and for the child, Lacy was presently pregnant with. Everyone looked up, and both Lacy and Bryce were smiling.

“You’re pregnant?” Clint asked.

“Seems so,” Lacy said happily. Everyone was excited and congratulated the happy soon-to-be parents. Nicki was happy for her sister. She was looking forward to being an aunty again. They ate their dinner and talked about the new baby. When dinner was over, they had a few drinks, and since Dominic had drunk since lunch, Mitchell insisted they spend the night.

Normally Mitchell would insist on Dominic sleeping in another room, but he was willing to forgo that since they were technically married. They laid in bed together kissing and toughing. Nicki pulled back slightly and looked into Dominic’s eye. “Do you want children?” She asked. The question seemed to catch him off guard.

“I suppose one day. Not anytime soon. Why do you want one?”

“Eventually.” She wasn’t sure if she could have children. It would be difficult to carry all that baby weight on her bad leg. And how could she care for a child? She couldn’t carry a baby while using her cane. “I don’t know if I could be a good mother. How can I care for a child when I barely take care of myself?”

“We don’t have to rush it. Let us build our lives together. Maybe you should go to school before we start a family. Learn to be a writer.” He suggested.

She liked that idea. “But school is expensive.” Dominic lifted one dark brow like he couldn’t believe she’d said that. “But I suppose we can afford it.”

Dominic smiled. “Now you’re thinking like a Sanchez.”

***

Dominic decided to stay in Devon for the rest of the week driving into the city a few times to tend to business. They were furniture shopping when he received a call from Mr. Falcon. It was a courtesy call informing him that the Montana DA intended to prosecute the good Sheriff for taking bribes and Mark Harris and the others for the assault on Nicki. They were coming into Devon that evening to make the arrests. Dominic wanted to be there when it went down.

Dominic ended their shopping spree telling Nicki he had a gift for her. They headed back to Devon and were pulling up outside the Sheriff’s station just as Mr. Falcon and the State Troopers did. “What’s going on?” Nicki asked as they followed the men inside.

“Just watch,” Dominic said taking her by the hand and stepping off to the side to let the State Troopers do their job.

“What’s going on?” The Sheriff demanded as the State Troopers presented him with a warrant.

“You are relieved from duty and under arrest for taking bribes.” Mr. Falcon informed him.

The Sheriff read the warrant and then looked up at Dominic and Nicki as he realized this was Dominic’s doing. Dominic filled with a sense of satisfaction. “You, this is you’re doing isn’t it?”

“I told you the next time you saw me it would be the end of your career.” Dominic smiled. “And I’m a man of my word.” He said as the State Troopers snapped the handcuffs on him and led him out of the Sheriff’s station leaving a State Trooper in his place until a suitable replacement was found.

Mr. Falcon then came to Dominic and Nicki. “Now we have to locate Mark Harris, Jeff Wilson, John Yankee, Rick Forbs, and Oscar Wallis.”

“Try the local tavern,” Nicki suggested. “They are always in there.” Luckily the tavern was just across the street, so the whole group walked over and went inside. Dominic led Nicki over to the bar as they watched the State Troopers arrest Mark and his friends for malicious assault. Mark shot Nicki a hateful glare as the cops walked him out the door in handcuffs. Dominic looked down at the pleased look on his wife’s face. She looked up at him with a grin. “You did this?”

“I might have made some inquiries that set this in motion. Consider this a wedding gift.”

“This is the best gift you could have ever given me. Thank you.”

“You are welcome Doll; it’s about time this town saw a little justice.”