Lisset: The Men of Treasure Cove Read online

  Lisset

  The Men of Treasure Cove

  Book 16

  Rebecca Joyce

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  LISSET

  The Men of Treasure Cove

  Copyright © MAY 2019 by Rebecca Joyce

  First E-book Publication: May 2019

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  The Men of Treasure Cove Series

  Lisset

  Violet

  River

  Vanessa

  Pandora

  Katarina

  Camellia

  A Holiday Novella

  Hazel

  Macie

  Kelly

  Antionette

  Lilly

  Charlotte

  Janie

  Emma

  DEDICATION

  For My Family

  LISSET

  The Men of Treasure Cove

  Rebecca Joyce

  Prologue

  New York City, Two years ago…

  “This isn’t going to be good,” Devlin whispered, as his twin, Damien stood stoically silent watching the fireworks before them. “It’s so bad, its beyond bad, worse than a cluster fuck. Like really, really bad.”

  Damien and Devlin Brothers had been working for Sasha Merrick for over five years now, and up until this moment, they loved their job. It was easy, good money and the honeys were hot, hot, hot. However, standing across the room, they were too sure about anything anymore as their boss Sasha Merrick closed a green file, got up from the couch and walked over to the fireplace. Without saying a word, their bossman flipped a switch starting a fire. They watched as the typically composed and devoid of emotion man seethed with rage. They’d seen their boss on many occasions get angry, but Mr. Merrick always controlled his temper, not this time. The green folder that their boss just burned, was the fuse that that just ignited a firestorm that was about to have serious repercussions for everyone. “I thought he was dead. Where is he?”

  Devlin cleared his throat and said, “According to my intel, he is still alive. He was transferred from Florence Federal Correctional Complex in 2011 after suffering a heart attack to Allenwood, just north of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. After his heart attack, he escaped while at the hospital.”

  “What was he in for?”

  “He was serving fifteen years for aggravated assault, rape, and attempted murder,” Devlin replied clearly.

  “There’s more,” Damien added, clearing his throat. “When Grey had us look at him, we discovered something else.”

  “What?”

  “He was in London twelve years ago.” Their boss froze.

  Okay, this was the really bad part. Damien took a deep breath and waited for Sasha to comprehend everything. It wasn’t every day their bossman learned that the son of a bitch was alive and well, when he was supposed to be dead. To make matters worse, that same son of a bitch was supposedly the asshat who harmed his sister. This was not a meeting Damien felt comfortable in without protective gear because Bossman was known to have a vicious temper when the occasion warranted, and from what Damien heard, it rivaled Devlin’s and that was saying something.

  Of course, his temper wasn’t any better. Their parents did right when they named them both Damien and Devlin Brothers. It wasn’t easy growing up in a Catholic household in south Jersey, with their names. There wasn’t enough holy water and prayers around to keep them on the straight and narrow. Damien remembered the first time when his mother begged their priest to bless them after getting into trouble. It was nothing really, just a little theft from a candy store, but because they were only five, well their mother thought it was the beginning of the end. After that, they spent most of their lives in a strict Catholic school with rules.

  Damien hated rules, just as much as Devlin. It wasn’t that they didn’t know right from wrong, they did, thanks to their parents and the nuns at Holy Trinity School for Boys. It was the gray area they had issues with. Oh, they knew the killing of another human being was a one-way ticket to hell, but when someone deserved it…well, that’s where they got confused. That and they had a hard time with things like, “Don’t steal”, “Don’t fornicate” and, “Patience is a virtue.”

  The way they saw it, they only had one life. Why not live it as they wanted? They could always beg for forgiveness later, right? Of course, their mother didn’t agree. Which was why every night before she went to bed, she would say three or four Hail Mary’s and beg the good Lord for their souls on their behalf. According to Devlin, they were in the clear with the man upstairs, thanks to their mom, so, therefore, they could do what they wanted.

  “What are you saying, Damien?” Sasha asked.

  “I made some calls. Though Lisset refuses to talk, my sources confirmed that he was the Dom she was with that night.”

  Sasha Merrick grabbed the vase on the mantle, roared and threw it across the room. Devlin had no clue what the bossman was feeling. He and Damien never had a sister. According to their mother, when they were born, God told her that her sons were going to need all her attention and therefore she should be happy with them. Of course, that pissed off Damien, who hated seeing his mom cry, but what could they do about it. God spoke and according to the nuns at Holy Trinity, his word was law.

  “Does Tristan know?” Sasha asked Grey. When Grey just silently shook her head no, Devlin asked, “What do you want us to do?”

  “I want you two to head to Scotland. My sister is now your primary concern. She will not leave your sight. If she wants a fucking snowflake from Antarctica, get her one. Your world now revolves around her. Whatever she wants, you two will make it happen. And just so we’re perfectly clear, no one and I mean no one comes near her and lives. Understood?”

  “Got it boss,” Devlin said.

  “No one touches her,” Damien added.

  “Grey,” Sasha said turning towards her. “Get on that fucking plane to Treasure Cove. Go to the Pleasure Cave and demand to speak with Gabriel Sexton. Let him know that that fucker is still breathing. Then find Tristan and stick to him like glue. Watch him, don’t let him out of your sight. I want to know who he talks to, where he goes everything.”

  “Do you want me to tell him why?”

  “No,” Sasha growled. “I’ll take care of that bastard when I get there.”

  “What about Violet,” a soft voice interrupted the tension in the room. Devlin and Damien
turned to see Mrs. Prescott enter the room. Now, there was another woman who regularly prayed for their souls. Damien couldn’t understand the need, but hey, at least he had back up if his mother decided to throw in the rosary.

  “Mrs. Prescott, you shouldn’t be here,” Sasha said, his voice softening.

  “I’m sorry Sasha. I didn’t mean to intrude. She won’t go, you know that, but I think I may have an answer to that.”

  “Which is?”

  “My sons and nephews.”

  “What about them?”

  “They have a horse ranch north of Treasure Cove. It’s far enough away from the town, no one need know she’s there. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if Violet stayed with them.”

  “I don’t want her living with strangers.”

  “She wouldn’t be. I’d go with her if you let me.”

  “I’ve never met them Mrs. Prescott. I don’t trust anyone I’ve never met.”

  “I think it’s time you started calling me Cathy again, and my boys along with my nephews would die before letting any harm come to Violet. Besides, my nephews just recently married so there would be another woman there who could help talk to Violet. Cami’s life wasn’t as harsh as Violet’s, but she’s a survivor too. Please let me help you, Sasha. I can’t just stay here and do nothing. Tristan is going to need all of us when he finds out, especially you.”

  “These men, who are they?” Grey asked taking out her blackberry.

  “Richard, Duke, Jake, Nelson and Levi Masterson. Their wife’s name is Camellia.”

  “And your sons?” Grey added.

  “Greyson, Bram, Zander, Dew and Ember Prescott. Bram is Treasure Cove’s preacher. I should tell you that my oldest Greyson has a record. But he’s a good boy, I give you my word on that, Sasha.”

  “I’ll run background checks on all of them Merrick and forward it to your email. If I’m going to Treasure Cove, I better leave now. I think it’s best of we arrive on separate planes. That way no one will assume I’m with either of you. I can get more information on my own that way. I’ll be in touch,” Grey said grabbing her jacket and briefcase.

  “We’ll ride with you to the airport. No sense paying double the fare,” Devlin said. Grabbing his coat, Damien followed his brother and the beautiful Ms. Grey to the door. “Hey, Dev, when the bossman said, no one touches her, you don’t think he meant us do you?”

  “Naw,” Devlin replied. “He just meant everyone else.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Look at it this way, Damien,” Devlin said. “How are we going to take care of her if we can’t touch her.”

  Damien grinned. “That’s what I thought. Just making sure we’re on the same page.”

  The Australia Outback, fourteen months ago,

  “Push!” Devlin urged. “Come on honey, just one more big push.”

  “That’s it!” The doctor shouted. “Almost there, just a little harder.”

  “I can see the head!” the Damien yelled in excitement.

  “You’re doing great honey,” Devlin added. “Come on just one more push!”

  Pushing as hard as she could, she gave it one more go. She was so tired. All she wanted to do was sleep. God, she felt like she’d been sleeping for months already. She sensed that her body had gone through a rigorous transformation over the last nine months. Since she was blind, all she had to go on was her other senses and they were all on hyper drive.

  Her feet were puffy, her back ached and she couldn’t keep anything down. When she caressed her breast, she found them swollen and tender, but what shocked her the most, was that she didn’t care. For so long all she worried about was her looks and what designer jeans to wear. Funny how a little case of pregnancy cured all that. That and she was blind.

  She couldn’t see her swollen belly any more than she could see what color socks she was currently wearing. Not that she cared what color they were now. The stabbing pain engulfing her body was so intense, she felt as if she were being ripped apart. Though she knew that was physically impossible, it sure felt like it.

  “One more push baby, and I promise you can sleep,” she heard Devlin say. She still couldn’t believe they were with her. She didn’t deserve them, but she was eternally grateful for them. For so long she thought she was going to live the rest of her life in darkness. Yet one, warm spring day, they were there. Her life changed after that.

  Giving Devlin that one push, she cried out, when she heard the doctor shout, “It’s a Girl! A beautiful, healthy little girl.”

  She couldn’t believe it. She had done it. She had just given birth, something she thought she’d never do, let alone want too. The experience was hard, exhausting and yet fulfilling. She had nine months to prepare for this moment, and yet nothing could have prepared her for the feel of her daughter slipping from her worn body and hearing her soft little screeches and wails.

  It was music to her ears.

  “I want to hold her.” She said reaching for Damien.

  “They’re cleaning her up doll. Trust me, you don’t want to hold her right now. She’s got all kinds of sticky goo and slime all over her. Let the professional’s wash her up good, first.”

  “That’s not what she wants to hear, asshole,” Devlin said. “She needs to understand how beautiful and pretty the baby is.”

  “I’m not going to lie to her,” Damien retorted. “That kid needs a bath and possibly some 409 to get all that goop off of it.”

  “Is she that filthy?” she chuckled.

  “Worse,” Damien replied. “She looks like she rolled around in a vat of lard. She’s slimy, but she does have a head of hair on her.”

  “What color?”

  “Looks black to me.”

  “Ouch!” she grimaced when a sharp needle-like pain jabbed into her sensitive area.

  “Lisset, what’s wrong?” Devlin asked, caressing her face.

  “I just felt a pinch, that’s all.”

  “What in the hell are you doing to her?” Devlin roared angrily. “She’s been through enough already.”

  “I am just stitching her up, Mr. Brothers. I had to cut her a little to help the baby come out,” the doctor replied, not at all concerned that Devlin was quickly losing his temper.

  “Uh, Doc,” Damien whispered. “Do you think you can add a few extra stitches down there? Cause, she got pretty big right before the baby came out.”

  “Damien!” Lisset shouted.

  “Sorry baby, but you didn’t see yourself down there. You were huge.”

  “Damien, do us all a favor and go get the baby. I think they’re almost done cleaning her,” Devlin ordered harshly.

  “Fine, but if she’s still got that goopy stuff all over her, I’m going to insist they use a Brill-O pad to clean her.”

  “Just go!” Lisset and Devlin both shouted. Listening to Damien walk off, Lisset sighed. She was so tired, but she refused to close her eyes until she held her daughter.

  Her daughter, the thought warmed her heart.

  She was a mother. A profession she thought she would never be, and now, all she could think about was doing the right thing by her. Before, her whole life centered around her, and in one instant, her life no longer mattered. Everything, her entire life now belonged to another. Someone, she’d never see, but love with everything in her heart.

  Damien’s cooing lightened her mood, as his hard footfalls moved towards her. She knew he was on her left, and instinctively turned to meet him. She didn’t know why she did it but holding out her hands seemed as natural as breathing. So, when Damien placed a soft fluffy bundle in her arms, Lisset braced herself for a mirage of emotions.

  A tiny little grunt had her smiling, as she slowly moved her hand up the fluffy blanket until her fingers touched the softest of silk. Her daughter’s skin, like a warm rose in the evening sun, and as fragile and delicate. Her plump little cheeks felt like a fluffy feather pillow. Gently moving her fingers, she traced her little lips as they yawned, and Lisset giggled. Moving her hand
higher, Lisset felt the soft cap, covering her daughter's hair, and gently removed it. Soft little curls bounced and danced around her fingers as she felt the billowy mass.

  “She has a lot of hair, baby,” Damien whispered.

  “I can feel it,” Lisset replied, a tear escaping from her eyes.

  “Her hair looks blonde, not black as I thought.”

  “Like mine?”

  “Just like her momma’s,” Devlin added.

  “She’s so small,” Lisset whispered, feeling her way with her daughter's tiny little hand and gasped when five small fingers clutched her index finger. Her daughter was healthy.

  “The nurse said she weighs just over six pounds. But she’s healthy and that’s all that matters,” Damien said.

  “What color are her eyes?” Lisset asked.

  “Light gray,” Damien said.

  “She has my brother’s eyes.”

  “Yeah,” Devlin whispered. “She does. Look baby, I’ve got to go talk to the doc. You just stay here with Damien and get to know your daughter, okay?”

  “Okay,” Lisset replied, unconcerned with why Devlin needed to talk to the doctor. She didn’t care about anything anymore, just the small bundle in her arms. She knew they would protect her. They had ever since they came into her life.

  Devlin looked at his brother and nodded. No words were needed. They were both in agreement. The sooner Lisset could leave, the better they all would be. If it weren’t for her going into labor early, they would have left Australia by now.

  Now, they had a bigger problem. It just wasn’t Lisset they had to protect anymore.

  “Hey doc,” Devlin said, leaving the small room and walking into the bright sunshine. He had checked out the doctor before introducing him to Lisset. Devlin didn’t want just anyone taking care of her. He insisted on the best, so when the good doc was vacation in the area, Devlin instructed his brother to go pick up the prominent man, using any force necessary to get him here in time.