The Song Bird (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (17 page)

Eli pulled the ties of her drawers open, and they fell as well, baring all of her femininity to their appreciate gazes. Eli ran one hand over the curve of her bottom, down the back of her thighs, and then up between them to touch her intimately. His thumb circled around her back hole, then pressed in, just a little, not enough to hurt, but the pressure made her squirm, allowing his fingers to slide along her slit. He rubbed, feathery strokes that soon heated her blood and caused her wetness to run. Now slick, he pressed his fingers inward. One finger bent, rubbing along the back wall of her pussy, while the other found her clit and played with it. In and out, he used his fingers to heighten her pleasure, her awareness of her own reaction. It was torture, heavenly torture.

Both men teased her, playing her body like a musical instrument. In front of her, Jason abruptly released her breasts and dropped to his knees, kissing her belly button and then licking his way south until he reached the curls covering her femininity. Eli still had his fingers inside her, but now Jason’s tongue was working with him, and they were driving her out of her mind. Her body started to buck in time with Eli’s thrusting fingers.

And then Eli’s tongue was at her back entrance, licking as his thumb started to mimic the fingers inside her pussy. Some distant part of her mind knew that he was preparing her, opening her up for his penetration. Just the thought made her come unglued. Before she even realized what was happening, her body exploded into a thousand pieces, shattering her strength. Stars bloomed behind her eyes, and she dimly felt the men lift her up. Eli settled on the bed, his legs spread, and Jason helped her sit on his lap, facing away from him. She opened her eyes and locked gazes with Jason as he lifted her hips and brought her down onto Eli’s cock, which sank into her slowly. And after being stimulated so much, the puckered little hole offered no protest. This time was different, the pleasure so strong she almost climaxed again. Eli’s breath tickled the back of her neck as he held her hips still.

“Hold yourself open,” Eli whispered. “Take your fingers and spread your lips. Let Jace come home.”

She did as he asked, watching through half-open eyes as Jason held his cock and lined it up with her opening. He pushed and easily slid in, and she moaned in pleasure. She loved the feeling of being full, both of them inside her. Eli’s hips began to buck, and Jason followed the rhythm. They moved as one, so in tune with each other. She bounced between them, her hands resting on Jason’s shoulders. Sweat rolled off their bodies, breaths mingled together. No words were spoken, and they didn’t need them. As much as she wanted to stay forever in their arms, between them, she felt her body begin to break apart. Their bodies began to spiral into an uneven gait, and moments later, she felt Eli’s fingers dig into her hips as he panted and swelled inside her. Seconds later, Jason gave a moan as he pulsed deep within.

“Come with us,” Eli murmured into her ear, and his command was all she needed to let go and fly with them.

* * * *

They had nestled her between them and instantly fell asleep. She, however, lay in the dark, waiting. Her body was relaxed, but her mind wound tighter than a watch. Moving ever so softly, she began the laborious process of extracting herself from their embrace. Several minutes later, she stood over the bed, naked and shivering in the cool night. It seemed San Francisco was always cool at night, no matter what month it happened to be.

She picked up her clothes and draped the green satin over a chair before taking one of her serviceable wool dresses and carefully, quietly, exiting the room. In the hallway, she dressed quickly, forgoing the corset. She carried her shoes with her down the stairs and through the attached corridor to the club.

Ellis waited for her in the dark club interior. He held out a pair of pants, a shirt, and a jacket and hat.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Change,” he told her cryptically. “Protection for you, and for me, so I don’t have to beat up anyone while defending you.”

Her mouth formed a little
o
, and then she took the clothes and hurried into her dressing room to change. The pants felt…odd. Even her pantalets had never hugged her body quite like what the trousers did, but she had to admit the freedom they allowed her was heavenly.

Feeling slightly flushed, she made her way back to Ellis, thankful for the darkness concealing her embarrassment. He pulled the hat low on her head then nodded and gave a wave for her to follow him. Together they slipped into the darkness. Avilon stayed close to Ellis, following in his footsteps as they made their way first up Broadway, then over to Grant and into Chinatown.

Chinese lettering was painted everywhere, and unlit hanging lanterns swayed in the night air. The streets were quiet, dark, and deserted, but that didn’t stop Ellis from constantly looking over his shoulders, staying alert, and his paranoia revved up her own. Her heart thundered, but not in a pleasant way. Every little noise made her jump in fright. Finally, he stopped next to a set of unstable-looking stairs next to a boarded-up building. He held his finger to his mouth in the universal sign to be quiet, and she nodded to let him know she understood.

He climbed the stairs first, and she followed, testing each step first before settling her whole weight on the rickety boards. When he reached the top, Ellis gave a cooing sound then stood back and waited.

From inside, the door unbolted. Ellis then eased it open and gestured for Avilon to enter quickly. As she stepped inside, she heard the sound of a gun being cocked, and Avilon halted. Instinctively, she raised both hands, her heart soaring into her throat.

Behind her, Ellis closed the door, and a second later, light flared as he lit a lantern. Avilon’s gaze shifted from the barrel of the gun up to her sister’s wary gaze.

“Oh, Avi,” she murmured, lowering the gun, “I’m so glad to see you.”

Immediately, Ellis took the gun from Amelia. Her sister looked thinner, her face drawn with worry. The dress she wore hung limply on her. Nestled on her chest gleamed a silver filigree locket. Avilon pulled Amelia into her arms, hugging her tightly.

“I’ve been so worried,” she murmured into Amelia’s ear.

“I’m so glad you’re here. Avi, I don’t know what to do.”

“I have money,” Avilon told her. “We can leave San Francisco.”

Amelia stiffened and pulled back. “Wait, Avi. There’s something I have to tell you.”

Avilon shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does. It’s what made me come here in the first place.” Amelia tugged on her hand and led her into another room. Ellis followed with the candle. The dancing firelight fell upon a small, bundled child sleeping on a narrow threadbare mattress. The little girl’s long, dark hair tumbled wildly on the pillow.

Tears clogged Avilon’s throat as she stared at the miniature replica of Amelia.

“This is my daughter,” Amelia whispered. “Her name is Odette.”

“She’s beautiful,” Avilon whispered back. “But why didn’t you tell me about her?”

“Because he’s after us,” Amelia told her, her fear so tangible that Avilon could taste it.

“Who?”

“Eugene Behr.”

Shock poured through Avilon, temporarily robbing her of speech.

Amelia nodded her head toward the first room, and they all backed out, leaving the little girl to sleep. Amelia closed the bedroom door with a soft click and gestured to the table and chairs near the unlit fireplace, where several blankets waited. Ellis placed the lantern on the table. When Amelia sat, Ellis laid a blanket on her lap. Avilon realized that Ellis had feelings for her sister.

“Tell me,” Avilon urged. “From the beginning.”

“I met Eugene Behr at the opera one night,” she began, her voice emotionless. “He was charming and attentive, and every opportunity I had to see him, I did.” She gave Avilon a bitter smile. “Cousin Odell didn’t approve. She said he wasn’t the man he presented to the world and forbade me to see him. But I thought she was being selfish, wanting me to stay and be her companion forever. I had just finished school and was flattered by Eugene’s attention.”

Amelia stopped and took a deep breath. Her bottom lip began to quiver. “I snuck out at night to meet him. And it wasn’t long until he…took advantage of my adolescent infatuation.”

“Amelia—”

“It’s my fault that Cousin Odell died,” she sobbed. “Eugene came to ask for my hand, and I was so excited I hid in the downstairs closet, watching. But she said no, and he…he…”

Avilon reached out and cupped Amelia’s cheek. “Shh. It’s okay.”

Amelia shook her head. “He became furious when she wouldn’t change her mind, and then he picked up the fire poker and hit her. Again and again. There was blood everywhere.” She shivered. “Then he calmly picked up her broken body, took her to the top of the stairs, and threw her down. Then he left.”

“Oh my God,” Avilon said, horrified.

“I came out of the closet and stood by her body, not knowing what to do. Then he came back in, acting surprised and sad that Odell had fallen down the stairs. I…I was so scared, Avi. He went to get the sheriff, and still I couldn’t talk.”

“Shh,” Avilon said soothingly, stroking Amelia’s hair.

“All through the funeral I was paralyzed. I didn’t know what to say, couldn’t think. I fainted when I saw the coffin taken into the family vault. When I awoke, the doctor informed me I was pregnant. And he had told Eugene, who introduced himself as my fiancé. But I knew right then he couldn’t have access to my baby. He’s a monster!”

Tears started down Amelia’s cheeks.

“What happened after that?”

“That night I packed a valise and ran to the convent, just outside New Orleans. The sisters took me in, and when I told them what happened, they made arrangements for me to travel to Saint Louis, to a sister convent. I stayed until I had Odette, and the sisters were kind enough to continue to shelter us since I had agreed to work for them. But one day in town, I saw Eugene and knew he had found us. So I ran. I signed on to help a family travel to California on a wagon train, and within a fortnight, Odette and I left.”

“What made you come to work at Eli and Jason’s club?”

Amelia lowered her chin. “The wagon train’s destination was Marysville, but I’d heard some people talking about San Francisco. I needed to disappear, so I…I decided that would be a good place to become lost. I tried washing clothes at first, then cooking, but I couldn’t watch Odette. I needed my days free, so…I’d heard the club needed some girls and figured anyone who knew about Greek myths obviously couldn’t be all bad. Ellis answered the door. He helped me get the job, and he said he knew someone who could take care of Odette during the night. Everything was fine, until the night Eugene walked through the club’s door.”

“He’s after you?”

Amelia nodded. “He followed us. He wants Odette. Says she’s his property.”

Avilon remembered Eugene’s threat from the day outside of Madame Duplee’s. “So the coin means nothing?”

“I took the coin for leverage,” Amelia admitted. “I wanted him gone, and I thought if I took it, I could blackmail Eugene into leaving me alone. Not every citizen of San Francisco was fond of the Committee of Vigilance, especially in Sydney Town. I thought it would put pressure on him, make him too distracted to focus on me and Odette. Eli and Jason promised to hide me, but Eugene found me once, and I didn’t trust them not to talk. So Ellis hid me here. When he told me you had arrived, I felt…unworthy of you.”

“What?” Avilon asked, appalled. “Why?”

“I’m…I’m a whore,” she said.

Avilon shook off her blanket and took Amelia’s shoulders. “Look at me,” she ordered. When Amelia’s eyes came up, Avilon shook her head. “Never think less of yourself. You did what you had to do to survive and to protect Odette. Eli and Jason are good men, and I’m glad you found them.”

She pulled Amelia into her arms, hugging her tightly.

“Ellis told me you’re singing there.”

“Yes. And…and I want you to know that I’ve agreed to be a part of their lives, as a family. So from now on, they will protect you with their lives as well. You don’t have to be afraid anymore. You aren’t alone.”

Amelia pulled back to stare at her with wide, tear-filled eyes. “Oh, Avi.”

Avilon shook her head and smiled. “It’s what I want. I’ve…I’ve grown very fond of both of them. This life we find ourselves in may not be the ones we dreamed of, but I think it could be a good life, Amelia.”

“I wouldn’t have to go back to whoring, would I?” Amelia asked timidly. But before Avilon could answer, Ellis was suddenly by Amelia’s side.

“No,” he said forcefully. He pulled Amelia’s head to his chest and squeezed her tightly. “Never again will you have to endure a man’s touch, not unless you want to. I’ll take care of you, Amelia. You and Odette. You have my vow.”

“Ellis?” Amelia asked, bewildered.

Watching them, it dawned on Avilon that Ameila loved Ellis as much as he loved her. Somehow in this crazy world, these two people had found one another, and she hoped that she, Eli, and Jason would have the same opportunity to explore their newfound commitment.

Finally, Ellis broke Amelia’s gaze and glanced over to Avilon. “It’s time for us to go. Dawn is approaching.”

Reluctantly, Avilon nodded and stood, pulling Amelia into a tight hug.

“I shouldn’t want this,” Amelia whispered into her ear, “but I wish Eugene would disappear.”

“Don’t worry about him,” Avilon told her. “It will work out. And then we’ll be a family again, and I’ll get to dote on my niece.”

Now that she knew Amelia was safe, she could stop worrying and talk to Eli and Jason. Together they would plan on what to do next. Eugene Behr had to be stopped.

Ellis went first, making sure the area was clear before Avilon followed after. Once she stepped through the door, she heard the bolt latching from the inside. The sky held the early emergence of diffused light, bathing the city in pale blue and purple. Avilon pulled her hat down low and wrapped the jacket around her body to keep out the brisk air.

Halfway back to the club, she heard a scuffling behind her. Ellis stopped, his body tensing as he listened. He pushed Avilon to the side of a building and turned in a circle, squinting as assessed the shadows. Her heart pounded, the blood rushing through her ears almost drowning out the sound of everything else. Endless minutes stretched as they both waited, anticipating anything.