Mustang Sally: Hot Rods, Book 2 Read online

  “Tom, I tried that. The records are all sealed and I’d have to go in person. I don’t think I can. What if they find me? What if they come for me?” She trembled uncontrollably despite her best efforts to remain calm. “They don’t allow people to walk away from that life.”

  “No one is going to steal you from us. You think I’d let them? You think Eli or Alanso would? The rest of the Hot Rods?” He’d never looked so mad in all the years she’d known him. “They’ll be lucky to live if they fuck with a single hair on your head or…”

  She couldn’t ask him to continue.

  “Sally.” He used the name she’d adopted when she shed her old life. “Did they rape you? Like they did mentally to the boy they brainwashed into attacking you? Both are horrible things to do to a child. Unforgivable.”

  “No!” She hurried to reassure him. “The brother standing below the window—he was always someone I’d been friendly with before they separated boys and girls. When he got old enough. All the children stayed together until they turned fifteen. Then they disappeared. Got married. Had families of their own. Repeating the cycle over and over.”

  Tom cursed again.

  “I told him I didn’t want this. I begged him not to force me. We’d heard horror stories of girls who resisted. How the new husband’s brothers would hold them down and humiliate them until they gave in. If they didn’t, it got physical. They’d beat her. Rape her. How a husband would treat a disobedient wife versus a compliant one. I knew which path I was headed for.” She shuddered. “It didn’t matter. I couldn’t do it. I just…couldn’t lay there and take it without a fight.”

  “And that’s why we love you, Sally.” Tom didn’t touch her, but she could tell he wanted to. “Your spirit. Your strength. Your unwillingness to compromise on your morals. They’re all amazing characteristics. You should never feel bad for that.”

  “I know that now.” She honestly did. Any crisis she’d had about who she was had been resolved long ago. By the Hot Rods. Though they hadn’t understood what their acceptance did to transform her. “I got lucky. So damn fortunate. He let me go. He couldn’t help or they would have gone after him and his wives too. No one in his family would have been safe. Not even his children.”

  “Son of a bitch.” Tom closed his eyes for a second.

  “The rest of the story I told you guys is true. I didn’t lie about that,” she assured him.

  “So you got picked up by a trucker. An honest guy. Someone who saw a gorgeous, broken woman-child running and decided to do the right thing.” He paused. “If that doesn’t make you believe in God, I’m not sure what would.”

  She’d never really thought of it like that before. But it was a nice perspective.

  “I don’t want to tell them, Tom.” She sighed. “I don’t know if I can. I don’t want my past to influence the future. Haven’t I already lost enough to risk them too? Especially over something they might not understand? They’re always doing what they think is right for me even if it’s totally wrong. I can’t tell them. They’ll abandon me, just when I’ve got them, to put us all in danger. But I don’t want to lie to them or make them do something they wouldn’t otherwise. What if they don’t want me anymore?”

  “Hey, hey.” He shushed her when she began to hyperventilate. “You’ll tell them someday. When you’re all ready. I know it in my heart.”

  They both looked at their joined hands. “But if you’re not there yet, that’s your call. I’ll help you of course. We’ll get the documents. Do research. Hire a lawyer to get this mess straightened out. It might take time and money, but we’ll do what we have to so you can make my boys the happiest guys in Middletown.”

  “I don’t believe in God anymore, Tom.” She fidgeted beneath his stare. “But the Hot Rods have different opinions. What if I make them do something unforgiveable by their own standards? Even if they don’t know it? Will they hate me when they find out?”

  “Honey, if there is a God out there, whatever kind it may be…do you really think it would condone what those bastards did to you? Or tried to do?” He tipped his head as he let her think it over. “Is that the kind of being you’d give a shit about pissing off?”

  She laughed. Only he could make it so simple. “I guess not.”

  “Damn straight.” He nodded. “And my sons will say the same. We’ll be lucky to keep them from hunting those bastards down.”

  “Another reason to keep it quiet for now.” She sighed, exhausted and a little bit relieved. With Tom’s help, they might be able to clean up her dirty past before it could destroy her future.

  “How about I go look stuff up online? Probably only have a little while more before they start missing you and come looking. Tonight, come by after dinner. When they’re playing those damn video games or something.” He hugged her. “It’s going to be okay, Sally. We’ve got you.”

  “I hope they’ll keep me.” She laid her head on his shoulder for a few seconds before rising and heading toward the front door as he took a seat at the desk in the corner of his living room.

  “You know that’s what Eli said the day you came looking for a place to stay?” Tom laughed. “Like you were a kitten who’d lost its way. ‘Can we keep her, Dad?’”

  “I’ve never been so glad I said yes to him in my life. Even though I had no idea where we’d put everybody back then.” He shrugged. “Thank goodness for the garage.”

  “No, Tom. Thank goodness for you.” She stared him straight in the eye. “You saved my life. So did the Hot Rods. Even if you didn’t know it. You restored my faith in people. I love you.”

  “I love you too, kid.” He blew her a kiss then got to work on saving her.

  Again.

  Chapter Eight

  “Hey, Dev.” Sally waved to her new friend over the screen of her computer. Video conferences might not be as perfect as the lunches they could have shared if they lived in the same city, but at least she had someone to bounce ideas off of these days. The crew women had been first in line to hear all about her developments with Eli and Alanso.

  They offered lots of advice and tips for seducing two men that she’d put to good use.

  On that front, things were progressing. Terrific. Sexy nights left her too exhausted to talk much about her lingering interests in the rest of the Hot Rods, and she couldn’t find the willpower to forsake the pleasure they offered—especially to substitute a potential argument about her secret or her desires for their friends—when it was so new and shiny.

  Being the center of their attention was heavenly. Falling asleep in their arms made dreams come true. Watching the two of them love each other had brought her to tears the first time. And several after. Finding that their friendship, easy laughter and work relationships were only enhanced—not hindered—by their bedroom gymnastics blew all her doubts out the window.

  She adored every aspect of their relationship…except one.

  Business as usual during the days and untamed nights continued for weeks, until Salome knew she had to do something to drive them all forward. No way would she make the same mistake twice.

  This time she was running toward her Hot Rods instead of away from them.

  Soon she’d have to act instead of waiting another decade for the guys to make a move.

  And that was where Devon came in. She had to help formulate a plan. One Sally could stick to once the sun went down and her guys’ clothes came off. Willpower, she would find some.

  All she needed was some reassurance about the five other men roaming the garage each day. They acted as if everything was status quo, although her entire life had blossomed into something even more fabulous than it had been before she hit the romance lottery.

  Even her fears about her ridiculous marriage seemed to be lessening as she and Tom made slow but steady progress, contacting a few more authorities and requesting records each evening. Juggling a new relationship while avoiding the potholes of her past and managing her longing for everything wasn’t easy.


  “It’s bizarre. Either I’m going nuts or…there’s something happening I don’t know about.” Sally sighed and flopped onto her stomach. She tried hard not to pout. Probably not entirely successfully. It was weird to be in her room again. She only used it for storage—and private calls—these days. “Like this morning, we were all eating breakfast. Just hanging out like usual. And, I swear to God, Roman and Kaige were looking at me like they wanted to throw me on the dining table and go to town. Circling like sharks. Or barracudas, I guess. But no one made a move. Not even when I sat on the edge of the butcher block and let my skirt ride up. It had to have been obvious to Carver and Holden, who were sitting there eating their damn cereal, that I wasn’t wearing panties either.”

  “Uh, yeah, pretty sure the crew wouldn’t have resisted if one of us teased them like that.” Devon scratched her chin. “Do you think Eli’s declared a no-fuck zone?”

  “I’m starting to think so.” Sally sighed. “But why? For his sake? Alanso’s? Or some misguided bullshit about what he thinks I need?”

  “Ding ding ding.” The other woman clapped. “I think we have a winner.”

  “Aren’t we done with this phase yet? When is he going to realize I’m a big girl?” Anger infiltrated her confusion. Maybe she’d been right to hide her marriage fiasco after all. “I don’t need him to protect me. Half the time it only ends up hurting worse than whatever he thinks he’s saving me from.”

  “Maybe that’s a discussion you need to have.” Devon winced.

  “Or maybe I’m delusional and I should be satisfied with the two studs who love me and are banging me into oblivion every night—and sometimes at work—instead of reaching for all seven I’m in lust with?” She smacked her forehead with the heel of her palm. “Am I crazy?”

  “Maybe just a little. Five is enough for this girl.” Devon giggled as she aimed her thumb at her chest. “No, but seriously, I think this is about way more than sex. It’s the network of ultimate trust and devotion that comes from sharing that you’re missing. Still, guys will respond better to the physical aspect than the emotional one at first. So, it’s time to turn up the heat. They can only resist so much if they’re hoping to get it on half as much as you are. If it’s too hard for the guys to talk it out…get devious.”

  “Hmm…” She liked the direction they headed. “Any ideas?”

  “Weren’t you going to plan an annual fundraiser for the youth shelter?” Devon must have had this thought on tap. It came too fast to be a random light bulb. “We were talking about it last night. The crew said something that perked my ears up. They were debating going into town for a car wash. Then they tried to sweet talk me and the rest of the ladies into wearing skimpy clothes and…”

  “Oh my God.” Sally knew exactly where she was going. “You’re a genius! That’s legit. Rides will be lined up halfway to town with ladies hoping to spy the Hot Rods on display. And I can convince them they need to have their cars cleaned to contribute to the cause. I’ll do a really good job.”

  “Let me know how it goes.” The pixie winked. “I’m guessing your problems will be history in no time. Plus you’re using your best assets to help out the kids. Win-win!”

  They laughed together for a while then talked of the crew babies’ latest feats, shopping and some helpful hints on surviving a massive ménage before Devon began to yawn.

  “Let’s go find our guys. It’s time for bed.” Sally smiled, knowing she wouldn’t sleep until she joined her pair in Alanso’s room. It’d become their middle ground. Hell, she’d likely not doze off until long after that, but at least she’d be relaxed. “Say hello to your couple and the rest of the crew.”

  “Do the same from me.”

  “I will. And thanks, Devon.”

  “Anytime. Go get ’em, Mustang.”

  When the next weekend rolled around, everything was in place.

  Sally had solidified her nerves, planned the event and bought the skimpiest string bikini she could find, surprised that it also flattered her figure. Who would have guessed the tiny triangles of neon fabric could make her boobs look pretty decent and her waist seem thinner?

  Probably she should have done some more nude sunbathing. Without the protection of the crew and their woods, she didn’t think it’d fly. Too late now, in any case.

  As predicted, a line of cars snaked down their country road, more than halfway to Middletown by most accounts. And that was before nine o’clock in the morning. She was nobody’s fool. Plenty of women in town would pay top dollar for the right to stare at the Hot Rods, shirtless and soapy, just inches away as they worked over the exterior of their minivan mom-mobiles.

  She didn’t blame the ladies. Even if they did spend the entire seven minutes of their wash and wax lost in an overdose of sexy muscles and tattoos. Sally understood completely.

  And if putting the guys on display—and herself along with them—profited the youth center, she was willing to sacrifice. Not to mention how she’d be able to steal some eye candy to nourish herself all day long.

  She really should have considered the side effects of all that yummiliciousness.

  Because by lunchtime, she was ready to slam Alanso onto the hood of the late model Honda she serviced and let him ride her like her namesake. Probably the ruckus they caused would draw Eli and he’d join them where all the other guys could see.

  And from that moment on, she knew what she’d do once they cleared out the last of the customers for the charity event.

  Fortunately, Tom gave up and went inside sometime before dinner. It was exhausting manual labor, but the thought of her reward kept Sally going strong.

  Finally, the last person rolled away.

  Kaige tugged the hose into the circle cast by the spotlight that illuminated the parking lot in the twilight. “How’d we do, Mustang?”

  She pretended to flip through the cash she’d already counted and fudged the figure just a teensy-weensy bit. “Damn! We’re ten dollars short of three grand. That’s only one more car wash. Come on, somebody pony up.”

  “I’ll pitch in a hundred and ten so long as I don’t have to pick up that sponge again.” Kaige glanced sideways at her.

  “What, you have dishpan hands?” She wrinkled her nose. “Fine. I’ll do the washing. Pull your green monstrosity around front.”

  He eyed her up and down, his eyes narrowing when he caught sight of her palms pressed together in front of her as if praying…or begging.

  “Fine. But I’m not getting in my baby like this.” Before she realized what he meant, he’d started stripping. And she didn’t look away. His boots and saturated cargo shorts were followed by a sexy pair of sky-blue briefs.

  Somebody issued a catcall and a whistle or two as he sauntered around the corner to the pile of towels they’d stocked and snagged his keys from the pegboard by the door. He did have a fine ass and the contrast of his golden dreads and his black and white tattoos had her drooling just a little.

  Please let this work.

  She tried not to wring her hands while she waited for the roar of his engine. The rest of the guys had collapsed on the pavement. Leaning up against the garage, they nursed the bottles of beer she’d passed out like candy on Halloween.

  “You’re crazy, Mustang.” Bryce shook his head. “Let’s wrap this and order some Chinese. We could be watching a movie and resting up.”

  “Or we could be helping a good cause.” She guilted them into staying, although she did believe escalating their bond was one hell of a thing to fight for.

  Super Nova’s headlights turned the corner, temporarily blinding her.

  Alanso whistled when her figure was limned by the glow. Maybe this would work after all. She crossed her fingers as Kaige rolled to a stop beside her. Naked inside the cab of his Chevy, Kaige flashed her a wink. His devilish smile might mean he’d scorch her as surely as the flames she’d painted down the sides of his neon green ride.

  Time to put up or shut up.

  She toted her bucket to
the hose and bent at the waist, intentionally displaying her ass in the tiny string bikini bottom for the Hot Rods. Eli might have growled, hard to say from her outpost. But there was no missing Alanso’s Spanish curses or even Holden’s guttural utterance, “Have mercy!”

  Sally grinned. She peeked up at Super Nova and Kaige smiled back. He nodded subtly and prepared for her special treatment. Both of him and his car.

  She made sure to overdo the soap.

  Foam cast bubbles into the air. An accidental mishap had her dropping the sponge and splashing suds all over herself. She giggled as they dripped down her body. They really did tickle her breasts and her stomach.

  “Son of a bitch,” someone muttered.

  She made sure to duck her head. The black strands of her hair that had come free of her ponytail cascaded over her cheeks, hiding her smirk. She sauntered to Kaige’s studmobile and laid herself out over the hood, reaching as far as she could, to start her scrubbing.

  Her ass wiggled as she made sure to swing her arm far and wide.

  When she bent to the bucket to rinse her sponge, several comments were exchanged low enough that she couldn’t catch them. Rising tension made the night even more balmy.

  Sally moved on to Kaige’s windshield, pressing her wet breasts to the glass.

  The cool surface soothed her even as it hardened her nipples.

  Super Nova must have had his fill. He rolled down his window and called to Eli. “King Cobra, you should check out the view from in here. You’re a lucky bastard.”

  Salome didn’t turn around. She didn’t need to. Sensing Alanso and Eli had become second nature and the raised hairs on her arms ensured they were stalking her.

  “What game is this, Mustang?” Eli fisted his hand in her hair, keeping her bent over Kaige’s car.

  Alanso’s fingers glided up the back of her thigh and over her slick, soapy ass. The crack his wet palm made on her clenched cheek had her yelping. “Are you trying to tease us to death? As if today wasn’t enough, mami chula?”