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  Healing Hearts 10: The Scars That Bind Us

  Joanna has been through so much in her life and finally feels like she's on top of her game and in a good place. Opening up her heart and letting down her guard, especially to a man, is not going to happen, and definitely not with four of them.

  The only men she trusts are her four brothers, military men who helped to save her when she was abducted. She's trained hard to never be a victim again, and she's focused on nothing but the minutes before her, because every moment is a blessing. So when four badass military men invade her life and her heart, what's a woman to do, but resist to bear her scars, her fears, and focus on her own wants and desires. She soon realizes that these four men suffer from PTSD like she does, have scars of their own they aren't willing to discuss, and ultimately are after the same individuals who nearly killed her.

  Those scars, their fears, their experiences are what binds them, what brings them together, making a connection none of them can resist nor ignore. The only problem is, the fears from their pasts are coming at them head on and it becomes a fight to survive, taking some strategic military operations only these men, her brothers, and their friends, are capable of pulling off, and of course her will to not die this second time around. She's a fighter, and she's in love, and will do whatever is necessary to get back to her men or die trying.

  Genres: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Romantic Suspense

  Length: 50,361

  HEALING HEARTS 10:

  THE SCARS THAT BIND US

  Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  Healing Hearts 10: The Scars That Bind Us

  Copyright © 2018 by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  ISBN: 978-1-64243-354-8

  First Publication: August 2018

  Cover design by Les Byerley

  All art and logo copyright © 2018 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  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.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at [email protected]

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  Dear readers,

  Thank you for purchasing this legal copy of The Scars That Bind Us. Joanna “Jo” Flemming is a survivor. Instead of living her life in fear after tragedy and suffering from PTSD, she has chosen to get stronger, become more resourceful in hopes of never being a victim again. In the process she has hardened her heart and trusts no one.

  That all changes the moment fate steps in and she meets men who not only share her same views on life, on trust, on surviving and protecting themselves, but also the connection of post-traumatic stress. Something that has the potential to kill even the strongest of resolve, or be a negative fear holding them back from letting go and letting love, emotions, and a connection in.

  May you enjoy their journey, and the hope of healing their broken hearts.

  Happy reading!

  HUGS!

  Dixie

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  For all titles by Dixie Lynn Dwyer, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/dixie-lynn-dwyer

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  HEALING HEARTS 10:

  THE SCARS THAT BIND US

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Epilogue

  HEALING HEARTS 10:

  THE SCARS THAT BIND US

  DIXIE LYNN DWYER

  Copyright © 2018

  Prologue

  Joanna “Jo” Flemming walked out of the gym. It was late afternoon on a Saturday, and she had plans to go see Afina, along with Amber, Francesca, London, and Melina. What she hadn’t expected when she got to the parking lot and her black Charger, was federal agent Danny Flemming. It had been a shock, to say the least, when he showed up investigating the dirty cops involved in Afina’s abduction and near death. Thank goodness her brothers were off on some mission, or they might do something rash. His eyes gazed over her body like most men’s did. She was in exceptional physical condition. Had large breasts, a tight, round ass, and was a master in martial arts and other things she didn’t let people know about. All of it stemming from one super fucked up childhood, the torture and loss of her parents, as well as her abduction that lasted for months. It was a miracle that she was even able to function in society.

  She stared up at him. “What are you doing here, Danny?”

  He squinted. “Good to see you, too, cousin.”

  She snorted and looked around them to make sure no one was around. “Don’t throw around that term. We aren’t cousins.”

  He licked his lower lip. “Technically, no, and thank God, or I would go to hell for the fantasies I’ve had over the years in my dreams about you and I.”

  She held his gaze. “You’re such an asshole.”

  He chuckled, his gaze never leaving hers. He wasn’t her cousin by blood, even though her father and his father were adopted together, but came from different families. They thought of one another as brothers, but technically they weren’t. It made her think about her mom a moment, and how even she suffered because of her dad’s decisions. Five kids, and the decisions he’d made sacrificed all of them.

  “How are you?” he asked.

  She shrugged her shoulders.

  “Your brothers, how are they doing?”

  She adjusted the strap of her gym bag before lowering it to the ground since he was sort of blocking her car door.

  “They’ve been away a lot,” he said matter-of-factly, and like he knew because he lived around here and was friends with them.

  “And you know this how?”

  “You know how I know, Jo.”

  “And you know how my brothers feel about that.”

  “It’s come in handy a time or two to help them in their professions.”

  She sighed. That was true. The man had resources, but he was still the son of the man who assisted in abducting her, had men hold her hostage, torment her, and keep her in a crate she barely fit in. She shivered from the thoughts.

  “Listen, we don’t need to be seen talking to one another. It will open up questions, and surely I’m not willing to go with the whole “cousins” thing.”

  “Well we share the same last name, and I’m sticking around the area. I’ve got a job in Sussex, and there’s some new information coming out that your brothers may be interested in. They’re due back soon, right?”

  “Considering that you’re from the fucked up side of the family, not sure my brothers will care to hear about it, whatever it is.”

  “But I’m not that monster, nor are my brothers. My father was a complicated man, and yes, he got involved with shit and never should have partnered up with Fredrico Porcini, b
ut he did.”

  “And drug my father into it, too. Made it so that nothing else mattered but pleasing Fredrico. Your father also aided in my abduction.”

  “Unintentionally. You never wanted to hear the truth. To know he didn’t know it was you Porcini was after all along. I’m doing my best and so is my father.”

  “Bullshit. I don’t trust your dad.”

  “You don’t trust anyone, Jo.”

  “Damn straight I don’t, and stop calling me Jo. That’s a term only my family, my brothers, and close friends use.”

  “I am family. My brothers are, too. They care about your well-being. Why do you think they’re still involved in the things they do?”

  “Oh, I don’t know, maybe the money, the easy broads, and access to whatever it is that makes them obsessed with violence and killing.”

  “You have it all wrong.”

  “Do I? I could have died, Danny, so don’t stand here and try to talk to me like I trust you or your brothers, your father, or anyone other than my brothers.”

  His nostrils flared. “God damn it, Jo. We aren’t out to hurt you. In fact, my father knows he’s responsible for your mother’s death. He knows that he let the money, the power rule both of them for too many years. He wants forgiveness. Wants you back in our lives as family, because he thinks of you as a daughter.”

  She felt sick, angry, and she just couldn’t deal with him.

  She stared at him, knowing that he was here for other reasons. That he wanted to give her the heads up that something was coming, but he couldn’t come straight out and say it. Would he have told her brothers if they were here? They were due back any day now. What was going on? Why was he taking a job in Sussex? She wanted to know, but she also didn’t want to know. Didn’t want to make him think that she would accept him back in her life, or his father or his brothers. They lived, her mother died, her father was tortured, and no body was ever found. Hell, she should have died.

  “I have all the family I need,” she said, looking away and reaching into her bag on the ground to grab her keys. She unlocked the door, picked up the bag, and stepped closer to her door to open it.

  “I’m not a bad guy. I’m not trying to trick you or hurt you. I was there when we found you. My brothers, your brothers, and the agents. I’ll never forget that.”

  She shoved a finger into his chest. “Don’t. You have no right to say anything about it. To bring it up or to justify in any way what your father was part of. It’s over as far as I’m concerned.”

  “You know that isn’t true. It won’t be over until Porcini and Topaz are dead. You know damn well I took this position after the military in order to try and find your father, my uncle, and finally bring us all the closure we need.”

  “I like believing that my father is dead, and Porcini, as well.”

  “Yeah, that thinking will get you killed or at minimum, taken by them again.”

  “I don’t want to talk about this crap.”

  “Like I want to.”

  “Well obviously you do, you’re here. So what’s the bottom line? His asshole minions popping up after, what is it, four years now since my abduction?” she asked with a strong tone and attitude that really wasn’t how she felt deep within. It had been the worse twelve weeks of her life. She shouldn’t even be alive.

  “His minions, as you like to call them, are causing a bit of chatter, but there’s a team in the CIA still on the hunt for all that were involved.”

  “A team? Why? It’s been four years since I was rescued. There was no sign of my father or any of the men he was involved with. They disappeared with my father, hopefully killed him. Those that remained were killed by my brothers and the agents as I was left for dead. I don’t believe he is even alive. Plus, what Topaz did to those other men held prisoner, there’s no way they lived.” She got the chills from the memory. She should have died there. That was the bottom line. She gasped when she felt his hand on her shoulder. Danny pulled back, looking uncomfortable with her reaction. Well, she reacted like that to most men touching her. The things that were done while she was a prisoner and being prepared to be sold to an associate of Topaz’s, if not Porcini himself, would never be forgotten.

  She pushed past him to open her car door.

  “I’ll talk to your brothers when they get back. I want you to know that I’m here for you, and my brothers aren’t far.”

  “Stay clear of me, Danny. I don’t need you, your brothers, your false promises or any federal agents pretending to protect me. I protect myself.” She closed the door, started the ignition, and left the parking lot.

  As she gripped the steering wheel tightly, she thought about her brothers. They knew how she felt about Danny, his father and his brothers, but somehow their professions crossed and it was like her brothers forgave Danny’s father, Tanner, for being part of her abduction. Well, she didn’t. As far as she was concerned, anyone associated with it, with Topaz, Porcini, and her father, could never be trusted and had no place in her thoughts or in her life. End of story. By the time she pulled into the driveway by her house on the private street overlooking the ocean, those feelings of insecurity, of fear, simmered. How as it that a visit from Danny mentioning Porcini and Topaz made those fearful sensations return? She was stronger now. Had a new life here in Mercy, and nothing would stand in the way of remaining here.

  * * * *

  “How did it go?” Corona, one of Danny’s four brothers asked.

  “Well, she didn’t shoot me,” he replied as he drove back to Sussex.

  “Shit. I said you shouldn’t bother. Just wait for her brothers to return. This new lead could mean nothing.”

  “You think so, Corona, because those two hits were on men, business associates who ratted out Porcini and Topaz. You know as damn well as I do that Topaz’s signature killing methods cannot be recreated by someone else. They hung low and are now out for revenge. The question is, are they looking for Jo? Is her father with them? What is the plan here? Do Porcini or Topaz think they can just start anew, even being on the government’s most wanted list?”

  “We know how narcissistic the fuck is. He has no fears. Topaz is a killing machine with friends in low places. Four years, Danny. Four fucking years they’ve gotten away with what they did, and all of us haven’t given up the hope, the pursuit in finding them. I’m worried.”

  “So am I. Have you heard from Ace, Cliff, and Briar?”

  “No.”

  “So maybe they are pursuing a strong lead?”

  “Or they ran into trouble. Last correspondence Briar said they were taking heat and needed to pull back.”

  “Shit. I hope they aren’t taking unnecessary chances. I know how much they want to capture these men, but getting killed over it is a different story.”

  “You do know they’re Special Forces?” Corona said, and Danny could hear the sound of typing over the phone. Corona was Special Forces, as well, and a whiz on computers. He was a numbers guy and did a lot of forensic accounting for private companies besides the government. He had been working hard on a potential money trail of Porcini’s. It’s what kick-started the new agents to give more attention to the case and what happened to Jo.

  “They aren’t invincible. I’m on my way back to Sussex. Let me know if you hear from them.”

  “Will do.”

  He ended the call and thought about his brothers. They were all good men. Despite their father’s stupid decisions in his life, they all turned out pretty damn good. Normal? Maybe not so much, but good guys? Definitely. He hoped either him and his team, the agents investigating the case, or his brothers came up with something before Porcini and Topaz struck again. He had a bad feeling, and when Jo’s brothers found out two main rats were murdered Topaz style, they weren’t going to be happy. Their protection of Jo would go up several notches, and her PTSD could come back, interfering in her new life, and the happiness she built here in Mercy. He had to find Porcini, Topaz, and her father, Ortley. He had to bring this to an
end once and for all. Maybe then she would trust him and his brothers, and accept them as family, since they were all she had left, and her and her brothers were all him and his brothers had left. Her feelings toward his dad may never change, but at least she would be safe. She deserved that after everything she went through four years ago. He sighed and headed back to the house he was renting.

  Chapter 1

  Flynn and Knight stood by the outdoor bar with Avery, Beck, Saber, and Brick, along with Rocky, Paulie, and Hendrick while Faith’s friends were visiting.

  Flynn caught sight of Faith’s friend Joanna, who Faith and the ladies called Jo for short. She was a pretty damn sexy woman. When she entered a room, people took notice. Not just because she had a killer fitness body, but there was a confidence about her, a look in those stunning green eyes that just brought full attention to her tan complexion and bright, white smile. The woman could be on the cover of a fitness magazine. Tonight she wore a sleeveless black top that tied behind her neck and revealed an open back. At the waist, there was beading which hung scattered here and there, landing on her perfectly round ass squeezed into black pants that hugged her curves. The front of the top hid her full breasts, but it was obvious she was well endowed. She wore a pair of heeled sandals and stood about five foot seven in them, so he figured she was about five foot five or six, maybe. Still a lot shorter than his six foot four frame.

  He saw her at the hospital the one time he was there as Faith first arrived. Jo and Afina, plus their friends Amber, Francesca, London, and Melina were very concerned over Faith’s well-being and offered Faith’s men any assistance they needed. They all seemed to share an honest bond and were close. Any fool could see that.

  Flynn adjusted his stance and caught his brother Knight checking her out, as well. She approached and said hello to Rocky, who pulled her into an embrace, then Paulie, and Hendrick next. As Hendrick released her, he introduced her to him and Knight.