Page 19 of Sinful Seduction

Thanks again, Jayla

Jayla laid the note on the table and walked out the back door.She’d watched Diego go left, so she was headed right.She wished now she’d been awake for the drive, so she knew approximately how long she would have to walk.

She hadn’t gone a mile before she swallowed the scream that filled her lungs.Three very large men with guns cradled against their chests stood in her path.She’d only walked for a little more than half an hour, and already she was in trouble.The three men stood silent and stared like they’d never seen a woman before.

Jayla cleared her throat.“Hi, my name’s Jayla.”

The older man in the middle spoke for all of them.“I’m Rey, and these here are my sons, Johnny and Jacky.”He paused for a moment.“Now, why is a little girl like you out in these woods all alone?”

Jayla tried hard to stay calm.“I was put here in a cabin a mile back, and I don’t want to be there.Is there a chance you can show me the way out?I’d appreciate it.I have a little money to offer.”

“You were kidnapped?”

“No.I came willingly, but I’d rather be on my own.”

“I want to keep her, Pa.”

Jayla gasped and took a step back.

Rey scowled at his son.“You’re scaring her, now hush.”He turned back to Jayla.“He doesn’t mean any harm.Where do you think you’re headed, Miss?”

“Please call me Jayla.I’m headed to a place where I have friends.”She hoped he couldn’t tell she was lying.

Rey’s head cocked to the side.“Where’s your family?”

“My mom and dad died when I was young.I don’t have any other relatives.I’ve been an orphan practically my whole life.”

“That’s a damn shame, girl.We’d be happy to take you in with us.”

Jayla’s heart about stopped.So far, it had been cordial, but she suspected at any second it could turn ugly.“That’s a kind offer, but I really have to move on.”She kept her voice even and pointed over their shoulders.“If I keep heading that way, will I be out of the forest soon?”

All three chuckled.“No, Miss.You won’t be out of our woods here for many miles.”Rey scratched his chin, then turned his head and spat a stream of tobacco spit on the ground.

Jayla swallowed back her disgust and fear as the grip on her bag tightened.Did she have any chance of getting away from them if she ran?Not a chance in hell.“That’s okay.If you’d just point me in the right direction, I’d appreciate it.”

“We can’t let a woman walk alone through our woods.Do you have any idea how many things can hurt you out here?”

Jayla shivered at the lust-filled expressions on all their faces.She had a good idea.Three were standing in front of her now.

“But she’s not alone.”

All three men stiffened and jerked, bringing up their guns when Diego stepped out of the trees to the left of them.He slowly walked to Jayla and took her hand, squeezing it when he felt her shaking.

Oh, my God.Where had he come from?She’d never been so happy to see anyone in her life.

“I’m Diego, and this here’s my woman.Now, is there going to be any trouble?”

Rey spat a stream of tobacco out of his mouth.“Why exactly are you in our woods?And why did she say she was alone when her man was nearby?”

“We are visiting the cabin a mile back,” Beau said from the other side of the path.

Everyone but Diego jerked when Beau stepped out of the woods and moved to the other side of Jayla.

“There’s a party, and no one invited me?”Beau commented sarcastically.

After the tension settled a bit and they relaxed, Rey and his boys laughed.

Rey watched as Beau’s arm curved around her waist.“Oh, you’re one of them families?”