"5 CUPS: The characters in this story are unique and the close-knit unit is amazing. I found Julia and Caleb to be very realistic characters. The men in this story make the reader want to believe in real heroes that will do whatever it takes to keep their loved ones safe. Stormy Glenn has created a diverse series of characters that are all fascinating in their own right and encourages the reader to read the stories in order to experience all the characters."--Delane, Coffee Time Romance & More

"4 BLUE RIBBONS: I totally enjoyed this book, readers and fans be aware, while this book does stand on its own, for a better understanding of the series you must read the books of this series in order. I am eagerly awaiting Ms. Glenn's next books in this series, where men are men and the women are just something else. I am definitely looking forward to finding out which brother she chooses next to ace the cupid arrows. Simply wonderful."--jhayboy, Romance Junkies

Chapter 1

Julia Spencer McKenzie opened the door and let herself into the grand estate home she shared with her husband of two months, Samuel McKenzie.

It was a beautiful home, boasting of six bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a large gourmet kitchen, formal dining room and living room, and study, all set on several acres of land in the Boston countryside.

It was from the study that Julia heard voices. Julia laid her sweater down on a small settee in the hallway and walked toward the voices, wondering who Sam was talking to.

"Sam?" she called out as she opened the study door and walked in. The question of who Sam was talking to was answered the moment she stepped into the room.

It was Dr. Daniel Evans, the man her husband Sam was in love with. "Darling, aren't you going to introduce us?" Julia asked as her perfectly manicured hand wrapped around Sam's arm.

She lifted an eyebrow, looking in Daniel's direction when she heard a low growl come from him. It was obvious to her that Daniel didn't like her touching Sam.

It was even worse when Sam wrapped an arm around her waist. She could see the confusion in Daniel's eye warring with his love for Sam. Julia shook her head softly. Her husband could be such an idiot sometimes.

"Dr. Evans, I would like you to meet my wife, Julia. Darling, this is Dr. Daniel Evans, a friend from back west." He looked up right into Daniel's eyes. "He's just dropping by to bring me some news from my brother."

Daniel stared at Sam in total shock. "You're married?" he asked in an agonized whisper.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, we just got back from our honeymoon," Sam replied.

"How long--?" Daniel asked as he shot Sam an agonized glance.

"Julia and I have been married nearly two months," Sam said.

"Aren't you going to congratulate us, Daniel?"

"Yes, of course, congratulations to you both. I'm sure you'll be very happy together." He shot Sam a scathing look. "You two are perfect for each other."

Good god, Daniel was as big a bonehead as Sam was. Julia wished she could lock them both in a room together until they worked everything out.

They belonged together, even if they didn't know it. Julia hadn't wanted to marry Sam any more than he had wanted to marry her. But, feeling there was no other choice, they did what they had to.

Sam had been honest from the moment their honeymoon had started. He was in love with Daniel and theirs would always be a marriage of convenience.

Julia just shook her head again as Daniel grabbed his jacket and walked toward the door, his posture stiff. "Goodbye, Sam," he said before walking out the door.

She could see Sam's shoulders slump as the door slammed behind Daniel. Well, he had certainly burned that bridge. Daniel was never going to forgive Sam after this.

"That was cruel, Sam. You didn't have to hurt him like that." She winced when Sam turned to look at her, the pain of Daniel leaving evident in his eyes. "And I really do not appreciate being used to hurt him."

"I'm sorry, Julia, but you know I had to do it. Daniel and I can never have anything together. You know that more than anyone else. It's better for him to not have any hope," Sam said as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

"Without hope, what reason do we have to get out of bed in the morning?" Julia asked wistfully.

"Do you still hope, Julia? Even now?" Sam asked as he stared down at her.

"Yes, I still hope, Sam," Julia said. "I have to have hope. It's the only thing keeping me alive." She had to have hope that someday her life would be normal. If she didn't she wouldn't be able to make it through a single day.

"So, what did the doctor say?" Sam asked, interrupting Julia's thoughts. "Are you okay?"

Sam had insisted that Julia go to the doctor when she had become ill several weeks after their return from their honeymoon. She had fought him in the beginning but eventually gave in.

Julia smoothed down her skirt and walked to the couch sitting in front of the fireplace. "Define 'okay.'" She laughed bitterly.

"Honey," Sam started as he sat down next to her, taking her cold hands in his. "What's wrong? Are you sick?"

A tear slipped down Julia's face. "I'm pregnant."

Sam inhaled deeply at her news. "Wow, okay, so I guess it worked then," he said in wonder, referring to the artificial insemination they had tried.

After deciding that they were in this mess with their fathers together and they just wanted to be friends, they had secretly used artificial insemination in the hopes of getting Julia pregnant.

They had started the procedure as soon as they left on their honeymoon, using that as an excuse to visit a prominent doctor in Switzerland. Apparently, it had worked.

"Sam, I'm scared. I know we agreed to do this to keep our fathers happy but now that it's actually happened, I'm scared. I don't want them to get their hands on our baby. Look at what they did to us. What do you think they will do to a defenseless little baby?"

Sam shook his head. "I don't know, Julia. But we'll figure it out." He pulled Julia into his arms and hugged her close.

Julia was so upset that her whole body shook. "Are you upset about the baby?" she asked in a quiet whisper.

"No, honey, I'm not." Pulling Julia onto his lap he tucked her head under his chin. "How could I be upset that you're having our baby?"

"Oh Sam, I wish we really loved each other," Julia cried as she cuddled into Sam's strong arms. "I wish things were different."

Things would have been so much easier if they had loved each other. But Julia wouldn't begrudge Sam his feelings for Daniel. It was what she suspected kept Sam hoping, even if he didn't realize it.

"I know, honey, I wish we did, too. But we can't choose who we love. But if I could ever love a woman, it would be you. I hope you know that. You have a lot to offer the right man. I'm just sorry I'm not that man."

"Me too," Julia murmured quietly. "I'm sorry I'm not the man for you."

"Not enough hair on your face," Sam chuckled. "But I'll always be here to take care of you, Julia. I won't let anything happen to you."

"You can't stop it, Sam," Julia said as she sat up straight. "Once they find out I'm pregnant, you know what will happen."

Sam nodded.

Trying to get Julia pregnant had been a gamble but they had felt like they had no choice at the time. They had gotten a lot of pressure from both of their fathers. Now it seemed really stupid but there wasn't much they could do about it.

"Don't say anything right away. Let's just keep this between us. I'll think of something." Sam began formulating ideas in his head on how to get them both out of the situation that they were in with their lives intact.

Julia nodded. "Our fathers will figure out I'm pregnant eventually, so think fast."

"I'll think of something, Julia. I promise."

Julia set her book down when she heard the front door open and hurried from her bedroom. She hoped that it was Sam. It had been nearly two months since Daniel had left and Sam had begun plans for them to escape.

Julia knew that if they didn't hurry, it would be too late. She was already starting to show. A few more weeks and Arthur McKenzie and Douglas Spencer would know she was pregnant.

Then all hell would break loose. If Sam could get everything in order, they were going to flee the country until after the baby was born. After that, who knew?

Coming down the stairs, Julia was stunned to see her father, Douglas, standing in the entryway taking his coat off and handing it to James, the house-man.

"Father?" she asked in confusion as she walked up to him. "Is something wrong?" Besides him being in the house when Sam wasn't here.

Julia could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand up as an uneasy feeling passed through her. She didn't like the way that her father looked at her.

A father just shouldn't look at his daughter the way he did. It gave her the creeps and made her wish that Sam were here. Julia fisted her hands at her side as she braced herself for what was about to come. She just knew she wasn't going to like it.

"Do I need a reason to visit you, my dear?" Douglas asked as he reached over and grabbed her by the elbow, escorting her into the study, shutting the door behind them.

"No, of course not, father," Julia said. She hoped she didn't sound as frightened as she felt. Her heart was beating so fast she wouldn't be surprised if he could hear it.

"I decided I needed to know how things are going between you and Samuel. I see you so rarely since you got married, Julia," Douglas said.

"Oh, we're just getting settled. That's all. It's hard to get used to living with someone, you know?" Julia said quickly. Maybe too quickly by the calculating look that Douglas gave her.

"How hard?" Douglas asked.

Julia's brows drew together as she frowned. "I don't understand. How hard is what?"

"How hard is it for you to get used to living with Samuel?" Douglas asked.

"What do you mean? Sam is very easy to live with."

"What I am asking, my dear, is whether you've started on that grandson for me. I am not getting any younger, you know. I want to enjoy my grandson before I'm too old."

"Are so sure that I will have a son?" Julia asked. She briefly wondered if they had figured out she was pregnant but dropped that idea when she saw the look in her father's eyes.

"Of course you will have a son, Julia. I will accept nothing less," Douglas said as he walked over to stand next to her. "It's your duty to provide me with an heir."

Julia took a step back from her father. She felt crowded and just a little threatened by how close he stood to her. "My duty?"

"Yes, Julia," Douglas said as he turned and walked over to the study door and opened it, admitting Arthur McKenzie, Sam's father. He turned to look back at Julia, a smirk on his face.

"Arthur and I have been waiting for months for you and Sam to provide us with our heir. Since Sam so obviously has failed in that duty..."

"I will take care of it," Arthur said as he advanced on Julia.

Julia shook her head, shock filling her and freezing her feet in place as she stared at her father in horror. "We're trying, I swear."

"You know, Julia, it would be a shame if anything happened to Robin. She's my only grandchild. At least, until you provide me with another one."

"Robin?" Julia exclaimed, her hand fluttering against her throat. "What do you mean? Nothing's going to happen to Robin."

"And nothing will, if you cooperate," Arthur added.

"Yes, Julia, Arthur is correct," Douglas said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. "When I picked her up from school today, I was so glad nothing had happened to her."

"School? You picked Robin up from school?" Julia whispered. She was sure her heart had stopped in her chest as she realized that Douglas had her daughter. "Why?"

"To insure that nothing bad happened to her, of course," Douglas said as he dialed a number on his cell phone. "Would you like to speak to her?"

Julia's hands trembled as she reached for the phone and held it to her ear. "Robin?"

"Mommy?" said a small voice on the other end. "Can I come home now? I don't like it at Grandpa's house. He's not very nice."

"Soon, baby, I promise," Julia whispered as tears began to stream down her face. Julia spoke with Robin for a few more moments, then closed the phone and handed it back to her father.

She knew that if she didn't do what they wanted, something horrible would happen to Robin. It might not kill her ... maybe a broken arm or something, but she would be hurt.

"What do you want me to do?" Julia asked as she looked at Douglas and Arthur. She had no choice. They had her daughter. She had to do whatever they wanted her to do.

"Just do what Arthur says," Douglas said as he headed for the door. "He'll take good care of you, Julia, and ensure that any child you have is a McKenzie."

Julia's eyes widened in sudden comprehension as she watched her father walk away, leaving her alone with Arthur. She quickly began to back up as Arthur advanced on her.

"Time for us to start the next generation, Julia."

Sam closed the front door and handed the butler his jacket. "Thank you, James."

He had been out all day organizing and setting up things with a private attorney his father knew nothing about. If his father knew that Sam had arranged to leave and take Julia, and their baby with him, all hell would break out. Julia was nearly four months along and starting to show. They didn't have much time left.

He needed just a few more days to get his plans into action before they could leave. Sam planned on taking Julia on a romantic getaway just for the two of them.

From there, they would spend the next several months traveling until the baby came. Once the baby arrived, then they could make legal preparations for everyone's safety. But they had to leave before either of their fathers knew Julia was pregnant or the entire plan would fall apart.

"Is Mrs. McKenzie home?" Sam asked the butler as he headed for the living room.

"Mrs. McKenzie is upstairs, sir. I believe she is talking with your father." Sam could hear the concern in James's voice. Sam wasn't too thrilled with it either.

Sam had hired James just before he married Julia for her protection at the recommendation of a friend from the service. He had wanted someone not connected to his father in the house, someone that couldn't be bought, to be around for Julia when he could not.

James was a fifty-seven year old retired Navy SEAL who stood six foot two and weighed at least two hundred twenty five pounds. He was built like a brick shithouse with muscles from the top of his bald head to the bottom of his toes.

It had quickly become apparent that James and Sam's father did not get along when Sam's father had tried to strong-arm his way into the house. James had made him wait until Sam appeared before letting him leave the entryway. Nope, James definitely did not like Sam's father. And that just made Sam like James even more.

Sam nodded at James and headed up the stairs. He checked the upstairs family room, then Julia's den but found them empty. A sinking feeling began in his stomach as he ran toward Julia's bedroom. He tried the door but it was locked. He could hear faint crying noises coming from inside.

Running to his bedroom Sam ran through the connecting closet and into Julia's room. He stopped suddenly, shocked by what he saw. His father had his small delicate wife pinned to the bed as he tried to rape her.

"Stop!" Sam yelled as he pulled his father off of Julia and pushed him away before pulling Julia into his arms, protecting her from his father.

Holding Julia with one hand, Sam grabbed a blanket off the bed and wrapped it around her bruised and nearly naked body before setting her carefully on the bed before standing to confront his father.

"What the hell are you doing?" he asked, feeling rage fill his body at what his father tried to do to Julia. His hands clenched into fists as he glared at him. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Obviously what you have failed to do," Arthur yelled at Sam as he began zipping up his slacks. "All we asked of you was to give us an heir. But could you do that one little thing? No, so we decided I would take care of it for you."

Sam's jaw dropped in shock. "You decided to rape my wife because I didn't get her pregnant? And who the hell is we?"

"I wasn't raping her. She wanted it just as much as I did. Ask her, just ask her. Her father said she's always wanted it," Arthur shouted as he pointed at Julia.

Sam heard a whimper come from Julia's huddled form on the bed and saw red. He pulled back his fist and punched his father in the mouth. Another punch had Arthur falling to the floor, his lip bleeding.

"Get the hell out of my house and don't ever, ever, come back here again. Julia is my wife and you will never lay your grubby little hands on her again. And you can tell the same thing to her father."

Sam grabbed Arthur by the back of his shirt and threw him out the bedroom door after unlocking it. "James!" Sam yelled as he pushed his father down the hallway. James came running up the stairs faster than Sam thought the older man could run.

"Please escort my father out. He is no longer welcome in this house. That goes for Mrs. McKenzie's father as well. If either of them attempt to get into the house, or anyone connected with them, call the police immediately."

"Yes, sir!" James grabbed Arthur by the back of his shirt and started escorting him to the door when Arthur began yelling.

"Get your hands off of me! You can't do this to me! Do you have any idea who I am? I'll make you pay for this! Mark my words, Samuel, I will make you pay for this!"

Sam stood there until James slammed the door on his sputtering father. Then he started up the stairs. "James, call my attorney and tell him to get his ass over here now. Then I want you to lock up the house. No one, and I mean no one, is to get into the house without my express permission, understood?"

"Yes, sir, of course, right away," James replied.

Sam ran down the hallway and into the bedroom to find Julia huddled in the corner of the room, the blankets pulled protectively around her. She made no sound but Sam could see the tears streaming down her bruised face.

He walked slowly over to her and picked her up in his arms. Sitting on the side of the bed he began rubbing her back. "It's okay, honey. He won't ever get to you again. I swear it, Julia."

Julia started sobbing, her whole body shaking in reaction to the assault. "My father came over. He said that I had a duty to give him an heir. He--he said that since you couldn't do it, that Arthur would. Then at least it would still be a McKenzie child. Then he let Arthur in."

Sam just held Julia as she cried, letting her get it out anyway she had to. "Tell me what happened, honey."

"Arthur pulled me into the bedroom after my father left. When I tried to stop him he hit me. He told me over and over again while he hit me that I had a duty to provide them with an heir."

"Did he--?" Sam didn't want to ask but he knew he had to. He needed to know how bad the damage was before he took action.

Julia shook her head. "No, you came in before he could do anything. But what if he tries again, Sam? What if they find out about the baby?" Julia suddenly stiffened in Sam's arms. "Oh my god, Sam, what if something happened to the baby?"

"Honey, I'm sure the baby is fine. Everyone knows that they can take a lot. Just think, that little guy is safe and sound in his own little world. He'll be fine."

"So you think it's a boy then?" Julia asked hesitantly.

"Honey, I don't care if it's the tooth fairy as long as long as he, or she, is safe and happy."

Sam held Julia until she stopped crying and fell asleep. He gently lay her down on the bed and covered her up. She looked so tired, so small and delicate as she curled up on the bed. Sam still couldn't believe that their fathers had planned this. They had actually planned the cold brutal rape of his wife.

He quietly shut the door behind him and headed downstairs to the study. Opening the door he ignored his attorney, Ethane Thomas, sitting on the couch and went straight to the liquor cabinet, pouring himself a stiff drink before swallowing it down in one gulp. He closed his eyes briefly as the whiskey burned down his throat before turning to Ethane.

"Thank you for coming, Ethane. Things have gotten ... complicated." Sam poured himself another drink and one for Ethane before handing it to him as he sat down on the couch beside him.

"Our illustrious fathers have decided that they want an heir no matter what the cost. While I met with you they came over and decided since I could not impregnate my wife, my father would. At least then they would be assured that the baby was a McKenzie."

"But I thought you told me that your wife was already pregnant," Ethane said, cocking his head to one side in confusion.

"She is, but we didn't tell them that. In fact, we kept it from them just because of things like this. You have to understand, Ethane, our fathers have never been told no. They have always gotten everything they ever wanted at the drop of a hat. And they want an heir."

"I don't get it. Aren't you and Julia their heirs?"

"Yes, and no. My father hasn't ever been able to completely control my brother or me. He doesn't like that. He wants an heir that is totally under his thumb, one made to think just like him. I'm not it. Neither is my brother."

"So what do you want to do now?" Ethane asked.

"I have to get Julia out of here. I've told James that neither of our fathers is welcome here but that will only stop them for so long. My main concern is for Julia and the baby. They have to be safe. I couldn't care less about my inheritance. Neither could Julia. We just want our baby safe."

"So what would you like me to do?"

Sam stared down at the crystal glass in his hands for several moments before he could speak again. He was still full of anger at what the fathers had done.

"They tried to rape her, Ethane. I stopped my father before he could but he hurt her."

"What?" Ethane exclaimed. Then he suddenly snapped his fingers. "Sam, that's it."

"What's it?" Sam asked confused, trying to remember what he had said.

"If they tried to rape her, we have them." Ethane nearly laughed at the confused look on Sam's face. "Evidence, man, evidence, but we need to act quickly. Has Julia taken a shower yet?"

"No, she's sleeping upstairs," Sam said slowly. "I see where you're going with this, but I don't want the police involved, not yet. Not until I know Julia is safe."

"She has to see a doctor, Sam, get pictures, a rape kit, the works. And we do need to inform the police," Ethane insisted.

"I know, but now is not the time to go public with this. That would be like waving a red flag in front of a bull," Sam said as he shook his head. "No, we have to do this quietly."

"If we take her to the hospital they may want to call the police. Do you have another suggestion?" Ethane inquired.

"I just might."