“Even with that.” I swallowed. “Yates, after this, it feels good to be protected and safe. I know it’s going to sound crazy…but if something makes you feel better, even if it’s something like tracking me, it will probably make me feel better.”
His gaze darkened. “Yeah? I don’t know about that, bunny. I worry you are going to get tired of just how invasive I am in your life. There isn’t anything you do or say that I don’t have access to.”
I tried to find the words for how I felt about that. “I…I like that, Yates. A lot. I prefer it that way. You guys have been my entire life for so long that it doesn’t feel intrusive. I won’t ever get tired of it.”
Yates gave me a heated kiss and then helped me off the desk, tucking me into his side as he led me towards the door to the Ross secret room. I blushed, remembering how such a short time ago, King had laid me out on the couch down here…
I tilted my head as we entered the room.
Where the hell did that couch go? No seriously, this was new furniture.
“He ordered new furniture and had the old stuff placed in his room,” Yates said, reading my mind. I blushed as he offered me an amused look, one that clearly said that I shouldn’t be surprised by any of this. I wasn’t, to be fair—it was King, and if there were a lot of men that came in here outside of our group, that would probably drive him crazy.
Walking through the space, I realized how different I felt compared to before. I was no longer being blindsided by information, rather the opposite. I may have been through hell, but I felt like I knew my place in this world now.
Dermot motioned me forward, King’s gaze on me from where he leaned against a table in the weapons room. I wanted to say something to him, but I had no idea what to say to make him feel better. I felt someone, Stratton I believe, pull my hair back into a ponytail as Dermot slipped a bulletproof vest over my shoulders. Everyone else was getting ready, and the quiet conversation made me feel far better than before.
“You moved the couches out of here.”
My statement had King blinking, confusion almost crossing his features, before he let out a low sound in the back of his throat. I let out a small squeak as he moved forward and cupped my jaw, searing a kiss to my lips before retreating towards a wall of weapons. I looked up at Dermot, who was muttering something under his breath.
“What?” I winced slightly as he strapped my vest together. I hadn’t told them just how hard Max had hit me in the stomach, and I felt like it would only serve as a distraction right now.
“Just be careful, baby girl. I can tell you’re still in pain, and I don’t trust King to recognize that while interacting with you. Not right now,” Dermot admitted.
“You think he would hurt me?”
“I don’t think he would mean to, but I also don’t think you’re up for another moment like the one in the SUV,” he hedged. I made a sound of agreement, because as much as I wanted these boys, my body was a bit sore. Although, the thought of them touching me, buried inside of me…maybe that wasn’t such a bad idea. It would for sure relax me. I willfully ignored the heat rolling through me, instead letting Dermot outfit me with more protective gear.
When he walked away, Stratton appeared in front of me. “How are you feeling, honestly?”
I knew Stratton wanted the truth. I knew he did, and I knew he would be hurt if I lied to him. “Not great,” I admitted quietly. “The medicine has worn off, but I don’t want to take more right now because it makes everything hazy.” I paused, seeing his eyes fill with warmth at me confiding in him. “Plus, Max hit me pretty hard, but I don’t want to worry about it right now because I just want this over with.”
Stratton’s eyes flared, his gaze moving over the red mark that was no doubt in the shape of Max’s handprint. “I want you to stay by my side, and if you start feeling any worse than you are now, tell me. I know I can’t convince you to stay back, but I need to know you are going to be okay.”
“Promise.” I went up on my toes to kiss him, letting out a happy hum as he deepened it.
“Good girl.”
Oh man, I did not want to analyze those words right now. When he crouched down to re-tie the shoes I was wearing, emotion caught in my throat. I could tell he was just doing it for my safety, but something about the action, especially with how dominant Stratton was, caused my chest to squeeze.
“When this is done, you’re learning how to shoot,” Dermot announced.
Yates muttered a curse but didn’t disagree, coming over and tightening my ponytail. The twins were talking quietly, and I could practically see the stress rolling off them. I needed to make sure they were okay, but first…
I turned into Yates and spoke quietly. “I promise you are still the one protecting me, I just want to be able to also do it…especially once we have kids.”
His eyes, which were hard with frustration, melted just a smidge as he exhaled roughly. “Alright, bunny.”
“Wow, that was easier than I thought.”
“You’ll find that bringing up marriage, kids, or any other way to tie you to me forever will work similarly,” he grunted, almost seeming upset with himself. Then he grinned. “Plus, I am eager to get to the part where we kill these fuckers.”
How the heck had I missed this bloodlust before?
“I’m ready to get rid of them,” Lincoln agreed. “The Denim Moths deserve whatever is coming to them.”
“Which is a lot.” Sterling smirked, offering me a wink that totally did not fit the context of this situation but still had me smiling.