His intent for death had never been more clear and now I felt a need to get even. Before when he shot Declan, it wasn’t as big of an ordeal. I felt to blame then, but this time I wasn’t to blame. This time the intent was clear.
“Yes, I think…” I tell him, but honestly, I don’t know. I’m feeling a bit numb right now. Glancing down at the cut on my shoulder, it looks nasty, blood seeps from the wound, the gash crooked, and probably needing some stitches. Christ… the wound hurts, but right now it’s nothing more than a low throb, a dull ache in comparison to what it could have been had Declan and Trey not gotten there when they did.
I’m not stupid. I know I should be terrified right now, huddling in the corner and curling in on myself, but all I can think of is how we aren’t dead and how the guys saved me, protected me.
My feet move on their own, following Declan’s every step. We move up two flights of stairs and down a long corridor. Sunlight filters in from what looks to have been a door at one point and time. I step out of the building, sucking in a greedy breath of fresh air. A light wind blows, sending my hair into my face, and I’ve never been happier feeling the air and the sun on my skin. Wes’s arms never loosen their hold on me, not even as we walk around the building and down an alleyway.
With a fast walking speed, we make it to a car, one that I had seen in the parking garage just this morning. Declan gets into the back with me, ushering me inside gently, while Trey gets into the driver’s seat, and Wes climbs into the passenger seat.
“I think we got lucky. No one saw us leaving. We killed everyone on sight,” Trey says as he starts the car and we drive away.
“They didn’t expect us to find you,” Declan says next to me while holding onto my arm and inspecting the wound.
“Well, they thought fucking wrong.” Wes’s voice is hostile, deep, and dark. “I want him fucking dead. I want to bury his entire organization. I want every single one of those corrupt fuckers to pay.” His fist comes down slamming into the dashboard with brute force. I don’t even jump at the contact or his outburst of rage. I understand how he’s feeling, because I’m feeling the same way. Weeks ago, I hadn’t believed them, didn’t want to. I wholeheartedly expected my father to come to my rescue and when he didn’t it… well, it more than stung. But he didn’t want me. I was trash in his eyes. Broken.
“He’ll die, brother. He’ll pay for everything he did,” Trey tries to soothe Wes but I can tell he’s barely restraining himself. He looks like Hulk, seconds away from exploding into a green giant.
“She’s going to need some stitches. The bastard got her good,” Declan says, more to his brothers than to me. I feel his hot breath against my cheek and I turn in his hold to see his face. His brown eyes drink me in, they’re soft, softer than I’ve ever seen them before.
“I was...when I saw the blood, I was afraid we had gotten there too late.”
His confession is startling, and not because I don’t expect him to feel the way he’s feeling but because he’s never been this open with how he feels before.
“I’ll live,” I smile. “It’s just a little cut. Nothing a couple stitches can’t fix, right?” I try and make light of the situation, but Declan shakes his head, his hand reaching for me, cupping my cheek gently. His touch comforts me and I want to lean into it, but before I do, he does something he’s never done before, he leans in and kisses me. His warm lips mold to mine perfectly and shit, color me shocked.
His lips are soft and careful, the complete opposite of everything I’ve come to know about him. I’m stunned and amazed all at once. I didn’t think Declan was capable of being tender, or kind. I melt into his touch, wanting to be closer to him, closer than I already am. The kind of close that involves no clothing. I crawl onto his lap and he welcomes me with open arms, pulling me into his strong, big body, holding me to his chest as tightly as he can without crushing me, all while keeping his lips against mine.
He savors me, drinking from my lips like I’m a fine wine. His tongue probes against my bottom lip, and I open for him letting our tongues tango for a long moment. He tastes like chocolate and smells like sin. I want to let him have his way with me. I want to let him devour me but before I can make good on the thought two throats clear, and Declan pulls away, a shit-eating grin on his lips.
“Save us some, asshole,” Trey grumbles.
“I’ve got a special orgasm for you, Princess, to make up for the pain that you went through today.” Wes’s gaze bleeds into mine, and I nod, biting into my swollen bottom lip. It’s insane how attracted I am to these men, how much I yearn for them, their touch, both gentle and rough. It’s like we were all made for each other.
“I love you,” I whisper, the words just slip out. I didn’t even know I was going to say them until they were already hanging in the air. I freeze for a second, regretting that I said them, not because I didn’t mean them, but because a part of me is still scared of being rejected. What if my admission pushes them away? What if they don’t love me back? What if I just confessed something that changes everything and not for the better?
Wes, who was already looking at me, just continues to stare back at me. I think he is just as shocked as I am at the words. But he doesn’t look angry, which is far better than I expected. Declan reaches out for me, making me turn back to look at him, and just like a few seconds ago, the words just float out again.
“I love you,” I say, looking straight at Declan this time.
He lifts his arms and takes my face between both of his hands.
“When we get home, we’re going to show you just how much we love you too. How much you’re ours and how much we are yours.”
And just like that, all is right in the world again.