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We both laugh. We fall silent, staring into each other’s eyes.

“It was a great night, baby,” he whispers.

“It was…Sir,” I whisper back.

He kisses me gently, but pulls away quickly. “Bash has some information. That was the main reason I let them stay.”

“It can’t be good. Did you thank him?”

“No yet,” he mutters.

“I’m glad he was there.”

“Shit, I’ll do it. Get dressed.” He stands up, sliding me down his body, and I tingle. “Fuck, let’s get this over with.” He drops his head to my shoulder, right over his mark.

“Put a shirt on.” His eyes crinkle as he pulls away.

“Why?”

“Is Penny here?” I ask instead of answering.

“Yes.”

“And Sally?”

“Yes.”

“That’s why.”

I grab clothes and walk to the bathroom, his laughter following me.

I hurried and put on the jeans from last night and another shirt from Elijah’s. My hair is a mess so I just brush it and throw it up in a bun. I don’t worry about shoes or makeup. Now that Elijah isn’t clouding my brain, my stomach knots at the prospect of what Bash has to say.

Elijah thought he was being sneaky asking his friends for help, but I had a talk with Penny and she told me about the work some of them do. I knew it wouldn’t be long until they all knew about everything and offered to help.

Elijah might complain about them, and treat them as pests, but they are his family. They want to help. He doesn’t know how lucky he is to have them. I was uncertain if I should allow them into the ugliness that Grant will bring here. Not that I think I could stop it. But I am almost certain this is going to be my home—or wherever Elijah is.

Is it so wrong to lean on someone else for a change?

I have worried every minute for so long, it feels nice to give away some of the burden.

I open the front door and see the crowded porch.

Sally is talking a mile a minute to Penny, who seems to not hate it, her head nodding every so often. Her mates are standing at her back. Laken is scowling at nothing in particular. Bishop is grinning at his mate and Sally.

The lions are talking quietly to each other. Logan fights to keep the stern look on his face. Elijah hasn’t told me much about him but you can tell by the pain in his eyes it affected him greatly. Las is joking around with Lucas and Logan can’t help tipping his lips up.

Elijah did put on a shirt but it blew in the breeze since he didn’t button it. He is leaning on the rail beside Bash but staring at me. I smile stupidly back.

Fuck, he’s just so hot. The memories of the night bring a flush to my skin.

“Are you going to eye-fuck your mate all morning or greet your guests? Some of us have traveled a long way to see you,” Sally reprimands but grins wide.

“Sally,” I say in exasperation. “Good morning. Did you find a place to stay?”

“Don’t worry about that.” She hugs me. “How was your night?” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“You are ridiculous,” I laugh.