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Nodding in agreement and batting tears from their eyes, the boys followed Stuart to his car and left. Leaving my home somewhat empty for the first time in a while. When the door closes behind them, I let out a long breath and try to relax my shoulders, rolling my head on my neck to try to relieve some of the ache that’s been building up.

Keeley is sniffling, sad that her friends have left, and Mabel holds her with an arm around her shoulders. “Hey, you wanna go swimming?” she asks her little sister. Keeley nods looking up with watery eyes. Mabel looks at me. “That okay?”

I nod, forcing a smile. I’m so exhausted, I would rather lie down for an hour but if Keeley needs a happy distraction, I would be happy to provide that for her.

“Why don’t you guys go and change, I’ll ask Guinevere to accompany you in the pool,” Harvey says. “Annika and I have some work to do.”

They nod and run off while I look at him questioningly. “Work?”

“Mmhm.” He nods, turning to face me, standing so close, our bodies are plastered together. His hands come to my hips and grip them hard as he bends to trail the tip of his nose up the column of my neck. “Very important work.”

It feels like a weight pulls on my lower belly, my breath catching in my throat as his warmth surrounds me and the smell of limes hits my nose. “Wh-what work?”

“First, I’m going to spend no less than thirty minutes working the knots out of your shoulders. I’m going to get you nice and relaxed, jelly in my arms. Then, when you can barely move, I’m going to tie you down and sink my cock into your tight wet cunt until you’re begging for mercy,rainha. How does that sound?”

He may have already accomplished the jelly stage of his plan; I’m barely holding myself up. I slide my hands up his arms until I can twine my fingers together at the back of his neck. Pressing a kiss to his lips, I pull away smiling when he tries to deepen it, holding what little power I can over this man. “That sounds acceptable, I guess.”

“Hm, I’m going to have to remind you how to speak to me with respect,rainha.”

“I look forward to it,” I whisper against his lips. I’m about to go in for another kiss when he mutters an aggravated curse under his breath. “What’s wrong?”

He pulls back and digs his phone out of his pocket frowning at the screen before accepting a call. “Campos. Right. Okay. Letthem in.” He looks at me as he slides his phone back in his pocket. “Rain check, we have visitors.”

I can’t help the resting bitch face I’m sporting as The Daos sit opposite me in my home office. Well, Lance and Hayden sit opposite me as I only have two chairs and Brent stands behind them in his usual arms crossed pose. Harvey mirrors him behind me.

“Was it necessary for all three of you to come?” I grumble.

Hayden just smiles. “Don’t pretend you didn’t miss me, darl?”

I glare at him before turning my attention to his husband. “What’s this about?”

He rests his elbows on the arms of his chair, steepling his fingers in front of his chest. I hate to admit it but I kind of feel Lance Preston and I are kindred spirits; he is mostly cold and distant just like me and can conduct business without emotions getting in the way. It’s what is giving me hope that I might be able to make some kind of relationship work. Whether that’s a family unit with the girls or even extending that to include Harvey in my life in a more official capacity, it seems plausible. After all, if Lance can find happiness with the girl and men of his dreams, why can’t I?

“We wanted to check in,” Lance says breaking me out of that train of thought. “And to update you on a couple of things.”

“Check in on me?” I ask frowning. “You don’t trust that I would take care of those kids?”

His lips twitch up in amusement. “No, Annika. We wanted to make sure you’re okay. It’s a lot you’ve had to deal with over the last week. It must have taken its toll. Are you doing okay?”

My eyes dart between the three men opposite me. They are all looking at me with genuine concern. Brent’s is a little scowl-like but it’s there, Hayden is in a rare moment of seriousness, and Lance is stoic but sincere. It takes me off guard slightly but for the first time, I allow myself to believe that they care. “I’m okay,” I confirm. “It’s been a lot, but we’ve managed.” I look up at Harvey and he smiles back.

“That’s good,” Lance nods. “I’m glad.”

“What are the other updates?” I roll my shoulders, wanting the meeting over with so I can get started on the massage I was promised.

“We sent the descriptions the kids were able to give us on the other men they saw at the house to Ruby,” Brent says. “She has found us some possible suspects from her known Kukri list. We’ve sent them to Stuart and he’s already shown them to the twins. They have identified these three.” He places three photographs on my desk. “We’ve sent these out to our generals and told them that if any of these men are found on Dao territory, they’re to be killed on sight.”

I nod, picking up the photos of three seemingly normal men who have done unspeakable things. “I’ll do the same.” I pass the photos to Harvey knowing he’ll arrange the communication. “Anything else.”

There’s a pause and I raise my brows expectantly until Brent sighs and drops his arms to his side. “Remember we told you we’d been contact by an anonymous number?”

“Yes.”

“They have been in touch again.” He puts his phone on the desk, and I read the latest text.

UNKNOWN: Volkov knows you are working with The Talons. You are now a target. Watch your backs.

I look up at them again and they’re all staring at the phone with varying degrees of frustration. “You think this is genuine or some prank?”