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It felt good.

“I’m so sorry,” Carter said. She felt something hot drip on her, and she pulled her head back to see that he was crying.

“Shhh, not your fault.” She cradled his face in her hands. It was awkward, but she was driven to soothe him.

“Your poor face!” he said, voice thick with tears. “If I’d been there, they wouldn’t have taken you and Bec. You wouldn’t have gotten hurt! You might have—”

“They had a plan,” Mila said. “They were going to find or make an opportunity to grab me. If not at the cliff, then maybe in the bathroom at the restaurant. We couldn’t have known I was being targeted."

The tears slowed, but she could tell it was going to be a while before Carter stopped blaming himself.

“I’m equally at fault,” Gio said. “There were rumors of tooth-pullers in the region banding together, but I ignored it. They’re usually opportunistic, and I’ve never heard of more than one or two working together. My arrogance almost got you killed.”

Mila dropped her hands from Carter’s face. She needed to be standing for this conversation. Thankfully being near the two men was already making her feel so much better. The throbbing in her face was minimal, and she was starting to be able to see out of her injured eye again.

“Put me down,” she demanded. With obvious reluctance, Gio set her on her feet.

“Mila, I’ll understand if—”

She interrupted him. “Don’t say you’ll understand if I want to leave.”

She took one of Gio’s hands in hers. When she reached for Carter’s hand, he was already presenting it. Warmth flowed between the three of them, giving her energy and strength.

She forced her face into a reassuring expression. “I’m not an idiot, so why would you think I’d blame you for any of this?”

Gio’s expression relaxed, and Carter’s shoulders sagged a little. She continued talking because this was important. “No one is to blame except Brad, Dave, and the men who followed him.”

“I promise, they’ll never be a danger to anyone ever again,” Gio said with deep satisfaction. She assumed they were all dead, but where had the bodies gone? Mila didn’t ask because she didn’t want to know.

“I wasn’t scared,” Mila lied. “I knew you’d rescue me.” That wasn’t a lie.

“Is that why you drove the truck through the back wall?” Carter teased.

“I was trying to help you guys out,” Mila said. “I would’ve been even more helpful if there hadn’t been a ditch.”

The men chuckled, but she could tell it was forced. At least she didn’t see deep guilt on their faces anymore.

“I need to check on my parents,” Mila said. “But after that, can we go home?”

The men crowded close, almost smothering her with their bodies and bathing her in their warmth. That was answer enough.

Chapter 29

Mila

“Hey! Haven’t you ever heard of personal space?”

Bec’s aggravated words made Mila pull out of the group cuddle with Gio and Carter. They all turned to see Danzig, still in snake form, rubbing the side of his head against her.

“I want to smell like you,” he said, his low voice needy.

“I didn’t know world serpents had fated mates,” Gio said. “I hope she likes twins because if she’s fated to Danzig, then she must be fated to Marduk. Those two don’t do anything apart."

“What?” Bec squeaked as she tried to push Danzig’s head away. She must’ve heard Gio. “Twins?”

“You’ll love my brother,” Danzig said. “He’s great. I’m the prettier one though.”

Mila knew Bec was still questioning her sanity, but she wasn’t in distress. Bec handled distress with violence, either against a punching bag or face. If Bec really didn’t want Danzig to touch her, she’d poke an eye out. The fact that she was complaining without action told Mila that her friend was conflicted.