Page 82 of Christmas With The Kings

“We never need words, do we, little love?” he murmured, lifting a hand to my face and caressing it.

The presence of Alek and Nik was strong, winding around us, like it always did when there was vulnerability on the table. Unity and something close to pride radiated from them in waves.

I reached for them, my heart swelling with love and affection. I brought them closer, so we formed a semicircle.

Alek huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “I’m thinking we’re screwed and didn’t win, Crow.” His tone carried warmth.

Nik’s dimple flashed, and my breath caught in my throat. “Screwed? Nice choice of words, Brother. I say, we’re blessed. But I’ll admit—the fact she’s about to name the freaking baby the winner, is making me crave a drink first.”

“A drink huh? You’re being silly,” I caressed his tattoo and then raised my eyes to meet theirs. “Each and every one of you has touched me in ways that are seared into me, forever.”

“You taking notes, Dancer,” Bash drawled, elbowing Pasha.

Pasha snorted under his breath, muttering loud enough to be heard, “Yeah, clearly I’m in need of some classes or something. I don’t think any woman has ever said those words to me.”

“Yeah, and mine’s not gonna,” Alek barked. “Remember you had your chance.”

That jealousy of his made a real quick comeback. Laughter rippled through the room, lightening the mood.

Marcel, sensing my imminent emotional outburst, stepped in. “Alright, little pixie, what’s the verdict?”

I blinked back the sting in my eyes and smiled. “Easy, Counselor. They all win.”

Alek frowned, folding his arms. “That’s not how competitions work, kitten. We’re all grown men. We can take it.”

“I beg to differ. Competitions can absolutely have a tie,” I countered. “AndI’mthe judge, so I say there will be no need for a tiebreaker. You three gave me exactly the same thing—just in different forms. You gave me pieces of myself back, and that makes all of youequalin my eyes.”

Ivan’s brow arched, Nik chuckled low in his throat, and Alek relented. He shook his head, and I saw a flash of amusement tugging at his lips.

“You little shit,” Ivan said, half-growl, half-laugh. “Stacked the deck just like you said you would.”

“Of course I did.” I grinned. “A girl’s gotta know how to play the long game.”

Nik tilted his head, curiosity dancing in his eyes. “And what exactly does the winner—or winners—get, baby girl?”

“Well, the original option on the table was one of you was a playroom adventure if I’m not mistaken. But what do we think about the four of us,” I paused, my pulse quickening as the words left my mouth. I traced my sock covered toe on the marble flooring as my nerves settled in.

“She’s doing it again,” Nik chuckled. “Why you nervous, baby girl?”

“I’m not, more afraid you’ll say no. But the Blade says I can have exactly what I want so, here goes nothing. I want the four of us to do a little role-playing. I decide each of your parts. I get to orchestrate the whole thing.”

Alek’s brows shot up. “You’re serious?”

“So serious it’s not even funny.”

Nik leaned forward, voice low and teasing. “And where are we playing, hmm, naughty girl?”

I bit my lip, letting the silence stretch just long enough before answering, “Why, the playroom, of course. The best room in the house, if you ask me.”

I shrugged, trying to look innocent and failing spectacularly.

Isabella mock-gagged from across the counter. “Of course you would ask for that. Why on earth my best friend has to be this way is beyond me.”

Sebastian raised a hand like a kid answering roll call. “You need help with the setup? Because I’m free. Always free to assist.”

Pasha groaned. “Yeah, I for real need those classes. Blade, pencil me in between gym sessions.”

Chef Bonfils made a scandalized sound that could’ve curdled cream. “Les Anglaises folles.”The crazy English woman.

“You mean, la folle russe, Chef,” I said.The crazy Russian woman.

Sophia laughed so hard she had to hold on to Christopher for balance. I couldn’t stop smiling. Standing in the middle of this chaos, I felt like I’d stumbled into a dream. The teasing, the joy, the love that filled the room…it was everything I’d ever wanted.

Healing had to look something like this. It just had to. Messy. Loud, and covered in family and love.