Page 122 of Daddies on Ice

“Over my dead body,” Ash growls, and the fierce protectiveness in his voice sends heat spiraling through me even as terror grips my chest.

Jake stands up, moving closer to me. “Tish, we won’t let anything happen to you or Becky. You have to know that.”

I want to believe him. I want to sink into the safety they’re offering, to let their strength shield me from the storm that’s coming.

But I’ve learned the hard way that the only person I can truly count on is myself.

“You don’t understand what he’s capable of,” I say, zipping up my suitcase with shaking hands. “I have to go. Now.”

Jake catches my wrist gently, his thumb brushing over my pulse point. “Tish, you can’t go anywhere. The main roads are closed from the storm. All flights are canceled. You won’t be able to get a taxi or Uber in this snow.”

I stare at him, my heart sinking as the reality of his words hits me. We’re trapped here. Sitting ducks waiting for Mica to make his move.

43

TISH

My hands freeze mid-fold on the sweater I’m packing, and my shoulders drop in complete defeat.

The reality hits me like a slap to the face. I can’t leave here. None of us can.

Not until this blizzard decides to show mercy and the roads become passable again.

The snow is coming down so hard I can barely see the trees outside the window, and the wind is howling like a banshee.

When did that happen?

It wasn’t even snowing, at least not that I noticed, when we left the lodge.

I abandon my suitcase and walk over to the couch, sinking into the cushions with a heavy sigh.

The three men stand there like statues, uncertainty written all over their faces.

Carl’s jaw is tight, his blue eyes studying me with that intense focus that makes my stomach flutter despite everything.

Jake runs a hand through his dark hair, those green eyes of his filled with concern and something deeper.

Ash crosses his arms over his chest, his protective stance making my heart ache.

I take a deep breath, knowing I can’t keep running from this conversation. “I need to tell you everything about Mica,” I say quietly, my voice barely audible over the storm raging outside. “Even the things I haven’t told Ash.”

The admission hangs in the air between us, heavy and loaded. I see Ash’s eyebrows raise slightly.

He thought he knew everything, but there are pieces of my past I’ve kept locked away, too painful and too dangerous to share.

Without a word, Jake moves behind the couch, his large hands settling on my shoulders.

The warmth of his touch seeps through my sweater as he begins to massage the knots of tension that have taken up permanent residence there.

His fingers work magic, finding every tight spot and working it loose with practiced ease.

Carl pulls over a wooden stool from the kitchen, positioning it directly in front of me.

Those piercing blue eyes never leave mine as he reaches for my leg, his calloused hands gentle as he removes my boot and sock.

The intimacy of the gesture sends heat spiraling through me, and when he begins massaging my foot, I have to bite back a moan.

Ash disappears into the kitchen for a moment, returning with a steaming cup of coffee.