Page 25 of Die for You (Diamond Devils #4)

Aurora

After we call the police from the Sigma Chi party, my hands are still shaking. “That offer to live with you...is that still an option?”

I can’t believe I’m actually taking them up on their offer to move in with them, but I don’t have much of a choice. I knew it would only be a matter of time before Jeremiah found my new address, and clearly, he’s not above breaking in to get to me. I can’t keep living there, especially alone.

Damien’s brows bend low over his dark eyes. “No.”

My heart drops to my feet. They’ve changed their minds. Now that they’ve gotten what they wanted?—

“It’s mandatory. You’re moving in with us, angel. It’s not optional anymore.”

Overwhelming relief floods through me, and I throw my arms around him. He pulls me close, the cologne from his shirt enveloping me, his body still hot and heart thrumming from what has turned out to be the best and worst night of my life.

When I pull back, I tuck my arms close and survey the Devils. Tall and gigantic and gorgeous and so much better than I deserve. “I don’t want to bring my drama to your doorstep.”

“This isn’t drama.” Knox steps closer, catching my chin. “You’re in danger, Rory. And we’re going to do whatever we can to protect you.”

Finally, I turn to Finn. The silent shadow always looming nearby. His black hair is mussed, and I can’t wait to see what it’ll look like after a truly wild night together.

But right now, the intensity in his blue eyes makes me gulp.

You’re coming with us , he signs. And we’re not letting you go. You’re ours now, Aurora. Don’t forget that.

I nod, and the Devils secure their masks in place and escort me from the room like bodyguards. Or feral dogs.

We sit in silence on the way back to the Devils’ house, Finn holding my hand in the backseat.

I can’t believe how quickly I’ve already become comfortable with the Devils.

Somehow, I’m completely at ease alone in the car with all three of them.

Just as I was completely at ease with them alone at the Sigma Chi party.

I can’t remember the last time I was this comfortable with anyone.

With Jeremiah, I was always on edge, walking on eggshells to avoid setting him off. But I don’t worry about that for a second with the Devils. I don’t worry about pissing them off by saying the wrong thing. I don’t worry about violent outbursts or their bad moods.

Maybe this is what safety feels like.

“We’re home,” Damien announces from the driver’s seat.

Home . When was the last time anywhere in the world felt like home?

Not the apartment that felt like a temporary hideout from Jeremiah until he eventually, inevitably tracked me down.

Not his house that he let me live in with him, subsidized by his parents and without a trace of me to be found within its walls. Not any of my foster homes.

The last time anywhere felt like home was when my parents were alive. Now, the only time I find even a shred of that feeling is when my violin is in my hands. My final tether to my parents.

But the townhouse in front of me—with its red and black memorabilia hanging on the door and in the windows to mark its residents as the best of the Diamond Devils hockey players—has potential.

Like even if it doesn’t feel like home right now, it could someday.

Because this is where the Devils live, and wherever they are is where I feel safe.

I blink away the tears. Thank god I was there the night of the accident. The world would be a much worse place without them in it, and I...I might not have survived without them.

Finn must mistake my tears for fear because he squeezes my hand. All three of them have ditched their masks now, and Finn’s brilliant blue eyes are lined with concern. You’re safe with us.

I nod. I know.

I’ve never felt safer than when I’m with them.

Hopefully, the police will get to the apartment soon, if they haven’t already.

Best case scenario, they’ll catch Jeremiah in the act.

Cuff him, arrest him, press charges. Not only for breaking and entering, but for violating a restraining order.

Whatever punishment they give him won’t be enough, though; I already know that.

At most, he’ll probably get a few months of jail time, but knowing his parents, they’ll bribe the right people so he walks away with no more than a probation sentence.

Worst case scenario, they’ll miss him. He’ll get away with it. Even with a restraining order, he hid his face with his hoodie. Impossible to clearly identify him. It won’t be enough evidence to press charges, let alone get him locked up.

If I didn’t have the Devils, I don’t know where I’d go.

“Thank you.” The words come out in a croak, and I swallow the lump lodged in my throat. “For...” Protecting me, saving me, noticing me, giving a damn about me . “...everything.”

Knox smiles gently at me. Almost . . . lovingly. “Let’s get her inside.”

Finn holds out a hand to help me out of the SUV, Damien grabs an enormous jacket from the back to drape over my shivering shoulders, and Knox leads me inside by the hand.

Inside the Devils’ house, I’m instantly hit with the smell of burnt bacon. One plate with only crumbs sits on the table and another with a hefty pile of charred bacon strips rests on the counter.

Trey and Juliet pick at the burnt bacon from stools behind the counter while Sienna and Luke lounge on the couch in the living room behind them. Sienna brightens and jumps to her feet when she spots me.

“Aurora! Oh my god, you’re here!”

My heart grows two sizes like the Grinch every time Sienna squeals like a little kid at my arrival. She might actually be the sweetest person in the world.

“Aurora is moving in.” Knox grins down at me, squeezing my hand.

I bite my lip. There are already seven of them living in this house. How are they going to feel about adding yet another roommate? More noise, more dishes, and with my cooking skills, more burnt bacon.

Sienna claps, beaming. “Yay! Another girl in the house!”

“Thank god,” Trey grumbles, dropping the bacon strip he was contemplating back on the plate. “Too much testosterone in this house.”

“About time.” Luke leans his shoulder against the wall, arms folded. I can see why Sienna is attracted to him. I can even understand Juliet’s attraction to Trey, even if he terrifies me a little. “I was wondering when that was going to happen.”

“What made you change your mind?” Juliet crunches on a nearly black piece of bacon. “Was the dick that good?”

My jaw drops, but before I can answer, Finn cuts in. “Clearly.”

Everyone laughs, and even I can’t suppress a giggle despite the heat warming my cheeks.

“Someone broke into my apartment,” I explain. “But the dick was good too.”

“Great, you mean.” Damien lifts a brow.

“Magical.” Knox beams.

“Someone broke into your apartment ?” Sienna screeches, rushing to my side. “Oh my god! Are you okay? Did they take anything?”

“I’m fine,” I reassure her. “We saw them break in from the cameras. We called the police, but I don’t know if they took anything yet.”

“That’s so scary. I’m so glad you’re here. Did you see who it was?” Her eyes widen. “Was it your ex?”

Beside me, the Devils stiffen. “Yeah,” Damien growls.

“Then I’m really glad you’re here,” Sienna says.

“Sounds like the guy has a death wish,” Trey comments.

Luke nods. Somehow, both of them look just as pissed as my Devils.

“If you’re moving in, I should warn you that Fluffy escapes sometimes.” Juliet hops down from her stool to fix me with a stern stare. “So don’t kill him.”

This may be the most alarming news yet. “Who is Fluffy, and why would I want to kill him?”

“How do you feel about spiders?” Damien asks.

“Not a fan.”

“That’s why you would want to kill Fluffy.” Knox grimaces like he’s not a fan of Juliet’s pet either.

“But don’t,” Juliet cuts in. “He’s very beloved. I love him the most of anyone in this house.”

Sienna gasps in horror at the same time Trey yanks Juliet to him by the hip. “Careful, demon. I’ll make you regret those words.”

She flashes him a coy smile. “Maybe that’s why I said it.”

Luke gags. “Get a room.”

Trey turns to me, and his lupine smile liquifies my stomach. “You may hear screaming, but don’t be alarmed—it’s all consensual.”

“What can I say?” Juliet smirks. “He’s a screamer.”

Trey throws her over his shoulder and carries her off to their room without so much as a farewell, door slamming behind them.

Sienna smiles at me. “Seriously, we’re all really happy that you’re here. Stay as long as you want. Don’t feel like an intruder or a guest because you’re not. You’re one of us now.”

I can’t help myself now. I drop Knox’s hand and throw my arms around Sienna.

“Oh!” she squeaks out in surprise, but quickly hugs me back.

“Thank you,” I tell her when I pull back. “You’re weirdly nice.”

She gives me an amused smile. “Thanks?”

“I meant it as a compliment. No one is this nice. At least not to me.”

Behind us, Finn clears his throat.

“We’ve been very nice to you, Rory,” Knox reminds me.

Damien smirks. “Tonight, especially.”

“We don’t need the details,” Sienna tells them. She returns her attention to me. “Do you want some pajamas? I’m sure I have something that’ll fit you.”

“She can sleep naked,” Damien drawls, arm wrapping possessively around my waist.

Knox and Finn grin. They both like the sound of that.

“I’m sure they’ve got a jersey she can sleep in,” Luke drawls, a smug little grin tugging at his lips. “Question is: whose?”

A tense silence falls between us as the Devils exchange a look, a silent debate ensuing between them.

“Thanks a lot, Luke.”

He gives me a warm smile. “Welcome to the family.”

Family . My heart squeezes. He has no idea how much that word means to me. Family is exactly what I’ve been searching for since my parents died. Up until now, I’ve just been searching in all the wrong places.

But I think my luck is starting to change.