Page 18

I sit up slowly, wincing at the tenderness in my body. Between Kane washing me so thoroughly last night and my frantic masturbation after seeing Finn, I feel used in the best possible way. But reality is already intruding, reminding me that this isn’t my life.

This beautiful house and these attentive men. None of it belongs to me.

My phone sits on the nightstand, and when I check it, my stomach drops. Three missed calls and a voicemail from Justin. Shit. I don’t even need to listen to know what it says. He’s probably furious that I didn’t come home, and he’s worried about the rent payment.

I sigh, putting the phone down without listening to the message. I need to get back to the apartment today and figure out my next steps.

I can’t stay here forever, no matter how tempting it might be. I need to collect my things, talk to my boss about taking some time off until my wrist heals, and find a new place to live.

Somewhere far away from Justin.

As I swing my legs over the side of the bed, I notice something on the desk that wasn’t there last night: a neatly folded stack of clothes, still with tags attached.

I approach cautiously, running my fingers over the soft material of a pair of black leggings and a sapphire blue sweater that looks exactly my size.

There’s even a package of new underwear and a bra.

My throat tightens at this unexpected kindness. Who left these? Kane? Finn? Jace? All three? The thought of any of them shopping for clothes for me is both touching and unsettling. How do they know my size? Why are they being so nice to me?

I grab the clothes and head to the bathroom, quickly showering and brushing my teeth with the new toothbrush that has also appeared.

After drying off, I slip into the new clothes, ripping off the tags and marveling at how perfectly everything fits.

The leggings hug my curves without digging in, and the sweater is loose in all the right places- comfortable but still flattering.

For the first time in ages, I don’t immediately criticize my reflection in the mirror.

Justin has conditioned me to see flaws everywhere- my too-round hips, my soft stomach, my full breasts that he calls “sloppy.”

But something about the way these three men look at me makes me feel like the only woman on earth.

I gather my purse, phone, and the few belongings I had with me when Kane brought me here and head downstairs. The house is quieter than I expected, but as I reach the main floor, the smell of pancakes and coffee guides me toward the kitchen.

Jace stands at the stove, flipping pancakes with practiced ease.

He’s wearing low-hanging sweatpants and nothing else, his tanned back on full display.

The muscles shift beneath his skin as he moves, and I feel a flush creeping up my neck as I remember my dream from last night- his mouth on my breast, his hands on my thighs.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he says without turning around as if sensing my presence. He glances over his shoulder, his bright smile making my stomach flip. “Sleep well? ”

“Morning,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. “I did. It’s so quiet in this area.”

“It sure is.”

I set my purse on the counter and slide onto one of the high barstools, suddenly aware of how empty the house feels. “Where are Kane and Finn?”

“They went out for a bit. Some errands that couldn’t wait, apparently,” he says, sliding a plate of pancakes in front of me. “Coffee? I made it fresh.”

“Please,” I nod, my stomach growling at the sight of the perfectly golden pancakes. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.

Jace pours me a mug of coffee, adding just the right amount of cream before sliding it over. “How’s the wrist feeling today?”

“Better. Still sore, but the meds help,” I say, flexing it gently to test the pain.

He nods, his expression softening. “I’m glad. We were worried about you, you know. When Kane brought you home...” He trails off, focusing intently on flipping another pancake.

Home . The word feels strange. This isn’t my home, but he says it so naturally. I take a bite of pancake to avoid responding, and a moan escapes me before I can stop it.

“Mhm.”

“Glad you approve,” he says, his voice huskier than before, and his eyes darken at the sound of my moan.

My heart hammers in my chest as our eyes lock.

There’s that same intensity I’ve noticed in all three men. Like they’re seeing something in me that I can’t see in myself. The air between us feels charged, heavier than it should be for a simple conversation over breakfast.

My stomach knots as I realize I need to tell him I’m leaving. I appreciate everything they’ve done, but I can’t stay here.

I need to get back to my life, no matter how messy it is .

“Jace, I-”

Before I can finish, the front door opens, and heavy footsteps approach the kitchen. Finn and Kane appear, their arms laden with pillows, blankets, and cushions of various sizes and fabrics. They dump their burdens on the kitchen floor, and I stare in confusion.

“What’s all that for?” I ask, gesturing toward the pile of soft materials.

Kane and Finn exchange a look I can’t interpret. Kane runs a hand through his dark hair, his piercing eyes finding mine. “For our future wife.”

My eyebrows scrunch together in confusion. “Your what?”

Finn avoids my gaze, and I wonder if he knows I saw him last night and if he smelled me in the hallway. The memory of his pleasure makes my cheeks flush, and I quickly look away. Jealousy stabs at my heart at the thought of them looking for a wife to share.

There’s no reason I should be jealous , I chide myself. These men are way out of my league.

Kane steps forward, his imposing figure somehow softer this morning despite his cryptic words. “It’s nothing, Mia. Just something we need.”

While they’re occupied arranging their strange collection in another room, Jace leans across the counter. “What were you about to say before they came in and distracted you?”

“I was just going to say that I should probably head out today. Thank you so much for everything- for letting me stay, for helping me with everything,” I say, gesturing vaguely at my wrist. “It means a lot.”

“You’re leaving? Where?” he asks sharply.

“Back to my apartment for now,” I reply quickly. “I need to get my things, and I should talk to my boss at the café about taking some time off until this heals properly. ”

Kane returns just in time to hear my last sentence, and his face darkens immediately. “Absolutely not.”

I blink, taken aback by his authoritative tone. “Excuse me?”

“You’re not going back to that apartment,” Kane says, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Not to that abusive asshole.”

“Kane,” Jace warns, shooting him a look I can’t interpret. “Calm down. There are other ways to say it without being all alpha on her.”

“No,” Kane shakes his head firmly. “She needs to understand that she’s not going back there. It’s not safe.”

I bristle at his commanding tone, even though a part of me feels warm and fuzzy at his concern. “I appreciate your worry, but I’m a grown woman. I can make my own decisions.”

“What happens if you go back there and he hurts you again?” Finn asks quietly, appearing in the doorway. His green eyes are intense as they meet mine.

“I’m not planning to stay there forever,” I clarify, gripping my coffee mug tightly. “I just need to get my things, talk to my boss, and figure out my next steps. I can’t ignore everything in my life to shack up here with three guys I barely know.”

“You can stay here as long as you need,” Jace offers, his tone gentler than the others. “We have plenty of room.”

“And we can protect you,” Kane adds, his voice brooking no argument.

The implication that I need protection sends a confusing mix of emotions through me- irritation at being treated like a child, but also a strange, primal comfort.

“Just wait until your wrist is fully healed,” Finn suggests. “Please, Mia.”

That single “please” from the usually serious man nearly undoes me. I bite my lip, considering my options. I need to get my things from the apartment, and I should talk to my boss in person. But maybe they have a point about not staying there.

“What if I tell my boss I need time off, grab some clothes and my important documents, and then…” I hesitate, hardly believing what I’m about to suggest. “And then I can come back here until I figure things out.”

The relief on all three men’s faces is palpable, though Kane still looks displeased at the thought of me going back to Justin.

“Finn will take you,” Kane commands, and I roll my eyes.

“I don’t need an escort. I can handle him.”

“I’ll take you,” Finn says. Something passes between the three men- a silent communication that confuses me.

“Fine,” I concede, knowing this is a battle I won’t win. “Finn can take me. But I’m perfectly capable of handling Justin myself.”

Kane’s lip curls at the mention of Justin’s name. “That piece of shit won’t come near you again if he knows what’s good for him.”

These men, whom I’ve known for such a short time, seem more protective of me than anyone else ever has, and it sends a thrill through me.

“We’ll leave after breakfast,” Finn says, his eyes never leaving mine. “Eat. You’ll need your strength.”

Something about the way he says it makes me think he’s not just talking about dealing with Justin.

There’s an undertone, a current running beneath his words that I can’t quite grasp.

It’s the same with all of them, this sense that they know something I don’t, that they’re waiting for me to catch up to a truth that’s right in front of me.

As I turn back to my pancakes, I notice all three of them watching me with an intensity that should be uncomfortable but somehow isn’t.

It feels like I’m something precious they’re afraid might vanish .

I don’t understand what’s happening here, why these three gorgeous men seem so invested in me, why they’re treating me like I’m special when my ex-boyfriend has spent years convincing me I’m not.

But as I sit in their kitchen, surrounded by their protective presence, I can’t deny that a part of me, a part I didn’t even know existed until now, feels like it belongs here.

With them.