Page 27

Guardian HRS’s medical wing isn’t what I expect. Unlike the sterile, institutional feeling of Malfor’s facilities, this place balances clinical efficiency with actual comfort. Warm lighting softens the medical equipment, and the air smells faintly of lavender rather than antiseptic.

Hank keeps his hand at the small of my back as we approach the reception desk while Gabe walks slightly ahead, scanning our surroundings. They do this everywhere—positioning themselves around me like human shields. It should feel suffocating, but somehow, it doesn’t.

“We’ve got an appointment with Doc Summers,” Hank says.

“Of course. Follow me.”

We’re led to a spacious exam room where Doc Summers is waiting, reviewing something on a tablet. I immediately understand what Gabe meant by “terrifying in a good way.” Everything about her exudes competence—from her precisely pinned dark hair to her crisp lab coat to her direct, assessing gaze.

Doc Summers barely glances up from her tablet before a slow, knowing smile tugs at her lips. “Ah, yes. The urgent request from Hank.” She taps the screen, arching a brow as she finally meets my gaze. “Imagine my surprise when I get a message flagged STAT—not for a gunshot wound, broken bones, or some near-fatal disaster—but for STD screenings and birth control.”

She levels Hank with a dry stare, one corner of her mouth twitching. “Gotta say, I’ve worked in combat zones, patched up SEALs, and even once pulled a bullet out of my own damn thigh. But this? This might be a first.”

Gabe exhales sharply, shaking his head, while Hank—completely unbothered—grins. “Hey, when something’s a priority, you make sure it gets handled. And I figured you’d appreciate the proactive approach.”

Doc Summers snorts, setting the tablet down and crossing her arms. “Oh, I appreciate it, alright. Hell, I almost framed the message. Damn near choked on my coffee reading, and I quote, ‘Need STAT full panel STD testing and birth control consult. Don’t ask. Just book it.’”

My face heats, but before I can sputter out a response, she waves a hand. “Relax. I’ve seen it all, heard it all, but I must admit, the sheer urgency of this particular request had me wondering—” She glances between Gabe and Hank with a mock-serious expression. “You two got some kind of medical emergency I should know about? Something contagious?”

Hank smirks. “Only insatiable levels of stamina and an aversion to rubbers coming between us and our girl.”

Gabe groans, rubbing a hand over his face while I resist the urge to melt into the floor.

Doc Summers just laughs, shaking her head as she gestures toward the exam table. “Alright, lover boys, park it. Let’s get this over with before you break any more medical protocols or embarrass Ally to death.”

She taps something on her tablet. “Who wants to go first?”

Gabe steps forward. “I can. I’ve got the most interesting medical history anyway.” He winks at me.

Skye’s mouth curves into what might almost be a smile. “I doubt that, Gabriel. Let’s step into my office.”

As they leave, Hank turns to me with a reassuring smile. “See? Professional.”

His fingers trail along my arm, lingering at the sensitive spot where my neck meets my shoulder.

“You’re not making this easy,” I laugh, trying to ignore the heat building low in my belly.

“Wasn’t trying to,” he responds, his voice rougher than before. He turns me to face him, his hands settling at my waist. “You know how much this means to us, right? That you trust us enough for this?”

The intensity in his gaze catches me off guard. “It’s just STD testing.”

“It’s more than that.” His thumb traces my bottom lip. “It’s about committing ourselves to you. Nothing between us. Nothing holding us back from giving you everything.”

My heart speeds up at the double meaning in his words. “I want that,” I admit. “I’ve never… there’s never been anyone I’ve trusted enough before.”

Hank’s expression softens. “We’re going to take such good care of you, luv.” He leans down, his lips brushing mine in a kiss that starts gentle but quickly deepens as I press against him.

His hands slide lower, cupping my ass. “Can’t wait to be with you,” he murmurs against my ear. “No barriers, no holding back. Gabe’s going to lose his mind. He’s been driving himself crazy just thinking about it.”

My face flames at his promise, but I can’t deny the thrill his words send through me. “You’re terrible,” I whisper, echoing my words from this morning.

“You love it,” he counters, and I can’t argue. The way these two men make me feel—desired, protected, cherished—is unlike anything I’ve experienced.

Hank’s expression shifts to something more serious. He brushes a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle.

“Hey, about this morning with Gabe…” His eyes search mine. “He can be intense. I wanted to check in. ”

I swallow, remembering the raw power of Gabe’s passion. “I’m fine. Better than fine, actually.”

“Yeah?” Hank studies my face, looking for any sign of distress.

“Yeah.” I meet his gaze steadily. “There was something… exhilarating about it. About seeing him like that.”

I hesitate, my eyes dropping briefly before Hank’s finger under my chin gently forces my gaze back to his.

“Tell me,” he says, his voice soft but leaving no room for evasion. “All of it. We need honesty between us.”

I take a deep breath. “It was a little scary,” I admit, the words rushing out now. “Gabe didn’t ask. He just… took what he wanted.” My voice drops lower. “He made decisions, positioned me how he wanted me, used me how he wanted to.” My cheeks burn with the confession. “I had absolutely no control, and that helplessness was…”

“What?”

“God, it was thrilling. He just took, and I…” I swallow hard. “I’ve never felt anything like that before.”

Hank’s expression remains steady and non-judgmental. “Never be ashamed of what you feel with us. That’s the point—to experience things you never have before, to discover what you want without judgment. And I’ll do more of this,” he stoops until we’re eye-to-eye, “especially as things intensify.”

“More of what?” And how could things get any more intense?

“Checking in with you. Make sure you still feel safe and respected… It’s important to both of us.”

“I never thought I’d want to be overpowered like that.”

“But you did.” Hank’s voice is calm and measured. Not a question—just truth. “You liked it.”

“Yes,” I breathe, meeting his eyes without hesitation. “I did.”

“You triggered one of his fantasies.” His gaze flicks away for a beat, thoughtful. “When you said ‘sex-slave’… that hit something deep for him. One of his darkest cravings. To have a woman as a slave—used for sex, completely controlled—not all the time, but in the confines of his playroom. That’s where he lives out th ose fantasies.”

My pulse skips, heat curling low in my belly. I felt it—the shift, the way Gabe became something more.

“He’s usually ultra-controlled,” Hank continues, his expression softening. “Always thinking, always planning ten steps ahead. That you broke through, that says a lot.”

“That’s what made it…” I search for the right word, my voice hushed with awe. “Thrilling. To be the one who broke through his control.”

Hank smiles faintly, relief flickering across his features. “Good. That’s good. I just needed to be sure you were okay with what happened.”

My breath catches as the memory flares through me again—Gabe’s hands, his voice, the overwhelming claim of it all.

“Don’t worry,” Hank adds, grin tilting toward mischief. “If that’s something you want to pursue… Gabe will be all over it.”

I chew on Hank’s words for a moment, my heart still racing with the aftershocks of what happened.

“What about you?” I ask, my voice quiet, curious. “Isn’t that something you want too?”

“No.” His smile falters just slightly before he shakes his head. “Not like that.”

He leans back, elbows resting on his thighs, thoughtful. “Don’t get me wrong—I love power. I love dominating you. The control, the tension, the give and take—that’s my sweet spot. But what Gabe did? That’s different. That’s deep.”

My breath catches as he meets my eyes, steady and open.

“Gabe’s a sadist. Being a Master, having a woman as his slave? That’s a fantasy he’s never really played out before. It’s darker. More intense. A bit too aggressive for my taste.”

I nod slowly, understanding sinking in.

“That’s why I didn’t join,” Hank adds, voice gentle. “I knew where he was going,” Hank says, his tone calm and honest. “And it wasn’t that I was uncomfortable—Gabe will always be safe with you. I trust that.”

He leans forward, eyes steady on mine. “But I also knew if I was there, he’d hold back. He wouldn’t let himself go the way he needed to. And I didn’t want to interfere with something he’s been craving to explore—with you.”

I swallow hard, his words sinking deep, the weight of what happened settling over me in a new light.

“What you two shared—what you unlocked in him—that’s yours,” Hank says again, softer now. “And I’m not here to stand in the way of that.”

“I appreciate that.” A thought tugs at me, unsettled. “But I’m more worried about you. I don’t want you to feel… left out. Gabe didn’t exactly wait for you.”

“Left out?” Hank’s lips tilt into a small smile as he shakes his head. “Luv, don’t worry about that. We don’t operate on a tit-for-tat basis.”

“No?”

“No.” His thumb traces along my jawline, soothing, grounding. “Look, this thing—the three of us—it’s incredible, yeah. But it’s not without complications. Most of the time, it’ll be all three of us together. That’s how Gabe and I work best. We feed off each other’s energy. We like sharing a woman, giving her everything we can at the same time.”

His hand moves to cradle my cheek, his gaze never leaving mine.

“But there will be other times—like this morning—where it’s just you and Gabe. Whatever dynamic you unlock, you get to explore it fully. No distractions, no interference. No guilt or jealousy. And there’ll be times when it’s just you and me, finding our rhythm, discovering what we want together.”

A flicker of understanding sparks in my chest, the tension easing with every word.

“The important thing,” Hank continues, voice steady, sure, “is communication. Honesty. Openness. No one’s keeping score. There’s no jealousy, no competition. Just us, figuring it out, as long as we’re all on the same page.”

His eyes hold mine, unwavering. “All that matters is whether you’re happy.”

The certainty in his voice washes over me, warm and steady, wrapping around the last of my doubts like a balm.

“I am,” I tell him, breath catching, heart full. “I really am.”

And it’s the simple, undeniable truth.

His smile widens, genuine and warm. “Good. That’s all we want.”

He doesn’t wait for me to answer. His hand slides to the back of my neck, fingers threading through my hair as he pulls me in, his lips crashing onto mine with a hunger that steals my breath. There’s no hesitation, no restraint—just heat and need, raw and consuming.

I melt into him, my hands fisting in his shirt as his mouth claims mine, deep and possessive.

He kisses me like he’s reminding me exactly where we stand and what we share—different from Gabe, but no less intense. His tongue tangles with mine, slow and deliberate, sending sparks down my spine.

When he finally pulls back, we’re both breathless, hearts racing, foreheads pressed together.

“Whatever we unlock, luv,” he murmurs, voice low and rough, “it’s ours.”

Doc Summers returns with Gabe, who immediately smirks at my flushed appearance. “Starting without me?” His heated gaze promises more later.

“Just getting her ready,” Hank says, the picture of innocence.

Doc Summers arches a brow as she steps aside, arms folded over her chest, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips.

“Well, now I understand the urgency of that STAT message.” She glances between me and Hank, her gaze sharp and all too amused. “Leave you two alone for a minute and it looks like I might need to call for a fire extinguisher.”

Heat flares up my neck, but she taps her tablet with mock seriousness before I can respond.

Doc Summers rolls her eyes. “Right. Before you test my patience and office furniture, I need to conduct Ally’s examination privately.” Her tone is brisk but laced with humor. “Why don’t you two take your insatiable energy outside? ”

Gabe smirks, glancing at Hank. “Guess we’re dismissed.”

Hank leans in, brushing a kiss against my temple before stepping back. “For now.”

Gabe squeezes my hand as he passes. “Be good for the doctor,” he teases, making me roll my eyes.