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Tipping my head back against the bathroom mirror, I opened my eyes. The entire room was filled with steam. Warm, welcoming heat drifted over the exposed flesh of my arms and legs. Soothing, yet disturbing, as it carried the hint of Rhys’ aftershave in eddies and swirls of heated air.

Inhaling his earthy, masculine scent into my lungs, I shivered against the desire to chase after him. To call him back and assure him I hadn’t meant the three words I’d blurted out in a moment of weakness.

Had I meant them? Yes, unequivocally.

If I were being honest, I’d admit I’d fallen in love with him before I’d left this place the first time. Rhys was easy to love, even when he made it clear he wasn’t interested in loving anyone or anything.

The man walked on the left side of me, always. He pulled out chairs, opened doors, and was chivalrous in ways most men were no longer taught to be these days.

Rhys was every woman’s dream. Gentle when the need called for it, but he wasn’t afraid to manhandle you, either. He oozed virility and masculinity in droves. Where most men were afraid of strong women, he encouraged them to be so.

Rhys was everything I’d ever wanted and everything I’d never known I needed. He wasn’t like the one night stand I’d had before arriving in this town. It was like he’d stepped right out of my head, becoming a reality.

I hadn’t intended to tell him any of that. I sure as hell hadn’t meant to blurt out my feelings. Rhys didn’t deserve the love I felt for him. He’d made certain I knew how he felt about me. Me, on the other hand, I’d ensure he had no idea how I truly felt.

The soft rapping of knuckles against the bathroom door forced my mind from my woes. Turning in time to see Nyota’s head peeking past the door, I noted the corners of her mouth pulling down into a frown.

“Are you intending to hide here all night?” she asked sheepishly, her eyes scanning my face. Relief flashed in her eyes as she slipped inside my makeshift sauna. “Rhys left the apartment if that’s what you are waiting on.”

He’d left the entire wing. I felt it in my chest. He’d needed to vacate the mansion as if Satan himself gave chase, right on his heels. Three little words I hadn’t meant to say had chased him out.

“I’m not hiding,” I muttered before tipping my head back, groaning.

A feminine snort forced my focus back to where she rocked back on her heels. Nyota wasn’t comfortable with emotions, not that I had expected her to be. She’d grown up with brothers, all of whom ensured she was one of them. They all treated her like a warrior, ensuring she wasn’t prone to hysterics or what they’d termed “feminine emotions”.

I’d grown up with siblings, all of whom were emotionally constipated. It ensured I knew how to manage both. Even if they hadn’t been there a lot, it had allowed me to know them well enough. Sisters were easy. Don’t wear their favorite shoes, clothing, or touch their shit. Be a shoulder when needed, even though mine never needed that sort of thing. Ever. But brothers were easier for me. Stroke their ego, don’t point out weaknesses, and don’t comment on their female companions.

“The fuck you aren’t,” she snorted as she strode to the sink, hopping up beside me. “I don’t know why he reacted like he did. I can’t say I wouldn’t have reacted any better, though, if it were me.”

Groaning, I rubbed my temples. “I didn’t mean to say it to him.”

Rolling her eyes, she leaned her head back, mirroring my pose. “Obviously. Not that we all weren’t keenly aware of how you truly felt about Rhys. He’s an asshole, Remi. One who doesn’t deserve you.”

“No. He doesn’t.” Dropping my hands to my belly, I held my palms against my growing abdomen. “I was nervous.”

A soft crack of feminine amusement escaped from her. “I personally loved the cover up remarks.”

I had literally told him I loved his cock. Could this day get any worse? Fidgeting with the rip in the jeans, I eyed Nyota. “Did everyone leave?” I prayed they had all vanished once I’d failed to make an appearance.

“You wish. Other than Acyn and Cole, my brothers went after Rhys. The others are refusing to leave until they’re certain you’re okay. Ian doesn’t think you should stay after Rhys just stormed out. Hunter thinks you should go with him to Faery, while the omegas think the babe should go home with Conrad. I don’t think they care if you go or not.”

Nodding in agreement, I turned to face her. “If you’d be honest with your feelings—”

“Don’t finish that!” Nyota lifted a finger, then pointed it at me in warning. “Both Ian and Hunter are off-limits. I know that, so do they,” she replied in a defeated tone.

“Both?” I felt my eyebrows rising at her slip up. Obviously, she’d realized her mistake too late to take it back. “Good for you, girl.”

Rhys had to approve of Nyota’s choice of mates. It was an archaic rule, but one that she’d warned me not to argue with him over. As the alpha to the house, he was her guardian.

“I’d die if either of them realized I fancied them,” she expelled as her cheeks turned scarlet. “Rhys would never approve of either.”

“Why not? They’re both respected in the otherworld community. Both are also alphas to their respective houses. You’d think he’d be willing to court the idea of a marriage between you and one of them.”

Turning to stare at the steam rolling up from the shower, Nyota released a clap of laughter, forcing my head to swing back, rubbernecking at the sound she released. The corners of my mouth twitched.

“What’s so amusing about what I said?”

All the amusement fled from her face. “I didn’t say anything about marrying them. Do you ever buy a car without first driving it?” I blinked repeatedly at the comparison she’d offered. The confusion stamped over my face had her snorting. “Don’t answer that. I know you bought a house without setting eyes on it first.”

Rolling my eyes dramatically, I retorted, “Nyx did that. Not me.” A thought occurred to me as I observed the way she squirmed beneath my stare. “Nyota—”

“You’ve met my brothers, Silversmith. Who would be suicidal enough to touch the only Van Helsing with a vagina?”

“I heard vagina!” Nyx bellowed before she plowed into the room, smiling knowingly. “Ian and Hunter both would volunteer to pluck that Helsing pussy,” she confirmed.

“If you say anything to them, you’re dead, Nymph.” Nyota glowered at Nyx, who shrugged in response.

Strolling over to the shower, Nyx waved her hand through the steam. “It wasn’t me who made that deduction for you. They both agreed rather vocally, in fact, that they’d enjoy plucking your—”

“I—” I attempted to deescalate the situation, unsuccessfully.

Nyota gasped loudly. Her mouth then opened only to close as shock spread over her entire face. As we watched, her eyes expanded as something akin to dread lit within them. “They heard me?”

“I volunteer as tribute, Nyota Van Helsing!” Hunter howled before a grunt sounded.

The sound of scuffling drifted into the en suite from the open bedroom door. “I don’t fucking think so, bloodsucker,” Cole growled.

“Agreed,” said Acyn, a promise of violence carried in his tone.

Nyota slipped off the counter as I followed close behind her. Nyx trailed after me, and all three of us hauled ass toward the sound of men arguing and fighting in the front room.