Page 17

For lunch, we went to a place called the Mediterranean Grill. I was so happy to see food that wasn't fried or in a bun. Everything was fresh and flavorful. We sat inside the restaurant but near a window, and that worked for me. It was too cold outside for me to enjoy a meal there. And yet, the outdoor dining area was full, with people eating at tables set under broad umbrellas. I looked from all those people to the hounds. Despite being inside, I was worried that Silas had somehow followed us and was standing nearby, invisible.

“You can relax,” Garret said. “Even if Silas is here, all he can do is watch. He'd never dare to grab you in front of all these witnesses.”

“Then why were you three so intent on getting me back to your house last night?” I asked.

“She's got you there,” Gage said. To me, he said, “We're better prepared now and there are more people here. That parking lot was empty. It was the perfect place for them to do a snatch and run.”

“I think it's called snatch and grab,” I murmured as I put another kebab on my plate.

“Those words mean the same thing.”

I looked up and found Gage smirking at me. And the first thought that entered my head was an image of his erection bulging against his pants. I had to replace it with something gross before I reacted. Damn. Did men have to live like this? It was stressful. But at least they could hide their erections when they were sitting.

“You're going to need some clothes,” Garret said.

“I've done more clothes shopping lately than I have my entire life.”

“Not much of a shopper?” Gideon asked.

I shrugged. “I've had to be frugal.”

The men exchanged looks.

“Don't do that,” I said. “I'm not some sad little thing you have to take care of.”

“Oh?” Gage lifted a brow. “So, you can buy your own clothes, Beyoncé?”

“Not cool, Gage,” Garret said. “You know she had to leave everything behind when she ran. I'm sure she would buy her own things if she could.”

I covered my face with my hands and rubbed my forehead. “Maybe I should just go home.”

“No!” all three of them said together.

I lowered my hands to see that the whole restaurant was looking at us. “All right, tone it down,” I hissed.

“I'm sorry I said that,” Gage said, not even glancing at the other customers. “Don't go, Indie.”

I stared at him. When had anyone said those words to me? Never. They were so sweet and a little sad. Enough to ring in my chest and send warm vibrations through my body. He wanted me to stay. Why was that so wonderful? This was the same guy who had just implied that I couldn't take care of myself. Or at least, couldn't buy my own clothes. I should be furious. But then I saw him—Gage. I saw the bravado and what it meant. It was his way of flirting with me. He was trying to tease me, not insult me.

“It's okay,” I said. “I know you were teasing. I'm just a little sensitive right now. Depending on others for anything makes me anxious and it pricks my pride.”

“Indigo, we don't want to take care of you because we think you're incapable of doing it for yourself,” Gideon said. “It's an instinctual thing for us. A way of showing our affection.”

“And a way of swinging our masculinity about.” Gage winked at me.

“You just apologized,” Garret huffed. “Don't go wading back into your bullshit.”

Gage grimaced. “Sorry.”

“No, it's all right. I'm starting to find his bullshit endearing,” I said. “And I'll try to see things from your point of view.”

“You're amazing,” Gideon blurted.

I lifted my brows at him.

He cleared his throat, glanced at the other two, then said, “You're so reasonable. And beautiful. And smart. I hope you're our mate.”

“I can't believe we're talking about this with her,” Garret said to the other two. “I always assumed we'd have to ease a potential mate into things.”

“You mean, hide it from her until after we were mated,” Gage said.

“Not for that long, but yes.” Garret looked at me. “I'm glad we don't have to.”

“I may not be the one,” I said.

“If you aren't, we can still enjoy our time together.”

I lifted my brows.

“Not sexually,” he hurried to add. “Just as friends.”

“And either way, we still want to take care of you,” Gideon said.

I winced.

Gideon laughed. “We'll ease you into that, Miss Independent. Think of it as us doing our jobs for now. Someone asked us to look after you. You're a friend of a friend.”

“Okay, thanks. That makes it easier. But you're right. I could use some clothes.”

“I call dibs on picking out your underwear,” Gage said.

I leveled a hard stare at him and said, “Too far, Gage. Too far.”

Then we all burst into laughter.