Caged (Dark Empire #2)

Eighteen.

Ashlee

I felt like I was floating, my body encased between two hot muscled bodies as daylight streamed through the windows. I'd slept like the dead after Magnus practically destroyed my body.

I glanced between both of them surprised to find them out cold still. I studied Ethan’s peaceful features. He clearly didn't sleep yesterday night after our argument. Hell, I hadn’t either. The words exchanged between us hurt.

Luna was fast asleep at the bottom of the bed, and I turned over to cuddle Ethan without disturbing her. "I’m sorry,” I whispered. "I will never leave you, Ethan.”

I felt guilty about what I'd said. How could I possibly have told him that we weren't working? One argument didn't mean that.

I released a long breath, and then the door barged open.

“You better have clothes on, brother.”

Ethan’s eyes opened in alarm as he shot up to look at Mario in the doorway. "The fuck?”

“Woah, are we having sleepovers now?” Mario raised an eyebrow.

“The hell?” Mags sat up groggily. "Mario? What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Exactly my thoughts,” Ethan muttered.

I pulled the duvet up higher, more than aware that I was naked. “We’ve been trying to ring you all morning. None of you picked up so I told dad that I’d come around to get you.”

“Ro, what the fuck are you going on about?” Ethan got out of bed in only his boxers. “Dad’s called an emergency meeting. We’re waiting on you. Did none of you hear your phones?”

Ethan grabbed his phone from the bedside cabinet. "Apparently not,” he mumbled.

Mags got out and grabbed his trousers from the floor, plucking his phone from his pocket. "Mine's dead.”

Apparently, I was the only one naked here.

“Why is dad calling a meeting? What's happened?”

"The Volkovs. I don't know the details yet because he's waiting for you.”

Ethan's gaze hardened. "Fine, now fuck off and let us get dressed.”

Mario winked with a chuckle. "I’ll wait downstairs.”

"Bring Luna with you and feed her.”

Mario scooped the kitten up, giving her chin a scratch as he left the room.

“I need a shower,” I mumbled. “You made me dirty.'

“Be quick, sweetheart.” Ethan chuckled as he grabbed a casual suit from the wardrobe.

After a speed shower and changing into some clothes, I found the three men standing in the kitchen talking.

“Ah, and the lady arrives,” Mario said.

“Hi Mario,” I said with a smile.

“So, you three...”

“You knew that anyway.” Ethan raised an eyebrow.

“Well, yeah, but all sleeping in the same bed,” he said. "Wait... Do you two... you know... cross swords.”

“What?” Ethan frowned.

“Fuck no,” Mags said at the same time.

I burst out laughing.

“Swords?”

“So you two don’t touch each other? You know... Crossing swords.”

“Oh, fuck no,” Ethan snapped as he finally caught on.

“Is it bad that I’d love to see that?” I said while laughing.

“Ash,” Ethan growled. "That’s never going to happen. We only want to pleasure you. Anyway, are we going?”

Mario snorted a chuckle. "Yeah, we better.”

“Good. Sweetheart, you can eat and drink at my parents house.”

I nodded and took his outstretched hand.

We followed Mario’s car to Stefan’s house, the drive quiet and uncomfortable. Hearing the Volkov’s mentioned had made everyone anxious. When we arrived, Luca opened the door having seen us pulling up.

“Doesn’t anyone have a key?” It was an observation I’d made about coming here, a puzzle piece in the larger enigma that was Ethan’s family.

Ethan chuckled, a dark sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “Only those who actually live here.”

“So just your parents?” I pressed, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and unease.

“Yeah. My dad’s very cautious about who he lets in. We all had to return our keys when we moved out.”

“Strange,” I murmured, the word hanging in the air like a ghost.

“Is it really though? He’s the head of the family. What if something happened to one of us? It’s happened before, Ashlee. And if we were taken? Whoever did it would then have access to the property if they found the key.”

I frowned, his logic undeniable and chilling. It was a stark reminder of the dangerous world they inhabited.

“Why do you have a code as well?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, the weight of the question heavy between us.

“Because he’s a paranoid fucker,” Mags snorted, breaking the tension with his crass remark.

Ethan shot him a deadly glare. “It’s better to be safe than sorry,” he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

I gazed at him, and then it struck me, a sudden clarity piercing the fog of my thoughts. “You were scared that they'd take you again,” I said softly, my voice trembling with the realization.

Ethan’s eyes softened, a vulnerability seeping through his usual steely exterior. “Ash...”

“I know you, Ethan,” I continued, stepping closer, the space between us charged with unspoken emotions.

“You know me too well, baby,” he whispered, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. In that moment, the walls he’d built around his heart seemed to crack, revealing the depths of his fear and the fierce need to protect those he loved.

We entered the house, finding Stefan walking out of the sitting room. "Good, you’re here. Meeting in my office now, boys. Mags, go and get Ashlee comfortable. I’ll call for you when you’re needed.”

Mags placed his hand on my lower back, nudging me into the kitchen while the others followed Stefan down the hall.

“Why aren't you invited?” I asked.

“This meeting is for the top dogs, if you’d like. Ethan, Mario, Luca and Marco. The made men will be invited to the next one.”

"Oh.”

"Coffee?”

"Please.” I smiled as I slipped into a seat.

“And what would you like to eat?”

"I’m okay.”

His eyes hardened. "I wasn’t asking if you’d like to eat. I was asking what you'd like to eat.”

"But I’m-”

“Do you want me to tell your husband that you're arguing with me and refusing to have breakfast? You know damn well that he'll have you over his knee, and he won't give a shit if his parents see.”

“Fine,” I mumbled. "I’ll eat anything.”

Mags raised an eyebrow at me. "I’ll cook us both some pancakes.”

I gave him a slight smile. He did make delicious pancakes.

“Does Stefan not mind you helping yourself?”

Magnus chuckled. "Nah, princess. Not when he has meetings going on like today. Plus I’ve been close to the family for nearly ten years now. I’ve earned my position and their trust.”

Tara and Rose walked in while Mags was frying the first few pancakes.

“I thought I could smell something tasty.”

“Ash hasn't eaten yet so I thought I'd feed her.”

Tara smiled at me. "How are you feeling now, Ashlee?”

“Good thanks. Just a scar left.”

"I’m glad that it's healed.”

I nodded. "Yeah, it was painful.”

"Would you two like some breakfast?”

“Please,” Rose said, taking a seat beside me at the counter.

Tara sat down as well. "How was your honeymoon?”

“It was beautiful. Your villa is amazing.”

“Stefan bought that place before our own honeymoon. He called it a wedding gift at the time.”

"It’s such a lovely country. The three of us had a lot of fun seeing the sights.”

"I’m glad. We used to spend a lot of time there before Stefan’s work picked up. We took the boys there every year when they were little.”

“Luca brings me there every summer,” Rose said with a smile.

“Ethan will probably do the same,” Mags said.

“Really?” My eyes widened a little.

“I reckon so, Red. We had fun, didn't we?”

“Did you not feel like a third wheel, Magnus? If you don’t mind me asking,” Rose said.

“Nah.” He smiled at me. "They would never make me feel like that.”

“Ethan and Mags have been close for a long time,” Tara said.

“Ten years now,” Mags added.

“But now that he's married...” Rose frowned.

“I’m close to Mags,” I said. I didn't care who knew about our relationship. Mags was a part of our family.

“Ethan has his problems,” Tara said carefully. "I’m not blind to what that incident has done to him. I’m not surprised that their marriage isn't... conventional.”

My eyes widened. "You know about...” I glanced at Mags who was watching Tara.

“I can guess. I saw you and Mags walking through the garden together the time you were here before your engagement. You’re clearly close.”

“I do love Ethan,” I whispered. “I love him so much.”

“I know. The light in your eyes when you both look at each other can’t be faked.”

“And the... situation doesn't bother you?”

“Why should it? As I said, I know that Ethan has his problems. If that's what works for you, then so be it. I never thought the day would even arrive when he would meet a woman to marry at all.”

I grinned. "Thank you for your understanding.”

“Does Stefan know?” Mags asked.

“I think so although he hasn’t mentioned it. He won't for the same reason that I didn't. Ethan's happy. We love our son deeply.”

Magnus nodded.

“Wait... Are you three... all together?” Rose’s eyes widened in surprise as she caught on to what we were saying.

“Erm, yeah sort of,” I whispered.

"I love Ashlee as much as Ethan does,” Mags said softly. "Neither of us deserve a gift like her, but alas, she loves us back.”

“You shouldn't put yourself down like that,” I said. "You're both good men.”

"Don’t be stupid, princess. We’re not. It’s always a wonder to me how you can see a light within us.”

“Because it’s there. I see the good in your both.”

“How unusual,” Rose said softly, her tone holding no judgement, but rather curiosity.

"As long as my son is happy, that's all that matters,” Tara said. "I’m sure you’ve heard what happened. Nobody except Stefan and probably those two know what he truly endured.”

“Luca mentioned it, but he said that he didn't know the exact details of the torture he experienced.”

Mags and I shared a look. "What he experienced is worse than what you can imagine. If you knew, you’d understand why the three of us work,” I mumbled.

“But he always looks so... strong.”

“He’s good at hiding his demons, but we all have them,” Mags said while setting the pancakes out onto plates.

My eyebrows drew together as I watched him. His words were too true. I never knew that he suffered until he confessed it to me.

“You’re right. Even Stefan has his own demons which he hides.”

“I guess Luca does too.”

"It’s our lifestyle. You all have a vague idea of what we do. It isn’t easy at times.”

“That’s unfortunately true,” Tara said. "But we all support our men.”

“Always,” I whispered.

“Anyway, enjoy your breakfast.”

"Thanks, Mags,” I said with a smile.

“Always my pleasure, Red.”