Chapter 21 Aftercare
Aftercare
After leaving the boys, Marigold checked in on Katya, who had been frantically pacing in her bedroom behind locked doors. She was relieved by the visit, but curious about everything that had taken place with Jordan.
“He’s still here?” she said, twisting the gilded lock on the door for safe measure.
“He’s downstairs, but detained. You’re safe.”
“I’ll be safe when he’s in prison.”
Marigold took her trembling hands in hers. “Jordan will get what he deserves.”
A delicate V formed between Katya’s brows. “Did you see him?”
She dropped her gaze. “Yes.”
“Was he…hurt?”
“Yes. And it will probably get worse before he’s removed. But you don’t need to think about that, now.”
She nodded, but then contradicted herself by admitting, “I want him to see me. I suppose that means I have to find the courage to face him.”
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, Katya.”
“I want him to suffer the way he made me suffer.” She pressed a trembling hand to her narrow waist. “Not just me. The others too. Including you.”
“Jordan hurt a lot of people. That’s how he got into this mess. Your brother’s will make sure he pays a just price, whether you’re involved or not.”
“I can’t spend my life running from my past.”
Marigold admired her tenacity. “Just remember that everyone heals at their own pace.”
She looked up at her with stormy green eyes. “Have you healed? Did it help? Seeing him?”
“I’m…healing. It’s going to take time.”
“Because he hurt you.” Her words were the quiet acknowledgement she’d been waiting for.
Marigold nodded, her throat tight. “Yes,” she rasped.
Knowing this nightmare was coming to an end made the emotions that much more intense. It was as if she could finally count her scars and review the damage.
“I’ll never be the same after this,” she realized. “I’ve lost my home, my father…”
“But you’ve found a family in us.” Katya’s hands closed around her arms. “You’re a Volkov now.”
Emotion seemed to tumble out of her in the form of a laugh. “I’ve always wanted a sister.”
“Well, you have one.” She hugged Marigold so tight emotion continued to rattle out of her in laughter and tears.
“Okay, that’s enough,” she said, pulling back and wiping her eyes. “I’ve cried enough tears over these last few months to fill an ocean. We have to focus on the positive.”
Katya dabbed the corner of her eyes and nodded. “That’s a good plan for both of us.”
Marigold let out a breath she felt like she’d been holding for the last year. “I think I’m going to take a long bath and think about what I want the rest of my life to look like, now that I know I’m free and I don’t have to run anymore.”
Katya walked her to the door and twisted the lock, but when she opened it, Cole was on the other side. His expression darkened to a scowl the moment he saw Marigold.
“You.”
“Cole.” She smiled nervously. “You’re out.”
His eyes narrowed. “I came to check on Ms. Volkov .” When he turned his attention to Katya, his gaze softened with concern. “Are you all right, ptichka?”
A smile teased at the corner of Katya’s mouth like a secret. “Yes,” she said, almost breathlessly. “Thank you for checking on me.”
The radio on his belt chirped and a voice crackled from an unknown connection. “Grizzly Bear is heading to The Cave. Polar Bear is close behind. Do you have an update on Little Bird?”
“Safe and sound. Where’s Black Bear?”
“Already with our guest.”
Cole cut off the radio and glanced at Marigold.
She suddenly felt like an intruder. “I’ll talk to you later, Katya.”
She scurried past Cole, wondering what her official security nickname was. Hard to choose when she had three. Depending on her mood and situation, she was sometimes a skittish rabbit, sometimes a clever fox, and sometimes a pampered princess. But today, she felt as powerful as a queen.
When she reached the other end of the hall and looked back, the officer was still standing at Katya’s door, his arm was reaching over the threshold.
Was something more than a security check going on between those two? She wondered if the boys knew anything. On second thought, she decided to keep her suspicions to herself. A secret among sisters.
After her bath, Marigold curled under the fur blankets and dozed off. The fire had gone low, and she awoke to a gentle caress along her cheek. Peeking through her lashes, she made out Stone’s silhouette as he looked down at her, stroking her face softly.
“You were supposed to come to me.” His skin smelled of fresh soap, and his chest was bare.
“I fell asleep.” The snap of kindling drew her attention to the fireplace, where Ash added more wood. Hunter entered and closed the door.
If they were all here, that meant… “Is Jordan—”
“He’s gone,” Stone said. “For a long, long time.”
“He can’t hurt you now,” Ash said, stripping off his sweater and coming to sit on the other side of the bed.
Hunter flipped the gilded lock on the door, moving toward the bed.
“Have you slept?”
They each shook their head.
“We’re wired,” Ash said.
“Need to burn off some adrenaline before we crash.” Stone stripped and crawled under the covers.
Hunter prowled closer, but kept his motions under tight control. “Any regrets?”
She hid a smile as he stepped closer to the bed, nothing but stark intensity and dark intention in his eyes. “No.”
“Good.” Hunter pulled off his shirt and tossed it to the chair.
The fur blanket pulled away and her nipples tightened in the cold air. “What do we have here,” Ash teased, bending to capture a tight bud in his mouth.
“And here.” Stone scooted lower, crouching between her thighs as he pressed a slow, devastating kiss on her sex.
Marigold’s breath hitched as her eyes closed.
The soft press of Hunter’s mouth to hers was the delicate welcome home she needed.
Their combined touch heated her into a fury of desire, limbs twisting and passion building as little gasps and moans escaped.
Her body was overwhelmed by the three of them, a docile treasure they all wanted to cherish.
“I need you,” she rasped, then moaned as Stone’s fingers delved inside of her. “All of you.”
“Ours,” Hunter said, dragging his lips down her shoulder to capture her breast.
Ash’s ice-blue eyes darkened with understanding. “Does this mean that your finally ready?”
“I’m ready. This is where I want to be,” she confessed, arching against the bed as they broke her apart bit by bit. “Please,” she breathed, gasping as Stone devoured her slowly.
They exchanged looks, silent communication that spoke of years of shared understanding.
“We’ll always take care of you,” Hunter promised. “Ona Moya. Ours.”
The trials of the day, the week, the months she’d struggled to find a safe place to rest felt so distant now.
Her body was thrumming with leftover adrenaline, with relief so intense it felt like intoxication.
She needed grounding. Needed this feeling of safety, so cherished and protected, consensually powerless. Theirs.
When she was with her three bears, surrendering her choice, and trusting them to take care of her, she was truly free.
“Kiss me,” Ash commanded, smile soft with affection and eyes dark with promise.
“We’ll take care of the rest, printessa.
” He took possession of her mouth, driving her passion higher.
When he pulled away, she was breathless and her heart fluttered as he whispered against her lips, “We’ll never hurt you. ”
He kissed her with infinite patience as hands roamed her body with reverent exploration, finding every sensitive spot and lavishing attention where she needed it most. This wasn’t the singular desperate claiming she’d experienced with Hunter or the unique driving pressure to submit that she’d felt when alone with Stone.
Nor was it the gentle comfort she and Ash shared.
This was something more profound. Trust as tangible as flesh, power exchanged freely. Four unique souls tied into one.
“I saw your curiosity,” Ash murmured against her throat. “In the observation room, when you saw me with Stone. Were you curious?”
Heat flooded her cheeks, but she didn’t deny it. “Yes.”
“We’ll show you everything you desire, printsessa. Every fantasy you’ve ever dreamed, we will bring it to life for you.”
The control they had over her body and mind left her in a drug-like haze.
The way they moved together, coordinated everything, the trust it took to let them make all the decisions, it should have been terrifying, but it only felt heavenly.
She was floating on a cloud of pleasure, as soft caresses and teasing licks and kisses drove her higher and higher.
“Look how beautiful she is,” Stone said, glancing up from between her thighs. “Such trust in us.” His soft breath teased over her damp flesh. “Tonight, you’re going to let go of everything that came before and embrace your future.”
These men wanted control. Their brutal past demanded it. But they would never take without permission. When she looked at them, truly watched them, she saw strength offered in service, dominance that existed to protect and pleasure rather than harm.
“I trust you,” she whispered.
“Good girl.” The praise came from all three men and sent heat spiraling through her core.
“Relax, and let us take care of everything.” Stone’s mouth returned to her sex, and she arched against the bedding, hips tipped toward his talented tongue as Ash and Hunter caressed and suckled her breasts.
She fell apart in their arms, waves of pleasure crashing over her until her skin was dewy with sweat and trembling with aftershocks.
“My turn.” Hunter took Stone’s place between her legs, pressing her thighs wide to make room for his broad shoulders, and licked deeply. “Mmm,” he growled. “Sweet, warm honey.”
Stone appeared at her side, naked and stroking his engorged cock. “You know what I want.”