Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Gwendolyn
As soon as I opened my eyes, the image of Malice licking and biting my bottom lip rushed into my mind, causing butterflies to swarm in my belly.
At first, I’d thought he was going to kiss me, but what he did instead was like a shot of lust straight to my clit.
I wanted to feel his tongue all over my body.
But I couldn’t.
Not only was he my boss, but he was also one of the biggest criminals out there.
But he did save my family, and he would protect us. I knew that with absolute certainty.
So that meant I could fantasize about him.
Right?
It was his own fault for being so stupidly good-looking.
Just as I was about to slip my hand under my panties, a knock sounded on the door.
“Gwen,” Amelia called. “Felix made breakfast. Well, lunch, really, since it’s so late.”
Smiling, I called, “I’ll be down in a second.”
“Okay,” she shouted back.
I threw the covers off and climbed out of bed.
While I stretched, I glanced around at the large, extravagant bedroom.
I wondered again who’d put silk sheets on the king-sized bed.
They were stunning but slippery. I’d have to invest in new cotton ones, since my bed back home was only a queen.
Then again, I could just bring my bed in here and move the things from here to another vacant house.
Although, I did remember Malice saying there weren’t many houses available.
Where did he live?
Was it close or far away?
How had he even gotten home? I’d been too flustered to stick around and peek outside after he’d made my head spin.
Glancing down, I dug my toes into the lush rug beneath the bed. It was so damn soft.
Our house had been big-ish, but it was older and needed a few things done.
This place, though, was like walking into a display home.
Still in the long, flowery nightgown Veronica had bought me, I walked into the en suite for a quick shower.
That woman had chosen well for everyone but me.
Thankfully, last night I remembered my suitcase was in my car.
So, after I’d regained some courage following Malice’s little stunt, I went out to grab it.
Once I brought it upstairs, though, I was too tired to do anything, which was why I slipped on the granny nightgown and fell into bed.
The bathroom was nearly as big as the bedroom, with a giant jacuzzi tub that I was looking forward to soaking in.
Just not now. I wanted to go back to my place, get my babies unhooked, and bring them over to set up. I also needed to sort out what I wanted brought here from home.
There was so much to do, and Amelia had already said it was close to lunch time.
When I made it downstairs, freshly showered and dressed, my family was sitting around the eight-seat table, eating and talking.
“Morning,” I called. I first kissed Felix on the head, then Amelia, and Greg on the cheek. “How’d everyone sleep? Greg, have you had more pain medication?”
“Felix got me some.”
“Good.” I winked at Felix and turned back to Greg. “But how’re you feeling?”
He picked up the croissant and waved it. “Since I slept like a baby, I’m feeling good.”
“The beds are heaven,” Amelia said. “Even Felix agreed.”
Our brother nodded. “Not that there’s anything wrong with what we had at home.”
Snorting, I grabbed my own pastry to go with the bacon and eggs Felix made. “I know what you mean. But can we really accept all this? I was thinking we could move our stuff in from home if you’re all still sure about staying here?”
I wanted to check, since I was starting to feel a little like I didn’t belong at this house or in this… what did he call it… community.
“I want to stay,” Felix said.
“Me too,” Amelia added.
Greg nodded. “If you’ll have me stay, I would like to.”
“We want you here, Greg.” Reaching over, I took his hand and squeezed. “Always.” He smiled, and I took a mouthful of food. Knowing that my family was so certain about being here eased my worry somewhat. After chewing and swallowing, I mentioned, “What happens if you two need to move schools?”
Felix shrugged. “I don’t mind the drive, and I can drop the pain off too.”
Amelia gave her brother the middle finger.
“You’ll have to get up even earlier,” I reminded him. He wasn’t a morning person. He was only functioning now because it was in the middle of the day.
He rolled his eyes. “I can deal. I have, like, half a year left, and who knows where I’ll be after that.”
“I can move schools so I’m closer. I don’t mind,” Amelia told me.
These kids were the best.
“How about we check out the closer schools for Amelia, but she won’t start until next year, and see how Felix copes with waking up at the ass crack of dawn?”
“It won’t be that early,” Felix said.
“We’ll see,” I sang, then sobered. “On a more serious note, I want to ask you both something.”
“What?” they said together.
“It was a lot to handle last night, and with everything you went through and saw, I was thinking it might be a good idea to talk to someone. A professional.”
Felix and Amelia shared a look.
I pointed my fork at them. “What’s that?”
“We talked last night and thought you might suggest this,” Felix explained.
“I know a lot happened, but I don’t feel I need to talk to anyone,” Amelia said. “I think what helps is that we’re in a different place.”
Felix nodded. “A place that’s more secure, and with your boss around—” He shrugged. “—it feels safer.”
I totally understood because I felt the same.
“Okay. The offer is always there if you need someone. For today, who’s comfortable enough to come back with me to sort out their things?”
“I will,” Felix answered.
“Me, for sure,” Amelia mumbled around a mouthful of food.
They were so damn brave.
Greg shook his head. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll stay around here for the day and rest.”
“Of course. We can pack your things together when you’re ready. Did you need me to pick anything up, though?”
After his sip of coffee, which I was eyeing and wishing I had in my hand right then, he said, “I have enough with me for now. Everything else can wait.” His lips twitched. “You just worry about your babies.”
I grinned. “You got it.” He knew how much I loved my computers.
“Shouldn’t you call Malice to tell him we’re going out of the community?” Felix asked.
I paused with the fork halfway to my mouth. “Do you think I need to?” I glanced at Greg as he nodded and then looked back to Felix.
“Probably for the best in case there’s an issue at the gate or something.”
Dropping my head back, I groaned. “Fine.” I really didn’t want to see or talk to him. Not when I already felt myself flush from the reminder of last night.
God, his eyes were so hard from annoyance and frustration and something else I couldn’t decipher.
But they drew me in like a moth to a flame.
Goddamn it, I was probably going to make a fool out of myself.
Standing, I shoved the last bite of pastry in my mouth and saluted my family before I poured myself a coffee. “I’ll go call. You two get dressed.”
Back upstairs, I grabbed my phone off the bedside table. There was no use using a non-traceable phone now. He knew more about me than anyone outside the family did.
But at least I knew he’d keep my family safe and not use them against me.
My stomach was a jumble of nerves as I made the call.
“Speak.”
“Ah, yeah, hi. Look, I wasn’t sure if I should call, but Felix had this idea that I’m supposed to.”
“Doll, what do you need?” I could hear the humor in his tone.
My body heated from his voice and the question.
I needed a lot of things, but none of them were appropriate.
“I’m taking my siblings back to the house today to pack some things up. I’ll be fine leaving, right?”
Silence on the other end hit my ears for a few beats before he said, “I’m busy. So I’ll have Reaper come to you shortly. Stay there until he arrives.”
“But—”
“I have to go.” Then he hung up.
I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at it.
Looked like Reaper was going to babysit us.
Not that I’d complain. After everything that happened over the past twenty-four hours, I was happy to be babysat, and at least while I waited for him, I had time to check on Stasia.
“You know, I thought there was going to be a lot more… mess? Like blood and stuff. It’s really clean,” I said to Reaper from under my desk in my office.
Of course, he didn’t reply. This man didn’t talk much, which was fine with me, since I talked enough for the both of us.
I hadn’t stopped rambling since he’d driven us here.
He’d learned things we liked and disliked and still hadn’t said a word.
I paused when a new thought rushed in, and I ducked my head out to look at him. “Do you think it’s weird that I’m not weirded out that people died in the house?” I stood and reached behind the monitors to pull the cords up.
“No.”
My eyes widened, and I slowly turned to him. “Huh?”
“It’s not weird. I think it shows you’re strong.”
“Oh. Okay, thanks.” I went back to what I was doing, saying, “Do you know lemons float in water, but limes don’t? I haven’t googled the reason why yet, and I can’t remember where I saw it, but I thought it was interesting.”
“Do you always talk this much?” Reaper asked from where he leaned against the doorway.
“A lot of the time. Sorry, does it annoy you?”
“Just don’t expect anything in return.”
No, really?
Snorting, I grinned over at him. “I figured.”
“Amelia, that’s my portable speaker,” I heard Felix yell.
Reaper glanced down the hallway. They were busy packing up their things.
“Just pack it, and we’ll work out who it belongs to later,” I called with an eyeroll.
There was mumbling, but I couldn’t work out what it was. Ignoring them, I returned to pulling the cords up behind the desk. I unplugged them from the monitors and rolled them up. Crouching, I placed them securely in their labeled bags.