Chapter 52
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
THE HEATHEN
After dinner, Bella told us to follow her upstairs, and I could spot how uncomfortable my men were with the idea. They prefer when they have their eyes on me, but eventually they relented when I promised I’d be fine.
We enter a second living room which reminds me of the safe house.
None of them have mentioned being upset about the loss of it, but I have wondered if they are pissed about it.
It wasn’t a cheap house. If it weren’t for my family, we never would’ve needed to leave—if it weren’t for my family, we never would’ve been there at all.
The guilt gnaws at me, knowing everything I’ve cost them, and it’s only going to get worse.
I’ve thought a lot about just surrendering to my father to save them.
It’s selfish that I haven’t, because simply thinking of one day without them is crushing.
Every day, I say to myself, Tomorrow. I just need one more day.
When tomorrow comes, I say the same thing again because it’ll never be enough.
I’ll always want one more day with them.
We take a seat on the cozy-looking, cream-colored sofa. I sit between Bella and Bianca, while Hadley sits on the far end.
There’s an aquarium on the left side of the room but I don’t see any creatures in it.
“What’s in there?” I ask.
Bianca beams with a one word answer.
“Marie.”
I stare blankly, and Bella giggles.
“Her emotional support cockroach that she rescued from the asylum.”
Taking a closer look, I spot the cockroach moving inside and shake my head. I remember her holding a cockroach in her hand the day they killed the doctor.
“Three men?” Bella squeals as the other two laugh.
Bianca joins in and says, “You really have sex with all three of those hotties?”
My cheeks heat as I cover my face with my hands.
“Yes. All three of them.”
Hadley giggles as she shakes her head.
“Is there jealousy? If Psycho tried to share me, the other men wouldn’t make it out alive. He gets pissed if another man even looks at me.”
I shrug my shoulders as I try to explain.
“There isn’t any jealousy. They are all very different even though they’re triplets.
I get something special from all of them.
It’s strange for sure, but I couldn’t imagine life without any of them—I wouldn’t want to.
We are a family, and yes, they share me, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t matter to them. They would do anything for me.”
Bianca grabs my hand, clearly noticing how defensive I am.
“Oh honey. We aren’t judging. It’s just wild to us because our men are so different. I’m so glad you’re happy. You deserve it after everything you’ve been through.”
Bella giggles, a high-pitched sound, and says, “We listen and don’t judge—out loud.”
She places her hand on my thigh and continues.
“Kidding. Totally kidding. We aren’t judging you. We have all had hard, traumatic lives, and you should take happiness wherever you can find it. If that’s three men, go for it. I almost wish I had done that before Nico.”
She leans in and whispers as if she’s afraid someone could be listening.
“Three men all giving you orgasms. Six hands. Three cocks. One for each hole. Lucky bitch.” She sighs audibly.
Hadley states the obvious and I smile because I agree. Completely.
“Let’s not forget all three of them are hot.”
“Hadley!” Psycho growls from the doorway, causing me to jump. She gets up and walks over to him, not appearing afraid of him, and rubs her fingers over the hair covering his jaw.
He continues to growl.
“Do I need to remind you who you belong to?”
“Massimo.” She whimpers as he wraps an arm around her back and pulls her against his chest.
“The Bonetti brothers are all very possessive men. I don’t know about your men, but with ours it’s a dominant family trait.” Bella whispers to me.
I nod in agreement because that is something I identify with.
“Mine are the same. They share me with each other, but anyone other than them would die if they touched me.”
Psycho looks over Hadley’s head at us with a scowl that I’m beginning to wonder if it’s permanent.
“The party's over, ladies. Downstairs. The triplets have questions for Bella.”
Psycho and Hadley leave, and I ask, “Is he going to hurt her?”
Bianca shrugs before answering.
“Yes? No? Yes. He’s going to cut her. I’m sure of it.”
The panic in my eyes must be obvious as Bella explains what Bianca meant.
“It will be consensual. They are into knife play. He will be careful and make sure she’s safe. Psycho is a psycho, but he loves her and would never risk losing her. None of our men are violent with us.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief.
Bianca loops her arm in mine and tugs me closer to her.
“I’m so happy you’re here. This is so much better than talking through vents.”
I laugh as I remember our first conversations in the asylum, when I sat on the floor talking to her through the vent in my room.
“And look at us now. Neither of us was crazy.”
She shakes her head as we walk to the stairs.
“You’re crazier than the Mad Hatter, baby girl, but I love you anyway.”
I roll my eyes at her words because I don’t think I’m crazy. I never have.
“Sure. You’re the one with the emotional support cockroach, but I’m crazy.”
Holding her hand over her heart, she gasps in shock, but I know she can’t genuinely be surprised.
“You’re just jealous. Don’t worry, I love Marie, but you haven’t lost the best friend status. Yet.”
She says and walks over to Raven, who is quick to take her into his arms.
Carter motions for me to come to him. When I get close to him, he pulls me onto his lap and wraps his arms around my waist. I press my hands over his as his brothers watch with sheer panic. They both jump up, ready to intervene, and Carter looks at them both.
“Sit down. She’s fine.”
Their panicked expressions turn to confusion as they retake their seats on the sofa.
Not a word is spoken, but they watch closely.
And I know they will continue to. I love this about my men.
My safety is always of the utmost importance.
It’s as if having me in their sights makes them breathe a little easier.
Ditto boys.
Knox, Killian and Carter do the same for me and more. Colors are brighter. Music sounds more beautiful. Shades of grey are suddenly vibrant. Every sense is heightened, and life is worth living. Before them, I was focused on saving the children. I still am, but now—I want to live—need to live.
Just so I can have one more day.