Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
KNOX
Last night was calm after we got to the house Bones arranged for us.
Heather appears to finally be on the mend.
Maybe killing Grave did some good for her because she seems lighter.
I can only hope once we find the Prophet it’ll get even better.
Killian disconnects his call and stuffs his phone into his pocket.
“We are down a man for the foreseeable future.”
“Why?” Heather asks as she pours herself a cup of coffee.
“Bianca is in labor, so Raven is heading back home.”
Heather bounces on her toes excitedly, spilling coffee on the floor as a squeal escapes her lips. I wasn’t sure how she felt about her friend's pregnancy. There could’ve been some deep-seated jealousy, but now I see that isn’t the case.
I grab a cloth and clean up the mess she made.
“Sorry. I’m so happy for her. Bianca went through hell with her ex and then in the asylum. It was like something out of a bad horror movie. And I guess-“
She lets out a long breath before continuing.
“It’s good to see her happy. People who have walked through hell deserve a little heaven.”
Killian pulls out his phone again and reads a text message.
“The girls would like us to come over later if you’re up to it? The guys are grilling rib eyes. And they all plan on swimming.”
The disappointment in her eyes causes a pain in my chest. I know it isn’t possible but I want her to be happy. Always.
“You can say no, Tesoro.”
She shakes her head and explains.
“It’s not that. It sounds wonderful, but I don’t own a bathing suit.”
Killian says, “If you want to go swimming, you can.”
Her giggle is sweet, but none of us are amused by her words.
“Okay, so you don’t mind me skinny dipping in the pool with the brothers then?”
Carter responds first, but Killian and I don’t disagree.
“Careful, Little Heathen. That smart mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble.”
“A lot of fucking trouble, Killer. No, you will not be naked near any of them. I was suggesting that we could order a suit and have it delivered. But maybe since you want to be a brat, we shouldn’t.”
“Please, Killian?”
She bats her blue eyes at him, and I know he’s a fucking goner before he opens his mouth to speak. This woman has all three of us wrapped around her pretty little finger and none of us have a problem with it.
“Fine, but behave. And no more talk about being naked around other men. You may think it’s funny but I promise you, we do not.”
She crosses her fingers over her heart.
“Best behavior. I swear.”
I motion to the living room.
“Let's sit and talk for a few minutes.”
Heather takes a final gulp of her coffee and sets the cup in the sink.
I’m not sure who owns this house but they aren’t hurting for money.
The floors are an expensive Italian marble and all the furniture is an Italian dark wood.
This room is tastefully decorated with modern furnishings.
The sofa is an Italian leather which wouldn’t have been my choice but it is nice.
My brothers and I take a seat on the sofa, and Heather sits across from us in a matching chair.
“We wanted to check in with you and see how you’re doing after everything?”
Heather pulls her legs up and crosses them in her lap. Her eyes search mine as if she didn’t quite understand my question.
“You mean with being raped.”
“No, Tesoro. Yes, that’s part of what happened, but it’s more than that. You ended your sister's life. You found her baby that you will have to decide what to do about. You tortured and killed Grave. It’s a lot, and I want to make sure you’re okay.”
Her gaze softens as she stares at me, her eyes fill with a tenderness as they sparkle.
“I love you too, Knox.”
Every time she says those words to me, it takes my breath away. Now is no different.
“I’m okay. It helps that he is dead. I know he will never hurt me or any other girl again. The baby, I’m still processing.”
“And your sister?” I ask.
She shrugs her shoulders.
“Abigail made her choice, leaving me without one. I don’t feel guilty. It was her or me. Finding out she wasn’t taking care of her baby helped. And Grave—he deserved what he got. Maybe the lack of remorse makes me a bad person, but honestly, I’m okay.”
She holds her hands on her lap twisting her fingers in knots, and we wait for her to voice what’s bothering her.
“Just say it, Killer. This is a safe space.”
She stares down at her lap, speaking quietly as if she’s not quite sure if she should talk about this.
“It’s about sex, or lack thereof. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. The way we were all together before, and I think it’s too much. For now, at least I think I need one at a time.”
My brothers and I have discussed this in great detail. We all agree that the first sexual experience after a rape probably shouldn’t be with multiple men. I think that would be too much for any woman that’s been through what she has but I’m fucking thrilled that she’s speaking up for herself.
“Tesoro, there are no expectations with us. Who you choose to have sex with or when. There are no rules as long as it’s one of us.
If down the road you want all of us at the same time again, great.
If you never do, that’s fine, too. This isn’t about us.
It’s about you and your safety. You call the shots.
You’re in control of your body, and only you decide what happens with it. ”
“Thank you,” she says, speaking in a whisper as she wipes a tear falling down her cheek.
“I’d like to lie down for a little while. Would one of you stay with me until I fall asleep?”
Kill and I glance at Carter, probably thinking the same thing. He is the only one of the three of us that understands what she has been through, and maybe he can help her work through things differently than Kill and I can.
Carter nods and says, “Let’s go lie down while Killian orders you a bathing suit for later.”