Revea #2
“Mami, para,” he murmurs as I look at him. “Don’t ever call yourself that again.” His command runs straight through me, not a bark, but that dark expression of his is all I need.
“I’m nearly done, I swear.” I swallow. “You never signed up for this, for what happened to me, but now… I’m here, in your home.”
The nest flashes back into my mind, and my chest tightens.
“My brothers asked me to stay with them, but that’s not happening now people know where they live… And you’ve clearly built this place with a lot of thought and love. I don’t want to risk anyone finding it, so if I could just stay tonight and then tomorrow—”
“Revea, you’re staying,” Kaiden says, almost an order. “This is a secure house. You’ll be safe here for as long as you need.”
I try to smile, but it doesn’t sit right.
They didn’t really choose to bring me here; it was forced upon them. There was nowhere else I could stay. And now I’m here, putting it at risk.
“I was going to ask my brother about a safehouse. I’m sure they have—”
“They’re not safe,” Sylvan interrupts, brows deeply furrowed. “Why don’t you want to stay? I don’t understand. Did we do something wrong?”
I hate the way Sylvan looks right now, like he’s already blaming himself for something.
“No, Sylvan. No. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
He doesn’t believe me, that expression morphing back into masked composure, and my chest aches.
“I found the nest,” I blurt. “I didn’t go inside,” I add in a panic. “I just… looked.”
There’s an incredibly still moment, each man glancing at one another.
For once, Sylvan doesn’t look the most confused.
“And…?” Luc finally says.
“It looked…” I pause. “Untouched.”
Luc frowns, Kaiden’s brows bunch, Val looks to Sylvan, who simply blinks.
One slow breath out. “I’ve practically forced myself on you. You’ve built this gorgeous home with a beautiful nest in the centre—there isn’t even a hint of another scent here besides yours. You were saving this place.”
“You don’t like that the nest is untouched…” Sylvan slowly repeats, ignoring everything else I’ve said.
I sigh. “Yes, Sylvan.”
“I could fuck your scent into that instead of my bed. Would that help?”
Luc’s mouth drops wide open. “Fucking hell, Sylvan. That brain of yours is something else.”
My shock morphs into a sharp laugh I can’t hold back. “Aren’t you… you know… saving it.”
“For who?” Sylvan turns to his packmates, brows set in a deep arch. “I need help. I don’t understand.”
“We’re not saving it, Revea. You didn’t force yourself in here.” Kaiden’s voice is stern, urging me to listen. “There were several places I could have taken you. We discussed the options before I went to the hotel, and this is where we decided. All of us.”
“Oh.” I pull in my lips, not quite sure what to say next. “Okay. Right.”
They decided to bring me here. It wasn’t a last-minute decision. They want me here in their gorgeous home with their beautiful, untouched nest.
“Thank you for… clearing that up,” I say, throat suddenly dry.
Sylvan’s head turns left and right before settling on me. “Is that a yes to fucking in the nest—”
Luc’s hand is over Sylvan’s mouth, muffling him as he smiles at me. “Did you need to say anything else, Revea?”
“Erm, yeah. Just one more thing.” I smile back, waiting until Luc’s hand has freed Sylvan. “I’m going into the salon tomorrow.”
“Why?” Val scowls, arms crossed.
“Because I’m not hiding or running away from this. I’m not going to be a coward. I’m facing it and using it.” I stand, and all their eyes track me. “And if... if you’re not put off by everything that’s happened these last few days, I’d really appreciate having you by my side.”
“Where else would we be?” Sylvan says with a frown.
Like the suggestion of anything else is ludicrous. Then he holds out a sleek, black phone.
“This is yours. I’ve given your new number to your brothers. They said they’d circulate it to those who need it.”
“Our head of PR, Lyana, will handle your emails and social media,” Val adds. “She’ll filter out important messages and send them to the new email on that phone.”
“Our lawyers have secured intellectual property rights to the footage,” Kaiden continues. “Any station that uses it without permission will be fined. You’ll be compensated for the ones who already have.”
I blink at them. “Wow. Okay.” I nod. “Thank you… That’s… You’ve done all that already?”
Luc shrugs, flashing me a crooked grin. “What can we say? We’re efficient when we’re motivated. And right now, we’re very motivated.”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “Well, thank you. But what should I be doing?”
Luc stands, closing the space between us.
“PR said you can leave everything to them or make a short statement. Nothing dramatic. A post thanking people, clarifying a few facts. But the only thing we really need you to do…” He lowers his voice, hands slipping around my waist. “…is to tell me what your favourite takeaway is.”
I laugh softly. “Hitting me with a really hard question.”
“Mm.” He smiles, pulling me closer. “Say the wrong thing, and we might have to reconsider kicking you out.”
I gasp dramatically.
“No, we won’t,” Sylvan cuts in immediately, frown deepening as he stands.
Luc sighs. “It’s a joke, Syl.”
“Maybe not after what I say,” I murmur, very aware of four sets of eyes on me. “Italian.”
Luc grins. “Can we share the pasta like those two dogs?”
I tilt my head. “Is that all you want to share?” His grin slips as my hands slide up his chest. “Because you’ve already shared your house. Your security. Your lawyers—”
“You,” Sylvan starts, his voice lowering, gaze darkening. “We’d like to share you.”
Val exhales with a chuckle. “Christ, Syl.”
“When you’re ready,” Sylvan adds, stepping closer. “Of course.”
“Master of seduction strikes again,” Luc murmurs.
Syl’s brows pinch. “Did I say something wrong?”
I shake my head, reaching for his wrist. “No, Sylvan.” My voice softens. “You’re perfect. Don’t ever change.”
He blinks at me, like he’s not sure he believes it.
I tug him closer, keeping our eyes locked. “I mean it.” The scar in his lip pulls tight as he smiles. “All of you are,” I add, glancing between them, lingering on Kaiden, whose gaze doesn’t waver.
He doesn’t say a word, but there’s something in the way he looks at me, like I’m the one giving them something.
But they’re the ones who tracked me down when I disappeared. They found the men who blackmailed me. They protected my staff and salon. Now they’re letting me stay in their beautiful home while handling the storm this video has caused like it’s nothing.
All of it without hesitation.
For me.
And for the first time in a long time, I realise how good it feels to not do everything on my own.