81. Neomi
I stare at the clock on the stove.
It’s six-thirty a.m. and my brain refused to shut off long enough to give me anything close to real rest. I tossed and turned all night, recounting the events from last night.
The coffee maker gurgles softly as it finishes its cycle.
I lean my hip against the counter and stare out at the skyline through the massive windows across the penthouse. My fingers curl around the edge of the marble.
Falco is dead.
I didn’t realize the fear I felt since the first time I heard Lars speak his name on the plane ride home from Vegas. Thanks to Gabriel, I no longer have to live in fear of him.
I hear our bedroom door open from upstairs. Footsteps follow, unhurried, familiar.
“You’re up early.”
Lars’s voice is rough with sleep, still carrying the weight of the night before, but lighter than it’s been in weeks.
“Couldn’t sleep,” I say, turning toward him. “My brain decided I should relive the last forty-eight hours on a loop.”
He walks to me, running a hand through my messy hair, the touch is comforting.
“Tell your brain that you’re safe, Bella. Falco is dead, Gabriel is here, know that I love you.”
I nod and my throat feels thick with emotion. I know he’s right and I know that even though Falco is gone, this might not be the only threat we will face in our lives. But our love will overcome any other force, and I know he and Gabriel will protect me at all costs.
Last night when we came home, we all agreed that while we work to repair our relationship with Gabriel, he’ll stay in the guest room.
It’s hard not having him in our bed, because I want him close.
But I know that he’s just down the stairs, he’s in our home and we won’t let the attachment of sex blur the process of rebuilding trust.
Gabriel comes around the corner from the guest hallway and when I look at him, he smiles. It’s the smile that has always sent shivers through me. The smile that he saves only for us, and it feels so goddamn good to see it this morning.
“Is there coffee?” he asks, voice soft.
Lars kisses my hair and then goes to Gabriel.
He wraps him an embrace, arms around his waist, head on his shoulder and it makes my heart swell.
Gabriel’s body relaxes, and he extends his arms at Lars’ sides, signaling for me to join them.
I do, curling my body around Lars’ back as Gabriel’s hands close in on my waist.
I’m not sure how long we stay like that, but I feel both the familiarity and the newness in it. We started on a wild whirlwind and now we have the opportunity to lay down a proper foundation for something that will last.