47 RHEA
I push open the front door, my boots scuffing against the threshold as I toss my keys into the bowl on the entryway table. I’m halfway through shrugging off my leather jacket when I stop dead in my tracks.
The living room is clean. Like, suspiciously clean.
No random mugs of stale coffee on the side table, no pile of Tobias’s workout gear he insists on “airing out” on the couch, none of Julian’s endless stacks of fight magazines.
Even the faint smell of takeout that usually lingers in the air is gone, replaced by something… fresh.
Citrusy. And there, in the middle of the room, are the three of them.
Corey’s leaning against the arm of the couch, dressed in a charcoal button-down that clings to his frame like it was made for him.
Julian’s sitting upright in the armchair, his usual scowl softened by a crisp white shirt rolled up to his elbows.
And Tobias—Tobias is pacing by the window, his dark shirt hugging his shoulders like it’s holding on for dear life.
“Uh.” I blink, my jacket sliding off one shoulder. “What… is happening here?” Corey grins, that slow, mischievous one that makes my stomach do things it shouldn’t. “Thought we’d clean up for a change.
Surprised?”
“Surprised? No. Terrified? Absolutely. Did someone die? Did someone else die?” I glance around the room like I’m expecting a body to materialize.
Julian scoffs, but there’s a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Relax, baby. No one’s dead. Yet.”
“Yet?” I shoot him a look. “That’s comforting, thanks.” Tobias stops pacing and turns to me, his hands stuffed in his pockets. “We’re taking you out. Someplace nice.”
“Someplace nice,” I repeat, my brain short-circuiting. “Why?” Corey pushes off the couch and takes a step toward me. “Because we feel like it. Because you’ve been through hell and back with us.
Because, believe it or not, we actually like spending time with you outside of dodging bullets and stitching up knife wounds.”
“Wow, flattery,” I deadpan, crossing my arms. “But seriously, what’s the catch? Are we about to infiltrate a black-tie gala and steal something? Because I’m not wearing heels for that.” Julian barks out a laugh, the sound low and rumbling. “No catch.
Just dinner. And no, you’re not wearing heels.”
“Good, because I don’t own any.” Tobias steps closer, his towering frame blocking the light from the window.
“You’re gonna change, though. Right?” I glance down at my outfit—my usual uniform of ripped jeans, a band tee, and my trusty Docs.
“What’s wrong with this?” Corey gives me a look that’s equal parts exasperation and fondness.
“Rhea, we’re not taking you to a dive bar. Put on something nice.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Like what? A ball gown? A tiara? Oh wait, I don’t own any of that stuff.”
“You do now, it’s up in your room on the back of the door.” Corey runs a hand through his hair, looking to Julian and Tobias for backup.
“You three did not go shopping for me did you…Oh God…”
“No, jesus.” Tobias interjects. “That’s what Haven’s for.” Julian stands, brushing imaginary lint off his shirt. “Just go get dressed without any lip, can you manage that love?”
“Maybe,” I mutter, heading for the stairs. “But if this is some elaborate prank, I’m kicking all of your asses.”
“Looking forward to it,” Tobias calls after me, his voice laced with a smirk.
I pause halfway up the stairs and turn to look at them.
“You’re all acting weird. Like, weird weird. What aren’t you telling me?”
Corey exchanges a glance with the other two, and for a split second, I see something flicker in his expression—something I can’t quite place. But then he smirks, and it’s gone.
“Just get dressed, Rhea. Trust us.”
“Famous last words,” I mutter, but I’m already heading to my room, my mind racing. What the hell are they up to?
I shove my hands into the pockets of my hoodie, eyeing the three of them like they’ve collectively lost their minds.
“Okay, hold up. No warning? No details? You know I don’t like surprises, right?”
Tobias lets out a low chuckle, the sound rumbling through the room like distant thunder.
“Damn, baby. Just roll with it for once.
We’re going to eat. No bullets, no knives, no back-alley brawls.
Just… us. Relax.”
“Relax? Relax?” I throw my hands up, pacing the room like a caged animal. “You three don’t do relaxing. Every time you say ‘just relax,’ it’s code for ‘hope you’re ready to dodge a grenade.’ So, no.
I’m not relaxing. What’s the catch? And who’s covering the bar while we’re gone?”
Corey steps forward, that calm, collected look on his face that usually means he’s about to drop a bomb.
“About that… we sold the bar.” I freeze mid-step, my brain short-circuiting.
“You what?” He shrugs like he’s telling me he just ordered pizza instead of Chinese. “We sold it.”
“You sold it,” I repeat, my voice rising an octave. “The bar. The one we’ve been busting our asses to get back in line. You just… sold it?” Julian leans back in the armchair, his lips curving into a smirk.
“Yeah. Cash in hand. No more shady deals, no more underground fights. Clean slate.”
“But… why?” I’m still staring at Corey, waiting for the punchline that doesn’t come.
Tobias steps closer, his towering frame blocking my view of the window.
“Because we want a fresh start. No bad memories, no ghosts. Just us. And you.”
Corey nods, his dark eyes locking onto mine.
“We’re done with that life, Rhea. It’s time for something new. Something better.”
My chest tightens, and I feel my defenses start to crumble.
These guys—these infuriating, complicated, impossible men—are willing to walk away from everything they’ve built because they want a future. With me.
“You’re insane,” I whisper, shaking my head.
“All of you.” Julian grins, that cocky, self-assured smile that makes me want to smack him and kiss him at the same time.
“Yeah, but you love us anyway.” I step forward, my heart pounding as I look at each of them in turn.
“I do. I really, really do.” And then I kiss them.
First Corey, his lips warm and firm against mine.
Then Tobias, his hands gripping my waist like he’s afraid I’ll disappear.
And finally Julian, his smirk softening into something real, something raw.
“I’m the luckiest girl in the world,” I say, my voice trembling.
“And you’re all idiots.” Corey laughs, pulling me into a hug. “Yeah, but we’re your idiots.”
“Damn right,” I mutter, burying my face in his chest. “Now, where are we going?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Julian teases, tapping my nose.
I groan. “I hate surprises.”
“In that case we’re also leaving after dinner for a weekend trip.” Corey adds like it’s nothing.
“Wait, what?.. We’re… we’re going on vacation?” I know they notice the tears pooling in my eyes. These stubborn, arrogant, wonderful men who have my heart in a vice grip.
“I’m speechless…”
“Jesus fuck that’s a rareity,” Tobias laughs.