48. Marla
MARLA
The words hang in the air between us a split second before Russ and Alex come into the bedroom.
"What happened?" Russ asks, his voice sharp.
Nick turns the phone so they can see the screen. "Mayor resigned. Effective immediately. No explanation given."
The atmosphere in the room shifts instantly. Russ's hand finds my lower back, pulling me protectively closer to his side. His body is warm and solid against mine, grounding me when everything feels like it's spinning too fast.
Alex's expression transforms into something dangerous and satisfied. It's not quite a smile, but there's a dark pleasure in his eyes that makes my breath catch. He looks like a predator who's just watched his trap spring perfectly.
"You did this," I say quietly, looking at Alex.
It's not a question. I can see it in the way he stands there, calm and controlled while Nick and Russ are still processing the news. Alex planned this. He executed it. And he's been waiting for this exact moment.
"I did," Alex confirms, his voice smooth and unapologetic.
Nick crosses his arms over his chest, his black hair falling forward slightly as he studies Alex with those calculating green eyes. "How long have you been working on this?"
Alex moves to the sitting area and settles into one of the leather chairs like he's about to deliver a business presentation. "Since the night we found out about Zach and his father's connections."
Russ guides me to the couch, keeping his hand on my back the entire time.
I sink into the cushions, my heart pounding as I watch Alex's face. There's something terrifying and mesmerizing about seeing him like this, completely in control and utterly ruthless.
"The mayor made a critical mistake," Alex continues, his brown eyes sharp and focused.
"He thought he could play multiple families against each other while taking money from all of us.
He skimmed profits from shipments, selectively leaked information to law enforcement, and manipulated investigations to protect his own interests. "
"We knew he was corrupt," Nick says.
"Corrupt is one thing," Alex replies. "Betrayal is another. I found documentation proving he was positioning himself against his own protectors. He took our money, then worked with federal investigators to build cases against us. He thought he could ride both sides and come out clean."
My stomach twists. The mayor wasn't just protecting Zach from consequences. He was actively working to destroy the men who'd been paying him for years.
"How did you get the evidence?" Russ asks.
Alex's smile is cold and precise. "I have people everywhere. The mayor was sloppy because he thought he was untouchable. I compiled everything into a very detailed file and anonymously leaked it to the right people."
"What people?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Other families he was betraying," Alex says, his gaze shifting to me.
"Rival organizations who don't appreciate being played.
Federal agents who realized they were being manipulated.
Journalists who love a good corruption story.
By the time the information finished circulating, resignation was his only option for survival. "
The room falls silent. I can hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ears. Alex didn't kill the mayor.
He didn't need to. He destroyed him systematically, piece by piece, until the man had no choice but to walk away from everything.
"What about Zach?" I ask quietly.
The question hangs in the air. All three men look at me, and I see the answer in their faces before anyone speaks.
"He's next," Alex says, his voice flat and emotionless.
"How?" Russ demands. "The mayor might be gone, but Zach still has connections. He's still dangerous."
"I'm handling it," Alex says.
"That's not an answer," Nick says, his tone hardening.
Alex stands, his lean frame radiating controlled power. "It's the only answer you're getting right now. Trust me or don't, but I'm not explaining my methods until they're complete."
Nick and Russ exchange a look, some silent communication passing between them. Finally, Nick nods once.
"Fine," Nick says. "But if this blows back on any of us, it's your ass on the line."
"Understood," Alex replies.
I should feel frightened. I should be horrified by how casually they're discussing destroying someone's life. But instead, I feel something else entirely. Relief. Grim satisfaction.
The knowledge that these men will do whatever it takes to protect me and our child.
Russ's hand slides up my back, his fingers tracing patterns against my spine through the soft fabric of my sweater.
Nick moves closer, his green eyes locked on mine, and my breath catches with the intensity shining there.
"You're safe now," Nick says quietly. "The mayor can't touch you. Zach won't be able to either."
"I know," I whisper.
I reach out and cup Alex's face in my hands, feeling the slight stubble along his jaw.
He's older than the others, more controlled and calculating, but he's still sexy as hell. And, right now, he's my hero.
"Thank you," I whisper. Then I lean forward and kiss him.
Alex responds immediately, his hands sliding up my thighs as his mouth claims mine.
Behind me, Russ's hands move to my waist, steadying me as I shift forward on the couch. Nick settles beside us, his presence solid and grounding.
"Show him how grateful you are," Nick says, his voice low and commanding.
Heat floods through me at his words. Alex pulls back just enough to look at me, his eyes dark with desire and something deeper. Without breaking eye contact, I slide off the couch and onto my knees between his legs.
"Fuck," Russ breathes from behind me.
My hands move to Alex's belt, fumbling slightly with the buckle until he covers my hands with his own, helping me.
His pants open, and I can see how hard he already is beneath the fabric of his boxer briefs.
"Take your time," Alex says, his voice strained.
I pull him free, wrapping my hand around his length. He's thick and hard, and the sight of him makes my mouth water. I lean forward and take him into my mouth, using my tongue the way I've learned he likes.
"Christ," Alex groans, his hand moving to the back of my head.
"Deeper," Nick instructs from beside us. "He likes it when you take him all the way."
I do as Nick says, relaxing my throat and taking Alex deeper until I feel him hit the back of my throat. His hips jerk forward involuntarily, and the sound he makes is pure pleasure.
Russ's hands slide under my sweater from behind, cupping my breasts through my bra. I moan around Alex's cock, the vibration making him curse.
His control is slipping, his hips moving in shallow thrusts as I work him with my mouth and hand. I can feel how close he is, the tension building in his body.
"Stop," Alex says suddenly, his hand tightening in my hair. "I want to be inside you when I come."
He pulls me up and onto the couch, his hands already working at my clothes. Russ helps, tugging my sweater over my head while Nick unfastens my jeans.
Within seconds, I'm naked except for my bra, my pregnant belly round and obvious between us.
Alex's eyes darken as he looks at me. He positions himself between my thighs, his hands gripping my hips as he pushes inside me in one smooth thrust. I cry out at the fullness, my body stretching to accommodate him.
"That's it," Nick says from the couch. "Take all of him."
I realize then that Nick and Russ aren't participating. They're watching me and Alex have sex, and cheering us on. Heat climbs up my throat, but knowing they're watching drives me crazy and my core tightens.
Alex sets a steady rhythm, his thrusts deep and controlled. I turn my head and place my mouth on his neck, kissing and biting gently while his hand slides down and finds my clit, circling with just the right amount of pressure.
"Come for him," Nick commands. "Show him how much you appreciate what he did for you."
My orgasm crashes through me, my body clenching around Alex as pleasure explodes behind my eyelids.
"Fuck, Marla," Alex groans, his rhythm faltering. He thrusts deep one final time and comes with a low growl, his body shuddering against mine.
We collapse together on the couch, tangled and breathless. When I can catch my breath again I look over at Nick and Russ, still seated on the couch.
Russ has his head tilted back, his eyes squeezed closed as his hand pumps his cock. Nick is pleasuring himself too, but he's looking straight at me, and then comes with a growl.
Hours later, I lie wrapped between all three of them in the massive bed.
The fireplaces have burned down to embers, casting flickering shadows across the room.
Nick is behind me, his arm draped protectively over my waist. Russ is in front of me, his hand resting on my belly, where our baby resides.
Alex is beside Russ, close enough that I can feel his warmth.
The estate is quiet around us. Safe. Protected. Home.
And suddenly, with startling clarity, I realize something that should terrify me but doesn't.
These men don't feel temporary anymore. They don't feel like a mistake or a complication or something I'll eventually walk away from.
They feel like family.
Shit, I'm in love with all three of them.