Chapter 25 Liam
LIAM
The three of us sit in a private corner of Purgatory’s main bar, nursing drinks that cost more than most people earn in a day. The silence between us feels weighted, each man lost in his own thoughts about what transpired with Cora.
“For fuck’s sake,” I say, setting my glass down harder than necessary. “We look like we’re at a funeral instead of celebrating.”
Dominic raises an eyebrow. “Celebrating what exactly? Breaking a woman who didn’t deserve it?”
“No,” I counter. “Celebrating the fact that in exactly—” I check my watch with deliberate precision, “—twenty-three hours and fifteen minutes, we’ll be starting a very interesting year together. A year that none of us anticipated when we walked into this place.”
Ryder takes a long sip from his whiskey. “You have a point. If we’re going to share Dom’s penthouse, we should probably know more about each other than revenge motivations and sexual preferences.”
“Speaking of sexual preferences,” Dominic interrupts, swirling his bourbon thoughtfully, “we need to establish ground rules. With Cora.”
I can’t help the smirk that forms. “Worried about sharing, Dominic?”
“Clarifying expectations,” he corrects. “We’ve had her together. Will we continue that way exclusively? Or are we free to have her separately as well?”
“Both,” Ryder suggests, eyeing both of us. “As long as she’s willing.”
“I’d imagine she’ll want time with each of us individually,” I say. “We offer... different experiences.”
“And what about us?” Ryder asks, his voice dropping lower as he gestures between the three of us. His eyes hold mine before shifting to Dominic, who immediately tenses.
“What about us?” Dominic’s face hardens, defensiveness cloaking him like expensive armor.
I lean back in my chair, amused at his reaction. “I believe Ryder is referring to the rather impressive chain we formed during the Hunt. The one where you were quite enthusiastically fucking him.”
Dominic’s jaw clenches. “That was different. What happens during the Hunt stays in the Hunt.”
“Really?” Ryder’s lips curl into a lazy smile. “Because your cock didn’t seem to mind being in my ass.” He takes another sip of whiskey, eyes never leaving Dominic’s face. “In fact, I’d say it was quite at home there.”
I can’t help but chuckle as Dominic shifts uncomfortably. It’s fascinating watching this powerful man who commands boardrooms and bends zoning laws to his will squirm over something as simple as desire for a man.
“We don’t need to make this complicated,” Dominic says finally. “Our arrangement is about Cora.”
“Is it?” I challenge. “Because I distinctly remember you watching Ryder and me with more than casual interest before you joined in.”
Ryder nods. “And let’s be honest, your performance suggests you weren’t exactly opposed to it.”
“We’re back in the real world now,” Dominic says tersely. “Things are different here.”
“Are they?” I ask. “Or are you just pretending they are because it’s easier than admitting what you want? What’s the matter, Dominic?” I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table. “You didn’t seem so reluctant when Ryder was on his knees for you.”
“Or when you were balls-deep in me,” Ryder adds with a smirk.
Dominic downs the rest of his bourbon in one swallow. “The Hunt creates unusual circumstances.”
“It reveals what we already want,” I counter. “It doesn’t create desires from nothing.”
“Fine.” Dominic signals the bartender for another round. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
I study both men, enjoying the anticipation building between us. “I suggest that once our waiting period ends and we’re all settled at your apartment, we properly explore this dynamic between all four of us. No Hunt rules, no pretense. Just honest exploration.”
Dominic shifts in his seat. “I’m not opposed to... continuing what we started. But I want Cora to be present.”
“Worried you might enjoy it too much without her?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Boundaries,” Dominic says firmly. “I’m willing to experiment when she’s involved. That’s my limit.”
Ryder glances at me, a silent communication passing between us. I nod slightly.
“Fair enough,” Ryder says. “Though Liam and I might want some one-on-one time occasionally.”
“You two are welcome to whatever arrangements you want,” Dominic says, his posture relaxing. “I’m just clarifying my preferences.”
“Always the control freak,” I say, but there’s no bite to it. “Have you considered that Cora might enjoy watching the three of us together again?”
Dominic’s eyes darken. “I hadn’t.”
“Then perhaps your imagination needs expanding,” I suggest.
Dominic’s glass freezes halfway to his lips. His expression shifts, playfulness vanishing like it was never there. “On a more serious note,” he says, setting his bourbon down carefully, “all three of us will have to watch our backs.”
The abrupt change in tone captures my attention. Ryder straightens in his chair too, his easy smile fading.
“Pike won’t just let this lie,” Dominic continues, voice low enough that only we can hear him. “He’ll want revenge. It’s the kind of man he is.”
I consider this, swirling the amber liquid in my glass. “You’re right. I’ve faced him in court enough times to recognize his vindictive streak. He never forgets a slight.”
“And we did more than slight him,” Ryder adds. “We humiliated him publicly in a way he can’t even acknowledge without admitting where he was.”
Dominic runs a hand through his hair. “Pike’s built his career on being untouchable. We proved he isn’t. Men like him don’t sit back after that kind of blow to their ego—they retaliate.”
“And now his daughter will be living with the three men who orchestrated his humiliation,” I point out. “That’s going to eat at him every single day.”
“He’s not without resources,” Dominic says grimly. “Political connections, law enforcement friends, possibly even underworld contacts.”
Ryder drums his fingers on the table. “Should we be concerned about Cora’s safety? If he’s as abusive as those bruises suggested—”
“We protect what’s ours,” Dominic cuts in. “And she’s ours now.”
I study both men, seeing them differently than I had when we first formed our alliance. What began as a convenient partnership for revenge has become something complex. I realize I like these bastards.
“When’s the last time either of you trusted someone enough to live with them?” I ask.
Ryder blinks, caught off-guard by the change of subject. “College roommate. Stole my girlfriend and my Xbox.”
“College,” Dominic admits. “Then I learned it’s better to keep people at arm’s length.”
I nod, understanding completely. “Same.”
“Yet here we are,” Ryder says, “about to share everything.”
“Including bathroom time,” I add dryly. “Hope you both have decent hygiene habits.”
Dominic laughs—a genuine sound I’ve rarely heard from him. “My cleaning service comes daily. And I’ve got multiple bathrooms. You’ll survive.”
“We should go do something,” Ryder suggests suddenly. “Something normal. Not Hunt-related, not sex-related. Just... something guys do.”
“Like what?” Dominic asks, skepticism evident.
“Basketball?” Ryder suggests. “I know a private court we can book.”
“I’m more of a tennis man myself,” Dominic says.
“Of course you are,” I reply with a smirk. “Country club sport.”
“And what’s your game, counselor?” Dominic challenges.
“Racquetball. Requires strategy, not just brute force.”
“Let’s just drink tonight,” Ryder decides. “Another night, we can all play pool. There’s a private club downtown with excellent tables.”
I find myself nodding. “I’m in.”
Dominic hesitates only briefly before agreeing. “Fair enough. To drinking.” He clinks his glass against mine and then Ryder’s.
Whatever comes next—with Cora, with Pike, with our unexpected arrangement—we’re facing it together.