Chapter 38
Bea woke slowly, warmth was pressing in on her from every side and someone, several someones, actually, appeared to have decided she was not allowed to move ever again.
She blinked against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains.
Killian was wrapped around her from the front, one massive arm heavy over her waist, his face buried in the curve of her neck like he’d fallen asleep trying to make sure she was still there.
Nico was at her back, warm and solid, one hand still tangled with hers beneath the blankets.
Dimitri was half behind both of them, one arm draped over her hip, his bare chest a steady heat against her shoulders where the ridiculous tangle of limbs somehow allowed.
Bea lay there for a second, staring at the ceiling, then she tried to shift, three men woke up at once.
Killian’s head shot up. “What’s wrong?”
Nico pushed himself onto one elbow, hair a mess, glasses missing, eyes wide with sleep and instant alarm. “Did you have a nightmare?”
Dimitri’s hand tightened on her hip. “Are you in pain?” Bea blinked at all of them.
Then, because she was still herself even in the middle of a soft, overprotective cuddle pile, she said, “Good morning to you too, psychos.”
Killian exhaled hard enough to stir her hair.
Nico pressed a hand over his face. “Jeez.”
Dimitri just closed his eyes for one long second and muttered, “You’re going to take ten years off my life.”
Bea smiled, small but real. “I was just trying to sit up.”
“No,” Killian said at once.
Nico frowned at him. “You can’t tell her no because she wants to sit up.”
“I can if she’s in pain.”
Dimitri was already moving, sliding out of the bed so he could help her without jostling her throat or the sore spots left behind by too much adrenaline and not enough sleep. “Both of you stop talking like she isn’t here, ask her if she is in pain, ask her if she is sure she feels like sitting up.”
Bea pushed herself upright with his help, the blanket pooling in her lap. Her body ached, her throat still felt tender, and emotionally she was nowhere near whole. But the room didn’t feel hollow anymore, it felt…full.
Nico found his glasses on the nightstand and slid them on, then reached for the glass of water Dimitri handed him and passed it to her instead. “Drink.”
Killian was already glaring toward the door. “I’m getting food.”
“You’re not getting anything,” Dimitri said. “You’re staying right there until you stop looking like you’re about to rip the walls open with your bare hands.”
“I’m fine.”
“You are absolutely not fine,” Nico said dryly.
Bea took a sip of water and watched them with a strange ache in her chest.
This. This was what she’d almost lost.
Dimitri’s phone buzzed on the nightstand.
All four of them looked at it.
Bea raised a brow. “Who texts you? Do you even know how to text?”
Killian snatched it before anyone else could and frowned at the screen. “Marco.” That got everyone’s attention.
Dimitri still was looking at Bea, “I know how to text, I’m not fucking fossil.” The he looked at Killian then back to Bea, “How the hell did he get my number?” Bea shrugged because she truly had no idea.
“Read it,” Bea said.
Killian looked offended. “Why do you have his name saved with kissy lips and a knife emoji?”
Bea smiled into her water. “Because he’s romantic and he’s dangerous.” “Read. The text,”Nico said through gritted teeth.
Killian cleared his throat dramatically and read aloud.
BESTIES WITH TESTIES
MARCO: Since we are all best friends now, I think it’s only fair we start acting like it. I’m thinking drinks, dinner, and possibly light emotional damage. Also, if any of you hurt her again, I’ll kill you. Xoxo
For one stunned second, the room was silent, then Bea laughed. A real, helpless laugh that cracked something open in all of them.
Nico took the phone from Killian and read it himself, then huffed out a laugh despite the horror on his face. “He named the group chat Besties with Testies?”
Dimitri rubbed a hand over his beard, looking deeply tired. “I cannot decide if I respect him or want to shoot him.”
“Both, obviously both.” Killian said at once.
Bea held out her hand for the phone. “Give it.”
Nico hesitated. “No.”
Bea narrowed her eyes. “Nico.” He handed it over.
She typed quickly, then tossed it back onto the bed. A second later it buzzed again.
Nico read this one.
MARCO: Knew that would get a laugh out of you, beautiful. miss you already.
MARCO: Also if Nico wants to run away with us, tell him the offer stands.
Killian nearly choked. Dimitri looked up at the ceiling like he was asking God for patience.
Bea laughed harder.
Nico turned bright red. “I hate him.”
“No, you don’t,” Bea said.
“No,” Killian corrected, smirking now, “he absolutely hates that he’s funny.” That made even Dimitri laugh. Softly. Briefly. But it was there.
And for the first time since the masquerade, the room didn’t feel like grief trying to pass as love. It felt like survival turning into something lighter.
Something truly worth loving.