We’re all silent for several beats before I mumble, “Good question.”
Royal shoots me a glance before huffing out a disturbed laugh. “That prick is everything that’s wrong with this town. It’s like his son is a fuckin’ puppet, and he’s just sitting back, pulling the strings.”
An unsettled apprehension washes through me. “I get the feeling Derek Pierce is one of those assholes who uses people and spits them out when he’s done. He doesn’t fucking care. Not even about his son.”
Wilder shifts in his seat, releasing an agonized groan. “Well, I felt bad for Bear, especially after I knocked him out. I didn’t know what to do other than put on the show I know is expected, but?—”
“But nothing,” Echo interrupts. “We don’t know the circumstances that led to him getting into that ring. It’s okay to feel bad for him. And it makes me want to throw up, thinking about what he dealt with after the fight where his father was concerned. But don’t feel bad for accomplishing exactly what you went in there to do.”
A minute later, we pull up to the house, which is dark, except for the dim light shining through the window from the kitchen.
After climbing from the truck, we instinctively meet in front of it in the middle of the driveway.
“You did fucking good tonight, Wilder,” Royal grits out, gripping the back of his neck as he studies his features. “That’s all you need to focus on.”
I’m mesmerized by the cut of Royal’s jaw and the stubble coating it. My heart gives a lurch.
“Yeah. Well, thank you to all of you for being there for me. I know we had a rough day, and this didn’t exactly go as planned.” His eyes flick to mine on the other side of the circle. “We’re going to figure all this shit out.”
I’m mesmerized by the way Wilder’s tattoos move on his shoulders as he adjusts his arms around both Echo and Royal. My breathing accelerates. I need these people.
Echo’s eyes travel to each of us in turn. “I don’t know what I did to deserve any of you. But I hope you know how much you mean to me.”
And I’m mesmerized by everything about this flame-haired woman who has us all by the balls.
My dick stirs to life.Ah, fuck.I blow out a ragged breath. “Are you fucking kidding, love? I swear you give us life.” I grip her chin, tipping her face to mine. “And we aren’t ever letting you go.” My gaze flicks from her to Wilder to Royal, then back. “I can’t be without any of you.”
Without realizing the extent of what I’m about to do, I pull both her and Royal closer to me, and lay a desperate kiss on her lips, kissing her slow and deep. She moans, breathless, then smiles up at me. I kiss her once more before turning my focus to Wilder. His dark eyes pierce my soul and leave me unable—no,unwilling—to stop my actions. I lean forward, keeping my arms around Echo and Royal, and take his mouth with a fierce abandon that comes from familiarity. He tucks his fingers into my waistband, pulling me to him. I find it incredibly hot that he knows what I like, and he’s not afraid to let Royal and Echo see the way we are with each other.
And when I ease away from Wilder’s lips, Royal’s eyes are pinned on mine, the pale green of them watching my everymove. I throw caution to the wind and ease closer, breathing his air.
I’ve always taken what I wanted, and now definitely isn’t the time to deny myself. I draw my hand upward to the base of his neck. Every second we stare at each other, wondering and curious, feels like hours. My eyes lower to his mouth, wanting to taste him. I scrape my teeth over my lower lip before I dare look back up. His lips twitch. And I choose to read that as my cue. With my heart thundering, I nip at his lip, hesitating only long enough for a rough sound to scrape up out of his throat. Hearing his need, I let go, crushing my mouth to his. He groans aloud and gives that energy right back to me, kissing me savagely. My tongue delves into his mouth at the same time he wickedly licks into mine.
Echo’s hand grips my shirt tightly, and Wilder makes a low, gruff sound at the base of his throat. I gasp as Royal and I pull apart, my heart beating so fucking fast I’m surprised it hasn’t burst through my rib cage. As a unit, we move closer together, our circle tightening. Without words, we say everything that needs to be said. They are all I need. The four of us, together—it feels fucking right.
Every moment like this strengthens our relationship, and I have no doubt in my mind, these people are who I’m meant to be with. And we’ll protect each other with everything we have.
TWENTY-FOUR
ECHO
“If we don’t head inside rightnow, I’m fucking all of you right here against the truck,” Wilder grits out. “I’m fucking wired and have nowhere to expel the energy.” His dark eyes glitter as they coast over me, then Beckham, then Royal.
Blood rushes under my skin, and I know if we were in daylight, all three of my guys would see the furious blush coloring my cheeks. Because, holy fuck,yes please.
This entire day has been one nonstop whirlwind of sheer insanity, but ending it like this, with these three men, is just what the doctor ordered—or maybe it’s Nurse Wilder who’s ordering it—but either way, I wouldn’t turn them down. I swallow. “As much as I think that might be fun, the neighbors might notice.”
“Let ’em fuckin’ notice whatever they want.” Royal shrugs.
Ugh. He really does need to talk to Katrina and Rich. Maybe I’ll encourage that if we don’t get the go-ahead to return to SIN. “Nope. Don’t go there tonight. We’re ending this one on a good note.” I take his hand and jerk my head toward the house. “I don’t know about you all, but I’m not sleeping anytime soon. My mind is not ready to settle down yet.” Especially not with the insinuations Derek Pierce made regarding my dad. I hatethinking about bringing this up with Kara and Davis, but I need to eventually get their take on it. Gritting my teeth, I push those disturbing thoughts aside for now, refocusing on the guys. “I wish I didn’t have a nine o’clock class, but it is what it is.”
Beckham chuckles. “This is the sort of shit people do in college, Echo. Welcome to Kingston University. Seems like no one gave you the briefing on doing stupid shit and then dragging your ass to class in the morning.” He scrapes his teeth over his lower lip. “Let’s camp out in front of the TV and watch a movie or something. I doubt I’m falling asleep anytime soon either.”
“Ditto,” Wilder rasps, nodding.
We turn as a unit and walk up the driveway, and let ourselves in. I quickly punch the code into the alarm’s keypad so it doesn’t start beeping and wake everyone up. I spin on my heel and murmur, “I’m going to check on Chase, then I’ll be down.”
Wilder gestures that he’s following with his gym bag while Beckham and Royal head for the den, which sees rare use now. When we were younger, we used to watch movies as a family every Friday night. I draw in a breath as I jog quietly up the stairs. Maybe it’s time we started making new traditions. It’d go a long way to moving on with our lives, that’s for sure. Some of the things I thought would help—like pledging TZE—haven’t helped at all… but I supposed I can’t complain too much when it’s also brought me to where I am with Beckham, Wilder, and Royal.
