“Youdidknow,” Roland said gently. “And we got to her in time. She’s here. She’s safe.”
Sydney reached for Levi’s face and guided his gaze up. “I’mhere.Because you taught me how to fight. Because both of you showed me how to love myself again.”
Levi leaned forward and pressed his forehead to her knees, the thick blanket bunching between them. “I love you, my little warrior. I love you so damn much I can’t breathe right now.”
“I love you, too, Daddy,” she whispered, leaning down to kiss the crown of his head. “I love both of you. And I’m not letting either of you drown in guilt over somethinghedid.”
Levi looked up again. Her eyes shimmered, and were red rimmed from her tears, and he’d never seen anything more beautiful.
“Come up here,” she whispered, tugging him gently.
He moved beside her, wrapping his arms around her as Roland did the same from the other side. They sat like that for a long while, the three of them tangled in blankets and each other, the heater humming in the background and snow ticking softly against the windows.
Eventually, Sydney tilted her face toward Levi, then Roland, pressing a kiss to each of their cheeks. “Can we go to bed? All three of us. I just… I want to feel you. I want to be held. Loved.”
Levi brushed her hair back and kissed her, slow and deep. “Anything you want, baby.”
She snuck him a cheeky look. “Anything? Absolutely anything?”
He brushed a hand down her face, gently cupping it before resting his lips right above hers. “Anything.”
Her eyes lit. “I want to kneel for my Daddies.”
Levi’s breath caught in his chest. Across from him, Roland stilled, his gaze sharpening. This request wasn’t about play—it was something else entirely. Something sacred.
Levi leaned in and kissed her again, soft but sure. “You don’t have to prove anything, babygirl. Not tonight.”
“I know,” she said, voice trembling with emotion. “That’s not why I want to. I need to feel… anchored. I need to give you this. This last piece of me. And maybe”—she shrugged—“I need to make sure the three of us are good, moving on.”
Roland stroked her back gently. “We’re more than good, sweetheart. But if kneeling helps you feel safe and steady again…” He glanced at Levi, then back at her with a small smile. “Then we’d be honored.”
Sydney sat up slowly, the blanket falling from her shoulders. Her body was still trembling a little, but there was purpose in the way she moved. She slid down to the rug before them, their love causing a warm glow across her cheeks, and then lowered herself carefully to her knees.
Levi’s throat tightened again, but this time for a different reason. Reverence. Love. Pride.
She lifted her gaze to them. Wide. Brave. Unflinching. And even in her exhaustion, even after all she’d been through, she radiated defiance against the darkness.
“You areours,” Roland murmured, kneeling beside her, tucking a finger beneath her chin. “And nothing, no one, will ever touch you again.”
Levi dropped to his knees opposite Roland and cradled her face between his palms. “You’re everything, Sydney. Everything. My brave, beautiful warrior.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes again, but this time they didn’t fall. “I just need to remember that I’m not broken.”
“You’re not,” Roland said firmly. “You’re whole. And you’re safe. He’s gone. Let us take care of you, little bird.”
Levi brushed his thumb across her lips. “And you’re loved.”
She leaned forward and pressed her lips softly to his. Then to Roland’s. Her hands resting on each of their thighs, not in seduction, but in supplication. Offering herself in the most vulnerable way, not out of fear, but trust.
And that trust anchoredthem.
The guilt that had gripped Levi’s chest all night began to loosen, replaced by the fierce, grounded presence ofher. His girl. His miracle.
“We’ll take you to bed now,” Levi whispered, gathering her gently into his arms.
The apartment was silent except for the hush of wind against the windows and the soft rustle of blankets as they carried her to their shared bed.
Now that Greg was caught, they could focus on the future.
