I took a deep breath and decided not to push it.I took a step and—toppled over.The cement came much closer into view as I stumbled toward it.
Crap.
But at the last minute, strong hands grabbed me and stopped my fall.
“Oof,” was all I got out before I was once again in Stefan's arms.I opened my mouth to tell him to put me down, but he beat me to it.
“Not one word,” he said sternly, sounding ticked off.
So, I shut up and didn't say anything while he carried me the rest of the way to the house.
The door opened as soon as Stefan walked up the steps.Surprisingly, he set me down.“Don't move,” he ordered, and then crouched down beside me.
“Hi,” Giselle greeted us, looking from me and then down to Stefan—who was currently undoing my shoes.“What are you—” she started asking and then said, “Oh, my gosh.Those are gorgeous shoes.”Her eyes widened, and she gazed back up at me.“If they're a size seven, can I borrow them?”I wasn't sure if she was just trying to be nice or not.But her tone sounded genuine enough.
“They're a seven,” I said with a smile.
Stefan cut in.“And you can have them.She nearly fell to her death a minute ago.”
I frowned down at him and rolled my eyes.“I barely even stumbled,” I argued.Even though he was one hundred percent correct.I looked at Giselle and said, “He's totally exaggerating.”
Giselle snorted and grabbed my hands so I could step out of my shoes.That was when I noticed the sizeable baby bump she was sporting.“This is going to be so much fun,” she said.I cautiously stepped out of my shoes and allowed Giselle to steady me.“I mean, I know the reason you're here isn't a fun one.But—” her eyes started to get wet, “I'm just so glad you're finally here.”And then she pulled me into a tight embrace.And started crying.“We were all so worried about you.Thank God you're safe.”She squeezed me until I could barely breathe.And despite myself, I got all teary.
“Move over.You're hogging her.”Eve appeared in the doorway as well.Giselle let me go, and Eve yanked me in for a big hug.“You had us all very worried.Especially that man who just removed your shoes,” she whispered into my ear.
“Francesca,” I heard Carlo's voice.“Welcome to our home.”Eve stepped back and grabbed my hand.She pulled me into the entryway.Carlo stood there in a white button-up shirt and jeans.He was huge.
Then he reached out and took my hand from Eve.“Anything you need,” he said, pulling me in, “just ask.We'll get it for you.Okay?”Then—he was hugging me.His warm, woodsy, pine scent floated into my nose.
Gosh.
He smelled wonderful.
And he felt great.His big, strong arms held me tight.“You're safe here.With us.I promise,” he said quietly.He let me go and passed me over to Nick.
He was wearing dark navy suit pants and a blue button-down.And he looked incredibly handsome.“You certainly had us worried, Francesca.”His arms circled around me—and now he was hugging me, too.What was it with these people?
“Carlo's right.You're safe with us.”Nick’s spicy, manly smell wafted up my nose.And I knew I should feel weird about hugging these men—but for some reason—I didn't.And I found that a little weird.After all, I didn't know them.Not really.And certainly not well enough for them to hug me and promise to keep me safe.
“All right, enough,” Stefan's voice boomed behind me.
Nick chuckled and let me go.“Let's go into the living room to talk.”His eyes fell to my chest—which I realized was fully on display.The jacket I wore was nearly falling off my shoulders, exposing my white bustier for all to see.
“She's tired,” Stefan stated with his arm around me.“Let her get some sleep.”
Nick swallowed and shook his head.“Unfortunately, there’s no time for that at the moment.There are decisions that need to be made immediately.”Nick stepped back and waved his hand down the hall in front of us.
4
Francesca
Stefan huffed and grumbled under his breath, “For fuck's sake.”Then he led me down the hall.It opened up into a beautiful, homey living room.The couches were nice and expensive looking, but they also looked comfortable.
At least I hoped they were.
Because Stefan was right.I was bone tired.I thought back to how much sleep I'd actually had in the last month or so.And I didn't come up with a very big number.Add on everything that happened today—and tonight—and I might just crash as soon as I sat down.
Stefan's hand grasped mine and pulled me toward the far end of one of the couches.He sat down first and yanked me down beside him.
