And here they were, sharing one again. Sure, it was all make-believe, but that didn’t change that the action would be the same. They’d still need to play the part, and that part was way too close to home.
Trent turned toward Daniel. “I can keep it professional. It isn’t like we areactuallygoing to be fucking her.”
Daniel nodded. Sex wasn’t needed for what they had going on. They’d need to deal with getting comfortable, with getting her comfortable, with how she needed to behave, but that didn’t mean they actually had to indulge in what had once been such a large part of all of their lives.
Which made Daniel think back to the last time, just for a moment, before it had all gone bad.
The woman had been a beta—they tended to like betas since they were less complicated—and she’d had long red hair. It had curled at the ends, and the dim lights had brought out the freckles on her face. Her flush had looked lovely against the collar around her throat.
Daniel shook his head, trying to push back the thought. That had been a different time, when they’d been different. That had been back when they’d trusted one another, when they’d thought theycouldtrust each other.
They’d grown since then, changed, learned the truth. Even though Kyle and Daniel had still taken women together, they hadn’t indulged in the same sort of play.
It hadn’t seemed right with just the two of them, as though something important were missing.
A knock on the door made Daniel stop and turn his head. It had to be her.
A small part of him that recalled the old life seemed as if it stretched and woke, a thrill for things he’d missed, that he’d denied himself.
It’s all pretend, he reminded himself.
If only his damn cock would believe that.
Alison shifted her weight from foot to foot, trying not to look nervous.
Not that anyone could blame her. Who wouldn’t be nervous about going to live with three alphas she didn’t know, to pretend to be their slave?
She’d gotten no real information from them, just an address and an assurance of her safety.
No one can ensure anyone’s safety.Besides, that was why she’d become as tough as she was, so she could make herself safe.
Still, she’d stood on the doorstep for at least two full minutes before knocking. Only fear that they knew she was there, that they knew she was fighting with her nerves, made her knock at all.
The only thing worse than being a coward was for others to know she was one.
I can do this.She’d seen slaves for years, had grown up watching them, knew how one should act.
It won’t be that difficult to pretend, will it?
The door opened and Alison’s stomach plummeted. Somehow, seeing Daniel there was the worst. Trent, Kyle, they both had a bit of that rough edge. Kyle might mask it with humor, but there was a bite to his words. Trent didn’t hide his aggression beneath anything.
Thosetwo she understood, could deal with.
Daniel, though? Already he seemed to look at her with those honest ‘I really want to help you’ eyes.
She curled her hands into fists, her duffel bag over her shoulder. It dug in, heavy, but she’d packed what she needed.
Daniel smiled—which made her feel all the worse—before he stepped backward so he didn’t crowd the doorway.
The house, even from the street, had loomed, standing out like something that didn’t belong. Even with the other expensive properties surrounding it, this one seemed to be on its own level. The large white double doors at the front would open wide, making for an impressive entrance. The driveway was cobblestone and prefect, winding up a short hill from a gated road. The house itself was classic, without the big modern windows. Instead, it reminded her of the old southern style, a wide balcony on the upper floor.
Inside, a huge entryway stood, showing off a spiraling staircase that screamedmoney. Alison had never been in a place like this, at least never when invited.
“I wasn’t sure you’d show.” Kyle had his arms crossed, and the light streaming in from the high windows highlighted how dark the bruising on his face was. It started at the center, where he had a bandage covering the bridge, then spanned out like starbursts around his eyes. He eyes narrowed. “You’re smirking. Don’t think I really like that look when you’re staring at what you did to my face.”
The little exchange helped Alison settle. Somehow the reminder that shewasn’tweak lightened the burden for her. She’d made the choice to be here. She wasn’t actually a slave, wasn’t putting herself in the hands of strangers.
I’m playing a part. Nothing more.
