When he grabbed Holden and me, I thought we were done. While Zane and Ryder were in that room, he came out of one of the many secret doors, jerking us into the room and immediately separating us. After everything was said and done, we found out that when he triggered that door to block Dex, Gage, and Leo, he blocked Ghost and his team upstairs and anyone from coming in.
He underestimated me again, tying me to a flimsy chair in another room, thinking he scared me into that girl I was when I was there the first time. He was fucking wrong. I still have burns on my wrists from the ropes, but they are well deserved because Jay is finally fucking gone for good. After we searched every hidden room, Zane and I lit it on fire, watching it until it was nothing but embers and dust.
I roll over and look at the clock beside the bed. Seeing it’s already nine in the morning, I finally get out of bed. We had to rent a house since mine is no longer there. Demo crews started on it yesterday, so it’s nothing but empty land waiting for me to rebuild, and I will with my guys by my side. I miss the old house; it still felt like my dad was there. But this will be my home with them, something we can build together.
I walk into the bathroom and see a note taped to the mirror. “Morning, Pretty girl,” I read out loud; it’s in Gage’s loopy handwriting. “We have a surprise for you. Let Shawna know when you’re awake. I love you, Gage.”
A surprise for me? I take care of business, take a shower, then dress quickly to find Shawna. When did they even call Shawna? We’re renting a small home with no need for staff.
I walk out of the bedroom, and Shawna is standing there with a small smile. “Morning, Alessa. I was told to give you this.” She hands me another note, folded up, my name scrawled across it in Dex’s handwriting. She smiles again, leaving me with my note.I unfold it.
“Baby girl. Go to your closet. Something is waiting for you. I love you, Dex.”
Smiling from ear to ear, enjoying this game, I walk back into the bedroom to the closet. I pull the door open and gasp. A gorgeous yellow sundress is hanging there, just like the one Dex says he remembers me wearing the first time he saw me. I run my hands over the soft material and pull the following note off in Holden’s neat handwriting. “I can’t wait to see you in that dress, Bright eyes. Put it on and go to the kitchen. I love you, Holden.”
I run to the bathroom and blow dry my hair into soft waves down my back before sliding the dress on.
I’m excited that my guys are doing this for me on my way to the kitchen. So much has already happened in our short relationship we didn’t have time to do stuff like this. But for the last three days, they have spoiled me endlessly, taking me on dates, walks on the beach, taking me to the movies, and doing anything we haven’t gotten to do yet.
In the kitchen, I find a velvet box on the counter with another note in Leo’s small handwriting. I pop the lid on the box and have to hold back tears. There’s a beautiful necklace nestled inside with six teardrop diamonds, one for each of my guys. Tears still in my eyes, I put it on and unfold the next note. “Good morning, Baby. The living room is next. I love you, Leo.”
Still wiping tears from my eyes, I go to the living room. They putso much thought into whatever they’re doing, and I don’t know what I did to get so damn lucky.
I can already tell from here that it’s Zane’s blocky handwriting on the next note, attached to a pretty yellow gift bag. Pulling the tissue paper out, I giggle to myself. Inside is a yellow matching panty and bra set that matches the dress perfectly. I glance around to make sure no one is in here before switching out the set I have on. I snatch up the following note. “Beautiful; next stop is the office. I love you, Zane.”
Practically skipping to the office, I see Ryder’s perfect handwriting on the next one with another gift bag. I pull out a pair of cute white wedge-heeled sandals. Sliding them on, I flip open Ryder’s note. “Il mio sole. Your chariot awaits outside. We’ll see you soon. I love you, Ryder.”
I grab my keys off the table by the door, pulling it open to reveal Mateo leaning against the side of his Porsche.
“What’s this about?” I ask, shutting the door.
He opens my door, holding it open with a bow. “I’m not at liberty to discuss that.”
I shake my head with a laugh and slide in. He jogs around to the other side, firing the car up. “Has Evander killed Micah yet?” I ask when he pulls out of the driveway.
“Close a few times,” Mateo laughs. “He should be good to go home tomorrow.”
“Good thing for you guys. He’s awful.”
We chit-chat about everything and nothing. Mateo is always easy to talk to. It takes five minutes into the drive before it starts looking familiar. Our temporary house is less than ten minutes from Marcella’s, so it doesn’t take long for the gate to come into view. He parks in front of the house and hands me another note with a smile. “See you later.”
Thanking him for the ride, I slide out and open the next one. “You know where to go. We love you.”
My meadow.
Taking a breath of the fresh air out here, I make my way up theshort hike, breaking through the trees, sucking in a breath when I see in front of me.
All the guys are there, in dress pants and button-ups. Their hair is fixed, and they even have on fancy shoes.
“What is this?” I ask, trying to hold back tears.
“This, Pretty girl,” Gage says, stepping forward, “is us telling you how much we love you.” He takes my face in his hands. “I love you, Alessa. So fucking much. When I first walked into your life, I knew you were the one for me. Nothing or no one but you mattered. I’m so damn glad you took a chance with me.” He gently pecks my lips. “I love you.”
Leo steps forward, taking my hands before I have a chance to get my tears under control. “The night I met you, everyone else ceased to exist. All I saw was you and knew I was gone. We might have gotten off to a rocky start.” He smiles at that, making me laugh. “But I wouldn’t change it. You opened a whole new life for me with you. I love you, Baby.”
“Baby girl,” Dex rumbles, rubbing his knuckles down my cheek before cradling my chin, “The first time I saw you, I fell in love. I didn’t think I ever had a chance with someone like you, and you proved me wrong. You gave me everything I could have ever wanted and then gave it again. I love you.”
Holden steps forward, putting his hands on my face like Gage did. “You saved my life. I never thought in a million years that you would ever want a computer nerd like me.” I chuckle again. “But you opened your heart for me, and I’ll spend the rest of my life cherishing it. I love you, Bright eyes.”
