“Or when you were balls-deep in me,” Ryder adds with a smirk.
Dominic downs the rest of his bourbon in one swallow. “The Hunt creates unusual circumstances.”
“It reveals what we already want,” I counter. “It doesn’t create desires from nothing.”
“Fine.” Dominic signals the bartender for another round. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
I study both men, enjoying the anticipation building between us. “I suggest that once our waiting period ends and we’re all settled at your apartment, we properly explore this dynamic between all four of us. No Hunt rules, no pretense. Just honest exploration.”
Dominic shifts in his seat. “I’m not opposed to... continuing what we started. But I want Cora to be present.”
“Worried you might enjoy it too much without her?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Boundaries,” Dominic says firmly. “I’m willing to experiment when she’s involved. That’s my limit.”
Ryder glances at me, a silent communication passing between us. I nod slightly.
“Fair enough,” Ryder says. “Though Liam and I might want some one-on-one time occasionally.”
“You two are welcome to whatever arrangements you want,” Dominic says, his posture relaxing. “I’m just clarifying my preferences.”
“Always the control freak,” I say, but there’s no bite to it. “Have you considered that Cora might enjoy watching the three of us together again?”
Dominic’s eyes darken. “I hadn’t.”
“Then perhaps your imagination needs expanding,” I suggest.
Dominic’s glass freezes halfway to his lips. His expression shifts, playfulness vanishing like it was never there. “On a more serious note,” he says, setting his bourbon down carefully, “all three of us will have to watch our backs.”
The abrupt change in tone captures my attention. Ryder straightens in his chair too, his easy smile fading.
“Pike won’t just let this lie,” Dominic continues, voice low enough that only we can hear him. “He’ll want revenge. It’s the kind of man he is.”
I consider this, swirling the amber liquid in my glass. “You’re right. I’ve faced him in court enough times to recognize his vindictive streak. He never forgets a slight.”
“And we did more than slight him,” Ryder adds. “We humiliated him publicly in a way he can’t even acknowledge without admitting where he was.”
Dominic runs a hand through his hair. “Pike’s built his career on being untouchable. We proved he isn’t. Men like him don’t sit back after that kind of blow to their ego—they retaliate.”
“And now his daughter will be living with the three men who orchestrated his humiliation,” I point out. “That’s going to eat at him every single day.”
“He’s not without resources,” Dominic says grimly. “Political connections, law enforcement friends, possibly even underworld contacts.”
Ryder drums his fingers on the table. “Should we be concerned about Cora’s safety? If he’s as abusive as those bruises suggested?—”
“We protect what’s ours,” Dominic cuts in. “And she’s ours now.”
I study both men, seeing them differently than I had when we first formed our alliance. What began as a convenient partnership for revenge has become something complex. I realize I like these bastards.
“When’s the last time either of you trusted someone enough to live with them?” I ask.
Ryder blinks, caught off-guard by the change of subject. “College roommate. Stole my girlfriend and my Xbox.”
“College,” Dominic admits. “Then I learned it’s better to keep people at arm’s length.”
I nod, understanding completely. “Same.”
“Yet here we are,” Ryder says, “about to share everything.”
