“God, I hate when I’m right,” I mutter. “Something’s coming. I don’t know what it is, but it’s bigger than just company expansion or real estate deals. It feels layered. Twisted.”
Rowen nods slowly. “We need to stick together. No surprises. No secrets.”
“Especially now,” Emerson says quietly. “With Berk in this, she becomes the center of whatever comes next. That makes her a target.”
I don’t like how that sits in my gut. I hate eventhinkingabout Berk being in the crossfire of their garbage.
I tap my fingers against my knee, forcing a casual tone, even though my brain’s already ten steps ahead, running worst-case scenarios like a psychotic Netflix binge. “We agree. No one hides anything. Not from each other. But we hide Berk from everyone.”
Both of them nod.
And that’s that.
We may not have a plan yet. But we haveus.
And for now, that’s enough.
Just don’t ask me to play nice if someone tries to mess with what’s mine.
Because love might have made me soft for her... but absolutely lethal to everyone else.
Chapter Six
Berkley
After the door clicks shut behind me, my breath rushes out in one long whoosh.
Did that really just happen?
I went from zero experience to... whatever that was. A full-body, soul-deep, heart-pounding group rubdown that left me feeling cherished, claimed, and absolutely wrecked in the best possible way. And the craziest part? I already want more.
A giddy laugh bubbles up inside me, quiet but unstoppable. My cheeks hurt from smiling.
Through the thick door, I can hear muffled voices—low and overlapping. They’re probably still talking, maybe about me, maybe about what’s next. But the words are too jumbled to make out, and I don’t want to intrude. They deserve their own moment.
So, I head down the hall toward Reign’s room. The door’s cracked just slightly, a soft invitation. I knock gently anyway—just a warning tap—then push it open and slip inside.
“Well, look what the dirty cat dragged in,” Reign drawls, lounging on her bed with a smirk and a slow golf clap, like I just won gold in the emotional Olympics.
“Technically, I walked,” I say, arching a brow and dropping onto the edge of her mattress. “But hey, applause is applause.”
She snorts. “That’s fair. You deserve a standing ovation for managing allthreeof them without combusting. Or going deaf.”
I grin, heat brushing my cheeks. “We’re officially a thing now,” I admit, voice softer than before, but sure. “Me, your brothers, and Em.”
Reign lifts one brow. “I suspected.” She lets out a low whistle, then laughs. “Guess that makes you the bravest person I know.”
My smile lingers, but something quieter settles behind it. “Thank you,” I say, meeting her eyes. “For not making this weird. For being okay with how I feel about them.”
“Berk,” she says, sitting up straighter. “I’ve known for a long time. You’re not exactly subtle, you know.”
I let out a quiet laugh. “It’s just... I never wanted you to think you were on the outside of something. You matter too much for that.”
She shrugs, but there’s a softness in her eyes. “I’ve never felt excluded. Not once. You guys have always made me feel like part of something bigger. We’re family. I’m happy you’re finally together—for real.”
A wave of emotion rises in my chest, but I push it down with a steady breath.
“We’re keeping it quiet for now,” I add. “Just our group. I want to tell my dad when I’m ready. And... I’m not ready to share them with the world yet. Not when it still feels like mine.”
