“My parents are making a habit of family dinners.” Eli pushes his hand through his hair. “Their new tactic is to get involved with me. Senior night is going to be a fucking tug of war.”
Harper’s eyes go soft with concern when she looks at Eli. He needs to let loose on someone, and that someone will be Harper this year. Holding her down while he fucks her is only the beginning. Tying her up and controlling who fucks her was just a hint of what he wants. What he needs.
“My parents are going to be all over me this week.” Nico looksdisappointed. “Sorry, sunshine, I’d love to stay with you, but they want to make sure I transition smoothly.”
I breathe out. Harper’s eyes flick to me. She’s still on Caden’s lap. Part of me wants to rage while another part of me is glad he’s there to comfort her.
“Harper?” Eli sighs as his eyes flick back and forth between us. He knows I want to dictate this, but she’s a part of us now. I need to learn to trust her to include me. “How do you want to do this?”
“What?” She’s startled, probably thinking we would make the decision for her.
“We’ll all see you after practice most nights, but someone needs to stay with you, kitten. You can be an independent woman who can stand on her own next year at college.” Eli rubs the back of his neck. “We have enemies.”
“Like Tanner. Guys who would do anything to get back at us,” Jack fills in. “You being alone at night is an opening most won’t resist.”
“You’re our weak link, princess. We’ve never claimed a girl before. The knocking and the tire are just the beginning.” I hope I’m wrong, but we’ve never had a vulnerability. “We can’t let someone use you to hurt us. We can’t let someone hurt you.”
She sinks into Caden’s embrace as she taps her lip. Her eyes never leave me. I’m not the easiest horseman, but there’s something real between us. I know she feels it too.
She leans forward. “You’re by yourself in your house?”
I almost laugh. This softness in her is her vulnerability, but it also works to all of our benefit. She can think we’re her broken little toys for the year if that’s what it takes for her to let me in. “Yeah, princess. Just me.”
She glances at Caden. Her two strays she can’t help but claim. Neither of us are really loved. We’re obligations to our parents. They hope one day we’ll fill the role of taking over their businesses, but right now, we’re still being molded and shaped into what they want.
Caden runs his hand over her arm, and a little shiver works through her.
“My bed isn’t that big,” she leads with, but when her eyes find me, that softness is in them. “But?—”
“Sunshine, you can’t keep every stray you find.” Nico gives her a knowing smile. “When we were young, she would bring home kittens and dogs and hurt things for her mom to fix. How many scratches and bite marks did you get trying to help?”
I raise an eyebrow. Does Nico think I’m some feral animal? Maybe with Harper I am. Is this his way of protecting her from me? Fuck that.
“If you don’t mind sharing, I’m okay with anyone staying.” She doesn’t look me in the eyes, and she doesn’t say she wants me to stay. She left it open on purpose. I don’t need to be her fucking charity case.
Technically she would be fine with Caden there. Probably fit better in her bed too. I narrow my eyes on her. I’ll be damned if I cave first.
Harper
Luke can go fuck himself if he thinks I’m going to invite him to come sleep with me after he went possessive caveman on me. But I also know how lonely it can be in a house by yourself. My heart is torn.
Nico’s right. I have this thing about strays. Especially the ones that are all snarly on the outside like Luke. And like Caden.
I rest my head back on Caden’s shoulder. He’s being possessive but not snarly.
“Looks like you’re all set for tonight then.” Luke’s a feral animal that would bite off his own paw to escape. “Are we staying logged in?”
Jack talks briefly about staying logged in and finding a way to disable the cameras in case someone else is in the room for the future. It would probably be easier to set up a separate chat.
My phone buzzes with a notification. I lean forward and pick it up.
Pestilence (Eli):
Kitten you know he won’t cave
Me:
Why should I care?
