“I’ll get a plaque made," Lachlan deadpans, and I see the faintest hint of a smile before the asshole in him scares it away.
We walk into what Lachlan refers to as thefoyer. Dark wood floors with white marble, are interspersed together to create a beautiful geometric pattern. To the right, a set of dark wood stairs lead up to the next floor. The ceilings are incredibly high, and I glance up to find a masculine iron and glass chandelier.
Lachlan points out a pair of arched doors to the right that he announces lead to his office, and I follow him into an open and spacious living room. Natural light pours into the room from two-story high windows, and it makes everything appear bright and inviting.
The space is comfortable and lush, but not so nice that you’re afraid to touch anything. Lachlan leads me into the kitchen, which opens to the living room on one side and the dining room on the other. A gargantuan island easily fits the five tall chairs tucked into one side of it. Aydin opens a cabinet, which turns out to be a fridge and hands me a bottle of water.
Out of nowhere, three elderly women pop out of a door, and I squeak out a surprised noise.
“Vinna, I want to introduce you to Roberta--who everyone calls Birdie, Adelaide, and Lila. They manage the house, and if you’re in need of anything, track one of them down.”
The three women appear related. They all have beautiful white-gray hair, cut in different but complementary short styles and similar facial features. They’re all about a couple inches shorter than I am, and they have lightly lined faces with strong looking arms and hands. They seem like they’ve laughed a lot in life and aren’t afraid of hard work.
Each of them gaze at me with such warm affection, and I’m not sure what to think about it. I offer a small smile and an awkward wave in greeting. Birdie walks over, and before I can do anything to prevent it, she snatches me up in a firm hug. I stiffen automatically, and I know she notices.
“Sorry, I’m just not used to affection," I tell her and give her an awkward man-pat on her back. She pulls back, holding my shoulders, and a sheen of tears glistens in her eyes.
“Don’t worry, love, we’ll get you used to hugs in no time.”
She moves her hands to my cheeks and cradles my face. “Have you ever seen a more beautiful young woman?” Birdie beams, and looks to the guys for confirmation.
They don’t answer her, but she’s not bothered and answers herself.
“No, I think not. Oh, the boys are going to love you," she proclaims, as she looks back towards the other two women who nod their heads in agreement.
I’m not sure if she’s referring tothe boys--which is the title that the paladin seem to use for Silva’s nephews--or boys in general. Birdie gets right in my face, her soft blue eyes demanding my undivided attention.
“We couldn’t be any more excited that you’re here. My sisters and I have been all aflutter since Lachlan called and told us about you.”
I stare at this woman before me, seeming so comforting, so loving in a way that feels safe and genuine, and I shock the hell out of myself when I start crying.
“There, there my love, what is this?” Birdie soothes.
Her sisters step towards us, and they wrap me up in a group hug, each of them stroking my hair in turn. It feels so foreign and yet, so soothing, and apparently, the only response I can give is to cry harder.
“Well crap, sisters. You broke her. She’s been tough as graphene until now, but one minute with you three and this happens," Aydin teases.
Since I haven’t made enough of a fool out of myself, I cry a little longer before hiccupping out an apology. I pull back wiping my face.
“I think I’m just tired, and no one’s ever told me that before, it felt so nice to hear. I didn’t know this was going to happen," I try to explain, gesturing to my tear tracked face as I work to wipe away the wetness.
Birdie looks at me confused, her gaze darkening further when her eyes run over the bruises on my neck.
“What do you mean, love? I’m sure all these boys have told you how happy they are you’re here,” Lila asks me.
I laugh humorlessly. “No, no one other than you three--and Aydin--are the slightest bit happy I’m here," I dispute, wiping the rest of my face dry as I take in the rest of the kitchen.
“Well, no wonder," Adelaide mumbles. Her gaze fixes on something behind me, her eyes transforming from soft and loving to hard and punishing in an instant. “You go on and finish your tour with Aydin. We’re just going to have a quick chat with your uncle and the other boys.” Adelaide smiles, but it looks more fierce than friendly.
Aydin drags me away and out of the kitchen. We walk through the dining room, with a massive table centered in the middle, and exit into a hallway before he speaks.
“Oooh, Little Badass, you just siccedthe sisterson all of them. It is not going to be pretty, and there will be casualties."
After a quick walk through the rest of the main floor where I’m told Lachlan and Keegan reside, Aydin shows me the second floor where the rest of the paladin coven lives, and then we climb up to the third floor.
“The boys stay over there," Aydin explains pointing to the left of the staircase where we stand.
I figure at some point someone will tell me their names, but for now, I guess referring to them asthe boyswill have to do. We walk over to a door on the right, and Aydin motions for me to open it.
