After about an hour in the gloriously hot shower, I convince myself to get out. I dry off and finish the last couple bites of cold spaghetti. I use my magic to dry my hair and throw it up in a messy bun. I pull on some workout leggings, a sports bra, and an oversized sleeveless tank with big, comfy armholes.
I decide to hide out in the gym for a while. If twin one is as hurt as twin two said, they might not be too happy about it. Laying low sounds like a solid plan. I grab my phone and see that I missed a couple of calls from Aydin. I text him back.
Vinna: Sorry I was in the shower when you called. Everything okay?
Aydin: You tell me? Silva filled me in on what happened with the boys, you okay?
Vinna: First of all, they are not boys, they are fully grown men! That nickname is incredibly misleading. And secondly, yep, I’m good. Can’t say the same about twin one though ;)
Aydin: LMFAO, Valen gave us a rundown of what happened…he had it coming. I’ll call you later, glad you’re okay.
I sneak out of my door, ignoring the voices I hear coming from the roomsthe boysoccupy. I gingerly make my way down, breathing a sigh of relief when I make it un-accosted. I sneak to the sink and wash my spaghetti bowl before anyone comes along to stop me. Victorious, I congratulate myself that no one snatched it away from me. Sisters: twelve, Vinna: one.
16
Hours later, I’m still in the gym, working through several combinations on the punching bag and jamming to Trapt’s “Headstrong.” I love working the bags, and I always save them for last, like they’re my workout dessert. I’m sweaty and buzzing with adrenaline as I move into punch-kick combos. Some sweat threatens to trickle into my eye, and I pull up the bottom of my loose tank top and wipe at my face. That’s when I notice I’ve got company.
Four hulking figures stand by the door whispering to each other like they’re playing telephone. I run my finger over the runes on my ear so I can hear what they’re saying.
“Why is there a hot chick raging in your gym?”
The question belongs to a tall guy with buzzed black hair, mocha skin, and stunning gray eyes. He has a square jaw, thick neck, and if the rest of his body is as cut as his arms, then he is all hard angles and delectably chiseled muscles. He has a very hot jock vibe about him.
“Knox, seriously, do you ever pay attention? That is Lachlan’s long-lost niece.”
“You’re telling meshe’sthe one who did that to your face and ribs?”
The owner of that question is shorter than the others. He’s still taller than the average guy, but shorter than the group surrounding him. He’s blond with hair almost to his shoulders. His nose and jaw are angled, but his lips are plump and soft looking. He has a defined runner’s build, and I would suspect he’s fast and agile.
His eyes are a dramatic bright blue that reminds me of Laiken’s. She had pretty blue eyes just a touch lighter than this guy’s. Melancholy blooms in me as I picture her, and I embrace it like the old friends we are.
“She’s faster and stronger than she looks,” one of the twins defends.
The twins are standing shoulder to shoulder, their wavy hair past their collarbones. It’s the color of the most decadent dark chocolate, and my fingers twitch with the need to run my fingers through it. I figured one of them would be just as bruised as me, but neither one of them looks worse off after our run in.
According to Aydin, one of them is named Valen, but I haven’t the foggiest clue which one. They stop whispering when they realize I’m no longer punishing a punching bag but watching them instead. I disengage my runes, and my hearing goes back to normal.
“Ready for round two?” I ask, only half joking while scowling at the twins. I’m not sure which one of them tackled me, so they both get a crusty look.
“Um, yeah, I’m really sorry about that,” one of the twins steps forward looking adorably bashful. “I feel shitty about what happened.”
“You don’t look like you feel shitty about what happened," I say gesturing to where injuries should be visible on one of them.
He chuckles and points a thumb at the blond guy.
“That’s because Ryker fixed me up. You broke some ribs and my cheek," he murmurs, rubbing a hand against the latter.
“Well, don’t go around tackling unsuspecting women and maybe that won’t happen to you again.”
I use the bottom of my tank top to wipe more sweat from my face. When I pull it down, I watch as each of their gazes sweep back up my body and I fight a smirk. There are worse things than getting checked out by a bunch of stone chiseled eye-candy.
“You guys need something?” I ask.
“We brought Ryker to fix you up, and we thought we should introduce ourselves in a way that didn’t involve throwing punches,” one of the twins explains, finishing with a smile.
Holy shit!I thought they were hot when they wore angry or confused expressions, but a smile with full lips, straight white teeth, and a cheeky twinkle in the eye makes them worship worthy. I force myself to blink and start talking my libido down.
“I’m Bastien, the asshole who tackled you,” the twin smiling at me explains.
