VERO has imprisoned all the guards at HQ and VERO teams oversee security there, in a temporary capacity, until we replace them with trusted Luminary guards.
The three of us stayed to sort out the mess, but it looks like our work here is done.
“What would you like me to do with the bodies?” Diesel asks.
“Burn them,” I say, folding my arms around my chest. “We want no graves for fanatics to worship.”
Jase and Chad nod, and Diesel walks off to make the arrangements.
“I have a chopper waiting to take you home,” Jase says as we walk out of the crypt. “I’m going to head to the hospital.”
“I’ll stay with you.” I wrap my hand in his.
“We’llstay with you,” Chad says.
“You’re tired,” Jase argues.
“We’re all tired, and this is nonnegotiable. We’re coming with you.”
After several hours spent at the hospital checking on everyone, we take a chopper straight to the Stewart residence with Baz and Jocelyn when hospital staff confirms Eric is stable and out of the woods. There is some concern he may be paralyzed, but they won’t know his prognosis for a few days. Bree stayed with her mother, and they’re going to crash at HQ.
We’re all beat as we head upstairs, but I doubt I can switch my mind off. Everything that has gone down tonight is pressing down on my brain, and I want to shut it up.
I have the perfect remedy if the guys are up for it. “Are you guys tired or…” I say, licking my lips and eyeing their mouths. “Up for a little fun?”
“I’m not tired.” Chad’s eyes instantly darken with lust.
“I’m down for a little fun.” Jase scoops me up into his arms and carries me toward his bedroom. I think he needs the distraction as much as I do. His father is gravely injured in the hospital, his brother was drugged and is still battling the side effects, and his two sisters and his mom were in the crypt watching all that shit go down.
It’s a lot of the heavy.
I want to check on Ares, to see if Lili is okay and if he managed to speak to his mom, but it’s three a.m., and I’m sure they’re sleeping.
Jase pushes the door to his large bedroom open, and we head inside. It’s like a rush to see who can shed their clothes the quickest. We grab a quick shared shower, kissing and groping as much as washing the events of today off our bodies, but we don’t fuck because I want to do it in a bed with both my guys. After toweling dry, I run back into the bedroom, laughing when Chad whips the towel off me, and I dash naked into the room. I slam to a halt at the sight of Ares lounging in his boxers on top of the bed.
“Ooof.” Chad slams into my back, and Jase narrowly avoids the same fate, swinging to the left in time to avoid a pileup.
“What’s going on?” I ask. “Is Lili okay? Hera?”
“They’re both fine.” Ares stands. “Lili is sleeping. I was waiting up for you.” He stares at our three naked forms, and his Adam’s apple bobs in his throat as he slides his boxers down his legs and kicks them away.
My throat goes dry, and butterflies skid into my chest, doing jumps and loops and somersaults. I’m scared to hope this is what it looks like. “What are you doing?” I ask in a breathy tone, unsure if I’m misreading the situation.
“What does it look like?”
The other two stay quiet, understanding the magnitude of the moment.
“I’m asking you to spell it out for a reason, Ares. Don’t get my hopes up if you can’t do this.” My voice cracks a little. “I don’t think I could handle that tonight.”
He strides confidently toward me, pulling me into his arms. “I love you,” he says before kissing me deeply. He peers deep into my eyes when our kiss ends. “I’m in. I’m all in. I know I was fearful before, but I’m not afraid anymore. I know I can do this. I’m okay with sharing you because contemplating not having you in my life isn’t an option.” He cups my face and swivels his hips, digging his hard-on into my stomach. “I’m okay with sharing you in every possible way.”
“Pinch me so I know I’m not dreaming.”
Ares chuckles. “You’re not dreaming yet, babe, but you will be soon.” He waggles his brows as Chad makes a gagging sound from behind us.
Ares looks over my shoulders at the guys. “Can we be serious for a minute? I need to know if this is okay with you guys.”
“Like we said before, it’s all about Ash. Whatever she needs,” Jase says.
