Shotgun
He stared at Allegra as her words hit home. Shit, how the hell had they landed Allegra? She wasn’t even in deep. Allegra could easily have called this a dirty weekend and walked away. Nothing was keeping her here, apart from herself. The sex had been amazing, had fuckin’ blown his mind. But that didn’t mean Allegra was open to being part of a triad.
Allegra was jeopardising everything. Despite the Spaldings clearly revelling in being outrageous, this might be a step too far. He’d no doubt her parents would cut her off and would try to blacken her name. Although judging by some of Allegra’s cousins’ careers, none of them would give a shit. Allegra could easily be labelled a slut and shunned by a lot of people. Some might even proposition her, thinking her easy.
Allegra was correct. She was definitely risking as much as they were.
He and Rain swapped glances, Rain’s thoughts plain on his face. Shotgun saw how much Rain desired this, but he was wary, too. What if public condemnation became too nasty for Allegra, and she folded? Neither of them could say they knew her well. Allegra appeared strong-willed and stubborn, but was she?
“Look, I understand Rowena hurt you. And I don’t blame you for doubting me and yourselves. But did you even try to date Rowena as a triad?” She looked between their faces before continuing. “See, that’s what I want. Let’s start as we mean to go on.”
“So let me get this right. You want dates like Shotgun explained?” Rain asked.
“Yes. How will we get to know each other otherwise?”
Shotgun was tempted; that was something they’d not done with Rowena. She’d been perfectly happy staying in and screwing their brains out. But not Allegra. She wanted more. She was looking to set the tone and plan for moving forward. It could have been pushy, but Shotgun found it a huge turn-on.
“How would you suggest starting?” he asked as he leaned against the wall and crossed his legs at his ankles. He couldn’t help but feel a spark when Allegra licked her lips and stared at him.
“Allegra?” Rain pushed, amused.
“Huh? Oh, yeah, sorry. Friday night, a couple goes out, and on Saturday, we go as a threesome,” Allegra suggested.
“Do we need to draw up a rota?” Shotgun chuckled.
He was watching Allegra carefully, searching for any signs of doubt. He couldn’t find a single bit of it.
Allegra held his gaze. “You asked me, remember? Don’t back out now. Life is a risk, and love is worth it.”
“Fine, this Friday you and Rain can go out. The following you and me,” he said. This was what he wanted, so Shotgun found it hard to explain his reluctance. Was it because he was worried this would backfire? Shotgun knew he didn’t believe that Allegra was fully aware of the hate that might face her. But he was seeing something in Allegra: a core of steel.
If Allegra and her cousins were willing to support each other, Shotgun hoped that meant she’d have a solid circle surrounding her because she’d need it.
Allegra - eight weeks later – September
“Oh no. This will be awkward,” I muttered to Shotgun.
“What?” he demanded, glancing over as we entered the restaurant with his arm around me.
“That’s Rain’s sister,” I whispered, and Shotgun turned his head.
“Yeah. Thalia.”
“She’s seen Rain and me on a couple of dates. Thalia has an uncanny habit of popping up where we do,” I murmured.
Thalia’s eyes had clocked us the moment we walked in. Her stare bore into us, and I guessed drama would soon ensue.
“Wanna go elsewhere?” Shotgun muttered, ducking his head towards me.
“No. I like the food here.”
“Ah. A woman who thinks with her stomach.”
“Shotgun,” I gently slapped his hard abs. “The slaw!”
“Not the ribs then?” he teased as the hostess approached and led us to a table. And crap, we were two away from Thalia and Bear, her husband.
“Brother,” Bear said, his eyes worried.
