I hurried to spit the rest out. “I know you guys never wanted a Scent Match.”
Elias opened his mouth, but I interrupted him.
“I could come around for my heats, and we could occasionally have dinners. You know; get to know each other a bit more.” I shrugged.
“No,” Elias snapped. “Absolutely fucking not.”
Anger swelled to the forefront of my mind.
“I’m not saying we won’t eventually live together, but I know this isn’t what any of us wanted.” I rushed to say the last part despite the denial on their expressions. They weren’t even hearing me out. Frustration leeched into my next sentence. “And I refuse to stay here and be manhandled by you three?—”
Almost immediately, Sinclair was in my face, clasping my jaw. “Too bad,” he whispered, pressed his mouth to mine, and straightened. “I think it’s the perfect time for that get-away.” He met Elias’ gaze as he strode away.
Get-away?I gawked at Kyan, confused.
“We don’t want to waste more time separated from you,” he murmured.
“Here we are,” Sinclair announced, approaching me with that big, fluffy coat he’d grabbed at Langley Mall. He grabbed my arm and shoved it through the sleeve.
“You’re not listening,” I snapped, frustrated. I grappled with Sinclair, but he got his way and put the coat on me. He crouched to clasp the bottom half and zipped it up. It was so puffy that my movements were restricted. Elias wound an arm around my waist and shuffled me to the front door.
The engine of the SUV was already roaring. The back door was open, with Kyan holding it. Elias lifted me into the back seat. I plopped back with a huff.
Elias gripped my jaw, squeezing. I couldn’t move without it hurting.
“We hear you, Briar. And we see the fear in your beautiful brown eyes, but you aren’t getting rid of us. Ask anything of us, but never that.”
He slammed the door shut on my shout.
I grabbed the handle and yanked, but it refused to open.
“Child lock,” I snapped, “really?”
Sinclair slid in through the other door, scooting closer and across the seat until our thighs were flush together.
“I need a damn cigarette,” I muttered.
“Here.” Kyan reached across the center console, grabbed my arm, slid the sleeve up as best he could with the stiff fabric, and popped something on my forearm. When he withdrew, I was left staring at a nicotine patch.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I hissed. I leaned back with a huff.
“It’s a long drive, settle in.” Sinclair stretched his hand out and grabbed mine, squeezing it.
Chapter 54
The drive took hours, and we’d only stopped once to get gas. About an hour ago, blankets of beautiful snow began to make a showing.
The coat made a lot more sense now.
“Where are we going?” I finally broke my silence.
“We wanted to bring you to the cabin,” Elias answered. “To get you away from all the bullshit.”
“Plus, with your heat coming, it’s perfect to hunker down in,” Kyan added.
“You’re keeping track of my heat?” I was stunned.
“Here we are.” Elias rolled up a cleared road, leading to the front of a two-story home. Dried-up trees braced the front of the simple cabin. The engine shut off, and I had to wait for Kyan to get out of the car and open my door. I hopped out, the snow crunching under my feet. As close as I was to these mountains, I’d never actually been here before. I crouched to scoop some ofit into my hand. I squeezed it in my palm, and it crunched in my grip. My hand was already numb, the chill stinging my face.
