“I’ve watched you in action from Felix’s point of view,” Zander continued. “I’ve seen how far you took him. I know what you’re capable of, and have a good idea of the extent of your sadism.” Zander’s gaze intensified. “I completely trust you to be safe with our boy. You step fully into your place at the top with me, and Spence feels the stability of being owned by two people who love him.”
Something fierce and hot bloomed in Emmy’s chest. She reached out to touch Spence’s cheek, and he leaned into her palm with a soft sound that made her throat tight.
“Thank you,” she whispered, not entirely sure if she was thanking Zander, Spence, or both.
Zander gave a rare, genuine smile that made him look almost human.
“When I explained the triangle, you agreed with me. Our boy is our foundation. You value his submission even while you manipulate and probe it, testing the depths of it — and that is exactly how it should be.”
When everyone was dressed, Zander walked them to the elevator, and Emmy approved. Their boy was still floaty, and he’d have to surface mentally to interact with the people they’d see on the way down.
The elevator descended in near-silence, the industrial hum a low vibration beneath their feet. Emmy stood with one arm around Spence’s waist, supporting him even though he didn’t really need it. Zander stood on his other side, hand resting on their wolf’s lower back.
Spence’s head rested against Emmy’s, his breathing deep and even, his weight comfortable against her side.
Emmy could sense them both: Zander was cool and anciently powerful, while Spence was warm andtheirs.
She wanted to feel them in her head the way she somehow knew they could feel each other. Spence had explained when she’d asked, saying it was more than just telepathy, that they couldfeeleach other. An intimate connection that worked even across distance.
Emmy had lived inside her mother’s shields until she was six, learning to build her own, layer by layer, until they were impenetrable.
Never let anyone in,her mother had taught.Your mind is your fortress. Your last line of defense.
But what if she wanted to let them in? What if she wanted to tear down those instinctual walls and let them see everything, feel everything?
The thought both thrilled and terrified her.
But she could start with the telepathy, maybe, before going whole hog. Perhaps she could talk to her mother about it, to get all the pros and cons. Maybe there was a way to just let him a little way in.
The elevator jolted when it reached the bottom floor, and Spence stirred, blinking slowly.
Less than twenty steps later, they were in the suite, which felt like sanctuary after the Lupanar’s stone and steel.
The sofas and chairs were pushed along the edge of the room, and an inflatable hot tub was in the center of their living area, hot water steaming.
Her vampire didn’t miss a trick.
Emmy guided Spence to a sofa while Zander stripped vampire-fast and then checked the water and looked through some oils. Emmy helped Spence strip again, her hands gentle on bruised and marked flesh.
“You were so brave,” she told him softly, fingers tracing the marks with reverent care. “So strong.”
“Didn’t feel strong,” he mumbled, but he was smiling slightly. “Felt like I was falling apart.”
“Thatwasthe strong part.” She cupped his face, made him look at her. “Letting yourself break. Trusting us to catch you.”
His eyes went bright with unshed tears, and he pulled her into a fierce hug. She held him back just as tight, feeling his heartbeat against her chest, steady and warm.
And then Zander was there, hugging them both, before he pulled back and said, “I’ll get him into the water while you undress.”
She was only a few seconds behind, and the water temperature was perfect, with steam rising in gentle curls.Zander had Spence in his lap, resting his back on the vampire’s chest, and Emmy slid in to face them both.
Spence sighed, a sound of pure contentment, and his eyes drifted half-closed.
A stack of towels was in reach, and Emmy lifted a washcloth and began cleaning him with careful strokes. Zander’s hands worked through Spence’s hair, massaging his scalp with methodical gentleness.
“You really thought you were broken?” Emmy asked softly, not expecting an answer but needing to say it. “You’re the most whole person I know.”
Spence cracked one eye open. “You’re biased.”
