As he responded, something clicked. “Wait. You only found out after that night?” He nodded and I swallowed against the rising lump. “You were willing to sacrifice your love because you thought I was happy with Zayne?” Again, he nodded, staring at me through eyes that dripped undisguised affection. “You were willing to give me up...” My heartbeat quickened, railroading my emotions, bursting through my veins. I clutched my chest. “Even though you believed I was your wife?” I whispered the last part, realizing the extent of his sacrifice.
“Falling in love is easy, sweetheart, having sex, even easier, but meeting someone who can spark a flame in your soul, ignite a burn in your chest and stutter the beat of your heart, is extraordinary, rare, even. You did all of that to me, Ash.” He took a step closer and cupped my face in his palms. “I wasn’t lying when I said I fell in love with you that moment you ran out into the rain and into my arms. Something told me you weren’t her and I began to believe it. Even when it was confirmed, I felt nothing but pain because I thought I’d lost you. You gave me a chance to fall in love with you. You. Ashrika Morrone, not Krisha Shaw. Whether you believe me or not, I fucking love you, more than life itself. And if Zayne is the man that made you complete, then I’d gladly step aside. I might be an arrogant bastard who takes what he wants. Your happiness, however, means everything to me.”
Tendrils of warmth unfurled through every inch of my soul, my body, my mind, yet my heart remained divided. Part of me knew I couldn’t have one without the other. Part of me knew that if I chose I’d be miserable and living a lie. I had to ask. “And what if I want both of you?” I heard Zayne’s sharp inhale behind me.
Trent didn’t even flinch. “I’ll give you anything you want, if I can have just one lifetime with you, Ashrika.” I don’t think I’d ever heard him use my full name before.
“Just one?” I asked, stepping back so that Zayne was standing next to me and now part of the conversation.
The two men shared a look I couldn’t even comprehend before they both glanced at me. “Whatever it takes. For however long,” both men whispered together, flooding my body with a sweet warmth I couldn’t describe.
Some people had beautiful memories and some people had none at all, just like me. Yet, I had two gorgeous men wanting to give me beautiful memories, together. What more could I ask for?
I came out of my daze realizing that both men were no longer looking at me. Their attention pulled to something behind me. Before I could turn.
“Zayne, gun!” Tia’s scream pierced the air.
One minute I was standing and looking at the two men, the next, both Zayne and Trent grabbed my arms and shoved me behind them into Tia’s arms.
“Keep your head down, Rika.” She dropped us to the floor. I was too distracted to worry about what she was doing there.
Gunfire erupted all around us, echoing painfully loud against the walls and furniture. Against Rika’s advice, I lifted my head in time to see Zayne and Trent drop as well. I couldn’t see who was shooting. Then in a coordinated move, I’d only ever seen in a movie, both Tia and Zayne pulled guns from the back of their pants, leapt to their feet, and opened fire. I screamed.
Trent looked over his shoulder at me at the same time as Zayne yelled at him, “Go to her!”
Crawling between couches, chairs and around pillars, Trent reached my side and pulled me into his arms. He tucked my head to his chest and covered my body.
The next few seconds happened so quickly, it felt like a dream. I squirmed from beneath Trent’s grasp and looked up. One minute Zayne was standing, the next, he dropped clutching his side.
“Zayne,” I screamed.
He rolled his head to look at me and in that single moment, I knew my life was about to change. Before either Trent or I could go to him, he mumbled something to Tia and raced out the door.
She turned to us. “Trent, he needs you. Go. I’ve got her.” Even in all the haze around him, I realized I’d never heard the authoritative command in Tia’s voice before. She stopped him as he raced for the door. “You’re going to need this.” She tossed him a gun and mumbled an address.
He stared at the gun for a second then looked at me. “I’ll be back soon, sweetheart.”
“Trent,” I called out.
“Don’t worry, I’ll bring him back with me.”
“I love you,” I shouted but he was already gone.
“Come on.” Tia lifted me to my feet. “You hurt?”
“No,” I mumbled on an unsteady breath, yet it had nothing on my shaking body. Tia noticed, and she pulled me into a bear hug, caressing my back. When we finally stepped back I inhaled deeply. “Should I even ask?” I pointed to the gun in her hand, trying hard to sound normal. She merely smiled. “They’re going to be all right?”
She nodded. “Zayne’s one tough bastard, babe.”
If I wasn’t worried about the two men I loved getting killed, I would’ve drilled her for answers, but I couldn’t focus.
