“And in return, we have no support system, no backup plans, no one to turn to if he finds us. At least here we have the Legion. At least here we have safe houses and friends who will help us.”
I open my mouth to respond but quickly snap it shut again. Because he’s right. We do have support here that we wouldn’t have anywhere else in the world, and that’s not something we should take for granted.
“I’ll call Crew today and give him an update, but for now we’re staying here.” He reaches for his phone but looks back up at me before he unlocks it. “I want you to know that I hear you. We are a team, and I know why your first instinct is to flee, but if it gets to that point, I won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.”
I nod, swallowing past the bile that rises in the back of my throat as words I loathe form on my tongue. I fucking hate myself for thinking it, for considering this as an option at all.
“What if we have to let her go?” I whisper.
“No,” Rowan growls.
“Dad—”
“I said no, Asher. The only way she leaves is if that’s what she wants. But we will not take that decision away from her because Jeffrey fucking Malone gave you an ultimatum.”
“And if she does make that call? You saw how much she shrank into herself at dinner. What if she can’t handle being with two men? What if this isn’t whatshewants?”
He’s quiet for long seconds, and I begin to think he’s not going to respond at all, but then he sighs, his shoulders falling in defeat. “If Hannah ever wants to leave, we won’t stop her. She knows where we stand. She knows we love her, and if that’s not enough…then there’s nothing more we can do.”
An uneasy feeling tightens in my chest, but instead of replying, I simply nod. Because I’m not sure either of us would survive watching her walk away.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
HANNAH
My body is delightfully sore from the rough treatment it received last night, and I take my time showering, allowing the hot water to ease the aches.
I drag the sponge over my skin, washing away the remnants of one of the hottest nights of my life, but there’s nothing in the world that could wipe the smile from my face.
It wasn’t surprising that I was alone when I woke up, considering the sun was already high in the sky and Asher has always been an early riser, but I’d be lying if I said I’m not looking forward to tracking them both down.
Don’t be too needy,the voice in the back of my head reminds me.
I shake the thought off. They like that I depend on them. They crave it, and I’m not going to feel bad about giving them something we all need.
Once every inch of me is clean, I ease my way through my skincare routine and apply a light layer of mascara.
If they tell me we’re going out, I can always add to it, but otherwise, I’m happy being comfortable today.
I brush and blow-dry my hair until it’s no longer damp to the touch, but don’t bother styling the wavy strands before moving into the closet and picking out a soft sage green lounge set.
The fabric feels like butter as I pull it on, and I check the drawer again to see three others just like it in varying colors. I could get used to having a man buy clothes for me if they have such good taste.
I gather my laptop from my desk and the phone from the bed before making my way downstairs in search of food, coffee, and my men.
Hushed voices in the kitchen tell me I’m going to find all three in one place, and the smile that tugs at my lips is downright giddy.
I feel like a teenager with my first crush all over again, and I realize this is what happiness feels like.
This is whatlovefeels like.
“There’s our girl.” Asher beams as he comes around the kitchen island.
In three long strides, he’s in front of me, and a moment later, my laptop and phone are out of my hands, and I’m lifted from the ground.
I wrap my legs around his waist, holding on as he carries me into the kitchen and deposits me onto the counter, where Rowan meets us, dropping a kiss to my lips before continuing whatever he’s doing at the stove.
It feels so…domestic, and I allow myself to consider that this could be how things are for the rest of my life. That one day we could have kids sitting at the island, making faces at how loved up their parents are.
