The name caught me off guard. Justice seemed like a serious type. Perhaps that was just his way.
“I would like that. Thank you. A shower would be nice if that’s okay.”
Archer came over, smiling. His alpha power wrapped me up in soothing waves. “Of course. This is your home now too. Can I show you your room?”
I nodded. He took my hand and led me down a hall, pointing out the other rooms and the bathroom. I’d never shared a bathroom with a male before but from what I’d read and heard about from the woman who raised me, a man’s bathroom was nasty business.
“Here we go. We hope you like it.”
I walked into the room. He touched my lower back as I passed and it triggered a shudder.
Goodness me. This room was nothing like I expected. This wasn’t some extra space they had available. This was the biggest bedroom I’d ever seen. There was a huge bed, and in the corner, a very large nesting pillow. The walls were painted a soft lavender, and the windows were open, letting in fresh air.
It was too much for one person, and suddenly I had the urge to share.
“There’s a lock. I installed it.” Justice stood by the door, not coming in.
“A l-lock?” Goddess, had I left one prison in exchange for another?
Dallas came over and touched my arm. Instantly, I was calmer, but not by much. “Bonnie, the lock is for you to keep yourself safe. You are the only one who has a key. It’s to keep others out, not to shut you in. We would never lock you up.”
Justice nodded. “Sorry. I didn’t explain that right.”
“It’s okay. I’m a bit on edge. I…could I have a minute to myself?”
Dallas nodded. “Of course. Why don’t you shower and get cleaned up for dinner. I can smell your hunger.”
All three of them left and as the door closed, the key on a hook near the door, I finally was able to fully exhale.
My wolf told me I was safe here. These alphas would never hurt me. Never.
I took a shower in the bathroom attached to the bedroom and picked some clothes from the ones that were neatly folded on the bed. They had bought all of this for me. I had a lot to pay back but I was grateful. And Dallas mentioned there was more in the closet and dresser.
I put on some jeans and a soft black shirt and went toward the kitchen. In addition to the clothes, there were hairbrushes and hairbands, body wash and shampoo. Enough supplies to last me several years.
They went overboard, but again, things could be worse.
On the way, I thought about something easy to have for dinner. They’d told me to clean up, so I suspected I was cooking despite the smells of good food in the air but as I rounded the corner, I found out how wrong I was.
The counters were full of so many dishes. Meats, tons of vegetables, salads, two kinds of freshly baked breads. And so many desserts, my teeth ached.
“We eat together every night but we were waiting for you. Sit down. Let me make you a plate.” Archer. I had the feeling he was the nurturer of the bunch and it showed.
“You made all of this?” I asked.
He pushed out his chest. “I did. You’re welcome to anything to eat in this house. And if you didn’t notice, there’s a fridge and a cabinet of snacks in your room. That’s all yours as well.”
I hadn’t noticed that. I was too in awe of the room and everything they’d done for me.
More than anyone in my entire life.
Justice handed me a plate and our fingers brushed. I could barely speak. The touch was so intimate and yet, not. “Thank you. Thank you all. I don’t know how, but I promise to pay you back for this.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Justice responded. “We gave you those things freely. You owe us nothing, female. Go on. Eat.”
Another thing he called me. I just wanted to hear my name on his lips.
Strange thing to desire.
