I’m reflecting on everything that has happened in the last week. It has been a roller coaster of emotions and feelings. I’ve gone from feeling hopeless and terrified to the proudest I have ever been. I knew that Talia was incredible, but I’m pleasantly surprised to find out that she is not only ruthless, but deadly. Rage led her to me, and set us both free.
When I step out of the shower, Talia is rubbing her eyes as she steps close and lays her head on my chest.
“Hey, baby,” I say, hugging her to my chest and kissing her head. “Going to shower?”
“Are you telling me I stink?” she mumbles.
“You still smell like him,” I remind her.
“Ew,” she says, leaning back and curling her face up. I laugh and kiss her, making her smile.
“Take a shower. Relax. I’ll go fix you something to eat,” I tell her.
“Are you people trying to make me fat? Every time I turn around, someone is shoving food in my face,” she laughs sleepily. “Okay. I’m hungry anyway.”
“Good,” I say. “Any requests?”
“Enough waffles to kill someone,” she says. “With chocolate chips… and strawberries…”
“Done,” I laugh.
“I love you, Soren,” she says, and I realize that she’s worried.
“I love you, too, Talia. What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry I… I didn’t have a choice but to pretend with Micah. I know you could feel it… I’m just really sorry,” she says. I won’t tell her, but it’s probably the most excruciating pain I’ve ever been in, but I understood what she was doing.
“Barely felt it,” I lie with a smile.
“Fucking liar,” she frowns. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I promise her with a gentle kiss. “I am going to have a lot of fun reminding you of who owns that pretty pussy of yours.”
“The next motherfucker who calls my pussy pretty, I’m going to chop their dick off,” she declares, and I laugh. “How do we handle the guys?”
“Honestly?” he asks, and I grin. “I’m going to trick them into marking you.”
“You are evil,” she laughs. “Vaughn will cry.”
“Oh, I know he will,” I laugh. “But the only way they will accept it is if they’re thrown headfirst into it.”
“Sounds familiar,” she says, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, yeah,” I say. “But they will panic. They will start apologizing. I will tell them to shut the fuck up and fuck you already. Sound good to you?”
“Uh,” she laughs.
“You can say no, my love,” I say.
“I… don’t want to say no,” she admits. “Can you share, Soren?”
“I can learn,” I tell her.
“You can say no, too,” she tells me.
“Who am I to deny you of the bonds you create?” I ask. “I accepted they are a major part of your life the moment I felt them comforting you. It gave me the reassurance that I needed that if anything ever happens to me, there is still someone taking care of you. You will never be alone, and that is more important to me than my desire to be possessive.”
“I want it,” she admits. “But there are five of you and one of me.”
