Page 167 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

It’s not important in the grand scheme of things. Just more friends I lost along the way. I have Kenz now. And I got Nico back. And I have the guys. There’s potential with Penny and her group. So everything should be fine.

Caden squeezes my thigh, and I lift my gaze to him. Everyone else has stopped talking, and they’re all looking at me. I swallow as my gaze collides with Eli’s. His eyes soften.

“You’re either with us or with your mother tomorrow, kitten,” Eli says. He’s standing and looks me over like he’s trying to figure out a way to make me safer. If he could tie me to his bed to ensure my safety, he would. I have no doubt. And I’d enjoy every minute of it.

I nod and focus on him. “What’s left for tonight?”

After rubbing my back, Jack stands and leans over to press his lips against mine. I smile at the sparks flowing between us. I’ve been grateful to sleep with Jack the last few days and work on strengthening our connection.

Seeing him with his family, feeling safe in his home. Having my mom. This week turned out better than I thought it might.

“I need to go over to Will’s to find out what he’s been able to unravel.” Jack backs toward the door.

“Alone?” I stand and look at the others, because that doesn’t seem like a great idea. “Is that smart with everything that’s going on?”

“Jack will be fine, little nympho.” Caden pulls me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around my waist. I snuggle into his warmth. “It’s just a pit stop on the way to my house for the night.”

Jack smirks. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ve got Mike riding shotgun and Emma tagging along with me. Emma will throat punch any threats to my person.”

He chuckles. Some of the tightness releases around my heart, and I feel a little better. If it weren’t for Ashley and Emma, tonight could have gone so much worse than it did for me, Kenz, and Penny.

Eli tips my chin up so our gazes can lock. I could fall into the endless abysses of his dark eyes forever and not need to come up for air.

“I need to find Penny. We need to discuss what information she’ll feed Vicky.” His thumb traces my lips before he takes his hand away.

“What will you tell her to do?” I ask.

Eli shakes his head. “I haven’t figured that out yet, but I’ll think of something. I’ll catch up to you guys in a few.”

He disappears out the door with Jack, leaving me with Nico, Caden, and Luke.

“What all do we still need to do tonight?” I rest my head back on Caden’s shoulder and look up at him.

“It’s time for bed, sunshine.” Nico yawns and moves to stand. Luke steps over to his crutches and then helps Nico to his feet. “We have a long day tomorrow.”

I sigh. “It feels like we’re not prepared for whatever they have planned.”

“We’ll know more in the morning, princess.” Luke walks over to stand in front of me. “We need sleep to be able to function. That includes you and Jack.”

I pout slightly as he helps me to my feet and Caden uses his hands on my hips to lift me. Luke doesn’t back up and our fronts brush against each other. Caden stands behind me, trapping me between their warmth.

My pulse races, and fuck, I’m ready to be done with trying to figure out tomorrow. I place my hands on Luke’s stomach, and his muscles tense beneath my fingertips. Anticipation swells inside me.

“You ready to go get off your feet, sunshine?” Nico smirks as his dark eyes take in the three of us, so fucking close, but separated by clothing.

A smile grows on my face. I have no idea what’s in store for me tomorrow, but I know tonight they’ll take care of me.

Caden’s phone vibrates. His hand squeezes my hip before he steps out from behind me to look at his phone. He sighs and lifts his green eyes to Luke.

Luke presses a kiss to my temple and steps over to Caden to see what’s on his phone. A little shiver runs through me as the cold closes in on me. Nico motions me over with a jerk of his head.

Our time together has been good too. Though I wish it was because of better circumstances. His knee was going to take time to heal, but he’s confident he’ll be playing football in the fall.

I cuddle into his warmth and turn to look at the others. Luke and Caden have their serious faces on. My heart skips a little.

“We need to get Eli and head out to the hill.” Luke runs a hand through his hair and looks me over with something close to regret. “We have to meet the asshole who took money to hurt Nico. He’s got information on Zach that he thinks might be worth something to us.”

“Worth how?” I ask. Nico’s jaw tenses, and I slide my hand over the muscle.