take a while. We don’t even know her full story yet, or how she got in the hands of those monsters. I know one thing for certain, though. That haunts you forever.
Even now that I’ve made peace, those demons still linger inside me.
Cohen puts his hand on my leg, and I jerk out of my thoughts. I turn to him and smile. He looks exhausted, and I’m sure he’s looking forward to bed, too.
“Are you going to stay with me?” I ask.
He nods. “I’m not fuckin’ goin’ anywhere, babe.”
That makes me happy.
So incredibly happy.
“I’m glad to hear it. I’m starting to think I could sleep for days.”
He leans in closer, his hand running up my leg. “Not until I’m done with you.”
His voice is gravelly, and my word, it does things to me. I shiver and turn, finding his lips and kissing him. He growls against my mouth, and I bite his lip when he tries to deepen the kiss.
“Get a room you two, fuck,” Alarick mutters.
Briella laughs. “Leave them. They’re so super cute. Remember when we were younger, and we used to talk about these guys. You always did like Cohen best.”
I grin. “Don’t make his head bigger than it already is.”
“You talked about us, huh?” Cohen murmurs into my ear. “What did you say?”
“We don’t ever talk and tell,” I chuckle. “Sorry, honey.”
“I will tell you this,” Briella laughs. “She was a wild one. You were never getting away from her.”
We all laugh.
Alarick pulls into the house, and slowly, we pile out of the truck and go inside, bags in hand. The guys go to have a shower, and we prepare some lunch to have before we all fall into those deliciously soft beds and pass out until tomorrow. I can’t fucking wait.
“I’m glad you two are together,” Briella tells me, sliding a sandwich in my direction as she cuts the ingredients for the next ones.
“Me, too,” I smile, taking a bite.
“I’m glad you’re back, too. I hope now this is all over, the two of us can find that friendship we lost. I have really missed it.”
I stare at her and give her a small smile. “I think we can do that. I’ve missed it, too.”
The relief in her face makes me happy.
I do want our friendship back. I want it all back.
My whole life.
“Have you heard any more from Romeo?” Briella asks, taking a bite of her own sandwich.
“Yeah, he has text me a few times. He’s coming this way next week with all the documents, and he asked if we can hang out and get to know each other. It’s so weird, knowing I have a brother...”
“He seems like a nice guy. I’m sure you two will grow close. It’s good for you to have a family again.”
“Yeah,” I nod. “It really is.”
“Did he deal with the men who were after you?”
I nod. “Alarick said he was happy to take care of it, and he confirmed he had a few days ago. I guess with everything going on, I didn’t even think too much about it. I’m glad that’s over though.”
“I can imagine, it must feel nice to finally be safe.”
It really does.
“What are you two yabberin’ about?”
We turn and see Alarick and Cohen walking into the room, both shirtless, both with their wet hair falling around their faces. My god, we’re two lucky ladies. My eyes move down Cohen’s body, across those tight muscles and damp skin. Suddenly, I don’t have an appetite for food. I have an appetite for him.
I stand, taking our two plates of sandwiches.
“I’m going to finish these in my room,” I say, locking eyes with the gorgeous man in front of me.
He grins and extends his arm. “Lead the way.”
Oh, yummy.
Bring. It. On.
“HOW ARE YOU FEELING, Lilian?” I ask, smiling at her as she sits on the sofa at the club.
“I’m okay,” she says softly. “It’s weird, being here with all of you. I never thought...”
I know that feeling.
She never thought she would ever escape.
I give her my warmest expression. “You’re here now, and you’re family. We’re going to make sure you have everything you need.”
She smiles at me. “I know, you have all been so nice.”
“How’s your dad?”
She nods and then rolls her eyes. “He hates being in the hospital. He’s grumpy, but I like him a lot.”
I laugh. “They’re all grumpy sometimes, honey. That’s just bikers.”
Her smile widens.
I go to the bar to grab another drink.
Alarick has put on a cookout to welcome Lilian to the family.