I kidnapped you. I brought you here, and now you’re in danger.”
“I was in danger before you took me. That’s why you brought me here, isn’t it? And when the danger has passed, we can go back to Cambridge. All of us.”
My heart squeezed. Ashlyn had created a pretty little fantasy in her mind. It was past time I gave her the truth about her future.
“We might never be able to go back, angel,” I said quietly. “You weren’t under threat at Harvard. Not after I left. But Marco took you anyway. And I chose to keep you. Now, you might not ever be able to go back. And it’s our fault.”
Our fault. Not just Marco’s. Because I’d done this to her, too. From the moment I’d first met her, I’d wanted her. I’d tried to stay away, but eventually, I broke down. Selfishly, I started a relationship with her, even though I knew it was dangerous for her to associate with me. Just because I’d tried to leave her behind in Cambridge, that didn’t absolve me.
“I never should have come near you,” I admitted, my strain matching Marco’s. We were both at fault, and now Ashlyn’s life would never be the same. “You might never get to go back. You might never be able to have the life you wanted.”
“That wasn’t the life I wanted,” she said firmly. “You helped me see that. I made choices to meet other people’s expectations of me. That’s not how I want to live my life. I want to make my own choices. I want to be with the two of you. Don’t you want to be with me?” She softened on the last, suddenly uncertain.
“Of course we want to be with you, princess,” Marco said. “But we shouldn’t—”
“Don’t tell me what I should and shouldn’t do,” she said with sudden ferocity. “I get to make my own choices from now on, and I choose you and Joseph. We can figure the rest out later. I love you. Both of you.”
I love you. I’d waited so long to hear those words fall from her perfect lips.
“I’ve always loved you, Ashlyn,” I admitted. I’d known she was mine from the moment I laid eyes on her. My complicated life had kept me at a distance from her, but I couldn’t hold back any longer.
“I love you too, babygirl,” Marco said with the weight of an oath.
She smiled and sank back into the pillows. “Good. Now, get in bed and cuddle with us. We can put on Parks and Recreation, if you want,” she offered, knowing Marco preferred comedies.
He gave her a lopsided grin. “You have to eat your dinner first, princess. Then, we can cuddle all you want.”
My best friend was back; the self-destructive, miserable man he’d become over the last few days was gone. I was happy to see that man go.
“Marco,” I said his name solemnly, calling his attention to me. “I’m sorry for punching you. I owe you one.”
Now that we’d earned Ashlyn’s forgiveness and love, I couldn’t hate Marco. I couldn’t regret my choices or his actions, because they’d brought Ashlyn into our lives.
“No one’s punching anyone,” she interjected firmly.
Marco chuckled. “Okay, princess. Whatever you say.”
Ashlyn might do as we told her, but we’d do anything for her. She was ours, but we belonged to her.
Chapter Twelve
Ashlyn
I loved my men, and they loved me. They’d made that clear over the last week, both of them doting on me as I recovered my full strength. Neither of them had left my side for more than a few minutes since we’d confessed our feelings for one another. Both Marco and Joseph had ignored their fathers’ calls. I knew my men were expected to help look for the people responsible for poisoning me, but they cared more about seeing to my needs than serving their fathers.
Good. It was past time we all started living for ourselves instead of bowing to pressure from our parents. After all, I hadn’t been the target of the poisoning. If someone was out to get Joseph’s father, that was his business.
I let out a happy little hum as I sank into the warm bath. Ever since we’d all admitted our love for one another, Marco had been more attentive than ever. He took his responsibilities for my wellbeing very seriously. Between Joseph’s constant affection and Marco’s daily pampering, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
“It’s not too hot is it, babygirl?” Marco asked as the water