crazy, eccentric, deranged (is that enough synonyms for “fucking insane”?) demon murder who captured my heart and then refused to return it.
“So, I know that I ran from you—again—and I’m sorry.” I shift uncomfortably, two parts inside of me warring. One of them loves being the center of their undivided attention, but the other part is intimidated by it. Five sexy as sin guys staring at you as if you’re the only person in the world? It kinda makes you want to curl into a ball.
“Princess, you don’t need to explain,” Raz says gruffly, folding his arms across his chest and leveling me with an indecipherable look. And though he tries to keep his face impassive, I see a flicker of heat that instantly dampens my panties and conjures up wickedly naughty images of the two of us…
“You’re not going to leave us again, are you?” Van demands, and like with Raz, he attempts to keep his voice nonchalant. But I hear his breath hitch on the last two words.
And it breaks my fucking heart that I’m the one who caused them pain.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, dropping my gaze to the ground. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was protecting you. I would die if anything happened to the five of you. I lov—care about you all.” I stumble over that L-word. I know I admitted it to them when I first left in a moment of desperation, but right now, in the midst of the sexiest huddle known to mankind, I can’t find the courage to say it.
Mainly because I fear not all of them will say it back.
Raz did…but only when he was Ziel.
And Akor did before he pushed me out of an airplane.
And Van did in his office.
But the other two?
“I think I always knew I was meant to be yours,” I muse, still refusing to glance up at them. “Even when you broke into my house and I thought you were hired killers, I was drawn to you guys in a way that I wasn’t drawn to anyone else. Not even William.” There’s a chorus of growls at the mention of his name, and my lips twitch imperceptibly. Jealous, overprotective, possessive demons. “And my feelings only grew the more time I spent with you all.”
“Aww, cherry, you had a crush on us?” Akor says, chortling. “That’s super embarrassing.”
Both Zolroth and Raz—the two demons standing on either side of him—hit him on the back of his head.
I clear my throat once, shuffling from foot to foot. “Anyway, I would like to give this…us…a shot. If you want to, that is. I want to move back in with Adam.”
Is it hot in here? I suddenly can’t breathe through the tightening of my throat. I desperately grab at my shirt collar and pull, attempting to tug the material away from my sweaty skin.
I brace myself for their rejection, for them to tell me they had enough of my childish, human antics. I know they kissed me, hugged me, comforted me…
But a tiny piece of me is still dreadfully insecure. It still sees the disapproving gleam in her parents’ eyes. Still hears their cruel, demeaning words as they stare at her like she’s the scum of the earth.
All five of them immediately pull me into a hug. It’s a bunch of tugging and cursing and a muffled “Don’t put your hand so close to my dick.” But it’s perfect.
And when Adam comes to join us, followed by Jason, I feel as if the final pieces in my chest have clicked into place, making me feel fuller than ever before.
“Just so you know,” Akor whispers, his voice directly next to my ear, “I had a crush on you too.”
I swear, my stomach erupts as if thousands of birds have taken flight.
Right here, in the arms of my men and my brother, I’m where I belong.
10
Van
I help Katrina move her things back into her old room, which has remained pretty much untouched since she left us. Except for the fact that I’m pretty sure we’ve all snuggled her pillows a time or two. And in Akor’s case, did other things that shall not be repeated.
As I hang her shirts in the closet, I can’t help but glance back at her. I’m still full of shock and relief that she’s here. I’d thought I’d messed it up for sure, that I’d sent her running. Every night since I said that stupid ‘L’ word that made her run, I’ve