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“I’m fine,” I insisted. “Let’s get you home.”
“Bro,” Adam said sternly. “Talk to us. We’re your family.”
“I can see now that there was nothing I could have done for him. None of us could. Terrance made his choice.” I set my jaw. “And I’ve made mine.”
Adam put a hand on my shoulder, a consolation. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
33
Sam
The ride back to the penthouse was a blur. The police arrived to take care of the mess. I was just glad this hellish nightmare was over.
All I could remember was Adam scooping me up in his arms and carrying me bridal style to the car, setting me down in the backseat between him and Liam. I felt special, guarded. Kris was our driver; Charlie was our point man.
“Beta Formation,” I murmured sleepily.
Liam chuckled and kissed my temple. “That’s right, sweetheart. Good job.”
I must have dozed off at some point, because by the time I woke again, I found myself being lovingly bathed in Liam’s clawfoot bathtub. Adam washed my hair, Kris and Charlie massaged my aching wrists, and Liam was in charge of drying me off and wrapping me up in a towel. It felt wonderful, otherworldly, their hands roaming and covering my body.
I smiled, giddy and maybe a tiny bit delirious. “I feel so spoiled,” I admitted, a murmur.
Kris kissed my bare shoulder. “Wewantto spoil you.”
“You’ve had a rough night,” Adam said. “Let us take care of you.”
I wasn’t about to disagree.
They lay me down in the middle of Kris’ king size bed ? Liam and Adam on my right, Charlie and Kris on my left ? all of them in some way holding onto me.
The sheets were so soft, and the pillows were so fluffy. I wasn’t at all surprised when I fell asleep again, this time waking to see the golden glow of sunrise fill the room. My boys were all fast asleep, evidence of their battle the night before clear on their skin. Adam was covered in bruises. Charlie’s fingers were all cut up. Kris had a small cut across his forehead. And Liam…
Liam was the only one awake, seated on the edge of the bed with his head hung low. He carried his grief on his shoulders, in the tightness of his back. I rolled over to face him and reached out, grazing my fingers across his arm.
“Liam?” I whispered.
He tensed, but only for a moment. “I’m alright, Sam.”
“You don’t have to pretend. Not with me. Not with us.”
Liam took a deep breath and turned to face me. I could see the sadness in his eyes. “He was my brother. But he… he hurt you. I can’t forgive him for that.”
“You’re still allowed to grieve. You’re allowed to grieve for the brother you once knew. It’s probably the best way you can honor his memory. Remember him for who he was, not what he became.”
I caressed his cheek sweetly just as Adam started to stir. He kissed me on the chin.
“Mornin’,” he mumbled.
“You have the best bed hair,” I teased him.
Behind me, Charlie and Kris slowly woke up, too. Charlie was the first to kiss my shoulder, Kris my hand.
“Good morning, beautiful,” Charlie greeted with a yawn.
“Should I put in an order for breakfast?” Kris asked.
Adam smirked. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ve got breakfast right here.” He slipped under the blankets and shimmied his way down, settling between my parted thighs. I couldn’t help but laugh, a little ticklish as his stubble grazed my skin.
