AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He’s fine, but I may have bribed him slightly with chocolate chip cookies,” I confessed, making him chuckle. “He’s fast asleep again now, but I think he needs changing.”
“I’ll take care of it. You should head up to bed. You must be exhausted. The others are waiting in the kitchen for you.”
“Will you come to my room once you’ve taken care of Zack? I can’t sleep alone,” I told him, but I had ulterior motives too. I wanted him with me, so I knew he really was okay. I didn’t want him looking for the bottle of scotch I knew was sitting in the kitchen cupboard.
“Not tonight, baby. I could have another nightmare and hurt you,” he sighed.
“Please. The others can be in there too. They’ll wake you up if they need to. I just don’t want to be alone, not tonight.”
“I’m a mess, Evie.”
“We’re all a mess, Nick. That’s why we fit together so perfectly.”
“You’re not going to take ‘no’ for an answer, are you?” he asked.
“Nope. We need each other. Especially when something like this happens. No more hiding. I think that should be the first rule of our relationship.”
“Fine, but that means no more hiding for you too. Harris told me what happened earlier. Why wouldn’t you just come to us?”
“I’m coming to you now, aren’t I? I’m begging you not to make me be alone tonight because I…I just don’t think I can handle it…not after everything. Seeing him again, it’s made it all so much more messed up in my head,” I tried to explain tearfully.
“You’re safe, baby. We won’t let him hurt you again. We’ve got you and we never want to let you go.” He held me even tighter as he covered the top of my head with gentle kisses.
“I don’t think I want you to.”
“Good. Now go and find the others. I’ll take care of the munchkin, then I’ll be in too, okay?”
“Okay,” I whispered. He moved to release me, but I tightened my hold around his neck and pulled him down closer, so I could press my lips to his. I could taste my tears as the kiss deepened, Nick wrapping his arms around me again and turning me slightly so he could kiss me at just the angle he wanted. He took control, his tongue seeking entrance to my mouth and then attacking me and whipping me into a lust infused daze as I just hung on and tried to keep up. When he pulled away for air, I just stood there gasping, staring at him.
“How are you all such amazing kissers?” I asked, the words just spilling from me without my permission.
“All, huh? You been busy today, Evie?” he teased.
“Forget that. It was a comment for inside my head,” I explained with a blush.
“I’ll take amazing, babe, and I’m pretty sure the others will too,” he chuckled.
“Oh God!” I slammed my hand over my face in embarrassment.
“Go on. Upstairs, before any more inside thoughts find their way out.” He turned me to the door and playfully swatted my ass to get me moving. I was still so dazed from the kiss I didn’t even say anything, I just went.
These guys were seriously going to be the end of me. I’d never survive all four of them and the way they could make me feel, but I was pretty sure it’d be fun trying, and if it did end me? Well, how else would a girl want to meet her maker?
CHAPTER 9
NICK
“I’ll make coffee,” Kailan volunteered as the four of us walked into the kitchen late the next morning. It had been a long night for everyone and we’d all slept late in Evie’s room with her. Harris and Kailan had been either side of her in her bed, but I’d opted for the floor, terrified I’d allow another night terror to take hold and this time I’d hurt her, not just one of my brothers.
Aleks had curled up in the armchair in the corner, near the door, and I knew why. He was still feeling way too guilty about Evie being taken on his watch and he was determined not to allow it to happen again. It was why he’d put himself between her and the door, despite the fact we were all as sure as we could be no one could enter our property without us being alerted.
We’d left Evie in bed, fast asleep, when we all awoke to the sound of Zack that morning. She needed the rest after everything she’d been through, and we were relieved she hadn’t even stirred when we left her.
“I’ll grab some cereal for this little Gremlin,” Harris chuckled as Zack wiggled in his arms excitedly. He could hardly be contained, knowing his breakfast was on the way. I swore all my kid ever thought about was his next meal or snack.
“I’ll see what we have for breakfast. I want to have something ready for Evie when she wakes up. She barely ate last night,” I said as the feeling of worry for her hit me hard again. She’d been so quiet the night before, and had eaten even less than usual at dinner. I was terrified seeing that motherfucker again was going to set her back even further with her trauma, and that was the last thing she needed. She had endured so much pain and fear. All I wanted – all any of us wanted – was to find some way to take it all from her.
“I’ll help, but I want to check the security programs first,” Aleks told us sleepily as he headed right for his laptop. Harris and I had both pulled on clothes when we got up and had already done a sweep outside, so we were happy there was nothing to worry about, but Aleks doing an extra check on the system wouldn’t hurt.
