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“C'mon!” Tanner grumbles, “We bet and he lost.”
“Look, I don't wanna get involved in whatever the hell this is. Sort yourselves out.” Rueben walks away, leaving the two as they resume their argument.
Rueben shakes his head, as though the others are acting like children, and he isn't wrong.
It is refreshing watching them fool around a bit.
Their informal meeting seems to have come to an end as Rueben walks away, typing into his phone, likely sending the text that he mentioned.
Although I feel like I’ve been chewed up and spat out, their concern for me is touching, clearing away the tiny shred of doubt still left behind. There’s no way they are trying to trick me. They wouldn’t go out of their way for me like this if that were the case.
My insides warm at their overprotectiveness. It’s nice to have people who care for me enough that they’re willing to risk their own lives to make sure I am okay.
I take the time to appreciate the irony of the turn of events. These are the same individuals that I had planned on taking down at one time.
My heart melts at the affection they have for me. Joy overwhelms my soul, and my mind eases from all the what-ifs that had plagued it.
They are not as bad as I had first labeled them to be. Each of them has their unique trait of kindness, despite the line of business that they're in.
Their need to protect me is not about the stash anymore, and it's not about their lust over my body either. It is way beyond that. It something more, something more affectionate, and these are the same people I used to think were incapable of love, affection, or compassion.
The infatuation or lust between us had been mutual, but even in my cravings for them, I still had doubts about their intentions. Things had even gotten worse after Jared's visit to Rueben's workshop. The conversation and the nature of it had left me in a state of discombobulation.
Before now, I was beginning to question everything they told me, everything I thought I knew, and my suspicion of them had escalated.
However, they had cleared the air now. I'm relieved, because even in my suspicion, I wished deep down that I was wrong. How glad I am now that I realize that indeed, I was wrong.
The implications, however, are not something I wish to consider. The last thing I would ever want is for them to come to any harm because of me.
I watch Rueben go to the guys, who by now have stopped arguing.
“What if this doesn’t help?” Josiah asks, and Rueben casts a puzzled look at him. “What are we supposed to do when they grow restless and start actively looking within?” he adds, although the tone of his voice suggests that he already knows exactly what to do.
I lean in, eager to hear their response.
“Then we go to war,” Rueben says. “I will never give her over, no matter what happens or the problems that come my way. Whoever tries to take her from me must be ready to go through me first.”
“Yeah.” Tanner nods in consent. Josiah does too. That's what they wanted to hear. Going to war is not going to be a problem for them.
As honored as I feel, I still can't bring myself to allow them to endanger their lives for me.
I clap my hands over my mouth to stop the whimper from escaping.
“Rueben is right. I do not care to know who it is. All I know is that whoever tries to get her must go through me first, and I do not intend to be lenient or calm about it,” Josiah adds, standing up.
“Good. That’s all I needed to hear. I’m glad we’re all on the same page,” Tanner adds. “For now, we pretend and see what we can find out that’ll be of help to us.”
This time, I’m unable to stop the lone tear from sliding down my cheeks. There is no doubt about it. I have completely fallen for all of them, and somehow, that doesn’t seem so bad all of a sudden.
“Well, now that that’s sorted, I need to make her breakfast before she wakes up. I’m sure she’ll be ravenous,” Rueben says, groaning as he leaves them again and heads to the kitchen.
The guys follow after him. “What are you making? How about you make some for the rest of us?”
“How about you make something for yourself? I’m sure you can manage that.” He glares at Tanner, who chuckles in return and holds up his hands in mock surrender.
“It seems our lady is the only one who gets to enjoy Rueben’s special treatment. I see how it is.”
Rueben rolls his eyes, and Josiah laughs in his usual fashion, with his arms crossed over his large chest and mouth sealed, choosing to stay out of it.
