Page 101 of Wolf It Down, Knot Me Up

Wolf lifts my chin to face him. “You really think we’d be capable of letting you go?”

I shrug. “I was panicked and scared out of my mind.”

He hugs me, and I melt against him as Grayson whispers how brave I was. Except I felt anything but strong. All three of them are kissing my head and my face. “You’re not getting rid of us,” Grayson says.

Every part of me is still shaking, but instead of fear, it’s from the relief and love that I’m feeling. “I love you three so much,” I blurt out without thinking.

The men just stare at me, almost shocked, and I’m suddenly thinking I’ve overshared. “Oh, I want to hear that again,” Roman murmurs. “I love you so much.”

“I love you even more,” Wolf butts in, making me giggle.

And Grayson kisses my nose. “I love you, Lucy. You’re everything to us.” And for those few moments, we’re locked in each other’s arms. This feels like the most important moment of my life, even though I’m still shaking from being kidnapped.

“Should I even ask how you all got back to me?”

“Long story,” Wolf mutters with a sly grin. “But we should get going.”

“Agreed,” Roman states, taking my hand. “I’ve got something to show you in the car parked around the back.” He lifts his gaze to Grayson and Wolf. “You two drive the car with that dickhead before he bleeds to death. Take him in, as he’ll need stitches. We’ll see you there.”

Wolf groans under his breath.

“What’s going on?” I’m being led around the back of the lodge by Roman. The night feels surreal, while that tingling sensation from my heat reminds me that I’m not free from its grasp.

We turn the corner, and instantly I spot a blue sedan. “Hey, that’s Ethan’s car. He’s back?”

“I wanted you to know that we weren’t going crazy the other day when we thought we saw Ethan. It was him.” Roman approaches the car and pops open the trunk. And inside I find Ethan, curled up on his side, not moving.

“Oh, fuck, is he…?” My voice wobbles.

“He’s not dead, Lucy, just passed out from drinking too much.” Right then, Ethan snorts like a beast.

I shake my head as Roman shuts the trunk, saying, “Let’s get going. Your grandmother needs us.”

“Grandma! Shit, Bryan said someone’s with her who can hurt her.” And those words alone scare me half to death. I rush into the passenger seat, Roman diving in behind the wheel. “Go, go, go!” I say, tugging on my seat belt, terrified we’re going to be too late.

26

GRAYSON

“Take it!” I shove the hot coffee from the vending machine at Ethan as we travel down the hospital hallway. “You’ll need every drop of it.”

He grabs it, stumbling alongside me, his eyes red, hair and clothes a mess, but he’s sticking to his word about making it up to Lucy and Eve after his major fuckup. “Thanks,” he croaks and sips at it slowly.

Lucy’s at my other side, staying closer. It’s clear she’s barely keeping it together after her ordeal, and her delicious scent is wafting strongly. But right now, we have no choice. I have to deal with this situation first.

Wolf takes Bryan to the ER and will explain that he must have fallen and hit his head. He’ll also stay with him for a bit to ensure he doesn’t leave, seeing as the bastard’s awake. And behind me, Roman’s on the phone with our parole officer.

My ears perk up at their conversation, worry sinking its fangs into my chest because this could end terribly for us, but fuck, I’d do it again to protect Lucy.

“Right,” Roman states. “Thanks, and we’ll see you soon.”

Great, the prick’s coming here, I guess. The more the merrier.

I’m steering us toward Eve’s room to check that she’s okay and, more importantly, track down the fucking mayor.

“Lucy,” Ethan begins, glancing over at her, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. “I fucked up so badly going behind your back and Eve’s, and I don’t expect either of you to ever forgive me, but I want you to know that I love the Crimson Pine Lodge. It’s the only place I’ve truly called home. My parents weren’t exactly the most affectionate toward me, but Eve accepted me without question. And when she told me she was giving you the place, I assumed the worst—that I’d be let go. And I was an idiot. I’m so sorry for everything I did. You both deserve so much better.”

“Yeah, they fucking do,” I butt in.