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“Finish dinner,” Rami ordered in his deep voice, a slight lilt to the way he spoke. He lightly shoved Bel back toward the stove before standing in front of me, allowing me space to take in the sheer size of him. He was built like a brick house, solid and towering over me. His t-shirt strained to contain him, biceps bulging under the sleeves. The man was a mountain. A warrior. He watched in silence while I shamelessly looked him over, from the waves of his platinum hair to the hems of his well-fitted jeans.

He exhilarated me. Everything about his physique screamed danger, but there was a softness to his hard edges. I knew that I’d never be anything but safe with him. I’d felt it in his gentle touch at the club. A sharp pain in my heart reminded me that if he really was like Bellamy and Lucian, then he should be there. When his pale blue eyes met mine, I was close to tears.

“Where are you?” I whispered, lip quivering. “Bel said that we…But I can’t…”

He extended a hand. “I’m exactly where I should be. Look through your fear.”

I steeled myself against the uncertainty, took a deep breath, and placed a trembling hand in his. Power surged in my chest, and my knees gave out. Rami caught me against his solid body, and I finally found what I’d been missing. He was there, bound by a heartstring that matched the color of his eyes. I could feel his adoration pulsing through me, his unfailing devotion.

Bellamy had been right. Rami felt completely different, his presence filling a different need. He was my armor, my shield, my protection from the world.

“Thank you,” I croaked, looking up at him. I was so small in his arms, so fragile, and he held me like some priceless treasure.

He burrowed his fingers into my hair, cradling the back of my head as I tipped it further to hold his gaze. “For what, kulta?” His tone was a deep murmur that vibrated through me.

“For protecting me.” I twisted my fingers into the sides of his tee, unwilling to let him go yet.

“I will always protect you.” He bent to press a kiss to my forehead. “Always.” His lips brushed over my skin as he made his vow, and I melted a little more. “Now, come eat.”

He led me through the kitchen to a nook while I took in my surroundings with wide eyes. Stairs led to a lower level, and beyond them I could just make out what was probably a living room. A white oak dining table sat in the nook, surrounded by windows that looked out at the sunset sky, painted with vibrant pink and orange. There were six seats at the table, two on each side and one at each end. Rami sat me next to him on one side, and Bel and Lucian took the other. In the middle of the table was the massive skillet of stir-fry and a bamboo rice steamer. There was a bowl of bright green edamame salad and a plate of potsticker dumplings too.

“This looks amazing.” I could have drooled. “I’ll have to thank Quinn for insisting I join you guys. Where is he?”

Lucian traded an uncomfortable look with Bellamy while Rami started filling a plate. “He said he had a lesson plan he needed to work on for a little longer.”

My heart sank. He wanted to avoid me so badly that he was going to miss dinner in his own home? Why did he even bring me? The thought of coming between him and his brothers made my stomach twist, ruining any excitement I’d felt for the heaping plate of food Rami set in front of me.

“How did you two end up together today?” Bellamy asked as he filled his own plate once I’d been served. He was trying to hide a sheen of jealousy in his eyes.

I picked up a fork, my ability with chopsticks nonexistent. “He actually texted to yell at me for ignoring you.”

“What?” Bel looked genuinely shocked by that, and Lucian snickered under his breath. “I swear I didn’t ask him to do that.”

“I know. It’s fine.” I waved off his concern. “I deserved it. I was being stubborn.” I tried a bite of the stir-fry and couldn’t stop the satisfied sound that slipped free. The veggies were crisp, the chicken tender, and the sauce nice and umami–not even Deva could do better.

When I looked back up, Bel’s cheeks were tinged pink. Lucian, on the other hand, was staring intently at my mouth. I swiped my tongue over my lip, thinking maybe I’d missed something. The snap of his chopsticks was loud in the quiet room, and I fought a grin.

For a while, we enjoyed our food, the conversation light and effortless. The guys talked about their days, their weekend plans, the upcoming football season. They included me like my presence here was completely normal. Like it had always been this way.

Then Rami had to go and pop the bubble.

27

CORDELIA

“Quinn told us what happened,” he said, stealing my attention away from the bite I was about to take. “I don’t like you being alone.”

I sighed and popped the dumpling into my mouth, taking my time before responding. “It’s not a big deal. I just overreacted.” This was not the direction I wanted my happy evening to go in. Time to re-route. “You said he’s working on a lesson plan. What does he teach?” There was hesitation, and I worried that they weren’t going to let me get away with changing the subject.

“He’s a history professor at Athene Academy,” Bel finally said.

I took a bite of salad, nodding in relief as I chewed. “Sounds accomplished for someone so young. How old are you guys anyway?”

“Twenty-three in September.” Then he answered my next question before I could ask it. “I teach at the academy too.”

I turned to Lucian with a raised eyebrow, and he shrugged with an enigmatic smirk. “Twenty-one. I might end up taking some classes.”

I completed my circuit, eyes resting on Rami. “Is working at the club just a summer gig?”