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“I can’t lose you, Bel,” Wyatt said in a rough voice.
River blinked away tears at the broken quality to Wyatt’s words. His big, strong wolf tended to keep his emotions bottled up to protect River, to keep him from losing hope when things looked so dark. But River knew how close he was to falling apart, because he felt the same way.
Bel released them and pulled back so he could place a hand to their cheeks. “You’re not. You’ve both given up and lost so much in your lives. I won’t allow it to continue if I can help it. Having you come into my life has been a gift. The best gift I have ever received, and I am never giving that up.”
Wyatt turned his face and pressed a kiss to Bel’s palm. “I’m sorry we lost hope and didn’t talk to you first. We are never going to leave again.”
“You said something about having plans?” River prompted.
It was like all the energy drained out of Bel. He dropped his arms to his sides with a heavy flop and sighed. It wasn’t surprising. The sun was high in the sky, and the vampire had gotten way too little sleep.
River pulled at the blankets while Wyatt worked on getting Bel stretched out in the middle of the bed. Once they were all undressed against and cuddled together, Bel released a deep, satisfied sigh.
“Plans. So many plans. I might be the mad scientist, but I have learned a few things from my wicked twin. I know how to plan and scheme,” Bel said in a sleepy voice. “Brothers are coming over tonight. Winter has news.”
“Go to sleep, Bel,” Wyatt whispered. “We’ll talk more tonight.”
Bel shifted on his side and Wyatt moved in closer, spooning him. River turned so that he was facing the vampire. His fingers trailed over the strong arm thrown over Bel’s waist and up Bel’s pale arm. Tired blue eyes flicked open, and River felt himself falling into those calming depths.
“You’re not really my prisoner. I’d never do that to you,” Bel whispered.
River smiled. “I know,” he said around the lump in his throat.
River had been sure he’d never love anyone like he loved Wyatt. The man was his everything. His joy, his hope, his future. But Bel was quickly proving that there was room in his heart to love another person just as much. In many ways, Wyatt and Bel were night and day. All except for their compassion and unwavering devotion.
“Promise you’ll still be here when I wake up. Please.”
River gently kissed Bel. “I promise.” River kissed him again, and he could feel the vampire drift off to sleep.
No matter what the future brought them, they would never be parted from their Bel again.
17
Less than an hour after sunset, Rafe was banging on the front door. Bel smiled at the feeling of agitation from his twin. For him to already be on his doorstep, Rafe would have had to leave his penthouse downtown the second the sun finished sinking below the horizon.
Bel had barely finished opening the door when he found himself in Rafe’s tight embrace.
“I’m sorry,” Rafe murmured into his neck.
Bel returned the embrace, managing only a nod. He didn’t trust his voice just yet. It had been only a few nights since the meeting at Marcus’s house. Not the longest they’d gone without seeing each other, but the longest they’d gone when they separated angry. They just couldn’t stay mad at each other.
After a moment, Rafe stepped back, but still gripped Bel’s arms for another couple of seconds, as if he were afraid to completely let go.
“We’re good, Rafe. We always were,” Bel said.
Rafe gave a small, jerky nod. “Of course.” With his perpetual smirk in place, Rafe released him and continued into the house. Bel’s heart gave a sad sigh. He didn’t much care for Rafe’s mask, but after too many painful years with Julianna, they all had coping mechanisms. At the very least, Rafe had Philippe. There was no way Philippe allowed Rafe to hide how he was feeling from him.
Philippe greeted Bel next, a knowing smile on his lips. Bel hugged him tightly.
“Thank you,” he whispered in his new brother’s ear.
Philippe chuckled softly. “You’re welcome, but it didn’t take nearly as much nudging from me as you might think.” Philippe released Bel and looked past him at Rafe. “He regretted everything the second you walked out the door. He’s just stubborn.”
“Yes, it runs in the family.”
Philippe had just stepped around him when Ethan crashed into him, arms wrapping tightly around his waist.
“Ethan!” Bel cried in surprise.
“Little Varik rode with us,” Rafe offered up.
“Marcus and Aiden had a meeting already scheduled with the leader of the Montgomery clan. They were worried about canceling it, so they let me come in their place. They don’t want you to think they disapprove.”
