Eli lifts his head and looks over his shoulder at Harper. Caden puts another Band-Aid on her leg.
“We need to make him pay. It has to hurt.” Eli’s gaze meets mine and I feel it too.
I nod and squeeze his leg. Harper kisses Caden before hopping down off the counter. She comes out and sits on Jack’s lap, cradling his face in her hands.
“You need to call it quits.” She presses her lips to his. She takes his energy drink and puts it away from him. “Sleep tonight. Promise me?”
He shakes his head and gazes longingly at his computer.
“Promise me, Jack.” She ducks her head like a bull facing down a predator. “You won’t be any good to us if you make yourself sick.”
He lets out a harsh breath. “I promise.”
She kisses him. His arms go around her and for a moment it’s like the rest of us disappear. I glance at the others watching her with Jack and I know they’ve felt it. How she can be totally mine and still theirs. How she doesn’t just give a part of herself to each of us, but gives each of us all of her.
Whatever I have to do to protect her, I’ll do. I’d take a bullet for her. I’d kill for her. She can take whatever she needs or wants from me. And if I don’t have it, I’ll make sure she gets it.
She rests her forehead against Jack’s before rising and going over to Nico. Leaning down, she kisses him and it’s no less passionate than when she kisses me or Eli or Caden or Jack.
My heartbeat quickens knowing she’ll come to me. That she’ll look at me like I’m the only one in this room. That she’ll give me all of her because she can. Fuck.
Eli catches my gaze as she moves to Caden. “Zach can’t touch her.”
My lips press together. “It’s time to burn it down.”
CHAPTER 39
The Logistics
Harper
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come in with you?” Eli asks for the fifth time as he pulls into my driveway.
I smile softly and shake my head. “It’ll be easier to explain if Mom sees my legs. Your guilty face will give it all away.”
The guys were gentle with me, acting like I’d shatter like glass if they weren’t. We discussed what we heard while I sat between Luke and Eli. Each of them held my hand. As terrifying as tonight was, I knew Eli would do anything to keep me safe. But I would have done anything to keep him from getting hurt too.
“You and Luke are okay?” I turn in my seat to search his eyes.
Luke came after Eli hard. When Luke held me, I felt his fear. I wish I could hold him tonight. It’s getting harder to be without all of them.
“Yes, kitten. He was just frustrated and scared.” Eli tucks my hair behind my ear. His fingers linger on my jawline, sending sparks through me. “None of us wants you to get hurt.”
I swallow. Zach and Tanner’s words will haunt me tonight. To them, I’m something to be conquered and used. Not a person. Just a vessel.
Sleep will be impossible until I’m in someone’s arms. Until I’m in Eli’s arms.
“We won’t let him hurt you. No matter what it takes.” Eli leans in and presses a kiss to my lips. “I’ll be back later.”
I take his hand and squeeze it. He searches my eyes.
“I don’t think I’m ready to push limits tonight,” I admit even though earlier I wanted that. Now, I just long to be held and kept safe.
“We’ll sleep, kitten.” He touches his forehead to mine and smirks. “After I get you off.”
I smile as warmth buzzes in my stomach. “I’ll see you later.”
We kiss once more before I push out of his car. His gaze follows me as I get to the door and unlock it. I wave to him before stepping inside. He doesn’t immediately pull away though.
