“What?” Lawson asks, scooting forward in his seat.
“Umm…” The conversation behind us stops. “A man.”
“A man?” Remy asks, his voice low and lethal.
“Who?” Lawson growls.
“My ex-boyfriend. I caught him cheating.” The atmosphere turns tense. I need to ease the men beside me. “I didn’t love him or really like him. He was fucking a woman, and he was angry that I hadn’t let him fuck me. It’s a very tangled story that includes a friend, the woman, yet we weren’t that close, my ex, who was a shit boyfriend, and my father. I was going to let it go, because as I said, I was ready to break up with him, but I couldn’t stand his smug face.” I stare at my hand. “He’s a lot taller than I am, and I’ve never hit anyone before. Something came over me. I stood on my toes and let it fly. It hurt. I think it hurt him more, though. The blood started flowing, and he kind of squealed. Now that I think about it, it’s pretty funny.” I chuckle. “I’m half his size. I think he was pretty shocked. I left him with his fuck buddyand came here.” The silence is odd in the loud room. I glance up. “Rylee put some stuff on it, so it doesn’t hurt as much.” More silence. “Guys, it’s fine.”
“Girl, you're going to fit right in,” Sally says. She pats my shoulder and laughs.
“How long were you with him?” Lawson asks.
“Not long. I would have broken it off soon anyway,” I say.
“You said your father was involved. Why didn’t he hit him?” Remy asks, frowning.
“Well, he’s the one who set us up.” I twist my fingers with his, unsure I want to delve into that conversation now. I shouldn’t be this comfortable with them. We met ten minutes ago, and I feel like spilling my life story. As if they'll help shoulder the burden. Weird. I try to remember all the details of shifter matings that Rylee told me.
“He didn’t protect you,” Lawson says roughly.
“He never has,” I whisper, looking forward as the bell rings.
“Haven,” Remy says.
“It’s starting.” Although my body is ready to trust them and fall at their feet, I have to be careful. I haven’t had examples of good men. Maybe they are, and Rylee is friends with them. She was annoyed, but she wouldn’t have let me be with them if they had bad intentions. I cringe as Rylee reels back after a wicked punch. I thought I would enjoy seeing her fight.
Remy twirls the ring on my finger, and it calms me. How can their touch affect me? Any woman would be attracted to them, yet this is ridiculous. I dated frequently before Brian. Not one of them made me want to learn about their lives. Lawson is filled with secrets and pain. I don’t know how I can physically feel his emotions. Remy seems calm, yet there is a storm of anger deep inside. I haven’t been close enough to Hunter and Bane to know what they are hiding. They didn’t say, but I think they are brothers. I can see a resemblance.
“Good one, Rylee,” Sally yells, and I blink.
“Are you brothers?” I ask, watching Rylee wrap her legs around the woman's neck.
“The four of us, yes,” Remy says.
“Do you think I’m your mate?” I keep my focus forward. The heat from Remy’s body seeps into my side as he leans close.
“We know you are,” he rumbles in my ear.
“We?” I ask weakly.
“I don’t think you're ready to know.” He settles back in his seat.
“Don’t tell me what I’m ready for,” I say as I turn to him, narrowing my eyes.
“Alright.” He tilts his head, a slight smile on his lips. “Yes, to all four of us. Would you like to discuss this here or wait until after the fight? In a more private place.”
“I can wait.” I lift my chin, and he chuckles.
“I told you,” Lawson hums. “She’s a fierce little thing.”
“She’s going to need to be,” Remy whispers.
His words should terrify me.
My attention catches on Bane. He stands in the aisle to our left, his arms crossed, his focus centered on me. His eyes flicker to my hands in Remy’s, yet I sense no jealousy. His intensity is alluring.
No. I’m not terrified. Excitement flutters through my body, eager to be the center of four powerful, mysterious men's attention.
