“Do your brothers like it too?” I mumble.
“You would have to ask them.” He finishes, puts the can on the bedside table, and I drop my arms. “I wouldn’t expect it with Lawson.” He faces me, propping his head on his hand. “You’ve witnessed his nightmares. He doesn’t like being confined, and I don’t think he could do that to you.”
“I wouldn’t want him to do anything that makes him uncomfortable,” I say quickly.
“I know.” He grabs my hand, his thumb brushing over my skin. “He might surprise me,” he says softly, looking at Lawson. “I’m happy you could calm him down that night.”
“Is that another reason you wanted to sleep with us?” I ask, and he looks at me.
“Perhaps.” He lifts his shoulder. “I didn’t want our time to end, and I wanted to care for you. Even though you were able to break through his nightmare that night, there is no guarantee the next time.”
“But you left me to sleep with him earlier.” I’m not nervous or upset, I just want to understand.
“All of us were here. We can get here fast and can hear him if he becomes restless. We know the signs. It would gut him if he hurt you by accident,” he whispers.
“Does he know how much you love him?” I ask, and he frowns.
“We don’t speak much about love. The years apart caused us to lock down our emotions. It’s hard for us to share our feelings. Growing up how we did, if we talked about how we felt, the people around us would take advantage of our weakness.” He drops his head to the pillow and lays his arm above me.
“Do you think of them as a weakness?”
“They can be,” he murmurs.
“Your every action shows how much you love them,” I say, turning on my side. “Sometimes, though, actions aren’t enough.” I press my palms together under my cheek.
“Are you telling me to tell my brothers I love them?” he laughs lightly.
“Yes.” I grin.
“I’ll take it under advisement.”
“When Mom was gone, I wish I told her more,” I whisper.
“Princess,” he says gruffly, running his knuckles down my cheek.
“I’m just saying, you don’t know how long you have. I know you're super shifters, but life is unpredictable. Things happen. It took too many years for you to find each other. My mom died too young, and I lost the only person who loved me. Connecting with Rylee was my lifeline. She got me through my childhood. It was fate because I had another pen pal. The teacher had us pick two names. I tried with her.” I squint. “I don’t even remember her name,” I mumble. “Anyway, we didn’t click. I went on and on about my life, and I may have embellished. I couldn’t be honest with her the way I was with Rylee. I didn’t tell her about myfather being abusive. We couldn’t find anything in common, but I kept writing, hoping to break through. It didn’t work. The last letter she sent me was sad, something happened in her family, and she was moving. She didn’t tell me any details. After that, I never heard from her again. It made my relationship with Rylee that much more special.”
“I’m glad you had Rylee.” He glances at Lawson. “I always had Bane. I feel guilty that he had no one.”
“He has you now.”
“Yeah.”
“Another reason you need to express yourselves,” I add, and he chuckles.
“I agree.” He grips my chin, leans close, and kisses me briefly. “I will once things are settled.” He lies back down. “You should get some rest. The next few days are going to be long.”
“Yes, Daddy.” I smile sweetly.
“Brat,” he growls, narrowing his eyes.
“I could get used to this,” I say, and his expression softens.
“Do, because it won’t ever end,” he says.
“Promise?”
“Promise.” He slides his arm around my waist and pulls me to his chest as he lies on his back. “I won’t let anyone take you away.”
