“It might be, and it might prevent a shit storm,” she said. “I don’t want any of you caught in the middle of that.”
“We could deal with Atlas, if that would help,” I offered.
“Don’t,” she said firmly. “That would upset Daze. Believe me, you don’t want to do that.”
“I don’t want you upset.” I put a hand over one of hers. “I love you, I want you to be happy.”
She smiled faintly. “I want to be happy too, but me being upset doesn’t usually end up with people dying.”
“Usually,” I said teasingly. “If Atlas is going to make life difficult for you?—”
“Don’t kill Atlas,” she said. “Promise me.” Her blue eyes were firm.
“I won’t kill him unless I have to,” I said. I didn’t want to kill him, not really. I did want to find out what the hell was going on in his head though. Could he come around to understand? It wasn’t that big a deal, was it?
Her gaze lingered on my face, but finally she nodded. She also understood we didn’t know what the future held. I might, some day, find myself in a circumstance where I had no choice. If that was the case, making a promise to her now, might mean making a promise I’d have to break. I never wanted to do that to her. Not if I could help it.
“I don’t promise not to punch him in the face,” Storm said. “I told you he was an asshole. Once an asshole, always an asshole.”
Chelsea swivelled around. “Don’t do anything rash. Give him some time to think about things. He knows it’s not in the team’s best interests for him to go public with this. Once he calms down, he’ll realise my dancing wasn’t a big deal.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Dallas asked.
“Then we’ll handle whatever happens,” she said. “If that means I walk away from the team, then so be it. I don’t want you to be rash and I won’t be either. Let’s give it a little while and see what happens. Okay?”
“Okay,” I said. “I could try to talk to him. See where his head is at.”
“It might be a good idea to leave him alone for now,” she said after a few moments thought. She glanced down into her coffee which must be getting cold by now.
“What is it?” I asked.
“This wasn’t how I hoped the night would go,” she said.
“At least you have us,” I said. “We won’t walk away from you or let you down.”
She looked up and smiled. “I know you won’t. You three are amazing. I’m grateful to have you in my life.”
“Not as grateful as we are,” Dallas said. He leaned forward to squeeze her knee.
“What they said,” Storm said gruffly. He still looked ready to rearrange Atlas’ face, but he’d keep his temper in check for now. At least until he saw Atlas again. I had a feeling things might get ugly then, regardless of any promises he made now.
“Let us show you,” I said softly. I took the cup from her hands and placed it on the coffee table. I helped her to her feet and, without warning, scooped her up in my arms and carried her into her bedroom.
Chelsea
I woke slowly.Surrounded by three warm, muscular bodies. I didn’t want to move, but I had to get up and use the toilet. I grabbed some clothes on the way. Frost’s track pants and Dallas’ T-shirt. I squirmed into them and headed into the kitchen to start making breakfast and coffee.
While the kettle started to boil, I took my phone off the charge and glanced at the screen. The blood drained from my face.
“What is it? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I hadn’t seen Frost enter the kitchen until he spoke.
“It’s Bruce Fergus, the GM,” I said slowly.
“He wants to see you?” Frost asked.
“No.” I looked up at him and shook my head. “He’s dead.”
