Page 76 of Cries of Cassie

Affirmatives all around.

"You were about to cut your foot right open. Perfect opportunity to sweep you off your feet," Maddy murmurs lovingly.

"Literally," I add, smiling right back at him. Something occurs to me. It’s another shot to the heart that I don't know all the basics about them yet. "Where are all of your parents? Aside from Mom and Dad."

"Well, mine abandoned me on the streets. That's about it. They weren't really around when I was a kid anyway." Koa had a harder time explaining how he got into bed with these three than talking about his childhood.

A question blurts out of me before I can stop it. "Did you go to therapy or something? You have less emotion about your upbringing than I do about not being close with my family."

Koa chuckles and tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. "No, I didn't. But I was given a second chance at family, and this one, the Shadows, are more than I dreamed of as a young boy."

"I—" My natural response is to apologize for what he’s gone through, but it doesn't feel right. "I'm so happy you're here, Koa."

"Me too, baby girl. Me too," he whispers, and presses forward. His lips caress my jaw in a feather-light touch that has me whimpering before I can stop it.

"Okay, who's next? I want to know about your families." I breathe, head tilted back while Koa peppers me with kisses.

Maddy chuckles, drawing circles on my ankle. Still so careful of my feet even though I can walk on them with only a random stab of pain now. "Well, after my dad died, I took over as president with these guys. Then I set my mom up in a vacation home on the east coast far away from any club drama."

"Somehow she still finds a ridiculous amount to gossip about, though," Ripley grumbles, slowly relaxing his posture. "Did you guys hear the story about the bitch who was publicly shaming grown adults for showing off their cleavage?"

"Sounds like someone I know..." I drawl, raising a brow at Parker.

He points a lethal finger at me, narrowing his gaze in warning. "I like my slut to be mine."

"Don't worry, I'll sort it out later," Koa mumbles. The hidden meaning sends shivers down my spine. Another tally to the number of times I've cursed out a dead man. Bruised ribs and tender stitches don’t mix well with group sex.

But the four of them can.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Maddox (Shade)

Cassie’s deep in thought, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’d prefer she be sleeping right now considering it’s been two weeks of on and off rest.

She’s waiting for the other shoe to drop. For Victor to show up in her dreams and torment her.

I’m part of the reason she’s so worried about finding a trigger that sets her happiness back. Therefore, I’ve caught myself biting my tongue instead of quizzing her on PTSD symptoms again.

I’ve started holding my breath and waiting instead of jumping at her with my concerns. The more I push my fears at her, the more she’s soaking them in like they are her own.

I’ve read enough articles to be aware but not obsessive.

Cassie’s trying her best in that realm too. She’s constantly thinking about whether we’re okay. The four of us men. How fucked is that? We weren’t the ones held captive and tortured for no reason other than a sick man's game.

It bothers Parker to no end. He has specifically aimed his aggression at Ripley because it’s obvious who's making our woman question us.

I can’t blame Rip. What we all went through…that’s not something we will ever get over. Parker’s mom had it right when she told Cassie to be patient with us. Yes, I was eavesdropping. No, I won’t tell her.

We’ll get there. Time, connection, and our love for one another will be how we heal. Talking, getting to know Cassie and each other on new levels has done wonders for our ability to relax again.

So, yeah, we just need to be a bit patient for a while.

“I want to watch you guys have sex. Tonight. Now.”

Koa gasps and chokes on his shock at the foot of the bed where he was resting his eyes. Ripley stands stock-still in the bathroom doorway, Parker behind him with a salacious grin.

I, on the other hand, wonder what happened to patience. Cassie tosses it right out the fucking window when she sits up and drags the soft pads of her fingertips down my stomach.