Page 106 of Dark Soul

“That’s what he was going to do,” Slate said, moving so he was standing right beside Alexia.

“Stay out of this,” Dark growled. “In fact, what the hell are you all doing here? If you’re back from dinner already, shouldn’t you be in your rooms?”

Griffin snorted. “Are you our dad now?”

“I think you should all stay,” Alexia said. “I know you’re all in this together, so how I feel—and how Dark feels—affects you too.”

“Oh, I think we know how he feels,” Rogue said.

“You don’t know anything,” Dark replied.

I love you.

I love you so much it hurts every time I breathe.

But I want you to be safe and happy.

“You don’t have to say it if it’s too hard, Dark,” she said kindly. “I just need to know if you want to give us a chance.”

“No.”

“No?” she asked. Her eyes widened with hurt that she was trying hard to mask.

“No. It’s not hard. I love you, Alexia. And if there was something I could—“

She interrupted him, jumping up into his arms. He held her tight, so her feet didn’t touch the floor. Her heart beat hard against his chest.

“Stop. I don’t want to hear the rest. If we love each other, we can make this work.”

“Hear, hear,” Griffin replied. For once, his sharp face seemed relaxed. He looked like he was going to go grab some popcorn.

“I don’t understand how you can be so generous, Alexia,” Dark began, his voice faltering. “I love you, but these men and I … we owe a debt that we may not be able to repay.”

“We’ll talk about it, Dark,” she continued, and she looked so sure of herself, and he wanted so much to believe her, to know that he didn’t have to let go, that he could keep holding her against him. “But I’m staying.”

“Maybe you should have moved into one of the larger apartments when you had the chance, Dark,” Ash said glibly.

Dark leaned back further against the desk, bringing Alexia onto his lap. It felt right to have her there.

“You know, guys, I knew from the beginning that you weren’t television executives,” Alexia said, looking at each of the men in turn.

“Really?” Griffin asked. “What gave us away?”

“Lots of things. But I don’t think you need an ego boost at the moment, so I’ll keep them to myself.”

The words were barely out of her mouth when Thorne walked back in. He’d left the whisky bottle and glass somewhere, for his hands were free. He also didn’t look like he’d indulged at all, but then, the man was a good actor.

He caught sight of Alexia, sitting on Dark’s lap.

“I guess you’ve sorted things out, then,” he said, his voice serious and dry. “There are a couple one-bedroom apartments left, Dark. You two could move into one of those.”

Dark nodded, feeling slightly overwhelmed. The whole team was offering their support, even Thorne, and he knew better than to take any of it for granted. “Thank you.”

Thorne looked as if the whole conversation pained him.

“Now, if we can get on with business. I’m glad to find you all here. I was hoping to have a small debrief.” He raised his hands as Alexia made to move from Dark’s lap. “No. Stay where you are, Alexia. You’re part of the team now, aren’t you?”

She smiled shyly, then settled in further against him.