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“Beautiful.” I give her a smile.

When she sits back down, voices come from the kitchen. Eli and Luke are talking to Robert and my mom. My stomach clenches and I feel giddy, knowing they’re about to come in. I saw both of them this morning, but I can’t get enough of them.

“I win.” Lucy moves her token to the winner’s circle.

“Good job.” I clap for her, my smile more genuine this time.

“Thanks.” She smiles smugly, and I see Jack in that one as she gloats a little.

I try not to encourage it, but her happiness is infectious. “We should clean up.”

Lucy’s grin turns to a pout. “We could play again.”

“I’m going to have to leave soon.” I glance over my shoulder at the kitchen. “Maybe tomorrow we can play again.”

Fuck, I hope we have tomorrow.

“Okay.” She kneels to reach all the pieces. We put away the game, and she takes it to put it back on the shelf.

Footsteps alert me before warmth coats my back as he squats behind me. His soft, sultry scent floods me with longing. His breath moves my hair. I wish we could skip all this and just spend the day in the pool or playing games.

“Princess.” Luke sits behind me and draws me back against his chest.

“Death.” I lean my head back on his shoulder. Not really caring who sees because I’m done hiding who I love. The only opinion that matters is my mother’s, and she loves and supports me unconditionally. I’ve never taken her for granted, but I appreciate that she’s open to loving the boys I love too.

He crosses his arms above my breasts, holding me against him. His chin rests on my shoulder. “We need to wait for Jack and Caden.”

“What about Nico?” I turn so my cheek brushes his and that sizzle drifts through me.

“He’s resting for tonight.” Luke rubs his cheek against mine. “Last night took a lot out of him.”

I don’t ask which part because it was probably all of it. Getting knocked out, the party, even our own afterparty. My cheeks flush. He took very good care of me last night.

They all did.

Lucy had disappeared down the hallway to put her game away. She comes out now and smiles.

“Luke!” She hurries over and looks down at us. She puts her hands on her hips and demands, “Spin me.”

His chuckle rumbles through my chest. “Not today.”

She pouts, but then Eli comes in and lifts her off her feet, spinning her around. Her giggles fill the air. When he sets her down, he gives me a wink.

“Again. Again.” Lucy lifts her arms and jumps.

“Time for lunch, Lucy.” Robert stands in the doorway, his gaze takes us in. He doesn’t miss anything. Not how intimate Luke and I are on the living room floor. Or how Eli reaches down to tuck my hair behind my ear. His fingers linger on my jaw.

If Robert disapproves, he doesn’t show it. But I’m not concerned. He can tell Jack or my mom. They’re both fully aware of our relationship. Just because he isn’t privy to it doesn’t mean he gets to judge.

My mom comes in as Lucy runs into the kitchen.

“I wanna play with Luke and Eli,” she complains as she disappears. We don’t hear what Robert replies.

Mom smiles wistfully at the little girl’s words before sitting down on the couch and clasping her hands between her knees.

She hasn’t really slept yet today and has to work tonight. Maybe we should put off going to the quarry. It feels like the world is going to end tonight, but it won’t. My guys will protect me and save me if necessary.

I ignore the dread forming in my heart and focus on my mom.