Page 81

I giggle, unable to hold in my amusement for another moment. “I appreciate it nonetheless.”

“Once we’ve removed the threats, we’ll take a trip to Paris so Chloe can eat her fill of croissants and the kitchen never has to be assaulted by this much flour again,” Kingston offers.

He barely manages to duck out of the way of the flying stick of butter coming at his head.

Ryker wanders around the island and slides a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me, making my stomach rumble so loudly every set of eyes in the room looks my way.

“Hungry, Mama?” Kingston asks, dropping a piece of toast onto my already overflowing plate.

“It was probably the midnight fucking that sent her appetite over the edge.”

Heat spreads across my cheeks and down my throat as my eyes widen at Ryker’s words.

Damon’s icy gaze turns on him, and for a moment I hold my breath, waiting for the distaste for one another to return. But instead, a smug smirk tugs at his lips.

“You’re just jealous it wasn’t your dick she was riding.”

My lips part in surprise as laughter fills the kitchen.

In all my wildest dreams about how this relationship could possibly work, it was never quite this good.

“Eat, Mama.”

I glance down at my plate, my stomach letting out another excited growl before I pick up the toast and take a bite.

I think Ryker might be right. I did work up an appetite.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

CHLOE

NOW

After breakfast, Kingston leads me into the lounge room and tugs me into his lap in the same chair we started last night in.

I half expected the room to stink of sex this morning, but I’m pleased to find that one of the guys must have cleaned up in here before they came to bed.

The others file in one by one, taking seats around the room while King’s fingers trail up and down my back. I’m starting to think I should have put more clothes on before I came downstairs because being in this room with his hands on me, knowing I don’t have any panties on, is giving me ideas I absolutely should not follow through on.

“You called this meeting, you can start.” King nods to Damon sitting on the couch to our left, his elbows resting on his knees as he watches me closely.

I wonder if it will ever not be overwhelming to have their undivided attention on me, or if I’m going to spend the rest of my life in a perpetual state of blushing.

“I owe you each an apology, or probably more than one if I’m honest. I’m sorry for the parts I’ve played in this shit show we’ve found ourselves in. I’m sorry for not being honest when I joined you guys on the jet after Dad had his guys beat me to hell. The ultimatum he gave me was…unthinkable, and my desperate need to cause Chloe as little pain as possible clouded my judgment.”

“Damon,” Ronan says, but his brother holds up his hand.

“Let me get this out.” He shakes his head as if it will clear the chaos away and allow him to get his thoughts straight. “I’ve fucked up at every turn, and I’m man enough to admit that, but I want you all to know that I’m in this. All the way, both feet, can’t see a way out in this, as long as you’ll have me.”

I reach out to him, needing to comfort him in some way, and he takes it in his immediately, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“There was never any question,” Kingston tells him. “It’s obvious how much you care about Chloe and how much she cares for you. So as long as you treat her well and don’t try to kill the rest of us, we’re not going to turn you away. Not ever.”

He nods, his shoulders losing some of their tension.

“But there is something I want to ask you,” King continues. “It doesn’t matter what your answer is, it won’t change anything between the five of us, but I just need to know so we can make decisions about what comes next.”

Damon nods slowly, and I give his hand a squeeze in support. I have no idea where this could be going, but nerves roll over me nonetheless.