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I didn’t want this. Then again, I wasn’t certain what I wanted at this point. It wasn’t fair to try to find out while being around one or all three of them.
As soon as the plane stopped, Alexander rose from his seat. “I already called for a service to take you home.”
“That’s not necessary.”
He turned his head slowly, crouching down in front of me. “I want you to stay with us, Cassie, not just for a night or a weekend. I see the four of us spending our lives together.”
“Is that a demand?” I asked, realizing the jab had gone straight through his heart when I hadn’t meant for it to.
“The Alexander you met years ago would keep you locked in a perfect cage, but maybe Garrison did rub off on me. Besides, I have business to take care of and with you in my life in any capacity, you’d always be in danger. That’s not what I want for you or what your brother would have wanted. Keep in mind that I am going to make certain you’re protected.”
“What does that mean?”
He grabbed my hand, pulling my knuckles to his lips. “It means you will never be off my radar. If anyone dares to fuck with you, they will have me to deal with.” When he reached into his pocket, I held my breath, although I wasn’t certain what I was expecting. When he handed me a cell phone, I couldn’t hide my disappointment. “I want you to keep this with you at all times. My number is programmed. No one can trace it. If you need anything or if you see anyone suspicious or if anyone threatens you, then you need to promise to call me immediately.”
“My God. How can you live in this world?” I whispered, barely able to grab the cell phone.
His eyes reflected his answer. “Make that promise to me.” When he squeezed my hand, this time he used enough pressure I whimpered.
“I promise.”
“Good girl. I want you safe. I also want you happy. To that end, you’re going to live a normal life. No more games. Do you understand?”
“What if I misbehave?” I don’t know why I asked the question but to see his face brighten sent butterflies into my stomach. “Will you come discipline me?”
“You can count on that,” Alexander mused, sliding his finger down my cheek.
“I think I can also speak for Daniel that you will always have three men in your life who care about you,” Brogan added.
Only Daniel remained quiet, unable to look me in the eyes.
I unfastened my seatbelt, struggling with the decision all over again. I knew what I was doing was right. Even so, why did it ache so much?
As I was led out of the plane, I noticed Alexander had his hand on his weapon, scanning the small commuter lot as if he expected whatever had issued the threat would be waiting in the shadows. No, that wasn’t the kind of person I was. I couldn’t stand looking over my shoulder every day.
There were no promises to keep in touch and I managed to keep from crying. But as soon as I was settled in the back of the Lincoln Town Car, I lost it.
I’d fallen in love, which was supposed to be the most special moment of my life, but it was tearing me apart.
There weren’t enough years left in my life to heal the wounds that had been festering for over a decade.
* * *
Cassie
Over a week had gone by. A week of nothingness and sleepless nights. I’d gone to work and come home, but I couldn’t eat, couldn’t watch television. Nothing. I was wrapped up in thinking about a few weeks of my life that I’d lost my mind.
And about the Wild Boys.
The experience would remain locked away, my dirty little secret that no one could ever know about. But that was eating at me more than I could say, especially what my father had done. Whatever hatred he had for the others had to be predicated on an experience, or so I wanted to believe. I’d lost the three men I’d fallen in love with. Of course, I’d known a relationship would never work, but that didn’t take away the pain or the sadness.
Or the memories.
Garrison had deserved better than to be forced into that university. However, what if he hadn’t found a different family? I fisted my hand, trying to make sense of a crazy situation. What I knew in my heart was that the four boys had banded together because they had no other choice.
I stared out the window, shivering inside. This was something I needed to do. Maybe the action would make me feel better. As I got out of the car, I looked at the bright morning sky, giving a nod of reverence to Mother Nature. At least the sun was shining.
After grabbing the flowers, I closed the door, remaining by the car for a few seconds. The ache from before had returned with a vengeance.
