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I sniffled and tried to get a better look at him. “You’re Sloan, right?”
He nodded and smiled sympathetically. “And you’re little Corey Cruz. Greer has told us so much about you.”
Oh. Good things, I hoped.
Of course Sloan had to be ridiculously handsome, but it was the sense of kindness in his expression that allowed me to relax a little. I didn’t know if I was right or wrong about it, but he exuded warmth and comfort, and I was helpless to resist.
Whether I wanted to or not, I succumbed to an onslaught of grief, and I started crying into my hands. The sounds had to stop, the fire had to go away, I didn’t wanna run so hot and cold—literally—and House Mclean had to be there. It had to be saved.
I felt so fucking weak in that moment. Everything was falling apart around me. I had zero faith in myself, my relationship was showing its untreated wounds, my sanctuary for the past few years was on fire, and I was breaking down in the arms of someone I didn’t freaking know.
Sloan shifted closer, encasing me with his legs on either side of me, and he rubbed my back soothingly. He told me I was safe now, and I didn’t know if that was true. He told me it was okay and to let everything out, and it wasn’t like I had much of a choice. I had no control.
Never had I felt so damn lost.
There wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell I was going home tonight. I was supposed to sleep here. “I don’t know what to do now,” I cried. Lane was still acting all sour, so I wasn’t going to knock on his door either. I guessed I could go to Mom’s place. “I like my room here so much, and I use it when I don’t want to go home.” I tried to explain to Sloan, though I was sure I just came off as a nutcase.
He drew his fingers through my hair, and that felt super good. “You don’t like being at home?”
I shivered and shook my head. “I hate it. And I hate Denver!” A burst of anger ripped through me, and I couldn’t even picture myself calling Marcus right now. Not to talk to him about the move, not about the fire, not about anything. I mean, I knew I was moving, but I needed time to process and adjust. And I was going to take that time for myself.
“Well, Greer has an idea,” Sloan said patiently. “He thinks we should bring you home with us so Archer and I can get to know you better.”
I sniffled and perked up, and I did my best to make eye contact. Greer had really said that?
It made sense, I supposed. We had a big group of very protective Tops in our community, and of course Greer would date someone who was similar in that regard.
“You’re doing your Dom thing, right?” I asked. “You don’t want any subbies to sleep alone tonight?”
I heard Greer’s low chuckle over the fire alarm and noticed he was comforting Archie. Or Archer. I didn’t know what he wanted to be called.
“Partly that.” Sloan nodded and wiped my cheek with his fingers. “Partly because a sleepover is a very powerful weapon, and we want to use it to make you stay on the East Coast.”
Whoa. I sat up straighter and peered between Sloan and Greer. “What do you mean by that? Daddy says I gotta go support him.”
Greer looked irritated at that. “You do precisely what you want, Corey. If you don’t want to go to Denver, you shouldn’t have to.”
Crap. “That’s what Shay and Cam said.” I bit my lip. Then I shook my head to myself. This wasn’t only about me. I was in a relationship, and Daddy had made compromises too. I had to meet him halfway. And more than that, I couldn’t think straight; I had to save it till tomorrow. Sloan and Greer saying I should stay on the East Coast now, on the night our beloved community was on fire, threatened to short-circuit my brain. I couldn’t deal. “I think I have to go live with Daddy,” I said. “But I love sleepovers and don’t want to be alone tonight. If it’s not too much trouble—”
“You’re coming with us.” Archie cut me off and straightened from Greer’s embrace. It was the first time I paid attention to his features, and whereas I struggled to keep eye contact with most people, his eyes were like freaking glue, holding me captive. It weirded me out. Such beautiful eyes should be outlawed. “Master has told us so much about you, and we’re looking forward to spending some time with you.”
I managed to flick my gaze to Greer instead, and he flashed me a wink.
