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“If it’s what you want,” Beck said. “Consent always.”
Owen huffed, looking disgruntled. Hux just grinned.
She couldn’t believe she was agreeing to this. But she couldn’t turn them away. It would be like losing a part of herself.
She already knew what she was going to answer.
“Yes. Let’s do this.”
51
“You stayed here last night?” Judd stared around the hotel room in disgust. It was tiny, especially with all of them in there. The ceiling had water stains on it and there were brown marks on the carpet, which had seen better days. “And you let her?” He glared at Owen.
Owen scowled back.
Okay. Rein it in. Be the leader you need to be.
“This isn’t acceptable,” Judd said. “We’re moving. Hux, find us a hotel for the next three weeks. Beck, pack her stuff. Owen, find some ice for her nose and look after our baby. I’m going outside to call Caleb to let him know what’s going on.”
And to take a breather.
He stood outside and called Caleb so they could take the next month off. He knew it wasn’t great timing. But the other man understood.
After he ended the call, he looked down at his shaking hands.
Fuck. He’d hit her.
Accidentally. But he could have really harmed her.
Unacceptable.
He had to do better than this. Be better. He was meant to be the leader, yet he was failing everyone.
That had to stop.
Chloe looked around the large hotel suite in surprise and a little dismay.
This is where they were going to spend the next three weeks? Not that she didn’t think it was beautiful.
She did.
It was just . . . a very upmarket hotel room where she was too scared to even sit. This was the same feeling she’d had when she’d first moved in with Jonathan. On edge. Worried.
That had never really changed. Not until the guys. Who were all staring at her like they were too scared to talk to her in case she broke.
Did she look that fragile?
Or maybe they’re like you . . . worried they’ll misstep and ruin everything.
This was obviously the sort of place they thought she wanted to stay in. Or maybe it’s where they wanted to stay. So she should just suck it up.
“This is nice.”
Judd’s shoulders relaxed, and Beck gave her a tentative smile.
“There’s a concierge, three restaurants on site, daily housekeeping and a huge swimming pool,” Hux said.
“Sounds awesome.”
If you were on holiday she was certain it would be perfect. But it didn’t feel like somewhere any of them could relax and get their issues sorted. They’d packed her up so quick and driven her over here before she really knew what was happening.
She was exhausted and yet couldn’t relax.
“Do you want to go for a swim?” Hux asked, bouncing around on his feet.
“I don’t really swim,” she admitted.
“We need to change that,” Judd said.
Huh? How would they change that?
“We’ll have time,” Beck said. “You look tired, Freckles. Do you want a nap?”
Sure. A nap.
“Okay.” She pressed her fingernails into her palms to stop herself from saying anything more, from losing it.
What were they doing here? How did she fix this distance between them?
“Come. Come.” Hux waved a hand at her and opened a door at the far end. “This is the main bedroom. There’s another two bedrooms we’ll share, but this is all for you.”
All for her? So she had to stay in here on her own?
“Want me to run you a bath? Or rub your feet? Help you get undressed?” Hux asked eagerly.
She couldn’t help but smile at him. He was like an adorable golden retriever, trying his best to make her happy.
“No. Thank you.”
Was that a flash on disappointment in his face? He really wanted to do those things? Regret filled her.
But a big smile crossed his face again as he nodded. “All right. I’ll just leave you to have a nap. I’ll get dinner sent up later. Okay?”
He quickly shut the door behind him. Leaving her all alone.
The last thing she wanted to be.
As Hux closed the door, he let the ridiculous smile drop from his face. “Fuck.”
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Beck took a step toward the room. “Is she all right?”
“No.”
“What?” Owen started striding toward the door.
Hux stayed in front of the door, holding his hands out. “No, she’s fine. Physically. I just mean . . . how do we fix this?” He ran his hand over his face with a sigh.
Judd’s face turned pensive. Beck stared down at his feet.
“What do you mean, how do we fix this? We beg her forgiveness, make her trust us, and marry her before she changes her mind,” Owen said matter-of-factly.
“It’s not that simple.” Hux moved away from the door, not wanting her to overhear them.
“Course it is,” Owen said.
“How do we help her trust us again?” Judd asked. “How do we get her to open up to us? Let us in?”
