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You’d think after being hit my whole life I would be, but I’m not.
My perfume blooms in the small entryway as he slams the door closed. Sucking in a deep breath, his dark brown eyes dilate so far, they’re almost black. The only true difference between Kaspian and Kairo seems to be their eye color. Where Kai’s are a honey brown with golden flecks and seem to radiate light, his twins are twice as intense and such a deep color you almost can’t tell they’re brown. With him reacting to my perfume like this? You would never be able to tell they were brown at all.
His scent deepens in response to mine, surrounding me with the smell of gingerbread and sweet icing. It reminds me of that old children’s story about the witch who lived in a gingerbread house. You know, the one with the bratty kids who stuff her in an oven or something. I giggle, picturing this giant man in a witch’s hat and bent over a cauldron.
He smirks, stepping directly into my space and using the knuckle on his pointer finger to tilt my head up. He leans so close his lips brush my ear as he speaks, sending my giggles to a screeching halt as I shiver.
“What’s so funny, Trouble?”
Letting out another breathy giggle, I open my big mouth and blurt out, “I was just comparing you to that old witch who lived in a gingerbread house and wondering what you’d look like in a witch’s hat.”
I slap my hand over my mouth as he backs up just far enough to look me in the eyes, raising his eyebrows at me.
“We’re going to circle back to that, because I think the guys need to hear the way your brain works too, Little One. But first, I wanted to apologize. I don’t know what you’ve been through, and I hurt that punk in front of you without considering that it might trigger you in some way. Are you okay?” he asks quietly.
Needing to reassure him, I bring my hand up to cup his jaw. Lowering my voice and pulling his face in to meet mine, I say, “RIP pizza delivery guy.” And wink at him.
This time I was trying to make someone laugh, but it still shocks me when the loudest laugh I’ve ever heard booms out of him. It’s so loud that all four of the other guys come running in with confused looks on their faces, which just makes me laugh harder as we turn around to face them. Tears are streaming down my face, and I’m leaning back on Kaspian, who’s also still laughing as he holds me against his chest.
Achilles steps forward. “Uhh, does somebody wanna explain why y’all are laughing like lunatics, Blake is crying, and I just got a call from Pete’s Pizza wondering where their delivery boy is?”
We once again burst into hysterics, and Kaspian laughs so hard he starts coughing and falls on his butt, taking me down with him. So now I’m sitting in his lap on the floor, gasping for breath as I try desperately to calm down and explain what happened.
“So… just know it wasn’t my fault.”
Four sets of eyebrows raise at my statement as I stand. I smile sheepishly at them, acutely aware of Hades standing there with a mix of emotions playing across his face. Not wanting to dissect those at the moment, I go on.
“The delivery guy, Kenny—” Kaspian lets out a growl at that, making me roll my eyes. “Anyway, like I was saying before I was sorudelyinterrupted,” I pause, giving Kas a side eye. He just winks back at me. “The delivery guy knocked and none of you were around, so after checking the peephole, I opened it. He said something kinda sleazy. Kaspian knocked him out, and I gave his eulogy. See? No big deal.”
I was fully expecting the shocked expressions and dropped jaws, but what I wasn’t expecting was the growl that sounded like it was torn straight from Rook’s throat. I think I might be a little twisted inside… Because as soon as he growls and starts to stalk towards me like a predator seeking its prey, my perfume explodes out of me, and my panties are instantly soaked. I know the rest of the guys can smell it because they all groan.
He stops less than an inch from my face and bends down so his nose is practically touching mine. Growl subdued to a low rumble in his chest, he pins me with a look that makes my Omega instincts preen at the protectiveness in his icy gaze.
“Angel, what’s the first thing we learn as kids? The one rule every parent drills into their kids’ heads before they go out in public?”
My cheeks flush becauseI don’t know. The only thing my parents ever told me was to cover the bruises and keep my mouth shut. And Phil just kept me locked in the basement. I must be showing my confusion on my face because understanding dawns in his eyes as he seamlessly switches tactics and lowers his voice so only I can hear. I think the guys must know we need space because they all leave the room, muttering about warming up the pizza and picking out a movie.
“Blake, one of the most important things we were taught as kids is to avoid strangers. I know you’re an adult, but we’re only a few miles from where the twins rescued you, and I don’t want to risk somebody findin’ out where you are. I’m beggin’ you. For your safety and my sanity, please be careful at all times and stick by one of us when we leave, okay? Can you please do that for me, Angel?”
My eyes are misting over at the care he’s taking while explaining something so simple to me. He’s not making me feel stupid or sheltered or weird. He’s being honest because he’s worried… aboutme. Nodding quickly and sniffling, I throw my arms around his shoulders and whimper as he purrs and hugs me back hard.
“I’m so sorry, Rook. I didn’t know. Except for the year I had Hades, I was kept locked up away from people my whole life. I didn’t think. I just wanted to help.”
He wraps his arms around me even tighter and holds my head against his neck so I can breathe in his creamsicle scent while he purrs. After a minute of silence while I calm down, he speaks.
“Blake… pleaseneverapologize for how you grew up. They did those thingstoyou. You didn’t ask for them or deserve them. From everything Hades has told us, you were the sweetest, sassiest kid he’d ever known. Meeting you now, even with your broken heart, I’m inclined to agree. And listen, Angel, whenever you’re ready, I’d like to hear all about your childhood, okay? We will go over everything you should have learned growing up and we’ll do anything you missed out on because of the shitty hand you were dealt. And we’ll start right now. Is there anything you always wanted to do as a kid but never got to?”
I take a minute to really think about it, and only one thing comes to mind.
Turning to Rook, I tell him, “I want to learn how to swim.”
ChapterSix
SO. MANY. NIPPLES
Blake
The big guy took my idea and ran with it. He kissed me on the forehead and sent me off with the guys to eat my pizza, (which was even better than I remembered). Only to show back up an hour later with bags full of pool toys, a bathing suit for me, and arm floaties. I gaped at him as he walked in the door carrying bags full of pink plastic and foam, completely unashamed.
