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A massive television sits on the far wall that I already know will be perfect for movie night and a small kitchenette with popcorn sitting by a microwave is ready for just that. The door to the closet is open, and I can already see an array of dresses along with an array of black shorts and leggings stacked to the ceiling.
I almost squeal as I enter the bathroom to find a shower large enough to fit ten people and a giant bathtub in the center. A display of strawberry-scented soaps line the wall, and I suddenly realize just how much attention Alexi has paid to my preferences. Everything I’ve ever cared about or could wish for is in this room. When I walk out of the bathroom with tears in my eyes to find my three guys there, I know that statement couldn’t be more true.
My uncle may have taken care of me, but he never paid attention like this. No one’s ever paid attention like this before.
I wrap my arms around Alexi and hold back a sob because I don’t want him to think even for a second anything is wrong here. This means more to me than anything. He saw me—every single part. He doesn’t care that I need my blades by me when I sleep, even if that means I could wake up and hurt one of them by accident. He knew I wouldn't just wear dresses for him and made sure I had more clothes than just my two duffels could fit. Somehow, he must know that I haven’t been able to call a place mine for a very long time.
“Thank you,” I say into his chest, my voice dripping with all of the emotions I feel. But instead of a smug remark about how well he did, he just wraps his arms around me tighter.
“Anything for you, Princess.”
???
It’s been three days, and while I still adore the room Alexi crafted for me, I’m tired of feeling stuck inside these walls. Lev and Damien sleep with me every night. We haven’t told Alexi about them proposing, but I’m starting to think it was just a heat of the moment thing because no one has talked about it since. I can’t seem to go out for a walk or even down the hall without one of the guys or Laney finding me to ‘keep me company’. Even when I stay in my room and sit to sharpen my new blades, someone comes in.
Laney is here now, sitting on the bed with me, and she can tell I’m not feeling like myself. Her and I have worked on rekindling our friendship. Now that I’ve been able to take a step back and see all of the things Laney has done for me I understand why she did it. That doesn’t mean I’m happy about it but I want to start letting my anger go. I want to know that I can trust people and I’m working on trusting Laney again.
“What do you want to do today, girl?” she asks, sensing my mood. I find myself avoiding her gaze as I respond.
“Not to be rude, but I kinda want to be alone today.” I try to say it without an attitude, but when I look up to see her face, I know I royally fucked that up.
Her phone pings for the twentieth time in the past 10 minutes, and her cheeks heat as she reads the message.
“Who’s got you all hot and bothered?” I ask, hoping gossip will take the edge off of feeling trapped.
Her cheeks get even darker as she shows me her phone. “Arrow.”
Arrow: I want to paint those cheeks of yours red with my handprint baby girl.
Laney: I prefer a flogger, though your hands do have a wide span, maybe they will feel better.
Arrow: That’s it, I’m on the next flight out to Russia. Boris can shove his orders to stay here up his ass.
Laney: Well, we don’t want to get caught sir. I could be expelled.
Arrow: Oh, my dirty girl, I’m the Dean. I can assure you, you’ll be staying right here, within my reach, for as long as I can keep you.
My cheeks heat reading their conversation when a new bubble pops up. I assume it’s Arrow, but when I see Alexi’s name, the hairs on my neck stand up.
Alexi: Status update. Where is she? How is she?
“Laney?” I question, pushing the phone back towards her.
“For the record, I told him it was a stupid idea.”
“What was a stupid idea?” I already know the answer, but I want to know why she was going along with it knowing how it would make me feel. She explains how Alexi talked to her and the only way he would let her come stay was if she stayed with me and helped him track me.
My face blazes with rage and embarrassment. He couldn’t trust me, so he made sure I had a babysitter.
“Tell him there’s an emergency, and he needs to get here now. By the time he’s here, you might need to be gone.”
Laney follows my directions, hugging me before she leaves and throwing me a wink. “Give him hell.”
“Oh, I plan to, Firecracker. Now get out of here before you see the dark knight breaking down doors.”
She leaves with a pep in her step, and I can’t help but think she planned this. She might have been texting Arrow, but she knew Alexi would be checking in on the hour and showed me her phone anyway. I can’t help but grin at that thought. Some of the ache left in my chest eases now that I’m able to see she’s firmly on my side.
Less than a minute after Laney leaves, Alexi comes charging through my door with his gun in hand. I’m three feet from the entrance with my arms crossed and when he takes me in, he slides his gun back into the holster on his chest.
