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“It doesn’t matter. You’ve been through a lot lately. Rome is … a lot, even for someone who hasn’t been through even a fraction of what you have,” he said, tucking a stray curl behind my ear.
I leaned against him again, resting my head on his chest. His arms felt so nice around me that I didn’t want to give up that moment just yet. I had a memory of the coldness of the void. Cold that penetrated down to my bones, down to my very soul. I closed my eyes, thinking about how his voice brought warmth back. A small smile came to my lips, thinking about how much I needed him. How he was always ready to do anything I needed. How they all were. I really was the luckiest girl.
“Okay, I’m ready. We can go again. I don’t want to make us late.”
“You’re sure? We can stay here a little longer,” Adrik said, looking in my eyes, searching.
“I’m positive. I’m okay. Promise.” I stood on my toes and kissed him gently.
He nodded, putting his helmet back on. He climbed on the bike. Ivan was next to me, as I was putting my helmet on. He caught my elbow as I raised the helmet to put it on. He looked me in the eyes, seriously, “You did good. You tell me if it comes back, okay? We’ll stop again. We’re well ahead of schedule. We can afford to stop as much as you need.”
I pulled the helmet over my head and tapped it. He chuckled as he lifted me onto the bike.
Outside of Rome were more small towns, which I could easily handle. We stopped one more time before we got closer to Naples, just without the car full of fan girls this time.
“This stop was boring. I like it better when you guys have fans,” I said as we pulled away from the station. “Nobody tell Tori I said that.”
Andrei sighed. “That might not be a problem when we get back.”
“Bubba! What happened now?”
“I couldn’t tell her we were leaving. I ditched my phone before we got on the plane. No contact until this is done. I doubt she’ll be waiting for me.”
“Oh, Bubba. I didn’t even think about that.” I couldn’t help but think back to my own anger at the situation. I didn’t mean to, but I laughed. “She’s gonna be SO pissed.”
Stephen spoke up. “We’re all more scared of her than we are of you, if that gives you an idea of what he’s dealing with.”
“Shut up.”
“No, it’s true, gazelle,” Misha said. “She gets angry at the slightest thing. It’s like we can’t say anything around her. I mean, you had a very good reason to be angry with us. But she gets mad at us for stupid stuff.”
Andrei said, “She doesn’t have the same confidence that you do, spider monkey. She tends to see the negative before she sees the positive. It’s exhausting.”
“Bubba, I’m sorry. I feel bad for facilitating this relationship. Max never keeps girls longer than a few weeks, so I don’t vet them thoroughly enough, apparently.”
“Don’t apologize, Sephie. Whatever happens will happen,” Andrei said. I could hear the sadness in his voice.
“Well, if it doesn’t work out with her, I promise to vet the next one thoroughly before I give her my blessing,” I said.
“We have to get your blessing now?” Ivan asked.
“Um, yes. I can’t believe you would even question that, Grumplestiltskin.” I fired back. I was sure he was going to argue with me after saying that.
“You realize you’ve set a next to impossible standard for other women to live up to, right? You honestly expect us to be able to find someone that can pass that test?” he said.
“Ivan the Squishy has entered the chat, gentlemen.” I heard laughter from everyone, then Viktor spoke up. “He’s right, you know. You’ve made it infinitely harder for us to find a suitable woman now.”
I was silent for a moment, trying to think of what to say. I started to say something a few times but changed my mind and shut my mouth. I felt Adrik’s hand on mine, his fingers laced through mine. “It’s not her fault she’s amazing, guys. Nor should you be discouraged that she set the bar higher for you. Trust me, it’ll be worth the wait,” he said. I squeezed him tighter, resting my head on the back of his shoulder. I quickly got lost in my own thoughts, thinking about how easily I had formed a unique bond with each of them. Wondering if another woman could ever do the same or if I really was ruining their chances of ever finding their own person.
I thought back to the conversation I had with my dad and how what had happened was needed, not just for me but for all of them as well. I could easily see how it was needed for Misha. The guys now gave credit to his gut feeling, which would likely come in handy in the future. I was going to have to wait to see how things played out to understand why Andrei was going through this with Tori. Not to mention what the other three gained from this whole experience. I spent the remainder of the trip lost in my thoughts.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Adrik
Sephie had been quiet for the last part of the trip. I kept checking on her, either grabbing her hand or her leg. Each time, she would squeeze me just a little tighter. I was worried she was starting to feel pain, as it was close to time for more superprofen. I was anxious to get to Armando’s villa, so she could take more and rest for the remainder of the evening.
As we got closer to the villa, I found myself thinking back to our first stop that day. When Sephie had made sure the girls that were eyeing Misha knew that I was off the table. I’ve never been publicly claimed before. I can’t say I disliked it either. I know I want to make sure that every man knows she’s mine anytime we’re in public. I’m so relieved that she’s forgiven me and still wants me after what happened. I was so sure I had lost her. I had no idea how I was going to live without her. I was so grateful I wouldn’t have to figure out how to.
