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That bit had never fazed her; she had never lived a conventional life. Why should she start now?
But the knowledge that any relationship they embarked on wouldn’t involve Dante…
Well, she guessed now she understood Lazarus and Jericho’s reservations. Given what had passed between them, here in the isolated bubble of privacy and illusion; the intimate things they had contributed and shared. Those memories would always cast a shadow over any future she pursued with just two of them. The echo of the third would always be with them. And since he was their brother, Dante’s presence would never be far away. It could never be forgotten. It would stare them in the face every time they saw him. And because they were family and ran a business together, that was the very thing that had the power to tear all of them apart.
Was it worth the risk?
Shyla didn’t want to walk away again. She desperately wanted to explore and embrace this polyamorous relationship, but would her heart be able to let Dante go? Would it bleed when she had to see him with another woman? Would their friendship become awkward and strained to the detriment of them all? And would those feelings bleed over into his relationship with his brothers, or would it end up tearing her, Jericho, and Lazarus apart instead?
It was all an unknown quantity. There was no way to tell unless they tried.
The question was, should they?
Or was the best moral outcome for all of them to walk away. No harm, no foul. Just bruised and battered hearts.
But maybe better that, than the alternative.
Shyla buried her face into her hands. “I understand,” she mumbled, her words muffled and sad.
Two strong pairs of arms came around her, supported her. And she supported them.
She could feel the weight of their own misgivings. The conundrum that posed an almost impossible dilemma and one with no easy answers.
Except for the obvious one of course.
To turn their backs on what had passed between them here and pretend it had never happened.
It would break her heart to do that, but it surely had to be the best option. It was the right thing to do.
She wondered briefly if Lazarus and Jericho might resent that their brother had inadvertently forced their hands, so she whispered the words she’d vowed to herself.
“No regrets.”
Lazarus trailed his fingers down the side of her face before molding his lips to hers.
It was a kiss goodbye; she could feel that truth deep in her soul. The passion was replaced by poignancy and the bittersweet knowledge that this would be the last time.
When she turned, blindly feeling for Jericho with her lips, her mouth, she willed herself not to cry, even though her heart was breaking for the promise of a love that would never be fulfilled.
She didn’t know how long she stood within the circle of their arms, unable to drag herself away. Knowing that once she took that step, it would be to sever their connection forever.
They were still, all three of them. No one spoke. No fingers roamed. They each just existed in their own little bubble. Together and yet separate.
Shyla concentrated on keeping her breathing regulated. A sob was building in her chest, and she shoved it down ruthlessly, willing herself to stay strong.
The grate of wood and a waft of frigid air brought their time to an end as the door was pushed open.
Still, they didn’t jump apart, and Shyla squeezed her eyes tight to keep the tears at bay.
She lifted her head, refusing to look at either one of them. Not strong enough to see the same sorrowful torment reflected on their faces as she knew was in her heart.
But as they loosened their hold and she prepared to step away, a familiar voice filled the small space.
“I see you started this party without me - again. We’re going to have to have words about that.”
Shyla whirled around, an audible gasp slipping from her lips as she came face to face with Dante.
His eyes burned into her, and a small smile tipped the corners of his lips. Lips she wanted to taste.
Shyla’s gut reaction was to run to him, but she took two steps and faltered. He probably wasn’t here for her. No one knew she was coming after all. She didn’t want to make things awkward.
Thankfully, he took the decisions out of her hands, swiftly covering the short distance between them and pulling her into his arms. Then his fingers were in her hair, his hand was palming her ass, molding her to his bulging erection and his mouth was on hers, leaving her in absolutely no doubt at all that he was in this all the way. Just like the rest of them.
