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I couldn’t stop looking at her, either. “I’m sorry about that call. About your father’s priorities. The Paul I knew had a mind for business, but he was never this…”
“Intense? Yeah. I know. But there’s no need to be sorry. I value my father’s thoughts, but I value myself more.” Her chin lifted. “And I value my relationship with you three more. I know it’s out in the open now and there might be consequences, especially for you guys, but I hope—”
“I love you, Sophie,” I blurted out, no longer wanting her to think for a second that I cared about her any less. hat I wouldn’t fight for her. “I’ve fallen in love with you without realizing it.”
Her breath hitched when I cupped her face.
“I know I’m older, way older, and you probably deserve a better man—”
“I love you, Matthew,” she cut in, refusing to let me finish. “Sebastian. Rupert. I love all three of you and you’re exactly who I deserve. I deserve happiness, and you guys make me happy.”
The intimacy shifted another degree until it fell like a hush in the living room. Sebastian came closer and hugged her from behind.
“I always love grand declarations and I’m with him. I love you, Sophie Grace Jones. I don’t care if I’m older and all.”
We all stared at Rupert. He stared back, cleared his throat, and opened his mouth. Then he hissed, marched toward us, and gave Sophie a long, hot kiss, one that told us exactly how he felt. She laughed into it and basked in it, then took turns kissing him and Sebastian. I was the last, so I savored it with every bone in my body until it felt like I could taste her love, too.
“So, no more breaking up?” she asked when our lips parted, her eyes twinkling.
“I’m not letting you go,” I promised.
“Stupid move, by the way.”
“Shut up, Seb.”
To my surprise, Rupert didn’t remain quiet. “It was a pretty stupid move, Matt.”
I had to laugh at that as we fell onto the couch and just surrounded her. Because my heart was content, my mind returned to its thinking path, one that took twists and turns before it careened into one destination. I tapped Sophie’s shoulder, then waited until all three looked at me.
“I have a plan,” was all I said as it painted a distinct picture inside me. “A risky plan, maybe even a bit stupid, but I think it will work.”
CHAPTER 19
SOPHIE
The phone call I got at ten in the evening while I was relaxing on the couch and watching TV immediately set my nerves on edge until it coated me like a warning. I was tense all over as I stared at my ringing phone before I gathered the courage to answer it. When I did, the voice on the other line wasn’t Jean’s.
“I have your friend. It would be in your best interest to come get her and keep this to yourself. I’ll send you the location. You’re expected to be there in half an hour. Come alone. Your friend will be in big trouble if you don’t.”
The call was cut off abruptly. Panic flared. Half of me expected it, but the other half had been hoping so hard that it was just a regular call with Jean gabbing about her day and telling me all the things she planned to do with me. We’d already made a list and some even included visiting places not in the city. The turn of our friendship had been the biggest, most pleasant surprise in my life, other than the romance I found with my three men.
Now, Jean was in danger and it was all because of me.
My fingers itched to dial a number, but I knew it was too late to make plans and my time was limited. So I grabbed my coat and was out of the apartment in no time, opting to commute as I hurried to the address that was texted to me. I knew it wasn’t in the Huntsmen’s territory, and that was deliberate. I also knew my stomach wouldn’t settle if my men came home and found me missing, so I sent each of them the same text.
Drinks out with Jean. Be back soon.
The more the commute went on, the more I became unfamiliar with the area. I took a deep breath when it was time to get off, then kept my head down as I walked the rest of the given directions as fast as my feet could carry me. Minutes later, I stared at the abandoned-looking building before I ducked inside. I expected to be bombarded with eeriness, some rats, and maybe even traps, but the sight that greeted me was much worse.
“Jean!”
She was tied up on a seat, gagged, and she looked as though she’d been there for a while. My heart ached as I ran toward her, but I stopped when three figures stepped in and blocked my path. The two men wore standard black and their wolf tattoos were visible, but the woman looked dressed to kill in red, including her lipstick. Gorgeous, my mind connected, as I took in her smooth skin and lush hair. Extremely gorgeous.
“I know who you are,” I found myself saying.
“And I’m impressed you came running in here without reinforcements as soon as you received the phone call. Nowthatis what I call a true friend.” The woman studied me, taking in my appearance, too. She looked unimpressed. “You’re not what I expected.”
“And you’re exactly what I expected,” I shot back. “Using people to get what you want. I heard that’s typical of you. Well, I’m here now.”
