Page 27 of Die For Me

* * *

We sat at the dining table, Jack to my left and Michael in front of me. I didn’t trust them yet, so I left the butcher knife on my lap, ready for action if I needed it. I couldn’t believe I was sitting with JackandMichael about to have a civil conversation about how they were going to share me. They were both quiet as theywatched me carefully, still looking like they were going to have to catch a wild animal.

“Michael, first I have to ask—where the fuck are we?” I raised my eyebrows at him, waiting.

He clenched his jaw; he was not used to me talking to him this way, and I reveled in it.

“I bought this house shortly before you weretakenfrom me.” He glanced at Jack with narrowed eyes. “So we’d have a little place to stay close to your parent’s house. I was going to surprise you with it,” he explained to me.

My heart melted. There was my sweet Michael.

I nodded and smiled. “That’s sweet. Thank you.”

I reached my hand out to his on the table. Michael smiled faintly at me as he put his hand atop mine, interlocking our fingers. I glanced over at Jack to see if the jealousy had kicked in yet. His tongue darted out before he bit down on his lip, watching our hands. His toned arms distracted me while his elbows sat on the table, his strong chest bare.

I reached my other hand out for Jack, and he took it quickly, squeezing gently. I felt Michael tense.

I was holding both of their hands; it felt like a dream. I let go and clasped my hands together on the table.

I sighed heavily before I spoke. “I don’t know how to do this. I want us all under one roof. Maybe we can stay here for a while as we get the hang of things,” I suggested, looking between the two of them.

Jack nodded as he glanced over at Michael.

Michael sighed and raised his eyebrows. “Alright.” He shrugged.

“What about…how are we going about…getting rid of…” Jack hesitated, tears welling in his eyes.

Fuck. I hated breaking his heart but I had to do this.

I tried to be gentle as I spoke. “I’ll figure it out tomorrow.”

Jack nodded again, staring down at the table.

“I’m okay with both of you tracking me,” I started, the statement absurd to me as I said it aloud. “But I need my phone. I need my laptop. I needfreedom,” I continued.

Michael looked to Jack with contempt. “You weren’t giving her freedom?” he asked with disdain.

I quickly interjected. “Hewas.Youweren’t,” I quipped back.

Michael shook his head. “That was only going to be temporary, Hana,” he clarified softly.

I shrugged. “Whatever. I just need to not feel like I’m being shut out from the world.” I looked to both of them.

They nodded slowly.

“You two cannot fight. Physically or verbally. I won’t have it,” I declared.

Jack quickly glanced up at Michael then back at me. “As you wish, love.” He smiled, his perfect dimples emerging.

I looked at Michael. “Deal?”

He was sulking, but nodded hesitantly. “Deal,” he agreed.

“And no fucking with my birth control anymore.” I narrowed my eyes at Jack with annoyance. “We’ll talk about having a baby when the time comes.”

Jack gave a devious smile and shrugged. “Deal, sweetheart.” I could tell he was being brave in front of Michael, but I knew how much this was hurting him.

I looked down at the table as my mind raced.

---