Page 40 of Take All of Me

He reaches for me but I skid back into the stall and lock the door, grateful that it’s one of those luxury doors that extend from floor to ceiling.

“I just need to talk,” he pushes out, trying to make his voice sound smoother than it is. But it’s a lie, always a lie, and I’m not falling for it.

“We’re way past that, you fucker,” I snap. “I didn’t want to talk then, not last week, not this week, but you keep insisting. You need your money to pay off a deal gone wrong or debts or something, but I’m not coming back to you.” My fingers tremble as I search my pockets for my phone, tears forming in my eyes at the thought that I might have left it on the table.Fuck!

“Come on, baby,” he coos, footsteps drawing closer before his hand slams against the stall door. “Now, why would you go and lock this?”

He’s jiggling the handles as I dive into every pocket, sighing with relief when it clatters out of my bra and onto the floor. I swipe it up, dialing the last number—Roman—hoping that he’ll answer. It rings, rings, and—nothing, no answer. I send a text:

>>> Nox bathroom help

My vision blurs as Nox slams on the door again, my focus shot as I try to find another number to call but my mind blanks and the only thing I can think of is 911. “Please help me,” I whisper.They’re asking questions but I’m too terrified to answer them as Nox’s foot slams the door, the lock rattling in protest.

I curl up by the toilet, staring at the door and hoping it will hold as I place my hands over my ears, memories of Nox taking what wasn’t his running through my mind. I won’t let him take anything from me anymore but this moment is still terrifying, Nox trying to force me into something I don’t want and he can’t have.

A low, feral growl erupts through the bathroom, echoing across the tiles and then someone’s back is slammed against the wall, Nox letting out a grunt of pain. I sag against the wall in relief, realizing that Roman got my text but I also know that he’s at the edge of his rope from that game.

“Don’t hit him!” I yell, knowing that Nox will twist this shit into something else and Roman will be punished for it.

“Are you okay?” Roman calls out, obviously fighting his instincts.

“I’m fine,” my voice barely over a whisper, “I just want him gone.” There’s commotion, a lot of footsteps, the door opening and closing, a police officer, I think and then silence before Roman’s voice cuts through.

“The police got him, princess. Open up, Maya.” I can’t find the energy to move, still staring at the door, Roman’s shadow filtering through the wooden shades. I know it’s him but for some reason I can’t connect that with what I’m seeing. “Babe, come on, you can’t stay in there.” His purr starts up, instantly calming my nerves enough for me to crawl forward and unlock the door.

He’s there in the next second, pulling me up into his chest, his arms wrapping tightly around my back. Tears spill down my cheeks as I tuck my face into him, the sudden presence of all my mates crowding around me. No one says anything for several minutes but the weight is pressing on my chest that yet againmy past caught up with me. “Sorry for ruining the celebration,” I mumble, shame creeping in, because—fuck, I did, didn’t I?

Roman pulls back, his hands framing my face. “Yeah, no, you’re not responsible for him. I’m taking you back to the dorms and I’m gonna hold you, alright? All I want you do is breathe. Keep breathing for me. Just like that.” Every one of his words is a promise that I hold close to me, my breathing evening out as his purr grows louder, the fear seeping away as I calm.

I don’t really remember getting back to the dorms, the blur of Roman’s arm around me. But I’m here now, firmly tucked in Roman’s bed, his citrus scent wrapping me like a shield. It strengthens every time he purrs, his arm heavy over my waist, keeping me from disappearing into my head. On my other side, Brogan’s stretched out, my head pressed to his heart, listening to its rhythm, making sure he’s okay.

I argued with Holt, insisted Brogan stay with us, not alone in his room, even when Holt said he’d monitor him. I wasn’t having it, needing all of them in my space, my nerves frayed and my rationale shot with Nox’s burnt scent hovering around me. My body is still trembling between them, no matter how many times I tell myself that I’m fine, that he didn’t get whatever he was looking for. “I just can’t win with this damn man.”

I thought I’d be more terrified but I’m strung out and pissed off that Nox won’t listen and now he’s creeping into my new life where he doesn’t belong. My gaze trails the room, catching Dakota in the armchair, curled up in a pile of blankets so obscene it’s almost funny, soft snores peeling from his lips.

My mind is still whirring, running a thousand miles per hour, only stopping when Holt steps into the room and slowly closes the door behind him. “Hey gorgeous.” A smile spreads acrosshis face as he drops to sit on the bed across from us. “They’re holding Nox but on other charges, possibly to deal with all that art stuff. All I know is that he isn’t getting out tonight.”

He’s trying to give me some hope to hang onto but he’s always one step ahead of me. “It won’t stick. He has connections.”

“This isn’t his city, so maybe we’ll have some luck. But I’d suggest an order of protection. If he violates it, he’s looking at real jail time.” He drags a hand down his face, his expression hardening. “He’s gotta be fucking desperate to corner you like that.”

Brogan chuckles, a low rumble that runs through my chest. “What the fuck is it with bathrooms?” he mutters, the teasing aspect to his voice making me smile.

“Because he’s a piece of shit,” Roman adds, all of us falling into soft laughter that has the edges of my emotions softening.

Holt stands and leans over Brogan to press a kiss to my forehead, his lips lingering there for just a second. “Just rest. I’ll see what else I can find out.” Then he rounds the bed to gather Dakota up against his chest and drags him to the bed, Dakota grumbling the entire time. It’s both adorable and alarming that a six foot goalie isgrumblingabout being woken up, something about his nest being destroyed but it’s exactly what I need to relax.

Maybe squished between these men, the nightmares will stay away.

Maya

I wake to Dakota’s lips peppering my face, soft kisses landing on my cheeks, my nose, my forehead. Brogan groans beside me, some kind of curse murmured into my neck. Roman isn’t as nice, flinging Dakota off the bed with a thud. A laugh tears from my throat as I sit up, both guys groaning at the loss of me between them. “What is going on?” My voice is still thick with sleep, my body achy as I lean over Roman to catch Dakota’s grin.

He scrambles to his feet, not at all phased by Roman. “Someone got arrested for assaulting an officer last night,” he wiggles his brows, referring to my ex-Alpha.

“Nox hit someone? Why would he do that?”

A laugh comes from my left, the aroma of bagels and coffee meeting my nose as Holt approaches our bed. He sets the bag and travel cups on the nightstand before sitting on the otherbed. Dakota flops beside him, his entire face flushed from his upcoming heat before Holt begins. “When Nox was arrested last night, he was taken to the station. At some point, he put up a fight. I’m guessing it’s when they told him about the other charges? But this new assault charge just got added on top of that.”

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