Page 137 of Sunrise

“Holy shit,” Vault pants.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” His arm swings out and flops onto my chest. “You?”

“My ears are ringing.”

We stare up at the ceiling and the mattress shifts as Sophie climbs out. “Where are you going, Sunrise?”

“For water and a towel.”

“That should be my job,” I say, still trying to catch my breath.

She unscrews the cap to the bottled water and hands it to Vault. “Both of you drink and let me take care of you.”

We lie in bed, tangled in emotions and limbs.

“I wish we could stay in this heaven forever…” But for some reason, I feel like Hell is already on its way.

Chapter 43

Sophie

It’s been a week since the Butterfly Ceremony. Ryker, Dmitri, Vault, and Knox have all been in the best moods I think I’ve ever seen. Vault, especially, and I love how much he keeps smiling.

I’d like to say it’s because Knox and I have been fucking his brains out, but I suspect it also has to do with the security system he installed in my house. He added cameras to Midnight Run too. Knox told us about almost getting hit by a car, and Vault went a little ballistic about it. Knox blamed himself, saying he was too tired and didn’t pay attention to the road when he crossed, but I’m inclined to side with Vault on this one. The close call is not okay.

Do I think someone’s out to hurt Knox? No. But lots of bad things can happen at night, especially in his club’s section of the city, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. If having eyes on us at all times helps Vault feel better, so be it. And if someone ever almost hits my man with their car again, they’ll be answering to me and my wrath. With the cameras, we’ll have a license plate to go off of and that’s all we’ll need to find them.

I like being protective of my guys. I haven’t had a chance to really show them what I’m capable of in that department yet.

The sun beats down on my face while I watch them play basketball. It’s such an ordinary thing to do, and yet they look foreign to me out on the court. I’m used to seeing these men in suits, not shorts and running shoes.

“Come on, D!” Daelyn shouts. “Block those shots!”

It’s Ryker and Knox versus Vault and Dmitri. They’re trash talking each other, dripping in sweat, and looking scrumptious in their gym shorts.

“That thing should come with a permit,” Tara gawks, staring at Knox’s white shorts. “God, you can see the head of it even from here.”

“If Ry catches you peeking, you’re in big trouble,” I warn with a big fat grin.

“Oh no. Funishment. Say it isn’t so.” Tara fans herself. “God damn, look at them out there. This is criminal behavior.”

Dmitri pulls his shirt off and wipes his brow with it.

Knox stretches his arms back behind his head and walks off to catch his breath.

Ryker dumps water on his head to cool down. Tara groans loudly, watching him.

I’m fixed on Vault’s toned back as he drains his energy drink.

“You can bounce a quarter off his ass,” I sigh.

“I still can’t believe you’re withbothof them.” Tara rests her chin on her knees. “I think I’d snap in half.”

“They’re definitely a handful.” I frown. “Two handfuls, actually.”

“Any news about your job?” Daelyn asks. “You’re not going to let them get away with that shit,are you?”

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