Page 129 of He Who Sleeps

“But the others?”

“Vic and Carlee are both interested in it, especially how I handle seven of you.”

“That’s easy...with two hands.” Jack winked at her. “Well, most of us.”

"In any event, it's not really important right now," Finn tried to herd them all back on topic. "You can run all the studies you want when this is settled, but for now we need to deal with more practical shi—uh, stuff." He tried not to look at Matron Elise and it was adorable. Petra didn't think Elise would care about the odd swear word, but it was sweet that Finn was trying. "The meeting tomorrow with everyone that's on site...did you get the sound system sorted out?"

“Everything is handled,” Rix offered. “Our girl is back, questions have been answered, So why don’t we take a break, yeah?”

Petra went to Finn then and grabbed his hand. “Come, my Devil...we have a nap in our future, yes? You did promise and I could do with Finn cuddles.”

Emerson laughed at her cuteness. Ther leader needed her almost as much as Easton did but he knew the other man had his own plans for their sweet victim. “Go, take him with you and make him sleep a few hours. We can reconvene at dinner.”

"But I haven't spoken to—"

"Go, Finn!" Carter said in his commanding voice, the one that even Finn didn't dare counter.

"Fine," Finn sighed. "But if everything goes to pot, it's on you guys."

“You act like it’s a hardship to get naked with that woman,” Rix said offhandedly. “If that’s the issue I’m sure one of us would gladly take your spot.”

“Hey, no one mentioned naked...” Jack said with a pout.

“Oh, I thought it was implied?” Petra said with a giggle. “Skin on skin snuggling.”

"Maybe one of the others should go with you then," Finn said. "I'm exhausted, my love. I don't have the energy to play. I thought you meant we were going to sleep."

“I did mean we were going to sleep,” she said seriously. “I’m beat. But there is nothing to say when we wake up we don’t have any clothes on.” She winked at him. “Plus, I like being surrounded in your scent, Finn.”

"How could I refuse a request like that?" He smiled. "Well then, I guess we should go."

Emerson watched them walk out, arms around each other’s backs, Petra whispering to Finn as they went. He smiled to himself. If nothing else, their girl was good to keep them healthy and happy and that made all the difference. Before her, their bond was there, but nowhere near as strong. Now? They were able to do so much, and he knew it was her strength, her acceptance of them as they were, that brought them to this point.

Chapter 46

Easton walked intothe room where Petra had been staying after a quiet knock on the door. She was awake but had her headphones in, which was probably why she hadn't reacted. He needed to be firmer next time, he told himself. Announce his presence instead of requesting entry. He wished the raw masculinity his brothers seemed to exude had been bred into him, too, but he'd been too broken as a child to become that kind of man. It didn't mean he couldn't, though. The God had blessed him with a gift beyond measure and today was the day he'd finally get to test it out.

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