Page 55 of Belonging to Them
We say our goodbyes, then Bash and I walk on either side of Ella, keeping her between us.I’m vaguely aware of Jaxon, Terrence, and Roman following behind.Even though they’re off-duty for the moment, they’re still looking out for her.
When we reach my car, where Garth is waiting, Bash takes out his phone.“I’m riding with you,” he says.“Just texting Kellan to let him know.”
Inside the car, I buckle Ella up.Sebastian and I are fussing over her, but I don’t think we can help it.Only once we start moving do I realize Ella looks annoyed.
“What is it?”I ask.“What’s wrong?”
“You didn’t ask where I want to go,” she says.“I wanted to go to Sebastian’s, be close to the cat and my studio, and he has that blue blanket there that’s really soft?—”
“I’ll bring all of those to you,” Sebastian tells her.
“The cat, really?”she says.“And do you plan on moving the entire studio?”
I look between the two of them.“I think it’s high time we moved in together, all three of us.We can look for a new place that we all pick out, or we can move everyone into mine, or into Bash’s…Ella, what do you think?”
Smiling, Ella says, “I love that idea—of all three of us being together.Kingston’s place is biggest, and I like the pool, but how will Schrode react to moving?”
“I think he’ll be fine with it,” Sebastian says.“I have good memories in that pool.And with four bedrooms, we can all have our own space when we want it.One room could be used for Ella’s studio.”
“Make it your studio, too,” Ella says, squeezing his hand.“We should both use it.”
“So you two are on board with this?”I ask.
“I want us to have everything in one spot,” Ella says.“We’ll make a real home, for the three of us.”
“Great,” I say.“And honestly, if we ever want to move, or find somewhere else to live, we can all pick it out together.”
Ella winces.
“What is it?”Bash asks.
“Slight headache,” she says.“It’s fine.I just wish the ringing in my ears would stop.”
I scoot closer to her so she can rest her head against my shoulder, and I take her hand, careful of her bandaged elbow.“Is there anything we can do to make you more comfortable?”I ask.
“No…just being here with me,” she says.“That’s all I need.”
There’s more that needs to be arranged, figured out.Not the least of which is: who threw the flashbang, and why?
* * *
Ella
The guys remain on either side of me as we get out of the car and move through the parking garage.Garth follows behind us until we get into the elevator.An expression passes between him and Kingston, and Garth nods before going to another elevator.
“What was that about?”I ask.
“Garth has been training with Ironwood,” Kingston says.“He’s learning about safety protocols and defense maneuvers, so he can be part of keeping you safe.”
“I wish this wasn’t necessary anymore.”I glance between Kingston and Sebastian.“I just want us to be able to enjoy each other, and be happy.Not worried all the time about everything else.”
Sebastian’s voice is low, duller than usual because of the ringing in my ears, but I hear him clearly just the same.His hazel eyes are intent on mine.“I’m enjoying being with you.I’m happy.All this other bullshit…it’s not everything.Youare everything.I love you.And whatever else comes with you?I love that, too.”
My heart softens like gooey melted chocolate.“I love you, too,” I say, leaning against him.
A soft chime from the elevator and the doors are opening into Kingston’s—no,our—penthouse.
The ringing in my ears is nearly gone.I’m not going to lose my hearing.The doctor at the hospital was especially reassuring when she’d told me that.She was more concerned about a fracture in my elbow, which turned out to be not a thing at all.Scrapes, some temporary ear ringing, bruises.A headache.Nothing worse than that.And Terrence and Roman are going to be okay, too.
