Page 63 of The Magic of Destiny
“Quit it. I need a shower.” She turned and made a beeline for the door, leaving us all standing there.
“I can think of a few things she needs,” Cam grumbled.
“What the hell just happened?” I asked. “You guys didn't even greet her properly. Are you out of your damn minds?”
“My relationship with her is my own,” Bram snapped, looking at me with a challenge in his eye. I didn't like being challenged. The Alpha in me rose up at the disrespect.
Cam stepped between us, sensing what was about to go down. Looking at me, he said, “He's right, K.” Then to everyone, “Yes, we're a group, but we're also individuals. We're all different and we're not going to react to every scenario or situation the same way.”
“Something is going on with her,” Bram insisted.
“We had an eventful evening.” Sloane ran a hand through his hair, and sighed. “I'm tired. I'm sure she is, too. She was desperate to get back here to see you guys. Don't you know she would've done the exact same thing for any of you? That's just the kind of woman she is. Her heart is bigger than her sense of self-preservation, but how else do you expect her to be able to love six difficult, demanding assholes?”
I stood there, blinking. “Bro, that was deep,” I told Sloane, slapping him on the shoulder. “I don't think I've ever heard you talk about someone like that before. Good for you, man!”
“Thanks,” he grumbled. “I'm going to shower and take a nap.” Sloane set off for the house before halting, doing an about face and storming back over to us. “Thank you. For coming after me,” he said, looking at each of us briefly. He saved me for last, and our eyes met and with it, the past rose up between us. After a minute, he turned back around and headed inside.
“Same. We'll catch everyone up in a few hours. I can't even think straight,” Fish mumbled as he followed Sloane.
“Well, that could've gone better, hmm boys?” I asked once they were inside.
“She's just a ball of sunshine and love.” Faris sighed dreamily. “Wanna keep her in my pocket so nobody can ever take her away.”
Bram groaned, looking up at the sky. “Fuckin' shit. I’ve gotta go find her and kiss her.” He and Faris ran off, Bram cursing when Faris beat him inside.
“What's up, boss?” I looked at Cam, trying to figure out what he was thinking.
“I don't know, K. It's just... when she does things like that, without hesitation, without a care for her own safety... it drives me insane. I can't tell you how badly I want to punish her for it. Turn her ass red.”
“But?”
“But if it had been me she’d stayed for? It would've meant everything,” he replied.
And that was the fun part of trying to figure out a relationship with seven people. Our girl had to navigate six men, making sure that everyone was happy, that they all felt loved.
“I think we need to cut her some slack, boss. She's doing what she feels is right,” I reminded him.
Before he could respond, his phone rang. I saw Hunter's name on the screen just before Cam answered the call and put it on speaker. “Hey,” he said.
“Hey. Good news and bad news,” Hunter replied gruffly.
“Hit me.”
“Bad news is that Laurie must've known someone was following her. I was close to grabbing her last night, but she got away.” Annoyance was heavy in Hunter’s voice.
Cam and I shared a hard look. We wanted that bitch dealt with.
“Good news?” I asked.
“Good news is that I found the girl.”
“You did? You're sure? Do you think she's really her sister?” Cam demanded, his excitement starting to show.
“Oh, I'm positive they're sisters. Girl is living in a foster home here. This city is pretty shitty—lots of poverty and run-down areas…”
“How old is she?” I asked, curious.
“She turns eighteen next week, so she'll have to leave the foster house she's in. I haven't discovered yet if she has any plans for her next step. How should I proceed?”
