“It has to be like this. Fate is trying to tell us something; I just wish I knew what that was,” Raylan grumbles and finishes his scotch, eager to pour himself another double. We have a whole bottle to share between us, and the night is still young. “We’ve got a sexy problem waiting for us upstairs and an ugly one watching us from outside. But we can’t postpone dealing with either one any longer, or else we will hang for this long before we manage to do anything against the Black Hand.”

An hour later, we’ve got enough liquid courage burning through our veins to make our way upstairs. It wasn’t like this before. The three of us used to be unstoppable. Whatever we wanted, we took it. No hesitation, not a single inkling of fear, and no regrets whatsoever. It’s different with Ariana, not just because of who she is but also because of her incredible character.

We went into this headfirst.

The plan was to abduct the mayor’s daughter, likely a spoiled brat who’d have to spend a couple of weeks in the room upstairs while we moved specific pieces across the chessboard—just enough to get Henry David to slip and turn on his Black Hand buddies.

But Ariana is a scrumptious piece of work, and the longer she stays with us, the more we can enjoy her. The feeling is mutual, and it’s growing stronger every damn day. It has become impossible to resist or control. We’re giving into it, losing ourselves in the process.

Postponing entire operations. Biding our time. Wondering if we should bring her into the loop and see how she feels about betraying her own father. Part of me knows we’re dreaming, perhaps too wild and too big for our britches, but we have to try. Our hearts demand that we try because we’ve never met someone like her before.

I doubt she knows what she’s truly capable of, but we do. We see it in everything she says and does, even when she’s completely blind to it.

“What’s up?” Ariana asks, looking surprised to see all three of us as we enter her room. “Is something wrong?”

“No,” I say. “Can we talk?”

She gives the three of us a worried glare, paralyzed beside the barred window. I assume she’s confused and startled by this formula, given everything that we’ve been doing over the past few weeks. But Ariana nods slowly. “Yeah.”

There isn’t a particular method for broaching such a sensitive subject. Kendric, Raylan, and I have agreed to go straight into it, present her with our needs and wants, and see how she reacts. Some things cannot be said, but they can be shown. Given how receptive Ariana has been to each of us, I dare hope this will lead somewhere with clarity and completion.

“I guess by now you’re aware that we know about each other,” I say to Ariana.

Her expression sets my heart on fire, and I would give anything to make her feel better because I can tell she is beyond embarrassed. Her lips part, but words refuse to come out. I can’t blame her; I’d be just as flustered. Without thinking, I move closer and tuck a lock of hair behind her cute, reddened ear.

“It’s okay,” I quickly say, trying to choose my words as carefully as possible. “It really is. We’re comfortable with one another. We’ve been to hell and back together. The level of trust between us is unbreakable and unshakeable, Ariana. And everything we do, we do it willingly and fully aware of each other’s wants and needs.”

“Okay,” she whispers.

I take another step forward, and her breath hitches. The closeness is too much for her to bear. I can feel the heat emanating from her body. Compelled by her muted reaction, Kendric and Raylan cautiously approach us, their eyes never leaving hers while Ariana’s gaze bounces from one to the other before settling on me again.

“I want you. We want you, Ariana. The three of us. It’s gotten to the point where we can’t hide from you anymore, and I know deep down, you feel the same way.” I plant a soft kiss on her temple. “Your body speaks to us. Despite the circumstances, despite everything that has been happening, even you have to admit that this thing between us is a growing constant that we have to address.”

“What do you mean address?” Ariana asks, confusion clouding her gaze.

“The three of us would like to share you,” I confess. “You’ve thought about it, haven’t you?”

She stills. She doesn’t even blink, and yet I can read everything in her spirited blue eyes. I recognize the thoughts flashing through those sapphire stars of hers. The desire. The doubt. The shame. The curiosity. The unending lust. Oh, she has absolutely thought about it. I’m willing to bet she’s thought about it to the point of touching herself, imagining what it might be like if the three of us claimed her at once.

“Sky,” Ariana manages, her voice uneven, weak.

“I want you,” Raylan says.

“I want you,” Kendric adds.

“We all want you,” I say, cupping her face in my hands. She feels so warm and soft. I pull her in for a kiss, and she doesn’t resist. Deliciously sweet. Sinfully wet. The taste of heaven and the promise of hell as she succumbs to my advance. “We want you, Ariana. All of you. All to ourselves.”

Kendric comes in and takes hold of her ass. She moans softly as she looks at him, and he kisses her. It’s enough to send sparks flying all over the room, causing my cock to jump and my jeans to get tighter.

“You want this, don’t you?” he whispers in her ear, then trails wet kisses down the side of her neck. Ariana is helpless and wide-eyed, yet she cannot respond. There’s no resistance, though. No fear or hesitation. This feels natural, and it’s doing something to her.

Something she never expected.

Raylan joins us and captures her mouth in a devastating kiss, his breath ragged while my hand slips into her pants. I find her wet and hot, already primed for what we’re so eager to give her. I curse under my breath and let my fingers slide between her slick folds as Ariana loses herself in Raylan’s kiss.

“Fucking hell,” Kendric growls as he moves his hands down her torso, squeezing her full breasts through the fabric of her blue hockey jersey.

“This,” Ariana finally manages when Raylan pulls back to lovingly gaze upon her. “This is wrong.”