Page 30 of Room One Hundred and Six

“We told him as much, but he didn’t want to listen.”

We both look up to see Jasper and Shayne with towels wrapped around their middles. I figured they used the other shower so I could have a moment with our beautiful jungle flower.

“You were there when it happened?”

Luna moves her gaze between all of us.

Jasper holds his arm out to her and tucks our girl under his chin. I physically watch as she relaxes against his chest. Shayne presses a kiss to her forehead when her eyes connect with my brother’s, I see something there I don’t want to believe is true. But it gives me a wave of hope that tonight is the start of something that might keep us in Seattle after all. Frankly, I don't care where in the world we go as long as she is there with us.

A pretty, innocent blush spreads over her cheeks. For all her bold wildness, she’s tender and delicate under that false shield she hides behind.

“No, Luna. We were not or we would have died to protect him,” Jasper answers. “It was an impossible situation between men who had no respect for life. There were too many, and it was a deal that never stood a chance. They didn’t intend on paying for the jewels your father was fencing. They had every intention of stealing them by any means.”

She steps out of Jasper's arms, but keeps her hands on his chest. I watch her keep a connection to my brother. She doesn’t realize it, but she likes us to touch her as much as possible. In fact, I don’t think one of us hasn’t had a hand on her since we entered the room.

“What happened to them?” her voice cracks. “The men who killed my father? The cops did nothing and my sister and I had no hope of finding out anything. We just kept on trying to survive.”

Shayne is the one to answer her.

“Remember how I said we were many things before we came to Seattle?”

She considers our words before nodding. “I understand.” She grows quiet for a minute and then says the one thing that has my heart on the fucking floor. “I miss my dad. Stella and I haven’t gone a day without missing him so much it hurts. It’s…it’s been hard. Let me just say that. And then losing mom. She got so sick so fast. And now my sister is sick.” She drops her head back and closes her eyes.

Tears wet her lashes. I want to reach out to her, but I get the sense she’ll break down if I pull her to me.

She takes a couple of breaths before saying, “As harsh as it may sound, I’m glad you were not there. Now that I’ve had each of you. Touched you, kissed you and made love to you, I think I want to take this beyond one night. I know I do. I just don’t know how to let people in when it hurts to lose them.”

I’m in love.

I shut the water off and step to her, taking her chin between my fingers. “For that to happen, we are going to need those diamonds back, Luna.”

The red on her cheeks deepens. “I figured as much.”

“And then we want to hear about your sister.”

That’s Jasper.

“The buyers are here and these are not patient men.” I hear the worry in Shayne’s voice. He’s trying to hide it from Luna, but I know my brother.

Shayne takes Luna’s hand and helps her from the shower. I grab a towel for me and pass one to her. Jasper takes it and helps her dry off.

“I took the diamonds because I had to. The Belladonnas will give me fifty grand and a place in their guild of thieves. I need the money I get from them to pay for my sister's chemo.”

We all stare at her in silence. She looks like a weight has lifted from her shoulders; one that she’s been carrying alone for a long time.

Jasper stands. “You’ll have the money come morning. The Belladonnas are trouble everywhere they go. I take it a woman named Ivy was on the other end of the COMM you had in your ear?”

Jasper raises Luna’s foot, drying it. He moves to the other, and she obeys his quiet command to lift. “We’re not here to tell you what to do or not do, but getting involved with them is a bad idea.”

“I know. But when you face big bills and few choices, you do what you have to do for family.”

Shayne brushes her hair out with a large comb he finds in a drawer. Everything is brand new and fresh for the member’s use. I grab another comb and set to work on the other side. The faster we finish, the faster we get the diamonds.

“After we get this done, we’ll talk about bills, your sister and why you didn’t come to us when shit started going sideways for you. You didn’t have to steal from us.”

“I didn’t know who my mark was until I was three feet in front of you. But okay. Let’s find something for me to wear and I’ll take you to them.”

I love watching steel resolve solidify in her gray gaze. She’s going to need it for what comes next.

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