Page 90 of Their Dark Rose

Mallie fed them poison. I bet she hoped they’d be so out of it, too fucking spaced out on her compliments and drugs to make some sort of move.

Like having them sign over their company to her. Or worse, sign me, their only next of kin, over to her stepson, thus ensuring any money I inherit goes to them.

Her claws had always been out. Her rotten heart always searching for an in, for a way to dig into my family’s fortune.

She’d baited her time with me, thinking I’d turn into a silly young woman. She wanted me to play right into her grubby old hands.

But she didn’t consider this one fact—just because I’m sheltered doesn’t mean I’m naïve. It sure as fuck doesn’t mean I’m desperate for any kind of love.

The men of this house have taught me better than that.

She might have fooled me with her sweet words. Her faux love.

Thankfully, my godfathers had kept an eye on the witch. I won’t fall for her or Thorn’s bullshit anymore. I won’t let my guard down, either.

Which is why I’m this scared. Mallie is coming. I just don’t know when or how.

She might pop in any second now. Or hurt my men while they’re away. Since she hasn’t even sent us the bills for my so-called birthday celebrations, I’m confident she’s brewing something.

My eyes drift over to the clock behind me. Nine in the evening.

Mason, Falk, and Finn are still at the office, and no one has called. Finn—who was supposed to be my homeschool teacher today—texted to say they’d be late.

That was hours ago.

I get that they’re working on an important project, one that requires all hands on deck. They would’ve taken me with them, if not for fucking Mallie. Brent, our detective, hasn’t located her whereabouts, and my godfathers didn’t want to risk her showing up in our office to attack me.

For the time being, they’ve been bringing work home. Instead of showing me around the office, they walked me through our financial reports, building plans, and more.

We sat together in the dining room, and they explained the construction world to me. From purchasing orders to hiring crews and overseeing their work, and all the way to pricing a bid. They taught me what strategies work and what doesn’t. When to push and when to let a project go.

When they’re away, I’ve preoccupied myself with writing poems and solving calculus homework that Mason pushed down my throat. I even cleaned the entire house when Mason said he’d do it.

I haven’t been able to sit still.

My nerves have been getting the best of me, but I haven’t called or texted our group chat yet with my new phone. The last thing I need is for them to think I’m a scared little kid.

They’ve spent over a week calming me down. Telling me no one would get through our gates. Demonstrating how well our alarms worked when they tried to break in without a code.

Yes, the police came over—they keep two officers on their payroll. Yes, it was embarrassing. Finn conducted his surprise attack while I was sleeping naked, and the officer insisted on checking the entire house either way.

Yet despite barely being able to hide under the covers, it was worth it.

I’ve been assured nothing would happen to us.

Now, I’m not as confident. I feel something, a presence.

I move to the front window, gazing outside, hoping to spot Mason’s Audi as it enters through our gates and into the driveway.

Snow falls in the night, silent and peaceful. It covers the world in a white, plush blanket I’d roll around in if it wasn’t this freezing.

A woman in a fluffy coat rushes somewhere on the sidewalk. One street lamp flickers outside, then settles, shining its hazel glow on the dark night.

But there’s no sign of a black Audi creeping by. No hint of the men I love, lust for, and need to be with me right now.

I’m alone.

I think.

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