Page 109 of Ours to Keep

“Thank you for coming. We really appreciate it,” Noah says, his hand on Jessica’s back, much like Jackson’s is on mine, as the rest of my guys surround me in a tangible presence.

“Avery, you look amazing,” Jessica says, looking over my shoulder.

I turn around as Avery walks towards us with a champagne glass.

“You never know, I might meet Prince Charming,” she says, as she leans in and greets everyone with a kiss on the cheek. Even Tommy, yet another thing that warms my heart.

“Oh good, my brothers here,” Jessica says as he approaches. “You can finally meet him,” she says to Avery.

“Mason, you already know everyone else, but this is Avery,” Jessica says as he joins our circle.

Avery looks up with a smile, but it slips the moment her eyes connect with his.

“What the actual fuck?” she says.

“Siren,” he says, his lips tilting into a wicked grin.

Jessica looks as confused as I feel. “Do you know each other?” she asks.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Avery replies, as she narrows her eyes at Mason.

“Careful, anyone would think you had a thing for me,” he replies, clearly goading her.

Woah, what the hell is going on?

“That would require me to know your name is Mason and not, in fact, Daniel. If you’ll excuse me, Jessica, I think I just saw Mr Tall Dark and Handsome with my name written all over him.”

We all watch in shocked silence as she saunters to the bar and immediately starts a conversation with the man himself.

Jessica opens her mouth, but Mason holds up his hand. “I’ll fill you in later. I need a drink,” he says and stalks off in the opposite direction.

I corner Avery in the toilet a few hours later, but she just blows it off. I know better than anyone when she’s ready to tell me she will. Besides that strange exchange between Mason and Avery, the opening goes beautifully.

Later that evening, all the guys return to Jackson’s and grumble over who will stay with me. Sometimes, I feel like a toy they fight over, but at the same time, it’s nice to be wanted.

“When we get our own place, I think we should make sure it has an extra bedroom with a bed that’s big enough for all of us,” River says as she strokes my ankle.

I expect the guys to object, but they all agree, even Tommy.

Jackson laughs as he must notice my reaction to the entire exchange, and he reaches over and tilts my face towards his. “I don’t know why that surprises you, Duchess,” he says, his eyes holding mine captive. “You’re it for us. You’re ours to protect.”

“Ours to cherish,” River adds.

Elliot leans over and strokes my cheek with his knuckle. “Ours to adore.”

“And ours to keep,” Tommy says, reaching for my hand.

Each of them touching me, grounding me.

“And you’re mine.”

“Always,” they reply in unison.

I never thought I’d find love like the one my mum had with my dad; it was only a dream. A fairytale, one just out of reach. But then, these four formidable men came into my life. Their support and love, just like them, is unwavering. They each continue to show me love in their own unique ways, just like the seasons. I’m learning to grow and thrive again, no matter the climate.

I look forward to building a life with them, one free of fear and violence. One where Mia knows what unconditional love is and that family is so much more than blood. With these men by my side, no matter what obstacles we come across, I know we’ll face them together. Because as much as I am theirs, they are all mine—to love, to cherish, to keep.

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