Page 56 of Their Offering

“We were attacked. It was nothing.” Keir shrugged them off.

“Getting attacked while she’s with you is nothing?” Aiden’s eyes burned. Nicholas grabbed his shoulder, and I could practically see the steam rising as Nicholas tried to calm Aiden down.

“Are you hurt?” Nicholas asked me. When I shook my head, he turned back to Aiden. “See? She’s fine. Keir wouldn’t let her get hurt and you know that. Cool off.”

“Really, it was probably a good thing we were attacked.” I gave Keir a ‘what the fuck?’ look, but he kept talking. “I knew Father had probably sent demons to find me after our last meeting. He was skeptical, which is why I needed you to see the gravity of the situation.”

“Youknewthe demons would be there?” So he knew we would be attacked?

He shrugged. “You needed to see how dire this is. Would you have come to a decision if we just loitered about under the stars?” He seemed to poke at me rather harshly with the stars comment. His playfulness was definitely gone.

I didn’t say anything, because he was right. Had we gone to Hell and just walked about, I would have come back home and never changed my mind. Seeing the demons up close and personal, along with Keir’s vulnerable ‘speech’, made me reconsider.

“So now what?” Aiden asked Keir.

“Ask her.” Keir was being so distant, but I blamed that on the openness he had given me back in Hell. He could take time if he needed it. Maybe things would be different in Hell.

The twins looked at me expectantly, and I bit my tongue, not sure how to vocalize that I had decided to go to Hell and close the portal, trapping me there forever.

“You’re sure this is what you want?” Nicholas asked me. Apparently, I didn’t need to actually say it out loud.Thank God. I mean, thank Satan? I was glad Nicholas couldn’t hear my thoughts.

Of course, it wasn’t what I wanted. At least, I thought so. Sure, there was the issue of their father wanting me dead, but these men felt like home. Would they still feel like home in Hell?

“Nicholas, stop. Don’t make her question herself.” Keir pulled me away from the twins and lifted my chin to look at him. “You are doing the right thing, okay?” I gave him a confused look. “Doubt is written all over your face.”

I pressed my lips together, and his eyes drifted down. I instantly released them and swallowed thickly, feeling strangely insecure.Why was he looking at my lips? Did hewantto kiss me? Should I kiss him? No. Don’t kiss him. It would be traumatically embarrassing to be rejected. I can’t let him know how badly I want him right now.

As my thoughts ran amuck in my head, I noticed Keir’s jaw twitching, his body more tense than usual. He seemed like he was trying to stay in control. Did he want me too? Could he hear me? I chewed on my bottom lip as I conjured up an image of me on my knees in front of––

“Lilly, are you okay?” I nearly jumped at the interruption. I knew my cheeks were bright red as I turned to face the twins again.

I saw Aiden jerk his head at Keir, beckoning him out of the room. I could hear them whispering, and Nicholas repeated his question. I was sure he was trying to distract me, but before I answered, I heard Aiden ask Keir if he told me something. I couldn’t make out what thatsomethingwas, but Keir said no.

“Yeah. Totally. What girl doesn’t want to leave her entire life behind to save the people she loves… and the ones she doesn’t,” I teased, hoping it covered my nervousness.

Nicholas didn’t respond, so I continued to talk, not able to handle the awkward, pitiful silence.

“Can I say goodbye? Katie would never forgive me. Can we see her before we leave?” Honestly, she was probably freaking out because I haven’t talked to her in days.

“No. The quicker we do this, the better,” Keir said as he and Aiden returned.

“You mean the quicker we do this the less time Lilly has to change her mind.” Aiden laughed at his own joke.

“We can at least give her this. She’s leaving everything behind for us.” The butterflies returned. “We can take her to see her friend. Last day on Earth gift from us.” Nicholas looked at his brothers until they both nodded. “Good.” He winked at me.

Nicholas, I was beginning to notice, really was my sweet prince. While Aiden met all my physical needs, Nicholas met the emotional ones. Keir was my dose of reality, and I needed all three.

“I’ll go pack my stuff.”

“No need. We will buy you whatever you need when we get home.” Keir watched me closely.

“Toyourhome,” I pointed out.

I wondered where I would live once we got there. Would I need a job? Could I get a cute little home in the country away from everyone? Would the brothers leave me alone?

“Yourhome too, Lillian.” Keir gave me a stern look. “Don’t think about running off when we get there. You will live with us.”

“I don’t have to li––”

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