Page 146 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

“Now that you know about the rape and humiliation I endured, you might want to run for the hills. Or maybe not. But I don't need your pity. I deserve love in my life, which is why, after all these years, I decided to let you back in. I didn't leave because of what I thought you did to me. I left because of whathedid to me.”

My vision is clear now, and all four men kneel before me, their faces and bodies expressing a mix of tearfulness, deep agitation, and anger.

“Never,” Jagger declares firmly, his voice raw and resolute. “Never will I ever consider leaving you, Eden. You are my everything, and I’ll love you until my dying breath. But you need to know this, darling: it will be my life’s mission to hunt that bastard down. I swear to you, I will find him, and I will kill him.”

Each man in the room echoes similar sentiments, pledging unwavering loyalty and love. And despite everything we've been through over the years, I believe them. I trust every word they say, and a shiver runs down my spine because I know they won't rest until they find the person who violated and terrorized me, fulfilling their promise to protect me.

I rise to my feet, and they follow suit, stepping forward to embrace me. My legs feel weak from the adrenaline that surged through me as I shared my story, but these men will hold me up, ensuring I don't fall.

There isn’t a doubt in my mind about the sincerity of the oath these men have pledged to me.

Chapter 38

“Here,” Asher drapes awooly throw over my shoulders. “It’s getting chilly.”

I look at him appreciatively as I quietly sit on the deck and watch the sun begin to set on the horizon.

After my declaration, the group decided we’d had enough adventures, and Jagger talked with the film director about ending the filming. We recorded from dusk to early afternoon, and they had enough footage. If they don’t, they can digitally manipulate what they have to make a decent music video.

So the captain has turned the yacht back towards the marina, and we’re finally sailing home.

Home.

Such a small word with a huge meaning.

I know Haze’s house isn’t home for me.

Terra Sands is my home. It’s the place where I came to terms with peace regarding what happened to me. It’s more than just a physical space; it’s a comforting familiarity and a place of belonging.

It’s the refuge for my soul.

And I know that with all four men living permanently with me there, it will turn into the sanctuary of my heart. Combining my haven with the loves of my life will only transform it into the place where my heart finds its truest anchor.

“I want the four of you to move with me to Terra Sands. I know it’s small for us all, but we can make it work, can’t we?” I turn to Ash to find him grinning wide.

“I believe we will make it work,” he says. “I also think Haze will jump for joy because he’s already devised plans in his head about expansion,” he chuckles. “You might need to bring him down a notch or two.”

I smile at the thought.

“I’m not sure what to do about Catalina. She’s been with me forever. Terra Sands is also kind of like her home too. And sticking her in the trailer with Rick while we update the house seems more like I’m kicking her out of her house.”

“I see your point. But you need to see it from several angles and ask yourself some questions. Is she staff, or is she family? Also, there’s the gruesome fact that she secretly drugged you. If she’s more of a family to you, then discovering what she did is devastating, and as staff, she would be immediately fired.”

“Is it possible for her to be both?”

“Yes, it is, but then you need to make a decision on what’s right for you. Even talk it out and see where her mind is at. She’s been with her sister in New York for a while. Maybe she might actually want to stay there instead of feeling obligated that she has to return.”

“Hmm…you make a good point.”

It would make it easier for her to remain in New York because I know the guys wouldn’t want her around after they moved in. Dealing with her constant scowling at them is something they could probably suck up and live with, but trust went out the window after discovering what she put in my tea.

I chuckle a thought out loud.

“What’s so funny, beautiful?”

“Catalina is like the bad mother-in-law you’d boys hate.”

He huffs a laugh, and his gorgeous, bright smile emerges.

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