Page 21 of Shattered World

Rainer wrapped him in his arms, his grasp tighter than I had ever seen. The two stood in each other’s arms for minutes, soft whispers passing between them. An ache formed in my chest at their reunion and I rubbed the spot, ignoring whatever it meant.

They broke apart and, to my surprise, Murphy reached for me next, pulling me into his arms. The embrace wasn’t anywhere near as tight or long, but I gently patted him on the back, appreciative of the gesture even as the ache in my chest grew.

“What the hell did we miss?” The sassy voice was familiar and I squeezed my eyes shut, too scared to turn around.

Sasha said something else, but I couldn’t decipher the words, not when all my blood was rushing through my ears. Finally,when I couldn’t hold back any longer, I turned on my heel, peeling my eyes open.

If I thought Aiden looked like he had seen a ghost, it was nothing compared to the stunned expression on Alessia’s face. Those dark eyes I had dreamed of were filling with wetness, the tears already sliding down her cheeks.

Her mouth was slightly parted, whatever words she planned to say stuck in her throat as her gaze darted between Rainer and me. Slapping a hand over her mouth, she bent at the waist, a choked sob escaping her lips.

And it was that reaction, the utter relief in her gaze, that had me striding toward her. I was in her face before she could blink, my hands reaching to cup her cheeks. I didn’t care who was in the room. Didn’t give two fucks who was watching.

All I cared about was that she was in my arms. Slanting my mouth over hers, I slammed my lips down, pouring all my frustration and the lingering grief of losing her into the kiss. Her hands immediately gripped my sides, her feet sliding onto her toes as she pressed her chest against mine.

She met me touch for touch, movement for movement, as our tongues battled for dominance. Only when a soft moan broke free did I release her, although I kept one hand pressed against her cheek, a reminder that she was truly in front of me.

“You’re here,” she breathed with so much happiness that I couldn’t help but press another kiss to her swollen lips.

Staring into her eyes, a soaring emotion replacing the ache in my chest, I realized I may have to change my stance on fate. Because there was no way in the world that this woman wasn’t meant for me.

Chapter Eleven

Icouldn’t breathe. My chest was too tight as I stepped away from Warner’s touch. I never wanted to leave. I had thought I would never see him again, let alone feel his hands on me. But he wasn’t the only one.

Turning on my heel, Rainer’s waiting gaze met me. His arms were at his side. He wasn’t Murphy, knowing I would meet his embrace in the middle. He wasn’t Warner who took what he wanted without a thought to the others around him.

We had been through too much together. He may have been the leader, but in this moment, when it came to us, he needed me to come to him. And so I did. Jumping forward, his arms finally left his sides, wrapping me up tightly.

Pressing my face against his chest, I inhaled his scent, a reminder that he was really here. He had come back to me. Ihated that I doubted him. If there was anyone who would find their way, it was Rainer.

His lips found my forehead, the warm touch lighting me up from the inside out. “I’m here, Less.”

The words were exactly what I needed to hear. It didn’t matter that I was touching him, that I could still feel Warner at my back, I needed the verbal confirmation that they were really here. That I hadn’t lost them like we had lost so many others.

After several moments, I stepped out of his embrace, Rainer’s hands gripping my sides as if afraid to let me go. I knew exactly how he felt. As long as I lived, no matter if they were always at my side, I would never forget the utter grief of watching them fade away as the train took off.

Turning toward the rest of the room, Sasha and Mina stood with large smiles, Aiden looking off to the side with red cheeks. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his expression, knowing I would feel the same if I had seen him embrace two different women the way I had Rainer and Warner.

After Aiden realized the reunions were over, he dragged me into a hug and I was reminded that he was probably scared out of his mind. We had been gone for nearly two days. Which also reminded me that we had a lot to discuss.

I wished I could say that was at the forefront of my mind. But if I was being honest with myself, all I wanted to do was lock myself away with the three men at my back.

By the way Warner shifted closer to me, his hand a ghost of a touch against my back, I knew he was thinking the same. Maybe it was careless of us. Maybe we should have cared more about what was happening around us. But when Sasha spoke, I could have kissed her from gratitude.

“Alessia, you stayed up all night keeping watch, why don’t you go rest?” She turned toward Rainer, throwing an arm around him in greeting, Mina right behind. “We should probably fill youall in on what we found. Rainer, I’m sure you’ll want to hear. Probably itching to take these jobs and make them yours.”

Rainer rolled his eyes at her words, but when he didn’t deny it, we all chuckled. Sasha shooed everyone toward the front counter, sending me a wink over her shoulder. I could see the debate in Rainer and Murphy’s eyes as they followed her instructions, their gazes skating over me.

Warner’s warm palm connecting with my back was the sole thing to urge me forward and when he whispered in my ear, I was nearly sprinting toward the elevator.

“I need a shower.”

With his touch pushing me forward, I led him toward the elevator, my foot tapping impatiently as the floors ticked by. When we exited into the main room, dozens of heads turned our way. Elizabeth was one of them, and her eyes widened.

Matthew also noticed, stepping forward at the strange interruption. I held up a hand, not in the mood to discuss with him that Warner was safe. Well, at least safe for me. I’m sure his blank expression and towering frame didn’t instill comfort in the others.

Unfortunately for them, I had no care in the world besides being alone with him. With determined steps, I walked through the door and toward our room. When I stood outside, I belatedly realized I didn’t have the key.

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