Page 73 of Lucy and Her Wicked Three

We settle on the couch, and the guys arrange back in place, though I'm guessing they've moved from their spots to be a little closer to me. Knees bent, my feet tuck beneath Silas's legs, while my shoulder rests against Noah's, and together, they make me feel safe and supported.

The energy between them is like nothing else I've ever felt. I can't believe they hadn't been lovers all this time they've been together, because they fell into the role like they'd been doing it a lifetime. I can't take credit for them finally taking that step, but it does feel good to know they took it once we were all together. Like we're destined, and they were just waiting all this time for me to join them. I honestly can't believe we met only weeks ago.

Noah takes out his phone and sends a quick text. I don't have to guess who it's to when Silas's phone lights up a second later. Instead of rolling my eyes or getting annoyed, it's comforting knowing they care enough about me to try and work around my stress.

Silas eats the avocado fries like Noah predicted—without prejudice, devouring half the plate. They continue working and I fall asleep against Noah's shoulder, sandwiched between them. It's warm, their voices lulling me under. I don't nap long, waking to Noah rearranging me so I can settle on his lap. I curl against him while he runs his fingers through my hair.

The house is quiet, their game paused. Silas swears under his breath and I rouse and peek over. Wearing headphones, he's watching something on his phone. Probably a replay of Delaney's video, judging by his expression and the look he gives me. He's angry, and I've never seen Silas angry. Noah either, but I can picture Noah taking deep breaths and working through his frustration. I can't picture Silas anything but easygoing.

He turns the video off a minute later, setting the phone screen down on the coffee table. I don't have to wonder if Noah already saw it while I was asleep, because he asks, "Why haven't you spoken out against her yet? From the first stunt she pulled?"

He's brushing my hair away from my face, rhythmically petting me. I don't have an answer for him other than to say, I justcouldn't.

But that's a stupid excuse.

Noah doesn't push for answers, he just keeps rubbing my head silently while Silas rubs my feet. It's heaven. All the swirling thoughts over what she publicly said about me are still there, but I'm able to sift through them more calmly.

A slamming door startles me, and I sit up. We all look to the kitchen, finding an irate Mateo, home hours earlier than he should be. He storms over to me, and I glare at Silas. "Okay, which one of you told him?"

Silas winks. "We don't keep secrets, Lulu. He deserves to know when you come home in tears. Just like we do."

"I saw the fucking video, Lucy," Mateo growls. "I am done with this bullshit. I am fucking done. I'm calling my lawyeragain, he didn't do shit since—" He pauses then lets out a roar, kicking the back of a dining table chair which bounces loudly against the marble tile.

"Since what?" I ask, sitting up tiredly.

"Nothing. I'm just fucking done. You don't want to say anything about what she's been doing, that's fine. But I'm not letting her talk about you like this. It's libel. Defamation. Lies. Bullshit. Take your fucking pick."

"Hey, Matty, maybe kiss your girl hello?" Silas pokes the bear, but it does the trick. Mateo's expression softens, colored by shame, before he shakes it off and stalks closer. Leaning over the back of the couch, he pulls me in for a kiss. Half in Noah's lap, I reach up to meet him.

He sighs, pressing his forehead against mine. "I'm sorry, Lucy. I'm sorry I didn't stop her."

I pull away then get up and head into the kitchen to get some cold water to wake myself up and face this. "It's not your fault. I just don't know why she's so fixated on taking me down to lift herself up. I never did anything to hurt her, I swear."

"We believe you," Noah assures me, as the three of them follow me into the kitchen.

I shake my head, then my gaze snags on the package. "Oh, Mateo, this came for you. There's no return address though," I say, after picking up the package. I shrug and hand it over. But when I look up, all three men are frozen in place.

"What?"

"Nothing," Mateo says, taking the box from me. He walks over to his bag, which he tossed on the dining room table when he walked in, stuffing the box in his bag.

"What's in the box?"

"Nothing, just something for work," he says too quickly.

Noah sighs, pulling up a seat at the stool. Then he looks at Mateo and shakes his head.

"No." Mateo snaps. No, what?

"As Silas just said, we don't keep secrets. And we definitely don't lie."

Mateo swears under his breath, running his hands through his hair.

"Guys, what's going on?"

"It's nothin—"

"Goddammit, Matty, tell her the fucking truth. God, you really suck at this. You actually need me and Noah to save you from yourself. I thought you were exaggerating," Silas sighs.

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