Page 59 of Under Their Protection

“Go get some rest and I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll clean up,” Theo says, stroking my cheek.

“Okay,” I say. “Thank you, Theo.”

“You are welcome, sweetness,” he says with a soft smile.

Chapter Eight

Anika

I am unwillingly draggedfrom my sleep when Rowan kisses my forehead. “No,” I groan. “Go away.”

“You need to get up, sweetie,” he says softly.

“I don’t wanna,” I whine.

“Get up or I will come over there and tickle you,” Max threatens from across the room. I sit up and stick my tongue out at him and he chuckles. “Good morning, Nika,” he says as he comes to me and kisses me softly.

“Good morning,” I smile.

“How do you feel?” Rowan asks before kissing me deeper, making me sigh.

“Uh… I don’t know yet. Ask me again when I’m more awake,” I say. I get up and the moment I stand, it's the soreness that I feel. My entire body is aching but fuck if it wasn’t worth it.

“You are sore, aren’t you?” Max asks as he continues to get dressed.

“Yeah. Pretty sure it’s from my little comment about myself there at the end,” I say.

“That was fun to watch,” Rowan says as he pulls the dress I picked out from the closet and hands it to me. Max and Rowan are dressed similarly in black slacks, a button-up, and a suit jacket with a tie. They both look mouthwatering.

I am wearing a more conservative deep red dress. It is form-fitting, but not excessively tight. I am pairing it with matching heels and silver jewelry. I do my makeup but apply a minimal amount and leave my hair down.

I hear voices in the living room. I come out of the bedroom with my phone and bag to find everyone from last night is here.

“Oooo, you look great,” Mia says as she comes over to hug me.

“Thank you. So do you,” I say.

“What happened after we left?” she asks when I step into the kitchen to get coffee.

“I learned to keep my mouth shut,” I laugh.

“Was that the unforgiving part?” she asks.

“That is amassiveunderstatement,” I say wide-eyed, and she laughs. “I also completely broke down and cried. I mean like he didn’t hurt me or anything. I just realized just how much my family's words have affected how I see myself.”

“I would call that therapeutic then,” Mia says, and I laugh. Everyone joins us in the kitchen as I finish making my coffee.

“Good morning,” Annie says to me happily.

“Morning,” I smile.

“I’m dying to know what happened,” Emma says.

“Like I told Mia… I learned to keep my mouth shut,” I say with a smirk as I sip my coffee.

“That’s one way to put it,” Theo says. “How do you feel?”

“Sore,” I laugh. “You three seem to have that ability.”

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