Page 89 of Under Their Protection

“Could you imagine her getting fucked by QuinnandTheo?” Max asks Rowan.

“What time do you get off?” Theo asks Quinn. I go to object but Theo covers my mouth and pulls my back against his chest to hold me in place.

“Just now,” he smirks.

“Come join us. You can help us give her a punishment for being a brat all day,” Theo says.

“Don’t forget how she paid for everyone at dinner,” Rowan says.

“Or that she baited you by calling you a sub and borderline shit-talking herself,”Max says.

“That was more than borderline. She literally asked if I didn’t like big girls,” Theo says.

“Have anything to say for yourself, Anika?” Quinn asks me and Theo uncovers my mouth. The more I am sitting here thinking about this, the more excited I am about the idea of this.Quinn is a great guy, and he is more than capable of casual play.

“I regret nothing,” I say with a devious grin.

“We are going to have some fun with you, Anika,” Quinn chuckles.

“Is it too late to use the ‘I got shot, be easy,’ card?” I ask Theo, laughing.

“Oh, baby. It is way too late for that,” Theo says as he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me with him.

As we step onto the floor I immediately stop in my tracks as a wave of fear crashes over me. I pull away from Theo and back up. Rowan catches me and turns me to face him. Tears are slowly falling as all of the panic from six months ago surfaces. Rowan cups my face, but I try to pull away from him as the panic swells. I feel Max behind me holding my waist while Theo and Quinn are to either side.

“You are safe, Anika. We’ve got you, okay?” Rowan says softly. I shake my head and squeeze my eyes shut to take a deep breath.

“Ground yourself, Anika,” Theo says. I nod and go through my steps.

I can hear the music playing through the club.

I can hear the breathing of the four men around me.

I can feel Max’s hands on my waist.

I can feel Rowan’s hands on my face.

The room is calm.

The room is safe.

Isaac is dead.

I survived.

When my breathing slows and I calm down, I open my eyes. Rowan smiles and wipes away my tears.

“I’m sorry,” I say softly.

“Don’t be. You just sat in that parking lot and acknowledged that it would happen. You handled it well, Anika,” Theo says.

“Does this not bother anyone else? Is it just me who is a mess?” I ask.

“No, baby. It’s not just you. We all are handling it differently,” Rowan says. “Let’s grab a drink.” I nod and we go to the bar.

The bartender, Allen, sees me and smiles brightly. “Anika! It’s good to see you. Tequila?” he asks.

“Yes, Please,” I smile. “It’s good to see you too, Allen.” He pours my double shot and sets it down before getting the guy’s beer. I throw back my tequila and run my hands down my face.

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