I ache everywhere from fucking her so well.

And yet, it’s not enough.

Fuck my life, I want more.

For the first time I can remember, fun and games aren’t enough.

When we’ve all recovered enough to want to return to our own place, and Poppy is sleeping once again, we exchange a pointed glance. “Can I hold her this time?”

Carter unstraps her from the table as Aiden rubs each red mark that’s revealed by the loosened cuffs. They both turn to me with raised brows but neither objects when I scoop her into my arms and cradle her close to my chest as I carry her home.

CHAPTER 15

Poppy

Splayed on my stomach, I groan into an ultra-dense feather pillow before prying my eyes open to find myself back in my billionaires’ bed as morning sunshine peeks through the blinds. About to call out for them and beg for the heat of their arms locked around me as they were all night, I hear low voices from the other room.

Arguing?

“The contract ends this morning. She’s free to go.” Carter is stern, leaving no room for argument. “In fact, she agreed to leave without lingering. Without further contact.”

“Fuck that thing.” Knox. “Where is it? I’m going to rip it to shreds.”

Is he rummaging through my purse? No, I left it in the guest suite. The one on the other side of that sneaky bookcase.

I sit up, clutching the covers to my chest.

“You can’t possibly want to let her leave.” Aiden sounds panicked, his voice changing direction as if he’s pacing.

“You’re acting like we have a choice.” Carter is icy. Final. “The limo is already downstairs. Waiting to take her back to Gunner’s jet.”

“So what?” Knox raises his voice. “Ask her to stay.”

“Imagine what it could be like, Carter,” Aiden tries again. “Coming home to her every day. She’ll be waiting for us. Caring for our family. Available all the time. In our bed every night. No more working herself to the bone. Fuck all that. She won’t have to do any of it. She’ll be ours.”

Hang on.

That’s not what I want—to be trapped in some fancy castle, even if it’s with three princes instead of the beasts I thought they were at first. Reliant on them for every single thing I or our children need. Locked in the tower they call a penthouse.

Oh no. What have I done?

To my shock, Carter doesn’t laugh. Or instantly deny it.

There’s no way I’ll be able to resist them if they beg me to stay.

Yet I refuse to give up everything I’ve struggled for, not even for a trio of the sexiest men on the planet.

I will not become my mother.

What kind of mom would that make me? I rub low on my belly even though I understand the odds are impossible and that being pregnant would be essentially the worst thing that could happen.

At least if I abide by our agreement and leave, I’ll only have a broken heart. My life ruined, but not an innocent baby’s.

I’m no longer so naïve.

These men don’t own me. No one does.

All the money in the world can’t buy my freedom. A comfortable cage is still a prison.