Page 91 of All The Pretty Little Lies

I feel a rush of heat at his words, images flashing through my mind that I quickly try to suppress. The three of us together. Tangled limbs. Vesper’s cries of pleasure as we take our turns with her. Her skin slick with sweat. "It's not that simple, Z," I argue, even as part of me wants to agree with him.

But Zaire is already brushing past me, his bare shoulder grazing mine as he heads towards the hallway. "It is that simple, Oz," he tosses over his shoulder. "We protect her. We love her. Everything else is just details. Stop overthinking it."

“You’re really okay with this?”

Zaire shakes his head, “I am.”

As Zaire's words hang in the air, a soft creak from the hallway catches our attention. We both look up to see Vesper watching us, her beautiful form framed by the doorway. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of her.

She's still wearing my oversized t-shirt, the one I helped her into before we all fell asleep last night. The soft, worn fabricdrapes over her curves, hem skimming her thighs. Her long blonde hair is tousled from sleep, catching the morning light and giving her an almost ethereal glow. But it's her eyes that truly captivate me. Those piercing green orbs that have seen too much, felt too much.

I can tell she's still reeling from everything that has happened, it all lingers in the shadows behind her eyes. Yet there's a steadiness to her now that wasn't there before. A quiet strength that makes my heart swell with pride and something deeper, something I'm not quite ready to name.

Vesper steps into the kitchen, her bare feet silent on the cool tile. She moves with a grace that belies the turmoil I know still churns within her. As she approaches, I can't help but drink in every detail. The way the shirt slips off one shoulder, revealing a tantalizing expanse of creamy skin. The subtle sway of her hips, the way she bites her lower lip, a habit I've come to recognize as a sign of her gathering courage.

She comes to me first, and I feel my heart rate quicken. Her hand reaches up, cupping my cheek, and I lean into her touch instinctively. Then she's on her toes, pressing her lips to mine in a kiss that's both tender and fierce. It takes all my willpower not to pull her closer to deepen the kiss.

But then she's pulling away, and I watch as she turns to Zaire. My brother's eyes are dark with desire, his body taut with anticipation. Vesper doesn't hesitate; she steps into his space and kisses him with the same intensity she kissed me. I see Zaire's hands twitch at his sides, clearly fighting the urge to grab her, to claim her.

As I watch Vesper and Zaire, something shifts inside me. The jealousy I felt earlier melts away, replaced by a profound sense of rightness. It's as if a puzzle piece I didn't even know was missing has suddenly clicked into place.

Vesper steps back from Zaire, her eyes darting between us, a mix of vulnerability and determination in her gaze. In that moment, I realize that Zaire was right. It doesn't matter if it's complicated. All that matters is her.

She needs us both. Not just for protection, not just for comfort, but for something deeper, something that defies the easy categorization. And I'm okay with that. More than okay.

Zaire's voice, low and tender, breaks the charged silence. "Are you hungry, moya koroleva?" he asks, the Russian rolling off his tongue.

Vesper nods, still looking a bit dazed, caught between sleep and wakefulness. Her stomach growls softly, and a faint blush colors her cheeks.

"I can cook," I offer, already moving towards the fridge. "How about some eggs and bacon? Maybe some of those blueberry pancakes you like?"

A small smile tugs at Vesper's lips, and she nods again, more enthusiastically this time. It's a simple thing but seeing that spark of joy in her eyes feels like a victory.

As I start pulling ingredients from the fridge, I hear the shuffle of feet in the hallway. Talon appears first, his brown hair a disheveled mess, eyes still heavy with sleep. He's followed closely by Alex, who looks marginally more awake but no less rumpled.

"Morning, lovebirds," Alex mumbles, his gaze taking in the scene before him. His eyes linger on Vesper, standing between Zaire and me, wearing nothing but my oversized shirt. A smirk plays at the corners of his mouth. "Quite the love V you've got going on here," he adds, gesturing vaguely in our direction.

Zaire's head snaps up, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

“What’s a Love V?” Vesper asks.

Alex starts to open his mouth, but a glare from Z shuts it quickly.

I watch as Zaire gently pulls Vesper onto his lap, his tattooed arms wrapping protectively around her waist. She settles against him with a contented sigh, her head resting on his shoulder.

As I turn back to the stove, flipping pancakes and stirring eggs, I catch Talon's gaze. His eyes are fixed on Vesper and Zaire, an unreadable expression on his face. There's something in the way he watches them, a mix of longing and resignation that makes me wonder what's going through his mind.

The kitchen fills with the sizzle of bacon and the rich aroma of coffee as I finish cooking. We gather around the table, plates piled high with food. For a moment, it almost feels normal, just a group of friends sharing breakfast. But the tension simmering beneath the surface is palpable.

I clear my throat, setting down my fork. "We need to talk about what happened yesterday," I say, my voice low but firm.

The mood shifts instantly. Vesper stiffens in Zaire's lap. Z’s arms tighten around her, his jaw clenching visibly.

"What's our next move?" Alex asks, leaning forward, his usual smirk replaced by a look of intense focus.

The question hangs in the air, heavy with implications. We all know the stakes. Vesper’s safety, the future of our families, the delicate balance of power we've been trying to maintain.

Suddenly, Talon pipes up, his voice cutting through the tension. "I think I might have an idea about that," he says, his brown eyes glinting with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

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