Page 261 of Tangled up in You

But then, a miracle occurred. Ethel spun past the trees and collided with a massive snowbank. The impact rattled me, but at least the airbags didn't deploy, right? Then I considered Ethel's age and doubted whether the old girl even had airbags, let alone basic safety features.

With a final sputter, Ethel fell silent, her engine dead. My heart pounded against my chest. I attempted to restart her—nothing. Branches tapped against the windows, teasing us with icy fingers, but we were safe...for now.

I peered out into the raging storm. I found myself outside of town in an unfamiliar area. Dimly visible through the swirling snow, two grand pillars marked the entrance to an estate of some sort. Surely, the owner must be home. Perhaps I could use a phone, or at least seek refuge from the storm? I hadn't realized how cold it was until the sound of my own chattering teeth reached my ears. Much as it had back at my aunt’s cottage. I was a fool to ever have left it.

I faced a choice: stay in the car and risk freezing to death, or venture into the unknown. Grabbing my dead phone and duffel bag, I slid across the seat to exit through the passenger side door, as my side was currently engaged in an icy embrace with Iceland, aka the snowbank from hell.

Approaching the gates, I reached for the intercom, but before I could press it, a loud buzzer sounded, and the gates swung open on their own. Trying to ignore the sense of foreboding, I gazed ahead at the grand, sprawling estate. It seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, like a sanctuary hidden from the outside world. The flickering light of a warm fire spilled through the window, casting an inviting glow on the fresh snow. Relief washed over me, temporarily overriding the fear and adrenalinethat had coursed through my veins just moments before. I let out a shaky exhale, grateful for this unexpected turn of events.

The snow crunched under my boots as I made my way towards the home. The wind howled as if to warn me away, but I was past caring. I had to get out of the storm, and besides, what choice did I have? I couldn't very well spend the night in my car, waiting for help that might not ever arrive.

"Come on," I muttered to myself, "let's see if these people are decent. Ruby, it's your turn to work some magic from the other side."

As I approached the entrance, the massive wooden doors swung open, revealing a grand foyer adorned with antique furnishings and a crackling fireplace. The warmth enveloped me, chasing away the chill of the storm outside.

"Hello?" I called out tentatively, my voice echoing through the vast space. There was no immediate response, but a sense of peace settled over me as I took a step further into the welcoming embrace of the estate. Looking behind me, I could barely make out my tracks in the blizzard, and my car was completely hidden from sight. I closed the door, shutting out the storm and any thoughts of returning to my vehicle. The choice had been made.

As I ventured deeper into the mansion, I couldn't help but marvel at the opulence surrounding me. It was a stark contrast to the desolate landscape outside. The sound of my footsteps on the polished marble floors seemed to echo through the silence of the grand halls. I was getting snow everywhere, but I was too damn cold to care.

Suddenly, a door creaked open, and a figure appeared in the dimly lit corridor. A woman, elegant and poised, regarded me with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Welcome," she said, her voice soft yet commanding. "You must be in need of shelter from the storm. Please, come in. You are safe here."

Relief flooded through me as I followed her deeper into the mansion, grateful for the unexpected refuge that fate had provided. She led me to a sitting room, with the warm fire I’d first spied from outside.

“Please,” the older woman said. “Warm yourself by the fire. I will bring you something to eat.”

She had to be an angel sent from above. I immediately took her up on the suggestion going straight to the fire and sticking my hands as closely as I dared without getting burned. Then snorting at my own stupidity, I yanked off the sodden gloves so that the heat could get to my fingertips.

I’d dropped my duffel bag somewhere between the door and the fire. Turning back to see where it had landed, I caught someone staring at me from the shadows of the room.

A stifled scream escaped my lips as I wobbled on my knees in front of the fire. “You startled me,” I gasped. That's when I spotted them—all of them. Their faces partially hidden by the shadows, but I recognized them instantly. The Eliasson brothers. Rafe, Marcel, and Jude. They each stared at me with an intensity that could rival the flames of the fire.

"What—" I began, but the words caught in my throat. “What are you doing here?”

Rafe, the oldest, rose to his feet, his movements predatory. "You’re late, Luna. We’ve been expecting you," he drawled, flashing a smile that sent ice down my spine.

"B-but... " I couldn't finish the sentence. This situation was precisely what I had intended to avoid. I got to my feet, spinning around so that I could see them better. What an idiot! How had I missed them before?

Marcel, the middle brother, chuckled. His gaze roamed over me in a way that made my stomach flip. He missed nothing.How could I feel so exposed when I was completely dressed?

Rafe had come closer, I could smell the dark sinful cologne and something purely male. It had my senses on overdrive. "You don’t think we’d let you get away, little moon,” he drawled. “Not without coming to see us?”

The third brother, Jude, remained silent, toying with a knife in his hands, his eyes never leaving mine.

The realization hit me, like a slap in the face. They had been expecting me. It didn’t make sense. If the brothers had arranged for me to meet them in town, why were they waiting on me here? Was I that predicable? The thought was humbling.

I felt as if we were in a game, and they were ten spaces ahead of me. Only I didn’t have a rule book or any idea what the end goal was. The Eliasson brothers held all of the cards.

"W-what do you want from me?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"You, Luna, are here to repay a debt, " Rafe purred, taking another step towards me. I could touch him if I reached my arm out.

“I don’t owe you anything,” I replied with more bravado than I truly felt.What debt?My mind raced, trying to make sense of their cryptic words. Aunt Ruby never mentioned owing anyone anything, let alone these monsters. Reluctantly I had to concede that Ruby had been involved in things I’d had no part in. Who knew what promises she’d made? Would they try and ruin her name? Ruby was gone, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t do anything to protect her, even if it was her reputation alone.

I glanced down and noticed that Rafe’s pants were tented in the front. He was feeling the intense desire that was also blossoming in my belly. I knew it was wrong to feel this way about these three brothers.What kind of masochist was I?Even when being threatened, I was turned on. Only a whore would want to fuck three brothers at the same time. It was a filthy thought that I knew would only bring me heartache.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, slowly backing away but stopping when I realized how close I’d been to stepping in to the fire.

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