Page 266 of Tangled up in You

"We know this is a lot to take in," Rafe began, exchanging a quick glance with Marcel and Jude. "But we've had our eyes on you for a while now, Luna. Your aunt, she made us promise to not reveal our ties to your father until after she had passed. You don’t know who you are."

I shook my head in confusion. "I don't understand. I never knew my dad. I would have bet you didn't even know my name before last night."

Jude shook his head. "We've been waiting patiently. Your father was our father’s best friend. All we have built up. It’s part of your father’s legacy to you. Your aunt knew about it and made most of the major decisions in your father’s name. But you are his true heir."

Marcel nodded. “Last night, we meant to tell you before. Well, before everything blew up in our faces. We didn’t intend on seducing you. It just… happened.”

“You told me to strip?” I choked out. “You came to us,” Marcel replied simply. “I never thought you would go along with it. Not that I’m complaining, because I’m not.”

A frown creased my face as I spoke. "No, I ventured out into the storm to get away from you three and bid farewell to Finder’s Keep for good. I'm not sure how I ended up here. I must have driven for miles before being thrown off the road into that snowbank."

Jude glanced at Rafe, his concern evident as he carefully responded, "Luna, we are merely two miles from your house, just outside of town. You couldn't have traveled very far."

Nothing seemed to make sense to me. What were they discussing?

"Well, perhaps I got disoriented in the storm? It doesn't really matter. I just need to return to the cottage."

“You need to stay here with us,” Marcel demanded while his brothers gave him a censorious look.

"You're special, Luna," Rafe said gently. "You belong with us."

"You can't own a person," I exclaimed fervently.

"He misspoke," Jude responded swiftly. "We simply feel a connection and want you to feel the same. It seemed like you were on board last night."

Marcel took the lead. "We want to... share you."

My jaw dropped in astonishment.

"You mean, like... a... harem?" I whispered, barely audible.

"Not quite," Rafe clarified, switching to a different approach. "We want you to choose us. All of us. You're our... our..."

“You're the one who completes us,” Jude finally expressed. “Before last night we never thought there would be anyone for us. But you. You were perfect. Just think about it. Think about last night and think about how many more nights we could spend in each other's embrace.”

“It doesn’t make sense,” I insisted. “Why did my aunt caution me about you?”

“Our lifestyle isn’t the safest. Your Aunt Ruby knew better than most. She’d lost her nephew to this world and she didn’t want to lose you as well. We're not the type of men you typically introduce to your family,” Rafe explained. “We lead a challenging life on the wrong side of the law. Your aunt cared for you and wanted to ensure that you freely chose this path. We offer you that choice, Luna.”

“So, what will your decision be?” Marcel inquired.

CHAPTER 5

LUNA

As I sat there, my mind raced with questions and confusion, a sense of fear creeping in. These three men were asking me to make a life-altering decision in just a few minutes. Despite the whirlwind of emotions, I couldn't deny the inexplicable pull I had felt towards them for years.

Taking a deep breath, I gazed at each of them in turn. Marcel's dark eyes held a fierce determination, Rafe's insistent gaze exuded sincerity and conviction, and Jude's piercing stare hinted at an intense and intriguing depth.

However, as much as I desired to embrace their proposal and choose all of them, I knew deep down that it wasn't a decision I could make lightly. My aunt had instilled in me the values of strength and independence, and the idea of being shared by three men contradicted everything she had taught me.

"I need time," I finally managed to voice after what felt like an eternity of silence. "I can't make this decision right now."

Marcel's expression tightened, but he nodded in understanding. "Of course," he replied calmly. "We don't want to pressure you into anything."

Rafe offered me a reassuring nod. "Take all the time you need, Luna," he said softly. "You deserve to have agency in this decision."

Jude remained silent, his intense gaze fixed on me, evoking feelings of vulnerability and safety simultaneously.

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