Page 106 of Beneficial Misfortune

One thing I do know for sure, though, is that she seems to have a few less-than-desirable people from her past who are threatening to make her run, and I can’t let that happen. I know Vince is going to protect her. That’s not only his job, but I get the feeling he likes her much more than he ever did Natasha. But some things are easier to discover when people leave a trail, and nothing on the internet is ever really gone. Thankfully, tech is what I’m good at.

It takes a little while, about a week. Carter tried really hard to cover his tracks, and I hit more than a few roadblocks, but there’s always a way around them. I’d had to reach out to one of Vince’s guys for help to get into some databases that were a little more well-protected than someone’s private PC, but they were happy to help.

Like legitimately excited.

In the end, it’s Trevor who gives everything away. His call log comes back a bit concerning, and I don’t need to be a genius to know my uncle, and Vince will want to know about this.

Chapter 33

After everything that happened with my apartment and then Trevor, the guys had been around a lot…

Like almost every day they were here, and even if one of them had to slip away to go to the office, they would be back as soon as possible. Oliver seemed to be the only exception, and even then, I saw him a lot more often than I had before, even if only in passing.

I love it, don’t get me wrong, but after a while, it went from sweet to almost suffocating. They weren’t just here because they wanted to be around me, though I hoped it was that, too. No, they were here so much because they were afraid to leave me alone. At first, I could see why they might think it necessary. I’d wanted to leave. I still kind of did when I thought about all the issues I was bringing with me and all the stress I was causing them. But they insisted it was something we could handle and that they would ensure it wasn’t a problem. I want to believe them, but them being here, out of the office every day because they were worried I would finally break or run, it wasn’t helping.

That didn’t say we could work through it together. So I made them go back.

Nathan had the balls to try to act surprised when I told him he couldn’t watch me every day. Too bad I wasn’t buying it. I’m not one of his little fangirls. He can’t just give me that dark, sexy look and expect me to eat out of the palm of his hands… At least not all the time.

Last night, there had been a lot of going back and forth about what he could and couldn’t do. The main one was him not skipping out on work because of me, which he was adamant he could do because it’s his company. The asshole is so full of himself without even trying to be arrogant; it’s exhausting.

But so was the sex after he agreed to go back to the office, back to what our normal was before Trevor. I didn’t want him to have any kind of sway in my life and how we lived. Of course, even after agreeing, Nathan had damn near demanded that Vince be around when they’re out.

Before, I would have been confused. Of course, he went with us. He’s the driver. How would we get anywhere without him? But after seeing how he handled Trevor, I get the feeling he’s not just their driver. I hadn’t asked, unsure how to approach the topic and also unsure if I really needed to know.

Vince, being there, might very well have saved my life or, at the very least, saved me from some more bruises. The ones on my arms have all but faded now, but I swear I can still feel them sometimes or see them when I look at myself in the mirror. But I’m not sure it would matter if they told me Vince was a trained assassin or something else crazy like that. All that matters to me is that he was there that day, that he came for me.

The same way I know he will be there for not only me, but Addison as well. I couldn’t even put up a fight when Nathan said his one requirement was for us to have him around. I don’t think Trevor will be an issue with me no longer at the school,especially since Nathan is pulling Addison from it. But Trevor or not, I trust Vince.

The side of the bed is cold when I roll over, but I’m not surprised. Nathan is a man of his word, and he had said he would go back to the office so long as we were in agreement about Vince, which we were.

It’s strange being alone in his room, but somehow being in his room isn’t. Nathan might have been a little more hesitant, but after our weekend together while the guys were gone for work a few weeks ago, I feel like something changed, almost as if it slipped into place. Now, it just feels right, and not just with him.

Desmond and Alex have found a way to slide into my bed, both together and alone, or even whisk me away to their rooms. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I was alone in my bed for the night, not that I want to be.

The house is quiet, almost too quiet, as I make my way downstairs and to the kitchen with only Ruby for company. Addison should be up soon, and for a moment, I debated waking her now just to help with the silence, but the need for caffeine wins out, and I decide against it.

It’s not until I’m seated at the island with a perfect cup of coffee that I notice the note sitting in the center, and a smile tugs at my lips. I’m not sure why, but the idea of a handwritten note makes me feel giddy. As I reach out to drag it over to me, I can’t stop my heart from picking up speed.

God, it’s like I’m a teenage girl with her first crush or first couple crushes, I guess.

My Queen,

Unfortunately, all of us were needed for a meeting today. Oliver will probably be the first one back around lunch, but Alex, Des, and I will probably be closer to dinner.

I roll my eyes after reading just the first half.

So much for ‘they don’t need me in the office, I can work from home for as long as needed.’ I knew he was so full of it.

Not to mention, I’d be surprised if Oliver came home early. With the way he usually avoids me, I wouldn’t be shocked if he decided to stay later to wait on them, if only to make sure he didn’t have to face me. I try not to let it bother me, especially since recently he’s been a little less flighty around me, but it still stings. I know it shouldn’t. I already have three amazing men, but I’ll be damned if Oliver doesn’t still invade my dreams, and it’s not just the sex ones anymore, either.

No, lately, my dreams have taken a more domestic turn. While I still have some that wake me up in need of a cold shower, the guys are often there to happily quench that need. Most of the time now, my dreams are full of laughter as we go on outings, much like the zoo, with all of us and maybe a few more.

I’d never thought of kids and a future like this before. People had often asked Carter and me when we were going to have kids, but I always had an excuse, and he never seemed to mind. Now I’m grateful for that. The last thing I would want is something that tied me forever to him. But I don’t have the same fear with these men. If anything, I find my dreams filled with children's laughter and tiny feet, my belly round. While I know it won’t happen any time soon, I can’t help but curse Nathan for bringing it up on our weekend away.

Dale is cooking today. You and Addison enjoy a day of relaxation, and if you should feel the need to go anywhere, remember, Vince stays with you.

Xoxo, Sir

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