Page 81 of Demise

“Can we go? I need to go.”

He nods. “We’ve made our appearance. That’s all that matters. C’mon,” he says as he laces our hands together, leading me through the throngs of people.

Liam and Wesley both catch my eye, and I watch as they both dismiss the people they are talking to before they begin following us. When we are all outside of the house, waiting for the valet, Asher speaks quietly to them.

“I’m taking my wife home for the night.”

They both nod their understanding, handing the valet their tickets as well when Asher’s car pulls up. He tips the valet driver and opens my door for me before climbing into his own seat. I look out the window, seeing sympathetic looks on Liam and Wesley as Asher pulls away and makes our way home.

Somehow, Liam and Wesley beat us home. As soon as Asher parks, Wesley is at my door while Liam reaches for my hand. I take it as I walk numbly into the house before settling in on the couch. Liam crawls behind me, pulling me into his lap as Asher and Wesley sit on either side of me. We all sit in silence for several minutes before Liam speaks.

“Are you okay?”

I shrug. “It’s our life, right? First Ronan. You and Vincent will be next. I’m sure Christopher is already plotting for Wesley,” I say bitterly with a shake of my head. “It’s what I get for falling for five men, right?”

“Hey,” Wesley says as he squeezes my hand. “One day at a time. There are ways for us to stay together.”

“Like what?” I ask. “You guys come over here after work, get a quick screw in before you go home to your wife and kids?”

Liam’s face twists up at that as he forces my head back to make eye contact with him.

“You know it wouldn’t be like that.”

I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know what to think, what to expect. I just…” I pause, my voice catching. “She’s awful,” I say as tears begin pouring down my face.

Liam holds me closer to him, shushing me softly as the sound of the door opens and closes.

“Baby?” Ronan calls out. “Baby, where are you?”

Asher’s jaw clenches, but it’s Wesley who stands up, intercepting him before he can reach the couch.

“It’s not a good time,” Wesley says.

“What did she say to you?” Ronan asks. “She was bragging to me, telling me she had a little chat with you.”

Before I respond, the door opens and closes again, Vincent stepping into the room. As soon as he sees me, his body goes rigid but I spring out of Liam’s lap and run to him. I jump into his arms, and he catches me midair, burying his head into my neck as he grips the back of my hair and inhales.

“Fuck, I’ve missed you. What’s wrong, siren?”

His gravelly voice gives me a comfort completely unique to him, and I cherish it, burrowing in deeper against him as I sob. He rocks me gently before turning to face the guys.

“What happened?”

“Ronan’s engagement party was tonight,” Liam says with a heavy breath.

“The fuck?” Vincent snaps.

“It was a last minute thing. Christopher told me about it this morning,” Ronan defends.

“And apparently, Ronan’s bitch fiancée said some shit to Sky,” Asher continues.

Vincent forces my head away from his chest, holding eye contact with me as he speaks.

“What did she say, siren?”

I shake my head. “That I could never be enough for Ronan. That she knows I have a ‘crush’ on him and that I could never compare to her. She also said they fucked this afternoon after I left. Showed me fingerprint bruises on her ass cheeks and everything,” I smile weakly.

“What?” all of the guys snap, staring at Ronan with murder in their eyes.

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