Page 208 of Rage

Darth stepped forward, his usual composed demeanor softening ever so slightly. His hands cradled my face with surprising tenderness, his icy-gray eyes locked on mine as he said, “Of course we can Firefly. I never imagined a day where I’d share the woman I love. But you’ve made us all willingly to bow to you in every way. There’s no strategy more important than spending the rest of my life making you happy.”

Cash’s large, calloused hands wrapped me in a protective embrace next, his scarred face pressed against my faux locs as he whispered, “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’ll spend the rest of my life proving I’m worthy of this relationship. I’ll protect you, always. For as long as I am breathing, no one will ever touch you.”

Seb’s quiet presence was magnetic as he stepped into my space. Taking my hands in his, he lifted them to his lips, his deep smoky-gray eyes holding a depth of emotion he rarely let others see.

“You’ve given me something I thought I could never have … a reason to dream again. I’ll be the shadow at your side, you’reforever dance partner. Always watching. Always protecting. Always making sure you feel alive.”

My arms were barely around Seb before Key pulled me into his embrace, his grin wide and his eyes shining with mischief and unrestrained joy. I giggled as he swept me into his arms and spun me around a bit before placing me back down.

His voice was soft, but the love in his words was unmistakable.

“I told you, didn’t I? That you’d make us all fall for you. But this is more than I ever dreamed of. You’ve given me a chance to love you, to love all of us. I promise you’ll never stop laughing, even when things get hard.” Whispering, he added, “Like I am now.”

I playfully hit him on his arm, relishing in all their words that felt more like vows on a wedding day we hadn’t had yet. My mind was reeling over the fact that the lonely little girl of my past was the same woman standing in this room right now with four men who loved her, a best friend who supported the relationship, a father who was teaching her that there was a such thing as a parent having unconditional love for a child, and a family so big, I needed to create a family tree just to remember my siblings and cousins.

To no one’s surprise, my father asked me to leave the room so that he could speak to the men alone. I couldn’t help but smile as I leaned against the wall outside of his office, in awe that only a few months ago, I wasn’t sure where my life was headed. Now, I couldn’t wait to see what else was in store.

“It’s good to see you like this.”

I glanced behind me at Jock, one of my father’s brothers who led his protection team. I’d never tell my other uncles this, but Jock was slowly becoming my favorite.

“Like what?” I asked.

“Happy,” he said, giving me a slight smile. “Being a Crowne agrees with you.”

“It does,” I smiled, looking back at the closed door. “So does being a Solomon.”

Uncle Jock laughed, shaking his head. “I told Pharaoh that those boys liked you. It took a while for him to wrap his head around it, but he got himself together quicker than I would have. He kinda had to when Cash let him know you’d be staying with them.”

My lips slightly parted in surprise. “Cash told my father I was living with him and his brothers before I did?”

Once again, Jock laughed, the bellowing sound bouncing against the walls. “Nyx, you’re a Crowne now and I’m guessing by the conversation Pharaoh is having, you’ll be a Solomon soon too.”

“That’s correct.”

“Then you already know that there ain’t shit that goes on in this city that my brother doesn’t know about. He’s respected the Solomon brothers since they were kids. Gained even more respect when they offed their own pops since he never liked that son of a bitch anyway. You’re in good hands with them. Neither your father nor any of us uncles would have even allowed you to step foot into their house if we didn’t trust them with you.”

I choked back my tears, unsure of how to respond. When the office door opened halting any unspoken words, Uncle Jock gave me a wink, told me he was proud of me, and headed into my father’s office.

“Ready to go home?” Darth asked as Cash draped an arm over my shoulder.

Home … with the Solomons. Is this even real life?

“Yeah, let’s go.”

On the way home, I sat in the back seat sandwiched between two of my favorite men as Seb scrolled on his phone throughhis list of new restaurants that he wanted us to try on one hand, while squeezing my thigh with his other.

Key was bolder with his hands as one cupped my breast and the other massaged my pussy through my jeans.

Yet, it was catching the stolen glances that Darth’s intense eyes shot my way as he drove, and Cash’s lustful gaze every time he cocked a head over his shoulder to watch what Key was doing to me that elevated my desire.

I used to think about the kind of woman I wanted to be. Strong, independent, unshakable. I prided myself on my ability to remain untouchable and keep my heart locked away because if my mom and that bastard I thought was my father had taught me anything, it was that opening your heart to love came with a shitstorm of heartache.

But the Solomon brothers—Darth, Cash, Seb, and Key—they broke me apart and put me back together, piece by jagged piece.

Darth taught me that love could be control masquerading as devotion. He played me like a master chess player, each move precise, while every word was a command cloaked in affection.

He forced me to confront my own weaknesses and acknowledge the strings he wrapped around me until I learned how to cut them myself. And yet, I couldn’t hate him for it. He made me sharper, harder. A woman who could stand toe-to-toe with a man who thinks he owns the gameboard.

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