Page 4 of The Heart

I smile back.

Ryan Chen was one of the first people that we hired when I became co-owner of the company and we decided to expand. His background in not only tech and surveillance, but also in computer hacking and private investigative work, meant he was the best for the job. He’s thirty-four, the same age as Sebastian and Luke, so he has plenty of experience. Pair that with the fact that the guys worked with him on the police force and they already trust him, made him an easy hire. He’s as nerdy as they come, smart as hell, and as sweet as can be. I’ve truly enjoyed working with him over the past few months and would consider him one of my closest friends.

I take a deep breath. “You’re right. I’m just… this feels… strange,” I say, fidgeting with my necklace.

My necklace.I hold the three delicate rose gold hoops lovingly between my fingers. I’m still not sure if Luke realized the sentiment behind this particular gift when he gave it to me that day we fled the safehouse. Hell, they hardly knew me back then, but I like to think that he did. There’s no doubting what it means to me now.

What it means tous.

I never take it off. Even when we’re apart, it’s a constant reminder of the unspoken promise we made to one another. Of our love for each other. Never could I have imagined falling in love this hard, this quickly.

Let alone withtwomen.

It hasn’t even been six months since that day in the warehouse when we admitted to each other that what we had was more than just sex, but it already feels like we’re a family. My thoughts begin to wander to the life we have together. All the little moments, the nights we spend wrapped up in each other’s bodies instead of sleeping. I’m in a constant daze from how much I can love them.

How much they love and care about me.

“He’s going to murder you. You know that, right?” Ryan says, breaking me from my reverie.

“Huh?” I ask, trying to focus on the question.

“Seb hasn’t seen that dress yet, has he?” He gestures to my whole ensemble.

“No, neither of them have seen the dress.” I quirk a smile.

“Yeah, well, don’t come crying to me when this doesn’t go over well.” He raises his eyebrows pointedly before turning back to the screens.

Ava looks amused, and so am I.

Sebastian is going to be pissed.

As much as my men enjoy seeing me naked, they don’t share.Well…except with each other. I know that the sight of me in a skin-tight silk dress, with no back and a neckline that goes clear down to my navel, in a room full of people isdefinitelynot going to go over well with either of them. I’ll be surprised if Sebastian doesn’t murder half the room tonight.

I smile at that.

This is going to amuse the hell out of me.

What’s a party without a drop-dead gorgeous dress, sexy high heels and the potential to piss off the people you love?

—

“That’s quite the dress, boss lady,” Colton says discreetly when I step through the large double doors. I make my way toward him and into the grand entryway where our team set up the security checkpoint that all guests must go through before they’re allowed into the party.

I try not to stare, but I can’t help but take in the sight of my best friend in that suit. I’m sure it cost way more than necessary for this particular occasion, and it’s clearly been tailored to fit around his massive biceps. His wavy brown hair is pulled back in a less messy man-bun than usual, and his green eyes practically sparkle when he looks at me. But it’s his ridiculous smirk that has me involuntarily chuckling.

“You better watch where you’re putting those eyes,asshole,” I say, giving him an amused, yet reprimanding look as I hand him my clutch along with my photo ID. He pretends to look at it, then hands it back to me, switching off the metal detector nearly imperceptibly before I step through. We need anyone standing around to assume I’m just another guest at this party.

“I’d much rather watch all the places I put my hands,” he says, his gaze blatantly trailing over me. “But unfortunately, I don’t have a death wish. I also like these hands and my dick attached to my body, so I guess we’re at an impasse,” he breathes out his displeasure and I can’t help but smile. I shake my head, looking up at him.

“You’re an HR nightmare. You know that, right?”

“Whatever gets me in your dreams, boss lady.” He winks.

“Thank you,Fisher,”I say, drawing out his last name to point out thatwe’re working.I start walking away, but before I can, he gently grabs my arm, leaning in closer than my friend andemployeeprobably should.

“Sure thing,Hart.Enjoy the party,” he whispers before straightening and tapping his earpiece. “Mama Bird has landed. I repeat. Mama Bird has landed. Over.”

“Shut the fuck up, Fisher,” I hear Sebastian respond. As gruff as he sounds, I know him well enough to hear the amusement hidden in his tone.

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