Page 438 of Filthy Elites

He didn’t know the half of it. But he also didn’t know how much joy I’d found here that I couldn’t imagine getting anywhere near back in Paradise Bend.

Besides, I was pretty sure what he wasreallymost concerned about was keeping a tight leash on me and my skills, which I’d just proven were even more valuable than he’d expected.

“I think it’s time I spread my wings a little,” I said lightly. “We’ve talked about this. It’ll be good for me to establish connections of my own and broaden the Nobles reach that way. If you ever need me for a job, all you’ve got to do is give me a call.”

My success at uncovering the rot inside the Hell Kickers had also made it impossible for him to argue that I couldn’t hold my own. He hummed noncommittally but couldn’t actually offer up any solid reasons why I should come back into the fold. He was smart enough to realize that as long as I wasn’t outright defying him on any essential matter, having a happy ally was more important than having that ally nearby.

“If anything goes sideways, don’t hesitate to reach out to me,” he said.

“I know you’ve got my back.” I just couldn’t be totally sure he wouldn’t be standing there fitting a collar around my neck if I gave him the chance. “I’ll stop by just to visit regularly too.”

I wanted to keep an eye on Wylder, make sure Ezra wasn’t pushing my nephew too hard now that he’d lost his grip on both his older son and me. The kid needed to have someone around who’d havehisback without any alternate agenda.

Just seconds after I’d hung up, my second phone—the one I’d set up for my new line of work—pinged with an incoming text. I swapped it for my regular phone, glancing at the message.

I hear you deal in accidents and illnesses.I may have a job for you.

Another smile tugged at my lips. With the help of the Rosano brothers, I’d been surreptitiously getting word out on the streets that for anyone who needed help of the subtle variety, either committing a crime they didn’t want to look like a crime or investigating a supposed accident that they thought mightnotbe one, I was the new resident expert. I’d already handled a couple of jobs that’d covered my hotel stay and the deposit I’d need for this apartment.

“Looks like I’ve got another client,” I told the men, waggling the phone. “Business is picking up!”

“Soon you’ll be queen of New York City,” Felix teased, moving in to nuzzle my neck. “I love watching you get down to work.” He paused, his body going still next to mine, and pulled back just far enough to meet my eyes. His gaze seemed to search mine for a moment before he said, “I loveyou.”

My breath caught in my throat. Then Darius was giving his brother a light cuff to the shoulder, scowling at him. “Leaping in ahead of everyone like always. Can’t youevercut us a break?”

“Obviously we shouldn’t have expected anything else,” Lucan said with a bemused shake of his head.

I looked around at the three of them. “What are you talking about?”

“We weregoingto say it all together,” Darius growled, shooting another half-hearted glower at Felix before turning to me. His expression softened. “Pick out a necklace or a bracelet or something as a symbol…”

“A ring seems too obvious when you want to keep things quiet,” Lucan put in.

Tears pricked at the back of my eyes with the wave of emotion that swept through me, but there was nothing but joy in them. “I don’t need a symbol,” I said. “What matters is that I haveyou. I love you too, all of you.”

“Good,” Darius grumbled playfully, tugging me away from Felix into his own arms. “Because it’s been enough trouble falling for you. If you didn’t feel the same way, I’d just give up on saying it to anyone.”

I nudged him with my elbow. “You haven’t actually said it yet.”

He huffed and bowed his head next to mine. His breath tickled over my ear when he spoke. “I love you, Lady Noble. You’re it for me, in case that wasn’t obvious.”

Lucan grasped my hand. “And for me. I loved you when I was seventeen, and I only love you more now that I’ve seen the woman you’ve become.”

As Felix eased in to enclose me completely in a circle of heat, my phone chimed with another text. The youngest Rosano brother nipped my earlobe. “Put the asshole clients off for an hour or two. You don’t want to look too available. And I believeweneed to christen your new digs.”

I snorted, but I couldn’t stop myself from beaming at the same time. “I haven’t even signed the lease yet.”

“But you will,” Darius said. “I think Felix has exactly the right idea.”

As he sought out my lips and Lucan slipped his arm around my waist, I decided itwasa pretty good idea. A moment like this deserved a celebration with the men I’d fallen for, the men I was staying for.

Possibly for the first time in my life, the ground beneath my feet felt perfectly solid. And as long as I had them standing with me, that ground stretched out toward all kinds of horizons I couldn’t wait to claim as my own.

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