Page 27 of Shelter (The Wanderers 4)

It was Bray who tipped Haley’s chin back and met her gaze. “I knew from the moment I met you at the altar that you were special and I would fall hard for you. I know that’s not how it generally works, but a piece of my heart was yours from that first moment.”

A tear fell down Haley’s cheek.

Bray glanced at Riggs. “I’m quite certain Riggs felt the same way even though we didn’t speak of it at the time. I heard the hitch in his breath at my back and felt the sway of his body as he stepped closer and brushed against me.”

Riggs nearly buckled now at the memory and the fact that Bray had known.

Bray shifted his gaze to Storm. “When did you know?” he asked, offering a small smile.

Storm smirked. “You didn’t fall for her until she reached the altar?” he joked. “I had ten minutes on you. I met her first before she headed down the aisle.”

Riggs chuckled. Leave it to Storm to one-up them.

Bray groaned. “The point is I have no more right to claim you than Storm or Riggs, but I know I speak for all of us when I say you are our world. We will protect you and get you out of this mess. You have our word.”

More tears trickled down her cheeks.

Riggs held his breath as he watched Bray stroke the tears away and then graze his thumb over her lips. He held her gaze for long seconds before finally leaning down to take her lips in a kiss.

As far as Riggs knew, this was their first kiss. Based on the way her breath hitched and her body trembled, he felt confident he was correct. Before this moment, Bray had not taken anything from his woman whom he graciously admitted was not his alone. He’d waited to share this intimate contact with the rest of his family unit.

Riggs stepped closer, still gripping her neck. He set his forehead against her temple, bringing them even closer.

Storm palmed the small of her back and did the same on her other side.

Their breath mingled as Bray gave Haley the sweetest kiss. Tasting, licking, nibbling. It wasn’t hurried or demanding. It was slow and precious.

When he pulled back, Riggs angled her head toward him and claimed her swollen lips himself, loving the whimper that escaped her mouth as she kissed him with the same passion she’d shared with Bray.

Riggs could have kissed her for an hour, but he stopped himself and slid his hand down to cover Storm’s as she turned to face the third man in her life.

Riggs’s heart felt lighter and he smiled as he watched Storm cup her face and claim her also. More soft and gentle. More of exactly what she deserved. No matter what that test indicated, he wanted her to know it didn’t matter. She was adored by three men and always would be.

As Storm released her, he was panting.

“It’s time,” Braylon stated.

“I’ll go,” Storm decided, breaking free of the group to stride across the room.

While he stared at Storm’s back, Riggs held his breath just like he had that day behind the laundry bin.

For a long moment, Storm didn’t move, and then he slowly turned around and came back to them. His jaw was set tight. His face was flushed.

Riggs’s heart was pounding as he waited for the words none of them wanted to hear.

Storm gathered Haley in his arms and kissed the top of her head. “We won’t raise a child in this world. I promise. We’ll get out of here as fast as we can manage it.”

Riggs was choked up but not surprised.

Braylon stared at Haley’s back as if he wasn’t sure what to do. Riggs understood. He too had no idea what to say or do. Thank God Storm was comforting Haley.

A fire was suddenly burning under Riggs’s feet. He made a silent promise to all of them that they would get out of here as soon as possible. Storm had spoken the words out loud, but Riggs would need to get his rear in gear to make sure it happened.

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