Page 16 of Adored By 3

“You’ve barely looked at me since Friday, Chase. I thought we were doing well.” I whisper. “Is it mafia stuff? Is it ... is it guy stuff I won’t understand.”

“Where’s Hunter?”

“The mansion.”

“Lief?”

I shrug. “He doesn’t tell me where he’s working ... ever.”

Chase nods then sits next to me. He opens his mouth to say something, hesitates, then kisses me slowly, softly, like he’s easing me into the passion that’s normally immediate between us.

He draws back and I just keep staring at him.

Chase exhales. “I love you.”

“I love you too and I’m so worried about you, Chase.”

“I was hoping youwouldn’tworry if I didn’t tell you.”

“I’m very good at worrying.” I take his hands in mine and hold them in my lap. “I’m worried about Lief who’s been more withdrawn. I’ve seen Hunter really trying to handle himself. He opened up more about Vanya and his childhood in counseling. And then you’ve just been a ghost. When you avoid me, I feel like I’ve done something wrong.”

“No, Valerie.” Chase scoots closer. “You’ve done nothing wrong. I’m just fighting a battle on your behalf.”

“Let me fight with you, in my own way ... the weaponless, mental way.”

He smiles and kisses me again. “I love you.”

“Stop stalling, please.”

“My Dad isn’t satisfied with you behaving and staying away from the mansion. He has this idea of throwing a ball and announcing me as his successor.”

“Holy old-school.”

“I know.”

“I’ve tried to get out of it, but I will need the connections. Unfortunately, they’re all old traditional men who are still nervous about anyone un-American.”

I blink a few times. Traditional. Old school .... “Oh.”

“My father believes that if any of them see you with Hunter or Lief, or if they see or learn that the three of us are together, it will be grounds to terminate the relationship,” Chase says softly.

“I see.”

“And he was all too happy to remind me that Hunter and I are in the public eye. We’ve been rich bachelors until recently.” Chase squeezes my hand. “And we’re in the mafia eye too. He says simplicity is key to longevity and nothing about our relationship – as you pointed out on Friday – is simple.”

I lean my head on his shoulder. “So you have me on your arm for the event and Hunter and Lief have to behave or I’m not there at all and ... and women throw themselves at you?”

Chase nods.

“And that’s why you got mad on Friday?”

“Remembering how eager men your age are to sweep you off your feet made me feel even less .... right for you,” Chase admits. “They could show you off without fear. There wouldn’t be any danger to you. None of this complex bullshit. I just feel ... like I’m not good enough.”

I slide onto Chase’s lap and kiss him slowly. “You are more than good enough. You are wonderful to me.”

He has to talk between our kisses. “But I ... So many issues .... so complicated.”

“I don’t mind complicated,” I pant, then tug at his button-up shirt. “and Iloveyou.”

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