Page 19 of Battle King (Princes of Devil's Creek 4)

As if I weighed nothing, Marcello carried me up to his bedroom on the fourth floor. Each of us still had our own space, but once a week, we slept together. It was one of the vows they made to me.

Even Luca.

I rarely slept in my bedroom. Each night, I took turns with my husbands. Bastian and Damian stole most of my time. And on their nights, I got both of them.

Damian wasn't as plagued by his nightmares as he used to be, so it was easier for us to sleep together. And he couldn't seem to stay away from us, anyway.

When we entered Marcello's bedroom, I took in every detail of the mural on his wall. A smile pulled at my lips every time I looked at his work. Marcello was so talented but afraid to share his gift with the world.

He painted the Greek underworld with a man at the center of the skull and fire landscape. His head lowered to the ground, dark waves falling in front of his eyes. The man had snakes wrapped around his legs, which slithered up his arms. A king cobra sat on his shoulder with its long tongue hanging out.

"I can't wait to see what you paint on our child's wall." I smiled as his blue eyes locked onto mine. "Sofia's room looks like a fairy tale. And the twins are going to grow up feeling like superheroes."

Marcello set me on the bed and moved between my legs. He put his hand on my big belly. "After I put my baby inside you, we can figure out what's right for our child."

"Sounds like a plan."

He pinned my back to the mattress with his hand between my thighs. "We don't have a lot of time together. I'm not wasting a second. So be my good girl and come for me."

ChapterNine

ALEX

After Marcello made love to me, it was time for him to leave.

The moment I dreaded.

Marcello held me in his arms and kissed my lips. “I’ll be home before you realize I’m gone.”

“That’s not possible. I miss you every time you leave for a mission.”

I hated when he walked out that door to risk his life for others. But, he was my superhero, and it was in Marcello’s nature to help people.

Years ago, he saved me.

I often wondered if I would have gotten through the most challenging times with my husbands if not for Marcello. When I wanted to leave, he made me stay. I couldn’t imagine my life without him in it.

“I’ll be fine, princess.”

Luca stepped between us and clutched Marcello’s shoulder, steering him away from us. He lowered his voice as he spoke, the pair inching toward the SUV.

Damian moved behind me as if on cue and wrapped his arms around me. “Marcello knows what he’s doing.”

“I know.” I leaned my head back on his chest. “But I hate that he has to leave.”

“You get upset when one of us goes into town,” Bastian pointed out. “It’s okay, Cherry. Your hormones are playing tricks on you.”

That was probably true.

“I want to tie you up later.” Bastian tugged on my curls. “So does Damian.”

I licked my lips. “That sounds fun.”

Marcello and Luca walked toward us, wearing stern expressions. Luca wore a three-piece designer suit, making him look even more powerful.

He was the leader of our family.

I felt safe knowing he accounted for every variable. But even when Luca assured me this would all work out, I still couldn’t allow myself to believe it. I had a gut feeling something terrible was going to happen.

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