I knew I sort of did in the bathtub back in California, but I could be strong now.
I could be strong for all of them.
My bottom lip trembled, and I turned my face to the side until I partially hid it in Damien’s shirt.
Someone had brought it to him before we got out of the car.
It fitted him well, but I craved the feel of his skin.
I couldn’t wait to get into bed tonight. To just hold him close.
“It’s okay, pet. I’m okay,” he said softly.
I could only nod.
He was okay.
Once the elevator doors opened to the penthouse, Nikolay grabbed my hand and led me to my room. I looked back at Damien, who was watching me with an unreadable look in his eyes.
“Mikhail’s going to help him get ready for bed, princess. Why don’t you get ready yourself, and you can sleep with him tonight.”
I looked up and met his green eyes before I mutely nodded and let him bring me straight to the bathroom.
Nikolay got in the shower with me.
I placed my hand on his heart.
I had been so worried about getting Damien out, it only now hit me that both Nikolay and Mikhail could have been taken away from me.
What would I have done if I lost any of them?
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
Nikolay seemed to understand what I was trying to say because he nodded and pulled me close, letting the water rain down over us.
“I still can’t believe you fucking snuck out and got to the barn. How the hell did you even pull that off?”
I shrugged. I wasn’t going to tell him anything.
His jaw clenched. “I should have fucking tied you up.”
I glared up at him. It was a good thing he didn’t because while they were busy fighting off the bad guys, I was the one who got to Damien in time.
He closed his eyes and tilted his head down. I waited for him to open them and look at me, but when he didn’t do that, I cupped his cheek.
Nikolay turned his face to the side and kissed the inside of my palm.
His eyes slowly cracked open as water continued to fall on us. I focused on a single droplet hitting his forehead and sliding down to the tip of his nose.
“We could have lost you. What would I do if we lost you, huh?” he asked.
My lips trembled at the pain in his voice. “You would be lost,” I answered. “Just as I was lost without Damien. Just as I would be lost without you and Mikhail. I love you.”
The look in his eyes told me he hadn’t expected me to answer.
Then he snaked his arms around my waist and pulled me in until my chest was pressed in against his, my nipples pebbling against the feel of his warm skin.
I couldn’t even remember the last time I had felt even an inkling of arousal, but I could feel it now, slowly building from my center.