Page 80 of Undying Resilience

“When do you need an answer by?” I ask.

“Tomorrow afternoon, preferably.”

“I’ll talk to the others.”

I don’t bother saying goodbye, ending the call and rushing to catch up with the others. Right now, the only thing I care about is the three of them. Ludo can wait.

In Rhett’s room, I find Oliver sitting on the bed with Wren in his lap. He’s kissing her softly, and she’s holding onto him so tightly I wonder if it hurts. Out of all of us, these two are the most openly affectionate—probably because they’re the ones who need affection the most. Seeing them give it to each other so freely warms my heart.

I can hear water running in the bathroom, so Rhett must be taking a shower. Understandable. I’d want to wash Jordan off of me, too.

Wren pulls away from Oliver and immediately spots me. Then she smiles. “You look happy, Ell.”

“I am.”

Gently, I lower myself onto the bed next to them. When Oliver cranes his neck toward me, I brush my fingers along his jaw before kissing him. Then I kiss Wren, wrapping one arm around her and my other around Oliver. When we pull away, my heart is so full I can’t help the huge grin that takes over my face. Now all I need is for Rhett to get his ass out of the shower so I can have all three of them in my arms.

“Who was on the phone?” Oliver asks.

“We’ll talk about it later.” I kiss him again, harder than before.

Since we got Oliver and Wren back, I haven’t been able to get enough of him. I was terrified I’d never see him again, that he’d die before I got another chance to hold him or kiss him or see his eyes light up when he laughs. So I’ve kept him as close as I can. I’ve had to share him with Rhett and Wren, but I’ve hogged him a little. I was just so damn scared.

“Hey. Ell, hey. We’re okay.” Wren strokes her hand down my back soothingly.

When I pull away, I realize I’m shaking. “Fuck. I’m never letting you two out of my sight again.”

Oliver laughs. “That might be a little inconvenient.”

“I don’t care,” I say firmly. And then I kiss him again, gripping the back of his shirt. After a minute, I move to Wren, pausing for a second at the soft concern in her eyes. I do my best to kiss it right out of her. They both have entirely too much anxiety to be worried about me.

I’ll be okay. As long as I don’t lose any of you.

When we break off our kiss, we realize Rhett is standing in the bathroom doorway with only a towel wrapped around his waist. All three of us stare at him for a second too long, and he smirks.

“C’mere,” Wren says, reaching out to him.

He sits on the other side of her and Oliver, wrapping his arms around them like I am. Wren ends up cocooned between the three of us, and she sighs contentedly, relaxing into our embrace.

“Thank you,” she whispers. “For everything. For saving me, for taking care of me, for being so understanding.” She shifts in Oliver’s lap so she can look at Rhett. “And for killing him. For killing all of them.”

Rhett tightens his arms around her and Oliver, leaning down and kissing her at the same time. “I’d do it again.” He leaves a kiss on her jawbone. “And again.” Another on her neck. “And again.” Then her shoulder. “As many times as it takes, sweetheart.”

Tears spring into her eyes, but she blinks them back. “I know.”

We all hold each other tightly. It’s been multiple days since we brought Wren and Oliver home, but now that we’ve dealt with Jordan, I feel like I can finally relax. I know Rhett feels the same way, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Oliver and Wren do, as well.

Speaking of Wren, she seems more relaxed than I expected. She said she wants all of us, but it was in the heat of the moment. If she wants to back out, I want to make sure she knows we won’t get upset.

“Ell, I’m fine,” she says, and it takes me a second to realize my thoughts must be written on my face. “I trust you. All of you. There’s no reason for me to be scared.” She turns to look at Oliver, her gaze softening. “No reason at all,” she murmurs, running her fingers over his lips.

“Kiss me, princess,” Oliver whispers.

She does, tangling her hands in his hair. He grips her waist, groaning into her mouth and letting her maneuver his head to the angle she wants. When she releases him, her eyes are unfocused, glazed over with want and need.

“Now you two kiss,” Wren says, glancing between me and Rhett.

The last thing I’d ever do is deny these three anything. So when Rhett grabs the back of my neck and yanks me toward him, I kiss him with the same ferocity that’s burning in his eyes. He bites my lip so hard I taste blood, so I do the same to him, releasing Wren and Oliver and grabbing his shoulders. When I dig my fingers into his skin, he lets out a grunt of pleasure.

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