Page 13 of Walker

I turn to look at him. His hand touches my chin, stroking gently. “Darlin, I can see that you’re nervous, if you want us to leave then we will,” he tells me point-blank.

My heart literally sinks at that prospect. I take both of their hands holding tightly. “Not at all, tonight has just been really bad for me. I don’t want to be alone and if I’m being honest, you make me feel safe,” I admit.

My face reddens at my admission, but it’s so true. Tonight, when I was face to face with Josh, I was incredibly scared. But I knew he couldn’t hurt me with both of them beside me.

Their eyes both darken at my admission. Darren squeezes my hand tighter not giving me the words but letting me know that he understands.

Walker pulls the blanket up, covering me up to my neck and pulling me into his side. God, the smell of him.

Darren rubs my back soothingly. I sigh and smile to myself because today was awful, but I’m ending it in such an amazing way.

Between the sound of the TV in the background and being surrounded by them, I’m asleep in minutes.

* * *

Darren

Walker and I don’t pay attention to the TV, our eyes on Summer asleep between us. She looks so small; it’s bringing out every protective instinct that I have.

Walker pushes her hair out of her face and I bring it around her shoulder and pull the blanket up higher to her shoulder.

“What a fucked-up night,” I whisper to Walker.

He rubs his face looking at her. “It was beyond fucked, she is too precious for shit like this to be happening to her.” He looks at me, his face serious. “I won’t let anything happen to her.”

“Neither will I.”

We share a look with each other, both of our minds spinning with the same thing.

“Together?” I ask.

He looks down at her, thinking it over. “Together.”

* * *

Summer

The Next Morning

* * *

I wake up to the sound of someone laughing in the next room. I open my eyes coming face to face with Darren.

God, he is so beautiful when he sleeps.

I lift my hand urging myself to touch him, to make sure he is real. I feel Walker stir behind me.

His hand wraps around my wrist. I hold my breath as he brings my hand to Darren’s face.

His eyes open and I’m hit with his piercing blue eyes. “Good morning, angel,” he tells me and Walker lets my hand go, moving to my hip.

I turn my head around and see Walker watching us both. I spin around and scoot closer to him. He made me bold with Darren, so I’m going to be bold with him.

I lean forward and rest my head on his chest and I let out a deep breath, feeling the intense warmth and safety he radiates.

His thick, tattooed arms wrap around me, his nose buried in my hair as he sucks in a deep breath.

I reach behind me and take ahold of Darren’s hand, pulling him closer to me so he is pressed against my back not wanting him to feel left out.

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