Darkness cocoons us as they give directions to the driver.

“Where are we going?”

“Our place. Where it’s safe and free of any interruptions. We have a few things to discuss.”

Sweet, holy torture. No science class or computer skill ever prepared me for the dark, sinful promises in Maksym’s deep voice.

Agonizing anticipation hits me and I tremble.

India

Within seconds of stepping inside the limo, all of them shed their bow ties and jackets, tossing them aside. “Having second thoughts?” Tomas’ question brings my head around as he flicks on a dim light that fills the spacious interior of the limo.

The driver pulls out of my father’s driveway. I spy a blacked-out partition that keeps the driver’s prying eyes from us.

Second thoughts would mean I had any to begin with. Right now, I want to be numb to everything. Thacker, my brother, the pain and the damn code taking over my life.

“Second thoughts are the furthest thing from my mind right now.”

Maksym takes my hand in his larger one. “We have a few questions. What can you tell us about this Thacker?”

I watch the city pass over his shoulder as I consider my answer. Maksym is all business and I can see the banked fury in his eyes even in the dim confines of the limo. I’m pressed between both with Stefan sitting across from me and I have to say, Thacker is the last man on my mind.

I give them the billionaire’s backstory and his thoughts on what he wanted to do with me.

“You would think my father promised my hand in marriage to the man with how possessive he acts toward me. Every time my family throws one of these galas I’m stuck dancing with the man because my mother wants access to all his money for one charity or another. Somehow I think he translates that to having a direct line to owning me.”

Anger flashes in their eyes and I suddenly feel like I’ve thrown my mother into the lion’s pit.

I quickly move on. “Tonight, you stuck it to him.” I squeeze Maksym’s hand. “What you guys said tonight. I’ve wanted to say to his face forever. I guess I am just too scared to stir the waters. Thank you for sticking up for me,” I say feeling ashamed I could never do it for myself.

Tomas interlaces our fingers and presses our palms together.

My lips part as he finds the back of my hand.

“You never have to thank us for protecting you. You’re ours and that means you never have anything to fear.”

“A man who puts his hands on a lady without permission automatically needs a kick to the nut sack.”

I smile at Stefan. “Agreed,” I say breathlessly, liking the casual use of the wordoursmore than I should.

“I think she likes the sound of being ours.” Maksym, as if reading my mind, pulls me across the expansive leather seat to rest against his broad, muscular chest. The small movement makes my breasts pop forward and Stefan and Tomas’ hungry looks tell me they appreciate the view.

I’ve lived off my brains and high IQ all my life. Overthinking and rehashing every thought I have until I come up with the best approach is second nature. But right now, tonight I wish I had an off switch.

Maksym’s warm breath brushes against my neck as he nuzzles my ear and I groan, pressing my thighs together when his lips make first contact with tender flesh. He nips and licks his way down my neck and slips the strap of my dress off.

I don’t realize he’s undone the small tie around my neck until the slight movement causes the bodice to slip and my nipples pop free.

“Sweet fucking heaven,” he groans.

I whimper too shocked by the feel of finally having his kiss on my body again to do much else other than enjoy the moment.

Tomas slips his hand from mine. “Look how sweet she looks. Tender and ready to be thoroughly dirtied by her men.”

“I told you she would be sweeter after being away for so long.”

Tomas brushes my exposed nipple with the back of his knuckles and I arch into his touch with a whimper on my lips.