Page 181 of Filthy Royal

He’d have to find a way past his resentments and old habits because there was no question: both these Alphas would be in Scarlett’s life forever, and since that was where he intended to be, too, he’d do whatever it took.

Forever and always.

“Do you think they’re always this touchy-feely?” Anya slipped beneath his arm, leaning into his frame. Because while she might be a badass, a hellion, and a troublemaker, she was also very sweet and a fan of cuddling. “I thought cage fighters were just grunting, unfeeling brutes with no emotional range whatsoever.”

He squeezed her tighter in retribution since he knew she was giving him shit and thoughtfully trying to distract him from the fact that his female was in the arms of two other Alphas.

Maddox joined them. “I’m just wondering if I’m going to bleed out by the time this is over.”

“You’re going to be just fine, drama queen.” Damien eyed his kid brother. The wounds were already knitting themselves back together. Skolovs healed fast.

“That better not be my new nickname.”

Damien chuckled. “No. But I’m not sure ‘kid’ works anymore either.” He clapped a hand on Maddox’s shoulder. “You fought like a warrior this rotation.”

His younger brother straightened and stood taller. Actually smiled. “Thanks, brother.”

Settling. Finally.

Damien’s heart got a little fuller.We’ll find you too, Zaya, and bring you home. You’ll settle too.

“In fact”—he hugged his sister tighter— “you both impressed the hells out of me.” He knew how good it felt to have your elder brothers hand out praise, and despite his worries over Anya and what further boldness it might encourage in her, she deserved to hear it too.

Anya gave him a warm smile.

“Hells, we’re almost as sappy as them.” Maddox, back to being Maddox, tipped his chin toward where Scarlett and the two Alphas still stood in a huddle.

“Think so?” Damien couldn’t resist. “Then I should probably warn you that even though you might not be one anymore, I’ll still be calling youkideven when your ballhair’s gone gray.”

Maddox found that funny.

Anya wrinkled her nose. “Thanks for that visual.”

Damien forced himself to count to ten before announcing, “Enough!” He projected his voice loud enough for the huggers to hear. “We need to go now. Scarlett, come here.”

Thankfully, after one more squeeze, she broke away from her brother and Stormhart and hurried back to him, a sweet, happy look on her face. One he wanted to keep there forever.

Neither Stormhart nor Luc appeared as happy as he slid his arm around her waist and plastered her once more to his side but they’d deal.

Just as he would.

“Okay. We have a plan.” Damien turned toward his sister and Maddox. “You two alright with the split?” They could stay together, but what they’d just gone through proved it was harder for them to hide when they traveled as four, and the guards were after Scarlett, so splitting up would keep them safer.

“We’ll be fine,” Maddox assured him. “We’ll see you soon.”

“I’m not hiding under any damned cloak next time there’s an issue,” Anya insisted.

Fuck. Him.

His gaze slid to Maddox.

“We got this.”

“Be safe and stay alert.” Damien couldn’t resist the final warning. “They’re not searching for you, but the guards will be fired up, so they’ll likely shoot first and ask questions later.” Then, a last look at Luc and Stormhart. “I guess this is welcome to the family. But know this: if you fuck us in any way, I swear I’ll gut you.”

“Damien!” Scarlett was outraged.

He pulled her close but didn’t retract his threat.

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