Page 20 of Room Twenty-Seven: Theirs to Punish

“I… I’m scared of going home…”

“We can drive you or call you a ride—”

Bane slaps his brother across the back of the head. Niklas’s head snaps forward, his eyes go wide, and when he turns to look at Bane, I wonder if they’re about to get into a fistfight. The playful gesture makes the look youthful and lightens the mood just a little. “She’s scared of being alone, dumbass.”

Realization sets in. “Oh.”

“Do you want us to take you home and stay there?” Luke chimes in.

My head moves without thought, and I nod shamelessly. At this point, I don’t even care how desperate I seem. I’m just glad they’re not leaving me.

“Why don’t we take you to our place?” Bane suggests. “No offense to your place, but we have bigger beds… and food.”

“Your place? You guys live together?”

“In one building, yes. We each have our own apartment,” Luke explains.

I glance at Nik carefully, hoping he’ll be okay with taking me home. His eyes are soft and his jaw relaxed when he speaks. “You can come home with us, but you’ll have to stop crying, or security won’t let us take you out of here.”

I blink the remaining tears hanging on to my lashes away and take a few calming breaths. “Okay, I’m good.”

“Are you sure?” Luke is still not convinced.

“Yes, I want to come with you.”

“Alright then.” Luke gives me a smile that knocks the breath out of me. “Let’s get you cleaned up first. You look like a beautiful disaster right now.”

A small bathroom is attached to the room, and Luke disappears in there momentarily while the guys pull themselves together. It doesn't take them as long as it will take me, and by the time he comes out carrying towels and a washcloth, they’re good to go.

Minutes ago, they were rough with me—in the best way, but still. Now they're tender. Now they thoroughly clean me, dragging the warm cloth over my skin and between my legs. They're especially gentle there, and my heart swells with gratitude. They instinctively know what I need.

After a few minutes of that, I stand and get dressed on legs that aren’t so shaky now. I go to the bathroom to take a look at myself. Luke was half right. I'm a disaster, but I don't know about the beautiful part. I clean up my ruined makeup as best I can and smooth my hair until at least I'm not ashamed to be seen looking the way I do.

When I emerge, Nik nods in approval. “Let's go. You ready?”

I'm exhausted, weak, and still feeling vulnerable. “I’m ready.” Because somehow, being with them is the only answer. Like some great big shining thing I can reach for and hold on to. I don’t have to be alone. If only that could be true after tonight.

“You'll ride with me.” Nik places an arm around my waist and doesn't let go until we’re outside, where he opens the passenger door to his sleek black Porsche. It's a relief to settle back in the seat and let him handle things. I'm so tired. I know if I closed my eyes, I'd fall asleep.

His silence helps. I'm not sure how I know since he doesn't say a word, but he's not angry anymore. I didn't really understand until now the difference between angry silence and comfortable silence.

“This is where you live?” I ask when he turns off the street and points the car toward an underground parking garage beneath a towering apartment building. I have to crane my neck to see the top.

“We own the building—rather, our company does.” My mouth falls open in surprise. “We live on the top three floors, one for each of us.” I can't imagine having that kind of money or security. He parks in a reserved spot close to an elevator door, then helps me out of the car and guides me the short distance. Like he doesn't want to release me. I lean against him a little, grateful for his nearness.

Using a key in the elevator, he pushes the button for the twentieth floor, and before I know it, the doors open directly into a spacious apartment. I’m instantly blown away.

“This is your apartment?” It's gorgeous and luxurious, but the views draw me in. He stands back and watches while I head straight for the windows overlooking the city. Floor-to-ceiling glass panes leave me gasping at the sparkling lights spread out in front of me. The city can be dark, and dirty, and cruel. From up here, though, it looks like magic. And here I am, looking down at it all like a princess in a high tower.

The elevator doors ping open once again, and soon, Bane and Luke join us. “Who said you were taking her to your apartment?” Bane complains, his shoes slapping the hard floor as he crosses the airy living room.

“Nobody had to say.”

Luke only shakes his head and chuckles when he joins me at the window. “Feeling okay?” I love how protective he seems and how much he cares. It's been a long time since anybody really cared.

“I’m fine. Better than fine, actually. A little tired, though.”

“I don't know about you, but I could use a shower.” I look over in time to see Bane begin to unbutton his shirt.

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