Page 111 of Tabitha

I’m so distracted by my thoughts that when Bast scoops me up in his arms, I give a startled squeak. I clutch at his shoulders when he rises and walks us toward the bathroom. He deposits me gently on the floor, then goes to the sink and rinses out a washcloth.

He prowls toward me, then the big beast of a man kneels and proceeds to clean me. Though the intimate attention might make some people bashful, I feel adored. When he tosses the cloth into the hamper, I cup his face before he can rise, gazing down at his stunning amber eyes. “I love you. I love the way you take care of me and fuss over me. I love the way you look at me like I’m your entire world. I love that you’re not ashamed that I’m so awkward around people. I love your eyes and your smile and your voice. And I especially love all your very talented and highly skilled…muscles.”

He chuckles, flashing me a cheeky wink, but underneath lies a hint of vulnerability that threatens to slay me. Wonder tinges his voice when he speaks. “You love me.”

“I do.” I lean down and brush my lips over his. “I love you.”

The most beautiful smile takes over his face, a fierce look entering his eyes. He launches to his feet, wraps his arms around my waist, then swings me around with a joyful chuckle. “You love me.”

He kisses me gently, treating me like I’m the most precious thing in the world, and I practically swoon. Without another word, he carries me back to bed.

I stiffen when I notice River waiting beneath the covers. It’s one thing for them to woo me in private, but another to share me so openly. Yet Bast doesn’t even miss a step. Depositing me in bed, he climbs in next to me and pulls me against his chest.

River curls close, sandwiching me between them. He places a sleepy kiss against my shoulder, then sighs in contentment, and I melt.

With them by my side, I know everything is going to be okay.

Bast kisses the top of my head, and I cuddle closer, brushing my fingertips absently against his chest. “Most people labeled me damaged or broken very early in my life. I always knew I was different. No one ever understood me, and I always thought I was better off alone.”

“Fucking idiots.” River tightens his arms around me, a pissed off growl rumbling from his chest. “Say the word, and I’ll kill them for you. No one will ever find the bodies.”

“That’s so sweet!” I grab his hand, kiss the back of it, then tuck it over my heart. “I wasn’t ready to invite anyone else in my life, not until I met each of you. I think I was just waiting for you guys to show me how to live, waiting for you to show me what love truly means. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”

Chapter Thirty-four

PIERCE

When I enter the kitchen, I spot Gage cooking at the stove, looking more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. He offers Tabitha a piece of bacon, and she hastily shoves the full piece in her mouth until her cheeks bulge, oblivious that the rest of us would chop off our hands rather than steal food from her.

She laughs at something Bast says as the giant hands her a cup of tea that looks almost like a toy in his massive hands. River gazes at her adoringly. He glances down at his own hoard of bacon, then slides a piece from his plate over to hers.

Looking at the besotted fools, no one would mistake them for trained killers.

My protective instincts should have me bundling her up and running off with her, but I trust them with her life.

More—she needs each of them.

Part of her charm is that she’s completely unaware of how she has each of us wrapped around her little finger, and none of us would want to be anywhere else. I take a step toward the kitchen island, hating that I’m disturbing the rare moment of peace.

Unfortunately, she can’t hide from the past.

I gently slide the envelope with her name scribbled on it across the counter.

The rest of the guys are gathered around her, and I curl my fingers into fists to keep from joining them, wanting to comfort her myself.

Releasing a heavy sigh, Tabitha slowly reaches for the envelope. Before she can grab it, I capture her hand, then bring it to my mouth and kiss the back of it. “If you’re not ready, we don’t have to do this now.”

“No, it needs to be done. I need to put my past behind me once and for all.” Tabitha gives me a little smile that never fails to make my heart jolt and warm my chest. From the instant I saw her, I knew she was the only one for me. She didn’t need to be saved or rescued.

The reverse is true.

She actually rescued me, breathing life back into my bleak existence, giving me a chance for a future that I never thought possible, and I have no intention of ever letting her go.

* * *

TABITHA

With mixed feelings, I open the envelope and pull out two separate letters. I force my fingers not to shake as I unfold the first one, then clear my throat. “It’s from my grandfather.”

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