Page 61 of Caged By the Ruthless Thief

Annabelle’s eyes are closed, her head on Nico’s chest. Her fingers strum along his abdomen. From the care box, I remove some packets of protein gel and a cloth. There’s a faucet in the column. I quickly clean myself and bring a cloth for Sunshine. The two of them haven’t moved. Holter either. He lies across the end of the mattress, one foot on the floor like he intended to get up but fell asleep instead. I place two tubes of gel in Nico’s open palm and wipe the warm cloth over Sunshine, starting at her neck and working down.

“That feels nice,” she purrs.

“I’m glad. Here, have some gel.”

She licks her lips, staring at the packet. “Just a little bit.”

“Good girl.” I hold it for her while she sucks it down. Damn if my cock isn’t getting hard again. I’m here for it. I’m here, there, and anywhere for it. She could toss a stick for me, and I would fetch it. “You’re everything.” I smooth her hair back from her forehead and kiss her there. “I love you, Sunshine.” She glances up and her sleepy smile fills my heart. It’s okay that she hasn’t said it back. I can wait. I can wait for the rest of eternity if I need to. I want her to bite me, take me fully as hers. But I can wait for that, too.

The rest are slow to move but when they do, they all take care of her in their own way. Nico is smoothing her hair down, while Holter’s fetched a Vividaria robe.

“We should get you home, Belle.” Holter holds up the robe. Wearing all the colors of the domes, she looks like a rainbow. The sunshine that makes the rainbow. I’ve got my pants on, although I’m not sure where I’m going or what’s going to happen to me when I get there.

Some pods are still going at it, while others have gone up to the balcony to eat and others are leaving. Holter holds Annabelle’s hand, but I pick her up. Her sleepy head rests on my chest.

Holter nods at Nico. “I’ll get theomadapulled around to one of the private airlocks.”

Annabelle’s breathing slows. If she’s not asleep, she will be soon. Nico has pulled on his pants and is sitting on the other side of the mattress. The thing has given up and accepted his form. He almost appears comfortable, other than the scowl on his face. Fuck him. I’ll take this moment—Annabelle happy, her sleepy eyes closed, the soft mewing of her breath on my chest. For the moment, she has all of us, and it makes me happy that she’s happy. Even if it’s only for now on a body-swallowing mattress.

It’s not long before Holter is back. “They’ll be set by the time we get back there.” He tosses his thumb over his shoulder at the door.

Nico nods, taking his Poseidon trident from the back nook. He holds it to his side, but I know in a minute he would trade the trident to carry Annabelle in his arms. But he’s more using the trident as a cane than the ornate, intimidating weapon it is.

I follow Holter with her close to my chest, joyful that I’m the one tending to the most precious member of our pod. Holter guides us slowly to the portico, through the elaborate entryway. Nico is moving slower than a beached dolphin in tidal waters.

Holter glances over his shoulder. “Watch your step there. The floor isn’t level.”

“Thanks,” I reply.

He glares. He wants to be the one carrying her, but he’s not her mate to the rest of the city. Not yet. They haven’t announced anything.

I place her in the backseat of theomadaand move to position her inside.

Nico grabs my arm. I stare between his hand and his stern face. “What?” Somehow, this has gone a lot easier than I thought it would. I figured Nico would at least cut off my pinky when he found out I’d mated her.

He pulls me back onto the dock, and Holter closes the door, leaving Annabelle in theomadaby herself. I raise my eyebrows at Nico.

But before he can haul off and hit me, Holter steps between the two of us. “She’s happy, Nico. Can you just give her that? Give her a day, a week, or a damn month. Let her have some space.” Holter puts his hand on Nico’s shoulder.

Nico lets go over my arm. “No.”

“Well, that’s too damn bad. There’s four of us in this pod now. And going forward, we’re going to make decisions together.”

I raise my eyebrows at Holter. “Together? Interesting that Sunshine is in theomadaand we’re out here. Don’t you think we should be talking to her about this?”

“No,” Nico and Holter say in unison.

I give a shrug.

“A week,” Holter says to Nico, and it’s like I’m not even here. But better to not be here and not be on the end of Nico’s trident.

“A week,” I repeat, more for myself. I put my hand on theomada’sdoor pull.

“You’re in the front,” Nico growls, ripping the door from my hand and sliding around the ball Annabelle has made herself into.

I climb in next to Holter. He nods to me and wordlessly pilots the vehicle back to Glyden. The city is twinkling tonight, with domes launching glowing balls of light into the water. Iridescent fish swim around the back side of Braesen. It’s amazing. Everysolooromadaever built is out in the throughways tonight. Out to see the sights and enjoy everything the city has to offer. As a child, I always loved the Vividaria children’s parties. Presents and sweets, games and a good week off from school. What wasn’t to like?

“Wow, look at that.” Sunshine’s awake, and I twist in my seat to make her out. “What is that?”

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