Page 26 of Believe It or Knot: Part Two

“You’re precious to us, Darling. And nothing—absolutelynothing—will change how much we love and respect you. Do you understand?” Thane pressed, moving behind me and tipping my chin in his direction.

“Okay,” I agreed waterily.

He leaned down and kissed me sweetly, and the nerves jangling inside me settled.

Drawing in a deep breath, I let their combined scents wash away the rest of my stress. The next exhale was healing, and I nodded. “Okay,” I said again, believing it more the second time.

“Alright, Baby. Let’s get this collar off.” Hades handed Knox a pocket knife with other utility tools all tucked into the handle.

Flipping open the lock pick, Knox caught my eyes and cautioned, “Hold tight.”

“I almost forgot about the collar.” I flushed, hating that they’d seen me in the demeaning thing. My fingers curled around the smooth metal, but without the key, it wasn’t coming off on its own.

Knox bit his lip as he focused on the small keyhole, jimmying the pick this way and that until it finally opened with a snick. I breathed a huge sigh of relief as he removed it and tossed it in the trash.

“All better,” he murmured. I ran a hand over my neck, grateful to feel nothing but skin.

“Thank you.” Emotion clogged my throat, making my words tight.

In answer, he kissed my forehead and motioned me toward the tub.

I caught the murderous flicker on Thane’s face as he stared at the glint of gold visible in the bin, but when I turned his way, he cleared his expression, settling for a smile that didn’t fully reach his eyes.

“Hopefully I got the temperature right.” He offered me his hand, and with his help, I eased into the steaming water.

I grasped on to the change of topics like a drowning man to a life raft. “It’s hot and I love it.”

Thane seemed to realize that and helped me steer the conversation back to shallower depths. “Darling, it’s not hot… it’s a degree short of scalding,” he teased.

A grin blossomed after I released a happy sigh, letting the bath blanket me in its warm embrace. “Like I said…perfection.” Appreciation filled me for how caring these men were. Each one sported their own set of cuts, scabs, and injuries. They’d obviously been through the wringer too, and yet they were taking care of me when they should have been focusing on themselves. I peeked at each of them. “You don’t all have to stay with me if you want to go get cleaned up, too.”

“Are you trying to say we stink?” Leo grinned in that boy-next-door way of his.

“I mean. We might.” Knox lifted his arm, giving himself a cursory sniff.

I giggled despite myself. “No. It’s been a long two weeks and I want you to take care of yourselves. I’m—” I sobered, swallowing as I forced the words out. Truth was, I wanted them here, but I didn’t want them to feel like they had to sit around and watch me bathe. “I’m okay now.” I swished my arms through the growing pile of bubbles that covered the top of the scented water.

“We’re not going anywhere, Baby,” Hades promised.

As if to punctuate that point, Leo hoisted himself onto the vanity counter and shot me a playful wink. “Besides, the view here is amazing.”

Feeling lighter than I had in weeks, I smiled, and it filled my whole body. “You’re right. Knoxispretty damn handsome.”

Groans of protest rose around me.

Thane threw a hand over his heart in mock offense and said, “Hey! What about me?”

Eli smirked while Knox cockily propped a shoulder against the wall, crossed his arms over his chest, and shot me a wink before following it up with a, “She’s not wrong.”

Leo chuckled and shook his head. “Notwhat I meant, Honey.”

I giggled. “You’re all very handsome,” I placated.

“And you don’t know how to take a compliment. He was obviously talking about you and what a sexy picture you make. All that nakedness teasing us from under those damn bubbles.” Hades bit his lip, and something about the motion sent my lady bits fluttering again.

I’d been through trauma—we all had—but my reactions to them were visceral. My body, mind, heart, and soul knew I belonged to them. No matter how much time had passed, no matter how much shit we’d lived through, they were my safe harbor. Falling back into our usual banter gave my heart wings. This was family. Pack.Love.

“Relax against the edge, and I’ll wash you,” Knox ordered gently, already moving to kneel at the side of the tub and grabbing a waiting loofa. Lathering it with soap, he ran it along my shoulders, down my back, and over my chest and stomach. It wasn’t sexual, but tender and caring. After taking his time with each leg, he cleaned my core, then slathered his hands with shampoo and washed my hair. His fingers were magic, massaging my scalp and making my eyes droop.

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