Page 56 of Inked Beasts

Kai and Thorn are there, too.

GAGE

I haven’t been able to think straight since Kai and I shared the night with Lexy.

But at times, I’m positive I’m thinking more clearly than I ever have in my entire life.

We need her with us—all of us. Day and night. And this routine we’ve gotten into, of Lexy dating the three of us separately, splitting her time, sharing stolen moments while pretending nothing serious is happening—all of that needs to evolve into something that’s so much more.

Kai told Thorn about our shared experience the day after it happened. Keeping it to ourselves wouldn’t have been right, and in Kai’s mind, including Thorn is the logical next step toward forming our family of four. He’d considered having Thorn come over the other night, too, but didn’t want to overwhelm Lexy.

Our plan is to talk things over with her tonight, because whatever happens depends on her, but as soon as I see her face, I know our planned discussion needs to wait.

She’s smiling when I greet her at my door, but the expression is thin, only there for my benefit.

She hugs me much too briefly, and as she pulls back, she draws in a breath when she spots Kai and Thorn inside my apartment. “Oh.”

“Sorry to take you by surprise. We wanted to talk to you, but first, tell me what’s wrong.” I still have hold of her arm, and I give her a reassuring squeeze. She knows she’s safe with us. Always.

“I didn’t want to talk about it. I thought we could just …” There’s a subtle tip of her head toward my bedroom as her words trail off.

“We definitely can, but whatever’s bothering you, I want to help. Come in.”

After ushering her inside, I step back to give Kai and Thorn room to greet her.

“Something to drink?” I ask after they’ve both given her hugs and kisses.

“Some of your juice? Maybe with vodka or tequila in it?”

“You really have had a bad day,” Thorn says, keeping her tucked under his arm as he steers her to the sofa.

“I’m fine.”

Kai sits on her other side, turning her toward him, his hands gripping her thighs. “You’ve said that, but we know better, Lexy. What’s going on?”

As I fetch her requested drink, I listen in, only to hear Lexy attempt to evade Kai’s questioning. She called me stubborn, but it’s the two of them who truly are, if only with each other.

She accepts the juiced-up juice from me with another watery smile, and immediately takes a long drink.

All three of us are staring at her expectantly as she slides a coaster across the coffee table and sets the glass on it.

“It’s something I need to work out,” she says finally.

“And we can help you,” Kai says.

“I just want to forget about it.”

“Lay it out there, we’ll work through it with you, and then we can move onto other things.” Kai punctuates this by sliding a hand further up her leg, his thumb pressing into her inner thigh and stroking.

Her eyes flicker over to Thorn before she glares at Kai and lets out an exasperated sigh. “You’re so frustrating.”

“Yes, I am. Talk.”

After another sip of her drink, she asks, “Have you seen the stuff on social media about us? The pictures of us together?”

Kai shakes his head. “I don’t look at any of that stuff.”

“We hire someone to handle our social accounts,” I explain.

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