It’s so dark. Why is it so dark? My eyes crack open and I find myself in a cold, dank room. The walls are a sickly gray color that reminds me of a cellar. Or a prison. Pushing up, I find the door to the tiny room closed. It’s steel with a big lock in place. Swinging my feet over the edge of the bed, I race to the entrance and bang on the door. “Hello! Is anyone there? Carter?” My voice is strangled with fear and I can’t stop my heart racing.
It’s dark, but I can make out the faint light of the moon. No answer comes from my screaming. I’m alone. No one’s here to save me. Did he find me? Will Carter save me this time? Somehow, I doubt it.
My body trembles in the cold room. I’m dressed in the tiny panties I put on after my shower earlier. The vest top is made of thin cotton that doesn’t protect me from the elements. I glance up at the tiny square close to the celling. The only reason I can make it out is because the stars are out, but they’re not enough to light my prison.
I strain my ears again, but I don’t hear anything from the other side of the thick metal door. Running my hands over the walls, I try to find some chink in the armor that surrounds me, holding me in.
It feels like hours later. I can’t even feel my fingers, so I curl up on the cot I woke up on and try to warm myself. I’ve never been so cold. So afraid. As my eyes flutter closed, I hear it. The sound of a lock clicking and suddenly the door is shoved open.
“There’s my little snowflake.” He’s here.
I’ve run and run, but he’s finally caught up with me and I have a feeling this time I’m not going to escape. He stalks toward me, bigger, bolder, and stronger. He reaches out and grips my hair, pulling me from my sanctuary on the bed, and holds me up, making me kneel on the floor. The roots of my hair burn as he tugs me around like a limp doll.
“Why?” I peer up at him, but my question goes unheeded. My body trembles as fear washes over me. As if a poison is slowly running through my veins, I feel myself surrender. Fighting for so many years is finally catching up to me. I can’t be strong forever. I can’t allow myself to defend the inevitable.
“This time you won’t leave me. There’s no running. I’ve made sacrifices to be with you, Snowflake, and this time you won’t run to him. He’s done. I’ve made sure my nephew will never bother us again.” He pulls me up by my neck, tightening his grasp.
I reach up and grip his wrist, clawing at it, trying to find air, but there’s none. No reprieve and the darkness steals me.
“Ella.”
* * *
A beeping noise drags me from a deep sleep. When my eyes crack open I find blue eyes staring back at me and the hospital room I’m in is blindingly white. “There’s my Princess.” His smile is angelic. Beautiful. Perfect.
“Am I dead?” My head is foggy and I’m sure I’m either dead or drugged.
“They don’t make angels like me in heaven, baby.” His cheeky wink has me giggling. Pain shoots through every inch of my body and I wince. “Are you hungry? I have some lunch ready for you, unless you just want some coffee? Or I can get you juice.” His eagerness is endearing, slowly sinking into my heart and filling it with love.
“Carter, just you. I just need you.”
His hand finds mine and the heat of his skin on mine calms me. It’s only then I realize I’m in a very fancy hospital room. “Why am I here?”
“Because you’re not fu*king leaving my side again. Ever. After you get out of here, you’re going home with me.” The serious tone makes me smile. I don’t want to leave him again. I feel safer here than anywhere else, and I need to apologize to him. I sent him away, believing he was working with his uncle when all the while he was trying to keep me safe.
“I won’t. I promise.”
“Look, Ella, I know you’ve just woken up, but we need to talk.” His voice is serious and I know there’s so much we need to say to each other.
I nod, my eyes never leaving his. Realizing I’ve fallen for him and his best friend is something I need to come to terms with. After what happened I can’t lose them. Both men have given me strength before, and I hope they’ll do it again. I want to be independent, but I want to be theirs. They offered it to me once before, and it’s time I accept this. Loving two men. Wanting two men.
It’s my choice.
First, though, it’s time I go for therapy. It’s time I drag my life back on track.
“I know, but can you kiss me first?” I don’t know where the question comes from, but the smile I’m awarded with is magical. His face lights up and those blue eyes glow with happiness.
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” He growls. Leaning in, his lips find mine and I savor the taste of coffee and Carter. His flavor intoxicates me, thrumming through my veins, heating my blood. When his tongue swipes along my lips, I part them for him, allowing him inside the one part of my body that doesn’t hurt.
Our tongues dance in a sensual rhythm. I savor it for a moment longer before placing my hands on his chest. I push until he breaks the kiss.
“Did I hurt you?” His frown is adorable and I know he’s worried about me.
Shaking my head, I turn my gaze to the large windows from my hospital room that overlook the city. From the bed, I can see the spires and rooftops of London sprawled below.
“No, I just… I mean, I need to tell you something.” My heart thuds in my chest. Yes, I’m nervous. I feel like a fu*king teenager, but I’m not. I’m an adult and I’m allowed to feel this. To say this.
“You know you can tell me anything, right?” he murmurs.
I nod. I wanted to say it at the perfect moment. A time when I’m not in pain and aching, but there’s never a perfect moment. I’ve learned that life is there. If you don’t grasp it, then you’ll never move forward and that’s what I need to do now.
“Is Bennett here?” I question and he nods with a smile.
“Ainsworth, get your arse in here,” he calls to the doorway which leads off from the room I’m in and there, in his disheveled shirt and trousers, is the other man I love.
“Can you both join me?”
When Bennett settles on the other side of the bed, I’m once more cocooned in love.
“I was in so much pain for so long. You’ve both been my knights, saving me, healing me. And while Charles had me, I realized something.” I flit my gaze between the two men. “I love you,” I tell Carter, then cast a glance at Bennett. “I love you,” I murmur the words while staring into his eyes.
The air around us sparks like a storm brewing and the desire is thick between us, as it always is. “I love you too, Princess,” Carter whispers across my cheek.
“And I love you too, sweetheart,” Bennett growls in my ear. Their words coat me in warmth, in yearning, and the heat of them surrounds me, keeping me safe.
“I want you to stay here. There will be no argument,” Carter informs me. His index finger lifts my chin until we’re staring at each other. “Do you understand me?” His commanding tone is back and I smile.
“Yes, Carter.” His domineering presence makes me feel safe and as much as I’d like to refuse and be in my own apartment I know I’d feel safer here.
“Now, are you hungry?” He pushes up from the bed, his gaze never leaving mine.