Leo smiled and hugged her. “Fantastic!” He kissed her on the cheek. “I hate to cut the walk short, but I have to go tell my team that you are on board and they can move forward with their plans to make a bust on a market later this week. You two stay, I’ll see you both tonight at dinner.”
Eden nodded.
With one last look, and a second kiss, this time on the forehead, Leo ran down the path back towards the castle.
Eden and Chris kept walking, quietly. Now that she was actually inside the orchard, Eden could see that a few of the trees were in the process of changing color. It was stunning to look at, the sea of greens, spotted with bright yellows and burnt oranges.
Her parents would have loved this place, she thought.
Chris grabbed her hand at some point and she leaned in closer to him. There was a bench at the far end of the orchard. They sat and watched a few squirrels hurry past. Two of them were chasing each other around a tree. They talked for a long time, going over the details of the battle, and swapping some ideas back and forth regarding the best way to go about busting the black markets.
Eden told him stories from her childhood, and about her parents. He told her some of his past, why it was Leo’s parents had to take him in, and how they had grown up together and were basically brothers.
“He’s my best friend,” said Chris. “I don’t know what I would do without him.”
“I know what you mean,” said Eden.
They were silent a moment.
“He loves you, you know,” said Chris. “Like, a lot.”
“I know,” she answered. “And I love him.”
Chris seemed to pull away from her slightly when she said this, but maybe it was her imagination. After a minute or two of silence, Eden reached her hand out and put it on Chris’ leg.
“I love you too,” she said. “Just so you know.”
He put his hand on hers. “I know that.”
“It’s going to be very complicated,” she said. “Isn’t it?”
Chris sighed. “It doesn’t have to be. I mean, I won’t say I’m very fond of the idea of having to share you, but if that’s the only way I will be able to have you at all, then I will be more than happy to try and make it work.”
“Do you think Leo feels the same?”
“Maybe, maybe not, but again, he’s going to have to get used to the idea if he wants there to be any future with you.”
“Does that mean you won’t make me choose?” She looked at him and squeezed his hand. “Because I’m telling you right now, I won’t be able to. It’s either both of you or neither. And while not having either of you would be so incredibly painful, I would rather that than to have to choose.”
“Then we will try this,” he said. “We will try sharing you, and see how it goes. We can just take it one day at a time.”
“Okay, that works for me.” Eden laughed. “It will be interesting, though, when we have to explain to people that I’m with both of you… what will we tell Leo’s parents?”
“The awkward part will come when they ask how we all met and Leo and I have to explain that you were originally our captive but now you’re our girlfriend.”
Eden rested her head in her hands. “What have I gotten myself into?”
“It’s just your classic love triangle,” Chris said. He put his arm around Eden and pulled her close. “Nothing you can’t handle.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Are you kidding me?” said Chris. “Eden, you can handle anything. I mean, you saved the world for god’s sakes.”
Eden smiled and looked out into the distance, past the orchard trees and into the surrounding woods. She thought about her father, and wondered if he was somehow watching her, from wherever he was. Him and her mother. She knew if they could see her, they would be proud.
If they couldn’t see her, though, that was okay too, because she was proud. She was proud of herself, and of how far she’d come.
And Chris was right.
She could handle anything.
More By Dany
Auctioned To The Armitage Brothers
Get It Here
"There are private auctions, held by the wealthy elite of this city.
It may be your only option for a better life for you and your daughter.
But I have to ask, are you still able to bear children?"
The chills run through my spine.
But what other option do I have?
A single mom.
A convicted, abusive ex-husband.
A world that is crumbling.
What else can I ask for?
I will keep my daughter safe, no matter the cost.
"OK", I said.
"Sign me in."
Four days later, a letter shows up in my mailbox:
"Dear Mrs. Robson,
It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been purchased by Mr. George Armitage, Esq.
Mr. Armitage is a pillar of the Chicago community, and is the CEO of Armitage pharmaceuticals.
They are an extremely wealthy household, and I am sure you will settle in very nicely there.
As for what services you will be providing, Mr. Armitage is looking for..."
But I couldn't read anymore.
Oh Lord...
What did I get myself into!?
Four Daddies’ Secret Twins
Get It Here
I snuck out to Werewolf City and spent the night with four men...
Now I'm pregnant and don't know who the father is.
It was all an accident.
When my own father found out, he locked me up to give birth in a bunker...
No prince charming is coming to my rescue.
Or princes, in this case --they are royal, after all.
But none of that matters right now...
Does it?
It's been so long I'm not even sure they remember my name.
Or the night we spent together.
And who would have thought...
I am carrying not one, but two of the only heirs they'll ever have...
What would they do if they ever found out?
Copyright
© Copyright 2019 by Daniella Wright - All rights reserved.
In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.
Auctioned to the Werewolf Princes Page 16