“Likes me how?” she asks warily.
Don’t you open your fucking mouth you stupid observant bastard.
Mason turns to look at her, focusing on her face with an intensity rarely seen from him.
“You know how, Eden. You like him too.” She does?
“Mason, no I, you and me…”
“It’s okay, Eden. I’m not giving up on us. I’ve already told you I’m not going anywhere, and I meant it. It just means that I have to adapt. You have a big enough heart to love an army. Who am I to try and stifle that?” He continues to drink his coffee like he didn’t just drop a bomb into both of our laps.
Is he implying what I think he is? A relationship where we share Eden between us? But what about Eli? I can’t. Who even does that? Actually, I have seen it up close and personal and it seems to work for them but it’s not something I ever imagined myself being a part of.
“Stop over analysing everything, Eden. What will happen will happen. I’m just saying, don’t fight it based on a misguided sense of what you have been told is right or wrong.”
“And you would be okay with that, knowing I was with another guy, sleeping with someone else I mean?”
She didn’t say no. Fuck me. She didn’t say no.
“I’m not talking about you picking up random people from clubs, I’m talking about being in a relationship equally with two or even three people, but we are getting way ahead of ourselves. Just keep an open mind.”
“I doubt that would be something they would be into anyway and I’m not saying I’m considering it. I’m just saying I don’t get that vibe from Noah.”
Don’t count me out yet, sweets. My dick is as hard as a fucking rock here.
“Yeah, well, you’re wrong.”
She snorts in surprise at his observation and I have to stifle one of my own. He has been here a fortnight, but he sure thinks he knows me.
“Really and how are you so sure about that?”
“Because he is up there on his balcony listening to every word we’ve said and not disputed it once.”
“Ah, fuck.” That took care of my hard dick.
She whips her head up but I step back so she can’t see anything as Mason chuckles beside her between sips of coffee. That’s it, I’m so punching that motherfucker.
“You ass. How long did you know he was there?”
“His door was open when I went up to use the bathroom. He was out on his balcony before I even made it out here.”
“That was mean, Mason.”
“No, Eden, what it was, was honest. He needed to know that I’m not going anywhere. If he likes you as much as I think he does, then he will come to terms with us being a package deal.”
Yeah, okay, I get it. I’m going to have to go down there and face the music.
“Are you into him too?” she asks him curiously.
Oh, I didn’t anticipate that one.
“Fuck, no. It’s all about you in that sense, pretty girl, but that doesn’t mean I get nothing from them. I get something I haven’t had in a really long time. I get a family, a set of brothers who have my back and who love my girl as much as I do. Who wouldn’t want that?”
She chokes on her coffee, but I’m still hung up on his words. The more he tries to convince her the more he convinces me.
“You love me?” she croaks out
“Baby steps, Eden. For now, all you need to know is that I’m here, I’m going nowhere, and you will never be alone again.”
Fuck it. I close the doors behind me and jog down the stairs passing Mason who nods at me as he is coming inside. I head out to talk to her. She’s in a stupor still wrapped up in his quilt.
“Hey.”
She whips her head round to stare at me and I try not to show her how uncomfortable I am. I lean against the door wearing jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt and my heart on my sleeve. Am I really going to do this?
“Hi.”
I just stand here for a moment taking her in not saying anything. Shit, I really am going to do this. I walk over and sit in the chair to the left of her.
“I… I’m sorry for listening in. It wasn’t my plan. I was already out here before Mason came out.” Brilliant. Let’s start out stuttering. How on earth will she be able to resist me?
“I know.”
This is really awkward. I mean what the fuck am I supposed to say here? “He’s right, you know.”
She looks shocked. She is not the only one but the words are out there now.
“Mason… he’s right. I do like you. It’s just… I’m not good at this shit.”
“Probably best not to call it shit?” she points out helpfully.
I smile at her and I swear her eyes warm, brightening her whole face.
“Good point,” I concede. Okay, here goes. Nothing ventured nothing gained right? “When you walked out onto that stage at Midas, I wanted to jump up there and snatch you off. I hated them looking at you and that just pissed me off because I had no right to feel that way. Later, when you came outside you were laughing at something Mason said and I wanted to knock his teeth out because you were giving him something you would never give me. I was jealous so I was an ass. It’s my default setting.”
Now it’s her turn to smile.
“I’m not saying I want to run off and marry you, but I want a chance, an equal chance to make you fall in love with me.” I swallow, suddenly finding my throat dry.
“And would you love me back?”
“I would love you so much I would be willing to share you with another man,” I answer without even having to think about it.
“I don’t know what to say. A few days ago, I had nobody, now I have three men catering to me and at least two of those three want pieces of me I swore I would never give away.”
“Will you think about it?”
She sits quietly for a moment considering my words. “I’m not saying yes, Noah.”
My face falls. I turn to look out over the water and ignore the pain in my chest caused by her words.
“But I’m not saying no either.”
I whip around to face her, eyes wide.
“It’s up to you to make me fall in love with you. Think you’re up for it?”
“Challenge accepted.” You can bet your sexy fucking ass I will make you fall in love with me.
“Is it safe to come back?” We turn at the sound of Mason’s voice. He’s wearing faded blue jeans now and a white T-shirt.
“Sure.”
“I will leave you guys to it.” I stand to leave as Mason sits beside Eden again when her hand slips into mine halting me. I look down at our linked hands before my eyes connect with hers.
“Stay.”
I look from her to Mason. “You sure?”
“You heard the lady, sit. You can tell us what I can do while I’m here. I have some savings but I’m going to need a job.”
I sit back down but when she tries to pull her hand away, I hold on tight. She shrugs her shoulders and goes with it.
“You should take your time to get acquainted with the place first, but I get where you’re coming from. What kind of thing will you be after?”
Mason is quiet, too quiet, making both Eden and I turn toward him. He rubs his hands on his thigh like he is psyching himself up for what he is about to say. “I’m not picky. I can’t afford to be, not a lot of people want to take a chance on an ex-con.”
My hand squeezes Eden’s a little too hard making her wince. I mumble an apology and loosen my grip. “What did you do time for?” Please be some juvenile shit.
“Manslaughter,” Mason answers quietly.
“Jesus, are you serious, man?” I explode out of my seat letting go of Eden’s hand so that I can stand up and pace.
“What happened?” she asks, looking at him like she knows that there must be a damn good reason for the man who is so overprotective of her to have had it in him to kill someone.
Turns out he does. When Mason opens his mouth and spills the details
of his heartbreaking story, I feel like a fucking ass for reacting the way I did. By the time he’s finished, I’m back in my chair rubbing soothing circles over the back of Eden’s hand as she sobs beside me.
“Don’t cry for me, pretty girl.” He smooths his thumbs over her cheeks, smiling to mask the pain that lingers in his eyes.
“Shit, Mason, that’s fucked up.”
“I know, and I get it, Noah. I’ll leave if you want me to leave but I’m not going anywhere without my girl and we both know this is the safest place for her at the moment.”
I wave him off. “I’m not asking you to leave. I can’t think of anyone that would keep Eden as safe as you will and that includes me. I’m just sorry that you had to go through that shit and that you had to rot away inside when you just did what any of the rest of us would have.”
“Thank you,” Mason tells me, gratitude evident in his voice.
We all sit quietly watching as the city of London wakes up around us before Eden finally gives in and admits it’s too cold to sit out here any longer. “Let’s head inside, I’m beginning to lose sensation in my toes.”
She is up and in my arms before she can even finish her sentence. I’ve missed picking her up, having no excuse to do so now that her body is on the mend. She snuggles into my chest, stealing my body heat as Mason trails behind us. I could really get used to this.
I plop her on the sofa, leaving her with Mason as I head down to the kitchen to make us all some more coffee.
“Hey.”
I look up, surprised to see Mason. For a big guy, he sure can get around quietly. “Hey, what’s up?”
“I just wanted to have a quick word and feel you out about what we just spoke about.”
“Which part? The part where you threw me under a bus and told Eden how I felt about her when I would have liked to have done that myself? Or are you talking about the fact that you have been inside and failed to mention that before we moved your ass in here?”
“All of it?”
I cross my arms over my chest and wait for him to carry on.
“For fuck’s sake, Noah, what do you want me to say? Am I sorry for calling you out and getting both you and Eden to admit you feel something for each other? No. I’m sick of watching you pussyfoot around her. As for my record, well it’s not something I’m proud of. I knew bringing Eden here was our best option but I wasn’t sure you would have welcomed me with open arms if you knew about my past. Think about it. Eden would never have come without me and you wouldn’t have been given this shot with her. While we’re on the subject of Eden, if you hurt her, I will kill you and this time it will be premeditated.”
I stare at him for a beat before I turn back around and start the coffee. He’s right, which just pisses me off. “Are we going to be able to make this work? And what about Eli, how does he fit in with all this?”
He shrugs. “It will work if we want it enough. Communication is going to be the most important thing and keeping any jealousy in check. I don’t want to feel like I’ve talked her into something that we constantly make her feel bad for. We are either in it one hundred percent committed to seeing where it might lead, or we’re out. It’s up to Eli and Eden to decide if they want to take a chance on each other but the same rules apply to him too. Where is he today anyway?”
“Finishing off some paperwork. We have requested some time off, so he is just tying up loose ends and handing anything over that still needs attention.” I hand him his coffee while I wait for Eden’s.
“Think he’ll be interested in sharing her?”
“Honestly, it could go either way. He likes her and he is definitely attracted to her but whether that’s enough for him to take a chance, who knows? Eli closes off that part of himself, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.”
The doorbell rings, stopping our conversation.
“I’ll go.” He puts his cup down and heads around to the front door.
I can’t hear him from here but when he returns, his face is a mask of anger. I’m guessing it’s because of the roses in his hands. The black roses. He puts them carefully on the counter before turning to me.
“Nobody was there but these were on the top step. Call the police. We can justify the chocolates but not these.”
“Is there a note?” I ask, pulling my phone from my pocket and dialling.
“Yep, but I didn’t want to get my prints all over it.”
“Guys, what’s taking so long?” Eden walks into the kitchen with a smile on her face that freezes when she sees the flowers.
I watch from the corner of my eye as Mason tries to calm her while I talk to an officer. Hanging up with reassurances that they will be here soon, I walk up to Eden and pull her into my arms and hold her tight.
“Who is doing this, Noah? Is it Karl who sent them or do I have some other sick fuck gunning for me? I mean, Jesus Christ, isn’t one psychopath enough?” She’s shaking but I don’t know if it’s with fear or anger.
Mason steps up behind her offering his support too and we both just stand there with Eden safely cocooned between us.
“You need to call Eli,” Mason tells me quietly. I nod and turn Eden into his arms before pulling out my phone again.
“Sorry, it took longer than I thought. I’m just leaving now,” Eli greats me.
“Listen, Eli, we’ve had another delivery. A dozen black roses, to be precise. The police are on their way. I just wanted to give you a heads up.”
“Fuck. Is Eden okay?”
“She will be. Just get home, okay?”
“I’m on my way.”
Chapter Eight
ELI
It was quiet out here when I arrived earlier this morning before the crowds descended and the streets became congested. Now, swarms of people rush around me oblivious to the anger coursing through me. I look around at the mixture of faces. They are all different ages, races and sex yet I can’t help but be suspicious of them all. Is the person doing this out here right now watching my reaction? I know I promised Noah I would leave straight away but if I don’t run up and let Malcolm know what’s going on, he’ll kill me. I knock on his door and, not bothering to wait for a reply, walk straight in.
“Eli, I thought you left already.” He pours himself a glass of whisky and takes a sip.
“Jesus, boss, it’s not even lunchtime yet.”
“I know what time it is, boy, but when you haven’t even been to bed yet, I don’t think it counts.”
“Right. Look, we have a problem. Eden has received another gift. This time a bunch of black roses which at this point eliminates the possibility of the chocolates being a coincidence, don’t you think?”
“Fuck’s sake. We know Karl is in Germany, but I can’t help but feel like we’re missing something with this.”
I sigh. He’s right but I have no idea what it is we’re missing. There’s a knock on the door before it opens revealing Sam, the guy who has been tracking Karl’s movements.
“Yo, got a picture of our guy out on a date before he heads back into his hotel room. The female’s face is obscured but the guy is definitely Karl.” He hands me the folder, open to a picture taken from the hotel in Frankfurt. “What’s going on?”
Malcolm fills him in while I study the picture. Unless this guy has a twin brother somewhere we don’t know about, it’s definitely him.
“Let’s go. I want to know what the police think about this.”
Sam leads the way out followed by Malcolm. I guess we’re all going. Traffic is a bitch and what should be a twenty-minute trip takes forty-five. There is a police car outside when we pull up so I park round the back in the private parking area indicating for the guys to do the same.
I don’t know what I was expecting when I walked in, but it wasn’t this. Noah has his arms wrapped around a visibly distressed Eden and Mason is facing off against an angry-looking police officer.
I step between them before Mason finds himself arrested. “What the fuck is going on?”
>
Mason’s chest is heaving but he manages to spit his words out. “This chump insulted Eden and basically implied that she’s an attention-seeking liar. He also seems to think that because she used to be an exotic dancer, it’s her fault she has a stalker.”
“Excuse me?” I whip round to face the red-faced officer. Clearly, Mason misheard.
“Look, all I know is that Karl is a good man and was a great cop. People should think before they open their mouths to slander someone’s name when they don’t have any proof.”
“You know Karl?”
“Who exactly are you?” he asks, not backing down any more than Mason is.
“I’m Eli Cooper. I live here.”
He sneers at me and I just know that whatever he’s going to say is going to get him knocked out by Mason. “Just how many men live here with you, Miss Myers?”
Luckily, Sam picks that moment to step in front of the officer. He scowls down at him and I watch with some satisfaction as the dickweed swallows nervously. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”
The cop just nods and turns to go. A young cop follows him out, looking a mix of confused and freaked out. I was so focused on the scene playing out in front of me I hadn’t even noticed him there.
“Hi, Eden, my name is Malcolm and this is Sam. I’m sorry about all this. Can you fill us in on what’s happening?”
I watch as Noah rubs his hands up and down her arms in a comforting gesture and feel myself frowning. This is new. Usually, they’re at each other’s throats about something. What’s with all the touching all of a sudden?
“You know about the flowers?” she asks, clearly rattled but fighting her way through it. When Malcolm nods, she continues. “Well, Noah called the police and that douche canoe and his partner came.”
I fight the twitch of my lips at that. Douche canoe? That’s a new one for me.
“I told him everything that happened since the first night your guys turned up at Midas until now. It was when I mentioned my stepfather’s name that he started acting like a dick. Apparently, they worked together and he remembers how distraught he was when I ran away.” She barks out a laugh.
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