Chapter 25
Even as I woke up at the hotel, I still couldn’t believe how opulent it was. The sprawling suite had two massive master bedrooms, each with their own bathroom en suite. They both had walk-in stone showers and jet bathtubs, and there was a fully-stocked kitchen and a minibar. The balcony overlooked the most beautiful view of Los Angeles, and at night we could sit and drink decadent coffee while we watched the sun set over the ocean. I stretched and rubbed my eyes before I caught a glimpse of the silver dress hanging in the corner. It was the dress the Wolf brothers had made especially for tomorrow night, and just as they had said it would, it fit perfectly. There wasn’t an angle that wasn’t accentuated to the fullest extent, and the dress was just long enough to cover my ankles. It swayed with every movement of my hips and fell off my shoulders in a way that would entice any man within proximity to fall at my feet.
I felt gorgeous in that dress, even with all the hell raging outside the building.
“Holy fuck, this place is nice.”
“Morning, Courtney,” I said, groaning.
“Did you know there was room service?” she asked.
“I did. Why?”
“Because they just brought up breakfast, and you should see the spread. Come on.”
Courtney yanked me out of bed, the silk robe draped around her body fluttering with her movements. The carpet was plush under my bare feet, but I stumbled over myself while she kept tugging. She plopped me down on a velvety soft couch that sat in front of a massive television, then rolled a silver cart over that was filled with food.
“We’ve got eggs, bacon, fruit salad, toast, and butter. Then that’s bagels and mimosas and something called grits. There’s sausage and some biscuits as well as some jelly and honey. Then, as if that’s not enough, there’s a massive carafe of the best fucking coffee I’ve ever had.”
“Did you drink half the damn thing already?” I asked.
“Drink.”
She shoved a mug of warm coffee in my hands, and I immediately dove in. The rich, luscious taste fluttered over my tongue, and I could’ve sworn I’d died and gone to heaven. The sweet cream pulled from the coffee an undertone of cinnamon, and I sank into the couch with my mug as Courtney started digging into the food.
“So, I was wondering, the Sunglasses brothers are professional athletes, right?”
“The Oakley brothers? Yes,” I said.
“So they’re loaded, too, right?” she asked.
“Why are you asking?”
“Can’t I have just one? I mean, the Animal Cracker brothers hooked you the fuck up. Why can’t you share the love and let one of them hook me up, too?” she asked.
“Nope. They’re all mine,” I said, grinning.
“Come on,” she said. “Just one? Just one for a weekend of disgustingly beautiful debauchery and luscious hotel suites like this one?”
“No,” I said, giggling.
“Come on, just pick. You’ve got eight great guys drooling over you. Let some other women take a stab at them—or at least one woman in particular, who happens to be your close personal friend.”
“Nope. I’m not choosing, and I’m not letting any of them go. I care about them, every single one,” I said.
Courtney sat back and chomped on a bagel as I finished the rest of my coffee. Was it really possible to care about so many men at once? There were times I had found it hard to care just for Jeremy. He had driven me up the fucking wall with his bullshit, so by my math that meant I was potentially multiplying the bullshit times eight. Was it really worth the effort?
“You really do care about all of them, don’t you?” Courtney asked.
“I really think I do,” I said.
“I can tell they care about you. I’m practically reading every conversation you have with them over your shoulders at night.”
“I know,” I said flatly. “It’s rude.”
“What? It’s good entertainment, and none of my shows are on right now. Anyway, after experiencing a bit of the—”
“Just say their names right, okay? It’s getting annoying, keeping up with all your nicknames.”
“Fine. After experiencing some of the Wolf brothers, how do you feel?” she asked.
“About what?”
“About them. I mean, this hotel is incredible. And that dress? Hell, I’d even bang you in it. They had that shit made for you—without even taking your measurements. That’s some sneaky, sexy-ass bullshit right there,” she said.
“It is, isn’t it?” I asked, smirking.
“Another mug of coffee?”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
Just then, a knock came at the door. On instinct, I froze as I panned my gaze over to Courtney. She set the carafe of coffee down and slowly made her way to the door, grabbing a candlestick on her way before she called out from behind the closed door.
“Who the fuck is it?” she asked.
“It’s us.”
I recognized those voices. It was the Oakley brothers. I jumped up from the couch, spilling my coffee everywhere. I yelped at how hot the coffee was, feeling the hot liquid drip down my bare legs.
“Shit, Lexi. You all right?” Courtney asked.
“Everything okay?” Cole asked.
“Courtney, back up. We’re coming in,” Cameron said.
“Wait, what? They’re gonna do what?” I asked.
Before I could cover up the mess I’d made, Courtney jumped back and the door swung open. Not only did Cole and Cameron come barging in like they would have on their respective athletic fields, but Kyle and Kevin were right behind them. The four of them stepped into the room and locked eyes with me before Kevin rushed to the sink and began running a washcloth under some water.
“Are you all right, Lexi?” Kyle asked.
“Cole, check her bedroom. I’ll check Courtney’s” Cameron said.
“Hold it the fuck up. No one’s going into my room,” Courtney said.
“Lexi, hold still. You’ve burned yourself,” Kevin said as he dipped the cool washcloth down onto my leg. It pulled me from my daze as I looked at all the twins in the room. They were all clad in black suits with earpieces in their ears, and I slowly put together what was happening.
“What the fuck are you guys doing here?” I asked.
Kevin looked up at me after he was done cleaning my leg. He slowly rose to his feet and stood, towering over me as his glasses fell down the bridge of his nose. I looked over at the door and saw the two regular security guards stick their heads in. Then I saw them emerge, the rippling Castle brothers with their ruggedly good looks and their skin tainted with smoke.
“You’re all here?” I asked. “But why? How? What the fuck’s going on!?”
“Tony and Terry contacted us,” Cameron said.
“They told us what happened to you yesterday, with the security guards and Jeremy being in the bushes,” Kyle said.
“Tony wanted a way for someone to always have an eye on you without taxing the security detail he’d already hired,” Kevin said.
“So, he hired all of us,” Cole said.
“So the six of you are just hanging out and guarding one fucking room?” I asked.
“Yes,” they all said together.
“How the hell can you even swing that?” I asked.
“You sound upset,” Logan said.
“I’m not upset, but I don’t think… I’m just surprised; that’s all. Taken aback. I’ve had enough drama to last me a while,” I said.
“Well, Logan and I just talked to our fire chief. Our vacation time is unpaid, but the Wolf brothers are making up for that,” Liam said.
“And our staff is working out coverage for our schedules,” Kyle said.
“There’s a network of doctors in the area who help out with other private practices when doctors take vacation or have other gaps in coverage,” Kevin said. “We’re simply tapping into the resources we have.”
“Uh-huh,” I said. “And what about you guys? What do your coaches think of this arrangement?” I asked.
“Not gonna lie, it took some convincing,” Cole said.
“It requires us being benched for the next couple of games,” Cameron said.
“But it’s worth it. We’ve been worried about you, especially with you constantly refusing our help,” Cole said.
“And our invitations to come stay,” Kevin said.
“And our invitations to do practically anything to help you,” Liam said.
“So the Wolf brothers just hired you all to watch over me,” I said. “So you guys could help.”
“That about covers it, yep,” Logan said.
I couldn’t believe what was happening. I was absolutely stunned. I was looking at six men I’d slept with in the past two weeks, and each had willingly taken blocks of time away from their lives and careers to help protect me. I looked at the Castle brothers and their rippling muscles. I took in the Jameson brothers and their glasses. I soaked up the Oakley brothers with their green eyes and bright smiles.
They were all here for me.
To make sure I was all right.
“Lexi, are you okay?” Logan asked.
Tears were trickling down my face, and I quickly brought my hand up to wipe them away. I started darting my head around, looking for my phone. When I didn’t see it, I dashed into my room. I heard all of them stampede after me, wondering what in the world was going on. I must’ve looked like a tornado had hit the side of my face. As I reached for my phone, it lit up with a familiar name.
Tony was calling.
I picked it up and put it on speakerphone as the six men stopped in my doorway. I drew in a shaking breath as Kyle stepped forward, his hand descending on my back to rub it. The sunlight trickling in through the bedroom window shimmered on my dress in the corner, and just as Tony’s voice filled the room, my chest hiccupped with a sob.
“Good morning, darling. Did you enjoy breakfast?” Tony asked.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
“Lexi, are you all right? What’s going on?” Tony asked.
“Thank you for—absolutely e-every—thing.”
“Lexi, take some deep breaths,” Tony said.
“She’s all right,” Kyle said. “I think she’s just a bit overwhelmed.”
“You’re all there?” Tony asked.
“Yes,” they all said in unison.
“Good. Take care of her. She’s had enough excitement in her life to last her the rest of it,” Tony said.
“Thank you so, so much,” I said.
“Darling, you never have to thank me for making sure you’re safe. I couldn’t think of any better men to hire to make sure you are protected wherever you go. Remember, this is only until they catch that son of a bitch. Then you can have your life back,” Tony said.
But that was the problem. As I raised my dripping face to look at the men whose eyes were all connected with mine, I realized that I didn’t want my life back.
I wanted my life back with them, and hell be damned of the consequences.
“Well, I guess there’s only one thing to ask after something like this,” Courtney said as the guys parted to let her in.
“And what’s that?” Tony asked.
“Everyone getting along all right?”