Chapter 33

Krista

“Everyone will be talking about this for weeks,” I say to the guys as we leave the staff conference following the crime reveal and arrest of Professor Smith.

“Probably more like months to years,” Dylan confesses. “This is huge. If I’m still reeling from the news, by the looks on peoples’ faces in there, this comes as a major shockwave.”

“I’m just glad it’s over.” I shudder with honesty. “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, right?”

“You know you can always trust us.” King places a soothing hand on my shoulder and rubs my tired muscles.

“I didn’t see it coming.” I chuckle sheepishly. “Maybe next time, I should be more careful.”

“There won’t be a next time,” King reminds me with a firm tone.

“Thanks, guys.” I smile as we stop in the hallway, watching the rest of the faculty file out of the conference room.

Everyone says goodbye as they walk past or offer up their condolences for the terrible misfortune. I don’t really welcome pity, but it’s nice to see so many people on my side. I’m glad the university is banding together and being kind about what happened; the funding department even offered to allow my work to continue in a private wing of the library while the research room goes into its rebuilding stages.

Almost everyone just views the guys as my protectors—shield-like brothers who are on my side to make sure I’m properly cared for. The four of us have no problem with everyone thinking that way, and we know denying our friendships too ardently will raise a grumble of suspicion.

For now, we just exchange private, naughty little glances with one another, knowing our secrets are safe as long as they remain tucked away in the corners of our minds and in the dwellings of our hearts.

“We rose above the bullshit to witness the glorious dawn of a new day,” Simon beams and embraces me in a hug.

“Thanks for those words of wisdom, Shakespeare,” Dylan teases him as we all laugh blithely.

“Should we check out our new library digs?” King suggests.

“That sounds great to me,” I note and follow the guys. “I’m just thankful that we can pretty much pick back up where we left off.”

“Thanks to my eidetic memory,” King states nobly.

“Climb off your high horse.” Simon laughs.

“Everyone did their part diplomatically,” I remind the guys, trying to cut through the middle of any animosity or bitter resentment between them.

I know they’re best friends, and I want to keep it that way if our relationship will continue to thrive and flourish.

“Come on, guys.” I scoop them under my elbow. “Let’s go finish what we started.”

When we arrive at the private wing of the library, we check out the room and what we have to work with. Everything will pretty much run as smoothly as possible, just like it did before. Except that now, we’re in better shape because we have our theories, equations, and notes all ready for the experiment conductions phase of the research.

“Hey, check this out,” King states as he scrolls through his phone.

“What is it?” I leave the shelf where I’m thumbing through old, dusty books to walk over to him, with Dylan and Simon approaching at the same time.

King has a wicked, virtuous grin spreading across his gorgeous lips.

“That old bastard is getting what he deserves,” King states with smug satisfaction.

“We already know that much,” Dylan retorts.

“Are you looking at a fresh news article about him?” I ask for further vindication even though I can’t dare speak the asshole’s name out loud.

“Yeah.” King nods with a burst of enthusiasm. “According to this press release, he’s still in jail…”

“Obviously, that jerk will rot there for a long time,” Simon interjects.

“Anyway,” King gives him a sour look, “this says his company is going under.”

“I should hope so.” I take a deep breath and run a hand through my hair.

“His family is trying to save it, but everyone is being investigated. It’s closed in the meantime while the investigations are underway, as many coding violations seem to be a factor.” King recites the rest as direct quotes.

“I’m not a bitch, but I have to say, this is a huge relief to me to hear this,” I admit to the guys. “I mean, I would be fucking pissed if he got off unscathed with a slap on the wrist.”

“There’s no way that will ever happen,” Dylan consoles me. “We will one hundred percent stick by you and the truth.”

“That means a lot to me.” I smile warmly at the guys. “Now, let’s forget about that prick and get back down to business.”

“Yeah!” The guys roar as if I’m their stage mom or something, giving them a perfect pep talk before they rush the field.

After a couple hours, we finish up what we need to align in the research, and the guys invite me back to King’s place.

I have butterflies brewing in my stomach and know the only way to release this knot is to have closure with Brandon.

“I have to do something first,” I tell the guys, slightly vaguely.

“Okay,” King responds as they all look a little wounded.

“I won’t be long,” I say quickly to recover. “I’ll meet you back at the house as soon as I can. I just have a little errand to run.”

I mean, it’s not a total lie. The guys don’t need to be reminded of my past, because as far as I’m concerned, we’re only charging ahead with a bright future and outlook.

After saying goodbye to the guys with a kiss to each of them, I exit the library while texting Brandon that I want to meet up with him. To my relief, he agrees and tells me that, conveniently, he’s already in the city for some farming conference. My luck couldn’t be more perfect right now, and I thank my lucky stars that I can just get this shit over with.

I have to talk to Brandon and end things in a civil way; it’s for the best. That way, I can look forward to the future with King, Simon, and Dylan with no baggage weighting on my shoulders.

We decide to meet in Central Park because it’s a fabulous late afternoon, with a cool breeze and a warm blue sky up above.

I grab a coffee from a street vendor just outside of a park path and find an iron bench to sit on while I sip my refreshment and people watch.

“Krista?”

I look up a few minutes later to see Brandon standing there beside me. He looks sheepish and uncomfortable, just as eager as I am to get this over with.

I decide to capture the bright side of this aspect. At least he’s not begging me to get back with him. The way I look at it, you really just can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

“Hey, Brandon.” I smile to greet him and stand up. “You look good.”

“Thanks.” He licks his lips anxiously and runs a hand through his dark hair. “What did you, uh…want to talk to me about exactly?” he asks with curiosity.

I am more than contented with my three fun, loving, and protective guys. They are gorgeous and respectful, and they treat me like I’m a princess, which is more than I can say for Brandon.

That being said, I feel like we both deserve the parting gift of at least a closure between us. I’m just thankful he wasn’t the one who was sabotaging me.

“I want to talk to you to let you know that I’m seeing someone new now,” I tell him, omitting the fact that it’s actually three guys.

“I figured.” Brandon nods his head and looks at the dirt.

“I want you to be happy, Brandon,” I say softly and edge a little closer to him.

“I am happy,” he says defensively and meets my gaze.

“Good.” I nod, and then there is a brief moment of silence between us as we both gather our thoughts.

“I want you to be happy, too,” he admits, which makes me beam brighter than the sun.

“Thanks.” I take a deep breath and chuckle. “That, um…really means a lot to me.”

“I’ll get on with my life,” he confesses. “The farm keeps me busy.”

“I’m sure it does.” I nod, knowing exactly how exhausting life on the farm can be, having witnessed it firsthand for years.

At the end, Brandon and I give each other a friendly hug and part ways. I walk away in one direction, and he in the other, back upstate.

I decide to take a stroll back to King’s apartment, wanting to relish in the fresh air and the fact that I’m truly free now.

The sun is setting on a new night, blanketing the city with a darkness that now seems more comforting than it ever did before. I am alive with magic, feeling frisky and blissful, as I ascend in the elevator to King’s place.

When I walk through the door, they are all sitting on the couch, waiting for me with huge grins on their faces.

“Hey, guys,” I smile and cast them a little seductive wave, secretly noting that I have a little trick up my sleeve, an ace I’m fully confident and aware that they’ll enjoy.

“Are you all finished up with your errands now?” Dylan coos deliciously.

“Ah…yes…” I wink at him. “I’m all yours now, tonight and forever.”

“That’s what we like to hear,” Simon stands up and practically drools over me.

I scan the room. Three pairs of hungry eyes are all on me, and I savor in the affectionate attention, loving every fucking minute of it.

I’m wearing a long tan coat, and as I unfasten the middle buckle, I make sure to do it as excruciatingly slow as possible, teasing and taunting the guys as I drive them wild. By the end of the night, they’ll be begging me for sexual mercy after what I have in store for them.

With delicate, sexy precision, I slowly creep the coat open to reveal my naked, exposed body underneath. I watch as the guys’ eyes gleam, feasting on the sight of my supple breasts, erect and perky pink nipples, and dripping wet pussy.

“Let’s play,” I whisper seductively, knowing they are as ready as they’ll ever be to pounce on me.