Chapter Fifteen
Renee looked up in time to catch sight of Galen stalking through the lobby, toward her. Everything in her body sped at the sight, and then she had to grab the counter when Jack caught up and the two, side by side, moved to her.
They’d been gone three days while she stayed with Grace and Cade. It had been stupid, she’d have preferred to stay in her own house with her own things, but of course, no one really cared what she wanted, not when it came to her safety. Secretly, not that she’d admit it out loud, she found it achingly tender and sexy that they went out of their way to protect her.
She raised a hand, her senses caught up in them, their scents rolling through her, the sight of those eyes, the flex of masculine muscle sending her into her very happy place.
“Close to closing time?” Jack asked, his gaze on her intent. She managed to look up and down his body. It made her breathless to look at him.
“Ten minutes. I was just cleaning up.”
Galen walked around her counter and swept her into a hug. She breathed in deep, letting him slide into her system again, settling her jangled nerves.
“I missed you so much.”
“We missed you too. Clean up. Jack’s going to wait here and I’m going to run upstairs a moment. We’ll all go home and take the phone off the hook.” The smile Galen sent her promised all the best sort of sweaty, sticky loving.
“Now it’s my turn.” Jack’s hug was different than Galen’s, though no less affecting. The raw energy he gave off filled her as much as his scent. Her need for them both staggered her. “I have this need inside only you can fill up. Galen and I can touch each other, love each other, but you’re essential in a way I’d be scared of if I didn’t trust you to take care of it.”
“I’ll always take care of it.” She held his face in her hands, his heart in hers.
“I know. Soon I hope, because it’s painful to walk at this point.” His wink made her laugh.
“You’re the one who came in here all sexy and hot and stuff. Stand back and let me finish cleaning up.” She laughed, wiping down her counters, shutting things down, putting the juices away. By the time she finished, Galen had come back and the three of them nearly ran back home.
“The mage knows that if he sets foot in Cascadia or de La Vega territory he will die begging for mercy and getting none.” Galen hustled her toward their bedroom.
“I’m safe?”
“For now. They’ll find you, others will. You’re metaphysical candy to them, they will find you.” Jack pulled his shirt off one handed.
“Rosemary is helping a lot. Kendra is moving here to Boston.” This made her happy, the happiest she’d been her whole life. Her men, their life, her aunt and her sister, Jack’s pack had accepted her and things within the jamboree had eased once she simply remembered it was better to celebrate all the people who did love her instead of mourning those who didn’t.
She would be a powerful witch. She had it within her heart, within her capabilities. She trained every single day and would continue to do so. Kendra already had a job offer at a local private school. She’d set up in Jack’s old apartment and found the neighborhood suited her well. Rosemary would spend time in Boston every month as she traveled back and forth between coasts.
Four hands and two mouths roamed over her body as her clothes disappeared. Their connection glittered between them, no sharp edges, just curves and paths they all could follow. It wasn’t easy sometimes, these two overbearing men who wanted to protect her from every hurt. They struggled, tussled over things nearly every day. If she didn’t keep her guard up and not let them get away with too much, they’d steamroll her, not to harm, but to protect. It was infuriatingly comforting.
For years she’d been empty and apart from others and then Galen had landed in her life like the gift he was. He’d healed her broken parts, had brought her out of her shell and made her believe in herself. And just when she thought her life was as perfect as it could be, Jack stumbled in.
Magic was real. She felt it rushing through her veins as it was her birthright. But she felt it each time she touched Galen or kissed Jack. Experienced it when she turned the corner and watched them kiss or touch. Knew it when they flipped the stereo on and didn’t complain when KC and the Sunshine Band began to play.
There were paths yet unforged, territory she knew she had to explore and conquer. She’d find the truth of her past. She’d do it and succeed because she was blessed in matters of the heart, blessed with two warriors at her side and their extended family who’d taken her in too.
Magic worked in ways she knew she’d never understand fully. But it was made flesh and bone right here in her bed, in her heart, and that’s what meant the most.