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“You came,” I cry into the warmth of his neck, my eyes vibrating beneath the lids as he hoists and jostles my limp form—a hunk of flesh and bones and wonky muscles spurning proper function.
“Of course I did, Ives,”
“To the ends of the earth, remember?”
To the ends of the earth. Maybe even to the depths of Hell.
“I need my husband more, Wells. I need you to take it away—the nightmares, his blown-off face, the terror and emptiness and loneliness. Please. Remind me what I’m fighting for. Remind me of us.”
After our release from the SEALs, we were so wounded, so callous and brittle. From the moment we found her, Ivy was a symbol of hope for all of us at a time when we had nothing but each other. First, she represented a life of aspirations and fortune. But soon, we fell for her smile and antics and vivacity. Her sharp wit and feisty spirit. Captivating even from afar. She meant something different to each of us over the years, but she flourished before our eyes until she wasn’t merely a symbol of a better life; she was the embodiment of dreams. Of more. Especially once she was standing among us.
They might not realize it, but Ivy is the healing balm, opening us all up to a life with love. Because of her, they may finally be ready to let someone penetrate the armor they’ve carefully constructed after years of unfathomable loss so they can each enjoy a connection, like Ivy and I share.
“I love you, Liam. You’re my family, forever and always.”
“Right back at ya, High Society. You’re worth so much more.”
He doesn’t love her like I do, but he does love her. After a lifetime of him never being welcomed into a family, Ivy adopted Liam to be part of hers. That’s a gift, a bond they’ll always share. And while the thought of his lips on hers still evokes visions of me slowly dismembering him, I can accept that they’re family. My family.
“I missed you too, Ty. Thanks for showing up for me.”
“That’s not a reason to thank me, Ivy. You’re ours. We’ll always be here for you. Always show up. In fact, I doubt you’ll ever be out of our sight again.”
“That shit was fucked up, Ivy, but legendary. You’re my hero, girl.”
“Look at you, pussy-worshipping, Big Guy,”
To falling in love with the man hired to hunt me for a cabal I’m the heir to run, in exchange for millions. To marrying that same man and discovering he is like a son to my father—a father who is a hostage to his malfunctioning body.
To being gaslighted into believing none of it was real by the very people I love most in this world, all in the name of testing my strengths.
To being rescued by the men I cherish, men I feared had betrayed me. One whom I’m madly in love with. Another whom I watched die after he confessed feelings for me. All four are chained to my soul like limbs I can’t walk without.
It’s all still such a mindfuck.
“I’m not asking for apologies. I’m asking you to understand that I’m not quite the same. I have no idea how this shaped me, or what I’m feeling, or how to act. Just don’t give up on me.”
“To the ends of the earth,” Wells whispers, his raspy tenor eliciting goose bumps along my neck. “I love you exactly as you are, Little Storm. Always.”
“Fuck no, Freckles. We’d never give up on you, no matter what. You never gave up on us.”
That’s why Ivy is perfect for me. She’s not afraid of fires. She sets her own.
But I’ll gladly burn in Hell before I let my stormy angel become a devil too.
“A goddamn fantasy.” I flip her around, soaking in her shocked squeals. “My perfect pet.” Unzip her dress and ruck it, her bra, and panties down her body in a single desperate sweep. “My filthy slut. My good girl.” Flatten her perky tits to the bed. And grit out, “My motherfucking queen. Mine.”
It’s the epitome of who we are, who we’ll be as leaders, as a couple. Ivy may be mine, on my leash, handing me control, but there’s no mistaking who holds all the power.
It’s always been her.
I won’t fear this darkness I’m akin to or even the black hole threatening to suffocate me. I’ll revere it, recognizing every inky speck for the gift it is. The privilege and opportunity.
To rise and become. For these men, I’ll flare as their midnight bonfire.
Set ablaze to rule the tox...
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Their Burni...
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“And I worship them, but my husband is the only man who I’ve ever had sex with, and that is the way it will always be.” It’s not that I can’t see the beauty in a polyamorous relationship. I’m sure that can be amazing. It’s just not who we are. And I love who we are.
“Ty, Liam, and Gage are a huge part of me though. My family and more. My heart. It’s difficult to explain, but knowing you’d die for someone, wading through carnage together, and being a life preserver when they’re drowning in that bloodbath—it’s a bond that surpasses the traditional sense of family. We’re forever linked.”
The one that assures me this is an epic love, far surpassing my comprehension or insecurities or penchant for fiery resistance. His lips press to mine for a pillowy, sugar-coated union that steals my breath before his emeralds brighten, more dazzling than the glistering sky.
“I never wanted a doe, baby. Anyone can command the weak or steer the docile. It takes a god to conquer the storm.”
