Chapter 15: Finally Back With My Men

Chapter 215: Finally Back With My Men

Angelia

Kingston let go of my hand so we could eat, I picked up my fork again and forced myself to take a bite and then another. It was slow going and I was all too aware of the attention I had on me as I ate. My stomach twisted and complained as I swallowed one tiny bite after another, each one settling like stone in my stomach.  Did I eat anything yesterday? I couldn't remember, I might have had some toast but certainly not enough to call a meal.

When I couldn't manage another piece of pancakes, I slid the plate  just a little away from me, the scent making me feel sick and my stomach rolled.

“You need to eat more.” Kingston commanded gruffly, scrutinizing my plate and the food left on it.

“I have already eaten enough.” I objected, though enough was certainly a stretch. I had almost eaten half of the pancakes which was more breakfast that I had gotten used to.

“If you don't want anything on the table, I can make something else.” He said but I was already shaking my head.

“No, thank you but I am full.” 

“Full? But you have hardly an….” He grunted as he jumped slightly in his seat and I caught the annoyance flashing in his eyes as he glanced briefly at Marshall which made it seem suspiciously like he had kicked Kingston beneath the table.

“Fine, but I expect you to eat more for dinner.” He said, giving me an out only so he could reel me back in later.

“I will try,” I promised, but at the moment, I couldn't stand the thought of the next meal.

I let out a yawn, which quickly followed my another, making my eyes water.

“Still tired, honey?” Riccardo asked.

“You should take a nap or relax on the couch while we get things ready before we leave.”

“Are you sure? There is nothing you guys need me to do?” 

“We are sure.” He smiled.

“We will take care of everything but if you think of something we would like us to bring with you, just let us know and we will handle it.” 

“Actually, there is one thing, the manila envelope with the pictures and evidence. I don't feel comfortable leaving it at home.” 

“I already brought it from your apartment.” Marshall informed me.

“It is on the kitchen island.”

Wow, these men really think of everything. The thought made my shoulder sag in relief like some of the tension had just evaporated. I had been holding myself together by willpower alone and my strength was leaving me all too quickly, maybe because I knew I was in safe hands. It didn't feel like everything was only on me anymore, I had someone to lean on now and it was doing wonders for my tense muscles.

“Thank you,” I gave him a smile, there was a lot of that going around here and I wasn't used to it.

“I really appreciate it.”

“There is absolutely nothing to thank me for, baby girl. I will do anything for you.” 

The way he had said it made me think he really meant it and as dead on my feet and mentally exhausted as I was, it made me come just a little bit more alive, causing butterflies to tickle inside my stomach. Before I went ahead to the living room, I turned towards Kingston.

“What about my phone?  I can go a few days without one, but my parents should have a way to contact me.”

“We will get you a new phone before we head to my place. Until your phone has been checked, it won't be safe to use and especially not safe to take with us.” 

I was just about to object to them buying me a new phone, but he cut me off before I could even open my mouth.

“And even then your stalker still has your number and he will continue to contact you as long as you have it. We will at least be able to control who has access to your new number and we will make sure it is private.”

Well, I didn't really have anything to say to that, so I simply nodded begrudgingly in agreement which caused a very slight twitch on the corner of his lips in amusement. They knew I wasn't the biggest fan of being spent money on but damm it if they weren't enjoying my defeat. I was stubborn as all hell, but if I put my will against either of these men, I already knew I wouldn't win. It would have been like a toddler fighting against an mma fighter, unless and right now, I didn't much care to fight.

As I made my way to the couch, there was one thought that played on repeat.

'I was finally back with my men but at what cost?’

******

If someone had told me just a few months ago that I was going to move in with three men, men who I had also been in an intimate relationship with at the same time. I would have never believed it, but here I was, in front of Kingston's manor, struck stupid by the turn of events. My mind was struggling to keep up with me going from being afraid to feeling safe in a sudden instant.

The house was eerie to loot at, the grey limestone bricked building was both beautiful and beautifully chilling as it hinted at the centuries old stories it held. It towered over me, intimidating me with its size. I hadn't decided if I liked this place or hated it, though I knew I would never be comfortable in a house this big. There was simply too much open space for me to be completely at ease. It was still surreal to think of and see the wealth these men possessed. I had been brought up in a world where we could afford what we needed. But we couldn't often splurge on things we wanted, and to be honest, nothing about that had changed. I still needed to be careful about what to buy and how to save money even though I did occasionally spend money I shouldn't have. The dress and lingerie for Pleasure Palace came to mind.

I turned my back to the house and made a move to help the men with the luggage and between Riccardo, Marshall and me, we had amassed a ton of luggage. Marshall stopped me in my tracks before I could pick up a bag.

“Don't worry about it, Kingston will send someone to bring it to our rooms.” He said as he slung an arm around my shoulder and started leading me inside, effectively cutting off my objection before I even made it. I didn't like leaving my stuff for someone else to handle, it felt weird.

“It is their job.” He said, like he knew I felt rude leaving my stuff for others to pick up.

“Would you have wanted your customers at the cafe or the club to serve themselves? Make their drinks themselves?” He asked.

“Gosh, no.” I replied, unconsciously leaning my body against his as we walked through the foyer and up the stairs.

“Exactly, because then you wouldn't have a job to do if someone else did it for you. It is the same with these workers, as long as you treat them with respect, there is nothing more to it.”

I hadn't really thought about it like this.

“You are right….”

“Like always.” He grinned as if he was finishing my sentence even though I hadn't planned on saying that. 

“That might be a bit of a stretch.” I teased.

“You are hardly always right.”

“Name a time I haven't been right.”

“Way to put me on the spot.” I laughed, trying to rack my brain of a time he had been wrong but coming up short. Surely,he had been wrong.

“I can't remember.”

“Exactly, because I am always right.” He nodded like we were in an agreement.

“Or because I can't think clearly with you this close to me.” I muttered, not intending for him to hear but he didn, nevertheless.

“Oh, is that so?” He said smugly, a smirk resting on his lips as he arm slid from my shoulder and down my waist, gathering me closer to his side and making his hold on me more intimate.

“You weren't supposed to hear that.” I said, my cheeks burning from embarrassment.

“Don't worry, though. I never think properly whenever you are around.”  He admitted with such casualty as if his admissions were mere words that didn't cause me to stop breathing for a moment while my heart ran wild in its cage.

We stopped by one of the living rooms on the second floor and I glanced at the decorative and stiff room. I was pretty sure this was called the grand room or something along those lines. I wasn't completely sure, it was grand though. I would give it that but in a sense it was also too grand to actually enjoy.