Chapter 37 Risky Idea
Chapter 37 Risky Idea
The spot behind my eyes throbbed as Max’s alarm blared, echoing through the room. I groaned and rolled over, pressing my face against his shoulder as he blindly reached out to turn off the ringer.
“Come on, Princess, we’ve got to get up,” Max sighed, stretching beneath the blanket and kissing my forehead.
“I don’t wanna…” I was exhausted. Attending lectures was the very last thing I wanted to do.
“I know, baby,” he soothed with another peck. “But I promised I’d get you to class on time.”
“It’s your fault I’m so tired,” I accused playfully, rubbing my eyelids with my fingers to relieve the pressure. “I need some Tylenol.”
“I’ve got you, babe. Let me run down to the garage and grab your clothes. I’ll have one of the boys brew some coffee.” Max flipped the covers off, tugging on a pair of sweats and disappearing out the door.
As I waited, I stared up at the ceiling, recalling the night before. It had been everything I’d ever wanted. Max had explored my entire body with a mix of reverence and determination. I’d lost count of how many times he’d made me come. A smile spread across my face as I sat up in bed.
“Here, baby.” A water bottle was pressed into my hand, along with medication. As I swallowed the pills and gulped down the water, Max laid my clothes out on the bed.
“I need my—” I smiled as he handed me the purse I’d left on the couch the night before. Digging inside, I pulled out the box of emergency contraception and peeled the packet open, swallowing the small pill.
“Yeah, we definitely need to go to the clinic,” Max mumbled, turning to pull clothes from his dresser. I watched him in silence for a moment, appreciating all the firm ridges of his body, before I began to dress.
When we finally descended the stairs, the boys were already in the kitchen, nursing coffee and picking at less-than-nutritious breakfasts. As they caught sight of us, they broke into little cheers and whoops.
“Someone had a great night!” Hayden stated over the noise. My face grew hot, and I hid behind my hands as Max gave his friend a playful shove.
“Ignore them, love,” he said, pouring a cup of coffee. “They just aren’t used to hearing the sound of real orgasms.”
Killian snorted at Max’s crude joke, choking on his drink.
“Well, not everyone can be as skilled as you, darling,” I replied with a sweet smile, accepting the mug he offered.
“Now wait a minute!” Jax protested. We all burst into a fit of laughter at his defensive tone.
Standing there with Max and his friends, I couldn’t help but think about how easy it was to spend time with them—effortless. There was no uncomfortable tension, no pressure or expectations to meet. With them, I could simply exist; something I’d never been able to experience at home.
“So, Blackwood,” Hayden said suddenly, setting his coffee mug in the sink. “How much dirt do you actually have on your family?”
“Hayden!” Max growled in warning as I blinked at his friend in surprise. Before I answered, I thought carefully about everything I’d experienced at the hands of my father and brothers.
“Physically?” I clarified, raising an eyebrow. “Very little… I’m sure I can get my hands on a few things, but it would mean going home—”
Max’s grip on my waist tightened, his body tensing behind me as a shadow of concern crossed his features. “Aellorah, baby, don’t even think about putting yourself in harm’s way,” he warned, his voice low and protective. “Your safety and well-being are non-negotiable. We can find another way to fix this.”
Killian nodded in agreement. “Yeah, little mouse, let’s not risk your neck for this. We want to get you out of your situation, but putting you in danger isn’t an option. We’ve got brains, brawn, and my father has one of the best lawyers that money can buy. I’m sure we can dig up some dirt without you having to face your family again.”
“Besides,” Jax chimed in, a wicked glint in his eye, “You’re one of us now. Family. And we protect our own.”
My gaze darted between the faces of Max’s friends, their unwavering support a tangible, comforting presence. My eyes watered.
“Thank you… all of you,” I whispered, my voice trembling with gratitude. “For being here for me, believing in me… for making me feel like I have a home, even when it feels like nothing else is secure.” I smiled through my tears. “I—” Blinking away the mist in my eyes, I paused as a thought struck me.
“I have an idea. It’s risky, very risky, but we won’t have to do anything illegal. The downside is that there might be some backlash from my family. So, we would need to be really careful.”
Max’s brows furrowed as he listened intently. I could almost see the wheels in his head turning as he imagined the risks I alluded to. “Go on, baby – we’re all ears,” he urged, his tall frame pressing closer to mine, as if to absorb every word.
A flicker of unease crossed his friend's faces at the mention of possible backlash, but they quickly schooled their expressions, determination overriding trepidation. “Whatever the plan is,” Max continued, “We’ll face it together – you, me, and our crew,” he assured me, his emerald eyes locking onto mine with unwavering resolve.
“Absolutely,” Hayden added solemnly. “As long as we’re careful and have each other’s backs, I believe we can navigate whatever challenges come our way.”
I swallowed back a fresh round of tears. So, this is what it felt like to really have a family… Something so foreign but felt so right when I was standing there with them.
“Well, first thing's first,” I said, looking up at Max with a mischievous smile. “You, Stonehall, are going to put a ring on my finger…”