Reese

“Don’t you ever do that to me again.”

His hand slides over my back, pulling me tighter to him even though I know it has to hurt.

“I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”

I hold on to him tightly as I drift off to sleep, just in case.

This time, when I wake up, the room is full of people talking quietly. When I open my eyes, Sugar is the first to notice. All conversation dies as she climbs to her feet and walks over to me.

She leans over, tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Welcome back.”

I grin at her words, hearing the worry in her voice even though she tries to hide it.

“Now, maybe you can stop dribbling all over Blink’s chest. As if being stabbed in the back by a coward isn’t bad enough, he has to deal with your drool.”

“I do not drool,” I hiss, but then wipe my mouth just in case, making her laugh.

She moves back to her seat, making space for Vega to reach me.

“Sorry, man, but I need her.” He apologizes to Blink before gently extracting me from his hold and pulling me into his arms.

He carries me to the chair he was sitting on beside Graves and tucks me under his chin. I feel his heart beat wildly beneath my ear.

Graves reaches for my hand and threads his fingers through mine as Lollie walks over with a blanket and tucks it around me.

“You’re flashing your ass. It’s a nice ass and all, but—”

“Thanks, Lollie.” I cut her off before she goes on a tangent.

“Are you kidding me with this?” a loud voice proclaims as the door slams open, smacking against the wall.

Vega tenses but relaxes when he feels me laughing.

“Dulce. I missed you.”

Dulce stomps over to me, ignoring everyone else in the room as she squats down in front of me.

“I leave you alone for five minutes, and this is what happens?”

“You’ve been gone a little longer than five minutes, drama llama.”

“Drama llama? Drama fucking llama!!” she screeches. “You got into a fight with a lion!” she bellows, making me wince.

Her husband, Aslanov, steps through the door, taking in the scene before rolling his eyes and walking to Dulce. He helps her up and turns her into his chest, where she bursts into tears.

I frown, then a lightbulb goes off. “Dulce, are you pregnant again?”

“Stupid dicks attacking me all the time. Of course, I’m pregnant. I’m going to murder them all, then raise these kids myself.”

“Now, Dulce, don’t be like that,” Aslanov whispers into her ear seductively.

“Oh no, mister. Do not use that voice on me. That’s what got me into this mess in the first place.” She stomps her foot, making Graves beside me laugh.

Dulce scowls at the laughter, but when she gets a look at Graves, her face morphs into her sweeter than sugar one, her blinding smile on full display.

“Hi, I’m Dulce. Nice to meet you.”

I shake my head and snigger.