SARAH I spin from the force of it, slamming right into a firm chest. Ronan’s chest. I don’t even need to look to know it’s him. The warmth, the scent of his body, and the stupid way my body melts the second we touch tells me everything. “You’re not walking away from us, Sarah. Not even in your dreams.” My tense muscles melt ever so slowly. I bury my face in his chest. Then, I shatter into a million pieces. The sob rips out of me so violently it makes my throat burn. Tears stream down my cheeks, and my whole body trembles as he wraps his arms around me. “Why can’t I just be happy?” I croak. “Why won’t they let me be happy?” His hand strokes my hair. “Let it out, baby. Let it all out.” “I thought Aaron was the worst thing to ever happen to me. But now I’m finally happy. Finally. And someone…someone out there doesn’t want me to have it. I’ve never done anything to hurt anyone. I swear on it.” Ronan just holds me tighter. Then I feel another touch. The scent of his cologne tells me it’s Malachi who’s rubbing my hand. Then another. No doubt Jaxon, smoothing down my back. They surround me. Shelter me. Ground me. Just as they’ve always done. “We’re here,” Malachi’s voice is as light as a feather in my ear. “We’re always going to be here. You hear me?” I nod, still crying. “I hear you.” “Anytime you need us,” Jaxon adds, “we’ll be here.” I look up, wiping my cheeks. My eyes are puffy. My face is a mess. Ronan cradles my jaw. “Look at your puffy cheeks,” he murmurs. Admiration sparkles in those electric blue eyes of his. “So damn beautiful.”I roll my eyes at him, faking a scowl, and he lifts my cheeks with both hands, brushing my tears with the tip of his thumb. “You’re really beautiful,” Malachi says. Jaxon kisses the side of my head. And for a second, just a second, I believe them. I believe I’m safe. But deep inside, I know one thing for sure. Whoever is doing this isn’t done yet. One way or another, I must get to the bottom of this if I’m going to have any peace. I take a deep breath, then sniff. “Crying this much made me hungry.” Ronan laughs. “You still owe us brunch.” “Let’s go then,” I say. “Before I break down again.” We pile into the car and drive to this little French spot I like. They order enough food for five people, and by the time we’re done, I’ve laughed three times, rolled my eyes for almost ten, and almost slapped Jaxon once. Who knew billionaires could be so fucking infuriating and so adorable in the same breath when you date them? They drive me to their office when we’re done. My car’s parked out front. As I step out of the car, Malachi grabs my hand. I raise an amused right brow at him. He doesn’t seem to care. “Are we seeing you tonight?” My lips thin into a smug grin. “Depends.” “On?” “How good you are at lying, or climbing.” Jaxon snorts, and I sneak a glance at him. He knows what I mean, and that’s expected. He’s the most playful of all three. Not to forget, the one with the best sense of humor if you ask me. Ronan, on the other hand, looks confused. “What does that mean?” I turn to him. “To see me, you either lie to my brother about why you’re at the house, or climb to my window to avoid being seen by him. I want to watch you three play dirty.”Malachi’s eyes trail over me, sending cord shivers down my spine. He wants me so bad. It’s so easy to see. “You’re so fucking naughty.” “That’s why you love me.” I wink. He licks his lips. It’s a slow sensual motion that has me sucking in a deep breath. What are the chances of being caught sucking his dick in the parking lot? The way he looks at me makes me want to get down on my knees. Keep it together. I have to scold myself. I blow them all a kiss and sashay toward my car, making sure my hips sway on purpose. It’s a long, beautiful drive to the office. I no longer think about the stalker. All I do is look forward to tonight. How would the brothers actually manage to get in? “Ma’am!” Luke calls, rushing toward me. His face is pale. He’s practically panting. “What is it?” I narrow my eyes on him as I ask. There’s no way something went terribly wrong in my only three hours absence. “Your brother is here.” My heart drops to the pit of my stomach. “Kevin?” He nods, frantic. “He’s in your office. I tried to call you but he asked me not to, and… I don’t wait for the rest. If Kevin is in my office without letting me know, it can’t be for a good reason. I march toward my office and swing open the door. Luke is right. There he is, sitting in my chair, legs crossed. Clad in a pair of black sweatpants and black T-shirt with a crooked smile on his face. Kevin Wellspring. My dearest brother. “I came to have lunch with you,” he says calmly. “They told me you stepped out. For quite a while, apparently.” I swallow hard, holding my breath. If I breathe wrongly, he’ll know. Kevin tends to…know things. His eyes stay locked on me, and I swear, he’s not even blinking. It’s like he’s trying to read my mind. That, or he’s actively trying to strip it open with a steak knife.I fold my arms, trying to match his energy with a neutral, unfazed smile. He leans forward on my desk. “Where were you?” “I went to brunch,” I blurt out. “With friends.” “Friends,” he scoffs. “Really?” I roll my eyes, faking annoyance. It’s one way to get him off my back. “Yes. Friends. You were gone for four years, Kev. I’m allowed to have people in this area, aren’t I?” “Of course,” he says with a thin smile. “I’d never object to you having friends. As long as you’re making the right ones.” That second sentence comes like a warning. I frown. “What does that even mean?” He waves me off, placing both feet on the ground. “No need to beat this any further. You’re back. You’re safe. And I’m hungry. So I’m going to eat.” He rises to his full height in his sweatpants and all, and stretches his back. He starts to walk towards me, but stops mid way. “Oh, by the way, Julian said to let you know he’s coming to pick you up for dinner tonight.” I blink. Fuck no. “I—what?” He doesn’t even look at me. “You don’t have plans, Sarah. You’re going.” I bite my tongue. I do have plans, but I also want my boyfriends to keep breathing. Telling him I intend to sneak three of his best friends into my bedroom window tonight isn’t exactly…advisable. What’s his obsession with getting me and Julian together anyways? Shit. It hurts to do this, but I have to. “No. I don’t have plans.” Liar.“But that doesn’t mean I want to sit at home and watch TV either.” Yes, that’s me. Fighting till the very end. Kevin doesn’t buy it. Not even a little bit. “Just give the man a chance,” he says with a sigh. “Unless…you have someone else in your life?” His eyes narrow into slits. It aims for my chest, and it gets me good. Bulls eye. “No,” I say quickly. “But I’m not interested in Julian like that.” Kevin walks over and places a firm hand over mine. “Then go on the date. Just this once. If you hate it, you’ll never have to see him again. And if he tries to push himself on you after that, I’ll take care of it. Personally.” “Fine.” His smile returns. “That’s a good girl.” My spine stiffens instantly. “Don’t call me that,” I snap. It’s sharper than I intend, but it does the job. Kevin raises his hands in surrender. He starts to walk past me, but halfway to the door, he stops. He turns around. I already know something’s coming. Kevin steps into my space again, and without a word, leans in and takes a long, deliberate sniff. My stomach flips. “What are you…?” “I could swear…” he murmurs. “You smell like Ronan right now.” My heart slams against my ribs. Sweat breaks from the skin of my forehead. “I do?” He sniffs again. “And a bit of Malachi.” “Oh,” my reply is too quick, I can’t take it back now. “The last time we hung out, I liked how they smelled. I asked what cologne they used.” Kevin nods slowly. “Interesting. I cleaned your room this morning. Don’t remember seeing any new bottles.”I keep my face as blank as possible. “They’re still in my car. I bought them on my way to brunch.” He hums, eyes studying me. “Right.” Then, he heads to the door again. “Don’t be late tonight. Seven p.m. sharp,” he calls over his shoulder. “I got you a dress I think Julian would like.” My mouth falls open. He got me a dress? For Julian? Then he pauses again, hand resting on the doorknob. He turns just enough to let his words hang like a dagger. “Oh, and Sarah?” I meet his eyes. “Don’t do what I wouldn’t do.”