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She handed over her tablet and cell, still smiling at the man as Roman and Aiden followed suit.

Glade thanked them, not yet moving aside. “Not to sound suspicious, but… We’re taking stricter precautions this time, what with that unfortunate incident involving Everett trying to exploit some of my girls. I’m sure you’ll understand that it’s for everyone’s safety.”

To her credit, Scarlet didn’t even flinch. “Of course. What can we do?”

”It’s quite simple, really. I’m just asking for every couple to offer a show of faith.”

“Not sure I’m following you.”

“Just a few minor things. First, all female guests must have at least one male escort with them at all times. No exceptions. Second, we expect every couple—or threesome in your case—to make an appearance at a few of our…engagements. Participation will be assumed, of course.” Thomas glanced at Roman then Aiden. “And lastly, all guests are required to give a visual confirmation of their…involvement before being granted full access.”

Scarlet took a step back, bumping into Aiden. He snagged her waist, cursing under his breath at the shiver that worked through her.

She recovered quickly, steadying her expression as she looked at Glade. “And how are we to achieve that?”

“Quite simply, my dear. Just give your lovers a kiss for me. Trust me. I’ve been in this business long enough to tell a real one from a fake.” He snickered. “Unless you’d rather give us more of a show?”

Scarlet waved his suggestion away. “Can’t start off the week with the grand finale. Every girl wants to have a bit of mystery about her.”

“Touché. So a kiss it is.”

Scarlet turned toward them, a momentary lapse of confidence creasing her brow. She opened her mouth just as Roman lunged forward, threading his fingers through her hair as he tugged her hard against his chest. She inhaled, her hands landing on his shoulders as he tipped her back slightly, crushing his mouth to hers. She made a muffled gasping sound before she melted against him, smoothing her fingers into his hair.

Roman commanded the kiss, every set of eyes stopping to stare at the couple as he made love to her mouth, licking and nibbling her bottom lip when he finally released her. Her eyes blinked open, the stunning blue far darker than they’d been moments before. He smiled down at her, easing her back up. She raised her hand to her chest, as she seemed to take a few labored breaths.

Aiden felt an answering tightness in his chest as Roman turned his gaze on him. Roman gave him a lift of an eyebrow before striking, taking Aiden’s mouth in a demanding kiss. The man swept his tongue inside, a lingering hint of coffee adding to the heady flavor that was all Roman. Aiden answered in kind, using his added height to dominate Roman once he’d started to ease off. Aiden didn’t hide his obvious arousal when he finally pulled back, knowing the hard line of his dick pressing against his pants would only add authenticity to their game.

Roman smiled, glancing at Scarlet as he stepped back. Her eyes were rounded in shock, her lips slightly parted as if she’d started to say something but hadn’t remembered what it was.

Aiden took the opportunity to snag her around the waist, pulling her flush to his chest. He dipped down, nuzzling his lips against her neck. A hushed, “oh, God” murmured next to his ear as her breath hissed out on a sigh. He worked his way up her jaw, lifting both hands to cup her face as he brushed his lips across hers. A tremble shuddered through her as he slowly claimed her mouth, licking his way inside, humming at the sweet taste that burst on his tongue. She reminded him of chocolate and honey, with a distinctive tang that tempered the other flavors. Scarlet responded, following his retreat, tangling her tongue with his until he broke the kiss, holding her forehead to his. Their breath mixed, and he dropped another quick kiss on the corner of her mouth before gently releasing her, lowering his hands to her hips. Scarlet blinked, sucking in a few deep breaths before visibly drawing herself up, plastering on a smile as Thomas clapped his hands together.

He stepped between them, a sly grin on his face. “Well, well. Looks like we might have some new competition for some of our ruling champions. Because if you boys eat pussy and fuck half as good as you kiss, you’ll give us all quite the show over the next couple of weeks.” He bowed, waving them toward a sweeping staircase. “My staff has already taken your belongings up to your room. Feel free to take some time to recover from your trip. Festivities start first thing tomorrow. We’ll send a schedule of the photo sessions to your room. I look forward to seeing much more of you three in the near future.”

Aiden nodded. “Thanks. We’ll see you soon.”

He palmed Scarlet’s back again, guiding her toward the staircase. She walked woodenly up the steps, barely registering the other people milling about as they made their way to their room. It wasn’t until they’d locked it behind them that she seemed to snap back to her senses.

She whirled on them, hands on hips, anger coloring her features. “What the hell was that?”

Roman glanced at him, silently telling him to tread lightly. “You’ll have to be a bit more specific. What was what?”

“That kiss.”

Roman furrowed his brow. “It was what we needed to do to convince the old man we’re exactly what we appear to be.” He took a calculated step closer. “Unless you wanted us to take option two and give him a real show.”

She clenched her jaw, narrowing her gaze. “Not funny.”

Aiden moved in beside Roman. “It’s not like we had a choice. And if it means anything, you were very convincing.”

“Me? It wasn’t
me
that convinced him.”

Hurt flashed in her eyes, and Aiden didn’t miss the way she blinked away unshed tears. He looked at Roman but the man seemed equally confused.

Aiden shuffled closer, frowning when she crossed her arms defensively across her chest. “Scarlet? What’s going on?”

“Maybe you boys should tell me.”

“Tell you what?”

She kicked at the floor, shame hunching her shoulders, before glancing at them—the hurt impossible to miss this time. “You could start by telling me how long you two have been lovers. Because there’s no way that kiss was the first you’ve ever shared.”

Roman closed the distance, stopping when she took a few quick steps back. “Don’t. Don’t fucking back away like you think we’d ever do anything to hurt you.”

“Oh, you mean like disappearing from my life with nothing more than a few token words?”

Roman faltered for a moment, guilt tightening the fine lines around his mouth. “I’ve tried talking to you—at the station and on the drive up, but you refuse to give me a chance to explain.”

Scarlet swiped at her cheeks as a few tears slipped free, cringing as they fell silently to the floor. A mumbled curse crossed the short distance between them as she took what looked like a fortifying breath. “I think you just did.” She spun on her heels, stalking to the bathroom before closing the door, the sound of the lock tumbling into place echoing through the room.

Roman crossed over to the door, palming the surface. “This isn’t helping, Scarlet. We need to talk.”

“I need some time.”

He leaned his forehead against the door, looking completely lost. “Please. Darling. Just let us in.”

“You and Aiden can take the bed.”

Roman fisted his hand, huffing out a breath before straightening. “Fine. You need some time, we’ll give you what we can, but you can’t hide forever. And we’re not going anywhere.”

He walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Aiden headed for the bed, sinking down on the edge as he shucked his jacket off his shoulders, rolling them in an effort to ease the straining muscles. This definitely wasn’t going as planned. He only hoped they reached an understanding before the killer struck again.

Chapter Five

Roman stood in the bathroom doorway, staring at Scarlet as she slept in the bathtub—a pillow and her hands tucked under her head, a single blanket tossed across her. She’d spent over an hour hiding in the plush en suite last night before filing out, grabbing her belongings as she’d turned back toward the room. She’d stopped and simply stood there, waiting while they’d used the facilities before closing the door again, this time leaving it unlocked.

Aiden had checked on her after midnight, spending the next thirty minutes sitting beside her, just watching her sleep. He hadn’t spoken when he’d finally ventured to their bed, giving Roman a kiss before turning over and drifting off. Roman had tried to get some rest, but every damn noise had put him on edge, the lingering doubt of her safety nagging at him. Though his head told him there wasn’t a way for anyone to get to her without walking through the room, his heart couldn’t stand the distance. Couldn’t ease without being able to reach behind him to feel her body curled next to him. This manor was the first time they’d shared a bed. And while he hadn’t assumed she’d be happy about sharing one again, he hadn’t considered she’d resort to sleeping in the damn tub.

She snuffled in her sleep, shifting slightly before quieting again. God, she was beautiful. The way her brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, forming loose curls around her face. Her long eyelashes rested against creamy skin, hiding the brilliant blue that always made him think of the ocean—bright when she was happy, dark and gray when she got angry. He loved her moody little quirks—the way she scrunched her nose up when she thought he’d lost his mind. Or how her smile lit up her entire face, as if she’d flicked on a switch. She’d always looked at him like that. At Aiden too. As if they made her happy in a way no one else could.

God, what he wouldn’t do to get that back. To have her gaze at him with an emotion other than anger or sadness.

“Have I told you it’s kind of creepy the way you’re just standing there, staring at her?”

“You mean the way you did for thirty minutes last night?”

“Just wake her up. Gotta face the music sooner or later, buddy. Tick, tock.”

Roman glanced over at Aiden, admiring the view. Chest bare, blond hair tousled about his head, he looked more than tempting. Of course, making love to the man was out of the question until they’d had a chance to talk to Scarlet. She’d seemed deeply hurt that they’d become lovers without her knowledge, and the last thing they needed was for her to walk in on them.

He closed his eyes. Just thinking about the three of them together, bodies writhing, skin gleaming in the bright sunlight, made his dick jerk inside his pants. He clenched his jaw, flipping off Aiden before moving farther into the bathroom. He wasn’t sure he was up to another round of her glaring at them, or worse—watching her cry.

Shit, in the two years he’d known her, he’d never once seen her cry. Sure, she’d shed a few tears chopping onions, or watching some sappy chick flick, but somehow that didn’t really count. Not like last night. The way she’d brushed them away, acting as if the simple act had weakened her somehow. It’d made him wonder in she’d cried others over the past three months. If he and Aiden had hurt her far worse than they’d ever imagined.

He pushed the ugly thoughts aside. He couldn’t change what they’d done. He could only pray she’d find a way to forgive them. Allow them to spend the rest of their lives making it up to her. Showing her how perfect they were together. How much they loved her.

He kneeled next to the tub, brushing her hair off her forehead, enjoying the play of her skin beneath his fingers. It was so soft. So damn tempting. And knowing how sweet she’d taste, how wet she’d get, just tortured him more. He wanted her back.

He lowered his hand, easing the cover back slightly as he stared at her shoulder. Two raised scars marred her flesh, the angry welts barely healed. He knew if he ran his fingers along her blade, he’d feel the outline of every screw holding the plates in place. Her cost for saving his life.

Footsteps padded behind him. “It was her choice to make, just like it’d be yours or mine. You need to move past that. She doesn’t blame you—”

“How do you know?”

“Because I saw the look on her face yesterday when you alluded to the idea you were the reason she got shot.”

“I was. If she hadn’t pushed me aside—”

“You’d be dead. Do you seriously think that would have hurt her less? That she regrets it?”

Roman sighed. “At this particular moment?”

Aiden chuckled. “Wanting to kick our asses isn’t quite the same as actually wishing you were dead. And I’m pretty sure once she’s made her point, the makeup sex is going to be more than worth it.”

“Who says there’ll be makeup sex?”

Roman snapped his head around, pinned by a set of perfectly blue eyes.

Scarlet pushed herself up, wincing a bit as her shoulder twisted slightly, before leaning against the tub. She tunneled her hand through her hair, tossing the mass of silky strands about her face, making her look every inch the wildcat he knew her to be. She cocked her head over, grinning at them. “But Aiden’s right about one thing.”

Roman glanced at the man then back to her. “What’s that?”

“I’d like nothing more than to kick your ass. Both of you.”

Roman spread his arms wide. “Right here, darling. Get your pretty ass out of that tub, and I’m all yours.”

“What point is there in kicking your ass when you’re ready for it? I’m not that nice. Trust me. You won’t see it coming until it’s too late.”

“Suit yourself. We’re not going anywhere.”

She huffed at his words, the awkwardness between them returning. She sat in silence for a minutes before looking away. “What time is it?”

“Early.”

She nodded. “Did they bring the schedule by? It’d be nice to know when I have to psych myself up to head out that door wearing mostly my smile.”

“It’s not as if we like this any more than you do.”

“Of course not. Seeing as you two have to strip down…oh wait. That’s just me.”

Roman crossed his arms, tension straining his shoulders. “Do you really think we want all those slimy bastards gawking at you, wondering what it would be like fuck you?” He shook his head. “I thought you knew us better than that.”