GladYouCame (22 page)

Emmanuelle slapped Genevieve’s hand away. “How dare you ask
me that. How dare you. Just because you choose to live your life in sin doesn’t
mean I have to accept it—or you. And it doesn’t mean I have to be tolerant of
you shoving your choice in my face. Get out and don’t come back until you’ve
straightened out your life.”

Genevieve looked to her father, pleading silently for him to
intervene. But he stood at his wife’s side, quiet as a statue.

Tony wrapped his fingers through hers. “Come on, Genie.
Let’s get out of here and go somewhere we’re welcomed.” She nodded, numb from
her mother’s declaration. “Sorry to have caused so much drama in your evening,
Mrs. Lambert, hopefully we haven’t ruined the entire evening and your meal can
be salvaged.”

Genevieve hoped someone choked on the over-processed,
overpriced, dried-out turkey sitting on the center of the table.

Dade lagged behind as Tony collected their heavy winter
coats. The fabric of her wool coat made her exposed skin itch, the heat of her
embarrassment making the garment even more uncomfortable. As Tony handed Dade
his leather coat, Emmanuelle gave a derisive snort.

“Homewrecker.”

Tony caught Dade’s arm as he started to turn. “She’s not
worth it.”

“Maybe not. But you and Genie sure as fuck are.” He faced Emmanuelle,
his shoulders tight. “I was brought up to respect my elders, but that respect
goes both ways, Mrs. Lambert. Your daughter has been fortunate enough to start
a business from nothing. To settle down with a man she loves—which is more than
your other daughters can say. Just because you don’t agree with what you think
is unconventional doesn’t make it wrong. I count my blessings every day that
I’m lucky enough to have people like Genie and Tony in my life.

“That they love me as much as I love them. And I do love
them both, very much. I would never do anything to hurt either of them. So if
you can find it in your heart to love the rest of your family when they’ve
clearly not made the best choices, I would hope you could find it somewhere
inside you to accept me as part of the Fitzgerald’s family unit.”

“I can’t.” Emmanuelle tipped her chin. “My other daughters
made some bad choices in their lives. But what the three of you are doing is
unforgiveable. A passing fancy that will no doubt cause my daughter a great
deal of harm. Worse, leave her abandoned because you’ve swooped in and stolen
her husband.”

“This isn’t just fun and games to me. This is real. This is
life.” Dade paused, drawing in a long breath. “I plan on asking them to spend
the rest of their lives with me. I would hate to know you’re going to miss
something like that.”

Emmanuelle’s eye widened. “You disgusting, immoral…pervert.”

Despite the flurry of names lofted his way, Dade stood firm.
As though nothing she said could crack his armor. “I’ve been called a lot of
things in my life, Mrs. Lambert. There isn’t a derogatory name that I haven’t
heard already. I’ve been nothing but courteous and kind to you and your family
since I walked through your front door. I would appreciate if you could return
the favor.”

“I don’t owe you anything.”

“No, ma’am. You’re right. You don’t.” Dade turned, shrugging
on his coat with a nod to Genevieve’s father. “Thank you for having us, but
we’re leaving.”

Dade nudged Genevieve through the front door, her body
jerking as he slammed the door. He didn’t normally allow his temper to overrule
reason, especially where other people were involved. But he’d never met anyone
who tested his patience as much as Emmanuelle Lambert.

He wondered how Genevieve had turned out so level headed and
kind. Thank god for small favors.

When they reached the car, he gestured for Tony to get in
the backseat and scooped Genevieve up into his arms. She clung to him, shaking
as he tried to hand her off to Tony.

“Shh, subbie. Just trying to get you settled.”

Tony gathered her close, cupping the back of her head so her
face was buried against his shoulder. At least they were of the same mind, they
didn’t want to let her go.

Dade knew what it felt like to have people turn their backs
when they discovered some shocking bit of news. He’d spent his life shielding
people he loved so they wouldn’t have to go through the same thing. He’d given
up his childhood, his own hopes and dreams, so his brothers could have the best
life possible.

Luckily Emmanuelle’s bias hadn’t rubbed off on Genevieve.

After pulling out onto the highway, Dade caught sign of Tony
in the rearview mirror. His eyes were vacant, staring at nothing in particular.
Dade pushed the accelerator. The more distance he put between them and the
Lamberts’ house, the better.

Thirty minutes later, Genevieve’s muffed sobs had finally
ceased, but Tony’s jaw was still clenched tight. Though he lovingly cradled
Genevieve against him, the stiffness of his shoulders held irritation, anger. A
ferocious river of lava that looked like it was ready to burst free at any
moment and destroy anything in its path.

Dade hated to see someone he cared for feel so helpless.
“You all right?”

Tony nodded, clearing his throat. “Thank you. For what you
said back there. For standing up for us. I should have—”

“She always like that?” He’d known what Tony had been about
to say. Didn’t want to commiserate about what if and should’ve been. Pitiful
way to spend time. And wasting time on those people wasn’t worth the effort.

Tony stared out of the window, quiet for a long time.
“Emmanuelle is the reason Genevieve opened the restaurant in Virginia. Boston
would have been more lucrative. Gotten her better press. More exposure.
Probably would have ended up famous with a book deal. Or maybe even her own
show on some network cable channel.”

“That’s not our girl.”

“No, it’s not.” Their gazes met in the mirror. “I’m glad you
decided to come with us for the holiday. That means a lot. Even though things
didn’t turn out as planned. This was a good reminder we should have just gone
with Genevieve’s idea and stayed home. Made life a little easier for everyone.”

Dade eased off the gas, flipping on the blinker to change
lanes. He slowed as he cruised into an egress for a rest area. After parking
and turning off the engine, he angled sideways to face the backseat. “You and I
both know spending time making life easy is a waste. This relationship isn’t a
flash in the pan for me. I meant everything I said. I see the three of us as a
family unit. We have a long way to go, but…”

“You’re in it for the long haul.”

“Absolutely.” The light from a nearby streetlamp illuminated
Genevieve’s face. Her mascara had run, thanks to her tears. She still have a
firm hold on Tony’s sweater, but at least she had found some moment of peace.
“She’s a special woman.”

“And you’re a special man.”

Dade met Tony’s gaze. Dade wanted to respond, but the sight
of the couple clinging to one another, so disheartened and lost, saddened him.
It also angered him. Someone had wounded people he loved. And there was nothing
he could do to take away the pain. Except carry them as far away from that vile
place as possible. “We’ll get back on the road in a bit. Need to piss and get
some coffee.”

A few minutes later, Dade stepped back into the parking lot
to find Tony leaning against the driver’s side door, staring off in the dark.
Dade rushed forward, alarmed something was wrong. Tony held up a hand. “She’s
in the back, still asleep. I needed to stretch my legs for a minute. Move
around to get the blood flowing again.”

“Sleep is the best thing for her right now after that mess.”
Dade sipped his coffee. “Tastes like piss water.” Despite his observation, he
drank again. Better to hate the taste than fall asleep on the way back. “I
planned on driving straight through. Should reach home about daybreak. Unless
you want to stop somewhere?”

“Home is good. It’s where we need to be after…
that
.”
Tony shifted, crossing his ankles as he shoved his hands into the pockets of
his jacket. “No one has ever stood up for me like you did. Laid everything out
on the line so unapologetically. Like you didn’t give a rat’s ass what anyone
in the room thought. About what you had to say. About you.”

“I’m not most people.”

“You certainly aren’t.” Tony stroked the side of Dade’s jaw,
the quiet rasp of a day’s growth filling the space between them. “I always
thought I’d have to be the one who stood up for Genevieve. Didn’t much care
about myself. But it’s nice to know how someone else feels without any guards
in place.”

Dade licked his lips. “Just protecting what’s mine.”

“As much as I would have liked to have said those same
things, I know enough to accept what happened for what it was. To take what you
said at face value.” Dade met Tony halfway, a building heat suppressing the
cold night air as their lips touched.

Dade continued his forward momentum until he’d caged Tony
against the car. He set his piss-water coffee and Tony’s glasses on the roof,
darting his tongue between Tony’s lips as cars zipped past on the interstate.
Dade sank into the heat and raw passion pouring from Tony and arched against
him. He sensed Tony’s need to be claimed. Hauling Tony into one of the bathroom
stalls to sate the need to brand him as his would satisfy them physically. But
a quick fuck wasn’t the kind of mark Dade wanted to give Tony at the moment.

Breaking away, Dade kissed Tony’s collarbone, giving him the
barest edge of his teeth before dipping his tongue into the hollow of his throat.
Tony shivered. “I meant every word. You and Genevieve are my family. I couldn’t
care less what anyone else thinks now because I’m not going to lose the best
damn thing I’ve ever had.” Dade slid his hand around the back of Tony’s neck.
With a lover’s touch, he pressed a soft kiss against Tony’s lips, using the
faintest hint of tongue. “I let that happen for too long. And I will fight
until there’s nothing left of me for you two.”

A quiet growl rolled from Tony as he tugged on Dade’s waist.
Dade inhaled deeply, opening his mouth to take more of Tony in. An overwhelming
wave of love pushed through him, the floodgate springing a leak seconds before
a rush of emotion overtook him. “I’m at my best when I’m around you. With you
and her. The need for your presence in my life isn’t something I can describe.
I just know how I feel. How alive I am when you’re near—”

Tony stopped him with a loving kiss. “You don’t have to
explain.”

Dade took a couple of deep breaths, and pulled away.
“Thanks. Been a rough night as it is.”

“You mentioned us being your family. Said spending time
making life easy is a waste. Why don’t you talk to your brothers anymore?”

Guilt twisted Dade’s gut as Tony threw his words back at
him. That answer was the darkest of all of his fears. Ones he’d failed to
examine and mourn. To properly bury. He’d avoided talking about this subject
because he hadn’t wanted to be reminded of his choice. But tonight emotions
were so raw and exposed. “I wanted to protect them. Shield them from the kind
of people we just faced. Too many people in the world see things the way
Emmanuelle does. Look at Scott. I couldn’t willingly put my brothers through
that kind of life. They didn’t choose to have an older brother like me.”

The corners of Tony’s kiss swollen lips lifted. “If you mean
caring, protective brother, then you’re wrong. You should have more faith in
them, Dade. I’m willing to bet they’re far more accepting of you and how you
choose to conduct your life than you’re willing to admit. Give them credit.”

“Guess I figured I was more willing to have them out there
living without me in their lives than mucking it up.”

“Have you bothered to find out?” Dade frowned, an expression
that sent Tony laughing. “Didn’t think so, stubborn ass.” Tony pulled Dade to
him again, brushing their mouths together a few times before he tilted his head
and turned the kiss rough and abrasive. He took Dade’s mouth with a violent
savagery that contradicted the tender moment.

Dade returned the kiss with enthusiasm, aggressively
scraping his teeth against Tony’s swollen lips. They kissed as though it was
the first time they’d ever tasted one another. As though they weren’t sure
they’d ever get a chance to kiss ever again.

Dade tore his mouth away, his lungs burning from the lack of
air. He pulled Tony into him for a tight hug. Tony’s pulse beat fast as the
moment punched Dade right between his ribs. He held Tony close for a dozen
heartbeats, basking in the warmth and strength of the man he called his.

“Your call,” Tony said, his voice low and raspy, the
sweetest damn smile curling up his mouth again. “Genevieve and I will stand by
you whatever your decision. We’ll even go with you for support if that’s what
it takes. We’re that much of a unit. That means we go through the good and bad
shit together. Thank you for fighting for us. Now go fight for your brothers.”

Dade’s knees went weak. He lifted Tony’s hand, kissed his
knuckle as their gazes locked. “You are so incredible. A thousand times more
than I could have ever imagined. Thank you. For everything. Let’s take our girl
home and have a real holiday.”

Genevieve felt herself being placed on the bed. She grabbed
for Dade and Tony. They both neatly avoided her, her stomach clenching at the
thought of being alone. “Don’t leave me.”

Tony brushed his lips against her knuckles. “Hadn’t planned
on it. We’re gonna be right here beside you. Just rest.”

Rest was also the last thing she wanted. She reached for
them, snagging their hands. “I need you both with me. In me. Please.”

Dade smoothed his hand over her forehead. “Genie, that may
not be the best thing right now. You need some rest.”

She growled, tightening her hold. “I am so tired of people
telling me what I need. No more. No. I want to forget that night. Tonight. I
want to feel something other than this excruciating pain. Please.”

Tony pressed his lips against the tip of her fingers as he
worked to unlace her hold. “Anything for you, sweetheart.” Two pairs of hands
moved over her, peeling her slowly out of the festive dress she’d been so
excited to wear. Before everything had turned to a black, ugly scar across her
heart.

“Hurts. So bad.”

“We know, Genie.” Dade disposed of her bra and underwear.
“Just relax. Let us take care of you.”

She closed her eyes, fighting back the tears threatening to
fall. Someone’s warm, gentle lips pressed against her instep, while another
pair grazed over the inside of her wrist. A whimper tore from her throat.
Hushed whispers caressed her skin, pushing back the darkness threatening to
take her. Opening her eyes, she found them hovering over her, their gazes
searching her face. She raised her hands, fitting her palms against their jaw
lines.

Concern swam in their eyes. They were worried. These two
men. Her men. “I love you both so much. So very, very much.” Emotion clogged
her throat. “I’m sorry for failing you.”

“You could never fail us, Genevieve.” Tony touched his lips
to hers first, then Dade’s. Two men so different, yet so similar. Every breath
she took was filled with them. She loved the way each man possessed her in his
own way. How one would remind her how much she was loved with his kisses. While
the other reminded her how much she was loved as his tongue pressed against her
most sensitive areas.

She felt her body being lifted, cradled. Held tight in
someone’s arms. Opening her eyes again she caught sight of the colorful artwork
drawn over the bulk of muscle.

Dade.

He held her close. So tender and caring. He was her
darkness. Her black knight in shining armor who allowed her into his heart even
when convention dictated he shouldn’t. He’d stood up to her parents. Asked her
mother to find the space in her heart to accept the choice she’d made to allow
these two men into her life.

She pressed her cheek against his tattoo, listening to
hushed whispers as they made plans to leave so she could rest. “I need you.
Both. It’s been days since either one of you have been inside me.”

“Hush,
a thaisce
. You need to rest.”

“No.” She let out a shuddering breath, forcing back every
emotion she had except the prevailing desire for the two men. “I already said
the last thing I want to do is pretend I don’t love either of you. If anything,
I want to do something to reinforce how I feel. Please make love to me. No
games. No power exchange. Just the three of us. Whole and pure. Together.”

“Anything for you, love.” As Dade pressed his mouth against
hers, Tony kissed the side of her neck. She reached back, curling her fingers
through Tony’s hair, anchoring him to her as Dade’s kiss grew firmer and more
demanding. Tony peeled away the sheet separating them, tracing her nipples with
his fingers before moving down her belly and splaying over her mound.

The men used their hands to work in tandem, caressing every
part of her skin until pleasure was a hot ball of heat glowing inside her. Tony
cupped her waist, pulling her against his chest. Dade caught her nipple between
his teeth, pulling and tugging gently until he’d pulled a satisfied moan from
her.

“You’re so beautiful being worshipped and taken care of by
him.” Tony dipped his hand between her legs, fluttering his fingers over her
clit. “I want to be inside you. Here.” She gasped as Tony drove a finger deep
into her core as the same moment Dade cupped her breasts and bit down.

Warm, familiar heat coiled through her, rushing from her
head to her toes. The healing energy of their love flooded her, pushing away
the dark stain of the argument with her mother. Nothing existed for her but
these two men and the love they gifted her with. Beyond words, she nodded as
Tony nestled her calves against his thighs, the head of his cock pushing
against her entrance a split second before he thrust into her.

Dade swallowed her cry of gratitude.

Tony licked the side of her throat, a feeling of rightness
pushing out to surround the trio in a bubble where the rest of the world ceased
to exist. Dade broke away, trailing his tongue down her body until he was
settled between her legs. The long, wet stroke of his tongue over her cunt
accompanied Tony’s thrust deep into her body. Dade played with her heated
flesh, drawing away each time Tony withdrew so he could scrape his tongue over
Tony’s cock.

Her focus narrowed on where they lavished attention on her,
her thoughts narrowing. All she could think of was their cocks, thrusting into
her in tandem, riding her into a climax so powerful she went blind.

“Christ, what is going on in that pretty, inventive little
mind of yours? She just went all soft and warm on the inside, Dade.” Dade clamped
his mouth over hers, an urgency fueling his kiss as a rush of pleasure heated
her skin. She tasted both her and Tony on Dade’s tongue, a heady mixture of
their love. A drug flowing through her heart. “Jesus, that’s even better.”
Tony’s hiss slid over her skin, caressing her with each thrust as the noise
slid into a low curse.

“Please,” she managed to gasp out as Tony continued his
slow, deep fucking. “I need you both so much. Don’t let me go over alone.”

“You won’t, Genie. We’ll never let you be alone.” Tony moved
against her, shifting as he raised onto his knees and positioned her so they
were chest to chest. He cradled her ass, grinding his pelvis against hers.

“I want to be here with you two forever,” Dade whispered
against her neck, the heat of his cock brushing against the swell of her butt.
“My woman and my man. You are everything.”

Reaching back, she met his mouth, brushing her lips against
his as Tony kissed the hollow of her throat. She couldn’t escape what she felt
for the men. And in some odd way understood it better now than ever before.
Being thankful for their place in her life didn’t begin to cover how special
their connection was.

Opening her eyes as Dade broke the kiss, her gaze met
Tony’s. Love swam in the depths of his green eyes, clear and bright as the
grass topping the rolling hills of Ireland. He cocked his head to the side,
pressing his lips gently against her mouth as his gaze stayed locked on hers.

She couldn’t explain it, but she felt as though they were
standing on the edge of a precipice, staring over a wide, expansive abyss.
They’d stood here before. But thanks to Dade’s arrival, they knew it had merely
been a short jump that would carry them on to greater things.

“Marry us, Dade.” Tony’s words slid over her skin, a loving
caress in the darkness. “Truly be with us forever and allow us to be everything
you’ve ever wanted. Just as you are ours.”

Dade said nothing, grabbing each of their hands and curling
his fingers around theirs as he placed the knot of their hands against
Genevieve’s chest. Her heart beat steady and strong, a special magic washing
through her as their connection flourished. She was afraid to say anything for
fear of ruining the moment. For fear that Dade would deny them.

“Yes.” Dade’s answer danced over her skin, a hushed whisper
filled with more love than she had ever known. “But you have it wrong. I should
be asking you to marry me. Allow me to be a part of the special bond the two of
you already share.”

“Let us be yours, Dade.”

“Yes,” Dade whispered against her shoulder. “And for the
rest of my life, I shall know I am doubly blessed because each of you own my
heart.” Everything went smooth and effortless as Dade kissed the back of her
neck, and then leaned over her shoulder to meet Tony’s mouth. The coarse nature
of their connection filled her as their tongues slid together.

As Dade continued to kiss her husband, he drew his erection
against the swell of her ass. The hot swipe of pre-cum he painted against her
skin branded her as theirs. Dade nudged against Tony’s cock, their combined
entry into her slick heat was slow and dreamy. The pace was agonizing as they
worked to fill her. The ache stretching out to become a pleasure she’d never
known. But soon the world dulled, the edges going cottony and soft. A moan
laced with need spilled out, coating her skin as the trio slowly climbed toward
orgasm.

They both groaned her name, a benediction reverberating
through her as they suddenly began to plunge inside her in tandem. Her trust
and dependence on them solidified, becoming a weight that anchored her and
caused her to surrender wholly to them. Something broke, ripping through the
men as they began to fuck into her hard and deep, racing at breakneck speed
toward climax.

Orgasm rushed in, flowing through her with an acute
sweetness that scored her through and through, marking her with each of their
names. Their souls soothed her, making her calm through the madness of their
love. She lost herself in the connection of pleasure as waves of sensation
began to overwhelm her. With a ragged moan tangled around their names, she came
in a hot, blinding rush. The men drove deep, snarling her name in unison as
Tony came, followed seconds later by Dade.

Her lungs burned as she fought to regain her breath. The men
cradled her close, their legs bracketing hers as they stretched out on the bed
together, basking in the afterglow. The early morning sun filtered through the
curtains, highlighting the silvery line of their intertwined limbs.

The triad may not have been the picture of average, but they
had an unbreakable love that made all the difference in the world. Tony and
Dade were her family. And they were the shield between her and every possible
pain the world could hurtle toward her.

Even her mother.