“I didn’t think my life would end up like this,” I said quietly.
“Like how, angel?”
“With not one but four soulmates.”
Xav walked over and wrapped an arm around me from behind, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
“Is that how you feel?”
I nodded, trying not to let tears well in my eyes.
“Angel…”
“Don’t, you’ll get me all emotional.”
He held me tighter. Would ther ever be a time when I didn’t need Xav and his hugs? His freely given affection and care? I didn’t think so.
“I love you,” he whispered in my ear.
“Love you too, tesoro.”
He gave me one last squeeze before pulling away as the kettle boiled.
“I’ll stop distracting you. Only came in to get E a drink since he’s all sweaty from working out.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Not that kind of workout, angel. Get your mind out of the gutter.”
I grinned and poured the boiling water into the cafetiere and then some into a mug as I preferred tea.
“What’s a girl to think when her two men like to get sweaty together? Also, you and sex go hand in hand.”
He poured some water from the Brita filter in the fridge into a glass.
“Mmm, true, but he really was out for a run, not getting a pounding from me.”
I bit my lip trying not to think too hard about that. And especially not about how hot Eric looked with sweat dripping down his abs.
Down girl! I swear Xav and his sex-crazed mind was rubbing off on me.
I finished up with the drinks as Xav walked out, winking at me on the way. My mind was still in the gutter and I had to sort it out.
Popping the mugs on a tray, I carried it into the living room. Viktor was sitting on the sofa with Isabella whilst André had taken up residence in the corner of the room. I set the tray down on the coffee table and handed out the mugs. I knew my mother liked her coffee with milk and sugar.
I took a seat in one of the armchairs and stared at her over the rim of my mug.
“Ashleigh.”
“Mother… I’ve told you a hundred times, it’s Ash. Everyone calls me Ash.”
Her brow furrowed.
“So this is where you’ve been? You never told me if they’ve been treating you well. Where are they?”
I almost rolled my eyes. What was with the twenty questions?
“Yes, yes and they’re working.”
She didn’t need to know I’d asked them to stay away.
“And you’re really…”
“Really what, Mother? Sleeping with all four of them? Yes.”
“Do you really have to be so crude?”
I dared not look at Viktor considering what I’d said but sometimes Isabella riled me up the wrong way.
“Not sure how I could’ve said it more politely. It’s not like I told you I’m fucking them. Oh wait, I just did…”
Her face fell. I knew I was acting like a brat and I resolved to cut it out. I heard a slight cough from my right. Glancing over, I caught André almost snorting out his coffee and trying to hide the smile on his face.
“Sorry, that was inappropriate. Let me start again. Yes, I am in a relationship with the four of them and yes, they have been treating me well. I have my own room and I want for nothing.”
Well, the only thing I wanted was the freedom to leave this house without the fear of Frank getting to me.
“As long as they’re good to you… not that I understand why you… it doesn’t matter. I’m here to support you, not school you on your life choices.”
That was probably the first time she’d ever not given me hell for something she disapproved of. And she definitely disapproved of my relationship with the boys. I could tell from the look in her eyes. Didn’t need her or anyone else’s approval to be with them, anyway.
“We are not here to discuss Ash’s relationships,” Viktor interjected.
My eyes fell on him. He gave me a smile which I was relieved about as I didn’t want to give him a bad impression of me. Perhaps he realised how much Isabella frustrated me.
“No, we’re here to talk about Frank.”
“I don’t know what he’s going to do next if that’s what you want to know,” Isabella said.
It wasn’t. I already knew. That’s when the doorbell went again. I didn’t move to get it as I knew one of the boys would.
“Why did you leave him? After all these years, why now?”
“I left for you. To protect you. If he finds out I lied to him about you, then I’d be in danger too.”
I heard the front door open, voices filtering down the hall before it shut again. Then there were footsteps and Quinn appeared in the doorway. I was about to ask what he was doing when I saw what he had in his hand. I swallowed hard. His dark eyes were full of emotions. My heart snapped. He slowly walked into the room and stopped by my chair, ignoring everyone else. Then he held out the single white rose. I took it, turning it over in my hands as I found the note attached to it.
Ashleigh Vittoria Russo.
Seeing it made me feel numb. He really had put me on the list. He’d sent the message loud and clear. Frank Russo wanted me dead and he’d see to it himself.
I rose from the chair and placed the rose on the coffee table for Viktor and Isabella to see.
“This is why you’re here,” I managed to say. “This is why I wanted you to come… because of this.”
Chapter 29
The room went deadly silent. I could see all the range of emotions flittering across Ash’s features. I wanted to take it away for her. Take away that pain she’d be feeling at seeing the rose. She’d cried her eyes out when it’d been roses for us, but now, she just stared at it.
“Little girl,” I said quietly.
She looked up at me
