Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166

The corner of his mouth kicked up. “You mean use my words instead of being a growly asshole?”

Laughter bubbled out of me. “Well, I mean, I didn’t mind the table portion of the evening. But I hate that I hurt you, I never want to do that

“It’s going to happen. It’s how we deal with the hurt that counts.”

I rinsed the soap from Anson’s chest as he lifted my hair to the spray. “I know you’re right. I just hate the idea of you hurting.

“Not hurting anymore.”

“Good.”

He rubbed bodywash gently over my back and arms. “But I want in on your plans.”

“That’s fair. How do you feel about a run and a workout before school tomorrow?”

Anson groaned. “Why’d you have to start with something at the crack of dawn?”

“Hey, you wanted to be included.”

He grimaced as he washed the soap away. “Fine.”

Anson shut off the water and grabbed two towels from a shelving unit built into the side of the house. He wrapped one around me, pulling it tight, then patted himself dry and wrapped that towel around his hips. I’d never get tired of having his golden skin on display.

He pressed a quick kiss to my lips as he ushered me inside. “We better get to bed if you’re getting us up early.”

Our footsteps slowed as we walked inside. There were pieces of clothing and papers everywhere. It looked as if a tornado had passed through the center of the room. I couldn’t hold in my laughter. “Maybe we should clean this up first.”

A few brows rose as Anson and I walked into the bedroom. River stifled a chuckle. “Did a pipe burst somewhere?”

“Something like that,” Anson muttered under his breath.

My face flamed and I smacked him in the stomach.

He grinned. “What? A pipe did burst.”

I covered my face with my hands as Caspian chuckled and pulled me into a hug. “Don’t be embarrassed. We should all be having fun whenever we can. We need to let off steam.”

Anson and I had certainly done that. I ducked out of Caspian’s hold and headed for the closet, mumbling something about needing pajamas. I shoved the clothes Anson had torn from my body into my hamper and then hurried to pull on fresh sleep shorts and a tank. By the time I made it back out to the bedroom, Anson had found a pair of pajama bottoms.

All the guys hovered around the bed. River had propped himself against the pillows. Knox sat on the edge of the mattress. Vaughn paced.

I swallowed hard as I looked past Caspian and Anson, who stood between me and the place I’d loved until last night. Before I knew sleen could pull me into a battle for my life.

Knox stood, crossing to me. His hands slid along my jaw and into my hair. “We won’t let him get to you.”

“How?”

11. Tiret!

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Chapter 166

River sat up. “If we’re all touching you while you sleep, Kaleb shouldn’t be able to break through”

“You guys can’t stay awake all night just so I can sleep.” They needed their rest too. We’d all been burning the candle at both wods for weeks

“We can.” Vaughn gritted it.

Caspian stepped forward, holding up what appeared to be bathrobe ties. “But we won’t have to.”

Anson grinned. “Kinky. I like it.”

I scowled at him. “Not helping.”

He just winked at me.

Caspian rolled his eyes. “Here’s how it’ll work. I’ll tie our hands together. Knox and River will lay in between us. It’ll keep our arms over the two of them so there’s contact. Then Anson can lay on your other side and-”

“I’ll sit at the end of the bed and hold onto your leg,” Vaughn cut in.

“You can sleep in the bed with the rest of us-”

He shook his head, halting my words. “This works.”

A pang lit along my sternum. I didn’t want to be disappointed at Vaughn holding himself back from us, but I couldn’t help it. I shoved the hurt down and nodded. “Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

Something that looked a lot like regret passed over his features. “It’s for the best.”

But how did Vaughn truly know that? He hadn’t let himself try. I bit my tongue and climbed onto the mattress. River curved himself around me. His lips grazed my ear. “Give it time.”

I nodded but didn’t say a word. I couldn’t give voice to hopes that I wasn’t sure would come to fruition.

Knox climbed in, River and Caspian behind him. As Anson lowered himself to my other side, River tied Caspian’s and my hands together. This way, I could move my other arm and wouldn’t feel trapped but had contact with everyone.

“Wait. Anson, hand me my phone?” I asked.

He grabbed the device on the nightstand and passed it to me. I quickly set my alarm and handed it back. “Thanks.”

Anson plugged it in as Vaughn untucked the blankets at the end of the bed. A pleasant shiver skated up my spine as his fingers curled around my ankle. Now that our entire bond was cemented, I no longer felt physical pain when Vaughn kept his distance. But when I got that contact, everything in me flared to life with rightness. It felt so good, it almost hurt. Because I knew it wouldn’t last.

Concern lined Anson’s face as he lowered himself to the pillows. “You okay?”

I nodded. Just terrified my father would murder me in a dream or Vaughn would break my heart beyond repair.

His lips pressed together in a firm line and I knew he must’ve felt some of my worry.

As Caspian shut off the light, Knox leaned over and pressed a kiss to my bare shoulder. “We’ll keep you safe.”

They would try. But I wasn’t sure it would be enough.