Page 196 of Wild Embers
This isourbed.
Levi, Santiago, Walker, and me.
We share this space where we exist together, blocking out the world beyond these four walls.
Walker’s arm is draped across my waist. Somewhere behind me, Levi lets out a quiet sigh in his sleep. Santiago’s fingers are still loosely tangled with mine, as though even unconscious he isn't quite ready to let go.
I never understood why people called a bed a safe haven.
A bed has always been a place I feared.
A place where nightmares began.
Somehow, they’ve turned it into the exact opposite.
Maybe this is what home was supposed to feel like all along.
CHAPTER 48
BLAKE
For the last week, when the guys have to leave for work, I haven’t complained once, and I feel like that earns me a gold medal.
Then again, they gifted me a whole damn studio—the perfect place to spend my time.
Tonight, however, they’re all acting a little weird. Instead of leaving me to paint, they’re all in here watching me.
I’ve asked over and over whether everything is okay or if anything has come up in the case, but they all insist that nothing is wrong.
The three of them together are either planning something incredibly thoughtful or incredibly stupid.
Both options are equally likely.
I’m washing my hands after cleaning up when they all nod, stand together, and surround me.
I dry my hands, then turn around. “Is this an intervention or something?”
“Date night,” Santiago answers with a smirk.
I grin, excitedly. “Riding again?”
Levi tilts his head from side to side. “Not quite.”
I lift a single brow. “Where are we going?”
Instead of answering my question, Walker suggests, “You’re going to want to wear all black.”
My lips pull down into a frown. “Why?”
Walker hands me a bundle of black fabric that I didn’t notice he was holding. “Black clothes help you blend in when it’s dark.”
I narrow my eyes. “Are we doing something illegal?”
They exchange a look and bust up laughing.
My eyes bounce between them as I smile uneasily. “But seriously. Are we?”
They still don’t answer. Instead, they chose to guide me to the bathroom and tell me to get dressed. I do as they ask, dressing in a black long-sleeve thermal, black leggings, thick black wool socks, and black combat boots.
