Page 28 of The Final Battle

“Let’s not forget that Cassarah gets a say in this as well,“ Dayson interjected. “Every woman needs a day to herself and with her dealing with all of us, I feel that is only going to make the need greater.“

Becka snickered at that, giving me a wink. “The poor things gonna need at least one day she isn’t getting poked by one of you. Plus, May and I want our time with her as well. It’s not fair that you all get special time with her and we don’t.“

“That is a brilliant point,“ I agreed. “I know you all are happy to listen to me grumble about things, but in every relationship there are irritations. Just so we’re clear I will not ever be discussing things with each of you about the others. That is what Becka and May are for, they will be able to listen to me and not need to fix it right away. The last thing I want is for things to get worse between all of you.“

“Very wise,“ Zan agreed. “We will endeavor to do the same and try to deal with our personal issues with others directly, instead of coming to you about them, as well.“

Looking around the table, it seemed that everyone was in agreement with these choices, making me feel much better about how things stood between everyone. Finished with our meal, we all gathered in the sitting room and Jade surprised me by pulling me into his lap as he sat in one of the armchairs.

“Little bird, I could feel you watching me through the whole conversation,“ he murmured in my ear. “Give me time and I will reveal what’s wrong, just trust in the fact that it has nothing to do with you. We are perfectly fine.“

“Are you okay?“ I asked, turning to meet his gaze.

His seafoam colored eyes looked back at me with love and a tinge of sadness. “I hope to be soon, it’s hard for me when it comes to family. None of my family was ever that loving towards me and trying to build a new one has brought up some feelings and other things I have to work on.“

Pressing a kiss to his lips, I tried to infuse all the love I had for him into it. He tucked my head under his chin as he held me, while the others resumed their card games. Soon, the room was filled with laughter, yelling, and the sense of family. This was what we’d been missing—this time to be together just as people, setting aside our titles and role in the world. Right now, we were just family—my family.

Chapter seventeen

Cassarah

I was awoken as someone scooped me up and started to carry me. It would seem the men had finally had enough of their card battle and were calling it a night. Dayson picked me up from the couch where it appeared I fell asleep watching them.

“Go back to sleep, Cassy-Bear, out of all of us, you need the sleep,“ Dayson murmured, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “You don’t mind being in my room tonight, do you?“

“No, as long as you’re there with me, I’m fine to sleep wherever,“ I answered nuzzling into his chest. “Who won?“

“Paxton, the cheating bastard,“ Dayson grumbled.

Smiling, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Did he really cheat or was he just craftier than all of you?“

“What’s the difference?“

“Skill, seeing as all of you are mercenaries and can read a lie from across the room,“ I said as he sat me down on his bed.

“Then I would say he is an incredibly skilled man, because none of us saw it coming. Now, do you need me to help you out of that dress?“ Dayson asked with a raised brow.

Rising, I pulled my loose hair over my shoulder, revealing the back of the dress where the laces were. “If you can get the over dress, I can manage the rest.“

I felt the heat of his body as he stepped up to me, resting his hands on my hips before pressing a kiss to my neck. “What if I want to take the rest off of you as well? Will you let me do that? Unless you’re not in the mood, then I’ll keep my hands to myself.“

Glancing at him over my shoulder, I gave him a sultry smile. “I don’t think there will be a moment when I’m not in the mood to be with one of my men.“

“Next question… How much do you like this dress?“

“I’ve got others—“

The sound of fabric ripping echoed in the quiet room, as my body jerked from the force of him snapping the laces along with the fabric. He wasn’t finished with me yet though, and I felt the cool steel of a blade glide up along my spine, making me gasp.

“Day…“

A hand rested on my neck where it meets my shoulder. “Trust me, Cassy-Bear, I’m not ever going to hurt you.“

His fingers caressed up the column of my throat then back down, pushing the fabric off my shoulder. Quickly, the same thing happened with the other side, causing the dress to settle at my feet. Using his knife, he cut through all my undergarments as well, leaving me completely and utterly bare to him. Callused fingers traced down my back and I felt the heat of his breath on my neck.

“You are the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen in my life, Cassarah.“

Trusting he would be there, I pressed my back into his chest, letting my head fall back to look up at him. My giant of a man, covered in the fierce markings of his clan, rippling with muscle, giving you the impression he would be a hard man. Instead, I knew he was quite the opposite— Dayson was a hopeless romantic with the world’s biggest heart, and he gave it to me.