Page 106 of Kidnapping Their Third

There were tears in his eyes, and Pike had the urge to hug her and tell her they were fine. But that impulse wasn’t as strong as his remaining animosity over her actions regarding Cora.

“I might not be able to forgive you,” he whispered, pain lancing through his heart as he said the words, but he felt she should know.

Lucy flinched and both Stan and Enrico glared at him, but their hold on Lucy remained gentle.

“Annette said I shouldn’t talk to you yet, so this is my fault,” she mumbled, rubbing a fist over her eyes. “Once again, I fucked everything up.”

Stan made soothing sounds while Enrico leaned in close and whispered something in her ear. She nodded her head and started to turn but paused and looked back at him.

“Just so you know, I’ll live the rest of my life with the weight of having hurt the people who loved me the most. Every moment I breathe, I’m filled with guilt and regret. I won’t ever force you to talk to me, but I want you to know I’d do anything you ask. Anything, even ending my own life.”

Enrico growled and forcefully turned her to face him. “Did you forget your promise already?”

Pike watched Lucy stare into Enrico’s eyes without a hint of fear. “That promise only counts if I want to do it from my own pain. If he asks me, then it’s a cure for someone else's pain.”

“I don’t want you dead,” Pike whispered. “I would never want you dead. Even if you’d killed my mate, I don’t think I could’ve taken your life. If I wouldn’t take it, then you're not allowed to.”

Lucy gave him a watery smile. “You’re too good for this world, David. I hope your mates appreciate how wonderful you are.”

“We do,” Kimble said, appearing at Pike’s side with Cora in his arms. He set Cora down, and she unwrapped a towel from around her shoulders and put it on him.

“You’re soaked!” she exclaimed cheerfully, pointedly ignoring Lucy.

“Enjoy the love you very much deserve,” Lucy said and let the men walk her away. With his emotions in a turmoil, Pike was relieved to see them go.

“I’m safe. Kimble’s not feral,” Cora said, letting go of the towel to reach up high and cup his cheeks. “And we love you.”

Their love coming through the bond warmed him from the inside out, chasing away the pain seeing Lucy had caused. Putting an arm around both his mates, he pulled them close.

No words needed to be spoken, the bond between them said it all.

***

Kimble

It wasn’t until they were all in the house, clean, dry, and snuggled in bed that Kimble relaxed. He’d tolerated the party,especially after realizing that Cora’s siblings were on their best behavior, and Pike was enjoying himself immensely. The prospect of holding one of these gatherings once a month no longer seemed so heinous.

Could he have a pool built before the next one? It would be difficult but he could get it done with enough money. It was going to start getting cold soon, so he’d need to make sure the pool was heated. They’d require a small building for the swimmers to use when they needed to clean off the pool water and dry. The building would require several showers at least, and perhaps….

He was so involved in his thoughts he didn’t realize his flock was sound asleep until Cora mumbled something and accidentally smacked him on the chest as she shifted position. Usually Cora read a little, and Pike would scroll on his phone before they fell asleep but not tonight.

Reaching across Cora, Kimble petted Pike’s side and at the same time buried his face in Cora’s hair. Pike made a soft, content sound, and rolled over to spoon Cora, trapping Kimble's arm between the two of them. Even though she was sound asleep, Cora turned her head and nuzzled Kimble’s chest. Smiling, he closed his eyes and soaked in the happiness.

It was official, he was the luckiest vampire to have ever unlived.