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I SNEAK OUT later that night to meet Ashley after the guys have gone to sleep. I’m planning on a quick snatch and grab so I’m back in the house before they notice I’ve left. It’s why I asked Ashley to drive to Prestwick Forest to meet me.
I drive through the main entrance to the woods and pull into the parking lot, alongside Ashley’s car, and kill my engine. “Girl, this place gives me the creeps at night,” she says, exiting her car the same time I exit mine.
I shudder as I remember the time the guys dumped me in a pit filled with bones in the dead of night and left me to crawl out by myself. “You’re preaching to the choir,” I agree, opening the trunk of the Gran Turismo. Luckily, I emptied it out before coming here, because the four framed photos are big, and they barely fit.
“Those are seriously hot.” Ashley grins, propping her hip against the side of her car as I close the trunk. “And I like that you didn’t ask Michelle to cover up your scars or your injuries.”
“I’m proud of my scars,” I say. “And I never hide them. They remind me every day that I’ve faced off with monsters and come out stronger.” I pull myself up on the hood of my car. “I did consider hiding the bruising on my ribs,” I admit. “For about five seconds.” I flash her a grin. “Because the sentiment is the same there. That bitch tried to take me out, but she failed. I’m still here, and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
“Amen, sister. I think they make the photos hotter, and I’m sure the guys will love them.”
“I hope so, because I’m replacing the nude posters on their walls with my own version.” I’ve been planning it from the instant I stepped foot in their place.
Ashley tosses her long hair over one shoulder, grinning wildly. “I so want to be you when I grow up.” I toss her a grin. “Why weren’t we friends before? It was such a wasted opportunity.”
“We’re friends now.”
“You should come to the party Friday night. I know my guys would love to hang out with your guys.”
Ashley’s house is a regular party scene because her rents are rarely home, always overseas on business. Friday party nights at Ashley Shaw’s has been a Lowell Academy tradition for the past couple years now.
“We have this thing we gotta do Friday, but if it goes okay, we can drop by.”
“Cool.” She slides down the hood of her car, wiping her hands down the front of her jeans.
I’m a little less elegant getting off the hood of my car, but I manage.
She leans in, hugging me. “See you Friday.”
“Thanks again, Ashley. I owe you big-time.”
“It’s nothing.” She shrugs. “It’s what friends do.”
We leave at the same time, exiting the forest in different directions, and I’m sure it hasn’t escaped her notice I’m not heading in the direction of Lowell.
Leaving the pictures in the trunk, I slip into the house, resetting the alarm.
“Where did you sneak off to?” Theo’s voice is low as I tiptoe, in the dark, past the couch.
“Oh my fucking God!” I screech. “You almost gave me a coronary.”
“Sorry.” He gets up, coming around the couch, smiling as I rub a hand over my chest. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“And I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
“I get alerts anytime the alarm is activated or deactivated,” he explains. “What were you up to?” he asks again, pulling me into his hips.
“I had something I needed to do.”
His brows climb to his hairline. “In Prestwick Forest parking lot in the middle of the night?” he asks, confirming he checked the tracking app.
I tweak his nose. “I was picking up your wedding presents. I want it to be a complete surprise, so don’t say anything to the others, please?”
“You didn’t have to get us anything, but I’m sure we’ll love it.” He pulls his fingers along his lips in a zipping motion. “And these lips are sealed.”
We part ways at the foot of the stairways, and I kiss him softly before he goes up one set of stairs and I take the other. We decided not to christen our new bed until after the wedding ceremonies tomorrow, so Saint is sleeping there while the others take the other three beds, and I move between them as the mood strikes me.
I can’t resist tiptoeing to Saint’s side, pressing a gentle kiss to his brow, as he lays spread-eagled across the big bed. Then I slip into the room I’m sharing with Galen tonight, shedding my clothes and climbing in beside him. I snuggle into his back, and he stirs, taking my hand, pulling it tight around his waist, and I love how he reaches for me, even in sleep.
Closing my eyes, I inhale his comforting scent, excited to be spending my last night as a single woman. By this time tomorrow, I’ll be married to four of the most amazing, most gorgeous guys on the planet.
And I can’t fucking wait.
CHAPTER 18
“WAIT RIGHT HERE,” I tell the guys the following day, as the limo pulls up to the curb outside the jewelry store in the city. The guys surprised me with breakfast that included champagne and strawberries, and after we packed our overnight bags, we drove to Prestwick Forest, where a shiny limousine with blacked-out windows awaited us.
I dash into the store and collect the engraved wedding bands before racing back outside with them safely tucked in my purse.
The driver takes us to the hotel next, and Theo checks us into the penthouse while we linger outside the elevator bank.
I walk around the plush penthouse in a daze. “Oh my God, you guys,” I call out, standing at the foot of the bed with my mouth hanging open. “You’ve got to see this.”
Caz dumps my bag on the floor as he steps into the master bedroom with a loopy grin on his face.
“Looks exactly like the picture on the hotel website,” Galen says, walking into the room, followed by Theo and Saint.
“You knew about this?” I cast a glance over my shoulder.
“Yep.” Saint flops down on one side of the mammoth four-poster bed.
“I couldn’t believe I found a hotel with a bed large enough for all of us,” Theo admits, coming up behind me and circling his arms around my waist.
“It was actually booked out for tonight,” Galen explains, lying down with his hands tucked behind his head. “But our resident brainiac negotiated a deal with the couple who had reserved the place, getting them to relinquish it for tonight so it’s all ours.”
“Your smarts turn me on so much,” I say, twisting my head around to kiss Theo. I rest my forehead against his. “Thank you.” Emotion flows through my body, lighting me up from the inside out. “Thank you all. Today is already more than I expected.”
“Nothing but the best for our girl.” Caz stands in front of me, brushing a few stray strands of hair off my face. He leans down, kissing me, and heat rolls off Theo in waves from behind me.
“We have two hours before the city hall ceremony,” Saint says, sitting up. “We’ll get ready in the other bedroom so you have the master to yourself.” Theo and Caz kiss me on both cheeks, smiling as they back out of the room.