25. Annalise

25

ANNALISE

M orning light filters through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. My eyes flutter open, and I stretch out my limbs, feeling a slight ache between my thighs. A blush creeps up my cheeks as memories of last night’s encounter with Nikhil and Cassius flood my mind. The heat of their touch still lingers on my skin, making me shiver despite the warmth of the sun.

“Mommy!” My daughters’ voices pull me back to reality, and I quickly pull myself together. I swing my legs over the side of the bed, grateful for the distraction from my wandering thoughts. Their excited chatter fills the air as they race into the room, wrapping their arms around me in a tight hug.

“Morning, my loves,” I say, squeezing them gently. “Did you sleep well?”

“Uh-huh!” They nod in unison, their faces beaming with happiness. That’s all that matters to me—their happiness, their safety.

“In my dream, I rode a unicorn.” The smile on Franny’s face is bigger than I’ve ever seen.

“I swam with dolphins,” Gina tries to one-up her sister.

“Portia said she’s making pancakes for breakfast,” Franny informs me, her eyes wide with anticipation.

“Sounds delicious.” I smile and ruffle her hair. “Go wash your hands and brush your teeth. I’ll be right there.”

“Okay!” They scamper off, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more.

I’m going to need a cold shower.

As I step into the cozy kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon fills my senses. Portia stands at the stove, humming a tune and flipping pancakes with practiced ease.

“Good morning,” I greet her, my voice slightly hoarse from last night’s passionate encounter and all the screaming.

“Morning, Annalise.” She turns to me with a knowing grin. “You seem…happy today.”

I can’t help but blush.

I wonder why.

As I approach the table, I realize that my thighs are still sore from our lovemaking, causing me to walk with a slight bowlegged gait. Portia catches this and has to stifle a laugh behind her hand.

“Did you have a good workout last night?” she teases, raising her eyebrows suggestively.

“Portia!” I exclaim, mortified by how easily she’s able to read me.

“I’m sure she did have fun.” Isabella seems to appear magically in the doorway. She crosses her arms over her chest, and there’s still something dark in her eyes.

Portia seems to realize that there’s something up. “I’ll take this to the girls.”

The second she leaves the room, I can feel the awkwardness setting in.

“Who did you sleep with last night? Nikhil or Cassius?”

I swallow, averting my gaze, my mind trying to come up with a response.

She snorts and shakes her head. “Both?”

“Isabella, I’m so sorry,” I blurt out, unable to hold back any longer. “I didn’t mean to cross a line…”

“You didn’t,” Isabella replies gently, her expression softening. “You haven’t done anything wrong. In fact, I’m glad you’re here with us.”

“Really?” Relief washes over me, though I still can’t shake the sensation that I’m walking on eggshells around her. “Because it doesn’t really feel like that’s how you feel.”

“I just don’t want you to get yourself into any problems. My brothers…they’re complicated people. And you’re not just messing around with one of them. I want you to know what you’re doing.”

I swallow and grab a mug from the cupboard before pouring myself a mug from the coffee pot that Portia has beside the stove. “Honestly, I don’t have a clue what I’m doing.” I sigh and bring the mug to my lips.

“I’m scared for you,” Isabella admits.

“Should I be scared?”

“Not like that.” She shrugs. “My brothers aren’t bad people. They do bad things sometimes, but so does everyone else. They don’t hide who they really are. But, they love just like everyone else, Annalise. You need to understand that.”

The word “love” seems so foreign when it’s in reference to the Volkov brothers. But, like Isabella said, they’re just people too.

Her words stir something within me, a sliver of hope that perhaps there’s more to these men than meets the eye. The conflicting feelings inside me begin to shift, ever so slightly, toward understanding.

“You’re Volkov royalty,” Isabella says, looking at me seriously. “They’ll protect you with their lives, and you’re getting closer and closer to them. If you don’t want this life…can’t stomach that sometimes they do bad things…then get out now while you still can.”

I realize what this conversation is. It’s more than just Isabella warning me. She’s looking out for her brothers…making sure that I won’t hurt them.

It’s a weird thought…that I could do damage to the Volkov brothers.

“Wow, that was a lot to unload on you.” Isabella straightens her back, her usual playful expression finding its way back to her face. “You should go and use the pool today. The weather’s great.”

“There’s a pool?” I frown.

Isabella laughs. “It’s always covered up. I’ll have it uncovered for you. The twins would have fun in it too.”

A day spent lounging by the water sounds heavenly, especially after last night’s passionate encounter with Nikhil and Cassius. My body could use some relaxation.

“That’ll be nice.”

“Oh, and here…” Isabella gets closer to me before grabbing ahold of my hand and putting something in it. She releases my hand, and I frown at the little pill inside.

“What is this?”

“Do you want another baby?”

My lips separate as I realize I’d completely forgotten about protection, so enthralled by them.

It’s plan B.

“I figured you hadn’t considered it.”

“Thank you.”

“Take it quick,” she advises. “It loses effectiveness after twelve hours.”