Chapter 17

SEVENTEEN

SALEM

T he drive out to Westchester County flew by in the blink of an eye as Fallon and I chatted about everything and nothing. Still, there was an unspoken understanding between us that certain topics were off-limits for now. Fallon had been avoiding talking about New Orleans ever since we left, and while a part of me was desperate for answers, I knew better than to push her. So, I respected her wish to talk about anything else. There would be time for the harder conversations later.

Before I knew it, we had pulled up to the estate that Lennox had purchased for us. I gasped in awe at the sight of it. What could only be described as a mansion stood majestic against the backdrop of sprawling gardens. The elegant facade gleamed in the sunlight, and the windows reflected the clear blue sky above. It was like something out of a dream, a place that seemed worlds away from the chaos and danger of the city.

Beside me, Fallon let out a low whistle of appreciation as she took in the sight of the estate. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she surveyed the sprawling grounds. "Wow," she breathed, her voice filled with wonder. "My brother's outdone himself this time."

I nodded in agreement, unable to tear my gaze away from the gorgeous white stone masterpiece. Elegant columns flanked the entrance while intricately carved details adorned every surface. The tall windows were framed in ornate wrought iron, and ivy climbed the walls, adding to the mansion's timeless allure.

"It's like something from a movie," I murmured as we stepped out of the car and made our way toward the front door.

Standing there waiting for the guys to arrive, gratitude overwhelmed me. Gratitude for Lennox's foresight in securing this place for us, for Fallon's unwavering support and friendship, and for the chance to start anew in a place that already felt like home.

Fallon and I stood together at the door to the estate when the sound of an approaching car pulled our attention away from the grandeur before us. Turning, we watched Mateo's vintage black Charger pull into the driveway.

The guys piled out, and their faces filled with excitement as they caught sight of the house.

"What do you think?" Cohen called out, flashing us a grin as he climbed out of the car.

"It's amazing," Fallon replied, her eyes sparkling.

I nodded in agreement. "It's perfect," I murmured, my voice filled with awe.

"Come on, you two," Lennox said, gesturing for us to follow him inside. "Let's give you the grand tour."

Lennox turned the key in the lock, and we stepped through the front doors. The interior of the mansion was just as impressive as the exterior, with high ceilings and grand archways leading off into different rooms. Lennox led us through the main living area, where everything was already furnished and ready to go.

"This is the living room," he explained, sweeping his arm out to encompass the space before us. "And over here is the kitchen. Salem, if there's any sort of appliance that you want and it isn't already installed, just let me know."

As he led us into the kitchen, I let out a gasp of surprise at the sight before me. The room was spacious and modern, with gleaming countertops and state-of-the-art appliances lining the walls.

"It's beautiful," I breathed, running my hand along the smooth surface of the countertop.

Fallon and I exchanged excited glances as we took in the beautiful space. It was filled with natural light, streaming in through the large windows that overlooked the sprawling grounds of the estate. It was the kitchen of my dreams. Actually, now I thought of it, it did look suspiciously like a few kitchens I had saved on Pinterest.

"And that's not all," Mateo chimed in, appearing from another doorway with a grin. "Wait until you see the rest of the place."

Lennox led us through the rest of the mansion, showing us each of our rooms and pointing out the various amenities that the estate had to offer. There was a pool out back, surrounded by lush greenery, and a gym filled with top-of-the-line equipment. In the basement, there was even a home theater, complete with a large screen and plush seating that I couldn't wait to jump into.

"It's incredible," Fallon breathed, her eyes wide with wonder as she took everything in.

"It's all thanks to Lennox," Cole said, clapping his brother on the back with a grin. "He had it remodeled for us. It has everything we could ever need."

As Cole's words of acknowledgment filled the air, Lennox's typically composed demeanor softened, a subtle blush creeping onto his cheeks. "Ah, well, it's nothing much," he replied modestly, his tone betraying a bashfulness that was so unlike him. ″I just wanted somewhere safe for all of us."

Cole ruffled Lennox's hair, grinning. "Well, you've outdone yourself, man. This place is amazing."

Lennox chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks."

I watched this exchange with warmth blossoming in my chest. Despite my initial reservations about leaving my apartment, I appreciated the effort Lennox had put into creating this sanctuary for us.

As everyone gathered back in the living area, I gazed out at the outdoor area, lost in my thoughts.

"Hey, Salem," Lennox called to me, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Can I show you something?" I turned to see Lennox gesturing for me to join him outside.

Curiosity piqued, I nodded, following him as he led me away from the group. The air outside was crisp and cool, a welcomed contrast to the warmth of the kitchen, and I shivered slightly at the change.

Lennox led me toward a greenhouse nestled at the edge of the estate, its glass walls gleaming in the sunlight. We stepped inside, and I was greeted by a wave of warmth and humidity, the scent of earth and vegetation filling my nostrils. Rows of flowers stretched out before me, their petals a sea of burgundy and black.

"What is all this?" I asked, my voice filled with amazement as I took in the sight.

Lennox smiled, his eyes softening with emotion as he looked at me. "With Emily knowing the location of your greenhouse, it wasn't safe anymore," he explained. "So I had this one built for you and moved everything here."

I stared at him in disbelief, my heart swelling with gratitude. "You did this for me?" I whispered, unable to tear my gaze away from the sea of black dahlias before me.

Lennox nodded, his expression serious. "I know how much they mean to you, Salem," he said quietly. "And I wanted to make sure you had a safe place to continue growing them."

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I stepped further into the greenhouse, running my fingers gently over the delicate petals of the flowers. It was such a thoughtful gesture that I had never expected, and it touched me more deeply than words could express.

Lennox's voice was steady and laced with remorse when he continued, "I refuse to apologize for my actions where Remington is concerned, Salem. I'd do it all over again if I thought it would keep you safe." A heavy sigh escaped me, but before I could interject, Lennox pressed on, his voice softer now. "But I am sorry that it hurt you," he continued, his words a balm to the ache within me. "And this is one way that I can make it up to you."

His sincerity pierced through my defenses, and despite my lingering reservations, I found myself unable to deny the earnestness in his eyes. With a nod of acceptance, I offered him a small, tentative smile. Not of my forgiveness, but a small olive branch.

"Thank you, Lennox," I murmured, my voice choking with emotion.

He smiled, his eyes brimming with affection as he looked at me. "You're welcome, Salem," he said softly. "Anything for you."

Before I could overthink his words or his thoughtful gesture, a welcomed distraction arrived as my phone chimed. Hastily, I retrieved it from my pocket, my curiosity piqued by the interruption.

With a quick glance at the screen, I saw Javier's name flashing, and I swiped to reveal the text. His message was terse, yet its implications were clear: Massimo knows I'm alive.

I swallowed hard. Fuck. Javier was one of the few men I'd managed to gain the trust of within my father's ranks, a valuable ally in the game of survival I'd been playing. He had proven himself to be both loyal and resourceful, and his warning carried an urgency that I couldn't ignore.

Before I could even process the implications, Lennox's voice cut through my silence, his tone laced with concern. "What's wrong?" he asked, his brows furrowed in worry.

I hesitated, debating whether to share the contents of Javier's message with him, but as I met Lennox's gaze, I knew I couldn't keep this from him. "It's Massimo," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "He knows I'm alive."

Lennox's face hardened, his features contorted in anger. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath, his fists clenched at his sides. "We knew it was only a matter of time. We just need to keep you out of his sight."

I bristled at his words, my own frustration bubbling to the surface. "And how do you propose we do that?" I retorted, my voice edged with irritation. "Lock me up in this house like some prisoner?"

Lennox's expression was stoic as he stepped closer to me. "Exactly," he told me. "You stay here. Where it's safe."

I took a step back, the sting of his words cutting deeper than I care to admit. "I understand that you're trying to protect me," I conceded, my voice barely a whisper. "But I won't be confined to this house like some fragile doll. I need to be out there, fighting my own battles."

For a moment, silence hung heavy between us. But as I met Lennox's gaze, I only saw a stubborn resolve. With a heavy sigh, he reached out, his hand gently grasping mine. "No," he reaffirmed, his voice grave as he spoke. "And I promise you this, Salem. If you try to leave the safety of this estate, I'll drag you back kicking and screaming."

Lennox's words sank in, and a surge of seething fury coursed through me, threatening to consume all reason. Before I could unleash the torrent of emotions brewing withing me, he turned on his heel and strode out of the greenhouse, leaving me alone in the heat of my indignation. First, he built me the greenhouse of my dreams, a haven where I could nurture my beloved black dahlias. But then, in the next breath, he assumed the role of a domineering alpha asshole, dictating my movements and confining me to "safety" with an iron grip. Lennox Ricci was fucking with my head.

I gingerly peeled back the bandage on my upper stomach, wincing as I examined the two deep stab wounds. The sight of the jagged lacerations was a stark reminder of the violent surprise that had awaited me in New Orleans. Despite having applied butterfly closures earlier, the wounds were still oozing blood. With a sigh, I realized that I needed to stitch them closed.

Reaching for the first aid kit, I steeled myself for the task ahead. But before I could even begin, the bathroom door creaked open, and Cole stepped inside. His blue eyes immediately found mine, and without a word, he took in the sight of my injuries.

"Let me do that for you," he said softly, his voice soothing my frayed nerves.

I nodded gratefully, feeling relief wash over me. Cole's calm demeanor and steady hands would do a much better job than mine. I sat on the edge of the bathtub, my muscles tense with anticipation as he prepared.

Cole's movements were precise and methodical as he cleaned and stitched the wounds, his brow furrowed in concentration.

A sharp, searing pain shot through me with every movement of the needle. The absence of anesthesia only heightened the discomfort, but I had grown accustomed to enduring this kind of agony. As Cole deftly worked to close each gash, I gritted my teeth against the pain, my jaw clenched tight with the effort of holding back any noises of distress.

With each careful stitch, I felt the tension leaving my body, replaced by a quiet gratitude for Cole's help. Once he was finished, he helped me to my feet and ran a shallow bath, adding some bath salts.

Cole motioned for me to get into the tub, and when it became evident that he had no intention of leaving, the message finally sunk in. With a reluctant sigh, I got undressed and slid into the warm water, its soothing embrace offering a brief respite from the ache that throbbed in my wounds. Though I appreciated his concern, part of me bristled at the intrusion of my privacy. Yet, beneath that annoyance lay a deeper appreciation for his unwavering support.

A sigh slipped past my lips even as I felt the burn of my smaller lesions when the water touched them. My newly stitched stab wounds rested just above the waterline. With a careful eye, I made sure not to submerge them, even with the waterproof dressing Cole had meticulously applied.

I glanced up to find him observing me, his piercing blue eyes concerned. In the dim light of the bathroom, his gaze seemed darker, more intense, as if he were calculating his next move. Clad in dark gray sweatpants and a simple white tee, he exuded a casual confidence, his presence comforting in the midst of my vulnerability.

″Is the water okay for you?″ he asked, keeping his voice neutral.

Before I knew it, I found myself nodding, feeling the tension in my body gradually dissipate. He approached me with measured steps, coming to a stop only when he stood beside the tub. His eyes briefly flicked over my naked form, heat flaring in them.

I sank into the tub, exhaling a sigh of contentment. Cole moved to kneel down beside the tub, keeping me company as I soaked.

"Those bastards won't get away with this," Cole said, his voice filled with quiet fury. "I'll fucking gut them."

I smiled. "Not if I get to them first," I murmured, my voice full of malice.

Before I could say anything else, Cole's expression hardened, his gaze fixing me with a stern look. "You need to be more careful, Butterfly," he said firmly. "You should have taken one of us with you to New Orleans."

I bristled at his words, a surge of defiance rising within me. "It was just supposed to be a poker game. It's not like I knew what would happen," I protested.

Cole shook his head, his expression softening slightly. "I know that. But that doesn't mean you have to do it alone. You have people who care about you, who want to help keep you safe. Let us do our job. No matter how low risk the job might seem."

I sighed, resignation washing over me. Cole was right, as much as I hated to admit it. I couldn't predict when someone might make a move against me. With a nod, I met his gaze, silently acknowledging his words.

"Okay," I said softly. "I won't got anywhere like that alone again."

Cole offered me a small smile, his eyes filled with warmth. "That's all I ask," he said gently. "Now, try to relax and let the bath work its magic. I'll take care of the rest."

Cole picked up the loofah and started to wash me with it. He moved it up and down my body, and I took a deep breath, shutting my eyes and trying to stay relaxed. His movements were a dance of precision and tenderness, each gesture deliberate as he washed every inch of my body. With gentle strokes, he cleansed away the grime of the day, his touch a soothing balm against my skin. Every movement spoke of care and consideration, as if he were handling something fragile and precious.

Making his way up toward my breasts, he brushed the loofah over my sensitive skin, and my body tingled.

I cleared my throat, forcing myself to look away, attempting to project an air of nonchalance despite the stir of emotions his touch ignited within me.

It was becoming increasingly challenging to maintain my facade in the presence of these men.. As someone who prided herself on emotional resilience, I found myself perplexed by the intensity of my feelings.

Cole slowly moved down over the curve of my hip, dragging the loofah back and forth over my lower stomach.

″Want me to go lower, Butterfly?″

His voice dropped an octave as he posed the question, a subtle shift in his demeanor as he edged closer to me. There was a certain intensity in his gaze, unmistakable and piercing, conveying a message clearer than words ever could.

″Yes.″

″What do you say?″ he asked, trailing slowly down my thighs while keeping his eyes fixed on mine.

The comforting warmth of the water disguised the heat flushing my cheeks, offering a semblance of normalcy to my embarrassment. Every move he made felt deliberate and calculated, and it only served to heighten my arousal. His fingers trailed lower, brushing against my skin with a newfound boldness, disregarding the previous restraint he had shown.

″Please,″ I gritted out, frustration and need clouding my mind.

His fingers caressed my inner thighs, so close to where I needed them, but he stopped before going any further. My body was on edge, and I craved relief. I shifted in the tub, trying to bring his hand closer to where I needed it.

″Please what, Salem?″

Cole stroked his fingers against my swollen folds, which were charged with all the need coursing through my body. I moaned, quickly biting my bottom lip to stop whatever embarrassing sound would come next.

″Please touch my pussy, Cole.″

He sighed, finally touching my clit. I jerked as he pressed his fingers down, rubbing the flesh and making it harder for me to pretend I wasn't affected by his touch. I arched forward in the water, unable to stop my hips from rolling against his hand.

″Good girl,″ he growled into my ear. ″Don't move too much, baby.″

He shifted closer to me, reducing the space between our bodies. Our faces drew nearer, and I closed the distance between us, my lips pressing against his. I welcomed the fervent dance of his tongue, allowing it to dominate my mouth, claiming every inch with its boldness. Our tongues intertwined in a passionate embrace, and I couldn't help but emit a soft hum of pleasure, my nails instinctively digging into his arms as the intensity of our kiss deepened.

Cole groaned against my lips when his fingers slipped inside my wet pussy. I gasped, shuddering, but he kept me in place, kissing me even harder. I rolled my hips again, trying to get his two fingers deeper inside me, to drive me closer to the edge.

″Do you like that, Butterfly? Do you want me to stop what I'm doing?″

″No… Fuck, no.″ I groaned, trembling as he slid another finger inside, stretching me out.

He added a fourth finger and I moaned loud enough for the entire house to hear. He was clouding my senses, pulling all my focus to him.

The feeling building up in my abdomen was the usual telltale sign that I was getting closer to falling off the cliff. My pussy clamped down around Cole's fingers, sucking him in. I locked eyes with him, meeting his intense blue gaze, which seemed to bore into mine with unwavering focus.

I bit my bottom lip, arching against his fingers as the feeling became even more intense. ″You're so wet for me, Butterfly,″ he mumbled, pressing another kiss to my skin and thrusting faster inside me. ″You going to come for me now?″

I nodded fast, unable to let out a word. My legs shook beneath me, and I held onto him even tighter, trying to prevent him from stopping. His eyes took on a mischievous glint right before he curled his fingers inside me, rubbing faster against my G-spot and finally tipping me over the edge.

I gasped as I came, my body jerking in the water. Cole let me ride it out with his fingers still inside, and when I came down from the high, he was watching me.

He slowly withdrew his fingers, brought them to his lips, and sucked, his movements almost mesmerizing in their fluidity.

"Feeling relaxed?" he asked, his voice low.

I nodded sleepily, my eyelids suddenly heavy with exhaustion. "Yeah," I murmured, the orgasm lulling me into a state of drowsiness.

With a gentle hand, Cole helped me out of the bath, wrapping me in a fluffy robe. I leaned into his touch, feeling safe and protected in his presence. He then guided me to my bed. The soft mattress was a welcomed relief after the day's events.

I settled into the warmth of the blankets, and Cole tucked me in with a tenderness that belied his usual demeanor. He brushed a stray strand of hair from my face, his touch delicate against my skin.

"Rest now, Butterfly," he whispered, his voice a soothing murmur in the darkness. "I'll be right here."

With a contented sigh, I closed my eyes, letting the exhaustion wash over me.