Epilogue

Six months ago my ex shot me. It hurt like a bitch and healing hurt even worse. The pain was manageable until I got home, but then it wasn’t. It took me a long time to get inside once we got home. I refused everyone’s help for the first hour of being inside until I nearly collapsed trying to go to the bathroom.

It took me a while to be fully functional again. I went back to work in the office about two months after the shooting and everyone was so excited to see me. Rowan and Mia planned a surprise welcome back party and I cried in front of my entire office.

Rowan was insistent that I didn’t have to but I did explain to them what happened and what led to the situation to begin with. The least shocking part for people was Rowan and I getting married.

Although we couldn’t get married legally, I had a commitment ceremony of sorts with Max and Theo. This gave Rowan and I an opportunity to have a real ceremony where others could attend.

The guys got together and designed a ring for me. It has three simple stones to represent each of them with ‘Love without limits’ inscribed on the inside of the band. Their bands have the same inscription.

Theo and Annie’s dynamic changed dramatically when she got pregnant with Andrew’s baby. There wasn’t any question that it was his and not Theo’s. He and Annie hadn’t had sex in over two months when she got pregnant. Theo ended up spending most of his time helping Rowan and Max with me as I healed. This allowed Annie and Andrew to become even closer and Theo and I to become closer too.

They sat down and decided that because of the change in their relationship with me and Andrew, it was best that they divorce. Ultimately, Annie wanted to be married to Andrew and not Theo. They didn’t actually tell me until after they filed in fear of me thinking I split them apart. I still did think I was the cause. Hell, I still do. If I had never been shot, Theo never would have distanced himself from his wife.

Annie and Andrew moved out to prepare for the baby. We are all still friends. Theo and Annie still talk and communicate as before, but Theo has told me that the sexual part of their relationship is over because she wants to be monogamous with Andrew. I think I will always hold guilt for this, even though I know I did not directly cause it. I did not ask to get shot, and I did not ask for Theo to distance himself from Annie. Just as no one asked Annie to get closer to Andrew.

Harper was put on hospice care last week. I was informed when they got permission from the court to allow their lawyer to contact me. Emma had already warned me that someone was going to reach out because she acted on my behalf in court. I have not decided if I want to visit yet. If I do, then I will naturally see my parents as well. I haven’t decided if I want to see her before she passes, but I know me. I know I will go see her.

What no one but Emma knows is that I vouched for her to get put back on the transplant list. Harper is a bitch, but she was taught to be that way. Unlike my parents, I do think that she has redeemable qualities. I think that if she decided to, she could be a good person. She should not die because our parents are pieces of shit.

“Alright, guys. I know we normally have our meetings in the mornings but Anika and I ended up delayed at the airport for quite some time. Anika?” Rowan says.

“Right. Andrea Davis is currently in a contract with one of her books for the production of a movie. This is the first time the company has had an author who has gotten a movie deal. Andrea has requested in her contract with them that we will be in charge of any final checks of the script. In a roundabout way, this is just Andrea’s way of having our approval I suppose? I will have an editor go through the script alongside her book to ensure that it is an accurate representation of her publication. Beyond that, Amanda Larson was placed on the bestseller list for her newest book. Mia?” Mia goes through her authors before everyone else goes through theirs. Rowan dismisses us and I gather my stuff.

When I get back to my office, I start gathering my stuff to go home. I am facing away from the door so I don’t notice Mia come in until she is right behind me. I turn around to leave my office and scream when I run into her.

“Jesus. Would you not do that? You people are going to kill me one day,” I say breathlessly.

“Ready?” she grins.

“You good?” Rowan asks with a smirk from the doorway.

“You all find way too much joy in scaring me,” I frown.

“Theo and Max are here,” Rowan says.

“Why?” I ask as I turn and grab my phone. I see a text message that makes me happier than I ever thought it would.

Emma

She got a kidney. She’s in surgery now. She knows you got her on the list and wants to see you after.

Me

I need to tell the guys first but I’ll go see her. Restraining order is dropped?

Emma

Theo knows most of it, just not that she actually got the kidney. And yes. Just hers.

“Theo wants us all to talk,” Rowan says.

“Where exactly are we talking?” I ask. The location will determine if he’s mad at me or not for hiding it.

“We are going to dinner. Why? Did you do something wrong?” Rowan asks as we walk to the front.

“Uhhhh…” I say and Mia laughs.

“What did you do?” Mia asks.

“I may or may not have been hiding something for two months from everybody. Emma just told me that he knows,” I say and Rowan raises an eyebrow at me as we step out.

“Hi,” Theo says, narrowing his eyes at me.

“Emma told me you know. There is more to it so just let me explain before you get too mad,” I say before kissing him and then Max.

“Do you have to do that here?” Marvin says as he exits behind us.

“If you’re jealous Marvin, just say so,” Max says before kissing me again.

“Definitely not jealous,” he laughs.

“Why’s that?” Theo asks.

“I’d advise against answering that,” Mia laughs.

“He’s just upset that the boss gets to fuck her and not him,” Max says and I laugh.

“I’m not into whores,” Marvin says as he goes to step past us. Without warning Mia turns and punches him. Marvin stumbles back in shock. I burst out laughing which pulls everyone else into laughter.

“You bitch. I’ll get you fired for that,” he hisses.

“Take it up with the boss, dick head,” Mia snaps. “Learn to keep your fucking mouth shut.”

“Mia, why did you punch Marvin?” Arthur Genesis, the owner of Genesis Press, asks.

“He called Anika a whore for kissing her husband. He is constantly making degrading comments about their dynamic to the point that she actively avoids him so that she doesn’t have to hear the comments. We are outside of the building and not on the clock, so I hit him.”

“Is this true Marvin?” Arthur asks.

“Yes,” he seethes.

“Starting Monday you’re working from home. You can attend the meetings though,” he says to Marvin simply.

“Whatever,” he rolls his eyes and walks off.

“Why is it okay for a man to fuck three women but it’s not for a woman to do that?” Mia asks.

“Sexism, that’s why,” Arthur says as he walks to his car. “You all have a good weekend.”

“Anyways,” I laugh. “Dinner and I’ll tell you guys what’s going on and hopefully you all won’t be as mad as Theo looks.”

“I’m not mad, Anika,” he says softly, kissing my forehead. “I would like to know what else you have to tell us though.”

“Let’s go to dinner and I’ll tell you guys,” I say.

We all go to the restaurant and sit down. I have Theo to my right and Max to my left. I suspect that Max knows but Rowen doesn’t because he is sitting across from me and not staring at me as opposed to how Max and Theo are staring me down. Mia and Emma are beside Rowan. Annie and Andrew are to the other side of Rowan on the opposite side of the table from Theo.

“Are you and Annie okay?” I ask Theo quietly.

“We are friends if that’s what you’re wondering,” he says. I sigh and look back to my glass of water. “Anika.”

“Yes,” I say.

“It’s not your fault,” he whispers to me before pulling me close and kissing my temple.

“I feel like I just showed up and wrecked your marriage,” I say quietly.

“You didn’t. I suspected this would happen when she started spending more time with him before you ever even came into the picture. People grow apart sometimes,” he smiles. “All that you need to know is that I love you and Annie is your friend. Okay?”

“Okay,” I force a smile.

“So, what is it that you hid from everyone?” Rowan asks with a touch of an attitude in his voice. I am suddenly reluctant to say anything. If he’s upset now, just wait until he finds out I dropped the restraining order so I can go see her. Theo knows everything besides that she got a kidney today.

“So?”

“Rowan, don’t be a dick,” Theo says.

“What he said,” Max agrees as he eats a fried pickle. Rowan sighs heavily and looks at Mia.

“Don’t look at me. If she didn’t tell me then she probably had a good reason to hide it. I suspect Theo found out by accident,” she says.

“Go on,” Theo nudges me. I look up from my glass and sigh.

“He’s going to be angry,” I say quietly.

“I’ll handle it,” Theo says with a smile. “Go on.”

“I advocated for Harper to get back on the transplant list,” I say cautiously. Rowan looks like he is about to get mad when Mia glares at him.

“Why?” she asks.

“Well… After Isaac shot me, I had a lot of time to reflect on things. Our parents made her that way. It’s not her fault that the only thing she knew was how to be spoiled. They never gave her a chance to live beyond that. She shouldn’t die because of them so more than I should have…. So, I advocated for her to get on the list,” I explain.

“What else?” Theo asks.

“I dropped the restraining order on her. She was placed into hospice care last week and I wanted to see her before she died,” I say and look at Emma.

“You knew this?” Mia asks Emma.

“I helped her drop the restraining order,” she says. “Tell them.”

“She’s in surgery right now for a kidney transplant,” I say. “I plan on going to see her.”

“So she’s going to be okay?” Mia asks.

“As long as it doesn’t reject… I guess so,” I shrug. “The only thing I had planned for was just giving her a chance at surviving.”

“What do you hope happens?” Theo asks me. He is clearly asking me as a psychiatrist, not my husband.

“I hope she takes this chance and does good with it. She’s never been given a chance to be anything other than what they made her to be. You guys gave me a chance at a life away from my parents, so I want to give her a chance to have a life away from them also,” I say. “By no means is this me saying that I want a relationship with her, but I’m not saying that she doesn’t have the ability to be good. I think that she is redeemable.”

“When are you planning to see her?” Rowan asks me.

“Tonight, when she’s out of surgery. There is a very good chance that my parents will be there, but I don’t suspect that they are going to be much of an issue. Harper knows that I was the one who helped her get back on the transplant list.”

“Do you want us to come with you?” Rowan asks.

“I do,” I nod. “Are you mad?”

“That you saved someone’s life? No, Anika. I’m not mad,” he smiles. “I don’t like that you hid this though.”

“He just wants something to punish you for,” Max laughs.

“I’ll give you something,” Mia smiles.

“Shut up. I didn’t mean to say it out loud,” I frown at her.

“What?” Rowan asks her.

“She called herself ugly this morning,” Mia says.

“Really?” Theo deadpans.

“I… Yeah,” I say slowly. “I was frustrated.”

“Anika,” Theo sighs heavily.

“I’m sorry.”

“Did you mean it?” he asks.

“At the time I did,” I say.

“Then we will handle that later. Emma, can you get an update on the surgery?” he asks.

“I just got an email from her. She’s awake and surgery went smoothly,” Emma says. I feel more relieved than I imagined and Theo sees this.

“Let’s finish eating and go see Harper. After we will handle you being mean to yourself,” he says.

“Okay,” I smile. Everyone resumes eating but I lean in and speak quietly to Theo. “What was that thing you said about little girls who treat themselves like they belong in the streets?”

“I bet you’re dying to find out, huh?” he chuckles.

“Considering you’ve been….” I stop and think about the word that I want to use when Max leans over and finishes my sentence.

“Gentle. He’s unnaturally gentle with you,” Max laughs.

“I am not that gentle,” he says defensively.

“It’s not a bad thing. I’m just saying you act like you are afraid you will hurt me,” I explain.

“You got shot, Anika,” he frowns.

“Six months ago,” I remind him.

“Doesn’t stop me from fucking her speechless,” Max shrugs.

“Or me,” Rowan chimes in.

“Is that why you’ve been a brat more to me than them?” he asks.

“Yes, but you won’t break,” I laugh.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Anika,” he sighs.

“It’s okay if you’re becoming more submissive, Theo. This is a safe space to open up,” I say with a conniving smile.

“Oh shit,” Annie bursts out laughing. “Is he still afraid to hurt you?”

“Yeah,” I say as I break away from Theo’s stare and look at her.

“My advice is to just keep pushing. He will break eventually,” she laughs.

“Keep calling him a submissive and he might just bend you over in the middle of this restaurant,” Andrew smirks and gestures at Theo who is staring a hole into me.

I turn and look at him and Theo is glaring at me. “You look upset, Theo. Was it something I said?” I ask with a sweet smile.

“Here we are, guys,” the server says as she sets our pizzas on the table.

“We are good,” I say with a smile.

Theo finally breaks his stare and we all eat. I hurry and finish first before faking a bathroom trip to give my debit card to the server. If anything will make him break, it will be me paying for everyone.

When I get back to the table Rowan immediately knows what I’ve done and laughs.

“What? What’d you do?” Max asks me.

“You’ll see.” I giggle when I see the server coming over with my card and the receipt.

“Here’s your card back,” she smiles at me. She hands me the card, receipt, and a pen. When I start to quickly fill the receipt out before Theo can take it from me, she waits. I sense that she knows I am not supposed to be paying for everyone.

“Here’s your pen also,” I say as I hand her the receipt and her pen back.

“You all have a great weekend,” she says before walking away, laughing.

“Thank you for dinner,” Annie says with an all-knowing smile.

“You are most welcome,” I reply with a grin.

Theo doesn’t say anything until we all get to the parking lot. “Anika, how many times have we asked you to stop paying for everyone?” he asks calmly.

“About as many as I’ve told you that you won’t hurt me,” I shrug.

“That is not the same, Anika,” he frowns at me.

“Look, someone gotta be the dominant one here,” I say as I step away from him. Theo grabs my waist and backs me against the truck.

“Stop saying that,” he requests.

“What? That you’re going soft on me?” I ask and he grows more tense. “We can go somewhere private and talk if you don’t feel comfortable opening up here.” Mia laughs heartily at me pushing Theo.

“Anika,” Theo growls.

“I wonder if he’s into pegging now?” Mia asks and everyone laughs.

“You need to calm it down, little girl,” Theo growls.

“Or what?” I ask with a smile and Rowan chuckles. “Will you gently teach me a lesson, Theo?”

“You are pushing me, Anika,” he warns.

“Am I? I was afraid maybe you might have started to believe all the bad things I say about myself,” I say simply. Knowing I’ve definitely won now, I go to step away. Theo wraps his hand around my throat and pushes me against the truck before getting in my face.

“There he is,” Annie says happily.

“What’s wrong, Theo? Or are you upset because you’re going submissive on me or because you’re realizing I’m right about everything I say when you aren’t around?” I ask softly.

“This is going to be fun,” Max says giddily.

“Anika, you’re pissing me off,” Theo warns as he tightens his grip.

“It’s okay if you don’t find me attractive anymore. I’m a big girl. I can handle it,” I say. “Or is that the issue? Do you not like big girls, Theo?”

“Alright, if that doesn’t break him then he really has gone submissive,” Mia laughs.

Theo leans in and whispers in my ear, “You want me to fuck you like my dirty little whore? Is that it?”

“Yes,” I say with a bright smile.

“As a lawyer, I want to remind you that fucking in public will get you on the registry,” Emma laughs.

“Oh darn. No punishment for me,” I say with a dramatized, pouting face that turns into a giggle.

“Let’s go see Harper before he drags you into a back seat somewhere. Ride with Max,” Rowan laughs and pulls me away from Theo.

“I think you definitely broke him,” Max says when I get into the car with him.

“Hopefully. I get that he is concerned but if I can handle you and Rowan then I can handle him. I haven’t been in any pain in months and all the scans they’ve done to look at that artery came back magnificent. He’s being dramatic at this point,” I say.

“You’ve been very patient with him compared to me and Rowan,” Max says.

“Theo is still blaming himself for me getting shot. I know that has to take a toll so I didn’t want to force him into something that he was legitimately concerned with. It has just gotten to the point now where I am enabling his anxiety over it.”

We walk into the main entrance of the hospital and go to the front desk to find out which room she is in.

“She’s in room 212,” the lady says.

“Is anyone with her?” I ask.

“I believe so,” she nods.

“Thank you.” I turn and walk back over to the others. “212. They are with her also.

“Ready?” Theo asks me, having dropped his urge to fuck me to death for now.

“To see her, yes. Them, no,” I admit as we walk to the elevator. We all ride up to the second floor in silence. We walk a few doors down before I stop and turn.

“Are you okay?” Theo asks, cupping my face.

“Yeah,” I sigh. “Just nervous.”

“Everything will be okay,” he says as he kisses me. “Rowan is going in with you, okay?” I nod and he drops his hands.

“Let’s do this,” Rowan says, holding his hand out for me to take. I smile and interlace his fingers with mine.

I knock on the door and take a deep breath before opening it. When I go in I find Harper in the bed sitting up. She looks sickly but she’s smiling. My parents are sitting with her and they are all talking and joking.

“Anika,” Harper smiles. My parents stand and go to say something but I put my hand up and they stop. I know Theo and Max are at the door watching but keeping their distance.

“I am not here for you,” I say before turning to Harper. “How are you feeling?”

“Uh… I think I'm okay. Very sore,” she replies. “They can come in.” I look back at Theo and Max and they step into the room. Mia and the others are still in the parking lot waiting on an update.

“I can imagine so. Surgery is rough,” I say.

“How did your healing go?” she asks. She points for me to sit with her, and I do.

“I was okay at first. Then I got home, and the pain kicked my ass,” I say smiling. “It’ll get easier.”

“I don’t know if I was supposed to find out that you helped me get back on the list, but I appreciate it. I didn’t deserve that kindness from you,” she says softly.

“Listen, Harper. Neither of us had autonomy over ourselves until recently. Rowan, Max, and Theo helped me break away from all of my trauma. They gave me a chance to be the person that I want to be. No one has given you a chance to be something other than what our parents made us into. This is me giving you a chance to be more and to be good,” I say.

“I appreciate it more than you know. I’m sorry for everything. I know I can’t fix it or make it better, but I can try to do better going forward,” she sniffs back tears.

“That's all I can hope for,” I say as I lean over and hug her. When I pull away I stand and Rowan smiles at me. “I dropped the restraining order against you. This doesn’t mean I trust you or I am making any steps to build a relationship with you, but that door is open. Understand I have no issues shutting it back. Okay?”

“Okay. When I’m out and feeling better I’d like to get lunch or something, if that’s okay,” she says.

“We can do that. Just rest for now,” I say.

“Can I say something?” my dad asks.

“Unless it’s an apology for beating me, trying to rape me, or any number of the other negligent things you did, no,” I snap at him.

“We are sorry, Anika. Truly,” he says softly.

“Are you? Or are you just thankful that I saved your daughter?” I ask calmly.

“You are our daughter too,” he says.

“When is my birthday, Dad?” I ask. He doesn’t say anything but I can tell he is desperately trying to remember. “Mom?” She stares blankly at me. I laugh and shake my head.

“How the fuck do you not remember her birthday?” Harper snaps. “It’s July 28th. You literally birthed her.”

“I bet you know hers,” I say to my parents before turning to Harper. “I know it’s not until next week, but Happy Birthday, Harper. I have your number unblocked so feel free to text me. I am in no way resuming contact with them ever, so know I will cut you off if you relay anything about me or my life to them. Okay?”

“Okay,” she says softly to me while glaring at our parents. “I’m glad you're okay. I’m sorry Isaac shot you.”

“Me too, but he probably would have done that one day with or without you being involved with him.”

“I tried to talk him down but he just lost his mind,” she frowns.

“He was psychotic,” I shrug. “He’s dead now so it doesn’t matter anymore. You get some rest though.” I hug her once more before saying our goodbyes. I can tell my parents want to say something, but they don’t.

When we get back out to the car Theo turns to me and hugs me. “I’m proud of you,” he praises me.

“Thank you,” I smile.

“The Cherry or home?” Theo asks me.

“It depends,” I grin. “Am I getting regular Theo or submissive Theo?”

“Alright, smartass. I’ll make your choice for you,” he says as he smacks my ass, making me yelp.

We pull into the parking lot of The Cherry and Theo pulls me out of Max’s car and I giggle. “Such an eager sub,” I say as Theo picks me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. He chuckles and sits me on the trunk of his car then waits for Rowan and Max to come over before he speaks.

“I want to apologize to you, Anika,” Theo says.

“For what?” I ask him, raising an eyebrow at him.

“A few things. One, for projecting my anxiety onto you. You have stated multiple times that you were okay but I let my anxiety decide that you were wrong. I should have trusted your word the first time,” he says.

“It’s okay. I understand why you are hesitant. I know you still blame yourself for the shooting so I am sure it is a lot to handle,” I say sweetly.

“That is likely the most traumatic thing that I have personally witnessed so it was a lot for me to process,” Theo admits.

“It’s the most traumatic thing that’s ever happened to me. I will be the first to admit that going in this club is about to trigger the fuck out of me, but I am realizing that sometimes we just have to work through that shit rather than avoiding it,” I say.

“Is that your way of telling me to get over it?” Theo asks with a smile.

“Will that work or do I need to call you a submissive again?” I ask. “I can always ramp it up and call myself fat or something.”

“You are such a brat,” he says with a smirk before kissing me deeply. I loop my arms around his neck and he pulls me off of the car to stand.

We all go inside and sign in at the front. Since the shooting, Emma has required everyone to sign in prior to going onto the floor to avoid people going undetected. The club was shut for a week to clean. Emma was afraid that the incident would cause people to not come in but it did the exact opposite shockingly.

I haven’t been here since the shooting so I am nervous, to say the least. I hesitate before stepping past security when Quinn comes around the corner and sees me.

“Anika!” he says happily as he wraps me in a giant teddy bear hug and lifts me off the ground. I giggle at how easily he just scooped me up.

“Hi, Quinn,” I say sweetly as he sets me down.

“How are you? It’s so good to see you, sweetie,” he says with a smile.

“I’m way better than the last time I was here,” I laugh.

“I wish I hadn’t left early that day. I would have happily snapped that little fucker in half for you,” he says seriously.

“I know you would have,” I laugh. “Theo took care of him perfectly.” I nudge Theo and he smiles at me.

“Right between the eyes, from what I heard. Good for you, man. I’m glad you were there. He easily could have shot her again if you hadn’t been there,” Quinn says, unaware that he is saying all the right things right now. “Anika, I hear you tried to basically sacrifice yourself.”

“Yeah, Anika,” Max grins at me.

“I did, but it kind of worked out for me. I got as many people away as I could, I kept him from shooting anyone in the head, and I survived,” I say.

“Well… You get a pass. You do that shit again and I’ll punish you myself, understood?” Quinn says seriously, making Rowan, Max, and Theo laugh.

“Very much understood,” I say as I go to my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “You scare me, so I will heed your advice and start using them as human shields.”

“Why do I scare you?” Quinn asks. I give him a deadpan expression and he laughs.

“I saw yours and Mia’s scene,” I say. “I know better.”

“Poor Mia,” Max laughs.

“Well… Behave and you won't have anything to worry about,” he laughs.

“I think I found something to threaten you with,” Max grins.

“I think I am suddenly cured of my attitude problem,” I say.

“Somehow, I doubt that,” Theo laughs.

“So we shouldn’t tell him you called yourself ugly today?” Rowan asks.

“Oh you did, did you?” Quinn asks, stepping closer to me.

“Me? Never,” I laugh and back away.

“You’re not lying, are you? I don’t like being lied to,” he says in a tone that sends shivers down my spine.

“Could you imagine her getting fucked by Quinn and Theo?” Max asks Rowan.

“What time do you get off?” Theo asks Quinn. I go to object but Theo covers my mouth and pulls my back against his chest to hold me in place.

“Just now,” he smirks.

“Come join us. You can help us give her a punishment for being a brat all day,” Theo says.

“Don’t forget how she paid for everyone at dinner,” Rowan says.

“Or that she baited you by calling you a sub and borderline shit-talking herself,” Max says.

“That was more than borderline. She literally asked if I didn’t like big girls,” Theo says.

“Have anything to say for yourself, Anika?” Quinn asks me and Theo uncovers my mouth. The more I am sitting here thinking about this, the more excited I am about the idea of this.Quinn is a great guy, and he is more than capable of casual play.

“I regret nothing,” I say with a devious grin.

“We are going to have some fun with you, Anika,” Quinn chuckles.

“Is it too late to use the ‘I got shot, be easy,’ card?” I ask Theo, laughing.

“Oh, baby. It is way too late for that,” Theo says as he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me with him.

As we step onto the floor I immediately stop in my tracks as a wave of fear crashes over me. I pull away from Theo and back up. Rowan catches me and turns me to face him. Tears are slowly falling as all of the panic from six months ago surfaces. Rowan cups my face, but I try to pull away from him as the panic swells. I feel Max behind me holding my waist while Theo and Quinn are to either side.

“You are safe, Anika. We’ve got you, okay?” Rowan says softly. I shake my head and squeeze my eyes shut to take a deep breath.

“Ground yourself, Anika,” Theo says. I nod and go through my steps.

I can hear the music playing through the club.

I can hear the breathing of the four men around me .

I can feel Max’s hands on my waist.

I can feel Rowan’s hands on my face.

The room is calm.

The room is safe.

Isaac is dead.

I survived.

When my breathing slows and I calm down, I open my eyes. Rowan smiles and wipes away my tears.

“I’m sorry,” I say softly.

“Don’t be. You just sat in that parking lot and acknowledged that it would happen. You handled it well, Anika,” Theo says.

“Does this not bother anyone else? Is it just me who is a mess?” I ask.

“No, baby. It’s not just you. We all are handling it differently,” Rowan says. “Let’s grab a drink.” I nod and we go to the bar.

The bartender, Allen, sees me and smiles brightly. “Anika! It’s good to see you. Tequila?” he asks.

“Yes, Please,” I smile. “It’s good to see you too, Allen.” He pours my double shot and sets it down before getting the guy’s beer. I throw back my tequila and run my hands down my face.

“You okay, sweet girl?” Quinn asks as he gently kneads my shoulders making me groan softly.

“Yeah. Shit just hit me so much harder than I thought it would. I haven’t been in here since he shot me. All I can think about was how they were looking at me and how scared they sounded. I don’t remember much of anything other than how scared people were; how scared I was,” I admit. He continues to knead my shoulders and eventually, I relax. “That feels nice.”

“Good,” he says simply. “Do you want to know something?”

“Sure,” I sigh.

“You may have been terrified, but you saved almost seventy lives that day. You got everyone out of this building alive. Any time you are mentioned, or someone talks about that day, the only thing people talk about is how amazing you were in that moment. You may have been the one to take the brunt of the trauma, but you saved dozens of people from tragedy,” Quinn says softly

I never even considered what would have been if I wasn’t able to get everyone out. If he had snapped with all of those people in here, he could have killed multiple people. Everyone looked terrified as they all huddled up together. I saved them.

“Thank you for telling me that,” I say after a while. Quinn turns me around, cups my face with his huge hands, and tilts my head back so that I am looking up at him.

“You’re gonna be okay, Anika,” he says and his soft smile melts me.

“Ready?” Theo asks.

“Yeah. I feel like you four are about to traumatize me though,” I say with a smile.

“I’ll be easy,” Quinn laughs.

“That’s what you told poor Mia, too,” I remind him.

“You’re right, but you can’t deny that you’re still excited,” he says.

“Oh, definitely excited,” I grin.

“You know you shouldn’t enjoy your punishments as much as you do,” Rowan says and we walk to the VIP room.

Max picks me up and sets me on the edge of the table as Rowan shuts the door.

“So, if you’re okay with it, Anika, we are going to skip impact. We have another idea,” Max says.

“That’s fine. I trust you guys,” I smile.

“So to be more specific about what your punishment is… Our goal is to essentially overwhelm you with orgasms,” Max says.

“That’s a punishment?” I ask seriously.

“You’ll see,” he smiles. ”I am challenging you to not use your safe word and let us challenge you, but it will always be respected and encouraged if you have had enough, okay?”

“Okay,” I say with a simple shrug.

Max grins as he picks me up from the table and takes me over to the sitting area. When he sets me on my feet my shirt is pulled off and carelessly tossed to the couch. Max goes through the same process with my bra. A grunt of approval from Quinn makes me smile as Max pushes my pants down my thighs, dragging my black lace thong with it. I step out and kick them to the side before he sits me on the ottoman and pushes me back to lay .

“Close your eyes, Nika,” Max commands softly. When I do as instructed, he kisses me hard. As he trails his kiss down my throat and across my chest, hands caress my breasts. I moan softly when one pinches my nipple. Max runs his fingertips across my scar before gently kissing it. It may be a simple gesture, but it means the world to me.

“Fuck, you are beautiful,” Quinn says with a breathy tone. I feel his hot breath on my breast just before he circles my nipple with his tongue and then sucks it into his mouth.

At the same time, Max licks across my clit and I arch my back and moan. His mouth on me is like heaven. He slowly and gently pulls an orgasm forward. It is a slow-building heat that starts deep inside of me and creeps its way out.

“Oh God, Max,” I whimper. A mouth captures mine and swallows my screams as Max sucks my clit into his mouth and my orgasm surfaces. He doesn’t let up and the heat doesn’t fade. “Oh, Max. Oh, God,” I moan loudly as he pushes two fingers deep inside me. He presses his thumb to my slit as he brings mouth to mine. The sweet taste of my arousal on his tongue fuels the heat building as he fucks me with his fingers.

“My sweet Nika,” Max says sweetly, and he curls his fingers in, hitting a spot that drags another orgasm out of me. I am panting and clinging to him as the waves ripple through me.

Max suddenly pulls me to stand before Rowan takes my spot to pull me into his lap and fill me with his cock “Fuck, Rowan,” I gasp. He pulls me back to lay across his chest but offers me no warning when he slams into me. I scream out as he fucks me hard and deep from below. When a climax fades, I feel Max place his hand on my lower back and Rowan stills.

Max doesn’t prepare me before filling me with his cock. He goes slowly but his size is overwhelming today. By the time they are moving in perfect synchrony, I can hardly speak through the throes of my orgasm. Their thrusts are harder together than they ever have been before.

“Oh, my God,” I whimper

“Come again, Nika. Scream for us,” Max encourages me as he and Rowan slam into me. The ache that it brings pushes me over the edge again and I get stuck in this perpetual state of an orgasm ravaging my body. With a few hard thrusts they both explode inside of me, filling me with their come.

Quinn offers me no time to rest when he pulls me away from the guys and bends me over the arm of the couch and slides his massive cock into me. “Oh fuck, Quinn,” I yell. “Fuck, you’re too big. Oh God.”

“Take me, Anika. Such a good girl,” he praises as he fucks me harder. His thrusts are unrelenting and overwhelming as he pulls me back into my orgasmic state of bliss. The way he stretches me brings a haze of pain behind each thrust. I am almost catatonic when he pushes deeper and I scream as he drains himself inside of me.

Once again being offered no time to recuperate, Theo takes me from Quinn. “Fuck, I can’t do this,” I groan as Theo puts me on the ottoman on my elbows and my ass up.

“You are doing so good, Anika,” he praises as thrusts into me. Each bar of his piercings tortures me as he fills me.

“Harder. Oh God, please Theo,” I beg. I push back against him, I need him to fuck me harder.

Theo hesitates but tightens his grip on my hips and slams into me. I moan loudly and move forward to rest my head on my arms as he drives into me. “Fuck, Anika,” he growls when I move my hips in sync with him, driving him deeper into me.

Given the encouragement he needed, his thrusts turn unforgiving as he fucks me. All of my sound gets trapped in my throat, as I fall into an ear-ringing orgasm. He doesn’t let up as the feeling overwhelms my senses and reality slips away.

All I can focus on is the fire burning inside of me as I come. It is a continuous surge of pleasure that consumes my sanity and my brain begs for the waves to subside. The more he pounds into me, the more that special word dances on the tip of my tongue.

“Fuck,” I yell. “I can't.” His growl to my growing protests melts me. I want to please him. I want him to use me how he wants, but my brain continues to beg me for it to stop. I continue to fight back the urge to scream my safeword as orgasms tear out of me in rapid succession.

“Keep coming, Anika. Such a good little slut,” he growls.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck. I can’t. Oh God, Theo. I can’t,” I say through my moans. I am shaking to the point that his hold on my hips is the only thing keeping me from collapsing.

In a swift motion Theo moves me to lie on my back and thrusts back into me as he settles between my legs. I wrap my arms around him and cling to him as he fucks me hard and fast. He brings his lips to mine and swallows my screams as we both fall into a mind-numbing orgasm.

“God, Anika,” Theo moans in my ear as he drains himself inside me.

I fall straight into an orgasm-induced dissociation when he pulls away. I know they are talking, but I don’t know if it’s to me or among themselves. I know someone is cleaning me, but I don’t know who. I sense that I am wearing clothes again and that I’m laying in someone's lap, but beyond that I can’t grasp anything. Everything feels like a lucid dream that I can’t pull myself out of, nor do I want to.

As time passes I pull myself out of my stupor far enough to know that it’s Theo’s lap that I am curled up on. I am snuggled against his chest as he gently strokes my hair. I can hear them talking, but I don’t move.

“She’s okay. Just give her some time,” Max says.

“That’s the hardest we’ve ever been on her,” Theo says softly. I can hear the anxiety in his voice as he speaks.

“She’s okay,” Rowan says.

“It’s just an orgasm coma. She’s okay,” Quinn chuckles.

Theo goes to say something that undoubtedly will be layered thick with anxiety, but my shifting in his lap, to look up at him, stops him in his tracks. “You’re definitely not a submissive,” I say sweetly. Theo laughs heartily and kisses me deeply.