So Rare (Boys of South Chapel #3)

29. Kabir

Chapter 29

Kabir

NOW

To my knowledge, Hunter and Greedy haven’t emerged from their room yet. Though Garrett did text our newly created group chat to confirm they’re okay, and that he believes Hunter’s memories are far less foggy today.

Good thing. Levi needs the assurance more than anything. Plus, we have guests arriving soon. I would hate to spring this on Hunter without memories or context for what either of these men means to her.

I’m standing outside on one of the myriad of balconies and decks, casting my gaze out over the lake as I wait for their arrival. Phone in hand, I check for updates, but when the sliding glass door off the main living room opens with a soft whoosh , I turn.

Garrett, Hunter, and Levi file out, their dispositions light-years from what they were yesterday.

Garrett turns to offer Hunter the opportunity to pass him. He rests a hand on her low back and guides her forward whilst also turning over his shoulder to speak to Levi.

The blond man barks out a laugh in response.

I fight back an instant smile that surprises even me.

My firecracker is back.

Anticipation courses through me as I watch her watch them. Levi bends low to whisper in her ear and says something that makes her smirk, then smack his chest playfully. Grinning, he slings an arm over her shoulders and kisses the top of her head.

Relief joins the emotions stirring in me. Greedy looks love drunk and sated. Levi appears calmer than he’s been for days. All my worst fears dissipate as I take them in. All is right in his world once again.

She did that for him. She does that for all of us.

There was never any doubt in my mind that I’d share her. I’m willing and eager to participate in whatever version of a polyamorous relationship we land in. But this feels so much deeper than attraction and sex.

Garrett and Levi clearly need her just as badly as I do, but for different reasons.

She obviously needs them, too. Dare I say that I may need these American boys as well? I sure as hell hope they see value in what I bring to the dynamic.

I keep watching. Waiting.

When she finally looks my way, every hardship and struggle we’ve suffered since I arrived on the doorstep of the Ferguson house dissipates. Face alight, she ducks out from under Levi’s arm, brushes past Greedy, and practically runs to my side.

Turning, I grip her neck, pull her to me, and kiss her. Hard. I’ve waited far too long to be gentle. I’ve worried far too much to hold back.

One of the boys—Garrett, I can only assume—clears his throat beside us.

But I take my damn time snogging my woman and making sure she knows exactly how deeply and irrevocably I need her. When I finally do release her mouth, she whimpers. That’s my fucking girl.

“Are you well, love?”

She bites her lip and shakes her head. “No. But later, when you wrap my hair around your fist and put me on my knees, I will be.”

A zap of electricity races up my spine as I take her in. There she is. My firecracker.

She pulls me into a hug, one that’s tight but also tender. I wrap my arms around her low back and hold her just as tightly.

Tipping her chin up, she murmurs, “Greedy told me what you did.”

In an uncharacteristic moment of panic, I dart a look at Garrett. Hunter doesn’t know about the tracker. I had every intention of telling her, but I wasn’t planning to do that today. If he’s already disclosed that information…

Thankfully, my assumption is off base. Garrett meets my gaze, holds it, then quickly shakes his head. With that assurance, I focus on the woman in my arms once more.

“And what is it I did?” I ask, tone teasing.

“He told me that you’re the one who pieced together clues and found me. And that you bought the entire facility. You saved me, Spence. Again.”

My heart clinches at the sincerity and gratitude in her words. As if it was any hardship or even a question of how far I’d go when it comes to the safety and wellness of this woman.

I run my knuckles along her jawline, then gently squeeze her throat once more. “We’re endgame, love. No matter what obstacles get in our path or what forces try to keep us apart, I’ll never stop fighting for a happily ever after with you.”

“I assume that’s who we’re waiting on?” Garrett’s question pulls us out of the moment.

I home in on the boat as it slows on approach. “Right. Well, then. We’ve got a bit of a surprise in store for you, love.”

No time like the present to admit to the cascade of events I’ve set into motion.

“Please remember: we were terrified. All of us,” I add, because although I was the one who made the calls, I did so for the benefit of the entire group. “Early on, when we were trying to figure out where you had gone and who you were with, I contacted everyone I could think of. I was determined to leave no stone unturned, no lead unpursued.”

A quick inhale catches my attention.

Hunter is literally flying out of my arms a moment later, then racing down the stairs that lead from the deck to the rocky beach below.

I resist the urge to charge after her. Or at the very least shout demands for her to slow down and be careful.

I tug on my shirt collar, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. As I undo the top button, anxiety spikes in my chest. I should have told her earlier. I should have attempted to explain last night, despite her foggy memories.

When I refocus on the beach, my heart falters, and my breath catches in my chest.

“Gerald!” she exclaims as she barrels into his arms and practically knocks the old man off his feet.

Bloody hell.

That was not the individual I intended to warn her about.