Prodigal Thorn

Chapter 21

After hours of gaming, drinking and vegging out, the guys pretty much passed the hell out. I, however, was wide awake. I needed access to Michael's office and this is the one shot I'll have. Dislodging myself from the limbs belonging to Xander and Luca, I eased out of Xander's bed. Killian slept soundly on the futon and Nate seeked refuge in his own room down the hall.

My steps silent as I made my way down the back staircase, mindful of the security cameras. I kept my burner phone on me specifically for tonight. I kept my posture casual as I moved around the kitchen with the appearance of making a late night drunken snack all while keeping my screen out of the visibility of the cameras while I disabled the cameras. I did leave the camera for the entry way and the hallway upstairs active in case anyone was up and about.

Michael's office was located just off the main kitchen. Yep I said main kitchen. I didn't bring my lock picking kit so I brought the next best thing. A simple bobby pin, I find work if I'm in a pinch and Michael's too arrogant to have high security in his personal office. Idiot, really.

Picking his lock turned out to be easier than I thought and I got to work, disabling his security measures and downloading his files to the USB Devilin gave me. I kept my eyes on my phone while the files were downloading, but something on Michael's desk caught my eye. A photo of me and the guys back at Lake Shelton from three years ago. Why he kept this, I'll never know. Not that Michael and I had that kind of relationship, but he and Dad were best friends...until his family betrayed mine.

I stifled a yawn and shut everything down once the files were downloaded and quietly returned to the kitchen. I purposely put myself in the exact pose I was before I'd disabled the cameras and turned them back on. I busied myself with making nachos when footsteps sounded down the hall.

"What are you doing?" Nate asked, leaning casually on the marble island. I made a show of yawning and pointed at the microwave. "I wanted nachos. Why are you up?" I tucked my hair behind my ears. He rests his chin on his hands and groans. "I've got an early practice today and thought I'd get an early start on the day. Do you need a ride home to get your uniform? You can borrow Nat's if you want."

I yawned and groaned. "I think I'm gonna skip today. I've got so much homework to catch up on and I'm still wrecked." The microwave dinged and I pulled out my nachos, doing a little dance if appreciation at the cheesey goodness. Nate hums, his gaze fixed on my bare legs and I realized I went to bed in one of Xander's T-shirts. "I'll send an email to your teachers to email your assignments to you. You look like you could use some sleep." He smirked and turned on the coffee machine.

"Dude, who's getting coffee at four in the morning?" I asked, digging into my nachos as I watched him.

"Those of us still hungover on a school day...and Natalie. She's been getting up early most mornings. She usually rides with me to school instead of Xander. The kid seriously can't wake up on time to save his life." Nate rolls his eyes and I take in his sleep ruffled brown hair, the white t-shirt that fits his lean body, the gray sweats that drew my attention to his dick.

After I'd gotten my fill of ogling my boyfriend's perfect dick, my eyes found their way back up to his face and the devilish smirk on his lips. "Naughty girl, Kitten. Thinking about my cock at four in the morning." He teased with a yawn. "If you're staying here feel free to crash in my bed. Marci will be here in at five so if you want actual breakfast she'll serve whatever you want."

Before I could respond the sounds of footsteps echoed the halls. "Dude, why are you guys up?" Xander asked, moving to the coffee machine. "You want one, Lex?" I nodded, hopping up on one of the bar stools. "Hey, Nate? Can I talk to Xan for a minute?"

Both Richards brothers gazed at me with brows raised. Nate gave a slight nod and wrapped his arms around me. "Of course. Your other boyfriends should be awake by now. Let me know if you decide to leave the house. I love you, Kitten." Dammit he's perfect. I smiled as Nate pressed the sweetest kiss on my forehead before he walks out the kitchen, stealing Xander's coffee.

"Everything okay?" Xander asked, concern swirling in the depths of his deep blue eyes. I smiled appreciatively as he handed me a coffee. "With us? Yeah, of course. I just needed to explain everything that happened-" he holds his hand up, "Lexi, you don't have tell me what happened with Tyler." His face hardened, anger and sadness in his gaze. "I'm just sorry for what that fucker put you through. I know you talked to Killian about it, but he didn't give specifics when he got here."

"That night changed my life, Xan. I put the old Alex in a coffin the second my heart stopped beating. I...I had extensive therapy because I'd developed PTSD and my panic attacks got worse. I even tried hypnotherapy and let's just say I'd rather not do that again." I sighed and eyed my nachos before pushing them away.

Xander came around the island and wrapped his strong arms around and I sighed. Xan always knew what I needed, even when we were kids. It made our friendship so perfect that it would later turn into love. He knew my heart sometimes better than I did and in this moment, he knew I just his strength to anchor me.

"Hey Luca and I were planning skipping today, why not hang out with us?" He murmured, his warm breath tickling my ear and I shivered. Spending the day with two of my boyfriends? Yes, please! "So in other words, you're both still hungover." I teased and he squeezed me before planting a kiss on the side of my neck when Killian strode in the kitchen.

"Morning," he mumbled and kissed my cheek. "Why are you up so early? It's not even five yet?" I watch his muscles flex in back as he makes himself a coffee. I laughed, burrowing myself in the cocoon of Xander's warmth. "I wanted food, but I'm going back to bed. Is Luca up?"

"Nope. Kid's still out like a light. I doubt Luca will be much fun today anyway." Killian hums and sips his coffee. "If I didn't have practice I'd totally skip and spend all day putting that sexy little body in a kinds of positions." He sighs, but his eyes heat with desire and my nipples hardened under my T-shirt.

"Go be a football god, baby." I smirked and licked my lips, satisfied when his gaze followed the movement. "I'll let you play with my pom-poms later."

"Kitten, you're making everyone hard. Stop it." Nate chastised when he reappeared, looking exceptionally sharp in his uniform. The only indication I had of just how much I'd turned him on was the noticable bulge in his slacks. I waved sweetly at him and blew him a kiss. "I'm sorry guys. I'll keep my deep-rooted sex fantasies to myself. Ok in all seriousness, I'm going back to sleep."

Slipping out of Xander's arms I kissed Nate and Killian goodbye and went back up to Xander's room. Luca was sleeping on his stomach with one arm under the pillow and his face faced me as I took my spot back in the middle. I turned facing him and couldn't help but admire how fucking sexy he looked even sleeping. I ran my fingers through his brown curls and planted a gentle kiss on his slightly parted lips.

A smile curved his lips and a strong, tanned arm slid around my waist as Luca turned to face me. "Mmm good morning, sweetheart. How are you feeling?" He cracks one eye open just as Xander slid back into bed, pressing his body against mine with his face in my neck.

"Better. I'm still processing things, but I think I'm gonna start therapy again." I sigh and run my fingers through his hair as his eyes close again. "I'm sorry I worried you, Luca. I spent years blocking out that day because the trauma was too much to deal with. Hypnotherapy made it worse and I'd had nightmares about it for months on and off. I have to tell myself everyday that I'm not that girl anymore." He takes my wrist and presses a kiss there. This man holds my heart.

"So you have PTSD? What triggered it?" His eyes a perfect dark chocolate opened and searched my face. My body stiffened and I knew I couldn't tell him all about my adventures in the Hendrix residence. I shook my head slightly not to wake Xander whose breathing evened out behind me.

How does one go about telling their boyfriend they broke into someone's home to get steal information to ruins their lives? I don't. Instead, I leaned forward and kissed Luca, a silent plea to let this go.