Theirs to Treasure (Beyond Monogamy Book 1)

by Marissa Dobson

  “I need to see her, please…”

  Kain wrapped his arm around her, drawing her close to his body. She hadn’t noticed Aiden and Cody get up from their chairs but suddenly they were behind her, their hands on her shoulders.

  An hour later Paris was sitting by her mother’s bedside, still in shock. The whole family had eaten, thanks to Cody who had brought food from the house since they were rushed back to the hospital. The additional tests had all come back clean, and now they were just gathered around her bedside to see if the drugs would work. The only one missing was London, who’d decided he needed fresh air. She suspected he was still fuming over the whole situation with Aiden, along with the family siding against him on this treatment.

  Her baby brother needed a wake-up call. Only a few weeks ago she had thought he was finally growing up, no longer that selfish partier he had been. Now she realized she couldn’t have been more wrong. He might not have been out every night at the clubs, or showing his friends or clients a good time, but his attitude hadn’t changed. If anything it had gotten worse. Right now, everyone was more concerned about Mom than London’s attitude, but it wouldn’t be long before someone had it out with him. She hoped it wouldn’t be her because she couldn’t take much more before she snapped.

  “It could be hours before anything changes. It’s pointless for everyone to sit around here watching,” Paul reasoned.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” She barely took her gaze away from her mother. “This is the first chance I’ve been able to see Mom since I arrived.”

  “I need some fresh air, and I have to chat with that son of ours.” Paul patted Mathew’s shoulder. “Will you be okay?”

  He nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll call your cell if she starts to wake up.” After Paul left, Mathew turned in his seat to look at her. “London is scared, upset…let’s face it, even with everything that has happened and the responsibilities the two of you have taken on, he has been unwilling to grow up. His immaturity is showing in his current attitude. But he’s still your brother—”

  “Dad, I know he is or I wouldn’t have put up with his shit.”

  “He’s scared to lose Mom.”

  She took a deep breath and reminded herself to keep her voice low. “What, I’m not?”

  “I only meant that he’s dealing with it in his own way. He’s also thinks he’s watching out for you by trying to protect you from Aiden.” He held up his hand to stop her before she could interrupt. “I know his protection is misguided to say the least. I’m just asking that you cut him a little more slack. Paul has gone to talk to him and maybe he can get him to see some sense.”

  “You and Dad don’t need to worry about this. London and I will eventually work this out. I’m sure he’s upset I didn’t tell him I had been going to see Aiden.” She glanced to Aiden and her other two men who had given the security guards a break to grab something to eat, while they watched over the family. They stood outside the room, the wall of windows between them so they were never out of sight. “That day you called to tell me about that ball player who had a grudge against Kain…I had made plans to tell London everything when I arrived back home, but things got busy. He had something with work come up, my work, Mom, and traveling back and forth each week. It all got away from me. I wanted to tell him but the time never seemed right.”

  “You’re not the only one at fault there. We all kept it from him.”

  “I just wish he’d quit with this crap before the media gets hold of this.” She hadn’t thought about it when she agreed to have them come home with her, all she had done was give in to her desire to have them by her side, but now she was thinking clearly and it hit her. “Oh, Dad, I didn’t think…”

  “What’s wrong? Not happy with them? They seem completely devoted to you.” He turned to look through the glass doors to where the men stood.

  “No, it’s not them. I love them. I didn’t think what bringing them home would cause. Since the media has already got hold of Mom’s condition, they’re going to be waiting for us. Once they see me walk out of there with them, embraced by one or more of them, they’ll know and it will be all over the papers by morning.”

  “You’re used to being the center of gossip. For years you’ve had to deal with it, because of us, the company. This isn’t any different.”

  “It is because my commitment to them is going to overshadow the real reason we’re at the hospital. Mom.”

  “Now, I think that might be the first bright spot of things. We’ve worked hard to keep her condition quiet, so if we can continue it then that’s great. When it breaks, maybe it won’t be the center of the attention. Instead, you and your men will be.”

  She shook her head. “Thanks, Dad, now I feel like I’m being used. This isn’t a time to be—”

  “Paris, do you love them?”

  “What? I just said I did.” She let go of Mom’s hand and turned in her chair to look at him.

  “If you love them like I think you do, then it doesn’t matter when they come into the family, just that they have. Love sometimes comes to us at what we think is the worst time, but is actually the best, otherwise we might not have been able to get through the situation as well as we would have without that love. Paris, don’t doubt that you found your men when you needed them the most and when they needed you the most. It’s destiny, and I’m glad to see you have people who care about you and who you care about.”

  “The best thing about this family is I always have people I love with me, no matter what. You’re the best dad a girl could ask for.” She reached across to take his hand.

  “Don’t let Paul hear you say that.”

  “You’re both amazing, but where Dad is there for comfort, you’re always there with the right words. The best of both.”

  All of a sudden, a rough voice whispered and Paris realized it was her mother.

  “They’re…all mine,” she rasped.

  Her stomach roiled; she hadn’t been sure this would work and now Amy was awake. She wanted to wrap her arms around Mom, but instead she was frozen to the spot. Dad leaned forward, practically climbing into the bed next to her, making Paris feel like she was invading a private moment.

  “Amy…my sweet Amy!” He kissed her and hugged her to him.

  “I’ll call the family.” She rose from the chair to tell her men the good news.

  “Paris, is everything okay?” Kain asked as she came out of the room, unable to look away from her parents.

  “Mom…Mom’s awake!”

  “Give me your phone.” Cody held out his hand. “I’ll call Paul and London.”

  She slipped the phone out of the pocket of her jeans and handed it to him. “Dad went to find London. They should be together.”

  With Cody stepping away from them to make the calls, she turned back to Kain. “You…this is all because of you.”

  “Not me, darling. Doctor Tobias did this, I just brought him here.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I’m glad your mother is doing better.”

  “We both are.” Aiden placed a hand on her shoulder.

  Words couldn’t express what she was feeling at the moment. She wasn’t even sure she could explain it if she had to. She was numb, yet ecstatic that her mother’s health had begun to improve. She needed to let this all sink in, and then she was going to celebrate. Celebrate with her men.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Over the last few hours, Paris and her family had mostly stood around doing nothing, while Doctor Tobias ordered test after test to see how the experimental drug had affected her system. No one wanted to tell Amy about the remission until they had the last of the test results in.

  “Excuse me.”

  Paris turned to find a nurse in pale blue scrubs standing in the door of the waiting room.

  “Yes?”

  “Mrs. Nelson has asked for her daughter.”

  “That’s me.” She nearly jumped off the sofa.

  “She’s back from her tests but Doctor Tobias has
orders that she rests for a bit before everyone is allowed back there. One person may remain with her. Umm….one of the…Mr. Nelson is back there now and has agreed to step out while she speaks with you.” The poor woman looked completely confused on how to handle the situation of two husbands.

  “Cody, go with her,” Mathew ordered. “The hospital and security guards have been doing a good job at keeping the media out but Paris needs someone with her.”

  “Dad.”

  “He’s right,” Aiden said. “Just to be safe. Cody’s the best one to go with you because he blends better than Kain or I.”

  “Come on, love, let’s not keep your mom waiting.” Cody slipped his hand into hers. “I’d never argue with them because they think they’re always right.”

  “That’s because we are,” Kain added before they made it to the door.

  “Plus it gives me time with my favorite person.”

  “My mom?” She teased.

  He squeezed her hand. “You, love, are the only woman I have eyes for.” He glanced out the hall and nodded before allowing her into the hallway. “I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that to you.”

  “You’re already doing that.” She wanted to lean in to kiss his cheek, to let him know how much she appreciated everything he had done for her, but the nurse stepped out from one of the rooms as they entered the critical care wing and eyed them both.

  “I thought I explained the doctor’s orders are one at a time while she rests.”

  “I’m accompanying Miss Nelson as her security guard. We’re not taking any chances with the media lurking around. I’ll be waiting in the hallway with her father while she visits her mother,” Cody explained.

  When the nurse started to voice her opposition, Paris added, “If you have an issue with this arrangement please speak with your supervisor. My father, Mathew Nelson, has already worked things out with him.” She looked down at the nurse’s badge. “Ms. Chase, I’m sure you’ve watched the news, so you know who my family is. You’ll understand the need for security. We never go anywhere alone. It’s security for us as well as for others. Now unless you wish to make a big deal of this and get your supervisor involved, I suggest you go about your business and we will too.”

  Paris might have been able to phrase it better, but in the end it got the nurse scurrying off to do whatever task she had been neglecting, and allowed them to continue down the hall toward her mother’s room. The lack of sleep was beginning to take a toll on her and she just didn’t have the patience for anything at the moment.

  “Aren’t you a feisty kitten.”

  “Tired, sorry.” She paused as a yawn overcame her. “Normally, I’m only feisty when I need to defend my family. We’ve been through a lot and we’re close…well, at least most of the time. This issue with London is new and has already worn thin.”

  “He’s a scared and confused kid. I’ve talked to him a little and it’s clear he does care for you. Right now he’s lashing out at you and our situation instead of facing what’s really got him scared…your mom’s condition. Give him time, I think he’ll come around.”

  “If he doesn’t, then we’ve got some issues.” They stood in front of the door to Amy’s room. “Mom doesn’t need to know about this, but if she comes home to this tension in her condition…”

  “Love, let’s not borrow troubles we don’t have yet. Maybe he’ll come around before then. Go on in there and we’ll deal with London later.”

  “Thank you.” She quickly squeezed his hand before letting it go.

  When Paul saw her, he rose from the bed and came to her by the door. “Stay with her as long as you want but make sure she rests.”

  “Quit giving orders, Paul.” Mom held her hand out. “Come here, Paris.”

  She went, sat down, and took Mom’s hand in hers. “Dad’s right, you should be resting.”

  “In a bit. I caught a glimpse of your men earlier and wanted to talk to you about them. We haven’t been able to talk lately, mostly because I’ve been so tired. What’s happening with you and these men? Are things getting serious? I’d hope so since you brought them home.”

  “Oh, Mom, this girl chat can wait.” At her mother’s glare, she scooted the chair closer to the bed. “Dad called Aiden because I had left my cell phone downstairs when I went to the lookout room with Kain. After they knew the situation, they wouldn’t take no for an answer and honestly I wanted them by my side since I didn’t know what I was coming home to.”

  “You love them?”

  “Simple answer is yes. Long answer…it’s like a fire of desire and need burning within me. I want to have them by my side, always. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. When they’re not with me there’s a piece of me missing and I long to find it.”

  Mom’s lips curled up into a bright smile. “That, my little girl, is love. It’s what your dads and I wanted both our children to find. Now, what are you going to do with it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Are you going to marry those boys?” She pushed the button to make the bed go up farther.

  “Mom…they haven’t asked. We’re just….exploring each other’s wants and needs.”

  “Bodies, too, I’m thinking…by the way you’re looking at them.”

  “Mom!” Paris couldn’t stop the heat from rushing to her cheeks. They were best friends, but they had never discussed sex before, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to now.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” She glanced toward the door. “Paul’s getting impatient and I can tell he’s biting at the bit to get back in here. So, just one last question…”

  “Why do I have a feeling I’m not going to like this?”

  “If they asked you today, would you spend the rest of your life with them?”

  Paris didn’t even need to think about it. “Yes.”

  “Good. Then I don’t want you sitting around this hospital. I’ve got Mathew and Paul; neither of them are going to be leaving my side. Go home, get some sleep, and spend time with your men.” When Paris started to argue, Mom squeezed her hand. “I won’t hear no. Listen to your sick mother and go home, even if it’s just for a few hours. Paul said by morning I should be in a private room, so we won’t have to worry about visiting hours, or the one person rule. Now go.”

  “Yes, Mom.” She stood, leaned across the space and kissed her mother’s cheek. “Mom, I’m glad you’re doing better. I love you.”

  “I love you, too. Now I think you need to experience the love of good men.” She winked at Paris.

  She shook her head at her mother as she made her way from the room. A break from the hospital might be just want she needed, and she could get some sleep now that she wasn’t stressed about her mother’s condition. Or maybe she’d take Mom’s advice and explore the perfect bodies of her men.

  Paris stepped out of the steaming hot Jacuzzi tub. The only thing she could hear in the distance were the voices of her men, chatting in her bedroom. With her fathers still at the hospital, and no one sure of where London had disappeared to, the rest of the house was quiet. She had left messages for her brother to call her. She promised her mother she’d spend time with her men, but she had also wanted to see if she could make any progress with her brother. The tension between them wasn’t going to go away.

  She slipped into a pair of black yoga pants and a pink tank top before running the comb through her wet hair. She took her time, giving herself a little longer to get her thoughts together before she went to find her men. They didn’t need to see the worry in her eyes; they were already concerned enough about her.

  “Darling, you’re stressing yourself again.” Kain came up behind her and slid his arms around her waist. “The whole point of the hot bath and none of us joining you—which I might say was a difficult task—was so you could relax. Let the water ease away some of the tension of the day. Now here you are buying trouble before it happens. If my guess is right, your thoughts are either on London or Kings.”

 
She hadn’t considered the whole situation with Kings, but now that he’d mentioned it, she realized it was in the back of her mind after all. “Why hasn’t Kings come after you?”

  “That, darling, I couldn’t answer. He’s made no secret of the fact he’s pissed and blames me. Maybe he realizes that if he comes after me he’ll either end up dead or back in prison. Sometimes vengeance isn’t worth the cost.” He placed a line of gentle kisses down the side of her face. “Now, darling, would you like to tell me what’s really on your mind?”

  “I was thinking about London. He took off after he saw Mom and no one has seen him since. How long does someone need to get fresh air?”

  “He’s a big boy and he’ll come back when he’s ready. He has a lot he needs to work through I’m sure. Now, come out here and we’ll make you forget all about this.”

  She turned in his arms so her chest was pressed against him. “That sounds good.”

  He cupped her butt, lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. “Darling, you have too many clothes on. You should have come out naked.”

  “If the three of you had your way, you’d have me naked all the time,” she teased.

  “Not all the time but most of it, I could get used to that.” He stepped away from the bathroom counter, carrying her toward the bedroom.

  “It’s about time you brought her out here.” Aiden was stretched on the bed, naked, only the sheet hiding his manhood from view.

  “What do we have here?” She raised an eyebrow at Aiden as Kain placed her on the mattress.

  “I thought it was time we worked together to show you what we have to offer.” He glanced up at Kain. “You should have got in there earlier. Now we’ll have to undress her.”

  “Umm, undressing her is like unwrapping a Christmas gift you’ve waited your whole life for.” Kain stripped out of his clothes and climbed onto the bed on her other side.

  Not willing to wait any longer, she leaned toward Aiden and claimed his mouth. Diving her tongue between his lips, she was met with the spiciness of coffee, edged with hints of vanilla. The taste of him drew her in, wanting more until she was straddling his waist. Her tongue danced around his until she sucked his bottom lip between her teeth, and nipped gently.