Chapter 54

The whisper of the city outside the penthouse window gradually gave way to the hum of suburbia as Pietro navigated the sleek black car through the streets of Scarsdale, New York. He had been tight-lipped about our destination, only saying it was time for us to find a more permanent sanctuary. As we pulled into the driveway of a secluded estate, I couldn’t help but gasp at the sheer magnitude of the house before us.

Pietro turned off the engine and looked over at me, a hint of pride in his eyes. “Welcome home, solnishka,” he said, the endearment rolling off his tongue with an intoxicating ease.

The house was a marvel of modern architecture, its clean lines and expansive glass panes exuding an air of quiet sophistication. As we stepped inside, I was immediately enveloped by a sense of warmth and comfort that I hadn’t realized I’d been longing for. The interior was even more stunning than the exterior, with an open floor plan that seemed to invite the outdoors in.

Jin and Axel followed us, their own expressions mirroring my awe. “Pietro, this is… it’s incredible,” Jin said, his voice tinged with admiration.

“I’m glad you approve,” Pietro replied, his gaze never leaving mine. “But there’s something special I want to show Darcy.”

He led me through the house, each room more impressive than the last, until we reached what could only be described as my dream nest. A vast, sunlit room with a floor-to-ceiling window that offered an unobstructed view of the lush, manicured gardens outside. The glass, I noticed, was one-way, ensuring our privacy while allowing me to bask in the beauty of nature.

“Pietro, it’s perfect,” I breathed, my heart swelling with gratitude. “How did you know?”

He stepped up behind me, his hands gently resting on my shoulders. “I pay attention, Darcy. I see you, even the parts you keep hidden. This is a place for you to feel safe and free.”

My eyes filled with tears as I turned to face him. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice choking with emotion. “For everything.”

He simply nodded, a small, almost shy smile playing on his lips. “You don’t have to thank me, solnishka. This is your home now. Our home.”

The others joined us, their eyes taking in the room with approving nods. Axel wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close. “Looks like you’ve got your own little slice of heaven here, princess,” he said, his voice filled with warmth.

Jin, ever the romantic, approached the window, his gaze swept over the gardens. “It’s like something out of a fairy tale,” he murmured, his reflection in the glass smiling back at us.

I laughed, the sound light and carefree. “I suppose that makes you my knights in shining armor, then?”

The sound of Axel’s laughter filled the room, rich and deep, and it pulled me from the whimsical thoughts that had been dancing through my head. “I don’t know about the others,” he said, a playful glint in his eyes, “but I’m definitely your knight in shining armor, princess. With a last name like Knight, it’s practically destiny.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that, the corners of my eyes crinkling with the kind of joy I hadn’t felt in far too long. “Well then, Sir Knight,” I teased, stepping out of his embrace to curtsy dramatically, “I suppose I owe you my gratitude for rescuing this damsel in distress.”

Axel’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he caught my hand and brought it to his lips, the gesture both gallant and intimate. “Anything for you, my lady,” he replied, his voice a low rumble that sent pleasant shivers down my spine.

Jin rolled his eyes good-naturedly, his own smile betraying his fondness for the both of us. “I hate to break it to you, Axel, but knights usually don’t ride motorcycles. That title might be more suited to someone else.”

I stood there, surrounded by the men who had become my everything, feeling a sense of completeness I never thought possible. Pietro’s gift of this sanctuary was more than just a home; it was a fresh start, a safe haven where I could finally breathe without the fear of my father’s machinations casting a shadow over my life.

Harlen appeared in the doorway, a curious expression on his face as he took in the room. “I see Pietro’s been busy playing house,” he said, the corners of his mouth lifting into a half-smile. “What do you think, Little One?”

I crossed the room to him, feeling the magnetic pull of our bond. “It’s more than I could have ever imagined,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t thank you all enough for everything you’ve done for me.”

Harlen’s arm snaked around my waist, drawing me closer. “You don’t owe us any thanks, Darcy,” he said, his voice low and soothing. “We’re in this together. You, me, Pietro, Axel, and Jin. We’re a pack now, remember?”

I nodded, a sense of awe washing over me as I looked up into his dark eyes. “I remember,” I said, feeling the truth of those words resonate deep within my soul. “I’m just so grateful to have all of you in my life.”

As I spoke, I felt the others draw nearer, their presence a comforting balm to the raw edges of my heart. Jin’s hand found mine, his fingers intertwining with my own as he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “We’re the ones who are grateful, Darcy,” he said softly. “You’ve brought so much light into our lives.”

“I don’t know what I did to deserve any of you,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “But I’m so incredibly thankful that our paths crossed.”

Pietro stepped forward, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek. “You deserve the world, Darcy,” he said, his voice firm yet gentle. “And we’re going to do everything in our power to give it to you.”

And I believed him.