chapter 28

. Elena stood at the counter in nothing but one of Matteo’s old black T-shirts. It hung loose on her, slipping off one shoulder, hitting mid-thigh.

It's been 2 day since they've been expecting her dad and his gang but still nothing.

No collar around her neck anymore. No silver ring pressing into her skin. Just faint marks that were already fading, and the quiet certainty that she didn’t need anything else to prove she belonged here.

She poured four mugs. Black for Matteo. Two sugars for Luca. Cream for Nico. Hers plain, the way she’d started liking it.

Luca came in first. Hair still messy. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, chin resting on her shoulder.

“Morning,” he murmured. Kissed the side of her neck once. Soft. No teeth.

Elena leaned back into him. “Morning. You sleep okay?”

“Better when you’re in the middle. Always do.”

Nico walked in next. Quiet steps. He took his mug, brushed a light kiss to her temple.

“You look… settled,” he said.

She smiled a little. “I feel it. No lock clicking. No leather pulling. Just me. And this place. And you three.”

Matteo entered last. Shirtless, the scar on his shoulder pink and new. He stopped in the doorway. Watched her move around the kitchen like she’d always been here.

He walked over slow. Took the mug she held out. Sipped. Then set it down. Pulled her close by the waist.

“You took it off yourself,” he said, voice low.

Elena met his eyes. “I did. Didn’t need to ask. I know what I am to you. What you are to me.”

Matteo’s thumb traced the faint line where the collar used to sit. He didn’t say anything for a long second. Just looked at her.

Luca chuckled against her hair. “Look at her owning the place now. Pouring coffee like she runs the show.”

Nico leaned against the counter. “She kind of does.”

Elena turned in Matteo’s hold. Looked between all three of them.

“I’m comfortable,” she said simply. “Really comfortable. Not just with the way you touch me. With the quiet. With knowing I can walk around without waiting for the next hit. With knowing you’re not going to toss me aside when the revenge part ends.”

Luca took her hand. Kissed her knuckles once. “We’re not tossing you anywhere. You’re stuck with us.”

Matteo’s hands stayed on her hips. Firm. Steady. “You chose this. Every step. Every time we pushed, you pushed back harder. That’s not something we forget.”

Nico stepped closer. Pressed his forehead to hers for a second. “You make the house feel different. Less empty.”

Elena laughed softly. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”

They moved to the living room. Big sectional couch. Sunlight coming through the windows.

No rush.

Matteo lay back. Pulled her on top of him. Shirt pushed up just enough. His hands moved slow over her back, her sides, her thighs. Not grabbing. Just feeling her there.

Luca sat beside them. Took her hand. Kissed each finger slow. Then sucked one into his mouth. Gentle. Almost lazy.

Nico knelt on the floor. Kissed up her calf. Her knee. Inner thigh. Soft presses of his lips.

Elena closed her eyes. Sighed.

They touched her everywhere. No hurry. No commands. Just hands and mouths moving like they had nowhere else to be.

She came once, soft and quiet. Just trembling waves. Breathing their names low.

After, they stayed tangled. Matteo underneath. Luca curled against her side. Nico’s head on her stomach.

They didn’t talk about love. Didn’t say the words.

But Matteo kept his hand on her lower belly. Thumb stroking slow circles.

Luca traced patterns on her arm. Absent. Comfortable.

Nico rested his cheek against her skin. Eyes half-closed.

The sun moved across the room.

Hours passed.

They made love again later. Slow. Face to face. Matteo inside her first. Eyes locked. Luca behind her, moving steady. Nico kissing her through every thrust.

No rush to finish. No need to prove anything.

When they were done, they held her close. Sweaty. Breathing together.

Matteo kissed her forehead. “We’ve got hours before midnight. Before they come.”

Elena nodded against his chest. “Then let’s use them.”

Luca grinned. “Food first. Then more of this.”

Nico squeezed her hand. “We’ll be ready.”

Elena looked out the window at the sky starting to darken.

“They’re coming,” she said.

Matteo’s arm tightened around her. “Let them.”

She turned in his hold. Looked at all three.

Then she smiled. Small and Sure.

I want to keep this. Keep us.”

Luca nodded. “Damn right.”

Nico kissed her once. Soft.

Matteo held her tighter.

The night was coming.

And Elena wasn’t waiting in the dark anymore.

She was standing in it.

With them.

Ready.