Eden's POV"We can wait," Ryder hums, leaning over the counter of the diner, his eyes wide as they drape down my uniform dress. "I kind of like this place now."I snicker, patting him on the shoulder until he sits back on his barstool. "It's fine, guys. Go ahead without me. I can walk to the lounge when I clock out."Dante pouts but ultimately hands me a set of keys. "Here. Take this, okay? We will walk. I don't want you out at night walking through the city alone."I settle the keys in my possession and give them both a brief kiss before they head out. I linger after them for as long as they're within sight, pushing and shoving as they head out to the lounge where we've been going every night since the fight they had with Felix.It is obvious that they're unsettled by their father's warnings, but they do a good job of not showing it around me. My replacement for the next shift is late, but when she finally arrives, I throw aside my apron and rush out to the car.My driving

Eden's POVI don't mind being at the Golden family estate.Mason joins Carol and me at the breakfast table, his bare chest carved out in muscle while he rubs his tired, baggy eyes with a fist. Carol pours him a cup of coffee, but he doesn't seem too interested in it."Good morning, Eden," Mason grumbles lightly. "It's nice to see you back here.""Glad to be back," I reply. "Did the brothers tell you to find the guys who…"Even though my voice trails off, Mason answers with a knowing glare, "Yeah, I'm working on pulling the camera footage from the area where you were attacked. I'll have their names by the end of the week.""And their heads will come shortly after that," Dante mutters, walking into the kitchen with wet, freshly showered hair. "Good morning, everyone.""Morning," we all sputter out in our early, raw voices."Where's my favorite nephew?" Carol jokes.Dante pouts with his cup of coffee finding the seat beside me. I lean instinctively into his lap. "Ryder i

Eden's POVI shoot up in bed, breathless and in a heavy sheen of sweat. Hands brush my back, and I scream, feeling the intruder grab at me, pull a gun, and flinch his finger against the trigger. I flinch hard, my head hitting right into Ryder's.He hisses a breath but still keeps his arms around me, Dante leaping out of bed and turning the nearest lamp on. I see them, and only them, coming to the embarrassing realization that it was only a nightmare.I bury my face in Ryder's chest and cry harder. "I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry—""Hey, it's okay, baby," Ryder mumbles against my scalp. "Relax. Did you have a bad dream?"I nod, a lump building in my throat.Dante finds my hand, squeezing it tenderly while he takes a seat beside me in bed. "It's okay, kitten. It's going to be alright. You're safe with us."I can't help but think of Sal, of the intruder, and of death being such a heavy presence in their lives.And my life now, too.Ryder's phone rings after a long, heavy pa

Eden's POVOrange roofs, white rock buildings, and cliffside beaches.This life the Golden brothers live is so foreign to me, but I think I could get used to it. We're staying at a villa on the water, a little hut on the sand with wood plank boardwalk as it overlooks the seaside of Croatia.The weather is warm, the coffee is strong, the ocean is clear as crystal, and my favorite brothers spare no expense in fulfilling their promise to spoil me.Dante leaves early in the morning, and later that day, Ryder finds me in the pool, my arms resting on the ledge of the room that overlooks the sunrise on the cliffs. I've never even been outside of New York, let alone somewhere as gorgeous as here.Ryder slides a tray over and kneels down, meeting my lips in a brief, tender kiss. "Order room service for lunch, baby. I'm going to go meet Dante for a meeting. I think we will sell this thing off once and for all."Although thrilled with the idea of getting rid of this device, I still fe

Eden's POVI throw Asher back with my forearms, breaking the kiss at once.How could he show up here in Croatia and kiss me like nothing has happened!?"What are you doing?" I bark, slapping him across the face when he steps back toward me, intending to kiss me some more. "Asher! Stop! I don't want to kiss you!"He shakes his head in dismissal. "That's not what I felt. You kissed me back, Eden Smith.""I did not," I bite out, trying to push past him, but he stops me with a grip on my wrist, pulling me into his unwarranted embrace. His lips brush mine again, and I lean far back in his hold, preventing another kiss. "Stop it, dammit! The Golden brothers are right next door and—""And if I have them killed, you can bet that my father will release the bounty over you," Asher snaps.He releases me at last, and I stumble back a few paces, my heart settling in my stomach where it ultimately falls. I've chosen the Golden brothers over him time and again, but he persists in makin