Kobe’s amber eyes search mine, and there's hurt bleeding through the anger now, raw and honest.
My stomach churns and I wrap my arms around myself. "So you, what? Formed a vigilante squad?"
"We handled it," Maxwell says, and the way he says handled makes me think of concrete shoes and Hudson River baptisms. "Armand's been... persuaded to reconsider his interest in you."
"You threatened him?" I gasped.
"Just explained the legal ramifications of sexual coercion," Jared says smoothly. "Along with some interesting photos of his other ‘business ventures’ that certain authorities would find... illuminating."
He pauses, and something dark flashes across his face.
"He was surprisingly agreeable after that. Tried to get rid of his phone at last, but we managed to get it back and sent you those last messages."
My brain short-circuits and I have to grab the nearest dresser to stay upright. "You sent… That was you?"
"If you'd told any of us about Armand, about the money, we would've handled it immediately." Maxwell’s voice drops to something raw, wounded. "But you didn't. You were going to let that piece of shit—"
"I didn't have a choice!" The words explode out of me. "My sister needs that surgery, and our restaurant—he threatened Lumière if I refused. What was I supposed to do?"
"You were supposed to trust us!"
Maxwell's control finally shatters. He spins from the window, and in three strides he's in front of me, so close I can see the way his chest heaves with barely controlled emotion.
"We're not here to intercept you, Raegan." Kobe’s gaze gentled. "We're here to offer you an alternative."
"An alternative? What does that even mean?"
"It means we'll fund Elsie's surgery in full,” Kobe says. “No strings attached, no repayment required."
I laugh, but it sounds more like a sob. "You can't just give me that kind of money because you feel sorry for me."
"This isn't a pity." Jared releases my chin and steps back. "Christ, Raegan, do you really think we'd let you sell yourself to him for a Michelin star?"
"I don't want a fucking Michelin star if the price is your virginity, or your body, or your dignity." Maxwell's words land like a grenade. "I don't want anything that costs you this much."
"Why do you even care?" The question tears out of me, ragged with frustration. "I'm just your sous chef. I'm nobody to any of you, and this is my decision to make."
I pull the robe even tighter, forcing steel into my spine.
"You don't get to testosterone your way in here and act like I need rescuing. I'm handling my shit in any way I can. Always. I don't ask for handouts. I don't burden people with my disasters. I fix things myself."
Kobe's laugh is poison. "So that was your solution?"
"It was one night!" I'm full-on sobbing now, the stress of the last weeks finally breaking me. "One horrible night to save everything that matters… Elsie gets her surgery, you get your Michelin star, everyone wins."
"You think we win if you sacrifice yourself?" Jared hissed and suddenly his hands are cupping my face, forcing me to meet his eyes. "You think any of us could live with that?"
"I don't understand why you wouldn’t. I'm just the girl who chops vegetables. You just feel sorry for poor little Raegan and her tragic backstory. And tomorrow you'll go back to your lives and I'll go back to being invisible."
"Invisible?" Maxwell snaps. "You think you're invisible to me?"
The raw edge in his voice makes me freeze.
"I haven't slept through the night in two years because of you." The confession rips out of him like shrapnel. "Two. Fucking. Years. Because I close my eyes and see you tuck your hair behind your ear when you're concentrating. I smell vanilla extract and think of you."
The confession rips out of him like shrapnel and my heart stops beating entirely.
His grey eyes burn into mine. "So don't you dare stand there and tell me you're invisible. You're the only thing I see."
Before I can respond, Jared steps forward.
"I've rearranged my entire life around your schedule. I've turned down business trips that conflicted with your shifts. Always tried to find excuses to talk to you without seeming like a creepy boss."
My brain stops working entirely. “Why..?”
"Because I'm in love with you, you brilliant, infuriating woman." The confession rips out of him like he's been holding it back with his bare hands. "I've been losing my mind wanting you so badly it makes me physically ill."
I can't breathe.
I genuinely cannot draw air into my lungs.
He's directly in front of me, close enough that I have to tilt my head back to meet his gaze, close enough that his expensive cologne makes me dizzy. Maxwell flanks my left and Kobe mirrors him on my right.
"Every time you blush, my chest aches." Kobe moves closer. "I keep coming back to that restaurant because you're there, Rae. Because ten minutes of watching you work is worth more than any premiere or red carpet."
"You can't all want…" I whisper. "I’m not—"
I'm crying now, overwhelmed, pressed between them with nowhere to hide.
My knees buckle, but suddenly Jared's arm is around my waist, pulling me against his chest, and I can feel his heart racing through his shirt. Another strong arm comes around my back and I’m leaning into the comfort of his warmth.
"The surgery funding comes with no conditions," Jared says calmly. "If you walk out right now and never speak to any of us again, the money is still yours. Elsie will get her implants."
"But we want you," Maxwell's voice drops to something dark and hungry against my neck. "We've wanted you since day one."
"All three of us." Kobe's hand reaches out to brush a strand of hair from my face. "Not because you owe us anything, but because we can't stand the thought of anyone else touching you first."
"This is insane…"
"Is it?" Jared's lips brushes my temple, and my breath catches. "Is it insane that we want to worship you? That we want to show you exactly how good it can be when someone gives a damn about your pleasure?"
"I don't deserve—"
Maxwell spins me in Jared's arms so fast the room tilts. I'm facing him now but still pressed back against Jared's chest, trapped between them in the most delicious way possible.
"You deserve everything." His voice is fierce, certain, allowing no room for argument. "To be touched by men who see your worth. Who know exactly how fucking extraordinary you are."
Then his mouth is on mine, and every rational thought evacuates the premises.
The kiss destroys me. His tongue slides against mine as Jared's lips find my neck from behind, and I moan into Maxwell's mouth. Jared is taller, has to bend down to reach my throat, and the angle presses me harder against both of them.
"Fuck," Kobe breathes, moving closer until I'm surrounded on all sides. "You're so perfect, Rae."
Maxwell's hands frame my face while Jared's nose slides along my neck, holding me steady as they take me apart with systematic precision. When Maxwell pulls back, we're both breathing hard.
"How would that even work?" I breathe, still dizzy from his kiss. "Three of you, one of me, it's—"
"The only question that matters," Jared interrupts, whispering in my ear, "is what do you want?"
What do I want?
I want to stop being the responsible one for five fucking minutes.
I want to be touched by men who I’ve been fantasizing about for years.
I want them. All of them.
Fuck it.
My hand shoots out, grabs back of Jared's neck, and yanks him down to my level. Our mouths collide with enough force to bruise, and the sound he makes against my lips shoots straight between my legs.
Then Kobe's near me, his mouth finding that spot where my neck meets my shoulder that makes me see stars. Maxwell moves to my other side, his hands working the belt of my robe while his lips map every inch of exposed skin.
The robe falls open.
"Fuck," Maxwell breathes, taking in the white lace that barely exists. "You were going to wear this for him?"
"Don't," I gasp as Kobe's teeth graze my pulse point. "Don't talk about him."
"Never," Jared agrees, his hands skimming down my sides, thumbs brushing the underside of my breasts through the barely-there lace. "Only us now."
They take me apart with methodical precision.
Maxwell's mouth on my chest while his hands explore every curve. Kobe is now behind me, whispering filthy promises against my ear while Jared get on his knees—Jared Spencer on his fucking knees—pressing kisses to my hip bones like he's praying.
"Where?" Maxwell asks when I'm nothing but nerve endings and need. "Where do you want us?"
I look at them—these impossible men who dove into my disaster and decided to swim—and make the easiest decision of my life.
"Somewhere away from here and with a bed big enough for four."
Kobe's grin is pure sin. "I know just the place."