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“Okay,” I jump in, pushing to my feet and clapping my hands once, shifting the tone of the room. “Now that everyone’s here, let’s get organized.”

I turn to Colt. “You’re handling the press. I want them gone. Completely. No lingering, no speculations, no drones or helicopters hovering near the balcony. And…”

I pause for a beat.

“If they got any photos from inside the apartment before we closed the curtains…”

“Jesus,” Liam mutters under his breath.

“For fuck’s sake, Nickolas,” Zayn groans.

Nick throws his hands up in exaggerated innocence.

“What? I was busy trying not to lose her again. The curtains weren’t a damn priority. And the windows are mirrored.”

I cut in before anyone else can jump on him.

“Just… Colt, make all the bad articles disappear.”

He’s already chuckling, head shaking as he pulls out his phone. “You got it, boss.”

Nick lets out a slow exhale behind me, and I feel his hand settle on the small of my back. Warm. Steady. Like an anchor in all this chaos. I lean into his touch for just a second longer than necessary. Grounded. Grateful.

“All right,” I say, turning toward the room, voice a bit firmer. “Nick, Theo—go grab something from the pantry we can cook for dinner. For everyone.”

Thalia straightens beside Theo as I turn toward her. “And you—you’re with me in the kitchen,” I add with a soft smile, jerking my head toward the kitchen island.

“Sure,” she answers quickly, almost too quickly.

The guys start mumbling things at once, but I cut them off. “And the rest of you—please don’t start any chaos until the food’s ready.”

I walk toward the kitchen, and just as I’m reaching for the fridge, I feel Nick’s arms wrap around me from behind. His chest presses against my back, and his breath hits my neck.

“Jesus,” he murmurs, low enough only for me to hear. “A few hours ago, I had you all to myself. Now I’m sharing you with a crowd.”

I laugh quietly and shake my head. “They’re our friends. Our brothers,” I say. “Besides… I don’t know how healthy —or normal—it’s to have sex twenty-four hours a day.”

He growls playfully, pressing his mouth to my ear. “Can’t wait to have you in my bed later.”

“You’ve got me in your arms right now.”

“Naked. Riding my cock,” he whispers, voice dark and rough, his hand tightening possessively around my waist.

“Nickolas, I need help,” Theo yells from the pantry. “You can whisper filthy things to her after we find the pasta,” he calls, laughing.

“You’re talking about my fucking sister, Theo,” Zayn shouts from the couch. “Nickolas, just let her breathe for five fucking seconds.”

Nick laughs darkly, but peels himself away from me. Not before dragging his fingers one last time across my waist.

“I’ll be right back. Don’t miss me too much.”

I glance over my shoulder at him. “Only if you’re fast.”

Thalias snorts a laugh beside me, already at the sink with her sleeves rolled up. When our eyes meet, she gives me a small, grateful smile.

“You okay?” I ask in a quiet voice.

She nods. “Thanks for the save.”