Stop (Cold Mark Book 3) Read Online Free

with respect, in case you have forgotten.”
    In the unacceptable silence, Malik let go of my arm. Then Leo followed.
    Both turned their heads to me, their faces grim from taking—lawful—orders from their enemies. Malik spoke first, asking in the gentlest, strangled tone, “Braita, will you please accompany us to Malik’s and my bedroom?”
    My chest squeezed inside my chest at his tortured silver gaze. Quickly, I nodded once. My hand found the door handle to the closed, knifed door, and I twisted in a hurry. I may not be ready for this, but I would be damned if I didn’t hear them out. Stiffly, they followed me out into the commons area of the hotel until I let them lead the way to their bedroom. They behaved the entire way.

Evidence of how long Malik and Leo had been staying in this hotel was apparent. Clothes hung haphazardly in the open closet of their room. Many luggage bags lined the side of the posh room. Books from their own bedroom back in Belvar littered the floor. Their toiletries were scattered across the double vanity in the bathroom.
    It was also evident in the way they were comfortable with the space, flopping down with great exhaustion on a red leather couch.
    Again, the realization I had done this to them hit me hard in the stomach.
    So much pain caused. By me.
    No. I paused in thought as I sat on the soft, red leather chair opposite them. They had done this to themselves with their dishonesty. Cause and effect. The oldest rule in the book.
    Malik’s heartfelt silver gaze showed he knew it, too. His words only cemented my theory. “Braita, this is all of our fault. Every word you said to us during the conference call has weighed heavily on our minds.” He ran his hands over his tan face, and then yanked his black straight hair back into a low ponytail, working his strands in rough agitated movements, mad at himself. “We are so damned sorry we lied to you.”
    Leo bent over, his elbows on his knees as he held his head in his hands. He stared at the ground like a man drunken on too much alcho-brew. “I wish we could just start over. We would have handled things much differently.” He gripped his golden hair in his fists. “We screwed up. We know it.”
    I bit my lower lip when my chin began to tremble. I would not cry. But, hell, my chest hurt so damn bad. I had missed them. I had missed being in their mere presence, just to sit next to them in the quiet or read over Malik’s shoulder or play stupid games together or merely…to hear them breathe. They were the first individuals on this planet I had trusted. They had been my home , the whole reason why my previous experience with them stabbed so deeply in the heart it was traumatizing. I quickly brushed away a tear when it burned down my cheek. My voice was a quiet rasp. “You’ve honestly missed me?”
    Leo’s head snapped up, his golden gaze only for me. “Braita, yes. Yes, we’ve missed you.”
    I blinked quickly to keep any more tears from shedding. “Only because it mentally tore the two of you apart having me so far away?”
    Malik answered gently, “Because we’ve come to care for you. Deeply.” His attention swung to the bed and lowered to the ground. “I’ve even missed you sleeping between Leo and me.” A head tilt to his lover, the other half of his Vaq, but his regard met mine. His small smile was bittersweet, although adorable. “He kicks in his sleep.”
    Abruptly, I chuckled. It was a little watery, a few more tears spilling. “I remember.”
    Quiet descended as they watched me, and I watched them in return. Each evaluating.
    My eyes ran over their sharp and keen features. They were like the sunset I used to watch on Joyal, blessed in beauty and with the ability to make me feel warm inside with contentment. A sight I would joyfully view again and again, trying to memorize such a vision.
    And they were my Vaq.
    Leo cracked his neck and failed miserably at not appearing nervous. His words came to a halt and flow that