“I would love to, more than you know. Are you sure you want to travel with your mother?” Olivia teased.
“Well, considering you look more like my sister, it wouldn’t be too embarrassing. As long as you don’t lecture me about what to wear or try to comb my hair, I think we’ll be okay.” They both laughed. Olivia had not laughed like that in years. She could not recall the last time she had shared such a moment with Julian. She was still shocked that he invited her. Could there finally be peace between them?
Olivia paused and faced the door.
“Mother, what’s wrong?” Julian asked.
“What could possibly be wrong now that I’m home?” That deep voice laced with malice could belong to only one person. Kaden.
Chapter 4
Olivia could feel the tension as soon as Julian spotted his brother. The room was getting colder and colder as Julian’s body temperature continued to rapidly drop. Julian’s gift of ice was beginning to surface. As Julian’s temperature dropped, Kaden’s increased in response as smoke began to radiate from his skin. Fire and ice—they were truly opposites. Olivia knew the only way to ease the tension was to calm Julian before he gave Kaden a reason to attack. Kaden’s green eyes had darkened to nearly black and the penetrating stare directed at Julian was a clear sign that he would attack if given the slightest opening.
Julian was no weakling, but Kaden was older and naturally more lethal. The boys used to play fight as children. Kaden trained Julian to defend himself against other immortals. Julian was smaller than Kaden, but what he lacked in strength he made up with in tenacity. He was a determined opponent who knew his limitations and continually improved his strengths. Julian could never get the upper hand on Kaden, but as he aged, his intellect proved to be an effective weapon. Olivia wondered if Julian would be a more equal opponent to Kaden now, but she did not want to chance it. Olivia never doubted that Kaden would not hurt Julian when they sparred as children, but now she could not be sure. There was too much animosity between them and it would be easy for one of them to lose control and do something that they all would regret. Olivia had to defuse the situation before the spark ignited and exploded what was left of this broken family.
Olivia laid a gentle hand on Julian’s arm to calm him. He initially tensed and growled at her as he turned to look at her. Olivia did not waver. She gently stroked his hair as she had when he was a child. The comforting gesture seemed to warm him enough that the frigid temperature began to subside. Julian’s features softened again and he took several deep breaths to ease his fragile temper. Olivia squeezed Julian’s arm and smiled at him, assuring him that she was pleased that he let go of the anger, at least for the moment. She could not help but wonder how her boys had managed to coexist in this house the last few weeks with all this rage a hair-trigger from igniting.
Kaden seemed to calm down as well, as his eyes returned to jade. He focused his attention on Olivia. Unlike Julian’s greeting, Kaden raced over to her, practically lifting her off the couch to embrace her. “Mia madre. It’s so good to see you.”
Olivia could not help but smile even though she could barely breathe in Kaden’s arms. “Sweetie, it’s good to see you as well, but if you don’t loosen your arms I’ll pass out,” Olivia choked. Kaden immediately let her go.
“Sorry for the chokehold. I didn’t expect you to be here and I was a little too enthusiastic.”
“No apologies necessary. No mother would complain about her son’s happiness to see her.” Olivia hugged Kaden again. Julian walked over to his desk and sat down. Kaden held Olivia tightly and smirked at Julian. The look was a reminder to Julian of who was the favored son.
“So what brings you here, Madre?” Kaden grinned that infectious smile that could charm anyone to give him what he wanted.
Before Olivia could respond, Julian interrupted, “I asked her to come and help me deal with the mess you’re making.”
“What mess would that be, fratellino?” Kaden knew how much Julian hated to be called fratellino, little brother, so he called him that frequently when he wanted to make a point. It could be considered a term of endearment, but Kaden certainly did not use it as such, nor did Julian receive it in that manner. For Julian, this was another way for Kaden to show he was stronger, more powerful—Kaden the superior brother, while Julian was the inferior little brother.
“Your new hobby of killing innocent women after you screw them.”
“Julian!” Olivia gasped. Kaden knew Julian was trying to get him to blow up in front of their mother. He could see her on edge, waiting for his reaction. Julian always wanted her to see his dark side, but he would not give him the satisfaction. He would not take the bait and unleash his more venomous persona. Playing it cool would make Julian look like the jealous fool. He would not pass up on an opportunity to turn the tables on his brother.
“I haven’t tried that hobby yet. That’s not really my style. Carpentry is my true hobby, as you well know. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m definitely a fan of screwing, but killing my women after would not amuse me enough. Where’s the fun in that?”
“Don’t pretend like you’re innocent. I know you killed those girls.”
“Jules, you seriously need to get laid. Give it a shot. It might help with that stick you have lodged up your ass.”
“You sick bastard! Admit what you have done, or so help me God I will kill you before I let you harm another.” Julian, using his supernatural speed, appeared in front of Kaden ready to fight. Before he could strike, Olivia stood in between the boys, forcing them both to take a step back.
“Julian, please,” Olivia pleaded. “There’s no need to make such threats. Kaden is not responsible for this. We agreed to work together to investigate these killings and find the real killer.”
“No, Mother, you agreed. I know Kaden is guilty. There’s nothing to investigate. You just refuse to see the truth staring you in the face. I can’t help restore your sight if you choose to be blind.”
“She refuses to believe your lies, Julian. She knows I’m innocent and it pisses you off that you can’t poison her against me.”
“Believe me, I know that when it comes to the two of us, she will always choose you.”
“Stop this!” Olivia shouted. “Julian, I love you both equally. I don’t understand why you think I love Kaden more.”
“You don’t love him more. You don’t love at all. You are as cold as he is. No wonder you two bond so easily.”
Olivia grabbed Kaden before he could attack his younger brother. The last thing she wanted was for her sons to fight. They needed to work this out, and she needed to understand Julian’s rage.
“Those are not your words. They’re your father’s. You didn’t always think that way of me. We were very close at one point. Can you remember, Julian? I do. Every day I think about how things used to be. How you used to look at me with love. I always adored you. For a moment this morning, it was like that time when we could talk and laugh together without all this unnecessary tension. I know I’m far from perfect and that I made many mistakes, but I tried to be the best mother I could to both of you. Please try to judge me for me and not based on your father’s opinion. Our marriage was more complicated than you’ll ever understand. I will acknowledge that I did not love him and he did not really love me. Our marriage was based on obsession, control, and vengeance, but never love. Unfortunately, some of the taint of our marriage spilled onto our children. I regret my role in that. Please know that my feelings for your father have nothing to do with the way I feel about my sons. You two were the only good things to come from my marriage. Regardless of how I feel about your father, I owe him my gratitude for giving me my boys.”
Julian was overwhelmed with emotion. He wanted to believe Olivia’s words, but they were contrary to everything his father had taught him. “Why didn’t you love him? Why couldn’t you at least pretend to care for him? He did love you, and your unwillingness to love him killed him.”
Kaden’s abil
ity to control his rage was beginning to fade. “You’re such a gullible idiot. You believe everything that man said. If you could take your head out of your ass for a moment, you would see him for the callous bastard he was. He didn’t love Mom, me, or you. He loved to manipulate us and you were the easiest target. We were all pawns in his game of chess and he moved us around for his amusement. He wanted both of us to hate Mom to punish her, but he couldn’t trick me. I’m too much like him to fall prey to his games. You were the fool he could dupe into listening to his ‘poor me’ nonsense. Only you would feel sorry for an old deceitful geezer like him. You may be the intellectual in the family, but at least I know my head from my ass.”
Julian reached his boiling point, but he was too drained to verbally spar with Kaden after his earlier confrontation with Corinne. He just wanted to escape. His home was no longer a sanctuary, but a place where the past he thought he left behind years ago had finally found him.
“I’m going out for a while,” Julian said as he walked to the door.
“You’re such a coward,” Kaden taunted. “I hurt your feelings, Jules, and now you have to run away. I’m sorry. Do you want me to kiss your wounded pride and make the pain go away?”
“That’s enough, Kaden,” Olivia reprimanded. She turned to Julian. “Darling, please stay and let’s work this out. Let’s end this feuding once and for all. Help me understand what this is between you two? I don’t understand all this bitterness. You were so close once. What happened? We can resolve this if we talk it out.”
“Nothing I say will change anything. Right now, I’m tired of talking. Let’s just meet up this evening and we can start investigating these murders. That’s the most important thing. We can deal with our family drama once we find the vamp killing these women.” As Julian stared at Kaden, he added, “Although I already have all the proof I need.”
II
Olivia craved fresh air to help her escape the stifling stench of anger in this room. She was so drained from all the arguing and desperately needed a few moments of peace. As if Kaden was reading her mind, he suggested, “Let’s get out of here. We can take a long walk. I know I could use a break from this place, and I’m sure you could use one as well.”
Olivia and Kaden walked around the grounds of Julian’s estate. They talked casually about the beauty of this area, which was a stark contrast to the eeriness that hovered over this place at night. The backyard was filled with lush greenery like a never-ending garden of paradise. It was as if the trees were alive as they swayed under the gentle breeze. Olivia could walk forever here and never tire of all this life surrounding her, filling her with a tranquility she had not experienced in years. She could see why Julian cherished this place and why he wanted to rid his sanctuary of the darkness that enveloped it when Kaden arrived.
They strolled to a riverbank on the far end of Julian’s land. Olivia immediately felt the peace of the serene sounds of the water. She sat down on a large rock, dipping her feet into the chilled water. Kaden joined her and the two sat in silence for several moments until Kaden broke the silence.
“Do you think I killed those girls?” Kaden turned to Olivia, waiting for her to meet his eyes. She did a moment later. “Tell me the truth. It’s just you and me here.”
Olivia knew that she could not hide in this peaceful area forever. No matter how tempting it was to escape in the solace of this moment, reality could not be avoided. Kaden’s question made it clear that he would not allow it to be. Olivia was not surprised by the question, as she knew Kaden would need her reassurance. He would rather perish than admit that he needed to know she believed in him no matter what. “I know you didn’t kill those girls, Kaden. There is no doubt in my mind of your innocence.”
Kaden could see the honesty in her eyes and it baffled him that she could have so much faith in him when all of the evidence said otherwise. He still could not accept her trust in him. “How can you be so sure? I knew all those girls. I was with all of them shortly before they died.” He wondered if those facts would create doubt.
“I’m sure because I know you. You would not do something like that.”
Kaden had one more fact to test her loyalty. “Are you so sure? Did you know that there are others? Other women I slept with recently who ended up dead the same way. Either that is one big coincidence, or I’m guilty.”
Olivia responded without hesitation, “It’s neither. It’s not a coincidence and you’re not guilty. There’s a third option and that’s where the truth lies—the real story—and I’m going to do all I can to help you figure it out.”
Kaden looked at her in disbelief. She truly believed in him even though she had every reason to doubt him. He couldn’t blame her if she did. “Is this a mother thing where you can’t believe that your child could ever do something bad?”
“No. I’m not nearly as ignorant as you and Julian like to believe I am. Kaden, I know you’re no saint. I know you’ve done some things I wouldn’t want to know about, but I also know that you aren’t innately bad. You have a gentle heart that you keep hidden from just about everyone, including yourself at times. I know that you would do anything for those you love. This killer is a soulless monster and despite the fact that you like to pretend that you’re one, you’re not. Remember, mio angelo, I carried you inside me, gave you life, and watched you transform into the man you are. You’re no monster -- you seem to want everyone to think you are, but you’ll never fool me. This is the mother thing where you accept your child, both the good and the bad sides, and you love him regardless.”
Kaden could not accept this unconditional parental love for a child. “You really are blind. I don’t have a heart and I sold my soul years ago. I’ve killed many and none of these girls meant a damn thing to me other than a moment’s pleasure. I discarded them like trash when I got my fill of them. Now they’re all dead. Don’t try to turn me into some hero. You’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Julian is the hero type that would save the damsel in distress. He’s the one who would stop and take care of the bleeding victim on the side of the road. I would walk right by her or kill her myself if she got in my way.”
Olivia knew that the crassness behind Kaden’s words was guilt. He might like to think he was a mystery to her, but she knew her son. He had been living with so much guilt for so long—guilt that she blamed herself for by failing him when he needed her the most. She had to help him find peace before it was too late. “You saved me when I was a damsel in distress. You didn’t sit back and let me suffer. You risked everything to save me despite the pain it would cause you. You’re certainly my hero.”
Kaden stood up and began to pace by the riverbank. Olivia sat there quietly, letting her son deal with his emotional turmoil. After several moments, Olivia continued. “Is that why you feel like you sold your soul?”
Kaden stopped pacing and faced her again. “What do you mean?”
“By saving me, do you feel like you sold your soul?”
“I have no regrets about what I did. It had to be done. I would have done it sooner had I known what was happening to you. I wish you would have told me sooner. Things could have been different.” Kaden sat beside Olivia again and reached for her hand. “I can’t undo how I came to be, but I would if it would make you happy. If I could take that pain from you, I would gladly sacrifice my life to free you of it. I’m so sorry that my life ruined yours. There’s no way I can make that up to you.”
Olivia’s heart ached to hear those words from Kaden. How long had he been living with this kind of guilt? The fault lay with her for failing to do more when he found out the truth years ago. “Kaden, I adored you the moment I held you in my arms. I lived for you. You were the one light that helped me see my way through all of the darkness. I would have been lost without you. Please believe me when I say that you were my greatest blessing and never a regret. I would never want to go back in time and change having you.”
“You can’t possibly feel that way. You never wanted him.
You never loved him, but he made sure he would have you -- if not willingly, then by force. He was so proud of how he forced you to his bed. He boasted about it like you were his most successful conquest. He used to tell me how he raped you and planted his seed in you so that you would never escape him and no one else would ever have you. Because of me, you would never be free of him. How could you possibly love me when I was the product of your greatest pain and the cause of your eternal suffering? How can you stand the sight of me, knowing I cost you everything?”
Olivia tried to hold back the tears, as she needed to be strong for Kaden. He needed her more than ever and she was determined to keep it together for him. She owed him that much. “I wish that I could tell you that you were conceived in love and not the violence of that night, but we know it’s not true. Even though you were not conceived in love, you were born to love. I hated your father for what he did to me, but I never ever blamed you. I loved you with every ounce of my being from day one. You taught me that something good could come from the deepest of hurts. You were my gift that enabled me to survive. I would have died had you not been conceived. You made me want to live and I lived for you and your brother. Please don’t punish yourself anymore for this. I wouldn’t change anything if that meant I didn’t have you. I used to call you angioletto di mamma, mommy’s little angel, because that’s what you were and always will be to me. You’re my little angel, my precious boy that gave me strength, courage, and life. I could never feel anything but the greatest of loves for you.”
Kaden never cried. He refused to release worthless tears that would not change anything. At this moment, for the first time since he was a child, he felt like crying. Rather than show this emotion, he reached over and hugged his mother and she tenderly stroked his back, allowing him to deal with this whirlwind of overwhelming emotion.
Lover's Betrayal: Misfits of the Lore Series Page 6
