Bloody Ties

by Claire Marta

  “I can see the turmoil you’re going through. But I have to side with my brother on this one.

  You were scared I understand. But you know how attuned we are to you, you could have called out to anyone of us and we would have sent help.

  We had our own allies and four Benson assassins that night. You would have gotten out safe.

  We understand what it means to fear for your family, however, because we understand what it means, were the situation reversed, we never would have taken Garron’s wife from him.

  It’s time like these you need your family close.

  Damien as a leader is strong. Damien as a man is weak. He draws his strength from us. You, me, Phillip, Sheila, and Michael. Without us, he wouldn’t be able to do what he does.

  My brother is not a soft man. I can admit he has a gentleness when it comes to you, but it won’t evolve from there. You see it too.

  His coldness will overpower him one day, if he doesn’t have his family by his side.

  Let’s just say it was a very hard few months with you gone.”

  Bowing my head I feel as if I am being scolded for my absence. “I had just killed my father...I wasn’t thinking straight. Yes I should have called out, but everything happened so fast.”

  Oscar’s words circle in my head. Damien has a gentleness for me that won’t evolve. He won’t ever love me like I love him. In a way I knew that was true but facing the truth is overwhelming.

  “I’m not so sure about that, sister. He doesn’t call you princess with any malice. What once was derogatory has turned into something more—for all of us. Will he understand the love? No, he’s not just an asshole, he’s a dumb one.

  But, don’t cast him off.

  However, don’t look at is as a bad thing either. Do you really want to see him when he’s not all hard and cold, and asshole-y? I don’t. As much fun as it would be to tease him, I wouldn’t want to see what happens when the assholeness returns.”

  “I fell in love with an arsehole. I don’t want him to change because he wouldn’t be Damien then.” As my back begins to ache I try to find a better position. I know I will need to get up soon and face the rest of the family. “It’s nice being able to admit that I love him to someone even if it’s not to my husband...at least someone close to him knows how I feel, even if the idiot doesn’t.”

  Oscar smiles a genuine smile then. “I’m glad you feel comfortable discussing it. I hate having to poke and prod at your mind to find my answers.

  Ask Sheila, it’s much more beneficial when you tell me things yourself.” He glances at his watch. “Speaking of Sheila, I have an appointment with her soon.

  But you still haven’t told me all about Garron. I know there is more. I can feel it lingering there.

  Whether it’s now or later, it’s up to you. But I need to understand more.”

  I scowl at him. “Later, enough of your interrogations and let me get up. You don’t want to see me get angry when I’m pregnant. I’m terrifying according to the elite guards I had watching my every move for the last few months.”

  “Oh I actually can’t wait to see that. We took bets last night. My money’s on Michael being the first. Asshole’s been playing the ‘woe is me’ card since he became a gimp.

  Later then. And if you can, try to get Damien to come and see me. Out of everyone, he needs his mind scrubbed and picked at the most.

  Bastard is too good for therapy though.

  Kick his ass if you have to. I know you have it in you.” He stands and buttons his suit jacket. “Until next time, sister.”

  As the door clicks closed on his exit I manage to rise from the bed. Oscar’s session has made me feel a little more stable. If Damien could talk to him maybe it would help him to. With that thought I begin the slow process of getting dressed.

  Damien

  I don’t know how to deal with this. I meant what I told her yesterday. If we had married under any other circumstances I would have wooed her. Would have got her to feel more than distrust and contempt for me.

  But we didn’t have that time. Now I’m working backwards. She knows what type of bastard I am. I fear whatever I do won’t make much of a difference to her.

  And now this child, my child, I have to come to terms with the fact that there’s more at stake than ever before.

  I understand her reservations, but that won’t change things.

  There’s only so much I can do to reassure her, she either believes me or she doesn’t.

  The door opens and my brothers walk in. Oscar looks like shit, but then he had two therapy sessions today.

  “How’s the princess?”

  “She’s...struggling. But she’s opening up to me more. I think that surprises her. My reputation doesn’t scream ‘listener’.”

  “Yes, well not everything is what it seems, is it?”

  “She cares for you, brother.”

  “Which is unexpected, considering I’ve been an asshole.”

  “Part of your charm.” Michael pipes in.

  “Yes, well, anything we need to discuss?”

  “No. Leave her be for now. If she opens up to you great, but don’t expect her too. She’s more scared now than ever before.”

  I nod in understanding. Despite his personal feelings towards her Oscar is doing all he can to help Ava. We can’t afford her becoming a liability if she can’t get through the shit in her head.

  “We need to get in touch with our allies. Let them know we’re all still alive for now.” Phillip says. “Argo wants to make a trip out here. He’s not happy with Garron anymore than we are. But he’s also afraid of my wife.”

  “Can you blame him? He kept the secret about the Chevaliers for years. Even knowing the truth.”

  “Yes, well, nothing we can do about it now.”

  The door opens and Sheila walks in with her brother, Serg. The Bensons have been hanging around more often than not. Partly because they’re worried about their sister, and partly because they’re the only ones we trust to have our backs.

  Serg though has been spending a suspicious amount of time with Michael. Unfortunately now is not the time to tease him about it.

  “Where’s your wife?” Sheila asks.

  “I left her upstairs, hopefully she’ll join us soon,” Oscar replies.

  There’s a knock on the open door and Ava slowly walks in. She pauses when all eyes turn to her.

  “You spoke like a Rochester earlier, sister,” Oscar tells her. “You can act like one too. You don’t have to knock, and you don’t have to be nervous to walk in a room with your family.”

  She smiles at Oscar with genuine warmth. “I’ll try to remember that next time.” Moving further into the room she makes her way to my side.

  “How did you sleep? Personally I hate that mattress.”

  “It was comfy enough.” She replies halting beside my chair. “Thanks for staying with me.”

  “Where else would I stay? With Oscar? I rather sleep with you than with him.” I look up at her and give her an easy smile.

  She seems surprised by my humor, but it’s time we figured this shit out.

  “Are you planning your move against your father?” Glancing around she takes in the whole family standing around. “I guess he’s next on your busy list of things to do.”

  “Not today we’re not. We have time for that. Right now we need to come to terms with what our family is and how we’re going to deal with that.

  I don’t think you had time to get to know our family. And I’m sorry for that.” She stares at the others wide eyed. I’m curious what she’s going to say or do.

  “Get to know them? You mean get to know them know them?” She looks as if she’s not quite sure what to think about the whole thing.

  As if the concept of trying to bond with them is something she has never even considered. Which she probably never has. Again I know we have this all backwards. She’s gone from a prisoner to family in a short space of time.

  “Well, that�
��s the idea.” Sheila says. “We know you, but you don’t know us. Let’s start with my brothers. Serg is the second to last. And the closest one to me.

  they all look alike, so it might take a few meetings with them to tell them apart.”

  “Hi.” My wife says as she takes in the big red headed male. She seems a little intimidated which isn’t surprising, he’s a Benson after all.

  “Don’t worry, Serg is the soft one of the five.” Michael tells her. His voice soft.

  When he notices me watching he turns away. It’s not the first time I’ve seen my brother linger on the red head.

  “Sit,” Oscar motions to the chair next to his. “Pretend you’re not cowering behind Damien, as if he could stop us from harassing you.

  She gives a little laugh. A sound I haven’t heard before. Which I suddenly realize shouldn’t be surprising. She’s never had anything here to make her feel relaxed or happy.

  Walking more confidently she sinks into the chair beside him.

  “See? That wasn’t too difficult, was it?” Oscar pats her hand. “Now, tell us all of Damien’s secrets. It’s always better when we have inside knowledge of how to torment him.” He winks at her.

  “Now, Oscar don’t be an ass.”

  “Why? You are.”

  “Easy, brother. Or I may just smother you in your sleep.”

  He laughs and sits back in his chair. “Fine, Princess, my brother is no fun. You’re too tense though, tell us why?”

  At his words her shoulders stiffen. “I’m just not use to you all being nice to me. By now you’ve usually threatened to kill me.” She tells us, although I can tell it’s only half the truth.

  “Still early. I’m sure by the time we call it a day everyone will threaten someone in this room.” Phillip shrugs. “You should know by now sister, that it means nothing. Unless of course there’s a reason for it.”

  She doesn’t say anything, just fidgets in her chair.

  This is difficult for her I realize. But there’s nothing I can do about it. If she wants to be apart of our family she’ll have to get use to sitting around with all of us.

  Taking a deep breath she releases it slowly. “Damien told me I’m part of your family now...that we both are.” Caressing the top of her swollen belly lovingly, she shifts in her chair. “I’ve never had a real family before and it might take me time to adjust.

  Everything has happened so quickly...I’m still trying to find my feet. What I am trying to say is please be patient with me. I am trying my best.”

  Taking a deep breath I try not to sigh.

  “Yes, well, it’s hard for us as well.” Sheila says. “We’ve never had to deal with something like this before. Trying to figure out how to get you to trust us, to not be afraid, to open up.

  It’s going to take us the same amount of time to get used to you.” My sister sighs and stands. “I have to go check on my brothers. Make sure they didn’t get themselves into trouble. Come,” She tugs Serg’s arm.

  “Everyone else go do something productive. I think it’s best if I spend some time with my wife.”

  Michael is the first to jump up, before he leaves the room he says, “It is good to have you back, princess. Now my brother won’t be growling at us all the time.”

  “Out,” I glare at him.

  Fucker gives an impish smile before he goes to find some other trouble to get into.

  When it’s just Ava and I we don’t speak or move.

  We sit and stare and try to figure out what to do with each other.

  CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

  Ava

  DAMIEN WANTS TO SPEND TIME with me. Suddenly alone with my husband I don’t know what to say. From his expression he seems to be in a similar situation. We’ve never just been together as man and wife apart from sex. It feels awkward.

  “You don’t have to spend time with me.” I tell him quietly knowing he probably has better things to do. “I’m sure you have an empire to build and stuff.”

  “Yes, well, some things are more important. Or so I heard. Our family has things under control for now.

  We never really got time to spend together. If I were the type to apologize I would. But, well, what’s done is done.”

  “I’m sorry, too. I know this must have all been difficult for you. To be honest I don’t know what we’re supposed to do.” I admit trying hard not to feel embarrassed.

  “I’ve never been in a relationship. I was never allowed a boyfriend and the guys I did hooked up with were just to fuck.”

  “I’ve had a few girlfriends, they didn’t last long because I’m an asshole. To be honest, I’m not sure what to do with you. And I feel like a fucking clueless teenager. Not a good thing for me.” He sighs and runs a hand through his unruly hair. “I can tell you that you’ve intrigued me from the start.”

  I can’t stop the grin that curves my lips. “The party? I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a closet so much in my life. When Kylie interrupted us I was so pissed I had to leave you when things had just started to get interesting.”

  He smiles, “Yes that was fun. You had a fire inside you that I’m sad to see has dissipated. If Kylie didn’t interrupt us Phillip would have. Your sperm donor decided to destroy one of our warehouses that night.

  I can tell you it was the first time in probably twenty years that I hooked up in a closet. I prefer bathrooms.”

  “Bathrooms, corridors, back seats of cars, I’ve tried them all in the past.” And all of that was behind me now.

  This male in front of me is my future. One who seems wary of my pregnant condition even if he doesn’t admit it.

  Unable to stop my sigh I can’t help from wondering if he still finds me desirable. Before I left he had barely been able to keep his hands off me once we were mated. “Do you still find me attractive?” I can’t help but ask. “Now that I’m…” I gesture at my bump.

  “If you have to ask, princess, then you don’t pay attention at all.” He replies. “Yes, you’re still as beautiful and as attractive as you were when I first saw you. That will never change.”

  Hearing him say he thinks I’m beautiful for the first time makes me want to kiss him. “Even if I look like a blimp? Who will eventually become the size of a whale?” I can’t help but tease. It’s been months since I’ve touched him. Reaching out I can’t resist running my hand along his strong jaw.

  I’ve missed him so fucking much. Even if he doesn’t want anything more intimate between us until the baby is born I won’t forgo something as small and as natural as this.

  “I didn’t believe Oscar when he said you were talking like Rochester.” He teases back. Grabbing my hand and kissing my palm. “If you want something from me, you just have to ask.”

  “I don’t want to make you feel like you have to do something just to please me.” I whisper. “Don’t want you to feel forced Damien. It’s been months and things have changed.” I glance at my belly then back at his face.

  “Did your time away erase your memory? I never do anything I don’t want to do.” Sliding his hand up my arm he pulls me closer.

  I hum with the pleasure of being this close to him. Carefully, slowly I lean in seeking out his lips with mine. Hesitantly I kiss him. It’s feather light just a brushing of mouths. “I’ve missed you.” I confess.

  “Did you now?” He murmurs.

  He kisses me, it’s soft, almost tender.

  He’s never been this gentle before. Instead of putting me off it makes me ache that he can be this way.

  “We should do something together.” I tell him pulling away a little. “Later in our room we can get acquainted this way. I want more than sex just between us if that’s possible.”

  “I won’t force you to have me if you don’t want to. The only time I ever forced you to do anything is the night I pulled you off that street. But considering the hell your father’s men rained down on us that same night, I think you got the better end of it. Wouldn’t you agree?

  I’ll work on b
eing a couple with you.

  Just don’t tell our siblings.”

  Stroking down his trouser leg I cup his erection firmly. “Yes I’m glad you picked us up that night.” I assure him nipping at his lips. “And yes I want you. You don’t have to worry about that, but as a married couple we need something apart from fucking to build on. So yes, please and I swear I won’t tell anyone, not even Oscar.”

  “You know better than that, princess. The bastard will find out whatever you don’t tell him.

  And it’s never just been about fucking for me. Though that is a nice perk.

  Any requests on how we can build our relationship?”

  “How about a date?”

  It’s something I’ve never been on, but I won’t admit that. The fact that Damien even wants to try makes me happy. Maybe Oscar is right and he feels more than just affection.

  “A date? Princess, you’re trying to kill me, aren’t you? Now I have to ask Phillip how to take my wife on a date and the endless harassment will be all your fault.” I laugh at his put out tone. “But, a date I can do. Don’t judge me too harshly, please.”

  “I won’t.” I promise, knowing he probably won’t live it down with his siblings. “And thank you.”

  I’m smiling like an idiot because my husband has agreed to take me out on a date.

  A man who not so long ago was my enemy and now I can’t imagine living without. I must be nuts.

  Damien

  On my way to find Phillip and Sheila I run into Oscar. “Can I talk to you?” His silver eyes bore into mine.

  “Is it important?”

  “Very.”

  “Let’s go then.”

  Oscar leads me to the room he’s claimed as a study. We sit in the chairs that face the desk. “It’s rather dark in here.”

  “Yes, I prefer it that way. Not all of us are claustrophobic.”

  “I’m not claustrophobic, brother. I just like having space.”

  “Whatever you say, brother.”

  “What did you want to discuss? I need to meet with Phillip. Then I need to place a call to our allies. We can’t sit on our asses for too much longer. Now with Abigail dead Lucius will be that much more inclined to get rid of us.”