Bloody Ties

by Claire Marta

  “That’s partly what I want to talk about. Lucius, Abigail, our family, the princess.”

  “Who is our family.”

  “I’m not saying she’s not. But Damien, it’s different.”

  “How so? My marriage to the princess is no difference than Phillip’s marriage to Sheila.”

  “Such as the fact that you have a hard time even calling her by her first name. When she was a ghost to us sure it was fine. Even when she was our prisoner. Now she’s your wife-”

  “And the name no longer holds the same meaning as it once did. What are you getting at, brother?

  Do not tell me this is one of your fucking therapy sessions.”

  “It is. Because I have to tell you, I’m worried about you, Damien.”

  “Well don’t be. I’m fine. I don’t need you to psychoanalyze me. I don’t need you dipping into my head.”

  “But you do. You hold shit in. You need to make decisions that will affect all of us. Look at where our lives were six months ago!

  Both our mothers were alive. We weren’t hiding out from our own fucking father, and you didn’t have a pregnant fucking wife!”

  Standing I say, “I don’t have the time for this.”

  Oscar grabs my arm. “Don’t even think about walking out of here without telling me something.”

  “Let go of me, brother.” I say lowly.

  “Fuck you, Damien. You’re my family. But so are Phillip, Sheila, Michael, now Ava and her child.

  And what of all the families under us? All those who are relying on us, on you to have a clear head and to not fucking die!”

  I stop and stare at the fucker. Because he has me. I care more about those around me than I do for myself. And right now I am too fucked-up to care.

  I want to kill Lucius. I want to kill Ivan. I want to get rid of every bastard who has ever tried to hurt my family. It makes me volatile and reckless. Like taking and falling in love with a wife when I had no business to.

  Fuck.

  “Have a break down?”

  Ripping my arm out of my brother’s grasp I sit back down.

  “So I care for the princess. Will I ever tell her? No.

  Yes, I see your point. I don’t want any of you involved in this.”

  “But you need us.”

  “I need you and I don’t want to. My family is in danger and all I want to do is keep you far away from it all.”

  “You think we don’t know that? You think we don’t know that this is harder on you than anyone else?

  At the moment you’re dealing with a huge development. Something unexpected. It’s going to not only affect your life, but ours as well. That may be your child, but it’s our niece or nephew.”

  “I fucking hate you. I hate you for trying to use your logic on me. I hate you for using the princess and her child on me.

  I hate Lucius and Ivan, and everyone who is not family.”

  “Hate us all you want, brother. But you know we’re right.”

  He is.

  As much as I don’t want him to be he is. He’s right, I’m not handling this well. I can hide it. I’ve had years of practice at that. Eventually it’s going to ruin me.

  And what then?

  Ava

  Smoothing down my hair I check my appearance in the mirror. The white cotton summer dress is comfortable and airy, though it clings to my bump. I’m nervous as fuck. Damien has arranged the date for this evening and I still can’t believe it.

  Humming in my throat I slip my practical flat shoes on. I have no idea what he has planned. The fact he’s gone to so much trouble makes me happy even if it doesn’t turn out to be much.

  Making my way from our room I head down the stairs.

  Michael and Oscar are lingering at the bottom sharing matching expressions of mischief.

  “So it’s true.” Michael says as I reach the last step. “Damien really is taking her out on a date.”

  “I told you.” Oscar replies smugly.

  “It’s not a big deal.” Rolling my eyes I walk past them. “It’s what people do.”

  “But it’s not what our brother does.” Michael falls into step beside me.

  “Don’t be upset if it’s not what you have in mind.” Oscar warns as he escorts me on the other side.

  Entering the sitting room I find my husband already waiting. Dressed in a suit as always he looks a formidable sight.

  “Don’t keep her out too late.” Michael teases. “And try to have some fun.”

  “Yes, loosen up a little.” Oscar chips in. “Enjoy yourselves, God knows you need it.”

  Damien raises an eyebrow at his brothers. “Why don’t you both fuck off and find something better to do.”

  Laughing loudly they both turn and leave.

  “Ready?” Holding out his hand his silver eyes run appreciatively over my figure.

  “Yes.” It comes out breathy and excited. Placing my own hand in his I feel the strength in his grip as his fingers close around mine.

  “Fuckers are just mad I’m making them stay here. Phillip and Sheila will be accompanying us as guards.

  I hope that doesn’t bother you. Not that it matters as we need to be cautious.” He pauses. “Lovely dress. Shall we go?”

  Nodding I let him lead me out. We’re having a double date? Surely Phillip and Sheila won’t just be hovering over us.

  “So, we’re all on a date together?” I ask, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip as I mangle it. This is not what I had in mind. Alone time with Damien was what I was aiming for, not dragging the whole family with us.

  “No. They’re just keeping watch.”

  “But they’ll be with us the whole time we’re out?” I continue as we get into the waiting car.

  “Yes, you’re stuck with us the entire evening.” Phillip confirms as I discover him and Sheila already waiting in the back.

  Growling under my breath I shift to confront my husband with an unhappy look. “Damien, how are we supposed to get to know each other with everyone watching? It’s going to be uncomfortable.”

  Silver eyes meet mine. “You wanted a date, princess. This is a date. It’s too dangerous to go into the city. And being alone is risky.”

  “Trust me, this is not how I wanted to spend my evening either.” Sheila huffs, as she sits with her arms crossed in annoyance.

  Sighing I watch the passing scenery as the car begins to move. Damien is clueless. That’s obvious and I know it will probably never change.

  Before I know it we’re at the beach.

  Climbing out of the car I stare at the vast length of golden sand, pale in the moonlight as the waves roll up onto the shore before receding. My toes curl in my shoes at the urge to walk barefoot across is grainy softness. Lights from restaurants beckon to tourists looking for a late evening dinner or drink.

  “I said the beach might be a nice outing.” Damien tells me as he takes my hand.

  Without a word I follow him kicking off my shoes the moment we make it to the sand.

  Phillip and Sheila shadow us at a slower pace. Just another couple to anyone watching having a romantic stroll.

  “This is nice.” Smiling I peek at him from the corner of my eye. “Even with your brother and his assassin wife in tow.”

  “Good because it was never going to be any other way.”

  “I should have guessed that.”

  “You should know me by now, princess.” He replies giving me a sardonic look. “This was never going to be something normal if that’s what you were hoping for.”

  Scrunching my toes in the sand as I move I squeeze his hand. “When has anything ever been normal between us?”

  Damien hums in agreement.

  We’re alone apart from our bodyguards. Just us and the sea as it continues to lap against the shoreline, its sound soothing away my worries.

  “Nothing has ever been normal. And I doubt it ever will be. If you wanted normal you married the wrong brother.

  I will tell you that this w
asn’t my idea. If you hate it, the fucker behind us is responsible.”

  Laughter bubbled up from my throat. I should have fucking known. “Thank you, Phillip, I am really enjoying this evening.” I call over my shoulder at the male behind.

  “The bastard was never going to come up with something on his own.” He calls back. “That should have been obvious from the start.”

  “I love the beach.” I finally tell Damien as I snuggle into his side, not caring if he doesn’t like my show of affection. “And it’s something we can do again.”

  Damien

  “Don’t get used to it. I can take you out once in awhile. But my patience only goes so far.”

  Wrapping my arm around her I try hard not to tense. I can hold her in bed, without the sex, but like this, it’s different. It’s not me.

  You look like you actually like her brother.

  Fuck off.

  Phillip is irritating. I do appreciate his help, but I don’t need the taunting.

  Her disappointment was clear, when she discovered Phillip and Sheila would be accompanying us. She’ll have to get used to it, she’s the wife of a powerful man, also a man who most want dead.

  “I hope you enjoy this time, princess. I don’t know when we’ll be able to get out again. We have a war coming. I hope you’re ready for it.”

  “No not really.” She murmurs burrowing into me closer as if she can’t get close enough. “I’m scared of what might happen when it starts. To you and the rest of our family.”

  “I’m not going to lie and say that nothing will happen. However, you’ve met us, it takes a lot to put us down.”

  With a hand on her cheek I raise her face to mine. Her amber eyes swirl. “I won’t let anything happen to you, princess. I promise that.”

  Thick black eyelashes fluttering down she closes her eyes for a brief moment. “You can’t promise me that.” He voice is sad. “Just promise me you’ll do your fucking best to be here when the baby comes. Whatever happens you’ll be there with me.”

  “You’re right. I can’t promise that. I can’t promise that any of us will make this out of this alive.

  But I won’t leave your side. I won’t sugar coat anything, that won’t do any good. I’ve never been around babies or labor or anything of that. Neither has Oscar, but he’ll be the one doing the doctoring, he’s the best we got.

  I will promise you that I will be there when you need me.

  Whether our family makes it out whole or not, I couldn’t tell you.”

  Amber eyes fluttering open, I can see her worries shadowing her face. She’s scared and I don’t blame her. None of us know what is to come.

  “I haven’t been around babies before either.” She says trying to lighten up the mood. “And the thought of pushing someone out of my body is terrifying so, Oscar better be ready because I won’t be.”

  “If he needs to know something he’ll learn it. Despite being a cold blooded fucker and an asshole, he’s really smart. Don’t tell him I’m paying him compliments.” In a rare moment of gentleness I press a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll keep you as safe as possible, princess.”

  She wraps her arms around me and I pull her as close as I can.

  And for a few moments we can pretend our world isn’t fucked.

  CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

  Ava

  TRYING TO ELEVATE THE ACHE in my shoulders I stretch. Surveying my handy work I take pride in the sunflower yellow paint drying on the walls. After pestering Damien for a month he caved in and allowed me a room to make into a nursery.

  Having something to do is keeping me busy. It fills my days and keeps me from worrying about what the future will bring.

  “These instructions are fucking useless.” Oscar complains across the room.

  “I’m still wondering how we got roped into this.” Phillip mutters back.

  “Because threats work and Damien told me I could boss you all around.” I respond watching them struggle with trying to build the crib.

  “I don’t see him up here helping.”

  “Damien help put a nursery together?” Oscar snorts at his brother. “There would be something seriously wrong with the bastard he if he did.”

  Pressing my lips together I ignore the comment. Yes, I wish my husband was a little more proactive in the preparations for our child but I also know he’s busy.

  Allies have started to touch base. Things are beginning to move towards the war that awaits us.

  How much longer we have is anyone’s guess. Who will make the first move also has everyone tense. Lucius has nothing left to lose. His empire is crumbling around him. With both his whores dead and his children turned against him. He’s even more dangerous than he was before.

  “Some boxes arrived.” Michael announces as he appears in the doorway with Serg in his wake.

  “They must be the toys I ordered. Can you put them over there.” I gesture to a chest of drawers with the end of my paint brush.

  Arms full, Serg moves across the room without a word to deposit them carefully where instructed.

  “Are you two having fun?” Michael asks as he watches his brothers with amusement.

  “Before you get all smug Michael you can give me a hand painting.” I cut in before the other two can reply.

  “Painting?”

  Scooping up another brush I thrust it into his hand. “Yes, on the walls.”

  “I have things to do.”

  “They can wait.”

  Michael frowns. “When did you become so fucking bossy?”

  “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed the change over the last four weeks brother.” Oscar grumbled. “She’s gone from frightened to a pain in the ass.”

  “A pregnant, hormonal pain in the arse, who won’t hesitate to torture you in some way if you don’t stop complaining.” I snap back.

  “I swear the bigger she gets the nastier she becomes.” Phillip remarks.

  “Yeah well, it’s either do as she says or have Damien up our asses, so pick up the fucking brush, Michael. Even gimps can paint the wall.” Oscar snaps.

  Michael shoots him a glare but turns to me while Serg makes his escape.

  All they do is bitch and moan. Growing in my confidence I’ve found I have actually enjoyed getting to know them.

  Each brother is very different. Michael is the quiet one. Phillip is like Damien in many ways, but not so cold. Oscar is my favorite, even though I will never admit it. He’s the one I can always talk to when I need a chat.

  “Why do we have to do this now? We have a war to plan.”

  Dunking my brush into the yellow paint I begin to stroke it across a new section of wall. “Because I am seven months pregnant and this has to be ready for when I go into labor. I don’t see any of this being done when everything finally goes to shit do you?”

  “Tense much?” Oscar asks looking at me with a frown.

  The fact Damien and I still haven’t had sex since my return is frustrating as hell. There never seems to be a right time. We’re both awkward still. Both waiting for the other to make a move.

  After our date on the beach I thought it might have initiated sex but it just hasn’t happened. I’m happy that we’ve been spending more time together though. In that sense we’re slowly growing more comfortable around one another.

  “I thought you and Damien we’re getting along better.” Oscar asks, trying to probe.

  “We are.”

  “Then what’s bothering you?”

  “Why does something have to be bothering me?” I growl, slashing more colour onto the bare surface.

  “Because we all know you by now, princess.”

  The sound of Damien’s voice startles me so much I manage to accidentally spray Michael with yellow where he’s started to help beside me.

  “Well fuck.” He mutters glaring at the ruined shirt.

  “Everyone out, I want a word with my wife.”

  Eagerly Philip, Oscar and Michael discarded their chores with a look o
f relief.

  “Don’t think you’re done here.” I shout after them. “This still needs to be finished!”

  Damien’s controlled expression doesn’t change as he surveys our work. If he likes what I’ve done he doesn’t show it.

  “If you have something to say to me why don’t you just say it?” Stalking further into the room he closes the door behind him.

  “I thought you were busy, now that everyone’s starting filter back for this war we’re waiting on.”

  “I am.” He confirms. “We’re on a break and I need my brothers downstairs shortly instead of up here doing this.”

  Raising my chin I feel my anger rise. “This is important too.”

  “I can have someone come and do all this. You don’t need to enslave the family to get things ready.”

  He doesn’t understand. I know he doesn’t. We think very differently and that fact sometimes makes me sad.

  “It’s not the same, getting someone we don’t know doing it. I want to build memories and making our brothers help is part of that.”

  “Princess-”

  “No.” I jump in before he can start. “I don’t know who is going to survive when you start this battle. If we lose anyone I want to have this one thing. Something I did with them.”

  Sighing he takes the few steps needed until he’s so close his scent sweeps over me: whiskey, ash, and something purely Damien. “We don’t have time for this now.”

  Before I can even think it through I follow my impulse to slap him with my paint brush. Thick, wet, and bright the yellow paint coats the front of his suit in one long line. Damien’s shock makes me giggle.

  “You’re going to regret that.” He tells me snatching the brush from my hand.

  Goosebumps race over my skin at his threatening tone. I try to escape.

  Stronger arms lift me up as I scream. Although I’m heavy with my extra weight he carries me easily.

  We’re out of the room so fast I barely have time to catch my breath.

  A mattress meets my back at he drops me on our bed.

  “Strip.”

  “No.” I reply staring back at him in challenge.

  Grabbing the front of my dress he rips it down the front as if it was paper.

  “Take it all off, princess. I won’t tell you again.”