Descend: Book Three (The Bloodline Trilogy 3)

by J. P.

“No, I can’t. It’ll be all over social media, and I don’t want Will to know I’m here.”

  “I didn’t even think about that.”

  “I’m more than just a pretty face,” he says with a gorgeous smirk.

  “Here come Sean and Olivia,” I say as I spot them walking over to the car.

  “I hate school,” Olivia says the second she gets into the car.

  “It’s really not that bad,” Sean tells her as he climbs in the other side.

  “It’s awful! I have so much work to do! How are kids supposed to have any fun?” Olivia complains.

  “Just don’t do it,” Sean says with a laugh.

  “I can help you,” I say as I turn in my seat to face her.

  “Thanks,” she mumbles.

  “What are you waiting for, Mason? Let’s go home,” Sean whines.

  “What about Tyler?” Mason asks.

  “He’s at soccer practice. He said he would get a ride. Now let’s go,” Sean says again.

  We pick up Tate, who’s thrilled about her first day of school, and we arrive back at the house.

  “Hey, kids. How was school?” Elliot asks, looking at each one of us as we walk through the door.

  “Good,” Olivia mumbles as she heads straight for the stairs.

  “I’m hungry,” Tate announces.

  “I’m sure there’s a snack inside,” Sean says as he holds his hand out for her.

  She hesitates for a second, and he flashes her a smile. She grins back as she reaches up and takes his hand.

  “Where’s Tyler?” Elliot asks me as Mason follows after Sean and Tate.

  “He has soccer practice,” I explain.

  “Soccer? I didn’t know he played.” Elliot grins to himself.

  “Yeah, he’s actually pretty amazing.”

  “I’m surprised he would want to play so soon after getting back.”

  “The coach kind of made him,” I say, forcing a laugh. “They have a game tomorrow night.”

  Elliot nods slowly. “He has to take his time to get to trust me again.” Elliot pauses as he sighs. “But I hope he invites me.”

  I stare at Elliot, a million questions racing through my head. “You love him.”

  “Of course, I do, he’s my son.” A defensive edge takes on his voice.

  “I’ve known him since he was three years old. I’ve seen him grow up every day, and I know how much it has hurt him that you left.” I cross my arms over my chest as I stare at Elliot. “But now you’re here, and you want to help. Why?”

  “You don’t trust me?” Elliot asks, trying to read my expression.

  “I don’t understand your intentions, but I don’t think you would hurt us.”

  “I would never hurt my own child or the children of Aaron Blair. That’s why I’m here. To protect you all, no matter what the cost.”

  “Then why did you leave in the first place?” I ask, knowing that I’m crossing a line. I just can’t keep my mouth shut any longer.

  Elliot stares at me for a few moments, and I can tell that he’s debating on whether or not he should say something. “I didn’t leave,” he finally says. “I was kicked out. Tyler’s mother forced me to go. She hated that I was always gone, and she began to hate Chrome. One day, she snapped. She told me she wanted me to leave, and she never wanted to see me again. I was crushed. I loved her, and I loved my son more than anything. I regret not fighting her for the right to see him. She didn’t want him to get involved in Chrome, and she thought with me around, it was inevitable.” He frowns. “Looks like it was inevitable anyway.”

  I stare at him in shock. Tyler always thought his father left. Once he finds out it was his mother’s doing…shit. He’s going to lose it.

  “Are you going to tell him?” I ask Elliot.

  “I think I have to. I just don’t know when the time is right.”

  “He’s been going through a lot recently,” I tell him.

  “Are you saying I should wait?”

  “No. I’m saying I feel really bad for him.” I drop my head in my hands as I shake my head. “And I feel like I’m about to make things worse.”

  “What do you mean?” Elliot presses.

  “Tyler and I have a history. He’s holding onto the past, but I don’t want that anymore.”

  Elliot nods and gives me a kind smile. “It’s okay to feel that way, Nina. You’re not obligated to stay with someone because you feel bad. You need to do what’s right for you.”

  I give him a tight smile as I nod.

  “I may not know my son all that well, but from what I’ve gathered so far, he’s tough. He will be okay in the end.” Elliot places his hand on my back. “I’ll worry about Tyler. You worry about you. Okay?”

  His offer is too tempting.

  “Okay,” I answer as I straighten up. “Thank you.”

  “No problem. Thank you for listening to me.” Elliot flashes me a smile as I walk around him and head up the stairs.

  I throw my bedroom door open and drop my backpack to the floor. I feel like I can’t catch a break these days. Each day is more draining than the last. I pull my phone out and try to call my dad. Voicemail again. I try Luke. Voicemail. I even try Jake and Paul, also voicemail. What the heck is everyone doing that they’re too busy to let me know that they’re okay?

  I throw my phone onto my bed and pick my backpack up. I pull out my notebook and start doing calculus problems as I sit with my legs crossed on my bed. I try to focus, but my mind keeps drifting to what I’m going to say to Tyler. I play different scenarios of the conversation a million times, trying to figure out the best thing to say.

  A knock on the door makes me jump. The door opens, and Tyler pokes his head in.

  “Hey, I just got home,” he says as he shuts the door behind himself.

  My heart starts racing as I try to take a deep breath.

  “Are you okay? Your heart rate is out of control,” he says, tilting his head to listen as he sits across from me on my bed.

  I look up at him and sigh. His dark hair is slightly disheveled, probably from practice. His green eyes are staring at me, undoubtedly wondering what the heck is going on. He has on a black hoodie with some darker speckles on it, which means it’s probably drizzling outside, and his uniform shorts. I spot the number seven printed on them, and I think of our first date when I went to watch one of his games.

  “Nina?” he asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

  My eyes snap up to meet his. “Sorry, I…um…” I have to do this. I know it’s the right decision, it’s just so hard. This was much easier when I thought he was a bad person. Turns out, he was just doing his job, and he’s not this terrible person I thought he had become. He’s always been the sweet, loving, caring, Tyler.

  “Did something happen?” Tyler guesses.

  “No, well, yes, but…” I let out a deep breath. “Okay, I’m just going to say it. Tyler…” I let out another deep breath. “I don’t want this anymore.”

  Tyler’s eyebrows knit together. “Don’t want what?”

  “Us. I don’t want to be together anymore.”

  “Right, I thought that’s why we’re on a break.”

  I bite my lip, upset that he’s not getting it. It’s my fault. I’m not being clear. “I don’t want to be on a break. I want an official break up.” As soon as the sentence leaves my lips, I feel like someone knocked the wind out of me. I can’t believe I just said that. I feel tears welling up in my eyes, and when I meet Tyler’s stare, the tears spill down my cheeks.

  “I don’t understand.” Tears glisten in Tyler’s eyes. “I thought we were doing okay. Look, I know everything in Laguna Beach was messed up, but it wasn’t real. I swear, Nina, none of it was real. The only thing that’s real is that I love you. I love you more than anything.” A tear slides down his cheek as I wipe my own.

  “I know, Tyler. I know.”

  “So then, why? Why are you breaking up with me? I don’t understand.” He rakes both hands through his hair, str
essed.

  “After we broke up in Laguna Beach…” I trail off, trying to gather enough courage to tell him what I know will hurt him the most. He deserves the truth, though. “I’ve always felt something for Luke. After we broke up, I wasn’t pushing those feelings away anymore.”

  “So, you’re breaking up with me for Luke?” Tyler stares at me in disbelief.

  “No,” I tell him honestly. “I don’t even know what’s going on with him. All I know is that I feel something for him, and it wouldn’t be fair to stay in a relationship with you when I have these kinds of feelings for another guy.”

  Tyler opens his mouth, shuts it, opens it again, and then clenches his jaw. He stands up suddenly and heads for my door.

  “Tyler—”

  “I got it, Nina. We’re done,” he snaps at me as he slams the door shut.

  The second he leaves, I throw myself back on my bed and hug a pillow close to my chest. Guilt floods through me, and pain pierces my chest.

  “Hey, Nina?” Sean calls from the other side.

  I don’t answer him as I bury my face in the pillow and cry.

  “Nina?” Sean asks as he opens the door. He rushes over to me and wraps his arms around me. “You’re okay. Everything is going to be okay. You did the right thing.”

  “I feel so bad. He was so upset,” I say with a sniffle.

  “I can go check on him next. He’ll be okay. I promise.” Sean releases me, and I slowly sit up.

  “Thanks, Sean.” I wipe my tears again.

  “Always,” he says with a smile. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “No. It was exactly what you’d expect. He was so upset,” I mumble.

  “Hey, guys?” Mason asks as he walks into the room. “Nina? Are you alright?” he asks as his face softens.

  “Nina’s having a day,” Sean says for me. “What’s up, Mase?”

  “Nothing really. Tyler and Elliot are fighting again, so I figured I would make myself scarce.”

  “What were they fighting about?” Sean asks.

  “Something about Tyler’s mom,” Mason says with a shrug.

  “Poor Tyler. His world is falling apart,” I say as I shake my head.

  “Tyler’s a tough dude,” Sean reminds me.

  “True,” Mason agrees. “Family drama is the worst.” “Speaking of family drama,” Sean begins, “what are we going to do about Will?” he asks as he props himself up on his elbow and looks at Mason.

  “What do you mean?”

  “He’s here. Shouldn’t we try and find him?” Sean asks.

  “I don’t know, Sean. I think we should just leave him be,” Mason says.

  “Maybe we can get him to see things differently. We can offer to take him back to California and to speak with Ben. We can try and be a family again,” Sean says, the purest look of hope in his eyes.

  “Sean,” Mason says with an exhale. “You know that isn’t going to happen.”

  Sean frowns. “I know. I can dream, can’t I?”

  “You can, but it’s just going to hurt when reality comes knocking.” Mason sighs. “I think we only get involved if he tries to hurt Nina again.”

  Sean looks over at me. “Agreed. No one touches our little Nina.”

  I roll my eyes as I smile spreads onto my face. “Thanks, Sean.”

  “Anytime. You’re like our honorary sister,” Sean says.

  “Wow, another three brothers to add to the mix,” I say sarcastically.

  “You can never have enough brothers,” Sean tells me.

  “That is not a saying,” Mason laughs.

  “I just said it, so now it’s a saying,” Sean argues.

  “Kids?” Elliot’s voice sounds throughout the house. Mason, Sean, and I get quiet. “Can you come down? There are some people here to see you.”

  26

  “Who’s here?” Sean asks out loud as he walks out of my room with Mason and I trailing behind him.

  “Shut up, Paul,” I hear a familiar voice say, and I start to run. I make my way to the top of the steps when I see my dad and brothers at the bottom.

  “Nina!” Jake screams as he opens his arms for me.

  I run down the stairs, almost falling, and throw myself at Jake. He laughs as he hugs me.

  “I really thought you were going to die,” Jake tells me with a laugh.

  “Thanks, Jake,” I say as I pull back from him.

  Paul grabs me next, and I notice tears in his eyes. “I’m relieved that you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine,” I tell him.

  I hear someone clear their throat, and when I look to my left, my heart swells. My dad opens his arms for me, and I hold him tight.

  “You’re okay?” he asks me.

  “Yes. I’m fine,” I repeat.

  “I have been worrying about you. I haven’t slept in days,” he says with a laugh.

  “He’s not joking. He’s been super grouchy,” Jake says.

  “Can you blame me? I thought my child was in danger,” Dad says as he keeps his arms tight around me.

  “I see you have a clear favorite,” Jake teases as he rolls his eyes.

  Jake and Paul greet Tyler, Mason, and Sean while Elliot stays off to the side and watches.

  Footsteps sound at the top of the stairs, and I turn out of my dad’s grasp to see Olivia holding Tate’s hand.

  “Whoa, battle stations, everyone, we have intruders,” Jake says as he stands in front of me.

  “Knock it off, you idiot. They aren’t intruders. They’re Luke’s sisters,” I say as I shove him to the side. “Olivia, Tate, this is my dad, and these are my brothers,” I introduce as they slowly make their way down the steps.

  “Where’s Luke?” Olivia asks with a scowl.

  “He took a separate car. He should be here—” my dad starts when the front door opens, and Luke steps through. “Now.”

  “Luke!” Olivia shrieks as she rushes over to him with Tate.

  The three of them hold each other for a second before they pull apart. Luke’s eyes scan the room, and the second he finds me, he marches over. He wraps his arms around me and bends down, resting his head on top of my own. He pulls back after a few seconds and takes my shoulders before scanning me up and down.

  “Are you okay?” Concern paints his face.

  “Yes, I’m alright.” Besides the fact that I just broke Tyler’s heart. “Are you okay?”

  Luke gives me a look like he knows I’m lying. “Yep. No broken bones.” He smirks at me as he throws an arm around my shoulders. I lean into him as I turn back to the small crowd in the foyer.

  “So, are you going to tell me how you got involved in all of this?” my dad asks Elliot.

  “He saved me,” I interject. “He saved my life.”

  My dad’s eyes widen. “I knew one day being your friend would pay off,” he teases as he holds out his hand for Elliot to shake.

  “Tyler,” my dad says as he holds his hand out for Tyler next.

  “Mr. Blair. I’m glad to see you.”

  My dad laughs before he pulls Tyler into a hug. “You as well. Thank you for everything, Tyler. I will never forget what you’ve done for my family.” My dad pulls back and smiles at him.

  “No thanks necessary.” Tyler nods to my dad, looking everywhere but at me.

  “I assume you’ve met Elliot.” Dad turns to let Elliot into their conversation.

  “You mean my dad?” Tyler asks, and my dad’s jaw drops.

  “Wait a moment. Elliot, this is your son?” my dad asks, pointing to Tyler.

  “Yes. It’s a long story, and you’ve been traveling. Everyone should get some rest, and then we can have a meeting tomorrow,” Elliot proposes.

  “Sounds good to me. I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed.” Jake stretches his arms into the air.

  “We should probably discuss sleeping arrangements then since I’ve been sleeping in your room,” Tyler says to Jake.

  “Without my permission?” Jake asks with a smirk.

 
“Anyway,” my dad says loudly, trying to get everyone’s attention. “Sean can stay with Paul, Tyler can stay with Jake, Mason can stay with Luke, and all the girls can stay with Nina. I’m sure the boys can bring down Nina’s old toddler bed from the attic,” my dad says as he looks at the boys. I watch as Jake purposely avoids his gaze.

  “I can do it,” Paul volunteers.

  “Please,” Jake sneers. “You’re going to hurt yourself. I can help you. But first…” Jake motions for Paul to follow him as they walk over to Olivia and Tate to introduce themselves.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Luke asks as he looks down at me. “You look…sad.”

  “Actually—”

  “Who was it? Who made you sad? I’ll beat them up for you.” He tips my chin up, and I see the sparkle of sarcasm in his eyes.

  “It was something I did.”

  “What—” Luke begins before he’s interrupted by Jake.

  “I know you’re busy protecting people and shit, but seriously, you should rejoin the team,” Jake urges him.

  “The soccer team?” Luke asks with a laugh.

  “Don’t laugh. I’m being serious,” Jake says with a pout.

  “Jake, why do you even care? You graduated,” I ask as I furrow my brow.

  “If you think I’m about to sit at home all day and watch Dad type fast on his computer, you have another thing coming. I need to help Coach out. I can already tell he’s lost without me.”

  “I’m pretty sure you have to be a student to be on the team,” Luke says with a dazzling smile.

  “What do you mean? You’re a student,” I say as I turn to look at him.

  He looks down at me and frowns. “I was posing as a senior last year, and even that was pushing it. People will get suspicious if I come back for another senior year.”

  I sigh, disappointed that Luke won’t be there with me tomorrow.

  “I’ll pull some strings for you,” Jake says with a wink.

  “It’s a no, Jake. But thanks for the offer,” Luke says with a laugh.

  “You’re no fun.” Jake rolls his eyes. “Hey, Tyler! What’s the 411 with the soccer team?” Jake shouts as he goes to find Tyler.

  “You’re really not going to school anymore?” I ask.

  “You’re going to miss me too much?” he asks with a smirk.