Our Bloodline

by KC Kean

  There is something playing on his mind, I can see it in the way he crinkles his eyes, and the constant frown line marking his forehead. Maybe leaning on him to finally open the bag might encourage him to lean on me with his thoughts too. Otherwise, I’ll get him to talk the only way I know how, in the ring.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  (Luna)

  Red: Hey, Captain. Ian has the bag and should be there in the next hour or so. If you need me just call. Be safe!

  Luna: I will, thank you. Any issues with Maverick just let me know, I can always speak to West. I also forgot to mention on the phone earlier, there is some guy here, in The Games, named Conor Starker. He says Trudy sent him in, to be of assistance if needed. Something to do with making up for the fact she screwed me over. Let me know if you hear anything on your end.

  Red hasn’t messaged me back since and that was over forty minutes ago. I’m sure if she needs me, she’ll tell me. I’m just looking for a distraction until Ian arrives, trying to calm my jittery nerves.

  Roman sits back in the corner, with me situated right in between his legs. Kai to my left, and Parker and Oscar relax to my right. I love seeing them in their casual clothes, no uniforms or combat outfits required. Although, they forgot how much I like the grey sweats club today, opting for Henley’s and jeans, except Parker, who at least still has his grey shorts on.

  I’ve tried to relax since Oscar got back, but I haven’t been doing a very good job of it. No-one, including Roman, would spar with me to help occupy my mind. Apparently, that’s not an option with another round of The Games tomorrow. So, we spent the rest of the morning, and a lot of the afternoon in our new-found bubble, snuggled together on the sofa. There’s something about getting lost in a movie, allowing it to pull you from surroundings, letting you enter their world.

  I imagine this is what Red is like when she’s reading her smutty books all the time.

  “Do you want Rafe here when Ian drops the bag off, or would you prefer it to just be us?” Kai asks, no laptop in hand, as he watches The Italian Job on the television.

  I consider his words, and I know deep down that I need Rafe. I can’t even remember if I told him about the bag to begin with. Moving to stand, Roman’s arms grip me tighter to his chest, as Kai grabs my phone from the table.

  I smile in thanks, as my nerves take over a little. Hitting Rafe’s name, the line rings.

  “Hey, darling, everything okay? How’s your face?” He answers, frazzling my mind for a moment with all the directions his questions are taking me in.

  “Uh, hey. My face is fine, I just have something I want to talk to you about.” My heart beats rapidly in my chest as I feel myself starting to freak out, trying to figure out how to bring up the bag to begin with.

  I look around at the guys, floundering for what to say.

  “Is everything okay, Luna?” Rafe’s concerned voice fills my ear, but I can only stutter.

  Get a fucking grip, Luna, I scold internally, as I feel Roman tap me on the shoulder. Meeting his gaze, I instantly understand what he’s offering, as he holds his hand out for the phone. Slowly, I pass over the phone, feeling the anxiety and nerves that were coursing through my veins begin to dim instantly.

  “Meet me outside, Rafe,” he murmurs, before passing the phone to Oscar. “Together, remember?” I lean into him even more, taking the strength he’s offering.

  “Thank you,” I whisper, and the gentle smile on his face settles my internal wrestling.

  “You’re welcome. I’m assuming he doesn’t know about the bag?” Roman asks, stroking my uninjured cheek and I shake my head. “Okay, well I’ll explain it to him and pick up the bag at the same time.” Kissing my lips, hard and demanding, I relish in his touch.

  Too soon, he pulls away, but I’m too distracted with the taste of him on my lips to worry. Oscar’s arm wraps around my shoulder, and pulls me sideways, resting my head in his lap. His fingers instantly stroke down my neck, goosebumps rising along my skin, making me shiver at the contact.

  “I love this part,” Parker murmurs, watching the television, as the red, white, and blue Mini Coopers race through the streets in the movie.

  “Hmm, I love Jason Statham,” I answer without thinking, suddenly feeling three sets of eyes on me.

  “Baby girl, none of us look even remotely like Jason Statham,” Oscar says, confusion laced in his words.

  “What does that have to do with anything?” I ask, unsure where he’s going with this.

  “Well, I’m just saying, he doesn’t represent any of us, and we are not adding any more to this harem you’ve got going on. We’re married now, end of discussion.” He raises his eyebrows at my expectantly, and I can’t help but chuckle at his little outburst.

  “No adding to my harem. Understood,” I say, agreeing. “But just so we’re clear, he’s an adrenaline junkie just like you. With the whole brooding thing going for him like Roman. While Seth is the technology king, obviously second to my Kai, and Wahlberg has the whole ‘all-American boy-next-door’ vibe, with a hidden dark side, just like Parker Parker.”

  Completely pleased with my characteristic breakdown, I continue to watch the movie as no one answers me back.

  Not much time passes before the door bursts open, Rafe steps into the room first, followed quickly by Roman.

  “Darling, you should have told me. This isn’t for you to go through alone, okay?” Rafe asks, rounding the sofa as I push myself to sit up, wrapping his arms around me as soon as he nears. I squeeze him back tightly, appreciating the calmness that washes over me.

  Kai pauses the movie. “This is at your pace, Sakura. If you need us to stop or move along, just say the word. We are all here for you.” I smile softly at him, appreciating how he can always read the situation. I love seeing him calm and relaxed compared to yesterday. He looks like his usual self, in full control. Although, I love the dominant side of my quiet and observant man that only I get to see.

  Looking at Roman, my eyes fall on the bag in his hand, and I lick my dry lips as I rub my hands down my yoga pants. Without question, Oscar drags the coffee table closer to where I’m sitting, and Roman places the bag down on top of it.

  Rafe moves back and takes the seat beside me. He doesn’t touch me, or encourage me along. He simply offers his silent support as always, allowing me to make the decision for myself.

  Meu Tesouro fills my vision, drawing me in, as my fingers slowly trace the white stitching on the large black duffel bag. It doesn’t look heavy, or even half full, but in my mind, it contains the deepest corners of my soul. The material feels rough under my touch, but I’m not sure whether that’s my imagination taking over the situation, making it seem worse than it is.

  Wrapping my fingers around the zipper, I freeze for a moment, physically unable to move as I try to calm my breathing. My heart feels as though it’s about to beat from my chest, as the sound of the zip pulling fills the room. The second it hits the end, my hands pull back as if they're about to catch fire.

  “It’s okay, angel. Take a minute,” Parker murmurs, from the other side of Oscar. Hearing his voice calms my nerves enough to reach out for the two white envelopes that are now poking out of the top.

  Thick black ink is scrawled across the front, one saying Luna, the other, Rafe. My eyes instantly turn to Rafe, seeking his guidance as he too notices our names. His eyes are watery as he stares unblinking at his envelope, slowly taking it from my hand.

  His other hand slowly strokes over the writing, and as I watch a tear slowly fall down his cheek, I know who wrote them. Seeing the love mixed with the pain in Rafe’s eyes breaks my heart, and my eyes well on their own accord.

  Finally bringing his gaze to mine, he offers a soft smile. “Open yours first, darling,” Rafe whispers, his voice catching on my nickname, and I lightly nod in agreement.

  Looking past him to Roman, he offers a nod of encouragement like I need, and I unseal the envelope. I don’t know what to say or think, but that won’t change un
til I see what’s inside. Slowly unfolding the paper, I watch as the same style of writing covers the sheet.

  Blinking back tears, I look to the ceiling as I try to control myself. A hand squeezes my knee, and I know it’s Oscar, silently offering his strength to help get me through this.

  Glancing at the first few lines, I scream. Dropping the offensive letter to the ground, my head falling straight into my hands as I feel my soul crush into a million pieces. I don’t know whose arms wrap around me tight, all I know is they’re keeping me connected right now, stopping me from completely disappearing into my mind.

  I hear Rafe begin to cry beside me, but I can’t begin to look at anyone. “I can’t do this!” I cry out, “I can’t.” My words barely pass the uncontrollable blubbering coming from my mouth.

  Pushing my hair out of my face, I rest my hands on my head, finding Kai’s face inches from mine.

  “It’s okay, Sakura. Take deep breaths.” He cups my cheek, wiping my tears away as I continue to feel my heart break on a loop.

  “Luna, darling. I need you to read, please,” Rafe says, holding the paper out to me again. “I’ve read it, Luna.” He sobs the words out, feeling all the emotions I am, maybe even more, but I can’t process that.

  Trusting him, as I always have, I take the paper from his hands and find the strength to read it in full. Kai remains in front of me, his hand across from Oscar’s on my other knee, as Roman and Parker join them. Their touch is calming my erratic mind.

  Glancing at the paper in my hands, I read.

  Meu Tesouro,

  I will never be able to explain how much pain it causes me, writing this letter, and what it must mean for you to read this.

  My beautiful girl, I’m not dead.

  Please don’t tear this letter up just yet, let me explain.

  There are only four people in the whole world that know I am alive, and I am very sorry you and Papa aren’t included in that number.

  I will always do whatever it takes to protect my family, and as much as it has pained me, keeping my distance and remaining ‘dead’ has kept a lot of people at bay.

  I was able to convince an old friend to place this bag for you in the vaults when I found out you were being recruited, whether we wanted it to happen or not.

  I don’t know what you remember from the day our lives changed forever, but it was the best birthday I could have wished for with my girl. Maria, your grandmother, said your memories are repressed, and I hate that you are dealing with that without me there to comfort you and tell you that everything will be okay one day.

  That day, Meu Tesouro, they came for you. I would never allow our beautiful darling girl to live the life Veronica and Totem wanted for you. A puppet on a string, helping to build the corrupted world they longed for, along with Totem’s actual daughter.

  I swear to you Luna, I fought that day with all I had as they stormed our home. My only saving grace was the fact they were being monitored by the FBI, who followed them in. I now know that Totem and Veronica managed to get away. Leaving behind the men I killed who tried to take you.

  What I didn’t know, in my beaten state, is that the FBI managed to save my life, but paused when coming back to get you because Papa came home. A part of me will forever be grateful that they didn’t take you too. Papa wouldn’t have survived without both of us.

  I hope you gave him hell, Meu Tesouro, for all the times he forced us to watch those damn Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the television, always saying it was your choice.

  I promise you our time is coming, and I pray that you will one day see the whole picture and the sacrifices I made to protect my beautiful family.

  I have written another letter for Papa, please make sure he gets it.

  If you ever need anything please speak to Ian, he drives one of the Ace Rolls Royce’s and I trust him to protect my daughter. As a complete last resort there is Special Agent Dominic Bridge, I have placed his telephone number in the bag.

  I love you to the moon and back, Meu Tesouro.

  Daddy

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  (Parker)

  My heart is breaking, and I’m not even the one reading the letter. Watching Luna cry as her eyes scan the paper in her hands, hurts me deeply. I feel helpless, we need to do something, anything, to make it all okay.

  Looking at the others, they’re all in a similar state of stress. Roman looks as though he wants to rip someone’s head off, as he watches our girl break down. Kai is monitoring her every movement, trying to read her enough to know what to do next. While Oscar is gripping her knee like his life depends on it, emotion thick in his eyes at her distress.

  I catch Rafe’s gaze, watching as he silently weeps. Whatever is going on, it’s enough to bring this man to his knees. He nods at me, but I don’t understand what he’s indicating.

  Worrying we’re crowding her too much, I go to move my hand from her leg, so I can give her a little space, but lightning fast, her hand comes down over mine. The piece of paper is forgotten as it drifts to the floor. Luna searches my eyes, trying to find the words to explain what’s going on, but all that comes out is more sobs. All I can see is how her beautiful green eyes are screaming for help.

  Nudging everyone out of the way, I wrap my arms around her, lifting her to me as I blindly search for the coffee table behind me. I sit back with Luna wrapped tightly around me as she cries into my shoulder, chest to chest, our hearts beating as one. I hold on for dear life, pinning her body to mine, letting her know I’m here as she lets her emotions take over.

  Nobody argues, instead they all sit on the sofa and wait patiently. Rafe nods again with a smile this time, and I think this is what he was encouraging me to do a moment ago.

  Luna’s legs wrap around my waist, while her arms are around my shoulders. Stroking a hand down her back, I try to console her as her body shakes, but I worry I’m not doing it right. Her grip on me only grows tighter, as my shirt gets wetter from her tears. I’ve never watched someone I love hurt like this, with no physical pain, only emotional turmoil.

  Rafe knows what the letter says, but none of the others even glance in its direction, wanting Luna to tell us when she’s ready.

  Her hold on me slowly starts to ease, until she’s leaning back, looking straight into my eyes. ‘Thank you,’ she mouths, and I kiss the corner of her lips. I cup her face gently in both of my tattooed hands and brush away her tears with my thumbs, avoiding her bandaged cheek. Slowly unhooking her legs from behind my back, she turns to face the others while remaining in my lap. She laces her fingers through mine, squeezing tight, as words finally tumble from her mouth.

  “He’s alive,” she whispers, her voice hoarse from crying, and it takes a minute to comprehend what she is saying. Alive?

  “Bryce is alive?” Roman asks, shock etched into his features. His mouth drops open in surprise as his eyebrows raise, looking repeatedly from Luna to Rafe who nods, as a hiccup rattles through my angel’s body. I squeeze Luna’s hand tighter, knowing it won’t settle her emotions, but hoping it will show my support.

  Her father is alive? After all this time? What on earth could have kept him away from his daughter for so long? I don’t want to throw all these questions at her. Not when she’s dealing with her own thoughts to process, and she likely didn’t gain all the answers she needs from the letter either.

  Bringing our intertwined fingers to her stomach, I wrap my arm around her too, cocooning her in. Her head falls back onto my shoulder as she tilts it towards the ceiling with her eyes closed. Oscar looks helplessly at me, but none of us have the answers to fix this for her.

  “One of you read the letter,” Rafe murmurs. “She won’t be able to re-read it to you right now.” Standing to his full height, his movement catches Luna’s attention. “Are you okay, darling?” He asks, but she doesn’t know how to answer. Lifting from my lap, she stands to hug him tight. “I didn’t know, Luna. I didn’t know,” he says on repeat, as they cry on each other.

 
; Their moment feels almost too intimate for us to be watching, but we promised to be here through everything, and that includes the emotionally tense scene between them.

  “I know, Dad, I know. I just wish we’d known, but then I think we’d have gone searching, right?” She whispers, and Rafe agrees.

  “You know it, darling,” he murmurs, stroking her hair behind her ear. “Are you okay here? If so, I’d like to read my letter in private.” He leans back, looking into her eyes as he speaks.

  “Of course, yeah. I’ll have a look at what else is in the bag, then I think I want to lie down,” she responds, patting his arm, trying to let him know she will be okay with us.

  “I can stay while you check everything else out,” Rafe offers, but she instantly shuts him down.

  “No, I can do that with the guys. You go, read your letter, but make sure you talk to someone. I know I might not be the right person, but make sure you talk to Juliana or Maria, okay?”

  Planting a kiss on her forehead, he tries to offer a smile to the rest of us, before leaving the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

  Roman stands in front of Luna, tilting her chin up to see her eyes, but she breaks the silence before he does.

  “I’m glad I killed her, Rome, that bitch did this, her and Totem. I just wish I’d drawn out her death. She deserved to suffer, just like I have, like both of my dads have.” Anger and vengeance laced in every word.

  “I know, Luna. Let’s focus on the here and now, okay? Process all of this first. I don’t want you going into the second Game with your mind consumed by this. Tomorrow, I need you to be 100% present,” Roman says, wrapping his arm tightly around her small shoulders.

  “You're right.” Taking a deep breath, I watch as she tries to gain some form of control over her emotions, but it’s a struggle. Tilting her head back, she inhales, holding her breath for what feels like forever, before slowly exhaling through her nose.

  “Baby girl, come sit with me, and we can go through the bag together. Then we can go lay in bed, if you’d like?” Oscar offers, and I think even I could be onboard with that plan right now.