by KC Kean
My emotions are getting the better of me again, as my eyes well with more tears. How have they not dried out yet? I’ve never cried this much, ever.
“It’s okay, Meu Tesouro. So much has happened and is still happening right now. I don’t expect this to feel normal for some time, but please know that I am here for you, no matter what.”
“You better be,” Rafe grunts stepping up beside me, his arms reaching around us both. My heart is in my throat as they both squeeze me tight. I can’t return the hug, my arms trapped between us, the love pouring from them, warming my bones.
“Never again, Meu Amor,” he whispers to Rafe, who squeezes us tighter. Stepping back, Bryce’s love shines brightly in his eyes. “Raphael, grab our Meu Tesouro a water while I show them to their room.” Rafe nods in response, a grin on his face as he looks over at my guys, a sparkle of mischief in his eyes.
I try to offer my thanks, but my brain has stuck on a thought. If I call Rafe Dad, how the hell do I address Bryce? So much has changed, there is so much to process, and all I can think about, is how to address the man I assumed was dead for the past twelve years. Shaking my head, I follow his lead, focusing on the here and now.
“Watch that blonde one though, B, he’s the trouble-maker. Jess, Luna’s best friend, warned me about him.” He winks at me before hurrying off to the kitchen, leaving Oscar gaping at us. I can’t help but chuckle at the banter Rafe has with my guys, and I hope Bryce will have that kind of relationship with them one day too.
“I’ve got my eye on him already, don’t you worry!” Bryce shouts after him.
Walking back towards them, Kai and Mia are murmuring quietly to each other, shock still on their faces, as they come to terms with being reunited.
“Defend my honor, baby girl,” Oscar says as we approach, his arms out wide, making me roll my eyes.
“Big mouth, you already called my father a dickhead. Your big mouth dug that hole all on its own. There is no way I’m helping you get out of that.” Turning his gaze to Roman and Parker, looking for their help, he comes up short as neither of them make eye contact with him. It’s clear they reacted that way on purpose, just to rile him up.
“This way,” Bryce says, walking through the doors at the opposite side of the lounge to the kitchen. The corridor has a few doors leading off, but he stops at the end one. “We got here five days ago, and I had Mia help with your room. Although the bed frame is the same one that’s always been here, I just got a new mattress. Maybe I should have taken the hint when you begged for it at four years old,” he says with a smile, my eyebrows wrinkling in confusion at his words.
Pushing open the door, he steps inside, nodding for us to follow. The room is massive, light grey, and pale dusty pink furnishings give off a relaxed vibe in here. With white furniture filling the room, it’s the bed that holds my attention. It’s just as big as the one back at Beechwood Hall, if not bigger.
Understanding dawns on me at his words, and I smile, pleased with myself.
“Clearly, I always knew what I wanted,” I say, shrugging my shoulders, and everyone chuckles.
“Well, I’m sure I’ll get a chance to know everyone soon enough, but for now, please try and relax, get clean and comfortable. I’m going to need to check in with your grandmother and Dominic, so we can see what else is going on.”
Planting a kiss on my forehead he leaves the room. Mia offers a shy wave before following him. I sigh in relief, enjoying a moment to just be myself with no expectation, or new knowledge being thrown at me.
“Come on, angel. Let’s take care of you and Kai. After, we can have a chat amongst ourselves, then tackle the bigger shit out there,” Parker whispers, gently kissing my temple, and I lean into his touch.
One day we’ll get to relax without caring for someone’s injuries.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
(Oscar)
Stepping out of the shower, I grab a towel from the towel bar, quickly running it through my hair before I wrap it around my waist. I’m the last to get cleaned up, which means there are some heavy conversations ready to be had.
My mind still can’t process what has happened today. Even though nothing life-changing has actually happened to me, Luna and Kai are my family, and whatever affects them, affects me too. Walking out of the en-suite and into the bedroom, it confuses my brain that the sun is still out, and it’s only mid-afternoon. I feel as though I’ve lived a thousand lifetimes today already.
Luna is laying on her side in the center of the bed, with Kai lying on his back in front of her. Parker snuggles in behind her with his eyes closed, while Roman is out on the patio talking on the phone to his father.
Luna helped Kai shower, making sure to keep his wound dry, and a fresh round of bandages have been applied. I watch as her fingers delicately trace patterns along his chest, relaxing both of them. She’s wearing a band tee with a pair of shorts, and I notice the guys are all in fresh sweatpants with no t-shirts on, but I’d like to know where the fresh clothing came from.
Parker opens his eyes as if sensing my confusion, and points to the open suitcase by the door. “Maria already sent it to Bryce, when she organized our room back at Beechwood,” Parker murmurs, answering my unasked question. That woman is very helpful, always thinking of the little things in our time of need, always one step ahead.
I feel like we need to start labeling our clothes, otherwise we’re just going to be sharing everything between us at this rate. I smile at that thought, who would have known the Ace’s would be reduced to sharing clothes and our woman? I don’t know, but I fucking love it.
“What’s got you grinning like a Cheshire cat?” Luna asks, pulling my attention to her, and I smile wider.
“I’m just thinking about how us Aceholes like to share,” I answer, holding up my sweatpants and winking at her. She rolls her eyes at me, instantly knowing I’m talking about her as well. Stepping into them, I watch as her pupils dilate, watching me put them on with nothing else underneath.
Glancing back down at Kai, she places a kiss to the corner of his lips, “Do you want Mia to be here, or would you rather go and have a chat with her while the rest of us talk?”
His hand lifts, cupping hers on his chest as he looks up at her. “We can talk first. I need a minute to wrap my head around a few things, but thank you for considering her, Sakura,” he whispers, a gentle smile playing on his lips.
With Roman still outside talking on the phone, I climb on the bed behind Parker, draping myself over him as I squeeze tight. My arm wraps around his chest as I throw my leg over his.
“Fuck, Oscar, I can’t breathe,” he grumbles, but his ass wiggles back, snuggling against me at the same time.
“You love it, so shush your mush,” I murmur, and he doesn’t argue, but I loosen my hold on him slightly. “You’re such a little snuggle slut,” I whisper, burying my face in his neck and closing my eyes.
I feel Luna’s hand squeeze my leg, as Parker chuckles at my words. “Just shut up and hold me, asshole.” I fucking love this. Luna holds us together, enhancing the bond we already had, taking us all to the next level.
I’m caught by surprise when the bed bounces behind me, as Roman joins us. “Stop hogging all the love, Oscar,” he moans, laying behind me with his arm reaching all the way across to hold Luna’s hip. “And stop trying to start a dick chain, Parker,” he mumbles, as Parker pushes into me more, forcing me to press up against Rome. Fuck, if that doesn’t make my dick twitch, but now is not the time.
Parker glances over his shoulder, pouting at him, which only makes Roman lean over and kiss his lips. Fuck. “You guys are killing me. Stop,” I whine, and Roman grins down at me. Without warning, his mouth comes down on mine too. I barely get to respond before he’s pulling away, winking at me before he stands.
“Okay, let’s get some distance, otherwise we’ll never get this talk over with,” Roman says, slightly adjusting himself through his sweatpants.
“Party pooper,” I grumble, wettin
g my dry lips and adjusting myself too. I see Luna and Kai shake their heads at us, as Parker sticks his tongue out at me.
Following bossy Roman's orders, I sit up on the bed, the others following suit as we get comfortable. “Where do we even begin?” Luna asks, and no one has an answer.
“How about we just discuss things that only involve us? Otherwise, we’re going to have the same conversation twice, and they may have more information out there,” Kai says, pointing to the door.
I nod in agreement. We don’t need to put ourselves through this more times than we need to, but we all need to be on the same page with the information we have.
“I feel like I need to explain how I know Mia,” Luna says quietly, her eyes tracking Kai’s, who smiles appreciatively in response. “When Rafe and I ran and finally settled down, Rafe enrolled me in school, which is where I met Jake.”
“Was he the guy with Rafe that time on the phone?” Roman asks, and she nods.
“Yeah, he’s always had a soft spot for me, it just got more uncomfortable as we got older, when he developed feelings, and well, I didn’t. I’ve kept my distance since I was dragged to Featherstone, wanting to keep him safe. Although, it seems there must be some kind of connection now if Mia stayed with him.”
She runs her fingers through her hair, trying to piece it together in her mind, but Bryce may have more details on that for us. I reach out, squeezing her fingers in support, and she smiles.
“One day, when I must have been eight, maybe? Jake came to school with a little girl by his side. He’s older by a few years, so we were never in the same classes, but he introduced Mia to me straight away.” Her eyes close as if replaying the memory in her mind. “She was sad, like me, and I think that’s what drew us together,” she murmurs, looking up at Kai, who looks just as devastated as she does.
Lacing his fingers with hers, he encourages her to proceed.
“She cried all the time for her brother, while I locked my emotions away, yet we bonded. It must have been twelve months, I think. When one day, Jake didn’t come to school with her anymore, and that was the end of that. No reason or explanation, just gone, but I always remembered her words, ‘forever family,’ and that’s what my tattoo says.”
She turns, showing us her back as she lifts her t-shirt up, revealing the five small symbols that trail down her spine. It reminds me of the day we were at the beach, and she pointed to each of her tattoos. I remember her saying it was a saying an old friend used to say, and it makes me smile.
Kai’s fingers instantly stroke over the ink, emotion thick in his eyes, as he processes the fact that his sister and Luna met in their darkest times. Offering each other comfort when it was needed most, I feel like my heart could burst.
Just then, a knock sounds at the door, “Hey, we’re up to date with as much information as we can be right now. Do you want to come out, so we can go through it all together?” Rafe calls out from the other side of the door.
“Yeah, we’re coming,” Luna shouts back.
“I fucking wish we were,” I mumble, making Luna and the guys laugh as we head out together.
Let’s see what Featherstone fucked up today, and how we move forward.
*****
(Luna)
Following the smell of burning charcoal, I find Rafe, Bryce, and Mia outside relaxing on the outdoor furniture, with the grill burning away in the corner. Everyone wrapped up tight in big thick coats, courtesy of Maria Steele, as always. Bryce is hovering over it, trying to control the flame. Rafe takes a drink of water, with Mia sitting uncomfortably on the sofa. As much as we know each other, that was a long time ago, and we likely look a little overwhelming walking out altogether.
Slipping my hand from Roman’s, I take a seat beside Mia. Not only is she my old friend, she is Kai’s sister, and I want to make sure she feels comfortable around us. Kai smiles appreciatively at me, as he sits on her other side, and I feel the slight tension evaporate quickly.
“Luna Steele, is my brother one of your boyfriends?” Mia asks, with a wiggle of her eyebrows, and I chuckle.
“Husbands,” Oscar says, sitting beside me, with Parker and Roman on the other side of him. We fill the large cushioned seating area, leaving the chairs empty for Rafe and Bryce to use.
“Husbands? As in plural?” She splutters, and we all grin at her reaction.
“Husbands!” Bryce shouts, his eyes comically wide, as he looks between Rafe and I. Rolling my eyes, I look back at Mia.
“You know how picky she is, B. I couldn’t even argue, especially when these wannabe bad boys go all soft for her. It’s hilarious, you’ll see,” Rafe says, patting my Dad on the back, before taking a seat in the chair facing me. “We may as well get the big chat over with so we can try and enjoy a normal evening, okay?”
“That sounds like the best idea I’ve heard all day,” Parker answers, relaxing back into the cushions.
“Okay, where would you like to begin?” Bryce asks, pulling a chair closer to Rafe before taking a seat.
I try to think over everything that’s actually happened today, but I know deep down what needs to be addressed first. One glance at Kai, and I’m certain it’s the right direction to take.
“With you and Mia.” My voice is calm, but I can feel my nerves kick in as I watch, waiting for his response. I see Mia squeeze Kai’s hand while I clasp mine in front of me.
“Don’t shut yourself off, baby girl, it's not allowed,” Oscar murmurs against my ear, moving my hair from my face. “Your body is rigid with tension, Luna. Relax.”
Taking a deep breath, I turn to look in his ocean blue eyes. His fingers pry mine apart as he holds my hand, comforting me without words. Looking me over one more time, he nods, happy with my change in demeanor.
Leaning back, I turn my stare back to Bryce, who is staring at Oscar in surprise. When he finally looks back at me, he smiles softly.
“Well, Rafe said you read the letter, so I won’t recap that bit, it’s hard enough,” he swallows, rubbing his hands down his jeans. “But, when I was healed, Dominic Bridge explained to me all the information he had on Totem and the movement. What their plans were, and how it impacted our family. Ultimately, the longer Totem, Veronica, and everyone else he got to follow him believed we were dead, the better our chances of survival and retribution would be.”
He looks to Rafe with unshed tears in his eyes, who reaches between them, stroking his arm in comfort, offering him the strength to continue. I can’t even imagine how either of them must feel right now. They have a lot to discuss without us here, but their priority, as always, is me.
“So, I stayed dead. My mother found me, all too easily really, but when she understood the bigger picture and the impact it could have on the both of you, she agreed to my plan.”
The shock is clear on Rafe’s face, knowing Maria knew all along must hurt him more than it does me, she’s only just come back into my life.
“From there, I lived off the snippets of information Maria could give me. The smallest of insights into how you guys were.” Swiping at his face, nobody even breathes, letting him continue at his own pace. “Then, one day, she reached out needing my help.” He glances to Mia, before continuing. “She needed me to protect a girl, who was at risk of being used the way they planned to use you, Meu Tesouro. He always wanted another heir to The Ring to stand beside him for the movement. Specifically wanting you, and when he couldn’t have you, he went after Mia, but never any of the male heirs.”
His words catch me by surprise, my other hand instinctively reaching out for Mia, whose hand falls on mine. I look at her, and she simply nods. Clearly already knowing this.
“My father knew it was coming and pulled me from our family home on Kai’s birthday before they could hunt me down. That’s when I came to live with Jake. I didn’t really understand, but you were there, and everything wasn’t as hard. You were two years younger than me, but your eyes were haunted all the same,” she murmurs, and I feel all of our old pain
floating to the surface. “Then the movement somehow got wind of where I might be, and what that meant for the both of us. So, my father trusted Maria to help, and I’ve been with Bryce ever since.”
Kai’s arm wraps around her shoulders as he slowly processes that his father really was protecting his daughter, refusing to explain anything to anyone in case someone got wind of it.
I’m sure there is a lot more detail we could go into, but right now, the main points will do.
“Princess, whatever is on your mind, talk about it, don’t bottle anything up,” Roman murmurs, holding my eyes captive.
Clearing my throat, I nervously glance to Rafe, who nods, encouraging me to speak my mind. It’s crazy how I can feel like a badass bitch, but the second I have to talk about my hurt feelings, I want to run and hide.
“I, uh, this is in no way against you Mia, so please remember that, but.” I look to Bryce, letting my mask drop, and the pain in my eyes seep through. “You had enough strength to protect Mia, and I’ll forever be grateful for that, even more so now Kai is in my life. But I can’t figure out for the life of me why you couldn’t have come for us. The only thing stopping us from all being together, was you.”
I watch as he stutters and stumbles over his words, looking to Rafe for guidance, but none comes. “I thought I was doing what was best,” he whispers, tears welling in his eyes as I continue to stare at him.
“I can understand that, but I don’t agree with your actions. Am I happy you are sitting in front of me right now? More than you will ever know, but I’m not happy with the reasoning behind all of this. It’s going to take me some time to process my emotions fully.”
He nods solemnly, as Parker smiles proudly at me for sharing my feelings.
“Whenever you want to dig more into this, darling, I’ll be by your side. We spoke a little,” Rafe says, pointing between Bryce and himself. “But, your emotions are completely valid, and I support you.” He’s trying to soothe us all, and I smile admiringly at him, my rock, always.
