Our Bloodline

by KC Kean

  I nod in thanks and turn my gaze back to Bryce. “So where does the Special Agent fit into all of this? Why were they looking into Totem, but also willing to hide someone else from Featherstone?”

  “There are informants that work for the FBI, allowing Featherstone to continue to operate under their radar. The FBI arrested someone who offered Totem to them on a platter in exchange for a lesser sentence. Even the informants knew he was flying off the rails and jumped at the chance to lock him down.” He moves to brace his arms on his thighs as he unloads all of this information. “Dominic, is one of the few who refuses to waiver from his role, and for that, he was chosen to lead up the investigation, since he was against everything Featherstone stood for.”

  “So he wasn’t in a position to be swayed by Totem?” I ask and he smiles with a nod.

  “Exactly, only the more he dug, the more he was led back to us, through Veronica, which is why a highly trained team literally set up watch the day everything went to hell. So, he was only ever allowed to take down Totem, and he actually became a friend, much to his dislike.” His eyes glisten with emotion. “He was the one to help plant the bag in the vaults for you. I need you to know, Meu Tesouro.”

  “We’re all here now, B,” Rafe soothes, squeezing his shoulder tightly.

  Clearly sensing a shift in conversation is needed, Kai speaks up. “What’s the update from The Slums?” He asks, moving the conversation along, and I can’t get my words out quick enough as I remember.

  “Wren is the heir!” I shout uncontrollably, looking to the guys to my left, surprise on their faces.

  “That’s why she shot me,” Kai adds. “Totem was pushing her to prove herself, but she’s a shit shot.”

  My heart aches as the memory of him lying on the floor, blood pouring from his wound, as they towered over him, replays in my mind.

  “It’s okay, Princess. He’s alright,” Roman says, pulling me from my thoughts, as he leans over Oscar to rub my knee. I shouldn’t love how much their touch affects me, but I love the feeling of calm they give me.

  “Do we know if she made it out? If anyone else actually made it out?” I ask, looking to Rafe and Bryce, who glance at each other before answering.

  “The Slums is a complete wreck, but a thorough search was done of the premises, and her body hasn’t been found.” Mumbled cursing fills the air around us since we’re all frustrated she got away.

  “And Totem definitely got away,” I murmur, internally yelling at myself for missing my shot. “What about the other students?”

  “Well, we saw what happened to Neil Portman,” Roman says, a shudder running through me at the memory. “My father also mentioned that Eliza Walker, his partner, was also found nailed to the wall.”

  Oh my god, I think I might be sick. “Anyone else?” I ask as Oscar wraps me in his arms.

  “Freddie’s dead, at my hands” Kai mutters, looking down at his hand in Mia’s, and I remember them fighting in the hallway.

  “Whatever it takes to survive, remember?” I say, smiling at my handsome, and his lips tip up in response.

  “I spoke with my father, and he said they managed to get Conor and Taylor out. Taylor’s in surgery, I asked for him to keep us updated.” I love that he has updates on things he knows will be important to me. For some reason, that girl took a bullet for me. I know it’s my responsibility to make sure she’s okay.

  “And the rest of the members of The Ring?”

  “All safe. Everyone’s focus right now will be Totem. Killing Rico was a crazy move, but I couldn’t sit there and do nothing,” Rafe explains, glancing at Parker, before looking deep into my eyes, and I can’t argue with his actions. “Dietrichson will be hiding for sure, especially now we know his granddaughter is Totem’s heir.”

  “We’ll do whatever it takes to be together,” Bryce says, determination in every word. “They’ve taken enough from us. I refuse to let them take anymore. So we plan and take them all down. Once Totem falls, the rest will crumble.”

  I nod in agreement, already feeling my blood boil with anger.

  “We need a minute to catch our breath, relax, and heal. Then we can go at them at full force,” Parker says, and as much as I want to go after them now, I know he is right.

  “Agreed. Now, feed me, B. I’m starving,” Rafe says, ending the heaviness of the conversation.

  Leaning further into Oscar, I let the stress of today drift away, enjoying the company of my loved ones, old and new, the calm before the storm.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  (Luna)

  I love waking up and being able to sit outside, wrapped in a thick blanket to keep the chill at bay. With a coffee in my hands and the sound of the waves crashing nearby, it’s my new favorite thing to do. For the first time, I woke up before the guys, sneaking out of our giant bed while they slept.

  With everything going on at the moment, I couldn’t stop my mind from falling down the rabbit hole but being out here definitely helps calm me. Hugging the blanket tighter, I take a sip of my hot coffee, my eyes closing as I enjoy the moment.

  It’s a little after nine in the morning, and there are people on the beach, walking their dogs and enjoying the autumn sunshine. I wish I could enjoy that level of normalcy right now. I miss just being Luna Steele, high school bitch and a tattoo apprentice. I know I’ll never get that normal routine back, but I’d love to be able to spend time like that with my Aceholes, Red, Mia, and my fathers.

  Laughter from behind me catches my attention, and I twist my head to see Rafe and Bryce in the living room together, through the floor-length glass doors.

  They haven’t noticed me, too wrapped up in each other, and it warms my heart. It’s going to take a long time to find a new normal for them, but it’s clear to see that they will do whatever it takes, without question. I can’t remember a time I saw Rafe with anyone, not a soul, and it seems that’s because his heart always belonged to Bryce.

  Rafe stands a little taller than Bryce, but it fits them perfectly, as my Dad kisses my other Dad on the forehead, both of their eyes closing at the contact. I know it’s an intimate moment for them, as they hold each other close, but it feels like déjà vu to be watching them like this. My mind surprises me with a heartwarming memory.

  The teenage mutant ninja turtles show plays on the television, as I snuggle down on the sofa with my favorite orange blanket. The leather sofa beneath me, tells me we’re at our family home, before everything went to hell. My head is propped up on papa’s thigh, and his giant hand rubs my shoulder comfortingly, our sole focus on the television.

  “Michaelangelo is the bestest ninja!” I shout, watching as they save the day once again.

  “No way, darling, Raphael is the king of the turtles for sure,” papa says, and I giggle as he tickles my side.

  The sound of the front door shutting in the distance, makes us freeze, but only for a moment before we’re fighting to get up as quickly as possible. Jumping to my feet, papa lifts me in the air as soon as my feet touch the floor.

  “Noooo, papa, no fair!” I cry out, wiggling my arms and legs to fight against his hold, but he only laughs as he holds me high in the air.

  “But I can’t win if I let you down, Luna,” he protests, looking up at me with wide eyes.

  “Please, papa,” I whisper, giving him my best attempt at puppy dog eyes, and the love written all over his face warms my soul.

  “Just this one time,” Papa whispers back, placing me on the floor. Turning straight for the front door, I stop in my tracks as daddy comes into view.

  “Mine!” I yell, my little legs racing towards him, arms out wide as he crouches down to catch me. As soon as I’m in his hold, my arms cling to him tightly.

  “Hey, Meu Tesouro,” Daddy whispers in my ear, and my eyes close, soaking in his love. “Hello, Meu Amor,” he adds, speaking to Papa, who wraps his arms around the both of us.

  “I’m glad you’re home, B. We missed you, didn’t we, darling?”

  I n
od frantically, releasing my tight hold on Daddy, to wrap an arm around Papa’s neck too. Holding me between them, papa leans in and kisses Daddy on the lips, and I can’t stop the sicky noise that leaves my mouth.

  “Ewwwww,” I groan, my nose wrinkling as my face scrunches up. They pull apart and chuckle at me softly, papa rolling his eyes at me.

  “I think Luna wants kisses. What do you think, papa?” Daddy asks, and Papa nods in agreement. Before I can protest, they lick their lips and plant sloppy kisses on my cheeks at the same time, and as much as it grosses me out, I love the attention and the moment all the same.

  Frozen in place, I blink away the memory. As if sensing my presence, they look outside, smiling when they see me. Rafe pats Bryce on the back before heading into the kitchen, and Bryce makes his way outside, a thick hoodie on as he shivers with the cold air. I watch his every movement, unable to pull my eyes away. The six-year-old in me is scared I’ll blink, and he’ll disappear again. I don’t miss how he nervously pulls at the neck of his hoodie as he takes a seat beside me, and I place my coffee mug on the table. He looks tired and worn out today, like my words from yesterday hit hard. Rafe likely had a lot to say in private too, but he must have known it wouldn’t all be sunshine and roses.

  We sit in silence for a moment, both looking out to sea, happy to just be near one and other.

  “You know, when you were little, we always caught you peeking. With wonder in your eyes, you would always ask, ‘is that true love daddy?’ and I would always say, ‘Meu Tesouro, true love is what I feel for you, and for Papa, and one day, you’ll feel it for someone else too.’” His eyes meet mine, a soft smile on his lips. “And every time you would ask how you would know, I promised you that you would feel it in your bones, in your heart and your soul.” His hand finds mine, squeezing in comfort as his words hold me captive, memories floating to the surface. “Is that what you feel for those men in there?”

  I nod subconsciously, my mind already knowing the answer to that without having to even consider it. “I do. They complete me in ways I never knew were possible. They push me and challenge me, even fucking annoy me. But most of all, they accept me for who I am, never trying to change me.” I smile at my own words, feeling the truth behind them.

  “That’s all I want for you, Meu Tesouro. I want you to feel all the love you deserve, and I’m going to spend forever annoying the hell out of you too, to make up for all the time we’ve missed out on.” He takes a deep breath, sadness in his eyes, and the frown on his face. “I’m sorry, Luna. For protecting you by staying away. I hope one day you can forgive me for all of the damage I’ve caused.”

  I squeeze his hand back, my eyes welling with emotion too. “I forgive you. I forgave you the moment you caught my fall in The Slums. I thought I was dying, but it was okay because I saw your face.” My words barely a whisper as he pulls me closer, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tight. “You just have to be patient with me. Papa is my Dad, my everything. He filled the hole that was left behind, and it’s going to take some time for me to adjust. I don’t even know how to address you. It’s been tumbling around in my head, and calling you Dad too, would just get confusing, and he damn well deserves that title.”

  I feel him nod against me as I squeeze him back when someone hugs us from the side. “I completely understand, Meu Tesouro. Everything will make sense between us one day. I don’t care what you call me, as long as I get to hear your voice, that’s all I care about. I love you guys so much,” Bryce murmurs, and my heart feels full.

  “I love you too, and my darling most,” Rafe says, and I remember those words from being a child, sparking my own response.

  “I love you three, for infinity and more.”

  “God, I’ve missed hearing that,” Bryce says, leaning back to glance between us, and we all smile. We have a long way to go as a family, but we’re definitely on our way.

  Rafe takes a seat on the other side of Bryce, wrapping a blanket around them both. I’m glad they’re giving me room to breathe and wrap my head around it all. Sitting in silence, we watch the waves and the birds flying in the distance. One of the dogs on the beach holds my attention as it plays fetch with its owner.

  “Steele Security,” Bryce murmurs, and I glance at him. “They’re all part of the security team I used to run. Maria helped with that while I was gone.” I glance back to the beach, surprised that there are at least twenty people down there, and he’s saying they’re all on payroll.

  “Remember when I said he was the security man? I wasn’t kidding, darling,” Rafe says, and I shake my head.

  “What else have you put in place?” I ask, intrigued by the extent he has gone to keep us safe.

  Clearing his throat, he recalls every security measure put in place. “There are twenty-four people on the beach, twelve watching the front of the house, with six of those twelve in the trees, all personnel rotating. Then there are motion detectors set up around the property, all of which I’ve synced with everyone’s facial recognition too. That just leaves the shutdown function on the home if anyone tries to get in, the whole place turns into a safe room.”

  My eyes widen as I glance between him and Rafe, who rolls his eyes. Is that where I get that from?

  “Well, that’s definitely plenty,” I say and Bryce, shakes his head at us.

  “I’ll get more if I have to. Don’t underestimate the lengths I will go to, it’ll make me question if it’s enough,” he says with a tight smile, as Rafe pats him on the back.

  “Calm down, B. You are all over it. You need to talk to Kai too, his tech skills are good.”

  As if hearing his name, Kai steps out onto the patio, a calmness in him that’s never been there before. The likely factor being that his sister is alive and sleeping under the same roof as him.

  “Good morning, Sakura,” he murmurs, kissing my head as he takes the seat beside me. Wearing only a pair of grey sweatpants and a long-sleeved fitted white top, he shivers. Damn, he looks too fucking good this morning. Lifting up one end of the blanket, he’s quick to snuggle in tight with me, warming up.

  “How is your shoulder?” I ask, and he grimaces.

  “I’ll be fine, it’s just going to need time to heal.” I smile sadly at him, wishing I could take the pain away. “But I don’t think you will be fine if you don’t speak to Jess soon. Mia had a charger that fit your phone, and it’s been going off all morning.”

  Oh shit.

  I scramble out of my seat and rush inside, hearing them laugh behind me. Running into the bedroom, I smack straight into a hard chest, arms instantly catching my fall before I hit the ground. Blinking open my eyes, Roman grins down at me.

  “What’s got you in a rush, Princess?”

  “Kai said Red had been calling non-stop,” I say, trying to catch my breath, but he doesn’t release me.

  “You aren’t speaking to Jess. Not until you’ve said good morning to me properly.”

  In one swift move, he pushes me up against the wall beside the door, pinning me against it as his lips come down on mine. Moaning into his mouth, my arms wrap around his neck, bringing him closer. His grip on my hips tightens as I tangle my fingers in his hair at the back of his neck.

  “Fuck, if you two could just get naked, that would be the best porn ever to wake up to, thanks,” Parker says, his voice gravelly with sleep, and it only makes me hotter.

  Biting down on my bottom lip, Roman pulls away, leaving me gasping for more.

  “Good morning, Princess,” he murmurs with a wink and heads out of the door.

  What the fuck just happened? I slump back into the wall behind me, needing the assistance to keep myself upright.

  Looking at Parker sprawled out on the bed, he grins at me as he adjusts his thick length in his boxer briefs, and I groan.

  “Screw you, Aceholes, and your fucking hotness.”

  Flipping him off, I find my phone charging on the dresser near the floor-length doors leading outside. Disconnecting it from the cord
, I step outside, already hitting the call button on the fifty-plus missed calls and text messages.

  “What the hell, Luna!” Red screams down the phone, and I cringe. “Do you know how damn worried I’ve been? You promised to call after each game, that was yesterday, Luna. Yesterday!”

  “I’m sorry. It was beyond crazy, Red. I don’t even know where to begin.”

  “Well, we can start with the fact that you’re still alive. Is everyone else accounted for?” She asks, her voice calming down a little.

  “Yeah, we’re all here, but Kai was shot in the shoulder.”

  “What!”

  “Red, will you calm down, you’re not helping,” I grind out. “I know you’re worried, but a lot of shit happened, and I need you to relax if you want me to tell you everything.”

  Silence greets me for a moment, until she finally sighs. “Okay, I can be calm.” I take a deep breath.

  “Thank you,” I whisper, before preparing to tell her everything. “The Games went to shit, Red. Totem showed up, there was a huge explosion, and Wren shot Kai. She’s the heir. She’s been the fucking heir, this whole time.” My free hand balls into a fist at my side, growing annoyed with myself for not seeing it all before, even using her mother’s surname. Even though deep down, I would never have known.

  “That bitch,” Red fumes, and I couldn’t agree more.

  “Yeah, so we aren’t at Beechwood. Everyone has gone into hiding from the sounds of it, including us. At least until Kai can heal a little, and we come up with a plan.”

  “I’m just glad you got out of there, Luna.”

  Bracing my hands on the stone wall’s edge, around the patio, I take a deep breath as I find my next words. “Jess, my father, he’s alive, and he’s here.”

  “Oh my god, Luna,” she cries, emotion in her voice as she takes in my words.

  “Yeah, I just, it’s all crazy. Rafe killed Rico too.”

  “Are you okay though, Luna? This is all a lot to take in, and it didn’t even happen to me,” she asks, and I smile at her concern.