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“I have a lot of information here that may help you understand your family history better,” Jacob said, gesturing to the folder in his hand. “It’s up to you if you want to look through it.” He paused, his expression grave. “But just remember, this is now your war to end on your own terms, or you can pass it on to all your kids.”
Jenna’s eyes held a mixture of fear and confusion. Her voice trembled as she asked, “Was our dad a shitty person and we just didn’t know it? And why did he operate on someone he hated?”
Jacob furrowed his brow in thought before answering, “Besides doctors and surgeons not being allowed to take their personal problems out on patients? I don’t think he hated anyone. I just think he made a mistake that ignited a fire. It all seems to have happened by sheer chance.”
Tyler let out an exasperated sigh and shook his head before storming out of the room toward the kitchen. Luke and Jenna stood, ready to follow him, but I quickly jumped off the couch.
“Wait,” I said, raising a hand to stop them. “Let me go talk to him. He and I have become a lot closer.”
With raised eyebrows, they both sat back down. The chatter in the den grew as everyone processed the news. I entered the kitchen where Tyler was nowhere to be found. Following the faint scent of cigarette smoke, I made my way to the back porch where he stood, taking the first drag. I pulled open the door and stepped out into the cool evening night.
As I closed the door behind me, the air seemed to thicken with tension. With hesitant steps, I made my way toward him. “There’s nothing I can say to fix anything that happened.”
In the warm summer nights, the lights strung through the trees would illuminate the otherwise dark yard. The pool water would ripple through the filters and water features, but it was still covered from winter, offering no dancing shadows against the earthy stone and brick.
“No one’s asking you to fix it.” he flicked the ash off the end of the cigarette.
The thin wisps of smoke curled into the air as he leaned against one of the brick pillars on the covered porch. The sound of crickets and other insects filled the night, creating an eerie atmosphere around us. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to shut out the tears that threatened to spill over at any moment.
A chill breeze brushed past us, causing me to shiver and pull my arms closer to my body. I didn’t know why I had come outside to be with him or what I was even supposed to say. I just wanted him to know he wasn’t alone in his grief. Minutes passed in heavy silence as he smoked, lost in his thoughts. Sensing that he might want some time alone after spending all day comforting the kids, I turned to head back inside. But then he spoke up.
“What am I supposed to do with them?” His voice was rough and filled with pain.
“Who?” I asked, twisting back around.
“Her kids,” he replied bitterly.
“Ty,” I sighed, slowly making my way back to his side, “you adopted them after you got married. They’re just as much yours as hers.”
“I thought so too,” he muttered, “but now without their mom... I don’t know if it’s right for me to still be their dad.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said firmly, meeting his angry glare with determination. “Do you still love them like they’re your own?”
“Of course, I do!” he scoffed, lifting the vice to his lips for another drag. The smell of smoke hung in the air around us.
“Then there’s nothing more you need to do other than be their dad and raise them.”
He lowered the cigarette to his side. “Do you know how many hours I work? How often I’m at the club? And Naya?” His voice rose with each question, frustration in every word. “She’s going to get her period at some point, and how the fuck am I supposed to?—”
“Tyler,” I raised a hand to calm him down, “slow down. First of all, Naya has some time before she reaches that stage,” I giggled, but he didn’t find it amusing. “And you have Jenna, Amber, and me to help with any girly things that come up that you don’t feel comfortable handling. No one expects you to be perfect. You’re a first-time dad to three kids in different stages of life already.”
He rolled his eyes, putting out his cigarette in an ashtray on the nearby table and crossing his arms over his chest. “I can handle anything, but I’m livid!”
“And Luke and I also work long hours, but we’ve created a safe space for the kids at the club, with nannies available. We can spend time with them any time we want. They’ll be at school most days anyway, so really, nothing’s changing except—” My voice trailed off as I realized I was rubbing salt into his wounds.
“I just don’t know how I’m,” he whispered, his voice trembling, “going to be everything they need. I miss her so much.” His jaw tensed and his fists tightened at his sides. “I’m so damn pissed!”
“I know,” I whispered, reaching out to place a comforting hand on his arm.
“No!” His finger jabbed into my chest, sending a jolt through me. I stumbled back as he paced toward me, his eyes filled with fury. “Mila didn’t deserve this fate! She died because of some ancient grudge from the 1920s and 30s!” He backed me against the side of the house, trapping me with his body. “Jade! One hundred and four years ago! And my wife is gone because of it!” A single tear rolled down my cheek, and he closed his eyes, taking a step back to gather himself. “If we don’t put an end to this now, Mila’s death won’t be the only close one. What about your family in New York? The Mussolinis already tried to take us out, they’ll do it again. And this time, they’ll come after the innocent ones.”
“Our kids,” my voice cracked as warm tears streamed down my face, unable to hold back any longer.
LUKE
As I stepped into the kitchen to grab a drink, I noticed that Jade and Tyler had been outside for quite some time. Curiosity led me to glance out the window, where I saw him with an intense look on his face, prodding a stumbling Jade in the chest as they inched closer to the house. A mix of concern and protectiveness swelled within me. While I knew Tyler would never intentionally harm her, his heightened emotions could potentially cause damage. I knew I needed to be out there, with them, just in case things got out of hand. My loyalty and love for Jade ran deep, and I would stop at nothing to keep her safe.
I pulled open the door, stepping outside. They both twisted to me at the same time, neither appearing concerned about their close proximity. Tyler took another step back, blinking rapidly as he took a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket that belonged to Ian. Tyler didn’t normally smoke, and they were Ian’s brand.
