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December’s smile was sad, the only tell that any of this might have been difficult for her too. I wondered if we ourselves had met before, when I was a baby and all that. Odds were, she had if she was so close with, well, my dad. Mom too. “I suppose what happens next is up to you. You don’t have to meet Ramses and Brielle. You can continue to live here, but we will have a team of security coming through. The press are monsters, and though my husband’s father appears genuine, we’d like him to not have access to you or Bru. He’s explained he’s Bru’s guardian with him being underage, but again, he’s agreed to step back and allow us to take care of you both. He says it was always supposed to be that way anyway.”
My heart squeezed, a tight twinge. He’d never been overbearing and always helpful. He’d always given us freedom, but I got the need for security too.
God, this was all so fucked.
The families didn’t trust him, and I did get that. There was a history there, one beyond me and my understanding, and I got it.
Like my brother and his conflict, mine was there too, but I wouldn’t disagree with the Legacy families’ decision. I needed the distance as well. If anything to think about all this.
“Like I said, Ramses and Brielle just want you safe. Happy.” Her smile lifted higher. “They’re willing to wait as long as you need. We all are.”
I had a feeling they were.
My heart ached again. “I want to meet them. I think Godfrey and Marilyn have stolen enough time.” They had. They’d taken everything from me, and they weren’t going to get any more.
“Okay then.” December’s voice was soft again and so kind. It made me feel like I was staring into a looking glass of what her son could be.
That was if he let himself.
I glanced up to see him easing into the archway again, and when I did, his mom angled around.
“Hey.” He lifted a hand and was almost awkward about it. He rubbed his hands, one palm running over the other. “Everything okay? Guess I’m just making sure.”
Because he needed control, didn’t he? Always, because that was who he was. He didn’t need for me to be okay, but himself. I looked away, but December smiled.
“Almost done, baby,” she said, making him nod. He left, and another smile tugged at his mom’s lips. “I tell you my son has me wrapped around his finger. All of us.” She slid her purse into her lap. “He and the other boys were somehow able to convince the parents not to come here last night and hold off until morning to do anything.”
So, the dark prince had been a part of the decision?
“But it was my son who suggested clearing this place out and letting you live here.” Her eyes warmed. “Said it’d be a good middle ground. A compromise for all of us and would give you more options that we all felt comfortable with.”
I didn’t know what to say about that. I mean, what could I say? I studied my hands. “Thank you for the option.” And I really did appreciate it.
I more than appreciated it.
Chapter Nineteen
Sloane
I actually put on makeup that afternoon, powder and foundation. I didn’t want to see that ugly bruise anymore, and I definitely didn’t want Ares’s parents to see it.
My parents.
I obviously was still trying to wrap my head around this, and it might be something I struggle with for a long time. I’d had two different parents for so long.
Forcing out a breath, I took one last look at the place I’d been calling home for a while. I was going to a new place today.
I was going to my house today.
Again, I tried to wrap my head around going to what had always been Ares’s house. I was going to live at his big-ass mansion with Bru and, of course, Ares’s parents.
Your parents.
I entered Bru’s suite, expecting to find him. I was ready to go, but he wasn’t in there when I stepped inside.
Ares sat in the middle of a made bed, but he got up when I entered the room. He pressed his hands down his jeans. “Hi.”
“Hey.” I eased into the room. “Where’s Bru?”
