Telling me everything is going to be alright.
James and I should be in awe. Should be amazed by this mansion up on Billionaire Boulevard, but we’re not. It looks like the homes we used to visit when we were kids. Like the one we grew up in. Like the prison we escaped.
Sawyer and Annabelle left to go out as soon as we got here, and we’ve all been watching movies since.
“That was the best.” Kevin stretches out as the movie ends. I look at my brother, and his grin can’t be contained, even though he’s looking a little tired. He’s had the best time, running around, eating junk food, making him and Kevin firm friends. But I know they’ll both be asleep the minute their heads hit their pillows.
“Right. Bedtime.” Sutton jumps from the sofa, full of energy. In fact, his knee has been bouncing for the entire time we’ve been here. He’s jittery, and I wonder what’s going on with him tonight.
“What? No!” Kevin whines, little Noah already asleep, Sutton putting him to bed hours ago.
“Yep, it’s late.” He promptly turns off the TV, and I look at my watch. It’s close to ten. Not early, but maybe a little late for kids having a sleepover.
“We went to bed much later than this last time you babysat us.” Kevin stands up, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Maybe. But don’t you two want to go into your room, sneak candy in, talk about sports?”
Kevin thinks that over, and James watches the interaction with interest.
“Can we take the chocolate?” he asks as Sutton starts switching off the lights.
Sutton nods. “As much as you want.”
“Marshmallows?”
“No worries.” Sutton picks up the cushions, cleaning up the space, not even listening, and I smile.
“Sour Patches?”
“Uh-huh. Fine.”
“Yes!” Kevin fists the air and grabs James’ hand, pulling him into the kitchen, where I hear them raiding the cupboards and laughing.
I let out a giggle and small snort that has Sutton pausing and looking straight at me.
“What?”
“He has you wrapped around his little finger.” It’s sweet.
“No, he doesn’t.”
My brow pinches. “You just gave him everything he wanted.”
“Not for him. For me.”
I frown, still not understanding. Together, we walk to the kitchen to see what they’re up to.
Looking at me, he leans in close to whisper, “I just want those little fuckers to get to bed so I can take you to mine.” Then he strides forward like a good uncle, helping the boys get their goods, ensuring they have full bottles of water as I watch it all unfold with a swooping stomach.
I lean against the kitchen table, spotting a newspaper, recognizing the masthead as one from the East Coast. It’s the business section, and I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help but flick through it. Sure enough, my father’s hard-set face stares back at me, so I read some of the article.
In a move that has sparked euphoria among environmental advocates, The Titan Family Corporation has acquired 10,000 acres of protected wetlands in Louisiana, aiming to secure it from development for future generations. The purchase, valued at $500 million, is one of the first investments from Titan since the announcement of his new environmental department, showing exactly how serious he is about helping the environment and offsetting his lucrative crude extractions around the world.
I swallow hard, looking at the image of my father. He doesn’t look like himself. Again, older than I remember, yet still doing big deals, even though he has no one to take over his legacy.
“You alright there, Tinker Bell?”
I look up quickly, seeing Sutton watching me with concern. The boys are nowhere to be seen, but I hear them down the hall in Kevin’s room.
