Page 67 of Watched

They’ll stay until they want to leave, I’ll make sure of that. Hell, if they want to go as far as emancipation or make Rome their legal guardian until they’re eighteen, I’ll have my family lawyer work on the case day and night until they’re all happy.

Indie’s eyes well with tears as she pulls from her father’s embrace. “I’m sorry. We just want to stay with Rome.”

“It’s okay, princess.” Daniel grins. “You want to spend time with your brother, I understand. You can call me at any moment, and I’ll be here to pick you up if you’re uncomfortable.”

Give me a fucking break—that was a dig. From what I’ve seen, Kilah and Indie are perfectly comfortable with Rome’s sexuality.

“You too, K.” Daniel reaches for Kilah’s face, but Kilah rears back, narrowing her eyes. Shit, she looks like she might even throw a punch.

Stepping to the door, I type in the pin and swing it open. The cool air flows in, rain continuing to pound the bricks. “I’d say it was a pleasure,” I whisper and grin, “but your face is quite unsightly.”

Daniel steps to me, his pungent cologne stinging my nostrils as he looks out to the dreary weather. “We aren’t done, Weston.”

“I agree. Why do you think I waited so long to make my move?” The corner of my lip tilts with a smirk as he side eyes me. “I’ve had those recordings for weeks, and every meet up afterward is documented. If your wife decides to file for divorce, they’ll be added to your shit list. You’ll get nothing, they’ll have everything. I will protect Rome until the day I die. Try me, Daniel. I have more moves than you can fathom.”

“Your threats mean nothing to me, you little shit.” He glances over his shoulder to Rome consoling his sisters on the sofa.

“Promises,” I correct. “You can try to go up against me and my family, but trust me,” I quieten my voice, “my brother and I will dig out your fucking spine as a family bonding exercise.” His face pales, and I motion him out. “Great chat.” I grin, slamming the door shut

Now in grey sweats and a hoodie, Rome paces in front of me while I sit on the end of his bed in jeans. A few of his curls are spilling out from the hood, wrapping around the grey fabric, and fuck, if that isn’t adorable.

“Baby,” I groan. “You’re making me dizzy.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?” He throws an adorable glare as he turns and paces back the other way, now with his hands behind his head.

“You don’t reveal moves until needed. Blackmail only works if it’s leveraged against something.”

“Is this a fucking game to you?” he shouts, stepping in front of me.

“No, of course not, but it kept the twins here, and I don’t regret it.”

“Fuck you.” I grip his hips when he turns and pull him onto my lap. “Let go.”

“You can sit here and talk to me.”

“I need to get ready for training.”

“You aren’t going.”

He stills. “I’m already on thin ice. I can’t miss a training.”

“You can if you have food poisoning.”

“Food poisoning? That is the worst excuse.”

“Yeah maybe, but it’s believable. You need time to sort through your head. If you go to training, you’ll be distracted.”

“I’ve been dealing with bullshit for twenty years. I can do another day.”

He’s been desolate for years because of his parents’ disapproval of his sexuality, and that thought ravages my heart.

He sighs, staring at my hand rubbing his thigh. There will most likely be consequences for missing a training, but if he’s ‘sick’, he can’t help that. He’s overwhelmed with information and emotions. He genuinely looks exhausted.

I rest my chin on his shoulder. “I’m having beds delivered.”

He pulls himself from his thoughts with a rapid blink. “What?”

“For the twins. They can sleep in the lounge together on separate mattresses or share the spare bedroom and have a bed each. They’re only doubles, but they should fit.”