Page 71 of Pretend it’s Forever

It should surprise me, but it didn’t.

Because that’s just who Carson was.

Humming under my breath, I went to my closet to get to my dance clothes when a shadow passed out of the corner of my eye. I whirled, wondering if it was one of the girls, and before I could scream, a hand clamped over my mouth.

“I don’t think so, Sophia. Don’t forget, you’re mine.” And then Cale slid a needle into my arm and hit the plunger. Darkness and dizziness warred within me before I could take my next breath, and the first thing that I could think of were my babies.

My girls.

And then there was nothing.

Chapter Sixteen

CARSON

The logistics of claiming that one’s death was prematurely announced to the world, was probably far more difficult than it should be.

I was not dead. My team had not died—thankfully. And the world could begin rumbling normally. And yet, not so much.

There had been discussions with the board, with people at my company who had not been on the flight but wanted explanations. There of course had been phone calls with my sister, and ignoring phone calls from my family. If my parents needed to talk to me, they could go through our lawyers.

Other companies that I worked with had wanted to reach out, to say their condolences, and frankly, I had a feeling they wanted to ensure that they weren’t using the same planes we were. After everything that had happened, I was just grateful that we had survived, and now I sat here across the table with lunch in front of us, and the Cages looking no worse for wear.

“I’m glad you’re alive,” Aston said, leaning back in his chair.

Blakely snorted. “Really? That’s what you’re going with?”

“Dear wife, you do realize that it wasn’t a bad thing to say. After all, our friend is alive and has seemingly groveled well enough for Sophia.” He gave me a pointed look. “Of course, we will have to ensure that’s the actual truth later, won’t we?”

I didn’t say anything, a soft smile playing on my face as I thought about Sophia. No, I hadn’t groveled well enough yet. But I would continue to do so because she deserved it. Fuck, she deserved everything. And despite what I knew I probably deserved in this moment, I wasn’t going to take her for granted. Nor was I going to wallow in my own pity. Because I had been gifted a second, third, even fourth chance. And I wasn’t going to give that up.

“I’m seriously glad you’re okay.” Blakely reached out and squeezed my hand, and I let out a breath.

“I’m glad I’m okay too. And my whole team. It was scary as fuck, and I’m just glad the two of you weren’t on the same flight.” I gestured towards Flynn and James, who each nodded in turn.

“Damn straight.” James shivered. “Not that I would begrudge you for being angry at us for coming at you.”

“Oh, he deserved it,” Aston said, glaring at me. I might have seen the care and relief in his gaze, but I had still hurt their baby sister, and I needed to atone for that sin—and not merely towards the woman that I loved.

“We’ll have to have a lovely family dinner to truly see how things are working out,” Aston said, and Blakely rolled her eyes.

“We’re going to have a family dinner because apparently that’s what we do now. It’s our form of entertainment. But what we’re not going to do is put Carson in the hot seat.”

“Excuse me, we will be doing that,” Flynn said, an odd note in his voice that I couldn’t read. “It’s our right as big brothers. You, the sister-in-law, will have your own gauntlet for him to go through. However, we are not done yet.”

“And what will happen one day when you mess up with the person you love, and you’re forced to face her family?” James asked.

Flynn stiffened, before I watched him force his shoulders to relax. “Then I guess I should get some practice being an asshole to Carson. That way he understands the true magnitude of the situation.”

I watched the family volley back and forth, as if I wasn’t in the room. I didn’t mind that. Again, I deserved it. And more.

But here I was, eating a damn fine lunch, most of the paperwork for the day done, and soon I would be heading towards Sophia. She hadn’t texted back earlier, but I knew she had more than a few dance lessons for the day. Once classes were over, she would get to her phone, and I’d hear from her.

I had no idea who this man was, the one who desperately needed to hear from a woman, but here I was.

“I am glad you’re here though,” Blakely said. “And not just because I need every single detail. We’re glad you’re safe. You’re part of the Cage group now. I won’t say Cage family because that puts pressure on Sophia and the girls and I’m not that crazy, but you’re a good person, Carson. And Cora needs you. So does Sophia.”

My chest ached at those words, and I ran my fist over my heart. “You’re right. They do. So I’m not going to mess up. Not anymore.”