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“I didn’t see that coming.” He mutters.
“How do you know?” I ask.
“I had a vison a week after we buried her, she told me it was the only way to ensure nothing happened to the baby. She said her magic would protect the unborn child and that I would have a choice now, either shift or become a vampire. Guess I blew that choice when I killed your sister’s mother-in-law.” The bitterness that coats her tone is tangible, she completes her transition in three days’ time, when she has to drink blood. Because Belle is from the original line, she doesn’t need her father’s blood to transition, she only had to make her first kill. Being an original means Belle will now be able to create vampires and I don’t know how I feel about that.
“We get through today and lay our brother to rest, and then we research the shit out of what is going on with the baby. I swear to you Belle, I won’t let anything happen to your baby.” My respect for Cassius just skyrocketed.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask her, her eyes narrow and her upper lip pulls back in a snarl.
“How the fuck would I have done that, huh? You took off for a month and left me! Not the other way around asshole, don’t pull your bullshit on me today Cairo when I’m about to bury my fucking brother!” I flinch, everything she just said is true and I have to make it up to her. I should never have pushed her away and let my anger take control. “By the way, don’t act like you care about thisthinginside me. You want to fuck off and chase down your demons, go for it. I don’t need you to raise this baby, I have my brothers and father that are all too willing to help.” I growl and smack the steering wheel, my vision shifts to Bex’s, I need to control my emotions or risk killing us all by shifting in the car.
“You can talk about this later, we’re here.” I grind my teeth in annoyance at Hunter’s words, cars are parked everywhere, and I spot Creed’s car in the distance. I’m thankful that they came today, they aren’t here just for me, they came to show their love and support for Belle.
Chapter thirty-nine
Belle
MybrothersandIhead for the hearse that carried Blake’s body; I don’t have it in me to look around at all the people that have gathered here today. The driver opens the door and there inside the mahogany casket lays the body of my brother who died so I could live, I swipe away the stary tear that falls without my permission. Cass and Hunter reach in to grab the handles on either side, Creed and Cole step up to help grab the next two handles and then to my surprise, Z and Cairo come forward to help. Once they have the casket out, we turn to head toward the cemetery where Blake will be laid to rest next to their––mom. We all pause at the sight of my father, he moves slowly toward us with red rimmed eyes, I stand tall and square, my shoulders ready for him to blame me for the loss of his son.
I stand shoulder to shoulder with Cass and the closer dad approaches the more tense I grow; Cass was the one who called and told our dad what had happened. I was too much of a coward to even speak to him, guilt eats at me daily over Blake’s death. Dad doesn’t speak to any of us, he places his hands flat against the casket and then rests his forehead against it, quiet sobs fall from his lips, all the guys holding the casket keep their gazes forward offering my father some semblance of privacy as he says his final goodbye to his son.
“I loved you from the moment you were born, and I loved you till your last breath, and I will love you till my final days. You will be remembered as the hero that you are my son, thank you for choosing me as your father.” He breaks down and I have to suppress my own tears, a lump is forming in my throat.
Cairo stands beside me the whole time in silent support as we bury Blake, I have avoided my father like the plague, but felt his gaze on me every so often. I can’t find the strength to meet his stare and see the hatred that shines in his eyes, I appreciate that Creed and the others came here to pay their respects. I stand here in a daze as they pile dirt on top of his casket, a numb feeling washes over me as I watch the coffin slowly disappear. People start to disperse but my eyes remain fixed on the pile of dirt in front of me, with a tombstone that I haven’t been able to bring myself to look at.
“I’ll give you some time alone, I’m here if you need me beauty.” I nod like a robot at Cairo’s words, when it’s just me left, I kneel down and rest my hand against the mound of dirt and finally let my tears fall, I bite my lip to simmer the sobs that come from me.
“I’m so sorry Blake. I would trade places with you if I could––.”
“He wouldn’t want that.” I gasp and stand as I turn around and finally face my father, his eyes hold none of the hatred I expected to see. He closes the space between us and cups my cheek, I nuzzle into his touch. “Why are you hiding from me?” He whispers.
“Because I don’t want you to hate me.” I choke out, he growls and then wraps his arms around me, I hiss in pain thanks to the wound on my shoulder. He releases me and frowns, I pull my shirt down slightly so he can see the gauze that covers my wound. His eyes darken before meeting my stare again.
“If you hadn’t slaughtered that good for nothing leech, I would kill her with my bare hands.”
“It’s all my fault, Blake saved me––.”
“Don’t do that––.”
“You don’t understand, it’s my fault you lost your son!” I shout in frustration. His eyes narrow at me, and I see the anger covering his face, good I deserve it.
“Myson lost his life because he was protectingmydaughter. I don’t care if you share DNA with someone else Gabrielle, you are my child, and nothing will ever change that.” I cover my mouth with my hand, his words are a balm to my tattered heart. “Read the headstone Belle.” I nod my head and turn around; I lift my gaze slowly and read.
Blake Wilder
Beloved son of Gabriel & Kirsten
Brother to,
Cassius, Hunter, and Gabrielle.
“God gained an angel, we lost a piece of our hearts.”
Dad steps beside me and rests his hand a top of my good shoulder and squeezes.
“You are my daughter Belle, those boys would lay down their lives for you in a heartbeat, Blake proved that, blood means nothing to them.” I cry silently, I turn to my dad and hug him ignoring the pain in my shoulder.
“I’m so sorry for leaving and not sorting things with you.” He rubs my back soothingly.
