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There’s no way in hell I’m following his advice of ‘this is too hard for you and quit.’ I’ll stay away while she’s crumbling, although not holding her is killing me right now.
“I believe she was abused,” Tristan answers with a silent whisper. “Her father made her… do things to advance her acting career from the time she was barely a teenager.”
“What career?” I push him away.
He searches my face. “I thought you knew that she was a child star.”
I shake my head as I rack my brain thinking about this new development.
“Well, now you know why I want to look for her father and kill him,” Tristan growls. “But I don’t even know her birth name because Thea changed it at eighteen. Though, that part of her life doesn’t matter to me. She’s the one who matters.”
He shrugs, then turns to look at my father. “I’ll appreciate it if you hand me the list, sir. Nothing is hard if it’s about and for her.”
Papa’s head bows once and then meets my gaze. “Don’t shut me down, Mattie. I just had to read you the fine print.”
I give him a firm nod.
“I’m here for you, Son. You know we can get through everything—as a family.” He extends his arms, and I walk into them. “I love you, Son, and I think you’re capable of achieving everything you want. I believe in you. If these two are who you want for the rest of your life, then you have our full support.”
My family accepts us. I simply can’t get my head around all of these things yet. Maybe later. Fuck, probably much later. Right now, in the arms of my dad, I’m okay. We’re okay. We didn’t need his approval, but my heart feels stronger knowing we have it.
Jacob arches an eyebrow and looks at Tristan, then back at me.“Welcome to the family?”
I nod.
Jacob scoffs. “You really can’t do simple, can you?”
I smile for the first time since finding Thea. “Talk to Ainsley. She’ll want to know about this new family addition.”
“Hey, little sister.” I enter the house after dropping my parents off and look at Pria, who sits on the steps being held by my brother.
“How’s Thea?”
“She’s finally sleeping,” Pria answers with a yawn. “We couldn’t talk much, but I offered to let her stay with us while she’s searching for a place.”
“You two are on your honeymoon,” I remind her.
“We’re postponing the last leg, Bro.” Jacob stands up and drags Pria with him. “You need me. Plus, I’m getting ready to release a new album and need you and Ainsley to help me produce it. When I go on tour, Pria is coming with me, and we’ll finish that honeymoon.”
“Thank you for taking the time to help me, Pria.”
“Anytime. Call me if you need me again. As Jacob mentioned, we’ll be around.”
“I’m borrowing the Jeep,” Jacob says, taking the keys. “I’ll come back later to exchange it for the bike.”
“You can stay in the guest room,” I offer, hoping he’ll accept because I’m afraid Thea might need Pria again.
Jacob narrows his gaze, then glances toward his wife. “Twink?” Pria nods. “Cool then, we’re bunking here.”
My brother staying settles the pit in my stomach, and as they begin to climb the stairs, I follow.
Tomorrow, I’ll find out where Tristan went.
Tonight, I’ll just worry about Thea. When I reach the stairs, though, I find him sitting on the floor, back pressed against the closed door—guarding her, his eyes weary, his hands in fists ready to fight.
Jacob ignores him, reaches the guest room, and shuts it after Pria walks inside with him.
“She’ll be fine.” I join Tristan. “We’ll get through this—the three of us—together.”
