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Nervously, I ask, “Okay. Now?”
“Yes, gather up Nikki and Ariel. The guards will stay with the kids while we have a chance to work some things out.”
My mind swirls like a raging river as I collect the girls and walk toward the office in the rear of the building.
Kieran and Marcus are already inside. Nikki immediately goes to her husband’s side, where he tucks her against him, looping his arm over her protectively.
“Have a seat, ladies.” Kieran motions to the table and chairs behind us.
The tension is thick and uncomfortable like smog across a city skyline. Kieran helps me into my seat, then sits beside me. Below the table, he seeks out my hand, curling it in his strong grip.
Then he begins, “Carra and I wanted to talk to you today at the house after the party. It seems like now is the best time to lay some things on the table regarding Finn. As it became blatantly clear today, we all need to talk about safety measures. As much as I hate to say this, things might get worse for everyone for a while.”
Nikki’s so pale she looks like a sheet of fine stationary—the kind that rips when you look at it too hard. I feel only slightly more opaque myself.
However, the guys seem confident. Marcus’s shoulders are tight but not violently so. His brow is even, unwrinkled by worry. Apparently, Kieran said something that put him at ease.
“We’re not taking Finn,” I blurt because I can’t stand the way Nikki and Ariel are tearing into shreds right in front of me. “Whatever is best for him and for you is what we want.”
Wiping her tears with the cuff of her blouse, Nikki whispers, “Thank you. I knew when we took Finn into our home that things would be hard one day... but I’m just a mess. I mean, he’s one of our children in every way except that you gave birth to him.” She glances to Kieran. “And you fathered him.”
An intense sense of guilt swamps me, filling all of my crevices with dark, murky water. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s been worth it,” she replies with passion in her eyes. “Every minute he’s been with us has been a pleasure. A blessing. I’m just scared for all of us.”
Ariel rubs her sister’s back gently. “It’s all going to work out. Promise.”
Kieran says, “Marcus and I talked about the new estate and have a plan if everyone agrees. I think we can all be on the same page about this.”
His dark blue eyes turn to me, as if a new door has opened, there’s a level of protectiveness in his expression that I’ve never seen before. He squeezes my hand below the table.
“When we were at our new place earlier this week, we didn’t have a chance to look at the guest house. It’s over five thousand square feet, newly remodeled, and has top-tier security. I think it would be best for Nikki, Marcus, and the kids to move in there for the foreseeable future. Ariel will be on site as well as you already know. Everyone will be safer. What do you think?”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT
I’ve just been knocked flat by the news. All of us living together at the estate?
There’s a collective relieved breath as if the entire building just sighed. Marcus leans in and gently kisses his wife’s lips. She’s weeping softly now. Her tears of relief burning trails down her cheeks.
Rays of sunshine are trying to escape through my ribs. I’m floating around inside my own head while they continue to talk about the logistics.
Marcus says, “We’re going to arrange for everything the kids need on site, such as tutors and activities, until things settle down.”
Ariel smacks both her hands on the table. “Now we’re talking. This is amazing news.”
The brilliance of this idea leaves me momentarily breathless. Still unsure, I ask, “Finn and the whole family can live at our estate?”
Tugging me toward him, Kieran presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Aye. The whole crew will be there. I’d like nothing more than to get to know my son without damaging the life he’s got. He’s obviously very happy and doing well, but I know you want more time with him too.”
I turn my face into his neck, breathe in his warm, earthy scent with my eyes stinging, and heart soaring.
I’ve never dreamed before. It feels incredibly dangerous to believe that this is true. But Kieran holds me tighter. As if he’s hardwired into my brain, he murmurs, “It’s okay, sweetheart. I know it’s hard to believe. But this is happening.”
This is happening, echoes inside my head and drops little by little, like sand sliding through an hourglass, down into my heart. Filling it. Lighting it. Making it glow.
My voice is wobbly when I whisper against him, “Oh my god. I’m so scared to admit this can be real.”
“As real as this thing between us. You can’t deny this. It’s too powerful. It always has been.”
