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He handed me the duffle and pointed toward the bookcase along the far wall. Jumping up on my chair, I kissed his cheek before hopping down and doing as he asked. Once all the clothes were packed, the twins started in the bathroom while Otto helped me with the books. Rueben had left at one point, returning with some boxes. I didn’t know where he found them, but I was glad for them all the same. Occasionally he’d point at something, asking if I wanted to take it or leave it.
With the five of us working together, we had everything I wanted to take boxed up in no time. I stared at the nearly vacant room; my bedding and a few things on the shelves were the only items remaining outside my chemistry lab. I’d decided to take a few of my sprays but left most, knowing if the girls needed them, they could grab some until I had time to make more. Plus, it would give me a second lab whenever I visited. If Man adopted a new girl, I’d move it, but it could stay for now.
“Wow. I thought it would feel different when I left here, but it doesn’t. I guess it was time.”
“Your home is with us now, Little Bird. But we don’t expect you to forget who you are. We’ll be right next to you on the plane whenever you need to return.”
Snuggling into Otto’s chest, I nodded. I took the guys through a house tour as I said goodbye to the staff and each of my sisters I found along the way. The guys had loaded everything into a truck that Pierce had brought around, making it easier to haul all my stuff back to the airport. Now, we all sat around the kitchen island, snacking on Karma’s chocolate chip cookies.
“Seriously, these are the best things ever,” Phoenix said, groaning around another mouthful.
“You can thank Karma for my hips. I keep saying I’ll do more cardio, but it never sounds as fun as enjoying these heavenly creations.”
The guys chuckled at me, and I wiped my mouth, knowing I had one more stop to make. “I’ll be right back. You guys okay here?”
They nodded, and I slipped off the stool and headed to the secret basement. I knew Man wouldn’t care that I was leaving, but it wasn’t easy to put my feelings into words. He’d been a father figure to me in many ways, though that wasn’t how he liked to be perceived. Man kept his distance, knowing someday we’d either venture out on our own or be taken from him. I couldn’t imagine it was easy knowing that. Yet, he kept rescuing girls who needed him, showing them how to be strong and fight. He gave us all a chance to survive in this world, and that was a gift I didn’t know how to repay.
His office door was cracked, so I knocked gently. Knowing Man, he left it like that, expecting me to stop by once I was home. Despite not leaving the house often, he knew everything that happened with the Belladonnas’ comings and goings. It made this conversation slightly easier on me knowing he wouldn’t be surprised.
I stepped into the pristine office, the floors shining up at me as I approached his dark mahogany desk. The bookcases behind it were filled with volumes, tomes, and artifacts I had to believe he collected before becoming a recluse. There weren’t any personal mementos or pictures. That just wasn’t Man’s style.
His white head of hair was bent as he worked on something, his hand flying across the paper at a speed I didn’t know he was capable of. He didn’t glance up, but that wasn’t uncommon. His free hand motioned for me to take the chair, letting me know he’d heard my entrance.
“I’m back from my mission. Every mark was taken out despite some hiccups. I also had to decommission Steel Strike as they threatened the successful completion.” I took a deep breath, my heart rate pounding against my chest. “I want to thank you for helping me become the person I am. Taking out Carlos after all these years and ending the pain and suffering he caused. His death feels worthy. When you found me, I was a broken little bird needing a home. You gave me that and taught me to fly. Now, I think it’s time for me to leave the safety of the mansion and venture out on my own. I found my friend and a few others who make me happy.”
“Are you stepping away only from the mansion or the Belladonnas, too?” he asked, his pen stopping.
“Just the mansion for now. I love being a Belladonna and the work I do. I’m not sure I’d know how to do anything else,” I admitted.
“Don’t underestimate yourself, Raven.”
It was short and to the point but the sweetest thing Man had ever said to me. I nodded that I’d heard him, pivoting to leave before I embarrassed myself and tried to hug the man.
“I’ll be in touch,” he volleyed as I stepped through the door. Smiling, I took that as his goodbye and blessing as I returned to my guys.
Their eyes caressed me from head to toe, acting like I’d been gone longer than the five minutes it had taken. But I wouldn’t complain. Having their attention and love was a reward all in and of itself.
“You ready?” Otto asked, his words holding more than one meaning.
“Yeah. I am.”
The four guys stood, surrounding me as we walked out together—a life full of possibilities, laughter, and love ahead of us.
I couldn’t help but look back at the mansion, something I typically avoided at all costs, too scared the bad guy would be right there to grab me. I wasn’t afraid anymore. If anything,I’dbecome the boogeyman—the one bad guys were terrified of, murmuring my name into the shadows.
“Who’s next?” I whispered, the adrenaline already spiking at the thought. “The—”
“—peppermint?”
“What?” I shrieked, spinning to glare at the guy who dared call me Peppermint Killer.
“I asked if you had a peppermint. Don’t you carry them with you?” Porter asked, his eyes twinkling.
Narrowing my eyes, I pulled one out of my bag and handed it to him. He popped it into his mouth, swirling it around with his tongue in deliberate motions before chomping on the candy, making me wince.
“Your poor teeth,” I hissed.
Porter winked as his hands gripped my hips and lifted me into the truck. At this height, we were eye level, and Porter didn’t waste the opportunity, kissing me and letting the peppermint flavor roll over my tongue. Phoenix pulled Porter away, tilting my head back and kissing me next. The angle of his kiss made my head fuzzy as his tongue swept across mine.
