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“What just happened?” Nic asks as he studies the sudden shift in the atmosphere of the room.
Before any of us have a chance to form a response, Rachel snaps, “None of your goddamn business.”
Scarlett snorts and pulls out of my arms to stand straight, smoothing her expression back into the indifference I’m accustomed to seeing on her face. Her mask, her armor. She raises a brow at him and nods. “What she said.”
“What is he doing here, Noah?” Luca snarls, drawing us all back to the issue at hand.
He raises his hands in defense. “I don’t know why he’s here now, but it has to be because he has big news,” he hesitates. “News that he didn’t feel he could share over the phone or through email.” The insinuation is heavy, but it does nothing to ease the rapidly growing tension in the room. It isn’t just the six of us reacting. Every single person in this room is reacting to the volatility leaking from Scarlett, no matter how she may appear on the surface. All of us are too in tune with her to not be affected by his sudden arrival.
“Everyone, stand down,” I order. We’re too close to completely losing control. It’s the last thing she needs when she’s in a state of vulnerability. “Lashing out won’t solve anything,” I remind everyone. A modicum of calm ripples through the group as everyone stands down. Well, almost everyone. My eyes land on my pretty girl and take a deep breath. She may not be ready, but she can’t continue to ignore the closure she so obviously needs. “Maybe it’s time to get some answers and put some of our worries behind us.” She instantly drops her gaze to her feet. This isn’t something she can keep hiding from. If I have to be the bad guy, I will be.
Speaking of, I turn my glare to Luca and Kade. They’re already silently communicating with just a quirk of their brows and a roll of their lips. The eerily silent communication that takes place between the two of them no longer freaks me out. After almost an entire lifetime together, it only makes sense that they’re able to understand each other so thoroughly.
I wait for them to feel the weight of my gaze on them both. They slowly turn almost in perfect unison to meet my stare, already defiant expressions in place. I don’t need words to tell them to get their shit together. After a silent stare off, Luca finally drops his gaze first. He catches Kade’s arm and gives him a subtle nod.
Pain flashes across Kade’s face and regret lashes through me. It’s not like I want them to be going through this either. Scarlett refuses to tell any of us more about her past with Charles, but it’s clear to all of us it affects the guys as much as her. But none of that changes the fact they are one of the reasons holding her back from getting her closure. As much as I love and respect them, I refuse to allow anyone to hurt our girl. Even if it’s one of us.
Resignation weighs heavily between the two of them. It won’t be that easy, but at least this is the first step for all three of them being able to move forward.
“Guess I’ll get the door?” Noah asks as he tentatively moves toward the door.
I nod in assurance, encouraging him to just get on with it so we can get it over with. Scarlett cracks her neck at my side, her fingers dancing against her thigh in agitation.
Joe clears his throat, moving closer to the center of the room. “Everyone is going to behave, yes?”
Reluctant agreements sound throughout the room. He waits, staring down the brooding pair in the corner before they also acquiesce. His gaze turns to Scarlett, concern radiating from him as he studies her.
“Scarlett,” he starts in a soothing voice. “If you want us to handle this, we can do that without you having to face him.”
She swallows thickly and for a moment I think she may actually tuck tail and run. So unlike the girl we all know. Worry spears through me once more, the atmosphere of the room tilting back into chaos as we all await her response. My pretty girl is the center of more than just my whole world. She’s the glue that brought our entire family together, the backbone that keeps us strong, the leader we all need. Witnessing her fragility is something no one in this room is accustomed to. It’s a part of her she rarely allows to exist and share with us, let alone everyone that is here now. Her unease ripples through all of us. Putting every single one of us on guard before Charles even steps foot in the room.
Jade and Rachel both move to flank Scarlett’s side, while everyone else moves to take defensive positions around her. I side-eye Jade as she plants herself between me and Scarlett, but she just smirks and shrugs, staying firm in her position. I guess sometimes you just need your friends. Even Brittney moves closer to the center of action, having Scarlett’s back.
Nic tenses further, his eyes stuck on Rachel as she grows right in front of his eyes. No longer the cowering girl she was only moments ago. Her normal demeanor and strength evident as she puts aside her own turmoil in order to be there for my girl.
“Do I need to be preparing for something?” he asks, briefly glancing at Scarlett.
“Why are you still here?” Ryder questions with disdain.
He gives him a droll look in response. “When exactly would I have left?”
“Feel free to leave at any time,” Rachel interjects scathingly. His eyes harden as he stares at her but she doesn’t even bother to look in his direction again. I smirk, relieved to see the Rachel from before making an appearance. They are too few and far between. Even Scarlett manages a delighted smile at the interaction.
Nicholis doesn’t bother to respond, instead crossing his arms over his chest as he settles in against the wall. Obviously not willing to leave and miss whatever is about to go down. I hesitate, ready to remove the threat if need be. He already knows too much about all of us, especially Scarlett and Rachel. He knows her true identity and whatever information Charles is about to bring will only put her more at risk.
I catch Scarlett staring at me, her green eyes flooded with more emotions than I could ever put words to. Somehow she’s still able to read me like a book. She cuts a glance at Rachel meaningfully before giving me a slight shake of her head.
Before anyone else can say anything else, Noah escorts Charles into the room. He looks disheveled, his blonde hair longer than when we last saw him is mussed and sticking up in different directions. His skin has a light sheen to it and his eyes have a wild, almost desperate look as his eyes land on Scarlett. My attention shifts to the papers clutched in his hand.
“I found something,” he stammers. “I’m sorry for showing up uninvited, but Scar,” he pauses. “You need to see this. I needed you to see it. Immediately.”
“Did you find him?” Luca demands before any of us have a chance to respond to his declaration.
Charles shakes his head, his eyes never leaving my pretty girl. My hackles rise. “This will help. With finding him and finding who was with my father that night,” he answers, raising the papers in his hands. Still not letting his eyes waver from Scarlett.
All the air is sucked out of the room with those words. The answers to everything might be found in those papers. Right at our fingertips.
Scarlett’s body trembles in response to his declaration. No one dares to speak as we all collectively try and process this news.
