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“Hey,” he says while gifting me a smile. “I’m not going to be running off anytime soon. I do want to train with The Agency though. Their work fascinates me, but also, I know that it’s something I need to do to work through the stress of the past few months.”
I understand what he means. There’s been so much emotion, so many fires to put out, I know exactly what it feels like to have your world thrown upside down.
“Well, you’ll always have a home to come to here on Black Hollow. And once I graduate, I’m going to be working alongside Judah. It will give me an opportunity to see things first-hand.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” The concern in Emilio’s eyes makes me smile. He cares about me and my well-being which fills my heart with joy. When we first met, I was convinced I would never accept him as my brother. But times change, things have progressed, and now I can’t imagine him anywhere else.
I ponder his question for a moment. I could do anything I wanted to and I know Jude would accept and support me, but I promised to be by his side, and if I’m honest with myself, I do want to learn about the organisation. I want to know how it runs, I want to train with the rest of the soldiers. Perhaps not in combat, yet, but I am ready for a new challenge.
“I do.” I nod then. “I’ve thought about it, and when I posed the idea to Judah, he said he would support me in anything I’d like to do. And now that I’m able to put my skills to the test, both academic and physical, I want to go all in. I doubt I could work in a place like The Agency, killing isn’t my strong suit, but I do like the undercover work.”
“It will put you in danger.” It’s a warning, one that I know all too well. I didn’t want to be in this life for such a long time, and now I can’t picture myself leading any semblance of what people would think is a normal life.
“I know, there are times I wonder if I’m sane when I consider my decision, but”—I pause as I set the cup down and push to my feet—“I’ll have the biggest and meanest bodyguards watching over me, and when you’re home, you’ll be here too. I won’t ever put myself in any necessary danger. I can promise you that.”
“She definitely won’t,” Jordan says as he walks into the room. “My brother will more than likely lock her in the basement if she even so much as thinks about doing something stupid.”
“And I wouldn’t blame Judah for it either,” Emilio throws out with a chuckle, and I can’t stop myself from lobbing a cushion at his head. Both guys laugh.
“What violence is going on in here?” Judah questions when he saunters into the living room. He makes his way straight to me, and not long after he’s entered, Valen and Kai join us.
We truly are a family. One I’m more than proud to be a part of. I can’t imagine my life without them now.
“Emilio was just saying how he’d help you lock me in the basement if I tried to put myself in any danger.” I look at Judah who’s nodding, offering a wink to me, but he grins at my brother.
“Trust me, mate,” he says then. “She’ll have three of us to contend with. She’s strong, but not that strong. We’ll make sure she’s alive and well.”
“You guys do know I’m standing right here,” I retort as I pout at my husband, and then the rest of the guys who are now laughing loudly.
“We better head off before Brielle locks us all up in the damn basement,” Jordan announces and he looks over to where Emilio is. They’re leaving tonight, and I already feel the pang of heartbreak at seeing my brother leave. We only just got to know each other, and now, he’s heading off. I know it will be good for him, but I’ll miss him, and that’s what’s so difficult to handle.
Emilio comes to me first, before he goes to any of the guys. He pulls me into a hug and I allow myself to let go of all the stress that’s held me back in the past few months. Even though I’ve let Judah, Kai, and Valen in, there’s something different about my brother. He’s my blood, and I’m happy that we’ve managed to ease the tension between us.
“I hope to be back for your graduation,” Emilio whispers in my ear, making me smile. “I’ll be sure to message you when and if I can. There may be limits on the amount of outside contact, but I’ll always be here for you. From now until the end,” he promises and I hug him tighter, not wanting to consider the fact that there could be danger he’s walking into. It’s stupid, because our lives are filled with danger, but I can’t think about it, or I will break down and cry.
We pull away from each other, and he looks into my eyes. He reminds me so much of Papa, but also, he’s unique in his own right.
“Look after yourself,” he says with a smile before he heads off to say goodbye to the rest of the guys.
When Jordan pulls me in for a hug, he holds me tight for a long, silent moment and then he steps back. His hands grip my shoulders, and he meets my eyes. It’s what I imagine looking at Judah when he was younger would have been like. The same, naughty smirk, the flicker of mischief in his eyes. And just as devastatingly handsome.
“Look after my brother, I know he’s an asshole at times, but he’s a good guy under that tough exterior.” It’s the first time we’ve spoken so openly. We have joked around, but nothing that equals this.
Nodding, I smile. “I’ll always look after him. I’ll look after them,” I add, knowing that I have a responsibility not only to my husband, but to the other two men who love me too.
“I know you will,” Jordan offers before he and Emilio wave a goodbye from the waiting car. It’s a bittersweet goodbye, because I wanted to spend more time with them. Both of them. Even though Jordan isn’t my blood relation, he is now part of an extended family I’ve inherited.
It feels good to belong somewhere. All my life, I was afraid of what would happen if Papa ever got caught. He was always careful, but there are no guarantees in life. Deep down, I always wondered if when I got home from school I’d find him gone, or worse. But he was always there, waiting on me.
“Was it good to talk to Emilio?” Judah asks as we make our way back to the living room and settle on the sofas. I’m exhausted, but I’m happy. It’s almost a foreign feeling to me as I consider months ago I thought my life was over.
“Yeah.” I nod as I recall our chat. It wasn’t long, but it was enough to know we’re family. “I just wish they didn’t have to leave so soon. But I also understand, life needs to move on.”
“Speaking of,” Judah says. “Jordan wanted to stay, but they had to start their training. But, the ceremony is tomorrow.” It’s a reminder of who we’re about to be. Stepping into roles I would have said we’re far too young for, but the world we come from is welcoming us with open arms.
“Are you ready?” I ask him. What’s also happening on Saturday is Judah’s birthday. September twenty-nine. The day he’s probably looked forward to all his life.
“I think I was born ready,” he tells us.
