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He knows I’m right. It’s just in my nature to be this way. I’ve never known any different. When I was younger, I would think up all these vivid details about something when I didn’t get the full story. I wonder briefly if I should have become an author. Making up fantastical tales of monsters and princesses.
“I need you to stay calm, okay?” Valen takes my hands and he holds them close. His eyes are boring a hole right through me and now I know something very bad has happened. If he’s taking on a serious tone, then it’s terrible.
“Okay.” Even though I say it, I’m not sure I can abide by my promise. The word I utter is so slow, and so soft, it’s barely audible, even to me. My chest is tight, and my stomach is heavy, not with the fact that I’m carrying twins, but because I know that whatever Valen is about to admit, will shatter my heart.
And then, very slowly, Valen speaks. “One of the female students was raped.”
I croak my reply, “What?”
“Jordan, Judah, and Kai are there.” I forgot that my brother-in-law was visiting. He arrived back a few days ago, Emilio is still out on a job.
But the news rocks me and I open my mouth to speak, but I can’t find the words.
“It’s going to be sorted out, I promise. We will make sure that she gets all the help she needs, and the person responsible will be dealt with accordingly.
“When?”
“Someone came forward with a testimony from last night’s party, which is why we need to keep this hush for now. Once Judah returns, we can sit down and talk.”
I still have no idea what to say. It’s not the first time I hear something like this happening. In the big cities, it’s a daily occurrence, but it’s the first time something like this is so close to home.
We all went out to the races last night. It had been a while since the guys were able to attend or take part. I don’t remember anything happening, but then again, I didn’t stay too long. If it happened while I was there, I would have probably seen the girl, and the perpetrator.
Suddenly, I feel sick. “I hope he gets what’s coming to him,” I bite out as I look up at Valen.
He offers me a dark smile. “Oh,” he says, “Trust me when I say, the guys don’t take lightly to something like this.”
For the millionth time since I came to Black Hollow, I’m more proud to be with them than I ever have been.
I love all the men in my newfound family.
EPILOGUE
KAI
Life bringsyou moments of doubt, instances of fear, and whirlwinds of change. Those are things I’ve been through for most of my life. I didn’t expect to find happiness ever. But then, when I was taken in by the Errani family, I realised that not all people are bad.
Over the years, I grew up with a family. I had parents who loved me. And I had a brother who even though it took us a while to connect, we found common ground.
What I didn’t expect was to be adopted into a family that was part of the world of the mafia. It wasn’t like anormalfamily. No, these were violent, ruthless bastards who didn’t care what they did, as long as the job got done.
Even though it wasn’t easy, I found myself. Deep down, I was at ease with my situation, it was a place I could work, I could learn, and I could grow.
All my life I needed it, and it landed in my lap as if by a miracle. I did think it was all too good to be true, but, as time went on, I realised it was real. I mean, I didn’t wake up from a dream, and I certainly wasn’t ripped away from this new family. I’m not sure to this day why they chose me, but I know I made it, and that’s all that matters to me.
I look out of the window and watch the kids playing. Valen is chasing them while Judah is calling for them to go eat their lunch. The sun is shining, and the warmth of it bathes me as I stand on the balcony of our home.
I didn’t expect to still be here, with them, four years after the wedding, after we each received our organisations to run, but I am. And I’m thankful for every fucking moment of it.
“Are you enjoying the quiet up here?” Brielle slides her arms around me and I smile. There’s a warmth to her that calms all the dark and irrational thoughts in my mind.
“I was just watching our family,” I tell her as we stand in the quiet, the only sounds are of giggles and squeals from below. “It’s nice to see happiness.”
When Brielle had the twins, we didn’t know who the father was. To be honest, we didn’t want to know. But we have a feeling from their eye colour, we do think it is Judah’s. But in the arrangement, we may have to try again, and again.
“So, are you ready for another set of twins?” I tease as I turn to face her, and pull her close.
Brielle laughs, her head falling back as she arches into me. Then those pretty eyes meet mine. “I think perhaps we need to have a talk amongst ourselves.”
