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“Just promise me you’ll tell me if you need anything, or if you start to feel worse. We’re here for you. Let us take care of you, okay?”
“I can take care of myself,” I snapped, and I knew it was petty, but I couldn’t help it.
“We know that, but you don’t have to now,” he told me. I didn’t reply, not sure what to say. It had been a long time since any one had wanted to take care of me in any way. Thirteen years to be precise, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to trust his words just yet. The idea of it scared me too much. Until I was sure they weren’t going to abandon me again, and Willow too this time, I needed to keep my guard in place a little.
By the time my feet hit the tarmac, Kai was before me, Willow at his side clutching his hand so trustingly it both delighted and terrified me. Delighted me because it showed what Edward had done hadn’t left her afraid but terrified me because I didn’t want her to get too attached to these guys, in case they walked away again.
“Maddie,” Kai sighed as he released Willow’s hand and opened his arms in invitation, just like he used to every time we saw each other so many years ago. I couldn’t have stopped myself from taking his hug if I’d have tried. It looked way too warm and inviting, and despite everything I had missed them all so damned much.
Kai had always been the smallest of the guys, just a little taller than me at around six feet, but he had bulked up in frame massively in the years we had been apart. His huge arms surrounded me as I lay my head on his wide shoulder that felt to ripple with muscle beneath the thin t-shirt he wore. He smelled of some spicy aftershave that I instantly loved, and when I looked up I smiled at his shiny, thick hair, a little wild on top, just as I remembered. I itched to run my hand through it, but held back. “Missed you so fucking much,” he whispered as he gave me one last squeeze, then released me.
I was tearful as I pulled back, overcome with emotion at how familiar he felt to me, even after all of these years. I had to fight not to tell him how much I had missed him too. Instead I took a steadying breath and decided being polite was for the best. Afterall, I was going to be living with them. I needed the atmosphere to be at least amicable, for Willow, if nothing else.
“You look good,” I told him as I took in his handsome face. There were a couple of lines around his eyes, as there were around my own too, but he was still so damned handsome, his unknown mixed heritage giving him a unique look that was all him.
“So do you,” he replied, making me laugh out loud.
“Bull. But thanks,” I scoffed.
“Can we go and meet Dozy now, pleeeaase?” Willow cut in, and when I turned slightly I found her once again in Hunter’s arms.
“She likes animals, huh?” Kai laughed.
“She asked you about pandas, didn’t she?” I groaned and he nodded with a grin. “I knew it,” She was obsessed with the things and seemed to be sure every person of Asian descent she ever came across would have some knowledge of them. It had caused several embarrassing trips to the grocery store already.
“Come on, let’s get home and meet Cam. I don’t know about you ladies, but I’m ready for some real food,” Hunter suggested as he headed over to the car with Willow in his arms.
“What’s real food?” Willow asked with a scrunched up look as they walked away.
“So, how are you doing?” Kai asked as he wrapped an arm over my shoulders and led me to follow Hunter.
“Honestly?”
“Always,” he nodded.
“I’m exhausted, Kai,” I admitted, feeling strangely comfortable with him. I had been with him moments, but it felt like we had never been apart.
“It’s been a tough couple of days for you. That’s understandable,” he told me.
“More like a tough decade. I’ve fucked things up so badly,” I sighed.
“We’ve all made our fair share of mistakes, babe. Now’s our chance to change that. You’re here, It’s a start.”
“We’ll see,” I replied, his use of the pet name causing me to raise my guard a little. I couldn’t allow them to win me over so easily. I couldn’t forget what they had done to me all those years ago. I was continually reminding myself that, no matter what, I could never hand them the power to hurt me in that way again. I had to be stronger this time.
***
The shrill sound of Willow squealing had me startling awake after dozing off during the drive from the airport. I hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but I’d been exhausted.
I sat up and looked to my right for her, worried, but instantly calmed when I saw her smiling widely as she looked out of the window.
“What’s going on, peanut?” I asked as I reached out my hand and ran it through her wild curls.
“Look mommy! It’s a castle!” she told me as she turned momentarily to point me towards the window. I smiled indulgently as I looked past her for the source of her excitement.
Then I gasped. She was right. This was a freaking castle! Kai pulled the car through a pair of black, wrought iron gates, which were slowly rolling open to allow entry to the long block paved driveway. Straight ahead I could see the drive circled around a huge circular flower bed which was filled with beautiful greenery and an array of white flowers. Surrounding us on both sides was lush green lawn, dotted with raised flower beds, seating areas and tall, full trees.
I took in the house as Kai circled the drive and pulled up in front but I just couldn’t accept the sheer size of it! Mansion had definitely been the right word to use when Hunter told me about it, and I could see why my daughter was so sure it was a castle.
