AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Like I said, kiddo, strawberry ice cream is the best, but I applaud your desire to try them all. Not sure your parents will approve, though.” Everyone looks at the end of the hallway where Florian is walking with the boy as they both hold two black bowls, and the kid has so many scoops my brows shoot up. “Busted.” He waves at our guest. “Hey, guys.” He smirks. “Ryder, I’d say it’s a pleasure to see you, but we both know it’d be a lie.”
“You’re still a bachelor, Price? So the rumors are true. You’re a coward.” Florian’s face speaks volumes, mainly that if children weren’t around, this verbal spiral would have turned more creative.
Does everyone know Jimena and him are a thing or what? How the hell they kept it from their families for so long is beyond me.
“He can’t have so much ice cream,” I say. “Why did you even allow them to put so much in his bowl?”
“Because I’m his godfather. My job is to spoil him, not parent him.”
“Says who, exactly?” I’ve been a mother for less than ten minutes, and all of a sudden, Florian also thinks he has a significant role in the child’s life.
He gasps, placing his hand over his heart. “What do you mean says who? We made a pact.” He points at Octavius, who wraps his arm around my waist, my back hitting his chest, and calmness envelops me. “If we ever have kids, we will be our kids’ godfathers.” He dips his spoon in the bowl and scoops a generous amount of ice cream before eating it. “Call it destiny.”
I glance up at my husband. “Didn’t you take an oath?” There is almost an accusation in my voice because who did he plan to have these kids with anyway? The idea of children didn’t even cross my mind before I met him.
“It was just a gesture. None of us expected to father a child.” He kisses my neck, causing goose bumps to break on my skin. “Relax, kitten.”
“And for your information, I’ll be the best godfather there could be. So I’d lose the frown, Isla. I’m starting to get offended.”
Estella stands between us and crosses her arms while taking a deep breath. “Someone explain to me what the hell is going on, and who is this sweet kid here?” The boy grins at the compliment and then runs to me, holding on to his ice cream bowl while the triplets stare at him curiously. He hides his face in my hip, shying away from their attention.
“It’s a long story.”
“And I have all the time in the world.” She yells, “Antonio.” The butler comes rushing right away. “Set the table. We’re all going to have lunch here.”
Well…
This should be interesting.
* * *
Ryder and Estella sit on the opposite side of us as the wide, spacious table separates us filled with countless dishes while delicious smells waft in the air accompanied by the children’s laughter as they play in the garden.
The triplets accepted the boy right away, and even though he was hesitant at first, he seems to like their company, and currently, they’re playing tag.
Florian left earlier after getting an important phone call.
“I’m so sorry to hear about all of this. It’s awful,” Estella says, reaching out to me and grasping my hand. “I hope the dark four will catch this monster.”
“Thank you, and I’m sorry too. I brought this trouble on you all.” Octavius growls next to me, and I roll my eyes. “Yes, I know he was targeting you all along, but still.”
“You have our support. If you need anything, just ask,” Ryder says to Octavius. “I’ll call Jaxon and inform him about this. He’ll be on your side as well.” He drums his fingers on the table, pondering on something. “What do you think will be his next move?”
“He’s angry because in his mind I took Isla away from him. So he will attack but not directly.” Ryder nods. “I think his next move will involve the dark four.” He leans back on the chair. “He will hit where it will hurt me.”
I try to make sense of his words but Ryder beats me to it. “Florian and Jimena? You think he will expose their relationship to Santiago?”
Oh my God.
It’s one thing to find out your best friend is banging your little sister and quite another to get this information from a serial killer!
“Yes, and in the most brutal way possible.”
“Let me know when it happens. Because we both know Santiago won’t be kind. He’ll be vicious.”
“Will do.”
I pick the blueberries from my cake and pop them in my mouth when Estella speaks up again, her voice a bit shaky this time. “Mother called.” Octavius freezes next to me as tension charges the energy around us, and I shrink inwardly because coldness sweeps over me despite it being warm. “She wants to come to Chicago and reconnect.”
