“Okay, but now that’s settled, I gotta know.” Oliver puts his hands together like he’s begging. “Please tell us what you guys scored.” He looks to Jacinta and Jaxon, and I feel Jax’s hand reflexively tighten in mine.
The twins exchange a glance, and Jaxon nods for Jacinta to take the lead.
“Well, there’s the place across the road, some vintage cars, stocks, bonds, and investments. There are bank accounts in the Caymans, but we don't know what they contain. Then there are the four different properties in Europe.” Everyone around the table is showing various degrees of shock. Not surprisingly though, Nana and Poppy are unfazed.
Jaxon takes over. “Not to mention the estate in Columbia and the secret vault in the house next door that has no inventory. All in all, it totals about ten billion dollars.”
Holy fuck! You could hear a pin drop in the room. My hand goes loose in Jaxon’s, but he grabs it like it’s a lifeline and won’t let go. “Please don’t pull away,” he whispers.
The table explodes into a riot of noise from the boys and Hope. I can almost visibly see Jaxon and Jacinta shrinking away from all the questions, and I must not be the only one who notices.
“Enough!” Dad shouts, silencing the cacophony. “Leave them alone to deal with it before you ask them a whole heap of questions that they really don't know the answer to. I think it’s time to call it a night. You seven need to pack for an overseas trip, including formal wear. By the time you get back, the DNA results will be in, and we can start to deal with all of that then. Does that sound fair to you?” He looks to Jacinta and Jaxon, who agree enthusiastically. They’re going with my favorite “ostrich head in the sand” route for the moment, which Icompletelyunderstand. I reach for Jazzy’s hand so that I’m holding one from each twin, hoping they can borrow some of my strength for a moment. On one hand, I don't like to see her upset, but on the other, I kind of like to see her ruffled. It proves she really is human.
“Jazzy, could you please find Harlow a dress she can wear? If there’s nothing here, have something couriered over to the jet from the office. And make sure you pick someone who won’t fuck it up. Maybe young Jace can help. Such a sweet boy, that one, and talented too,” Nana enthuses, and a little pink tinges Jacinta's cheeks.
“Of course, Nana. I know just the dress. I’ll get in touch with Jace as soon as we’re done here.”
“Alright, it’s all settled. Just be careful, and Harlow, please don't go anywhere alone. Nobody will know that you’re going to Europe except the people in this room and the pilots. I’m hoping that means you will be safe, but don't take any chances. Tom still needs to be with you everywhere you go.”
“Okay, Dad, I won’t take any chances,” I promise him, and with that, we effectively get dismissed. Dad starts to pack up, but Thomas stops him.
“We got this. You guys head to bed; it’s been a long day.” The three of them give their goodnights and disappear. Kai and Declan grab all the empty pizza boxes while Hope and Holden grab the dirty plates and glasses.
“Come on. If we all pitch in, we’ll be done in no time,” Holden says to Oliver, the latter groaning as he gets out of his seat.
When I try to stand up to help, Declan subtly shakes his head then nods at the twins. Okay, my job is to wrangle them.
“Come on, you two. I know what it’s like to be hit over the head with mind-blowing information. I think what we need is one of Holden’s joints to calm your minds, and then bed.”
Hearing his name, Holden gestures for us to follow him. He leads us through a door I hadn't noticed, into the kitchen, then back out into the main living area. He pulls out a drawer of a nearby side table and grabs an old-fashioned cigarette case and a lighter.
“Here, I’ll help them finish cleaning up, then come out and join you. I haven't touched it while I've been on painkillers, but I really think this is what we all need. Good thinking, babe.” He gives me a quick kiss before I take the box and nudge the still shellshocked twins outside. I shove them both into chairs and take one myself before opening the box and pulling out a joint.
Putting it to my mouth, I flick the lighter, bringing it up to the end and taking a couple of puffs. The acrid smoke fills my lungs, and I cough a couple of times, sputtering. That seems to knock the twins out of the stupor.
“Smooth,” I rasp out, eyes watering. Thankfully, Jacinta giggles, and even though Jaxon shakes his head, he’s smiling when he reaches out to grab it next. I pass it over as the smoke starts to work its magic on my body, already making me feel a little bit lighter. Like all the weight that I’ve been feeling for I don't know how long is just floating away.
I lean back, smiling. “You know, this was a really good idea.” Jaxon takes a couple of puffs before passing it to his sister. She’s not much smoother than I am, and we both end up giggling madly. The good-natured eye roll from Jaxon lightens the load even more; like our sexscape earlier, this can’t fix everything, but the evidence that I’m helping him even a little makes my soul feel a little happier.
It doesn't take long for the rest of them to join us, but we’ve smoked our way through the first joint, so Holden lights another. I wave it off when he offers it to me, knowing I’m good now—just the right amount of relaxed.
By the time we head up to bed, we’re all a little lighter, even if it’s just temporary.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Harlow
After a really fucking good night’s sleep, we’re up bright and early and loaded into the helicopter, making our way to the airport for our flight to the Czech Republic.
Nana, Dad, and Poppy were there to wave us off in the morning, but Jacinta caught the flight with us. Jace was meeting her at the airport with my dress so she could do any quick alterations to make sure it fit properly. Or that was her excuse anyway. I’m pretty sure she just wants to see Jace again, and maybe his roommates if he brings them.
The helicopter is cleared to land near the jet, and as we unload our luggage, Chris and James appear to give us a hand transferring it to the plane. It’s the big one that I had first arrived in, which in reality was only a few weeks ago, but it feels like so much longer. Jacinta grabs me by the hand and drags me up the steps, leaving all of the guys to deal with everything.
“Come on. Jace is waiting inside with the dress. You need to try it on while we’re both here to fix up any spots that need work.”
“Why don't you just come with us? YouandJace?” She turns and looks at me with an eyebrow raised.
“Why would you suggest that?” I give her a nudge to keep her walking up the steps, totally unwilling to play this game.
