Dante watches their every move. It’s obvious the three are close, and I wouldn’t expect the twins to allow Reece to care for their boyfriend.
A line has been drawn. Reece may have always cared for his partner, and perhaps he’s feeling guilty, but he’ll have to let him go. The twins are ready to return home—with Lucas—and I don’t blame them.
We’re all going to do what’s necessary to protect those we love.
An hour later, Rocco arrives, and Bennett accompanies him into the room. With him is another man I vaguely recognize.
He doesn’t look like Rocco or Shorty. He’s taller and more muscular, with a full head of wavy, salt-and-pepper hair. Thetwins stand when he enters, and, despite the age difference, the resemblance is uncanny. He has to be their father.
After hugging them, he shakes my hand. “Wow, you’ve gotten bigger. You remember me?”
I furrow my brows and nod. “Yeah, vaguely.”
“Dimitri. You stayed with me when you were about…”
“Five,” I answer and swallow hard. “You called me little prince.”
It’s one of my earliest memories, etched in my brain. My mother had overdosed. I thought she was dead.
In footed pajamas and bawling my eyes out, I ran across the street to the only place I knew: the diner. I still remember the scrape of the rough, cold concrete under the thin plastic material covering my feet.
I was terrified and crying so hard, I couldn’t talk. Shorty scooped me up, rushed me to his office, and sent someone to the apartment.
An ambulance took her away, and he brought me to Dimitri’s. I stayed with him, his wife, and their baby for many nights.
When my mother eventually came for me, they argued. She threatened to call the police. She hated them.
They had spoiled me with new clothes and gifts, but after we left, she got rid of them all. She most likely sold everything for drug money. It wasn’t long before she was using again.
I could’ve grown up with the twins. That’s wild to think about.
Chapter 26
Jackson
Seated on the windowsill, Bennett tries to sneak in another question. “When did you first learn your father was holding women hostage?” If she’s aiming for nonchalant, friendly conversation, she’s failing miserably.
My impulse is to yell, “I didn’t know! I was a fucking child! It wasn’t only women he was holding hostage, you fucking idiot.”
But we’re at the hospital, in front of everyone, and I suppress the anger and embarrassment. Ethan predicted this. He was smart enough to call Rocco. I was focused more on my fear and guilt.
I peer over at Dimitri, who’s also a lawyer, of the criminal type, and he gives a curt nod.
Her wording is open to interpretation, and I state my answer as advised. “I had no knowledge of the house on Skid Row. I listed all the properties I was aware of.”
My body won’t stop trembling. Forget having nightmares—I’mlivinga nightmare.
That’s a stretch, I tell myself. Shit could be worse.Icould’ve been locked in a cell.Icould’ve been tortured.
But fuck, I’d rather it be me. I’d rather fight these fuckers than see any of our family hurt. I’d ratherdie.
I can’t look at Lucas without wanting to end it all. If it wasn’t for the woman on my lap and the man next to me, I’d do it. I’d end all this pain.
Aurora holds my hand against her stomach, reminding me of what I have to live for, but it also reminds me of what I need to protect, what I risk losing. There’s no longer a possibility of her being hurt or worse; it’s inevitable if we stay in LA.
Reece is injured, and she’s pregnant, for fuck’s sake. I should’ve listened to Ethan. She needs to go to New York, but I can’t function without her.
My eyes find his. I blink away the tears and swallow the tight lump in my throat. I open my mouth, but before I can say anything, he leans in and cups the back of my head.
