If someone had used a cattle prod on him, he wasn’t sure he’d have reacted so violently, shooting forward in his seat, mouth hanging open in shock.
“W-what…” he choked out, unable to say more when he’d built himself up to talk, but this? Rue held Dad’s gaze, searching for answers. “You know about my b-brother… don’t you?”
“I do.”
“How?” he croaked out, feeling the need to move but knowing with certainty his legs would not hold him up.
“When you came into my family, I needed to make sure we could protect you, so I used an investigator, and he gathered information.”
They know. They know.“W-why…”
“Why didn’t I say something?” Rue’s nod was stilted, his brain trying to play catch up to why he’d never considered they’d investigate what happened that night. “I was waiting for you to talk to me about it. When we sent you to the therapist, they advised me to let you come to me. I listened, and I let you down.” Dad ran a shaky hand over his mouth. “I’m sorry for that, son.”
Rue released a shuddery breath, and what struck was the lack of condemnation. Sadness yes, he witnessed that, could hear it, but not condemnation. Same as Monty and Kendrick.
It was the same.
For years he’d held on to the guilt, using it to beat on himself. Had talking to Kendrick and Monty allowed him to stop, to step out of the shadowy, painful past? Because how was it this easy? He didn’t know. Yet here it was, his worst fears exposed, and there was no rejection.
He searched Dad’s expression, seeing nothing but love. Love he’d given freely and without strings. The strings attached to itwere all Rue’s. He struggled to blink away the tears gathering in his eyes as he got up and strode to Dad, grabbing his arm to haul him up. There was a flicker of surprise before Rue pulled him in and gave him a crushing hug. The air expelled with force out of him when Dad returned the hug just as hard.
Never one to show affection, Rue clung on and gave in to the need. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Dad. I didn’t trust you and Popi.”
Dad squeezed tight and kissed his forehead. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You’re my son, I love you, and nothing will change that. What happened to you was a crime. Same to your birth parents and brother.” Dad eased his hold to be able to look Rue in the eye. “Through tragedy came a gift to us, you. If I could have given you back what was stolen, I would have. I’d have sold my soul to prevent the trauma you and your family suffered.”
A sob tore from Rue’s throat. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you and Popi after—”
“If you’re gonna say it’s your fault, I might just have to paddle your ass. Nothing about who you are can justify what the crash did to your family.Nothing!”
The steel in his voice came wrapped in silk, but it was still there.
“I love you, Dad.”
For the first time, Rue witnessed tears in Dad’s eyes. “I love you, too. Never forget that.” Another tender kiss to his forehead, and Rue gave in and rested his head against the solid chest that smelled like home. “Now, shall we talk about Kendrick and Monty?”
“Daddddd!” he groaned, but with some amusement.
“What? It seems you’ve found men who see beyond your walls, and I couldn’t be happier for you.”
Rue tugged back, resigned yet relieved, too. He wanted to talk. “I told them about…everything.”
The smile of approval that lit Dad’s eyes made it hard to swallow. “I figured. They must be very special to you.”
“They are… Monty… he loves me.”
Dad nodded like he expected nothing else. “And Kendrick?”
“Hang on… you knew? About Monty?”
“Let’s just say the omega wasn’t as discrete at hiding his adoration when he was around you.”
Rue frowned. No, he hadn’t missed that, had he? “Huh! Seriously?” It was best not to think too hard on the subject, because otherwise he’d have to consider his brothers could have noticed too!
“Yes, you were just in denial. He’s perfect for you.”
“Honestly, I don’t think I want to have this conversation.”
He didn’t like how Dad laughed, shaking his head at him. “Then we can talk about your alpha, Kendrick.”
