My heart is beating triple time as I stare at the house where my parents live. It's not at all what I was expecting. I spot a lake around the back, smiling at it.
We all get out of the car, going to the front door.
Hunter moves to get in front of me, and I make a sound of aggravation.
“Just to be safe, Pretty Girl,” he explains.
I roll my eyes, but don’t argue.
Sometimes I feel warm and fuzzy at how protective my guys are with me. I understand how they show their love.
But, other times, it makes me want to scream in frustration. This is one of those times.
This is my parents. They won’t hurt me. I just have a feeling about that.
Frost is next to me and Valley on my other side. Ghost and Razor are directly behind me. Jax waited in the car, saying he didn’t want to interrupt a private moment.
Before Hunter can knock, the door swings open. An older man is on the other side. He's very handsome. Dark brown hair with streaks of gray, a solid jaw, and kind eyes. Green eyes.
My emotions clog my throat as I stare into the same eyes as mine.
“Caterina?” the man says with a trembling voice.
“Phoenyxx,” I respond.
He blushes. “Apologies… Phoenyxx. Please, come in, all of you.” My father widens the door, allowing us inside.
Inside there's a large living room with built-in bookshelves. A kitchen lies past that. I see a bathroom off to the side, and a gorgeous staircase spiraling up. The carpet is a soft, cream color, plush and thick. The walls are painted a pretty, light yellow. There are pictures on the walls, but I don’t look too closely at those just yet.
“Shall we have a seat?” My father invites us to sit down in the living room. I choose a leather sofa with wide cushions, and my guys sit on a sectional directly across from it. It's big enough to seat them all. Valley perches next to me, squeezing my hand in silent support.
“My name is Anthony,” my father says. “I will get Pamela,” he tells us, as he goes in search for what I assume is my mother.
Fat tears well up in my eyes. There are so many different emotions flying through me I can barely catch my breath. I’m so nervous!
My father walks back in with a beautiful brunette. She has long, curly hair trailing down her back. She’s curvy, like me, with alabaster skin just like mine. The same green eyes as mine look back at me.
She stares, tears rolling down her cheeks. She rushes over to me, kneeling to the floor.
“My Caterina... my God.” My mother is sobbing so hard she can’t speak well. She throws her arms around me, holding me to her.
“Phoenyxx,” I say with a hoarse voice as I squirm uncomfortably.
I try to say something, but my throat is clogged with emotion. I am surrounded by the comfort of my mother. MY MOTHER.
The feel of her pressing against me is almost too much. I can’t catch my breath. My God... I can’t believe this is even happening.
“Let her have some room, my darling,” my father says.
“Oh, I'm so sorry. I just never thought I would see you again.” My mother stands, moving next to my father.
My mouth opens, and I struggle for the millions of questions I have. Finally, I land on, “Why have you never found me? Did you even look?”
My father scrubs a hand over his brow. “We never stopped looking, Phoenyxx. And we never gave up hope.”
“I... I was taken by Synn's father for two years. Then the Solomons for another ten. They all abused me.” I’m sobbing now.
“Synn?” my father asks in confusion.
