Chapter Twenty-Six
Ben
The conviction from the night before pushed Ben out of bed early to shower alone. His two mates were asleep for now, giving him time to think about how to go about the next stages.
Dried and dressed in record time, Ben left the bedroom silently, padding barefoot down to the kitchen. His nose alerting him to who was in the kitchen already. At the cooker, his Mom cooked as if preparing breakfast to feed an army. Ben supposed that, in reality, it was for him and his brothers. Fighting for what was right, standing up for what they believed was for the greater good. Nico and Teilo wanted to be the same, only with a lot less fighting. After all they’d endured, Ben had no issue with ensuring they got what they both desired.
“There’s my cherub.”
“Really, Mom!” Ben checked that none of his brothers were around to rib him for the nickname Mom had called him since he’d started to walk, saying he looked like a sweet chubby cheeked cherub.
She swung around, a fish slice in her hand and pointed it at Ben, eyes flashing a warning he’d never ignore. “You will always be my cherub, no matter how old you get!”
“Cherub spitting his dummy out?” Felix looked sleepy-eyed as he walked past Ben to the counter, where he grabbed the coffeepot. “Anyone want one?”
“Please. And stop calling me cherub. Only Mom can do it. Unless you want to get your ass kicked?” Ben arched one brow and looked his brother up and down threateningly, but the disinterested man just slugged back the coffee like he was in desperate need of the caffeine hit.
“Give over. There’ll be no fighting.” Mom turned back to the stove and flipped the frying meat. “Now, who wants what?”
His brothers all filed in over the next couple of minutes, and Ben sat at the vast table, eyeing them all. “Last night, Nico and Teilo decided we’re going after the trainers and remaining scientists, then we’re done.”
“What does that mean, exactly?” Kylo asked before lifting the coffee mug to sip at the black, steaming liquid.
“Lots of fun and relaxation while my mates get to explore and live a full life. Experience all the things we take for granted.” Ben’s throat closed up at recalling how brave his men were to ask for what they both wanted.
“Then how do we make that happen for you?” Mao sat forward, his intense gaze fixed on Ben. “They deserve to live free and be happy.”
“Don’t we all?” Niro stared down at the mug between his hands, not meeting anyone’s gaze.
Ben looked at Kylo and tilted his head questioningly. Kylo shrugged. “What’s up, little brother?”
Niro finally looked up. “This life is hard, and I suppose I’m jealous that you have found your mates. I can see the brightness of the connection you all have. Me and my panther yearn for that.”
Ben reached over to take hold of Niro’s hand and squeeze it. “It took me quite some time to find them. You’re young and have lots of wild oats to seed still.”
The cuff to the back of Ben’s head was unexpected, and he slumped in the chair when his Mom walked back to the stove, muttering, “We’ll have less of that, young man.”
Niro didn’t let the subject drop. “Did that make you as happy as you feel with your mates?” Niro held his gaze, waiting for the answer, which he already had.
“No. Nothing compares.”
His mates walked into the room and Ben figured by the grin Teilo wore and the glint in Nico’s eyes, they’d heard his answer.
The activity increased around the table while the food was dished up and being devoured, stopping conversation for a little while.
Table cleared of the plates, Ben went back to the earlier conversation. “I need to ring the Thalassa brothers and ask for more favors. Then reach out to the council to vote for Beaumont, before resigning. Before I do that,” Ben’s gaze swept over his brothers, “Do any of you want to be put forward to take my place on the council?”
There were snorts and some swearing before Ben met the stare of the only person who’d not made a comment, Niro. “Niro?”
Ben held his cell phone in the palm of his hand, his finger flicking the side button to light the screen occasionally as he waited for Niro to answer.
Dark eyes, much like his own, glanced at Dad, then Kylo. “Maybe…”
Mao swore and got up from the table. He’d been the most vocal when Ben had left. “Why? Why would you want that?”
Niro didn’t back down and showed how much he’d grown since Ben had left. “Because there is more to the world than Paraguay. That what we do here isn’t enough for me. I feel trapped.” Niro glanced at Nico and Teilo. “Sorry, that was crass after everything…”
Nico nodded his head. “Not everyone needs a cage to feel trapped.” He tapped the side of his head. “You can be trapped in here with nothing to confine your body.”
