“Try not to marry him off too young,” I tell Kit, teasing, and she rolls her eyes.
Roderick snaps the carrier again, then hands me the carry-on with an easy, practiced motion.“I’ll grab the stroller,” he says.“Barrett, lead the way.”
I want to tell him that there are people who’ll get everything for them later, but ...I won’t.For a change, he can be the doting father and not the rockstar who gets everything handed to him all the time.
We step off the pad in a crooked line.The house waits at the top of the path, and for the span of that walk—a handful of breaths and a field of frost—it feels like we are exactly where we should be.
“So ...this sibling reunion,” Kit says as we walk.“When does it start?”
“They’re already in,” I answer, keeping my voice low.“Rhodes, Alfie, Julian—everyone.”
“Is everyone staying a few days?”Roderick mumbles.“Did Alec and Dexter come too?”
“As much as we’d love a full reunion, we thought it’d be best to keep it to the five of you,” I say, careful.Hoping they understand that Cleo is here.
Rod shoves the door open, and the scent from the kitchen hits us: the smell of coffee, the low murmur of people gathered, and Eddie coming down the stairs.
“Why the fuck are we here?”Rod asks as soon as we’re inside of the house.
“Language.”Kit glares at him, and he flinches, mouthing ‘sorry.’
“Simple,” I add before anything else can swell.“We needed you here.In person.Not on a call.”
Eddie’s hand finds the banister as he steps down.“And because there are questions we can’t answer on a line,” he says.“But we’ll tell you what we can.”
Rod looks at the mug like it might explode.He doesn’t touch it.“Is my sister alive?”
“Yes,” Eddie responds, “But that has to stay in this house.”
Rod exhales like someone who’s held his breath for days—the sound of surrender and relief folding out of him.He looks smaller for a second, and Kit closes the distance without thinking.She settles against him like a practiced habit: one arm around his waist, the other cupping the back of his head, fingers threaded into his hair.She presses her mouth to his temple, murmuring, “It’s okay.She’s alive.Breathe with me.”Her voice is soft and sure, as if trying to smooth the edges off panic.
Then she glances at me, “Is she okay?”She presses her lips together and takes a deep breath.“Is she hurt?”
My jaw works.“Yes,” I respond right away.“She’s alive.She’s healing—not the way you’re imagining in this moment.Cleo will explain what she thinks is necessary.”
Roderick glares at Eddie.“Why is my sister with you?”He studies the house.“In one of your mansions?”
“It seemed like the best place to bring her after—” Eddie stops himself.“Listen, you have to talk to her, and then if she feels like it’s necessary that I fill the blanks, I will do it.”
“When can we see her?”Roderick finally asks.
Down the hall, the pool whispers.There’s the faint squeak of a bare foot on tile.I lift my head, listening.Eddie’s gaze flicks to me.I nod:I’ve got him.You check.He disappears toward the glass room.
Rod catches the exchange.“So you two are finally together?Or still pretending nothing’s happening?”
I let out a sigh.“We’re working on our relationship.Yes.”It’s not the whole truth—the reality is messier than he’d ever imagine.And I doubt he’s ready for the details because they include his little sister.
He’ll probably want to maim me.
Before Rod can react, Eddie reappears in the doorway—only he isn’t alone.Cleo trails a half-step behind him, wearing a simple dress.She looks equal parts thrilled, nervous, and overwhelmed.This isn’t her first hello.Rhodes and Julian showed up four hours ago, Alfie an hour after that.I’m just grateful he didn’t bring the Duchess, because that would’ve been awkward as fuck.Cleo isn’t exactly her biggest fan.
Rod doesn’t move.Kit goes very still, then leans forward as though her body answers before her mind does.And then?—
They—Cleo and Kit—break into a run.
The next moment is a blur of arms and tears, their words tumbling over each other in a half-sobbed rush.Laughter mixes with cries, like best friends who’ve been apart too long and finally get to say everything at once.
“Hi,” she says, voice hoarse from not being used for this kind of hello.
