“Children. Would you like some?”
“Fuck yes. Rain and I both do. Don’t care who the biological father is, because we’d bring the kid up between us. That’s part and parcel of being a family. Do you want kids?”
“Yup, and I’ll ensure they have a better life than my cousins, Thatch and I.”
“You were abused?” Shotgun ground out and straightened.
Damn, that was hot! “Physically and mentally, no. Emotionally, yes. Maybe I should give you a little background. Gramps and Nana are working-class people who created an empire. But they stayed grounded. They had four sons, who became entitled snobs, along with their wives.
“We kids were left alone with nannies and au pairs. Our parents went on many vacations and so on, and we rarely saw them. They packed all of us off to boarding school and told our grandparents we didn’t want to come home. Obviously, because if we did during school breaks, that impacted them because theyhad to parent us! When Nana discovered what was happening, she threatened to sell their prized possessions: the yachts, ski cabins, everything.”
“Even though they weren’t in her name?” Shotgun asked.
“Yup. Because she’d have sacked my dad and uncles, and they’d have had to sell to maintain their lifestyle. In return for not forcing this, Nana and Gramps demanded we attend day school and go home during the week. However, from Friday night to Monday morning, they would have us, and for every single vacation, including Christmas.” I took a deep breath. It was never easy admitting you weren’t wanted.
“And they just handed you all over?” Shotgun sounded incredulous.
“Yeah. Weird, isn’t it? Some families get one selfish asshole; somehow, Gramps and Nana ended up with four. Although they do state that we grandkids came out normal.” I chuckled.
“Don’t do that. Don’t downplay the hurt,” Shotgun said.
“I’m not. I’m past caring about what anyone thinks or says. We got lucky with Gramps and Nana. And I think Dad and the uncles are about to realise what assholes they’ve been, if they’re capable of that, that is. At Gramps’s birthday dinner the other month, he took control of the company from them and handed it to my brother and cousins.
“My uncles and Dad are now kicking their heels. Last week, they realised they weren’t getting their generous wage for doing shit anymore. Plus, access to their trust funds has been cut off. Nana and Gramps have had enough. What they did to Aubrey was Gramps and Nana’s line in the sand.”
“Aubrey?” Shotgun asked.
“Madam Mischief.”
“Ah.”
“So, you’ve got your baggage, I’ve got mine. But the one thing I won’t do with my family is hide a relationship. You and Rain maynot be out around your families, but it’s not acceptable to keep this a secret from mine. That’s a no-go,” I stated firmly.
“Won’t they judge?”
“Nope. A couple might even be jealous.”
Shotgun laughed. “You’re telling me nobody would say anything?” he sounded disbelieving.
“Shotgun, you expect judgement. But my family never throws shade on somebody because those who should have protected us have done it to us. Think what you will. But if we’re going to consider a relationship, you need to learn to trust.”
Shotgun studied my face as he ate his sandwich. “Three times Rain and I thought we might have found someone. The last time we really believed she was committed. Rowena. Turns out Rowena just wanted to be fuck buddies, and Rain and I were a shameful secret. There’s a reason I ain’t trusting, Allegra.”
“I get that. But you’re going to have to start somewhere.”
“True. But that will take time.”
“Will we live together?” I asked next, and Shotgun nodded.
“Yeah, and probably in the Hellfire compound if they accept me. If they don’t, then we’ll go elsewhere.”
“And sleeping arrangements?” I inquired, blushing slightly.
“Same bed, unless one of us really needs a break. You’d better get used to being a sandwich. But most husbands and wives sleep together; we’d be no different.”
“Date nights?”
“Rain and I discussed this. We think we should have a couple’s date night once a week. One week, you and I, the following week, you and Rain, the week after Rain and me, and then all three of us. That gives everyone quality time and ensures no one is being overlooked.”
