Fosca slightly tilts her head.“I think some are the older generation.”
I follow her line of sight and see Zara and Levan’s...bare fucking ass.
My hand is covering my woman’s eyes as I quickly escort her into the kitchen.Our son is at the counter, chopping vegetables.Eyes closed, legs slightly spread and thrusting.Motherfucker.
“Neptune,” I growl.“How many times do I need to tell you not to astral project when humans are on the premises.”
“Fine,” he grumbles and dissolves after a few ripples, like a stone hitting the water before sinking down.
Fosca turns to me.“You saw him outside, didn’t you?”
Placing the bag on the counter, I tell her, “Are we staying in the kitchen or ditching the party to take an early flight?I’m done with these horndogs.”
Her arms slide around my waist and she tilts her head back to stare at me.“You know we’re going to see your niece, her old man, and her father only one last time.Calling her will be different and no visits.They are mortal.You don’t want to slip away, you want to say goodbye.”
I gently brush my nose against hers.“Yeah, you’re right.”
“Always am,” she fires back with a load of sass.
“Then we’re heading into the yard.I don’t want you to see any of the brother’s bare asses.”
She rolls her eyes.“You do know I’ve been living with you here for the past two decades, right?”
“Don’t care, darlin’.Your eyes are mine, and I determine what you’re allowed to see, and if it’s a bare ass?It better be mine.”
Her head tips back and a bark of laughter rips from her.She might think it’s funny, but I’m dead serious.
She laces her fingers with mine.“Come on, let’s mingle.”
We walk through the hallway, and out the back door.More firepits light the backyard.People are drinking, dancing, sitting at tables, while Shock is grilling burgers.
“Hey, you,” Norie’s cheerful voice reaches my ears.
Stepping closer, I give her a hug and it might be a longer one than normal.She’s aging and at a point where she looks so much like my damn sister.Fuck.Her mother would have been damn proud to see her now.
Their son, Rhymes will take over the gavel from Fatal, but it will take another five years for that to happen.In those five years we will still be going back and forth from time to time.They know we’re not fully human, but they’ll never question anything.
Trusting mortals with supernatural details is a huge risk that can cause an imbalance.It’s why having a baby with a human for our kind causes for the fated mate bond to shatter.My sister was right to make that choice.I knew she did it for her own safety.She must have sensed something was wrong with Cassius when she made her choice to run.
“I’m going to miss you,” I murmur, and give her a little squeeze.
Norie looks at me through watery eyes.“Same here.”
She switches from me to Fosca and hugs her tight.“You too.”
“Okay, folks.This is supposed to be a party.No tears, babe,” Fatal states and pulls his old lady against him.
I lift my chin in greeting.“How is the old fart?”
“Swade?”Fatal grins.“Couldn’t get his ass on a bike and he didn’t want to ride in a cage for five hours.”
I chuckle, but it’s actually sad.The man my sister chose to break her fatal bond is getting old.One day Norie will lose her father.Old age, something we don’t have to worry about.We won’t die unless we lose our head, and still we will look as young as we were the day we became an adult.
Triton wanders over and hands us a few beers.We turn to watch the young members shoot the shit with one another.Every generation creates their own opportunities and mark on this world.Our son will have his chance now.His time has come to lead the Lexmore Beach chapter the way he wants.
Karev is going with us, so he will need to pick his own VP.Not my business to decide who that’ll be.The only thing on my mind will be Fosca, and the new beer we’ll be brewing in Italy.Yeah, that sounds fuckin’ fantastic.I hold out my beer and Triton gently bumps the neck of his bottle against mine.He’s coming with us as well.
Lucan is standing near a firepit, along with his old lady, Zipporah.I nod in greeting, earning one in return.A reminder of the fallen brothers, new friends, and a solid brotherhood.Good men, good things, need to be remembered.The past is what the future is built on.A necessity to get to where we are.
