Page 68 of Her Courage

Monica shook her head at her twin's antics, but I caught the hint of a smile on her lips. "I'm curious about the same thing though."

Kaleb looked like he wanted to melt through the floor. Or possibly run screaming from the room. "Fine. Fine." He held up his hands in surrender. "We're in a... polyamorous relationship. The four of us. We care about each other, support each other, and yes, we're all together romantically."

"Do the guys—" Sierra started, but Andrei cut her off with a growl.

"No."

She blinked. "I didn't even finish my question."

"You were going to ask if Kaleb, Colby, and I are romantic or sexual with each other," Andrei said flatly. "The answer is no. We're all straight. We share Lottie because she's ours, but we're not involved with each other that way."

"Oh." Sierra nodded, processing. "Okay. So it's like... three spokes and one hub?"

"I hate that analogy but yes," Kaleb muttered, scrubbing his hands over his face.

I couldn't hold back anymore. Laughter bubbled up from my chest, breaking through the tension that had gripped me since the restaurant. Kaleb looked so utterly uncomfortable trying to explain our relationship dynamics to his baby sisters that it was simultaneously endearing and hilarious.

"I'm sorry," I gasped between giggles. "I'm sorry, Daddy K, but your face⁠—"

He shot me a look that promised retribution later, but his lips twitched despite himself.

Sierra joined my laughter, her earlier hysteria transforming into genuine amusement. "Oh my god, Kale. You look like someone's forcing you to explain the birds and the bees to a kindergarten class."

"Feel free to stop helping," Kaleb said dryly, but the corners of his mouth finally curved upward.

Even Monica allowed herself a small smile, some of the tension leaving her rigid posture.

The moment of levity was exactly what we needed—a brief respite from the darkness of Patrice's actions. A reminder that even in the midst of chaos, we could still find reasons to laugh.

To live.

"So basically," Monica said, her tone turning serious again, "Mom tried to poison all of you because you wouldn't give her money?"

"Among other reasons," Kaleb confirmed. "But yes, that was the catalyst."

"What a bitch," Sierra muttered, then glanced at me apologetically. "Sorry, Lottie. No offense if you don't like cursing."

I waved a hand, wiping tears of laughter from my eyes. "Trust me, I have a mouth like a sailor. No judgment here."

"I like her," Sierra declared, squeezing my hand again.

"Me too," Monica agreed quietly, surprising us all.

Kaleb exhaled slowly, some of the weight visibly lifting from his shoulders. Having his sisters' support—their acceptance not just of our relationship but of the severity of Patrice's actions—seemed to steady him in a way nothing else had.

"There's more we need to discuss," Andrei said, his tone gentle but firm. "About security. About what happens next."

"I know." Kaleb straightened, his hand finding mine. "But first, I think we should eat. Clara made enough food to feed an army."

"Food sounds amazing," Sierra admitted. "I was too nervous to eat before coming over."

As we all rose to head to the kitchen, I caught Oscar's gaze lingering on Monica again. This time, she noticed too, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks before she looked away.

Very interesting indeed.

Whatever else happened with Patrice—whatever threats still loomed—at least we weren't facing them alone.

We had family. The one we'd chosen, and the one that chose us back.