Chapter Thirty Two
Really? Right In Front Of My Enchiladas?
Stepping out of the black car, we stride towards my parents home.
I texted my family, once we were on dry land, that we were coming over.
This led to my mother calling me in tears.
I felt horrible telling her to wait two hours until our arrival but I couldn’t stomach listening to her sobs.
She thought her only daughter died and that was the first time since my “death” that she heard my voice.
With hesitant strides, we near the large oak doors.
I falter long enough that Ghost stops in his tracks to turn towards me.
“Hey, if this is too much we can always do this on another day.” He softly smiles at me while stroking each of my arms tenderly with his hands.
Shaking my head, I look him in the eyes and say, “No. I’m okay. It’s just nerves.” Such a weird concept for me, this knot in my stomach. I don’t get anxious, ever. It’s not in my nature. Though when it comes to something so monumental like Ghost, I lose all sense of myself.
He offers me an outstretched hand. Intertwining our fingers, we walk hand in hand until we make it to the doors.
Before I can knock, the door swings open to reveal Lucas.
Behind him are James and Ryon. The first thing I notice is that all of them are apparently thinner than they were before I “died”.
The second is the tears pooling into Lucas’s eyes.
His lip trembles and his stature starts to sway.
Rushing up, I wrap my arms around his neck and hold onto him like my life depends on it.
A cry breaks free from him as he shakes with sobs into my neck.
His arms snake around my midsection. I can’t help but cry too.
In sadness for him. For his fear. For all of the pain they have felt in such a short period of time.
Slowly, he releases me before wiping his eyes on his shirt sleeves.
I turn toward James and Ryon with open arms. Without hesitation they lurch forward and scoop me up, causing me to giggle in happiness.
I didn’t know I could feel so incomplete without them until this moment.
Pulling back, I place a hand on each of their cheeks and take a moment to look at them.
Memorizing the details of their faces for safe keeping, like carvings on a cave wall.
The sound of a clearing throat has us separating.
Standing feet away are my father, mother, and brothers.
Smiling, I walk towards them hugging my brothers first. Next, I turn to my mother.
She cries convulsively until finally she pulls away with a smile.
Finally, I turn to my father. We stand staring at one another for a while.
Neither moving nor giving away any emotion.
Before I have a chance to say something, he rushes towards me.
Pulling me into his chest, he kisses the top of my head.
For a moment, we are back to when I was six.
My knee cut from falling and him comforting me in a warm hug.
Pushing me to arms length, he looks me over before nodding once.
Stepping away, I look back to Ghost. He stands just behind me offering a supportive smile. My father encourages us to follow him into the den where we all end up sitting in various places.
“So? Is it done?” My father is the first to break the silence. Confusion paints my expression at his question. Is he asking about our engagement? I turn towards Ghost in a silent question.
“Not yet. We are waiting for the right opportunity.” Ghost says from next to me on the couch.
“I see. So then why does my daughter have a ring on her finger?” I whip my head to my father who sits staring at my left hand. Instinctively, I adjust the ring with my thumb.
“Didn’t see a reason to wait. My father will be dead soon enough.” Ghost states in a matter of fact way while leaning back against the plush couch with his arms resting high behind his head.
“That was not what we agreed upon.” My father’s tone rises enough that it causes the hair on the back of my neck to rise.
A low chuckle comes from next to me. Turning to its source, Ghost’s eyes now lack all emotion.
Like a psychopath, he continues to chuckle until it turns into a laugh.
Slowly, he readjusts until his elbows rest on his knees.
Looking my father in the face, with those dead eyes, he stops laughing.
The silence is more striking than moments ago when the room was filled with the sound of Ghost’s hysterics.
“With all due disrespect, Sir, you are not my Don. You are nothing more than a possible obstacle in my way to marrying Everly. Do not mistake me being agreeable as a white flag. The only reason you are getting away with raising your voice at me right now is that you sired the love of my life. So, as I said, I see no reason to wait. My father will die. That is for certain. We have a common enemy and I don’t miss my marks. My reputation and aim are perfect.”
“Until me.” I say, barely above a whisper. Finally, Ghost looks at me.