Chapter 24 Zoe
ZOE
Tomas walks into the theatre room.
Gracie and I are curled up on the couches with a big bowl of popcorn between us. “What are you two doing?”
“We’re watching Mateo,” I say. This show is my new guilty secret. I won’t lie, watching Mateo kissing and fake fucking all these women on the show stings, but I’m still addicted to it. It’s so bad it’s good.
“I’ll leave you both to that. Mateo is painting in the studio. I have some work to do in my office, and Enrique has had to fly back to Barcelona for work.”
I notice Gracie sit up a little more at this information.
Tomas smiles at her. “He will be back on the weekend.” I think he has clicked that someone has a crush. He kisses my temple and walks out of the room.
“Spill, what is going on between Enrique and you?”
Gracie looks shocked and digs into the popcorn. “Nothing, nothing has happened. He is the perfect gentleman, which is frustrating. Who knows how long I’m going to be cooped up in this house that oozes sex from all its pores and I must sit alone in my room fiddling with myself?”
I roll my eyes. I love my sister, but her TMI can be out of control sometimes.
“Don’t act shocked. Seriously, those men ooze sex and so do you. It’s disgusting to the people on the outer.” She huffs.
“I’m sorry. So, is there any reason you like Enrique or is it a matter of convenience?”
“Zoe, I’m not like that. We spent a lot of time together before I arrived here.
I mean, it was a shock that he turned up on my doorstep and told me about what happened to you—as much as he could.
” She pops some more popcorn into her mouth.
“He’s intelligent, funny, that accent, that body …
plus he chases bad guys for a job. He’s kind of the whole package. ”
“So, I’m guessing you tried something for him to act like a gentleman?” I know my sister, and I’m pretty sure she would have made a move.
“I got a kiss last night when we left the dinner table. Well, he went to kiss my cheek, and you know the Spanish thing about kissing twice? Well, I might have accidentally turned my head at the wrong time and landed a kiss on his lips.”
I laugh because she has no shame.
“And then I may have grabbed him and pushed him up against the wall, and you know ….”
My eyes widen. She is absolutely scandalous.
“And he kissed me back, and it was wonderful, but then he pushed me away.” I can see the disappointment on her face. “He told me that nothing can happen while he’s working on your case, that your safety and bringing those men to justice is his main focus.”
“So, he hasn’t ruled anything out in the future then?”
She gives me a smile. “He needs to hurry up and catch the bad guys. Mama needs to get laid.”
I just sit back and shake my head at her. For such a smart girl she can have a one-track mind.
I’ve been putting off this phone call to my parents. How the hell do I explain to them I was kidnapped and sold by the mafia?
“I’m coming to get you. We will be on the next flight to Spain,” Dad says.
“No, please don’t. You’re not safe here, not until Nikolai is found. You are much safer there in the middle of the ocean.”
“But …” Mum begins.
“No, Mum, I mean it. Please, I have enough people to worry about here. I don’t need you two as well.” I sound like a bitch, but it’s the truth. It’s for the best, even though I want nothing more than to wrap myself in their arms.
“That motherfucker,” Mum swears. “I want to cut his balls off and then shove them down his throat.”
Gracie and I look at each other, then burst out laughing. I’ve missed Mum so much.
“You need to get in line behind me, Mum,” Gracie says.
“I’m sorry I pushed you to get out and have fun. You have my permission to never listen to me ever again.”
“Quick, Zoe, hit record. You will never ever get her to say that again.” Gracie laughs.
“Oh, hush you. I mean it, Zoe—I feel so guilty about pushing you into Nikolai’s arms.” I can see the anguish on her face.
“He fooled us all, but it’s not your fault. It’s no one’s fault except his.”
She nods, but I’m not sure she is fully on board.
“Who are these young men you are living with?” Dad interjects.
“Zoe’s in love with them. They are so going to get married and populate the world with hot people.”
I punch my sister in the arm.
“Ouch, you bitch.”
I’m giving her the filthiest of looks. As if they haven’t had to absorb enough tonight, now I’m going to have to spring on them that I’m in a triad relationship with the two men who found me. This was not how I wanted to introduce Mateo and Tomas to my parents.
“Zoe?” Mum says.
“I know you’ve been told a lot of stuff in a short amount of time, and I know you probably won’t understand how this all works, but …
” I take a deep breath. “I’m in love with the two men that found me and all three of us are together.
” I scrunch my eyes up and wait for the objections to come flying.
When I open my eyes, my parents look shocked. The moments tick by, and I have to double-check that the internet is still connected as they are so quiet.
“Two men?” Dad finally says.
Mum is still stunned, which is a first.
“Like I said, it’s hard to explain.” I can feel embarrassment creeping over my skin.
“Are they good men?” Dad asks.
“Yes, they are the best,” Gracie interjects. “They look after Zoe like she is their queen.”
I give my sister a smile.
“It’s all very …” Dad trails off.
“Different,” Mum finishes. “I think the word you’re looking for, dear, is different.”
“Yes, different,” Dad mumbles.
“They are amazing men—kind, handsome, smart, loyal.”
Silence filters through the computer again.
“It’s just a little … different,” Mum says again.
“Please, don’t hate me because of this.”
“Sweetheart, we could never hate you. We love you, we always will, no matter the choices you make. It’s unconventional …” She gives me a smile.
“And will we ever get to meet these men?” Dad asks.
“Yes, we’d like to thank them for rescuing you,” Mum adds.
“Traveling isn’t doable at the moment,” I tell them.
“Are they there in the home? Can we meet them now?” Mum asks.
Gracie and I look at each other. She gives me a shrug.
“Now?” This seems a little rushed.
“Yes, now. Why not get everything out on the table,” Mum adds.
“Um, okay, I’ll go grab them.” I jump up out of my seat and run through the house. I find them curled up on the sofa watching TV.
“Is everything okay?” Tomas asks.
“My parents want to meet you … and they know we’re in a relationship together.”
The smiles drop from their faces.
“And?” Tomas asks hesitantly.
“They were shocked, but I think they’re okay. They just want to meet the two men who rescued me.”
They follow me back to Tomas’s office, and I don’t blame them for being a little hesitant.
“Mum, Dad, I would like to introduce you to Mateo and Tomas.”
“Oh, my lord, you two are gorgeous,” are Mum’s first words.
This makes them chuckle.
Dad launches into a huge monologue about how much he owes them for saving me.
Damn him, I have something in my eye now.
Tomas and Mateo handle my parents expertly, and by the end of it they are all joking as if they were always part of the family.
“Okay, well, when this is all over, we want to come and thank you both properly,” Mum says.
“Of course, you are most welcome,” Tomas answers.
“Great. Now, move along so we can talk about you behind your backs,” Mum jokes.
“Sorry, Mum has a strange sense of humor,” I say to the boys. They both laugh and blow her kisses through the computer.
“Have they left yet?” she whispers.
I nod.
“Frank, can you please leave the room? I would like to talk to my daughters.”
Dad knows what’s coming and quietly leaves the room.
“Are those men real? Because I’m sorry, Zoe, they are the most beautiful creatures I have ever laid eyes on.”
Gracie and I burst out laughing.
“They are even hotter in real life.” Gracie rubs it in.
“Well, I’m proud of you, sweetheart, pulling two hot guys like that, you obviously take after your mother.”
I choke on my drink.
“Can I ask a personal question?”
My eyes widen. If Mum has to ask permission, it must be bad, she usually just blurts it out.
“Go on.”
“Do they, you know? Are they into each other?”
I can see she is a little embarrassed by her question.
“Yes, Mateo and Tomas were in a relationship with each other first. They are both bisexual.”
Mum starts fanning herself. “As long as you’re happy, sweetheart, then that is all I care about, but I can see instantly that those two boys have feelings for you.
Please, girls, stay safe, I love you both so much.
I’m so worried and wish I was closer and nothing you can say can change that.
I’m your mother, it’s my job to worry. I’m here if you need me for anything. ”
Gracie and I are both in tears.
“We love you, Mum,” we say to the screen.
“Love you two and also those boys. I can’t wait till I get to squish those hot bodies in real life.” And with that the line cuts dead.
“That went well,” Gracie says.
“The Mateo and Tomas effect has claimed another.” We laugh as we join the boys back in the living room.