Chapter 21
I was never in love. I was never loved, so I’ve never believed in it or thought I’d ever experience it. Yet, I doubt that what I feel for Mia is just love. It’s so uncontrollable and intense that I feel my brain chemistry being altered, my damn heartbeats pumping her name, and my body is addicted to having her near.
When did it happen? No idea because I have kept burying and stomping out whatever she ignited in me since the beginning. I’ve been struggling to stay away and failing, trying to keep her from getting involved in my clusterfuck of a life. Even after my confessions, she is still here, but she doesn’t know what I did. That’s why I will never understand why Cassandra brought me back, but I no longer care. Only Mia will have the power to chase me away. And while I hope she doesn’t, it wouldn’t matter. Without her, I don’t care much about my life. It never meant anything to me until she looked at me as if I were someone worthy of her love and attention.
My mood worsens as I drive through the campus gates. At my house, I had everything I needed: her and nature. But I have done everything for my friends, so I can’t abandon them in this tough time just because I want to be selfish and live a little for once. I have a reason to live—it’s her, and I would shout my truth from the top of my lungs.
When I park in front of our house, she casts a glance my way and nods in assurance, filling my veins with strength and pumping my insides with determination. Taking her hand in mine, we walk inside.
Hunter jumps from the couch, and then he notices our fingers linked together. I am ready for a confrontation. Celine places a hand on his arm, squeezing to keep him in place.
Kaden nods his approval as he nurses a drink, while Abi and Dane are cuddled together on the couch. Dane gives me a thumbs-up, and Abi smiles fondly.
Hunter approaches us, and Mia lets go of my hand to hug him, which doesn’t sit well with me. At all.
He’s her damn brother, I keep telling myself, trying to quench this irrational jealousy and burst of possessiveness. It doesn’t work, so I drag her back to me, and she giggles.
Dane, the asshole, bursts into laughter. “Oh, man. You’re so fucked.”
Hunter shakes my hand, applying pressure while I smirk in his face. I don’t feel a damn thing, but I don’t want Mia to constantly have to play pacifier between us.
“I’d die for your sister.”
He leans into me. “I hope you do. Don’t forget what I said.”
“Are you two done already?” Mia asks, annoyance threading through her voice, and we separate.
“Where is Bailey?” I ask no one in particular.
Hunter tenses, and I give him a knowing look while the asshole glares at me.
“She’s going through the emails and phone calls of the student who took the pic,” he replies.
Celine and Abi steal Mia from me, and I watch until they disappear at the top of the steps. I can’t help but want to hold on to her.
“Welcome to the club, asshole,” Kaden says, and I move to the couch. A bottle of whiskey rests on the table beside an empty glass.
“Why are you drinking so early?” I ask.
Dane rubs his palms together, enjoying Kaden’s distress. “These two will soon be stepbrothers.”
“Fuck you,” Hunter says.
“Fuck off,” Kaden grumbles.
“Wait, what the fuck?” I ask, not understanding.
“Cillian and Christine are together,” Dane reveals.
I throw my head back, laughing.
Kaden pins me with an intent look. “Thank you, asshole.”
“I didn’t see that coming.”
“Neither did we,” Hunter mumbles.
“Stop being selfish assholes and be happy for them,” Dane gives.
“Look who is talking? The one who had a beef with his stepfather for years,” Kaden says.
“That’s why I am telling you to do better.”
Dane has changed so much that it makes me wonder if even for us, the thoroughly fucked up guys, there’s a chance at happiness. He’s the living proof. His demons are also big, but apparently, they don’t stand a chance when it comes to Abi.
“I hope you’re not thinking of my sister right now,” Hunter growls. “Look at that fucker spacing out.”
“Of course I am thinking of my woman.”
Mia might be his sister, but she’s mine. Just fucking mine.
“Stop with this shit. I have a headache,” Kaden says, rubbing his temples.
I can’t help myself, so I approach him and place a hand on his shoulder.
“Your mother has needs, too. Don’t be selfish.”
Hunter and Dane burst into laughter while Kaden jumps up and chases me around the room.
“You asshole.”
“Sex helped you, too.” I egg him on.
“You’re the one to talk, asshole. You’re strutting around, it’s a wonder your chest doesn’t puff out like a peacock and your ass doesn’t sprout feathers.”
“Never talk about your sex life again, Blake,” Hunter shakes.
“Don’t listen to him. Tell us more,” Dane encourages me, his chest rocking with amusement.
Hunter moves to attack Dane, and we goof around until Bailey comes downstairs. A smile graces her lips when she sees us, but then a shadow crosses her face, dimming the brief moment of joy.
“I found something.” She opens her laptop, revealing a map. The location is in the middle of fucking nowhere.
“They might be here. I can’t guarantee it because whoever is helping them is incredibly good. I will spare you the technicalities, but the image of the land is blurred.”
“What are we waiting for?” Hunter asks.
“Didn’t you listen?” Bailey huffs at him. “I can’t see what is around there, and that means I am blind.”
“Bailey, it’s okay. We’ll be careful,” I assure her.
“I told Cassandra and suggested she send her team first.”
“Why would you do that?” Hunter asks, raising his voice.
“Exactly because of your damn reaction, so eager to chase after them, putting your lives in danger. She said she doesn’t like the thought of us getting involved in the mission.”
“Well, then let’s vote,” he says through gritted teeth.
“You’re so damn stubborn. Let me get the girls,” Bailey says.
The moment she is out of earshot, all of us are deep in thought.
“Celine won’t stay away, and I need to be there,” Kaden declares.
“Abi is so eager to kill Felix. And I won’t rest until I know those fuckers are found and dealt with once and for all.”
As Kaden and Dane share a look, the undercurrent of worry is present. I understand that feeling now because I would rather lock Mia up than expose her to danger.
“At least they have some experience. Bailey, on the other hand…” Hunter expels a long sigh ringing of frustration.
“Focus on the mission. Bailey does what she always does—stays in the shadows and makes sure we don’t go in blind,” Kaden says. “Let me call Cassandra and convince her to let us in on the mission. As long as there is a rat in the Family, we can only trust each other.”
He looks at me, and I dip my chin in confirmation. I can’t hold a grudge to save my life. We’re brothers, and that will never change.