Chapter Eight BEX
Chapter Eight
BEX
By the time I pulled up in front of my parents’ home, I was a nervous wreck.
I’d called the family meeting in our family text group.
I also made sure everyone understood that it was urgent.
Jake had texted Mason a heads-up to make sure he didn’t worry.
At least not about attending. I had no doubt my twin wanted every single detail about Dominic.
My childhood home had been converted to the B&B my mother ran and my parents now made my grandparent’s cottage their home.
They did, however, extend somewhat to make room for when the grandchildren all slept over together.
They had four grandsons and two granddaughters with Cassie and Anna each pregnant with their second child.
That’s not counting the honorary grandkids like Skye and Aidan, and now I was adding Dominic and his siblings to the mix.
He had lost so much, and while I couldn’t replace the mother he’d had, I could give him the family I had.
Nosy uncles, a mischievous grandfather and a grandmother who didn’t know how not to love the people around her.
Dom will miss his mother in the same way I miss Debbie, for the rest of his life.
It wasn’t the same thing. Losing Debbie four years ago had nearly broken me so I couldn’t imagine losing my mom yet, and I wasn’t a fifteen-year-old boy.
But we’d make sure he never forgot he was loved. No matter where he landed.
Both my older brothers' cars were parked at the side of the house. Since there was only a two-car garage and no driveway, we all just parked where we could at family gatherings. Even with Mason on honeymoon and Brie’s sister looking after the twins and then Jake at Logan’s place, the house would still be quite busy.
Even Jared's car was parked outside. It took a long time to convince him that he was, in fact, family. And not just because he was the father of Debbie’s son.
Before I even made it to the porch, I spotted Cassie’s car driving up the single lane path. As she parked next to me, I tensed a little. I wondered why she hadn’t joined Jake at Logan’s place. Had Jake already told her?
She climbed out of the car and I smiled at her little bump which was slightly more pronounced than the day before because of the fitting dress she wore.
“Hey.” I met her gaze. “I wasn’t sure if you were coming.”
She pushed dark hair out of her face. “I wanted to make sure you don’t feel alone.”
“Did Jake —”
Cassie quickly shook her head. “He still hasn’t told me anything. Just that the rest of the family would be angry and he didn’t want you alone.”
Tears welled in the corners of my eyes and throat burned a little. “Thank you. But how do you know you won’t be mad as well.”
“I don’t know that. But I know I will still love you. And that’s why I’m here. To remind you that you are loved, no matter what you've done.”
She took my hand and together we walked through the front door of my parents’ home.
The first thing I noticed was that both my nephews, Cooper and Matteo, were in high chairs. That was something I would need to get as well. I hoped Dom had added it to the shopping list he was meant to send me.
Ollie and Nick were at the long dining table filled with leftover food from the wedding the day before.
Nick narrowed his eyes at me. “I didn’t expect to see you today. And definitely not looking so glum. Do I need to kick Logan’s ass?”
Oh god. “No.” I lifted both hands in a stop motion. “In fact, if we can resolve that there will be no kicking of Logan’s ass, this will all go a lot easier.”
Ollie lifted a brow. “As long as he didn’t do anything to hurt you.”
The irony of that statement was not lost on me. “No. He never hurt me.”
Both my brothers put their plates on the table and turned around. Almost simultaneously they crossed their arms.
My mother leaned forward. “The floor is yours, sweetheart. What’s on your mind?”
“I need to get all of this out before you guys interrupt me. Even if you’re mad.” I hugged my middle. “Let me finish before you yell or stomp off, okay.”
“Sweetheart, what is it?” My mother never answered my request,
My voice cracked as I responded. “Mom, please. Just let me finish.”
She nodded and gestured for me to continue. Cassie stood beside me and I took a moment to absorb her support. One more deep breath and I began. “In the summer between junior and senior year, I fell pregnant and…”
I told them how Logan had stood by me the entire time.
How Mason and Debbie were there for both of us.
I wasn’t sure the exact details behind Jake knowing but he’d vowed to keep it a secret.
Debbie had taken the secret to her grave.
The more I spoke, the more each face fell in front of me.
Anna and Lilly, my other sisters-in-law already knew the story since they did the investigation to make sure Dom was safe during the DeMarchis debacle.
If only we knew then that his life would be turned upside down.
My mother had tears streaming down her face but the look in those liquid eyes was one of pure disappointment.
Both Oliver and Nick’s jaws were set in stone.
My dad was the only one I couldn’t get a read on.
Considering I was a Daddy’s girl and only ever knew love and affection from him, I took that as a bad sign.
Tears were streaming down my face as well but I didn’t allow myself to give in to the emotions.
By the time I started winding down, I had told them everything up to how my son ended up at Logan’s front door.
I mentioned the danger he was in and that he had two little siblings in tow.
Before I could ask for the help I needed, my mom pushed herself off the couch and stomped out of the living room.
Several seconds later I heard the front door slam.
Ollie glared at me as he passed. “I’ll go and check on her.”
I bent over and grabbed my knees as the first sob escaped my lips. I knew they would be mad. My mother’s reaction was nothing short of what I expected. Still, it hurt and I wasn’t done. I needed their help.
Cassie pulled me onto the couch and knelt down in front of me. My dad pulled me into his arms and my sobbing only increased. He rubbed my back. “I’m mad as hell, Rebecca. But I’m here.”
Cassie stood and pulled her phone from her lap. “Do you want me to call Logan? He should be here for this.”
Quickly I shook my head. “Logan is exactly where he needs to be. Those kids have been through enough. I don’t want them to be here until things calm down.”
Nick frowned and scooted closer along the floor. “Aren’t they supposed to be in protective custody or something? How much trouble is he in, Bex?”
“Nicky, I know you’re mad. But you can yell at me later. I need to keep him and his siblings safe.”
Nick nodded and rolled his hand. “Tell me what’s happening.”
I told him how something about the stepdad seemed off to Dom. He seemed to be arguing with someone a few hours before he was murdered. I told him about Dom’s role in all of it and how their safe house was compromised and that he’d heard they wanted to separate him from his siblings.
“Nick, he ran away because they wanted to take away his only family.” I started crying all over again. “I will not let him lose any more than he already has. And I will fight with all that I have to make sure I don’t lose him, fail him, this time. But I can’t do it alone. I need your help.”
My brother let out a long breath. “Firstly, get in contact with the Marshals, find out why this is federal. If he’s in protective custody this early, then he knows more than he thinks. Use our name if you need to. They’ll know he's safe and secure.”
“Should I move him?” I stood and shoved my hands in my back pocket as I started pacing. “Do you think we should move to a safe house out of town?”
Nick shook his head. “That building is the safest place outside of our offices. Wherever we move him will need a full security system. It might be a little cramped but it's safe. If you don’t want to stay with Logan, one of us can camp on his couch. I’m assuming Ollie will be in, even if he doesn’t talk to you. ”
“I’m fine staying at Logan’s.” I smiled remembering the argument we had over the sleeping arrangements the night before. “But it should be noted, he will not let me sleep on the couch.”
“Well, of course not. He’s a good man. A smart man. Despite current evidence to the contrary.”
I rolled my eyes knowing I would be hearing comments like that for years to come. “Are you sure I should be making the calls?”
“You’re a Team Leader now. That’s part of the job.
” He pulled me in and kissed the top of my head.
“The Marshals will want to meet with us, I’ll be there for that.
You don’t allow the prosecuting attorney anywhere near any of you until you have your own lawyer present.
I’ll let Adam Walker know to expect your call. ”
“Thank you, Nicky. I appreciate this.”
“Let's go and see if Mom has calmed down a little. But this is going to take a long time to fix, Bex.”
I followed him outside. My mother had her head against Oliver’s chest. Slowly, I made my approach. “Mom?”
My mother pushed away from Oliver. “Rebecca, I cannot speak to you now.”
“That’s fine. I need to make some calls to keep Dom and his siblings safe, anyway…”
“Is that why…?”
“Dad will explain everything.” I pulled my phone from my pocket. “He arrived with little more than formula and some diapers. Do you think you can… I mean I have a list.”
“Rebecca, I raised six children of my own. I know how to shop for them.”
“Thanks, Mom. The little girl is four months old and the boy is nearly three.”
“This doesn’t mean you’re off the hook, Rebecca.”
I inhaled deeply, grateful my mother was the woman she was but still hurting that she was mad at me. “And, don’t I know it.”