Chapter 40
We stand on the doorstep. Finn looks like he wants to get back in the car and go home.
He’s been here enough times to know that there’s nothing but love and support for all of us.
It also means he knows just how bat shit crazy the meals can be, along with Pops’ reaction to anything to do with his boys.
“Ready?” I ask, reaching for the door handle. Finn nods, and I open it and step inside.
I can hear voices, lots of voices coming from the kitchen. Those fuckers got here early; they said they’d let us come first so Pops could get all his craziness over and done with before they arrived. “Those arseholes,” I grumble under my breath and take Finn’s hand.
“You saw the cars, babe.” I kiss his temple while he grumbles under his breath about hiding bodies.
When we step into the kitchen, everyone is sitting around the large dining table, the place where every important decision or explanation happens. All eyes turn to us, my brothers all suppressing smirks.
“Oh good, you’re here, Drake; we’ve been waiting for you. And it’s nice you’ve brought Finn,” Pops says blithely and heads towards the oven. Then stops, twirls around, and looks at us again. Or more like he looks at our hands, our joined hands. “Drake, what’s all this? Are you two together?"
“Yeah, we are. It’s been a couple of months now,” I tell him and wait for his wrath.
“Two months and you’re only telling us now?” He looks at the table, his eyes narrowing. “Did you all know about this? You can’t have; Memphis can’t keep a secret for love nor money.”
Royal barks out a laugh and kisses Memphis’ head. “We found out Friday; they were at Bound. So, calm yourself, Pops. You’re going to blow a gasket.”
Pops rushes to us, pulling us into a hug. “I’m so happy for you both. It’s wonderful to see Drake so smitten.”
“Calm down, don’t get us married yet,” I tell him. “It’s early days, but it’s good, really good.” I lean into Finn, who kisses my temple.
“Sit down; it’s all ready,” Pops waves his hand towards the table.
There are two empty seats; the one next to Saint because Noah likes to kneel rather than sit. The other is one between Dad and Knox. I take that one as Finn sits next to Saint and Royal. Conversations start up again as we all pile food onto our plates.
Memphis is talking about the office space they’re moving into. It sounds like it’s purpose built for smaller businesses; it also has meeting rooms available to hire. It sounds perfect for my needs, too, and the chance to see Finn during the day is a bonus.
“I think I’ll speak to the agency about one,” I declare, making heads turn to me. I fill them in on my new venture, and I can see the pride in Dad’s face.
He gives my shoulder a squeeze. “I’m glad you’re back for good, son. And congratulations for finding your person.”
“Yeah, me too.” I give him a smile, because I can’t put into words all the things I’d like to say to thank them for everything they’ve done.
Knox nudges me with his elbow; I look at him. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just wanted to say thanks for that research you got me. It was just what I needed.” There’s a tinge of pink on his cheeks.
“Do you know him, or are you interested in getting into MMA?” It wouldn’t surprise me if he wanted to do that. He’s hard as nails. I’ve seen him box, and he can be brutal.
“Something like that, yeah.” God, he keeps things so close to his chest. But I’m right: he’s definitely blushing.
I let the subject drop and catch up with other conversations.
Noah has stopped kneeling now; Saint has him on his knee.
Saint’s fingers play with the hair as Noah’s nape.
These two are the real deal, the top tier of relationships.
The communicate without even using words.
I suppose with the full-time Dom/sub lifestyle, they have to be able to read each other.
I can feel eyes on me and look left and see Finn is watching me. When our eyes meet, his gaze is full of warmth and a little mischief. I smile at him; he matches it, and I wonder if maybe, in time, we’ll have the same as my brother.
Then I remember something I wanted to speak to Saint about. “It’s your lucky day, Saint. I’m going to let you loose on my skin. When can you fit me in?”
The whole table goes quiet; they’ve always asked why I didn’t have any and have given a boring reason, like not being around enough, there was never enough time.
Finn knows the truth, and I realise that the newest member of our family knows more about me than the people I’ve known for over fifteen years.
“Hell, yeah. Do you want to start this afternoon? Do you know what you want? How big?”
Which is how I find myself in Saint’s studio with all my brothers and both Saint and Noah sketching my idea.
I want an eagle on my back between my shoulder blades, its wings over my shoulders and down my arms. Saint is doing his drawing in black and grey while Noah is using colour.
They are both so talented; I know it’s going to be hard to choose.
I wish they would let me watch, but apparently it needs to be a surprise.
“This is a big piece, bro. Are you sure you want to start with this. It’s going to take more than one sitting,” Knox asks. He’s covered in ink, so I guess he knows what he’s talking about.
“I know, but I’ve waited this long. I might as well go big.” I laugh. I’m probably talking out of my arse, and yep, it’s gonna sting like a bitch. I want it though.
Finn walks up to me and wraps his arms around my waist. “There’ll be no flogging your back for a while; it will take time to heal. Plus, Saint will kill me if I damage it in any way.”
“You’ll just have to find other ways to torment me.
” I kiss his cheek, happy that I’m now able to do this in front of my brothers and how good it feels to be with him like this.
I’ve never had this before. My time with John in the Army was always on the downlow.
Rafe was obviously a no-go on any display of affection around others.
I’m twenty-nine, and I’ve never had an out and proud relationship, and so far, it feels so good.
It only takes them around half an hour to get the basic sketch done. Both have turned the paper over. “Are you ready?” Saint asks, his mouth hitched up in one corner, in an almost smile. Noah is grinning, looking like he has a secret, which I suppose at the moment he has.
“Just turn them over,” Knox grumbles.
Saint flips the paper over, and I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
He’s drawn the most exquisite eagle; the detail on the head with a sharp beady eye is so real, the broad span on its open wings displays each individual feather.
I can imagine wearing it for the rest of my life. We all let out a collective “Wow!”
Then it’s Noah’s turn. We all go silent. I know my mouth drops open, and Saint lets out a low whistle. Noah has taken my idea of an eagle to another level and has drawn a griffin. The gold of the body and wings looks like fire. Its head still the majestic eagle watching over everything.
Saint throws his hands up with a huff. “Noah does it again. If you don’t choose that one, Drake, you’re crazy.”
“Yeah, I think it’s got to be. Noah, thank you. I can’t wait for you to start it,” I tell him as I pick up the paper and look more closely at it.
“What? No. You wanted Saint to do it. I don’t mind if he takes over.” He’s shaking his head, looking up at his Dom, but Saint is already shaking his head.
“This is your art, babe. Drake’s happy with you doing it, right, brother?” Saint has his hand on the back of Noah’s collar, and with a gentle tug, I watch Noah sigh into the touch.
“More than happy, Noah. It will be an honour to have you do this. Saint can do another one,” I tell him, my eyes flickering from his face to the collar.
I wonder if Finn will want to collar me; I’ve worn them in a scene, but this is different.
Accepting a collar is a commitment, a joining.
We don’t know each other enough yet, but I do know I love him and want a future with him.
I arrange an appointment with Noah for next week.
He’s going to do this on his day off, so I’ll be sure to tip him appropriately.
“I’ll see you later,” I say to him, and he looks shyly at me.
We don’t know each other too well, but I make a note to change that.
I think friendship between subs is important, and Memphis clicked with Noah when he was recuperating.
Is it time for me to leave my past work behind me and focus on being the new Drake, one who can relax and be a sub and let Finn be my protector from now on?
I don’t know how easy it will be, but I can try.
I think we’re going to need lots of visits to Bound to get my head in the right space and not just being his sub in the bedroom or in a scene.
For the first time in a long time, I’m excited about my future.
The time I spent with Rafe will always hold a piece of my heart, and I know he feels the same way.
He’s happy for me, and while he’s not ready to leave the life he has now, he’s happier than he’s been for a long time.
I know someone is out there for him to find, and the wait will all be worth it.
For me, I’m already there and that’s because I’ve found the right person to be with.