Chapter 7
I sighed in relief as I took a seat between Remy and Troy on Pop’s sofa.
Jaxson immediately took a seat in front of me, and I instantly began to run my fingers through his hair.
Lincoln, Noah, Drake, and Jaxson seemed super reluctant to let me leave their sights.
It was hard for them to even allow me to go to school this morning.
I knew their weird behavior had alerted the others and luckily, they had been patient enough to wait until I was ready to discuss it.
The room was packed once again with my men, siblings, Gavin, Sierra, Mercedes, Greg, Miranda, Megan, and Pops. Megan was handing out coffee while Miranda was passing out plates of pastries she got from the bakery this afternoon. I had refused both knowing I wouldn’t be able to eat or drink a thing.
As soon as Jace asked us what happened in the future I couldn’t help but blurt out the first thing that popped into my mind. “I’m going to die.”
“What do you mean you’re going to die?” Remy bit out.
When Micah had transported us back to the present we had ended up at base.
It had been hard holding onto our secret until we were all reunited.
The guys had been freaked out enough when we went radio silent on them.
They had been nearly out of their minds when we contacted them to let them know we were back at base with Neville in tow.
Troy had his helicopter, Bentley was on a mission, and Micah was too tired to jump otherwise they would have been back last night.
We had agreed to keep everything to ourselves until they reached the base, and we had a family meeting with Pops, Megan, Greg, and Miranda.
Everyone needed to know, and at first, I wasn’t ready to talk about D-day—or dead day as I referred to it.
Lincoln, Noah, Drake, and Jaxson didn’t find it nearly as amusing, but I had to make a joke of it, or I would spiral into a deep depression.
I curled my feet under my body before leaning back into Remy’s arms. “I mean when we jumped into the future not only did, we discover Horatio had succeeded in ruining society as we knew it, but also I wasn’t there.”
Sierra made a sound of distress, and I gave her a sympathetic smile. I was surprised Gavin hadn’t filled her in on that little tidbit of information. I was touched that he had kept my secret, yet on the other hand I would have understood if he had told his connections.
I could tell my statement hit all my men hard even Lincoln, Noah, Drake, and Jaxson didn’t receive the news any easier the second time around. I let the words sink in and waited to see who was going to blow up first.
I knew Pops didn’t like the news the moment he stood up and poured himself a tumbler of whiskey. The poor man was drinking a lot more than normal. He took a sip of the amber liquid before saying. “How exactly did you discover this tidbit?”
I grabbed one of my curls and began to twirl it around my finger, then stiffened remembering Perry. There was a knock on the door, and I was confused about who it could be. Kade didn’t hesitate to stand up and head toward it.
When Ben and Victoria walked in, I suspected that he had invited them here.
I could only surmise that he had filled them in on yesterday’s events.
They were part of his future and it appeared that it was important that they were apprised of the situation in the fullest. I didn’t mind their presence, after all, they would become our family eventually.
Lincoln seemed to realize my sudden distress about Perry. I didn’t want to leave him hanging any longer than necessary. I felt bad as it was not remembering to help him once he discovered he wasn’t crazy and wasn’t alone out there.
Lincoln spoke silently to me before answering Pops.
“I already called my assistant. He’s trying to hunt down Jacob Perry for us.
” Aloud he said. “When we got to the future we met a man, Jacob Perry.
Ironically, Blake and I had already met him when we had been helping Harry with his gift.
He was—is a police officer. In the future he will be a part of a rebel group.
“He said Blake was killed by Horatio, which was further reiterated by future Kade, Micah, Victoria, and Ben. From the sounds of it he thought he could get rid of her and take the babies from her. None of them survive.”
Miranda, Sierra, and Megan let out cries of disbelief, and I felt Remy’s grip tighten around me. I think I was still living in a state of denial. It was like I knew the future had me dying, yet a part of me still couldn’t grasp the significance of it.
It was a few seconds before anyone spoke. It was Jaxson that broke the tense silence surrounding us as he looked at Kade. “You can speak silently to Victoria and Ben. You spoke silently to them yesterday.”
Kade blew out an audible breath, the hair on his forehead lifting on the exhale.
“Yeah, at first, we could only communicate little snippets here and there, but we’ve been working on it and now we can do it all the time.
We can only talk silently to each other when we’re in the same room but we’re practicing talking to each other when we’re not.
This afternoon I was able to hear Victoria during training, but I couldn’t respond back to her. ”
Drake spoke up next. “Yesterday, right before we jumped back to our timeline you, Victoria, Ben, and future Kade were silently speaking, weren’t you? What did they say?”
Kade ran a hand through his thick dark hair.
He looked like he hadn’t slept well and had the world on his shoulders.
I’m sure whatever conversation they shared had worn heavy on him.
I had no doubt he wished to tell us but couldn’t.
In a way, I understood that and didn’t want to press him.
There had to be a reason for his silence.
Ben placed a hand on Kade’s shoulder before speaking. “I don’t think he should tell you. There was a reason they hadn’t spoken aloud.”
Remy and Troy both stood up, anger flaring in their eyes, but it was Remy who growled out first. “You’re not keeping this secret from us.
If we lose—” he seemed to lose his words for a moment as if he didn’t even want to speak the words aloud.
“If we lose Blake, we have to know everything so we can protect her.”
“Or keep her hidden so no one can ever reach her,” Miranda blurted out. “We are dismantling and weakening Horatio by the day, we should be able to cripple him for good eventually. If it’s the twins he wants than she’ll only have to stay hidden for the next four months.”
The idea had merit and logically I saw the wisdom in her words, however, the pragmatic part of myself felt my soul shriveling up at the concept. I couldn’t imagine living in a bubble for the next four months. It would suck the life out of me every day I had to stay in the dark, confining space.
“She’s not a prisoner,” Jace reluctantly stated. “If she has to stay in this bunker until after the babies are born it could be a detriment to her mental health. Her mental state is just as important as her physical health.”
Victoria worried on her bottom lip, then hesitantly glanced over at Kade and Ben.
Kade expression grew more torn, while Ben gave a short nod.
I knew they were silently talking to each other and now that the shoe was on the other side I understood why everyone else hated it when the guys and I mentally conversed.
Victoria leaned into Ben and placed her hand on Kade’s other shoulder.
If the situation wasn’t so unnerving, I would feel some pride and joy that they were beginning to act like a family unit and bonding together.
I had a feeling Victoria and Kade still had a long way ahead of them, but at least they were on the right path.
“It seems like some events are meant to occur no matter what, but the results can vary. Whether Blake stays hidden or if she continues to live her life as normally—with some precautions, obviously—Horatio will find a way to get people to attack her and the babies.” Victoria girded herself as if she was waiting for some push back.
“How—” Troy began to ask before Greg cut him off.
“I think we need to allow Kade decide when or if he imparts anything more to us. We all know that time is a tricky gift to have. There must be a reason he’s giving you limited information. The more we attempt to mess with the timeline the larger ripple effects it may cause on others.
“If I’m guessing correctly future Kade already attempted to save Blake, and he’s failed. I’m sure he’s come up with the most favorable solution to have a positive result for her survival. As hard as it to say and do, we have to trust the process.”
“So, from here on out we live as normally as possible and whenever possible we stick together, but no matter what I’m to always remain with her. We cannot be separated,” Noah resolutely stated. “If I have to, I’ll even go to classes with her.”
“We can take turns,” Gavin stated. “I’ve been doing my college courses online. I can rearrange my schedule so the days you can’t be with her, I will.”
My guys nodded, seemingly satisfied with the solution and for once their overprotectiveness didn’t grate on me. I was just thankful I had a best friend willing to step up and help me, despite the turmoil in his own life.
“Blake should never be alone,” Pops insisted.
We all nodded and were lost in our own musings before Troy leaned forward and looked at Micah and Kade. “How weird was it seeing your future selves.”
It seemed to be a much-needed ice breaker through the restless energy in the room. Micah was the first one to snort out a bemused laugh. “So weird. I was taller than most of ya’ll and nearly as stacked as Remy.”
Even Remy was unable to bite back his smile as nearly everyone laughed.
Jaxson huffed with mock indignation. “The way you train with Remy it’s no wonder you were so ripped. And as far as you’re height, I’m pretty sure I was still taller.”