Chapter 35 Voss #2
Imry looks at us in the rearview mirror. “Hey, do you think that’s why Dad was so insistent on marrying Jeannette?”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“In a matter of two years, three sons married. Three more are in committed relationships. One has a child. One of his brothers is now married with a child. Two more of his brothers are in committed relationships. In a very short period, all the kids Dad raised are now truly adults.”
“Adults don’t need their dad,” Ellory says and sits forward. Only because of Imry growing his hair and beard out can I tell them apart these days.
“Yes,” I answer, nodding. “I think maybe that’s a contributing factor, even if he doesn’t realize it. All six of his children have essentially moved on to the next stages in their lives. Three of his four brothers that he raised have too. He doesn’t have a partner, and maybe he’s lonely.”
“Maybe it makes me a bad person, but I’m glad Jeannette is gone. I think we unfairly didn’t like her, but I also know we all agree that Dad wasn’t marrying her for the right reason,” Imry says.
I look down at Brek and think about him being aromantic. Like Dad. “The right reason for him is going to look different than it will for us. We need to take that into consideration when Dad brings a partner home.”
“You think Dad will be upset if we set him up?” Ellory asks. Even without the long hair, I would know that’s Ellory because neither Avory nor Imry would suggest such a thing.
“How do you propose we do that?” Imry asks and then shakes his head. “I can’t believe I even asked that. No, Dad is not going to be a fan of that.”
“Come on. I bet we can find a great partner for him. Someone real and smart and cool.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. I continue to look at Brek, my fingers still running through his hair as I listen to Ellory list all the qualities Dad’s perfect partner would have.
I meet Imry’s eyes in the rearview mirror several times.
Mark remains silent, but I see his amused smile in the window’s reflection.
It’s dark when we finally pull onto the estate.
Brek has been awake for twenty minutes. Mostly because he has to pee, but when we told him how close we were, he said he’d wait.
He’s watching out the window as we drive through the trees.
I wonder if he’ll ever visit Briar, Haze, or Oakley’s houses in the trees.
The forests of Arizona are very different from those of Colorado, but nevertheless, being surrounded by trees might now be a trigger for his trauma.
I’m not in the least bit surprised to find Brek’s friends and Dad outside waiting for us.
Jessica comes running toward the car as soon as it’s parked.
I try to calm her down while Brek climbs out, reminding her that he has injuries, but the tears tracking down her face as she throws herself in Brek’s arms make me cut off my warning.
It isn’t long before the other four join her, and they have Brek wrapped in a tight cocoon.
Under any other circumstances, I know at least two of the triplets would have made a comment about being chopped liver coming home from this mess. Now isn’t one of those times.
I walk around the group to Dad. He has Axl. Smiling, I take my baby in my arms and hug him tightly. After a minute, I walk into Dad, and he wraps his arms around me too.
For a long time, neither of us says anything. Eventually, I say, “That was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done.”
Dad nods. “I understand.”
“I don’t want to do that again. I’m happy in my cushy office.”
He kisses my forehead. I feel his smile, but I think he’s resisting agreeing with me.
“Everyone is good,” he says, and I know it’s as close to a question as he wants to get.
“Yes. Uncle Auden is going to help Rhodes and Bennett. Isidro arrived just after we left, and he’ll stay with his guys. Malcolm—one of the victims—and a few others are remaining behind, too. They’re going to meticulously scour the entire reserve to make sure nothing is left behind,” I answer.
“Good to hear. Sounds like my brothers are all on their way home. I’m surprised Noaz didn’t join you.”
“I’m surprised Uncle Noaz came at all,” I say.
“I think Briar’s fear had a lot to do with it. Between the scale of the operation, the acreage it covered, the remoteness of the location… it was necessary for a large-scale invasion.”
“How did you hold up?” I ask.
Dad smiles. “I admit that was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever lived through as well.”
“I can’t imagine.”
We don’t elaborate, but I look at Axl and can’t imagine being in Dad’s position this past week as he watched all six of his sons and all four of his brothers, along with his cousin and cousin’s son, drive blindly into a human hunting range while he sat home and waited.
I’d have lost my fucking mind.
Dad’s arms tighten, and then he lets me go. “Let’s go inside,” he says.
The group around Brek reluctantly breaks apart. Haze hugs Imry and then lifts him over his shoulders to carry him inside. It’s the humor that everyone needs, and the entire group laughs.
I wait for Brek. Dad waits with me. I try not to get choked up when Dad hugs Brek at the bottom of the stairs.
No words pass between them, and it’s not a short hug.
I end up turning away because tears fill my eyes.
Maybe because my dad loves the man I love, too.
Maybe because Brek has the love of a father in my dad that he hasn’t had in his life before now.
Whatever the reason, I think they can have this moment just between them.