Chapter Six.
Drake – Two months later
I stared out the window as mixed emotions tore through me. Then, Phoe opened the door and strutted in. She curled up in my lap, and without thought, I wrapped my arms around her.
“You have to let them go,” she whispered.
“After today, it won’t be my job to protect them,” I replied.
“Nope. But Calamity is more than capable; he’s strong and fair; he has this, Drake.” She stroked my arm softly, and I knew she was right.
But I said, “I want to gather them all back up and say this is a mistake. They need to stretch their wings, though.”
“And they will bloom, Drake. Believe in your decision and in Calamity.”
“Phoe, I do trust Calamity, but I have mixed feelings. I’m sad, nervous, and confident. I’m torn between warring emotions. Rage had grown beyond what any of us ever saw, and this won’t be the last time we create another chapter. I’ll suffer this again,” I admitted.
“Yes, you will. But Rage will grow into something beautiful. Be happy because I’m sure your dad is, and he’ll be looking down on you,” Phoe replied.
“You think so?”
“Drake, I know so. How could Arrow not be proud of you?” she asked, and I shrugged. Did Da ever worry about this happening? I wondered how he felt, if he had considered this. One day, I’d get to ask him.
Penny
I hugged Sin tightly as a few tears streaked down her face.
“I’m going to miss you,” she whispered. Choking back my own tears, I patted her back and released her.
“It’s only a few hours away—well, seven—but the way these lunatics drive…” I said, and we both laughed.
“You’ve been a part of this since I opened it,” Sin replied.
“And it was an honour to watch you and this place grow, Sin. When so many bookshops are shutting down, you’ve done amazingly well keeping this open and making a profit,” I praised her. “Although I’m not sure if I’ll miss the drama!”
Reid chuckled from behind us and hugged me tightly. “That’s something that won’t ever stop.”
“No, I guess not.” I sighed and looked around the Reading Nook. It was here that I’d escaped an abusive relationship. Here was where I grew into the person I was today, and here I fell in love. There were so many memories here that they were crowding me, making me emotional.
“It’s not too late,” Texas whispered, wrapping his arms around me. “We can stay.”
I leaned my head back against his strong chest. This man slayed me, sometimes for the wrong reasons but mainly for the right ones, like now. Texas was willing to give up precious time with his daughter and grandchildren for me, despite how much it would hurt him.
“Nope. We committed,” I said as Sin’s face fell. She’d heard Texas’s words and had hoped that I might change my mind. But I wouldn’t let Texas sacrifice his happiness for mine.
“It’s not too late,” Texas repeated. I turned and buried his head in my chest. He wasn’t selling our home; we were keeping that in case one of the kids wanted it. Instead, he was letting Cody, Drake and Phoe’s son, rent it.
“Texas, I’m fine. This is a new beginning for us, and I’m looking forward to it. There are just so many memories here,” I replied.
“Let’s go home,” he said. I nodded.
It had been four months since Drake had given Calamity the presidency, and things were moving faster. The clubhouse was completed and was a beautiful building. It had three stories and was designed in a cabin style. Lots of wood and stone. There were big windows and plenty of light.
Several of the homes had now been finished.
Calamity, Klutz, Falcon and Hunter’s were completed while mine, Ice, and Ghosts, were being constructed.
After a vote, we’d agreed to move this week.
Most of us had sold our houses, but a couple of us were holding on to them.
We’d decided that, as the clubhouse was up, we’d stay there until our homes were done.
It might be cramped, especially with the kids, but we didn’t want to come across in dribs and drabs.
Apache and Rock had been kept busy for the last four months.
In addition to the three teams they’d put on the houses, there’d also been one for the clubhouse.
Then two more to convert the buildings we’d bought to run businesses out of.
The clubhouse team was now working on the homes with the others.
While the other two teams had moved over to the campsite, as we’d finally received approval.
When we arrived home, Texas and I walked slowly around.
It had good memories and more for Texas than me.
He’d raised Rosie here, which was why he couldn’t let it go.
Cody would take wonderful care of this. Our new house had been built along similar lines, so we weren’t moving into something unfamiliar.
We swapped sad, but content smiles several times before I fell into his arms as the kids entered in a rush. Everything was packed up, and tomorrow, while I drove over to Ortonville with what we needed in my SUV, Texas would supervise the movers. It was an exciting time, but also the end of an era.
Falcon
There wasn’t much to pack, in truth. Considering how much time I’d spent away at various training camps, my apartment had little to take with me.
It was rented, so I didn’t have the issue of selling it.
A removal van would come tomorrow to pack my furniture, which wasn’t much.
My house would look pretty pathetic when it was put inside.
“Falcon?” a woman called as she entered my home.
“When are you going to learn to knock?” I demanded as my sister appeared.
“Never! Are you okay? I sensed a lot of stress,” Nova inquired.
“I am stressed. This is a big deal,” I admitted.
Nova grinned. “Good job I’m coming to stay for a while.”
“What? No, Nova! I can’t ask that of you,” I replied, surprised, but relief swept over me. Damn, was that what my negative feelings had been about?
“Who asked? I’m forcing myself on you.”
Nova suddenly looked shifty and said nothing.
“Nova?” I pushed. I knew my sister; we’d been ripped from our mother’s womb and fought to survive together.
We were closer than even most twins because of that battle, and we had a definite twin bond.
Nova was hiding something from me. She forced a smile onto her face, but my heart ached suddenly. I tried not to stiffen.
My sister was in pain; she was hurting. Someone had hurt her!
Fury rushed through me as I saw the signs I’d missed just now. Her eyes had bags under them, and she looked tired. She was pale and had a sad aura. Nova held my gaze, and in them was a plea not to push too hard.
“Have you spoken to Calamity?” I asked.
“Yeah, he said it’s cool. I might have a look at the place you picked for your dojo,” Nova replied.
“Be my guest. Any ideas you have would be great, you know, as a gold medallist,” I teased.
Nova broke into laughter. “I’m not the only one.”
“Nope, but you hold more medals in Ju-jitsu than I do,” I challenged, and Nova grinned, a real one this time. I was a puzzle to many: I didn’t excel at one sport, but at two, and I had medals in both.
“You just remember I can kick your ass and walk away whistling,” she replied. She flopped down on my sofa. “Is everything packed?”
“Yup.”
“I ordered pizza. It’ll be here soon,” she said, and I chuckled. Typical Nova. I’d be lost without my twin.
Calamity
Okay, I was herding sheep. I blew out my cheeks as Rosie grabbed hold of Malachi and carried him back to the car. She was muttering under her breath as she sent Erin a death glare. Erin glowered in return, and I snorted.
Rosie’s gaze flew to me, and I cleared my face of all mirth. She looked ready to kill.
“Get. Zara. Now.” The words were ground out, and I instantly picked Zara up and fitted her into the car seat. Oblivious to everything around her, Zara sucked her thumb and slept.
“Get out again, Malachi, I dare you. You’ll be staying here with Uncle Drake and not moving with us,” Rosie growled.
I turned away as my son contemplated her words. Oh shit.
“And you’ll never have candy or chocolate because we know Uncle Drake can be mean!”
“I’m five!” Malachi snapped. “I’m the boss.”
“How much do you want to bet on that, kid?” Rosie demanded. “Is it worth your Funko Pop collection?”
Malachi blanched and shook his head.
“Then stay put!” She stomped to the back of the car and glowered at me, and added, “Get the fur babies.”
I nodded and headed away from my irate wife.
This had been a real nightmare. Rosie had made sure the movers had taken everything, leaving me with the children.
Unfortunately, I’d sugared them up. Now she was going to be stuck in a car with the pets and two hyper kids for seven hours. Rosie clearly wanted to murder me.
Deciding it was best to stay the hell away from my wife until she calmed down, which might take a week, I collected the cat cages.
Loading them into the back of the SUV, I called the dogs, who came pounding over.
As soon as they were in, I got the rest of the pets and placed them inside.
Erin and Malachi were now fighting, and Rosie looked ready to scream.
“You’re dead when we get there. If I didn’t need you to help sort the furniture out, you’d be six feet under,” Rosie growled. The look on her face was murderous.
“Shall I check the house one more time?” I asked.
“Yes, Malachi, stop yanking Erin’s hair!” Rosie yelled as Layla barked in distress.
“You’re dead, Dad,” Precious murmured sadly from her cage.
“I know, sweet girl,” I replied to the white raven.
“Fucked up!” Peter, her counterpart, snickered. The black raven fixed a beady eye on me.
“Shut up,” I snapped, and Peter cackled loudly.
Sometimes I wanted to strangle that bird. I checked the house out and returned to Rosie. The kids were now counting sheep quietly, and I tried not to laugh.
“Everything’s out.”