Chapter Twenty
Braxten
T he morning sun pours through my bedroom window, casting its golden glow on the beauty next to me.
Alice’s face is soft with sleep, the look of peace embedded in every feature, a complete contradiction to how I found her last night in the barn. Alone, scared, and…broken.
I swallow hard at the memory.
To find out that the girl who has come to mean everything to me comes from the very man responsible for our destruction all those years ago was a massive stab to the chest. Not because she has a part of him running through her veins, but because she suffered at his hands long after we did.
Because we thought he was dead, but we were wrong.
The truth rocks me for a second time. I will never forgive myself for it, but I will make it right. I will have my vengeance, not only for myself and my brothers, but for the angel sleeping next to me. That bastard will pay for every single wound he left on her if it’s the last thing I do.
A clattering noise interrupts my thoughts, hushed voices following soon after.
Scowling, I slide from bed and throw on my jeans and T-shirt from the night before, then grab my phone off the nightstand. After one last look at Alice, I leave the room, closing the door quietly behind me.
The moment I enter the hallway, I’m greeted with a mouthwatering aroma. Those whispers grow with every step until I come face-to-face with my entire family. They move around my kitchen, preparing food and setting the table that rarely gets used.
My father stands at the stove with Gwen to his right who cuts up fruit. She catches sight of me first, a soft smile forming on her face. “Well, good morning.”
“Morning,” I croak, sleep still thick in my throat.
My father looks up from his place at the stove, that trademark grin easing over his face. “Hey, look who’s awake.” Walking over, he pulls me in for a hard hug. “We thought we would bring breakfast to you this morning. Hope that’s all right?”
Breakfasts and dinners are a family staple that are never to be missed unless for good reason.
What happened last night would be considered a good enough reason, but I know them being here has less to do with tradition and everything to do with loyalty, because that’s how this family works.
When one of us is wounded, we all bleed.
“Yeah, Dad,” I finally say, the gruffness in my voice for an entire different reason now. “It’s more than okay.”
Ryanne walks over next, greeting me with a kiss to my cheek. “Morning.”
“Morning.”
Justice moves in after, pulling me in and clapping my shoulder. “You doing okay, brother?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks.”
Knox nods over at me from where he sets the table. The pain and betrayal that I have been met with the last few weeks are nowhere in sight. It gives me hope that our relationship isn’t irreparable after all.
Hannah bulldozes into me, almost knocking me over as she wraps her skinny arms around my waist. “Morning, Uncle Brax!”
“Mornin’, squirt.”
“We made your favorite this morning, biscuits and gravy. You think, Miss Alice will like it?”
I smirk down at her excitement. “I’m sure she will.”
“I can’t wait to try it.” A quiet voice adds behind me.
Turning, I find Alice standing at the end of the hallway. She wears a pair of form fitting jeans and a light pink sweater that hangs off one slender shoulder. Her hair is sleep tumbled and eyes tired, yet she’s still the most beautiful sight I’ve ever laid eyes on.
“You’re awake!” Hannah exclaims, running over to give her the same hug she did me.
Alice hugs her back, her smile fading when she takes in the rest of my family crowded around the kitchen. It’s obvious she’s worried about the reception she will receive after last night’s discovery.
Ryanne is the first person to ease that fear by greeting her the same way she would any other day. “Good morning, Alice.”
“Good morning.”
My father moves in next. “You’re just in time, darlin’,” he tells her, dropping a kiss on her cheek. “Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes.”
Alice smiles back at him. “It smells wonderful.”
“Let’s hope it tastes as good,” he chuckles, walking back into the kitchen.
While everyone returns to their tasks, I move in for my own morning greeting. Grabbing her hand, I pull her in for a long, lingering kiss, her sweet essence settling deep into my chest.
It has me wanting to pick her up and haul her back to bed, breakfast be damned, but I manage to refrain myself.
Her eyes remain closed for seconds after, a soft expression dancing across her face before she finally reopens them, that shock of pale blue never failing to knock me on my ass.
“Hey, Wonderland.” My voice tumbles out roughly, portraying every single thing she makes me feel.
“Hi,” she replies sleepily.
“You didn’t have to get up,” I tell her. “You could have stayed in bed.”
“I know, but I’d rather be with you.”
Such simple words, yet they pierce me right down to my fucking core just like the girl in my arms.
“Come grab a seat,” my father orders. “Breakfast is ready.”
With Alice’s hand in mine, I lead her to the table, noting it’s going to be a tight fit.
I’m about to take the empty chair next to Justice until I realize this would put Alice next to Knox.
I decide to switch places, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, but before I can, Knox pulls out the chair for her.
Silence falls over the entire room, the gesture shocking the hell out of us all, especially Alice. She gazes down at the chair then back at Knox, words evading her as much as the rest of us. Eventually, she takes the seat, uttering a quiet “thank you” as she does.
My brother doesn’t reply, but he doesn’t need to, the gesture spoke louder than words ever could.
After my father says grace, everyone digs in. Conversation settles around the table as hands serve, passing around the food that’s laid out before us.
There’s a host of things we should be talking about this morning, but we decide to keep it light and enjoy the meal for what it is: a moment of normalcy for my family. Something Alice hasn’t experienced enough of since she arrived into our lives.
“Can we go out for dinner tonight?” Hannah asks around a mouthful of food. “We could use the gift card me and Miss Alice won yesterday.” She smiles over at Alice, still riding the high from their victory.
Despite the shit storm that followed their win, she is none the wiser as to why we rushed out of there the way we did or the threat that lurks, something we have been protecting her from for as long as we can.
“Sorry, baby, but not tonight,” Justice says, attempting to let her down gently. “We’re going to be staying close to the farm for the next while.”
“How come?” she asks, genuinely perplexed.
“It’s just for the best right now, all right?” His tone brooks no further argument.
Her head lowers. “Yeah, okay.”
The disappointment in her voice crushes my brother as hard as it does me.
“Justice,” Ryanne speaks up quietly, her hand moving to his arm. “Maybe it’s time we tell her. If it’s all right with Alice?” she adds, looking in our direction.
Alice nods her approval while indecision battles on my brother’s face.
“It’s time, son,” my father says. “She needs to know so she can understand the importance of staying close to home right now.”
“Know what?” Hannah asks, her gaze moving over every single one of us. “What are y’all talkin’ about?”
My brother lets go of a harsh breath. “Come here, baby.” He pushes his chair back, making room for her to crawl up on his lap. “Do you remember the reason why Alice is staying with us?”
“Yeah, because she was in an accident and got hurt and can’t remember things so she needs our help.”
Justice nods. “Right. Except, what happened to her wasn’t an accident.”
Hannah peers back at my brother, confused. “What do you mean? If she wasn’t in an accident then how did she get all those owies?”
Justice hesitates, struggling to find the appropriate words. I can’t blame him, how the fuck do you explain this kind of violence to a six year old? Especially when all you have done is try to protect her from it.
“Because someone gave them to me,” Alice interjects softly, saving my brother from having to answer. “Someone hurt me, Hannah. That’s how I got these owies.” Her voice remains strong, but there is no denying the pain on her face. A pain that feeds the vengeance tainting my soul.
A tiny gasp escapes my niece, her shock quickly turning into devastation. “But why?” Her small lip quivers as she tries to understand. “Why would someone do that to you?”
“Because this person is a very bad man,” Ryanne says bluntly. “And bad men do bad things.”
“You don’t need to worry though,” Justice assures her. “We’re going to take care of it.”
He’s got that fucking right. Except the we will be I because no one else is getting the privilege of stealing this bastard’s last breath but me.
“It’s why we need to stay close to the farm for the next while,” he continues. “I don’t want you wandering past the property line for any reason, understand?”
She nods. “I understand.” Sliding off Justice’s lap, she walks over to Alice. “I’m sorry someone hurt you, Miss Alice.” A sob leaves her as she wraps her arms around Alice’s neck.
Emotion erupts around the table, affecting us all differently. My father, brothers, and I do all we can to hide the rage boiling to the surface, while Gwen and Ryanne discreetly blink back their tears.
“Thank you, Hannah,” Alice whispers, hugging her back. “I want you to know that your friendship has meant a lot to me. It has helped me heal.”
“Good.” She takes a step back, that Creed strength stiffening her backbone. “Don’t you worry about nothin’, we got you covered. No one messes with us and gets away with it, right, guys?” she adds, looking back at us.
“Damn straight.” I make a fist, knocking knuckles with her.