50 AURORA #2
Though I guess it makes sense, seeing as he’s ‘safe’ and knows our location already.
Fucking awkward though.
London, Sky and Basil come out of the forest again as Tally intercepts Francois before he can take another step towards the trailer. I can't hear what they're saying, but the tension in their body language is obvious.
Francois, still holding the box, is speaking to Tally with an unyielding intensity. My wolf glances in my direction before finally stepping aside and letting Francois pass.
A couple of beats later, the trailer door creaks open.
The cold air rushes in, carrying the scent of expensive cologne. I hide rapidly under the blanket, pulling it up to my chin.
“Aurora,” he says softly, setting the heavy box down on the counter then taking two steps in my direction. “Chérie.”
I don't react to the endearment, instead keep my expression completely frozen. “What are you doing here, Francois? Decided to slum again for a while?”
He flinches, the untouchable facade he wears cracking just a fraction. “I brought supplies.”
“Thanks, you can go now.”
Francois closes the distance between us in two swift strides, dropping to his knees right in front of the cushions. “Aurora, non. Please listen.”
“Why? So you can slip away into the dark again whenever you get bored?” An angry tear escapes my eye, which pisses me off to no end.
Then another follows, and within seconds, the cramping in my stomach and the absolute agony of the last four days completely breaks me.
I cover my face with my hands, my shoulders shaking as I start sobbing.
His stupid arms go around me. Francois pulls me tightly into his chest, murmuring words I don’t catch.
“I’m just pre-menstral,” I say in a snarling whisper. “This has nothing to do with you.”
“Of course it doesn’t, ma petite. You are suffering pain.” He rocks me slightly like I’m a fractious baby.
And I hate how comforting it is.
“I never left you,” he murmurs fiercely into my hair.
“Bullshit.”
“Non, no. Aurora, listen to me. I had unfinished business to attend to. But it was complicated. I didn’t know if it was possible. I didn’t want to give you false promises.”
I sneer, pulling back. “You’ve never promised me anything, Francois, so don’t worry, you’re all good. Free to fuck off again.”
He freezes. “I may have not verbalized my promises, but the vows I have made to you are carved into my cold heart.” He lets out a long breath, looking frustrated. “My vow to see no harm come your way was under threat. I had to go.”
Sniffling, I allow myself to be cradled once more, my nose pressed against his sweater. “What threat?” I ask, despite myself.
“I’ll explain everything, but first.” He pulls back, reaching over to the box on the counter. “I count the days, so I know your time of suffering is here.”
He pulls out a heating pad wrapped in soft sheepskin from the supplies. It’s the cordless, rechargeable kind. “For the cramps.” Next is a massive box of expensive dark chocolates, followed by some organic tampons and a selection of period panties.
A choking laugh slips out of my throat. It’s so absurdly, completely thoughtful.
In the middle of everything, he had noticed exactly what time of the month it was for me, and figured out what he could bring to make it better.
“Thank you,” I whisper, holding the heating pad to my chest.
He takes it from me and switches it on. “I precharged it.” While he’s talking, I pull the ribbon from the chocolate box and blindly grab one.
Fuck yes. Salted caramel.
“Want one?” I ask him.
Francois takes the seat next to me. “They are for you, mon amour.”
“Eh, I’ll give you the pineapple ones, they’re bullshit anyway.”
He grins, allowing me to place the candy in his mouth. After a couple of chews, his expression turns serious.
“I must tell you where I have been. I went home, Aurora, and met with my father.”
Thomas Fucking Douche Crankshawe.
“You did what? Why?”
“To destroy him in the way that would benefit us the most.”
Uh, what?
“He’s done, chérie.” Francois’s tone is bland, like he’s discussing the weather. “I used my hypnosis and forced him to undo his guardianship of you.”
I stare at him, mouth falling open. “What? So, like, I’m… I’m free?”
Francois smirks. “Indeed, and additionally, Father has checked himself into the Southernhampton in-patient mental health facility. He requested a twelve-month hold. I will go and visit him annually and ‘encourage’ him to sign up for another year of institutional care. Happily, I am now both his health-care and financial proxy.”
“Er, wow. That’s…amazing. I guess I’m happy for you.”
Yeah. Now Francois can go off and do whatever he wants.
“I hope you will be happy for us all, my love.” He looks toward the window where the guys have restarted their tournament. “I have made some decisions for our family.”
Our what now?
“I found a tract of land for sale. It has a completed cabin on the property, and one which is half-way through a build. The location seemed ideal, not far from here, but still secluded.”
“Er, OK…”
“So I bought it. Well, actually, you did. The land and property are in your name. So even if you don’t want me back, you and the others will have somewhere more comfortable to reside while the authority wheels slowly turn and produce your official releases from Quo.”
I blink. Then blink some more. “You bought us a home?”
“I did.”
“Up here, and not anywhere near the city?”
“Correct.”
“Or Paris.”
“Oui.”
“And you…” I bite my lip, trying to not look too hopeful. “You want to live with us all, London, Sky, Tally and Basil, in this cabin?”
He tilts his head, his dark eyes shining. “With all of my heart, chéri. All of my heart.”