Chapter 26
Ashia
Four Days Later
I really want to believe that I’m cut out for this house-wife shit.
It’s Thanksgiving, which is insane to think about with everything going on, but I’m trying to make this a semi-normal experience—especially with Elizabeth here.
Victoria said she still hasn’t spoken, even when they’re alone.
We’re trying everything we can to pull her out of her shell, despite the chaotic energy that’s spread throughout the house.
The guys have been training non-stop for the past few days, getting ready to confront Satori.
We’ve only gone to the Attic when he isn’t there, because Damien knows the moment he lays his eyes on him, it’ll be a murder scene.
Kade is getting a feel for how many of their men would side with us in a confrontation.
While I’ve noticed a few of his men acting standoffish towards him, we know the majority still look to Satori like our men do to Damien.
There’s a battle gearing up, and all I’m worried about is this damn meal.
It’s giving me something to do besides think about a killing spree.
This is Damien and I’s first big holiday together, and from what Victoria said, they’ve never really celebrated something like this.
I want to make this special for us all, to give us some semblance of normalcy before it’s all inevitably thrown back into violence.
I may not have had a lot growing up, but the Andersons always went all-out for the holidays, and I know Damien’s family does.
I want the same for our daughter, and Elizabeth deserves to feel that type of togetherness, too.
Elizabeth is sitting on her knees on the barstool next to me, helping me mix together an apple, cinnamon, and sugar combination we need for Serena’s favorite dessert.
I’m not sure we’ve ever gone a Thanksgiving without it.
Marla normally makes it, but no, I had to be a perfect wife, mom, and host, wanting to make it myself.
I’m an idiot.
Victoria stands on the other side of her, peeling and cutting more apples because I also realized I would need more than just the standard recipe for all of the people getting ready to occupy our house for the evening.
It’s not too much, because we don’t want too many people knowing of Victoria and Elizabeth’s presence, but it’s enough to freak me out.
My parents—God, that’s still so weird to think—Damien’s parents, Serena, the guys, Zeke’s parents, and the one that scares me the most… Damien’s nana.
I’m sure she’s one of those grannies that worries if he’s eating enough, and I don’t want her to think I’m starving him.
Damien and the guys walk in from the gym, all with different expressions on their faces.
Zeke looks worked up, as always, with raised veins that race down his arms, and his hair is slicked back with sweat.
Carter looks as serious as he normally does, with a stoic face and his laptop in hand.
Alex just looks tired of everyone’s shit.
If he was screaming, it would probably be about how annoyed he is. And Damien?
He walks out looking all hot-as-fuck and God-like as ever.
Heat instantly rushes me, and I almost drop my mixing spoon into the bowl.
He’s definitely gained back every ounce of muscle he lost, and I’d bet that he’s built a good bit more.
He’s just as toned as ever, and I can’t help but track the beads of sweat rolling down his chest and abs as he walks over to me.
I’m so enraptured that I actually do mess up this time.
My hand slips off the mixing bowl, sending Elizabeth’s hand flying off the side and misting the air with cinnamon—along with our clothes.
A little warning sign flashes in my head, because I don’t know if Elizabeth is one of those kids that hates to get dirty or not.
So, I immediately reach for the paper towels and run one under the water, forcing my gaze away from my insanely attractive, distracting husband.
Elizabeth surprises me and starts to giggle, holding her spoon mid-air like she doesn’t know what to do with it.
When I lock eyes on her, she laughs even harder, and something about it warms my heart.
I know all of this has been a lot to adjust to, but she’s been here three weeks, and I’m not sure how else to help her.
We got her clothes and toys, and we always make sure that she shows us what she wants for dinner.
Every time we see her, we talk sweetly and quietly, trying like hell not to startle her.
Before Dr. Von left, she said it may just take some time and a lot of trust to get her to talk again.
So, we haven’t tried to push her. Our main concern is that she feels safe.
I can’t help but laugh as I try to wipe the cinnamon from my shirt and all it does is seep into the material, making the spots look even worse. Elizabeth giggles again and pokes my belly over the stain. I go to wipe her hand, too, but her cute little voice shocks me.
“Baby,” she says softly and looks up at me with a tiny grin.
I freeze, like my soul just jumped from my body, and I’m pretty sure everyone else does, too. There’s no sound at all. I don’t break my gaze from her, almost afraid that she thinks I don’t approve if I do, but I faintly catch Victoria’s jaw dropping from behind her.
“Yeah…” I reply sweetly and quickly glance at Victoria, seeing the tears pool in her eyes. “Yeah, there’s a baby in there.”
She giggles again and holds her hand out, palm up, so I can wipe it off.
I do it without a second’s hesitation, not wanting to break the moment.
Damien steps up from behind and wraps his arm around me, watching the moment in silence.
His feelings were really hurt when she didn’t take a liking to him at first, but to me, it just showed how massive his heart his.
Now that things have settled down, it’s clear that she isn’t afraid of him anymore, but I think that part of Damien’s doubt still lingers in the back of his mind.
Zeke and the guys sit on the opposite side of the island, clearly needing to discuss something. They look too antsy to just be gathering around to soak in the peace. So, after I wipe off her hand and brush the spice out of her hair with my fingers, I hold her hand in mine.
“Why don’t you and Mommy go upstairs and get ready for dinner? It’ll be ready soon.” I look her in the eyes and smile, sure that she understands my praise. “Thank you for your help. You did great.”
She smiles wide and jumps down from the stool, taking Victoria’s hand and dragging her away. As she walks past Zeke, she waves at him softly, then they continue on their way like it’s nothing. My nose scrunches in confusion as I look at my brother, wondering why the hell she’s so attached to him.
“Don’t look at me like that. I don’t have a fucking clue.” Zeke shrugs and crosses his arms, sitting back against the chair with an attitude. “I even tried to scare the little shit yesterday, and she just laughed at me.”
My jaw drops.
“Zeke!”
“What?!
“Do you want to go over the plan for tomorrow before everyone gets here?” Carter interjects, clearly trying to steer the conversation back to the point. I sneer at Zeke, and Damien huffs at Carter’s question.
“What’s there to discuss, Carter? We haven’t figured it all out,” Damien retorts angrily.
I lean back against him and sink into his arms, knowing he’ll stay civil if I’m right next to him.
They’ve been trying to come up with a plan to take down Satori, and I’m not going to lie, I’ve been keeping my distance.
I’m still staying in the loop, but Damien made it very clear that he wants me to sit this out.
My blood pressure, while much better lately, is still out of control when I get too stressed, and I’ve been more tired lately than I was before.
Whenever someone has told me to step aside the past few months, I’ve threatened them.
But now that Damien’s home and it’s him telling me to do the same, it doesn’t sound so ridiculous.
Waiting to go after Satori has been extremely rough for Damien.
The betrayal he feels is unlike anything he’s ever experienced, and he’s dying for retribution.
I know the guys were trying to plan and strategize around how they believe Satori will react, and it’s crucial that he remains unaware of what’s going to happen.
Carter wants his laptop and cell, hoping to gather any additional information we can on Saconne or Avery.
Since Kade believes he struck the original deal with Hugo, it may not get us far, but we’re not going to miss out on the opportunity.
“Just tell me what you have so far,” I implore, but immediately feel like that was the wrong response. Damien tightens his grip on me, and the heat of his stare blooms beside my head.
“Basically, we’re going to let D and Zeke throw a tantrum.”
I pinch my brows together. He can’t be serious. So far, all they’ve got for a plan is ‘go ape-shit’?
“I’m sorry, what?”
“It’s mainly going to be a distraction. We need you to do the sneaky shit while the big stuff is happening downstairs.”
“No. The fuck. We don’t,” Damien seethes, clearly hating the idea.
“What sneaky shit?” I ask anyway.