Chapter 68
Nikolai
Blindfold Her—August
I stared out at the white sands and sighed. For as long as I could remember, our family, along with the Carusos, would make the trip to commemorate the ending of summer. It had by far been Vanya’s favorite family activity. She loved it more than her birthday and even better than Christmas.
The last one she went to was years ago, before she ran away.
The following year was the only one in which we didn’t go.
But since then, we came in her honor. It was a one-of-a-kind residence on a private island.
Pristine white powder sands, and the most beautiful turquoise waters graced the residence’s sunset-facing bay.
It comprised a large mansion with twelve bedrooms and over twenty thousand square feet, and both my parents and the Carusos had it redesigned in 2018.
It now included a state-of-the-art movie room and a children’s play area for the next generation.
They’d even had a playground put in, with a pirate ship as the center focus.
We were introducing a new family member to the island, and in time, we’d put that playground to good use. We just needed to get Kinsley on board first. It was too bad the Carusos weren’t coming this year. With Bella still refusing to talk to any of us, their parents made the call.
Her stubbornness took to new levels. She refused every message, every call, and even if we did get a chance to talk to her face-to-face, she refused to say even one word.
We were back at square one. My heart broke for Kinsley when Isabella fled the dining room and then the house.
She had become distant and reserved, and her nightmares picked up again.
The guys and I were hoping the trip would cheer her up. We’d been here for three days now, and she still seemed distant. Each of us had picked out something special for our girl, and today was the day we planned to shower her with them.
“You need any help?” Sebastian asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Sure. You can help me get these set up.” I gestured to the gift bags and the presents. I’d brought Alek’s and Ivan’s down with mine. Marcel had dropped his off already, and Bash still needed to get his wrapped.
The two of us worked quietly for a minute. Bash had become distant as well over the last few weeks. The fight he’d had with Bella was taking a toll on him. He looked tired and worn.
“I love coming here, but this year is hitting different for me, Nik.”
I took a deep breath, my heart heavy with the weight of it all. “Bash—”
“It’s so fucking stupid,” he muttered, before adding, “I miss Vanya—or, well, what could have been. I’m in a perpetual ‘would we’ season lately. Would we be happy? Would she have healed enough to let me love her? Would we have our two kids by now?” His voice was heavy with nostalgia.
I chuckled. “I forgot the two of you planned that shit out to the last degree. You know you can still have that.”
“What?”
“A family, a life. It’s okay to let her go. None of us would begrudge you happiness.”
“I know, it just doesn’t…it’s never been the same for me.”
“Well, maybe this is your year. Maybe you’ll meet the one.”
“We’ve discussed this before. There is only one person for every—”
“Blah, blah, blah. I know, but explain Kinsley. If every person has only one true love, how?”
“She’s an anomaly.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m truly happy for you guys. You know, Bella accused me of living vicariously through you all. Maybe there was a little truth to that.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “Then stop. Start living for you. It’s perfectly reasonable, you know. We love you.”
“I know you guys do. What do you say? You ready for me to go get tiny tot?”
I stepped back and looked around the spacious living room. Through the large, open sliding-glass doors, the warm breeze and gentle hum of the ocean could be heard and felt. Streamers and balloons decorated the normally tranquil room. Kinsley’s gifts were neatly arranged on the table.
My eyes flitted out to the beach that stretched for miles. Kinsley stood outside with my parents and Marcel, while Alek and Ivan were getting ready. Staring at her figure while she looked out over the ocean, I smiled as my heart soared.
“I’ll get Ivan and Alek. Blindfold her for me,” I told Sebastian.
He gave me a crooked grin. “With pleasure, my friend.”
Shaking my head, I adjusted the cushions on the couch. Our plan was to declare our love for the woman who stole our hearts. To shower her with gifts and ensure she knew there was no one else for us but her.
It was a start, and a small one at that. The three of us had already talked about our future with her, our plans, our wedding. While today wasn’t a proposal, it was the beginning of our lives, and she was the center of it.
I walked upstairs and told both of my brothers we were ready. Five minutes later, we joined Marcel, Bash, and a very confused Kinsley in the front room.
“Can I have a little hint?” Her mood had changed a bit. She seemed more upbeat, at least for the moment.
“Nope, sorry. I’ve been sworn to secrecy,” Sebastian said.
“Now you want to fall back on the Omertà?” Her voice was laced with sarcasm.
I laughed and then nodded at him, giving him permission to explain things. “We’re going to play a game—”
“Game day, like game night? I love game night,” she exclaimed, shimmying her shoulders.
“Nothing like that. Wouldn’t want to shock the parents, and all. But it does involve cards, sort of,” he teased.
“Sounds intriguing.”
“Okay, we need you to sit right here.”
He positioned her back legs against the chair. Without the slightest hesitation, she complied with his request. I loved that she trusted him so much. The five of us took up positions on the couches across from her.
My heart caught in my throat as she sat there blindfolded and radiant.
Her long brown hair cascaded in gentle waves.
It was partially pinned up to reveal the graceful curve of her neck for Alek, and down enough for Ivan to be satisfied too.
The sundress was for me, the lavender floral pattern complementing her beauty.
Her full lips were parted, and she wore my favorite lip gloss. It caught the light, making them irresistible. I couldn’t help but marvel at how breathtaking she looked.
“Kitten, you can remove your blindfold,” Alek ordered.
She took a deep breath and then reached up and untied the sash around her head. She gasped and then happily clapped her hands.
“What is all this? It’s not even my name day celebration.”
Our girl didn’t celebrate her real birthday, only the day Owen Taylor and she picked out her new name.
“We know, that’s in April,” Alek said. “Now do us a favor. Right next to you on the table are five cards. Pick one and flip it over.”
“Okay,” she said warily. “What’s on the other side, though?”
“You won’t know, baby girl, until you turn one over. No peeking, though,” I teased.
She flashed me a brilliant smile and then grew serious. Her brows furrowed in the cutest way. My heart beat with excitement and anticipation.
“Hmm, decisions, decisions. What if I choose this one and it’s not the right one? I’m not going to have to streak down the beach naked, am I?”
“Ms. Taylor,” Marcel, ever the therapist, chimed in with a touch of seriousness. “There are no wrong choices here. Trust your instincts. Remember, your Kings said your body is for their viewing pleasure only.”
“Yes, Sir. I remember, but it’s a private beach, so it’s a possibility.”
“It’s not, little love. Would you just pick a card and turn it over already,” Ivan commanded. He was so anxious to give her his gift, it was comical.
“Eenie, meenie, miny, mo—” She pointed at the cards while I laughed. If she only knew those were my favorite words to say when I tortured someone.
“What? It’s the way it’s done, you know. Now, where was I?” She finished the tune and then stopped as the last word fell from her lips.
Her hand landed on a card. With a deep breath, she turned it over. The underside was purple with a pixie holding a wand. She looked up, confused. Marcel stood and walked over to the gifts.
He chose the purple bag covered in glitter. As he walked over, understanding dawned in her eyes. She sat up straight and did a little dance in her chair.
Marcel cleared his throat. “First, I want to say how incredibly proud I am of you. You’re so strong. Every day, you face your inner demons with a level of courage that truly inspires me. Even on your hardest days, you press on. It’s a strength I deeply admire about you.”
He handed her the gift. “This is something to remind you that while your journey is ongoing, it doesn’t have to be heavy all the time.”
She carefully pulled the tissue paper out, her eyes widening in surprise as she pulled out the journal first. Embossed across the top were the words “My Dreams.”
“I know it’s your favorite color, and that one is strictly for happy thoughts. I expect you to fill it up. The rest is just a little something to tell you how much you are a light in our lives.”
A playful glint shone in his eyes. She pulled the remaining items out and showed us each one while she laughed.
“Alek, look!” she exclaimed, showing him the stationery with the words “From the Desk of the Naughtiest Kitty Ever” embossed in gold across the top.
She jumped up and hugged Marcel. He kissed the top of her head and pushed her back toward the table. “Pick another card.”
Now that she knew what was happening, she skipped back over. Her gaze darted between the cards. With a theatrical sigh, she reached for her second. Her fingers hovered over one and then moved left.
“All right, this one is next.” She held it up. Her eyes were filled with excitement as she looked to see who was going to stand up next. This one was purple with a skull on it.
Bash stood, and she jumped up and down, unable to contain herself as she danced. God, she was everything. I couldn’t help but stare in astonishment. She felt my stare and met mine, blushing beautifully, so I blew her a kiss. With the biggest grin, Bash pulled out the bag that matched the card.
“Front and center, tiny tot. It’s time for the best gift you’ll get for the day. I’ve dubbed it ‘The Ultimate Submissive’s Bundle.’”
Her eyes twinkled with mischief as he handed her the bag. “Go on, dive in headfirst,” he encouraged her.
She pulled out the day planner, and I laughed. Leave it to Sebastian.
“It’s got a place for all those goals Nik wants you to track. Some stickers because who doesn’t like a little sparkle in their life, right? You can track your habits, whose night it is, when you’ve booked the playroom. We need a master schedule, by the way.”
“Bash,” she said, flushing.
“There’s a place for your contracts, some safety guidelines, your aftercare instructions. Even in our wildest dreams and adventures, it’s always best to be organized and plan ahead.”
“I love it. Thank you. Are these what I think they are?” she exclaimed and pulled out a set of game cards.
“They’re completely new for future game nights. I think you’ll especially love the kinky dice. Each roll promises a new adventure and excitement.”
“Oh, can we play tonight?” Kinsley begged, holding both the cards and dice to her chest. Her eyes eagerly met my and my brothers’.
“If you’re a good girl, we can talk about it,” Alek answered.
“There’s more, tiny tot.”
She dug into the bag again and brought up the first of several new T-shirts. “I figured you could wear these around the house. It’s your very own collection of King T-shirts. They’re sized to fit them but made for you.”
She held up the first one. It said “Master.” He’d gotten one that said “Daddy” and “Beloved Sir” as well, which she delighted in.
He walked back over to the gifts and surprised us all with another T-shirt.
He handed it to her, and she burst out laughing before turning it around so we could all read it.
“Someone who loves me calls me Torturer.”
“And you say I’m the one who is extra.” She hugged it to her body. “I love it so much. You’re the best.”
“Well, you’ve had quite a journey in this life. You’ve reminded me so much over the past few months just how wild and passionate love can be, yet so damned tender all at once. I couldn’t be happier that you are here, a part of our little family.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. She jumped up and rushed over to him, hugging him around the middle. He rubbed her back and then pushed her face back.
“People spend their whole lives searching for that one special person who completes them. You’ve found three of them, snatched them off the market forever. And in that process, we found you. You complete my friends in a magical way. It’s fucking beautiful, and I’m all here for it.”
She once more dissolved into tears in his arms.