Chapter 25
I hop off the bike and pull her to my side. Sebastian takes us in. “I see you’ve settled your differences.”
Hand in hand, we walk back to the house and enter his office.
“I am still mad at you. You should have told me sooner. But it is what it is,” Celine says, her voice laced with sad acceptance.
“Honey, Kaden is your blind spot, and he wanted to help.” She flinches. I am about to say something to him when he raises his hands.
“You’re on edge when it comes to one another. You can turn that into a strength, or it will weaken you. I’m still debating. So, this is your chance to prove which way it is.”
“We won’t disappoint you,” I say. It’s impossible. The thought that this will end and that I can be with her keeps me sane.
Cillian comes inside and Celine rushes over to him. He plants a kiss on her head. I can see the hunger she has for parental love, having to go to someone else because her own father is too busy trying to save a woman who may be dead. The only person I can think of with that motive would be my father. Long ago, he had been obsessed with Celine’s mother before she fell for Sebastian. But what would my father gain now from holding her mother captive? Besides, someone would have talked by now or let something slip.
“You could have told me,” she says, voice ringing with accusation and hurt.
“I still had to come to terms with that myself. But I’m sorry if that hurt you.”
Cillian’s even more protective of her than her father is. He eyes me with disapproval, and I smirk. I am not going anywhere, so get used to me.
Seconds later, the door opens, and Mia and Hunter step inside.
“You’re going to work together,” Cillian informs us.
“You don’t say.”
Hunter is childish in his sarcasm. I cross my arms over my chest, and everything in me warms up when Celine stands by my side. She chooses me in a room full of people. This is their damn wake-up call. We’ll never stop choosing each other.
“I trust him,” she says unapologetically, seeking my eyes that brim with love for her. I’d rather die than break her trust.
“It’s time we stop acting like there are two sides. There is only one. Kaden and the rest want the same thing we do,” Mia says.
“And they will be informed about everything,” I add.
“More people to watch over,” Hunter huffs, pacing around.
“We need each other. So stop playing who’s the bigger, badder guy here,” Celine says. “We all know I’d win that contest anyway.”
“Celine, you’re in charge,” her father says.
Everything in her relaxes.
You’re a born leader, my love.
“Stop looking at her like that. We’re in a bloody meeting. It’s disgusting.” Hunter sneers at me.
“Every woman should be looked at like that,” Mia says.
I watch the siblings locked in a battle of wills.
“Good, now let’s get to work. We have to move faster,” Cillian says.
Two hours later, we have the plan in place.
Outside, Celine leans on the side of her car. Concern pulls her features tight. “Be careful, okay?”
“Worry is part of it. We’ll be fine.”
“It’s… I couldn’t bear to lose you. The thought of something happening to you is debilitating.”
I drag her to my chest. My heart chants her name, wishing to make her understand it’s the same for me.
“Think of us at our place.”
“A dream.”
“No, our life in a few months.”
She grins, her beautiful face lighting up, and when she turns and opens the car door, she says, “Next time, take me for a ride.”
She winks at me, all teasing and hot. Now I’m hard.
“Next time, I’ll take you on my bike.”
“If you can handle us both.”
When she gets inside her car, she sends me a flirty look before she drives away. I am grinning the entire way to our house.
When she parks, I remain on my bike. I tried to protect everyone so that if something went wrong, it would have all led back to me. But it’s time to make our move.
I am lost in thoughts, staring at the house when Celine reaches me.
“It’ll be fine. They all want this as well.”
“I know they want it, but…”
“Hey, like they trust you, trust them.”
Inhaling deeply, we move inside. Everyone is gathered in the kitchen.
Celine grabs a bottle of water and downs it.
“What did you do to dehydrate yourself like that?” Blake says while eyeing Celine.
A tint of blush covers her cheeks before she makes a face at him. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
I can’t wait to finish this meeting so I can go into her room and lose myself in her. This will be the last night before we start raining hell. Even though I am prepared, none of us can predict the outcome. I don’t want to think about it, but the idea of losing her paralyzes me. Instead, I will focus on my end goal—to be together.
“My father is alive,” Celine says.
The room falls silent as Abi, Blake, and Bailey snap their gazes at Celine.
Blake blinks. “What did you just say?”
She drags a chair across the floor and drops down on it with a plop. Then she begins to explain the whole sordid story.
“And I am pretty sure I didn’t cause the accident. It was intentional.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me,” says Abi.
“Why aren’t you sure?” asks Bailey.
“Instead of a memory, there’s this blank space in my head—”
“Felix found you,” Blake interrupts.
They all look at me. Felix has always craved power, but would he go against the matriarch, playing games with her?
I shrug. “They’ve killed before.”
“Then why would they put that on Celine? Grandmother treats her as if she’s personally responsible,” Abi says.
Mia and Hunter step inside. They glance at each other.
“They already know. There’s no need for secrecy since we all want the same thing,” Celine says.
The group shares a look of understanding.
“Here’s the plan,” I say.
And just like that, we are bunched over the table, working toward the same goal, and it feels right. I wrap my arms around Celine and place my chin on her shoulder.
My family is complete. That knowledge injects a high dose of strength that makes me feel undefeatable.
As they bicker over who will take which role, Celine and I slip up the stairs and into my room.
“If that’s true, and Grandmother blames me for killing my mom… If Felix has kept her, that changes everything.”
“Where are you going with this?”
“It’s the perfect cover-up. Imagine how betrayed she’ll feel. And he couldn’t have acted alone.”
I nod. “Caleb has to be in on it as well.”
“That would cause mayhem. We could just disappear afterward.”
I flop on my back with her caressing my chest. “We need answers. I am paying Felix a visit tomorrow.”
“I’ll be in your ear.”
“And I’ll be inside you.”
She giggles and I pull her to my chest, kissing her pouty mouth. But it’s not enough to satiate my hunger for her, so I slip a finger inside her and her eyes roll back.
“This. This feels incredible.”
It does. “Of course, it’s me inside you.”
“Arrogant.” But whatever she would have said next dies on her lips when a fist pounds on the door.
“We’re going to watch a movie,” Blake says.
“One sec,” Celine yells back. She rolls out of bed. I pout, hoping to convince her to return, but she shakes her head at me.
“Hey, where do you think you’re going? We have unfinished business.”
“This has all been a lot to take in. So, let’s show our friends that we won’t neglect them, even if we are back together.”
I don’t think I’ve ever loved her more than I do at this moment.
An engine rumbles, and she peeks through the drapes.
“I almost forgot about this.”
She runs down the stairs and opens the door for Dane. Abi lets out a deep sigh, ringing of worry and acceptance.
“I made my decision, princess,” Dane says.
“Abi, listen. He is going to do something regardless. Don’t you want to keep an eye on him?” Celine asks.
The way she goes for the vulnerable spot is impressive.
“Okay.”
“We’ll vote,” Hunter says.
“And it has to be unanimous,” I add.
Celine eyes us with fire blazing in her eyes. “Yes, but not on this.”
“We are not in the position to cut a man out. This team needs someone with his skills,” Mia says.
“Thank you,” Dane says, surprising me. Didn’t think he had that phrase in his vocabulary.
“Fine. Do not make me regret this,” I say.
Dane nods and we exchange a look of somewhat understanding.
“Now let’s watch a damn movie,” Blake says.
We all move to the theater room. I sit down and pull Celine onto my lap.
Blake starts the film, and I see Bailey at the entry watching Hunter. Her eyes find mine, and I jerk my chin for her to come, but she mouths, “Have to prepare.”
I caress Celine’s back, and she purrs in my arms.
“I could fall asleep if you keep doing that.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.”
I remember when she fell asleep in my arms in the theater room, those brief seconds of peace between us while we were warring. But now I have her and I don’t have to live off memories or stolen moments. And as I watch a hero get kicked by the bad guy, she snores lightly in my ear, I experience nothing but peace.
When I bring her to bed, I notice a message from Bailey on my phone. A package is on its way. Follow the instructions.
I still don’t understand her motivation to remain in the shadows, but she once said, “Freedom.” If the Family knew what she could do, they’d use her talents without regard to what she wants.
You getting everyone on board was smart.
They should know. I reply.
When the time is right, I will, but at the moment, we have a war to win. And anonymity provides us an advantage.
I climb into bed next to Celine.
She shifts but doesn’t wake. With her safe next to me, I give in to sleep.
***
I am bent over the package on my desk when there’s a knock at my door.
“It’s me,” Hunter says and comes inside.
“Celine is with Mia.”
Ripping through the package, I find an earpiece, a bracelet, a transparent palm sheet, and contact lenses.
I pick up the earpiece and test the connection.
“I will be in your ear the entire time during the meeting,” Bailey says in the com.
“Good.”
Hunter eyes me, and it’s almost comical when he approaches to hear if there is someone on the other end.
“The lenses will scan Felix’s eyes. It will take a while, so you’ll need to keep visual contact until I say we’re good,” Bailey informs me.
Fuck, this will be a challenge. As a sign of respect, we always dip our heads, as if we’re submissive playthings.
“I’ll find a way. And the bracelet?”
“It will give me access to his phone. Basically, I can copy it. And the transparent sheet is for his prints. When you shake his hand, do not sweat.”
Yes, of course not. I can control my basic biological functions so damn well.
“Just in case there is an injection to inhibit your sweat glands. Use that.”
“You thought of everything.”
“When don’t I? I’ll be back with you the moment you enter the building.”
She disconnects, and I put the earpiece down. Hunter’s brows bunch together, analyzing the items.
“Who was that?”
“My hacker.”
“And who is that?”
“The hacker prefers not to disclose that.”
“Are you fucking stupid? Who’s this guy?”
It’s him assuming it’s a guy. My next words are on him.
“Look, I fucking get we’re not buddies, but I have kept my people safe, and the hacker helped me with that. So keep your bullshit to yourself.”
And for the first fucking time, Hunter keeps his mouth shut. I pick up the box and he follows me downstairs. I place it down on the kitchen island.
“He must have good contacts to get his hands on stuff like this. This must be new.” Hunter studies the transparent sheet.
Celine is the first to come down, followed by Mia.
“Hey, if you were the first in the kitchen, why didn’t you make breakfast?” Celine asks and Mia adds, “Well, chop chop. The first to arrive cooks breakfast.”
Hunter and I exchange a glance. I get the impression he applied my tactic too, waiting for someone else to make breakfast.
I prepare the omelets while he cuts some vegetables and arranges the table.
The click of a camera shutter interrupts the moment. Hunter and I take off after Blake, threatening him. He smirks. “It’s already in the cloud. I would be careful if I were you.”
“Ah, look at them. Is there a hidden camera somewhere?” Abi asks.
Mia says, “Finally. You two never happen to wake up first.”
“What are these?” Abi asks.
Everyone congregates around the package.
“For today,” I answer.
“How did you order these items so quickly?” Celine asks.
Whenever I think we have cleared everything up, new things pop up. I mouth later asDane comes downstairs.
While we eat, Celine looks curiously at Bailey, who’s engrossed in her phone.
“It’s Bailey, right? You wouldn’t trust an outsider and she has always had her face stuck in a device,” Celine says when we’re back in my room.
I nod. She never ceases to amaze me. “I’ll pretend I don’t know until she confides in me.”
“Thank you.”
She hops on my desk and swings her legs, sighing.
“What if it was my fault, after all, and Felix did me a favor by erasing my memories?”
I step between her legs, tipping her chin up. “We’ll deal with that.”
She chews on her lower lip. “What if Mom’s dead?”
I brush my knuckles against her cheeks. “We’re going to find out, but making yourself crazy with questions is not helpful.”
“You don’t understand…”
“Nothing will change the way I see you, the way I love you.”
“How?”
“Every beat of my heart is a testament to my love for you. Only you.” I follow my declaration with a kiss, and she buries her cheek in my chest. I hold her until she says, “You have to go.”
I change into a custom-made suit, and she arranges my tie. “Won’t it confuse you, hearing two voices?” she asks.
“Your voice is my guidance.”
She offers me the other earpiece and when I am done, she jumps in my arms. “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
I slip into my car and drive to the office. I talk to Celine in my ear and time flies by quickly. Twenty minutes later, I am downtown, the tower taunting the sky. An incredible building made of glass and cement greets me, but again, appearances, appearances.
I step inside, and the receptionist greets me. I head toward the elevator, glancing at my watch.
“I’m here,” Bailey says in my other earpiece.
“Good.”
One minute left. Being late and arriving early is a sign of disrespect in my father’s eyes.
Felix’s secretary, who I am convinced he is fucking, greets me. She’s his type, twenty years younger, with a model-like figure. She welcomes me with a big smile. I pity her. He won’t leave my mother, not because of love or loyalty, but because he must follow the rules too. Marriage is for life in the Family. That knowledge gives me great satisfaction.
I grind my jaw when the first thing he does is look at his watch.
“Kaden.”
“Felix.” It’s Father only when we’re in public.
“Keep eye contact,” Bailey says.
His eyebrows furrow, not understanding why I don’t follow protocol, and I drop my gaze.
Fuck. I won’t leave without completing my task.
“Baby, you can do this. Keep talking about him. All narcissists love that,” Celine suggests.
I approach him, and I shake his hand. He tries to release it, but I place mine on his. Surprise colors his face.
“I don’t know if it’s appropriate, but…”
He takes the bait and says, “Look at me.”
I watch him, counting the seconds, and in my ear, Bailey says, “Good, we’re almost done.”
“Thank you for this opportunity.”
“That’s it?”
“You’re the most powerful man in the Family, and I hope one day I can make you proud.”
I feel like I’m chewing dirt while saying this, but his eyes light up as if he’s been waiting a long time for me to say this.
“All I wanted was for you to be like me. Feelings are not the way to succeed in this life, son.”
“I’ve learned that.”
“I had to make you strong.”
“Done,” Bailey says.
I release his hand, pushing down the desire to wipe mine on my trousers, disgusted at the one who fathered me.
“How are Abigail and the rest?” he asks.
I tell him, avoiding anything Celine-related.
“What about Celine?”
Blood thirsty asshole.
“I wouldn’t know, and I don’t care.”
I even wave my hand to emphasize how much I don’t give a fuck, when all I care about is Celine.
“Don’t worry, she won’t be here for long.”
“Whatever.”
My pulse kicks up, and in my ear, Celine says, “Breathe, baby.”
He calls his assistant, dismissing me. “Make me proud. And come to dinner this week.”
She shows me to my office, which is next to his, spanning the entire top floor. “If you want something, please ring me.”
“Thank you.”
Her brows jump to her forehead, and she excuses herself quickly while I sit at my desk, opening the laptop.
By the end of the day, my head is a jumbled mess of numbers.
In the car, Bailey says through the earpiece, “This should open the door to the facility, but we need the same from Caleb.”
When I reach the house, I find just Bailey.
“Where are the others?”
“They went to scout the location.”
I turn to the window at the sound of cars approaching the house. One after the other, they park. Everybody hops out and comes inside.
Celine jumps straight into my arms. She slams her lips on mine and says, “I’m so proud of you.”
Blake is the next to enter, saying nothing and avoiding eye contact.
I follow him to his room, where he hits at his punching bag.
“Do you have something to tell me?”
“Not yet.”
He sneaks out night after night. How he can keep up with partying, fighting, his classes, and responsibilities, I have no fucking clue.
“It will be over soon.”
“Yes,” he says with a broken smile.
“We went through hell, and we will enjoy our freedom.”
With that, I leave him, nearly bumping into Hunter in the hallway.
“Your friend is hiding something. He’s jittery.”
“Blake would never betray us.”
“Good, I hope he doesn’t.”
Hunter turns and slams his bedroom door shut. I cup my neck, and when it’s too much to handle, I walk down the hall to Celine’s room. She’s at her desk, studying. Just like that, everything in me eases.
“And here I thought you’d be counting bullets or something.”
A laugh parts her lips. “Did that, but this calms me. Plus, I am behind.”
“And what are you studying?”
“Social sciences for my undergrad in sociology. It’s quite fascinating, don’t you think? Human life, time, civilization. In the big scheme of things, we’re a blip and still, we all leave something behind: drawings on caves, graveyards, and jewelry. The wind will carry our love, just like the language itself, never to be forgotten.”
“Like an echo, a distinct sound our souls will always recognize.”
We stare at each other in contemplative silence.
“I want to travel and discover other cultures when I’m not busy at home.”
I’ll make sure her every single wish comes true.
“And here I thought you’d start up gardening first?”
“Ugh, what did flowers do to you to wish them my black thumb?”
I burst into laughter, feeling elated. She chases any dark mood away.
Always has and always will be the source of my greatest light.