Chapter 38 – Riley Thomas
Riley Thomas
T he next several weeks are hard. It's difficult to handle the guilt and regret that comes every time I think of Jeremy preying on some other unsuspecting girl.
Felicity suggests I start seeing a therapist and although we've only had two meetings, I can admit that it does help me process my thoughts and feelings.
Dr. Moore said something in our last meeting that stuck with me more than anything any of the guys have said. She basically reiterated the fact that I'm one of his victims. Victims heal in all sorts of different ways.
Some need to face their abuser in court. Others are more traumatized by rehashing the details and the spectacle of it all.
She said I have to do what's right for me and my children. Which is essentially what the guys have been repeating anytime the subject is brought up.
Part of me wishes I could see him suffer, but more of me just wants to heal and move on. I'm no longer making excuses for Jeremy Northbrook. What he did was unequivocally wrong, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
"I feel compelled to remind you," Finn says, leaning in and kissing me. It's a dirty, tantalizing kiss that makes me want to stretch out across the bed in offering. "You're stuck with me now, even when you're cross with me."
I grin, shaking my head. It's difficult to imagine being truly angry with Finn for anything.
The strange ringing echo of a video call fills the room. The screen lights up.
Incoming Call From StormSurge.
I snort a laugh at the name.
"Don't do that once I answer," Finn gently chastises. "Storm is truly terrifying."
"Go on." I nod. The screen comes into focus and my jaw literally drops.
"Callan?" I hiss, jabbing a finger at the computer. "What the hell is going on?" The last part I direct at Finn.
We're supposed to be having a quick and easy conversation with Finn's hacker friend.
"Hey, Riles," Callan says, giving an awkward little wave.
"Yo," the huge guy at his side says. He's massive, taking up more than half the picture. He's got short dark curly hair and dark skin.
"Storm, how are you?" Finn asks, pulling me into his side.
"Good, you got what I sent you?" Storm asks.
"We did," Finn agrees. "I hear we're more interconnected than I ever would have guessed?"
"You're the tech guy?" I ask. "And you know Callan?"
The big guy nods. "He's my pack mate."
"Holy shit," I sputter out.
"How's that for coincidence?" Callan asks, laughing awkwardly. "You look good, Riles. I'm glad you're doing okay."
"Thanks Callan, I'm actually really great."
"Is she there? On the screen?" a small voice asks.
"Ahh child, you're blowing our cover," an extremely thick country accent hisses.
"I need to talk to her," Lyric Sinclair says, popping up on camera. She takes a seat on Callan's lap and it sends a pang to my heart. The way he grins at her? Yeah, he's totally head over heels.
Bryan loved Callan. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, but that was never Callan's fault. It's good to see him happy and doing well.
"We wrote a song in your brother's memory and I personally never thought to ask about his family," Lyric says, frowning. "I'm sorry for that."
I swipe a hand through the air. "People and feelings can't be intellectual property, at least I don't think-"
"Doesn't matter," Lyric says firmly. "We should have reached out to you, given you some warning."
I eye Callan. He did, he called me and told me about the song and what to expect. I'm pretty sure he was still with his ex, Christy, at the time though.
"It's okay," I tell her.
"We donated all the proceeds to two charities I sponsor." Lyric wiggles, fidgeting around. "Can I just have a minute with Riley?"
"Can I stay?" the small boy asks, popping up at her side.
"No," Storm says. He scoops up the boy and corrals the complaining country voice out of the room.
"Oh good, less of an audience," Lyric says. "JJ and Storm mentioned a little about your ex… Total fuck face. We realized some of that money from Darkest Nights and Dirty Habits should have gone to you. We'd like to set up some type of trust for your girls."
"That's very sweet, but unnecessary," I tell her. Finn kisses my cheek and softly purrs trying to comfort me. This entire conversation is an emotional roller-coaster.
"You can't say no," Lyric says, frowning. "I mean, please don't say no. One day, you and I will have a long talk about why I'm pretty sure your brother saved my life-"
Callan cuts her off. "We're actually planning a visit to come out and see you. If that's okay?" he asks.
"Of course," Finn says, laughing. He looks at me. "Life sure has gotten more exciting since you came into our lives."
"We'll set something up," Lyric says, giving me a soft smile.
We disconnect and Finn snorts a laugh. "Never even got into the basics of what Storm found about him."
They never say Jeremy's name. Honestly, I don't mind. The disdain Finn conveys without even using his name says it all.
"It's alright, I'm pretty sure I don't need to know. Mostly, I just want to move on," I tell him truthfully.
I'm still a little shocked by the entire conversation with Lyric and Callan.
How the hell did Bryan save Lyric's life?
I guess that's a story for another time.
* * *
"The Button is awake and eyeing the tree. She's got a look like she's plotting ways to distract Kiki long enough that she can rip into all her goodies," Finn says, kissing me deeply.
"Yay!" I squeal. "Let's do this whole Christmas thing!"
I hated Christmas growing up. It was nothing more than another day of the year. There weren't presents or nice dinners. We didn't sing or have traditions. All that changed this year. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of my child? The holiday is reborn.
Each of the guys had their own particular traditions, from setting up the tree and special decorations, to a Christmas village so intricate I nearly cried thinking Cove might drop something.
"Fear not," Finn said, grinning. "It's all replaceable. What's not? These memories, so stop stressing and enjoy this with us."
It wasn't easy, but I've mostly managed to stop jumping up any time she gets within five feet of the massive display. Mostly.
Jasper is organizing piles of boxes in front of all the seats when we walk into the living room. He spots me and grins wickedly. "You're on the edge of the couch with Killian."
"Mine is the biggest!" Cove shrieks, tossing herself at my knees. "Cannon said maybe I can help Lils too!"
"Sure did," Cannon says, leaning over and taking my mouth in a tender, but quick kiss. "She might try to chew on the paper."
"That's right," Cove says, crossing her arms over her chest and giving me a cheesy over the top smile.
Dear Lord, what a difference a few months can make. Never in a million years did I think I'd have a pack. Let alone four men who adore my girls and treat them better than I ever could've imagined.
"Come on, gorgeous," Killian says, yanking me down next to him on the chaise lounge area of the sectional.
"And you, little lady." He grabs Cove and puts her on his chest.
Finn yanks out his phone and starts snapping pictures.
"Santa did come," Cove says, crawling over me to get to the middle seat. "I can open it?"
"Say it with me, can I open it?" I say, tickling her sides.
"Can I open it?" Cove asks, her small head spins and she flutters her lashes at the guys. "Puh-lease, I need to do it." She nods commandingly.
"Go on," Jasper says, yanking his phone out too.
Cannon grabs Lily and takes the edge seat on the couch. He helps open one for her before Finn snatches her up and demands that he gets to be in the pictures too.
We spend the next hour or so opening gifts and listening to Christmas music.
As the presents dwindle, I run over to the buffet and grab out the four boxes.
I hand them out to the guys while Cove is busy showing Lily her new toys.
It was an adventure picking out safe options considering Lily will be crawling soon.
She's in the Jumperoo. Sometimes she gets lucky and manages to twist herself around to look at something new.
It's adorable. She looks like she's doing squats and I laugh behind my hand.
"For us?" Cannon asks, kissing my cheek.
"Yes," I agree in a shaky tone. I'm suddenly nervous as hell. "It's from the three of us."
"It is," Cove says, dumping out a massive pile of blocks.
"They're all the same so try to open in unison," I say, clearing my throat awkwardly.
They rip into their boxes. On top is a photo book filled with pictures of all of us.
Jasper holding Cove on Thanksgiving, Cannon kissing me senseless in the nest, Cove coloring with Killian, Finn holding Lily while having a puppet show for Cove.
The last page says a special message personalized for each of them.
They laugh and snort looking at the pictures. Killian is the first to notice the large envelope in the bottom. "What's this?" he rumbles.
The other three quickly abandon their photo albums to grab their envelopes.
"Go on," I say. It's the pack paperwork I completed with Benjamin Nash. It includes a formal request to legally adopt the girls. All they have to do is sign it and we can submit it.
They all start laughing and I get a little anxious. "What's so funny?"
"Hold on one second," Finn says, hopping up and going to the buffet table. He comes back with a coat size box. "Open it."
I rip open the paper and inside is a folder similar to the one I gave them.
"No wonder my dad couldn't stop laughing," Cannon says, shaking his head. His backwards ball cap and grin send a wild throb to my nipples.
"You guys did it too?" I ask, snorting a laugh.
"We did," Killian agrees.
"I love it," I whimper. "Best gift ever!"
"Agreed," Jasper says, pulling me into his arms and kissing me deeply. "Tater Tot, remember that box we hid earlier?"
"Yes! I can gets it." Cove pops up and bolts. She comes back thirty seconds later holding her hands behind her back. "Come get it," she says.
I walk over to her and she runs back to the couch. When I turn around all four of my guys are kneeling. Killian holds Lily and Cove is standing in front of them with a small box in her hand.
"Wanna get married mommy?" Cove asks, her words aren't perfect, but I get the general idea. My heart pounds in my chest and I rush them all.
Cannon holds me to him. Finn kisses me. Jasper grins, squeezing my hand, and when I look at Kills he's got a girl on each hip.
"Wanna see the ring?" Killian asks, holding Cove out like she's flying.
She pops open the box and I gasp. It's a beautiful flower engagement ring. And. It's. Huge.
"It's a starburst floral diamond halo in white gold," Jasper says, grabbing it out of the box and sliding it on my finger. "Is that a yes?"
"She does seem quite excited if she was planning to break our hearts," Finn says, grinning. "Yes, darling?"
"Yes," I whisper.
The ring sparkles as I twist my hand. The diamonds are all round, the center stone is surrounded by smaller diamonds that make the petals.
"It's pretty, I like it," Cove says, stretching for me.
"Me too," I agree, taking her and holding her tight.
"Unless you want to fly to Vegas, we'll have a few months to plan," Cannon says, wrapping his arms around us. "Can't do much outside with all the snow. We could do an inside thing though."
"Something small is perfect," I say, kissing his cheek.
"Dang Riles, knew you were going to say that," Jasper grumbles.
"Small is fine," Killian agrees.
Cove wiggles and I let her down to play with her toys.
"Need to hand off the little one," Killian says, handing Lily to me. "Gotta start breakfast."
"Thank you," I whisper, stretching up and kissing him.
"This is the first day of many good days," Cannon says, squeezing my ass. "We love you, Riley."