31. Juliette
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
juliette
This conversation has to happen. I just wish I could’ve put it off for at least another week when the evidence wasn’t quite so stark on my still tender face.
The guys have been extra gentle with me, and while my Omega side preens at the added attention and care, the independent woman in me wants to tell them to knock that shit off.
I’m not made of porcelain—steel more likely—but I’m giving them a little grace since they’re all still very much on edge. More so now.
We just called an all-family meeting and made the short trek over to the main house on the Ford Estate.
If Gran and Hudson’s reactions to my face are any indication of how the rest of this morning is going to go, I’d like a raincheck on this whole damn thing.
They’re the most easy going out of them all, which I know means Daddy’s gonna lose his shit.
Since I’m still not talking to the man—and I hold a grudge like a bucket holds water—I had Beck make that particular call.
Kash is damn near sweating bullets as he paces in front of the fireplace. The dark hardwood floors gleam under his boots, which are still a little dirty from yesterday’s rain, and I wince when I see the dusty imprints he’s leaving behind.
Mama and Daddy are dropping Charlotte off to spend the afternoon with Harper since we don’t need her worrying about this shit with Jack. She’ll fret over my cheek once she sees it, and that’s already more involved than I want her to be.
Hudson offers Gran some tea as she sits on the sofa in her sleek navy dress more suited to a boardroom than an afternoon at your best friend's house. The woman is nothing if not sophistication personified. They’re close…
maybe a little too close…with their heads down as they speak softly to each other.
Then Hudson’s hand shifts minutely—but damn does it speak volumes— landing on her thigh just above her knee.
My eyes cut to Kash, and we share a look. With a simple nod, he confirms everything they’ve been denying for years.
Holy shit. Our grandparents really are hot for each other. How in the hell did I ever believe this just friends bullshit?
Maybe I didn’t. Not really. I’ve always envied their closeness and have asked more than a time or two why they never got together, but I just accepted it for what it was.
It wasn’t my place to interfere. But now I’m suddenly coming to understand that while I’ve always shipped them in my head, maybe they’ve already christened that ship , so to speak.
The front door opens, and Beck steps over to where Kash is still pacing, putting a hand on his shoulder. Wyatt appears beside them, forming a united front. Guess it’s showtime.
As I slowly get to my feet, Daddy and Mama round the corner, and I know the second they get a good look at my face. Mama gasps, her hand flying up to cover her mouth, and Daddy is already in motion.
Panic rears up…
Except he stops right in front of me, eyes searing the bruise and cut as his shaking hands lightly grip my shoulders.
“Who did this to you?” he asks hoarsely.
I stare back into eyes that winced when Mama bandaged scraped knees, worried every time I tried some risky stunt on horseback, and looked at me with pride when I tried so hard to be the lady he wanted me to be.
We’re on shaky ground right now. I know, deep in his closed-off heart he loves me, but I’m worried that the second I utter this one simple word, it will be the final nail in the coffin.
“Jack.”
His nostrils flare, his eyes burning with so much fury that I’m already second guessing our decision to tell him.
His eyes cut to where my pack is standing. “You said she’d be safe.”
“Sir, I—” Kash begins, running a hand through his hair as his hat hangs from the hand at his side.
Beck squeezes Kash’s shoulder. “Mr. Callahan, we all know that Jack Ford is a cruel man, but none of us could’ve ever predicted he’d take things to this extreme.”
“He won’t get to her again,” Kash says, his voice low and firm.
My father turns back to me, eyes softening and voice becoming a mere whisper.
“I’m sorry. Truly. I never meant to hurt you.
I’ve spent my entire adult life living with the worry that one day Jack would take his hatred for me out on you.
I did what I thought had to be done to ensure your safety.
It wasn’t out of some need to control you or dictate your life.
It was simply out of fear of losing you.
” He gently leans forward—this man who is usually so rigid and controlled—and presses a soft kiss on my forehead.
“Now, I realize you were right. My actions aren’t much better than the man I’ve tried to keep from you. ”
Mason Callahan admitting he’s wrong is a once-in-a-lifetime event.
The fact that he’s looking me in the eye while spilling his heart out?
Absolutely priceless . It’s exactly what I needed from him in order to leave the past where it belongs because I never once doubted that he loves me.
I doubted his ability to see that love doesn’t give him carte blanche control over my life.
My hands lift to grip his wrists. “I love you, Daddy, and I forgive you, but now I need you to let me take the reins. Let me live my life as I see fit.”
“You’re smart. Beautiful, like your mama. Stubborn and hardheaded, like me. But I know that you’re going to be a better parent to your little girl than I ever was to you.”
Mama is suddenly beside us, and we end up in a family hug that is long overdue.
“I love you, honey bun,” she whispers, kissing my temple.
“Love you too, Mama.”
Stepping back, I walk over to where my three guys are waiting. There’s one more thing that we need to let everyone in on, and here’s to hoping it doesn’t ruin the fragile peace that now exists.
Strategically inserting myself between Beck and Kash, my hands slide down until our fingers are entangled.
A hint of jasmine and salted sea rushes up from behind, and I know Wyatt has taken up a position behind me.
I see the slow smiles that appear on Hudson and Gran’s faces, the shock that appears in Mama’s eyes, and the blank expression that has shuttered my daddy’s face.
“This is my pack. Beck and Kash will be my Alphas. As the most important people in our lives, we’d appreciate your support, but know that regardless, we’ll make things official when we’re ready.”
Daddy’s eyes narrow on Kash. “Is this why your father attacked her? Because you’re now courting my daughter after telling me right to my face that you weren’t involved?”
“Mason,” Gran murmurs, “calm down. That boy’s been in love with her since he was barely walking. You can’t be surprised they ended up here. I’m sure Jack’s attack has nothing to do with Kash, and I think, deep down, you know that too.”
“Just so we’re clear, Kash wasn’t courting me when Jack lured me out and attacked me. In fact, he was more upset by the idea that I thought his son wasn’t good enough to bond.”
Daddy blinks, startled by the realization that the very thing he’s tried to keep me from all these years is the one thing that set Jack off. By repeating history, he inadvertently sent Jack into this new spiral of loathing.
“You only did what you thought was right, sweetheart,” Mama says, running her hand down Daddy’s back. “But now these kids have finally found a way back to each other, and our little girl has fallen in love. It’s time to set aside the past and let them live for the future.”
Now, it’s my turn to get choked up. I didn’t know Mama had it in her. Guess we’re all learning something new today.
“I… I apologize,” Daddy whispers, despair written across his face.
He shares a long weighted look with Mama, then he straightens his shoulders and stalks forward until he’s standing in front of all of us.
He holds out his hand, first to Kash. “I would like to give my formal approval for you to court my daughter. I expect you all to treat her right, keep her safe, and love her. That’s all I ask. ”
Mama sniffles, and I hear Gran offer her a tissue as Daddy shakes Beck’s hand, then Wyatt’s.
“We appreciate that, sir. We’ll love her with all that we are and all that we have.”
Daddy shoots Kash a reluctant grin. “Think it’s time you finally called me Mason.”
When Kash nods, the tension that was in the room simply evaporates.
“But Jack is still out there plotting Lord knows what.” Daddy runs his hand over his mouth. “How are we going to keep her and Charlotte safe?”
Kash clears his throat. “I’ve got eyes in town. If Jack shows his face, I’ll be alerted immediately.”
“And we’ve already decided that, for now, one of us will always be with Jules and Charlotte if they leave the estates.” Beck’s hand gives mine a little squeeze.
We discussed this beforehand, and while I’m not exactly thrilled with the prospect of having shadows following me around—even sexy ones like my men—I know it will help calm their fears and give them peace of mind until we can figure out a more permanent solution.
“I’m also adding perimeter cameras throughout the Ford estate and the property we purchased. I’d be happy to help your foreman put something together for the Callahan estate as well,” Wyatt offers.
Daddy nods. “I’ll take you up on that. Hudson says you’ve already revamped his entire workflow and done wonders with the crew in a short amount of time. We’d love to have you over to assess our current processes as well.”
My heart swells until it’s nearly bursting.
Hudson clears his throat, peering down at Gran with so much love sparkling in his eyes that it’s astounding. “With this latest development, and Kash and his pack officially moving back to Darling, we have our own announcement to make.”
His hand reaches down to grip Gran’s tightly. “Rose and I have decided to make our commitment to each other official after all these years of waiting. We’ll be moving into the Callahan estate, and we will be formally gifting the Ford estate to Kash and his pack.”
“Gramps, you don’t have to?—”
“Kash.” Hudson stands, making his way over to us.
“I have waited for this day for decades. You and your pack have proven yourselves to be smart businessmen that are capable of doing great things for not only yourselves, but the community as a whole. You’ve stood up to your father to protect the woman you love, and you’ve finally made the first move to take Juliette as your Omega.
I would be honored for you to carry out the Ford legacy and build something special here for your growing family. ”
In a move I never would’ve seen coming, Kash steps into Hudson, throwing his arms around the older man who tightly grips him back.
“Thanks, Gramps,” my Alpha murmurs.
Hudson pats him on the back, then turns to my father. “I would also like to ask for your support, Mason. I know this is a lot, and it’s all happening so fast, but?—”
“You’re already part of this family, Hudson. I’m just glad it will finally be official.” They shake hands, and I swear, my emotions are on a roller coaster.
Gran stands, brushing imaginary lint off the fabric of her dress.
“Son, I know we should’ve talked to you about all of this beforehand, but the timing was just too perfect.
The future has never looked better for the Callahans and Fords, and…
to be quite frank…we’re not getting any younger.
I want to spend the rest of my life with the man I love. No more hiding.”
“Oh, I’m gonna cry again!” I hear Mama choke out before Daddy stalks over to her side and tucks her into his arms.
He kisses her temple, nuzzling into her cheek. “Seems like we all have something to celebrate. Tomorrow, we’re gonna hold the first official Callahan-Ford barbeque and bonfire to commemorate the moment.”
Before I know what’s happening, Kash scoops me up into his arms, spins me around, and kisses me in front of the entire room.
“I love you, June bug.”
“Love you too, Daisy.”
With my hands framing his face, I stare down into eyes that used to haunt my dreams for all the wrong reasons. Now, I’m ready for them to rock my world for all the right ones.