Chapter 31
Hunter
“Harris, can you help me gather the troops into the kitchen?” Jax steps next to me.
“Sure, what’s up?” I ask.
“The hackers have information regarding the Camp. I want everyone together before I go into it.”
“I’ll go hunt them down now.”
Jax claps me on the back, and I turn to go back the way I just came.
The bedrooms are a good place to start. Everyone's doors are still closed so they must all still be asleep.
It's been a long night, and I tossed and turned restlessly, so I chose to just get up at six instead of kicking my covers around.
I knock on each door, calling out from the hallway, “Everyone up. Jax wants all in the kitchen, now.”
Pretty Girl cracks open Razor and Synn's door with a yawn. “But why?” she whines.
“It’s about The Camp,” I tell her.
Male grumbles come from behind her. The Six all stumble out, shirtless and still half-asleep. Surely, she didn’t...?
Shaking my head, I get rid of the petty jealousy. I already agreed to share her, so I have no right to be upset.
The seven of them go back in to get dressed. Valley’s door opens, her and Bryan coming out dressed already.
I tap my foot waiting on my sister and knock again. “Cynthia? Get dressed.”
I frown at the lack of an answer. Another door opens further down the hall, and a grinning Thor and Cynthia walk out. My face reddens with rage. I may have said begrudgingly that the two of them together are okay, but I am full of shit. Seeing it like this— just no.
Cynthia walks right up to me. “Don’t say a word. Thor is my man. I will have more to add to my harem soon.” She sniffs, raising her head high.
Valley giggles, and Bryan nudges her.
While I stew in my anger, the rest come out dressed. The look on Pretty Girl’s face would be funny if I wasn’t so pissed.
My sister shoots my girl a full-toothed grin.
Shaking my head, I lead the way into the kitchen.
Jax stands at the head of the large table. The rest of the ZYGOS team is already present, hackers included.
They saved seats for the three girls, who each sit down. The rest of us stand near the table.
“Okay, so here’s the deal,” Jax starts. “The Camp is not just for patients from The Retreat. It appears there are many hands in the cookie jar. It is a massive main place where people from all over the world are sent for their special brand of ‘training’. Considering this, I’ve decided to leave it for now.
We are in no way prepared to take on something global. ”
“Fuck!” Synn yells. Heads nod in agreement with his outburst.
“So, we just overlook it for now?” I ask for clarification.
“Unfortunately, that's all we can do right now,” Jax confirms. “But I still want to try and get our guys inside. It's risky, but we need more intel. I’m working on the particulars right now. That's all I’ve got to report. Everyone, please eat and go about your business.”
People mill around the kitchen, grabbing coffee and food. I join them, gritting my teeth when Cynthia sidles up to Bill, putting her arm around him. She whispers something in his ear, and he laughs.
My sister then skips over to Maverick, saying something to him as well. He blushes, but a grin ghosts his lips. She heads toward Jax, but he dips out fast. She pouts, but Thor quickly goes to her side.
“Fuck my life. My sister is going to give me a damn coronary,” I mutter to myself.
Phoenyxx
Poor Hunter. He looks like he’s about to combust.
I feel kind of bad, since Cynthia is following my lead. But she is a grown woman.
I bump shoulders with her and wink. She gives me a brilliant smile, and I laugh.
Finished eating, I carry my coffee cup out of the kitchen.
Jax intercepts me. “Your parents would like to see you again. They said there’s things they want to go over with you.”
“Oh, okay. When?”
I’m more than fine with that. My heart warms at the memory of the time I’ve already spent with them.
“Whenever you have time. You may bring anyone you wish as well,” Jax says.
“Let me talk to the guys. How about this afternoon? One-ish?”
“I’ll relay that to them. My guys will be escorting you, as usual. Meet at the garage around noon,” Jax says, and I nod.
I'm excited to see them again. I decide to bring Hunter and Sam this time. I don’t feel the need to have a large entourage like I did the first meeting.
I go in search of them, humming softly to myself. I feel happiness bursting in my chest, and the feeling is foreign, yet addictive. I know I deserve it, though.
We pull into the now-familiar driveway to my parent’s house. My grin is wide enough to split my skin, but I’m happy as hell to see my parents. My real family.
Hunter, Sam, and me head inside. The ZYGOS guys stay in the car, thankfully.
“Caterina!” My mother rushes forward the second we step inside, wrapping me up in a hug. I hug her back tightly.
“Phoenyxx, Dear,” my father chides, but I just shake my head, pulling back.
Straightening my spine, I say loud and clear, “It’s okay, Mother. You may call me Caterina. That is my given name, after all.”
The look on Hunter’s face is one of surprise.
Tears spring from my mother’s eyes, as well as my father’s.
They usher me over to the sofa we sat on before.
“Your full name is Caterina Isabella Rossi. You were named after my grandmother with your first name, and your mother’s mother for your middle name,” My father proudly states.
I actually like it. It sounds strong, powerful—regal, even.
I take my mother’s hand, who keeps looking at me like I’m the most precious thing in the world.
Hunter clears his throat. “This is Samuel Solomon.”.
My father startles. “Solomon? As in—?”
Sam cuts in. “Yes, Sir. Betty Solomon is my mother, and Volkov is my father.”
“Well then. That's unexpected. It's alright. Your parentage makes no difference to me. As long as you treat my daughter well,” my father responds.
Emotions flit across Sam’s face. My Golden-Eyed Boy is still getting used to the idea of acceptance.
“Thank you, Sir. That means a lot.” Sam speaks clearly, and I smile at him in encouragement.
“The reason I asked you here today, Caterina, is to go over some business things with you.
As you know, we run several legitimate businesses.
Rossi Enterprises is one. We sell weapons to the military, and licensed gun sales vendors.
The second is Caterina Inc., which deals in aiding the police in finding missing women and children.
The third is Rossi Licenses, which sells various licenses to the public for things such as fishing, gun ownership, etc.
“We'd like to put you on one, two, or all three boards as a board member with majority, and possibly CEO if you choose that route down the line.
Ever since you were born, your mother and I have been putting funds into a bank account for you.
We continued to add to it, even after you were taken from us. There is quite a hefty sum as of now.
“Lastly, we want to discuss the mafia portion of business. We are getting older and would be pleased to pass the mantle down to you, as my heir. You would have full control to do as you wish,” my father finishes.
My head is spinning from all this information. I look to Hunter and Sam, who both smile.
“Do whatever you feel is right, Pretty Girl,” Hunter tells me.
The wheels turn in my brain. I take a deep breath, the feeling of rightness increasing with every word I speak.
“I would be honored to be on the board of all of them, most especially the one that helps kidnapped women and kids. The bank account does make me a bit uncomfortable, but I’ll accept it with gratitude.
” Chewing my lip, I contemplate the last option.
“I need time to process the idea of being an heir, please. I don’t want to rush into that. ”
My father hugs me to him, my mother hugging me next.
“You’re amazing, Caterina. We are honored to have such a strong, brave daughter. Take all the time you need. There is no pressure. It's entirely up to you. No repercussions either way,” my father says with pride in his eyes.
I glance to Sam and Hunter, who both have tears glistening in their eyes. They understand the gravity of all this.
My mother claps her hands together. “Now, how about a nice meal? We have all the Italian favorites!”
“That sounds lovely, Mrs. Rossi,” Hunter responds.
“Oh, please, call me Pamela,” she tells him.
We proceed to eat until we’re all stuffed.
There was everything from spaghetti to lasagna, and new desserts I haven’t tried before. I've now developed an obsession for cannoli.
My mother sent a large plate with us to bring back. My guys will fight over it, I’m sure.
Before we leave, my father hands me a large stack of papers. “Please read and sign these, in your own time, Carina. We'll plan on seeing you soon?”
“Thank you, and of course. I look forward to it.” I kiss them both on the cheek, and get in one last hug.
I can’t wait to fill the others in.
Synn
I'm waiting eagerly for Pazessca to return from seeing her parents. I'm annoyed she didn’t bring me with her, but I get it.
Things are moving more quickly now. It's all lining up beautifully—too easily, honestly. Shit is going to hit the fan again soon.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, the one I kept, though Jax gave us burners. I couldn’t part with it since a lot of Franco contacts have the number. I pull it out, seeing an unknown number on the screen. Thinking it could be about Pazessca, I answer it.
“Yeah?”
“Meet with me in thirty minutes and come alone.” My father's angry and cold voice shocks me.
“Why?”
“Just do this, Joseph. If you don’t, the ones you love will suffer.”
“Where?” I grit out between clenched teeth.
My father shares the address, which is one I don’t recognize, then hangs up without another word.
My fist slams into the wall and I debate getting help. The threats are too vague, and I don’t know what I’m walking into; so, I decide to go alone.
I snatch a pair of keys off the rack inside the garage, pressing unlock to figure out which car it is. One of the flashy ones, a red Ferrari.
I plug the address into the GPS on my phone, and head to the address, gunning it to hopefully arrive before my father does.
I pull up to a random Italian restaurant, Mancini’s.
I snort; of course, the pompous bastard would be so damn cliche.
Parking the car, I walk inside. Looking around, I don’t see him or any of his men. The host hustles up to me.
“Mr. Franco, we’ve been expecting you. Please, right this way.”
I'm taken to the back of the restaurant, into a booth partially closed off by a wall. I'm brought a bottle of wine and a glass, as well as a hot bowl of bread. I turn my nose up at both. I just want to get this shit over with. I settle in to wait.
Thirty minutes later, my father sweeps into the small restaurant with his entourage.
God, what a dipshit. He looks like such a douche.
His eyes lock onto mine as he takes his time coming to the booth. He slides in opposite me, his guards standing; flanking the booth.
“Joseph. You have pushed me too far. All the fathers have been pushed too far by this point. You are no longer being given a choice in anything. In fact, we no longer consider any of you our heirs.”
I press a hand to my heart dramatically. “Oh no. How will I ever go on?”
“You insufferable piece of shit,” my father says in a lowered voice.
“Answer me one thing. Well... two. What the hell was the point of the arranged marriages? And where the hell are our mothers?”
My father’s face turns beet red. “Such stupid questions. The marriages were for two things—money and power. We were attempting to connect families. Your mothers are no longer your concern. They stand with their husbands, as it should be.”
“You disgust me.” I spit at the man I once called my father.
“One last thing, Joseph. Your little girlfriend is on borrowed time. The clock is ticking. I will bring her back to me, where she should’ve never left. After I have my fill, I will end her—right in front of you.”
I jump up with a roar. “You are a dead man! You will never get access to her again, do you hear me?” I swipe everything off the table in a rage, glasses hitting the floor and shattering.
I stalk out of the restaurant, pure rage fueling me.
This threat isn’t empty; he means it. There's only one thing I can do to keep Pazessca safe. She may hate me for it, but I have no choice.
Fucking motherfucker. Dead man walking is what that piece of shit sperm donor is.
My fist smacks the steering wheel as I drive.
“Fuck.”
I barely glance at my split knuckles, not even registering the pain.
I’m so sick of having no choice but to do what my father wants. Especially if there are threats involved. The one against Pazessca; that's the worst one he could make.
I can’t hurt her again. My Pazessca. Nor my brothers, all of them, even the new additions, Harris and Sam.
What I'll have to do will hurt them all. Again.
Thinking back to childhood, I honestly don’t remember the exact age I was subjected to the violence. I recall playing with my brothers, maybe four or five years old.
But I'll never forget the first time I was forced to watch torture and murder. It traumatized me. For everything I was forced to participate in, every incident put a black stain on my soul. Over the years, the black spread to my heart, then my mind. Until her.
Pazessca unlocked a part of my very essence I didn’t know existed. I discovered love, compassion, empathy. So, hurting her like I was forced to do with that setup with Valley utterly destroyed me.
My mind is always in chaos. OCD screams at me to put everything in order. Anxiety and depression war for dominance, pushing me to cause pain. Then there’s the rage disorder I was diagnosed with, IED—Intermittent Explosive Disorder. And PTSD.
My mother forced my father to put me in therapy when I was fourteen. It lasted all of one session. I scared the therapist so badly, my father was told not to bring me back.
So, I rage. And rage.
My chest heaves with an unsounded scream. My body vibrates with the need to destroy, to cause damage, to annihilate.
I finally let the scream loose, yelling so loudly I startle the driver next to me at the stoplight. I punch the steering wheel until the light turns green.
Gritting my teeth, I internally berate myself and my father as I head to the destination.
I have to do this. It's the only fucking way.
Pazessca is going to hate me—everyone will.