“Okay, we’ve got to go,” Reign instructs, leaving no room wiggle room for negotiations. It’s like having an annoying know-it-all big brother.
Peering out, I take in the beauty of the landscape around me for the last time and stand. Once again, this spot has been just what I needed. I have my answer.
It’s time to go back.
EMMA
“Why aren’t you coming back with us, Grandpa?” Kellan whines as we sit outside under the Colorado evening sky.
I watch the orange, red, yellow, and purple hues line the scattering clouds as the sun sets off in the distant mountains. Part of me wishes I could stay here in the bubble of calm, but a greater part of me recognizes changes must be made.
A shriek of laughter before a large-sounding splash garners my attention. Turning to the pool, I see a very wet Nando and Eli rising from the water. Their scowling faces lasered on Reign, who’s bent over cackling. He’s so distracted he doesn’t notice when Jamie and Kylan sneak up behind him. Both give each other a knowing look and smirk before shoving Reign into the pool.
“That’s what you get,” I shout once Reign’s head pops up from the water before he flips me the finger and grins.
Our grandparents decided to throw a small graduation and going away party. High school seems so long ago, and I honestly forgot about graduation in all the mayhem.
Yet another thing they robbed me of. The list of their transgressions is mounting.
Gazing around the intimate gathering, I recognize some of the people I’ve met since being in Colorado mixed amongst a crowd of unfamiliar faces. One, in particular, grabs my attention. I feel like I’ve seen her before, but I can’t be sure. I study her for a moment. Her brunette hair is highlighted auburn and falls just past her tanned, slender shoulders. Her head turns slightly as if she can feel my eyes, and honey-brown eyes connect with mine. A catlike grin curls her lips before she winks, then returns her attention to the man she is watching.
“Who is that?” I lean over and whisper to my grandmother.
She follows my line of sight and smiles. “That’s Brea, Dear.”
“She looks familiar. Have I met her before?”
“I’m sure you’ll meet her at some point this evening,” my grandmother replies.
Way to not really answer my question.
Sighing at her non-answer, I ask, “And who’s that?” nodding to the man across the pool who Brea’s been watching.
“Caden Danvers, sole heir to the Danvers Group Incorporated. Your grandfather is a silent investor, but once we come out of hiding, he will join their board of trustees,” she explains.
Watching Caden, I can see why Brea might be ogling him. He’s a handsome man. Tall and in his mid to late twenties. He has curly charcoal-colored hair that’s been loosely styled, striking hazel eyes that are more blue-green than brown, and an athletic build that would be obvious even if he wasn’t in shorts and a polo.
“I will be along shortly, Kellan. Granddad needs to wrap up a few things before I can join you all.”
My head whips back to the table at our grandfather’s words. All interest in Brea and Caden forgotten.
“You’re coming back? Is it safe?” I blurt out.
My grandparents have worked so hard to keep our family out of harm’s way, going as far as relinquishing the leadership of the Fraternitas to the Calloways, faking their deaths, and going into hiding.
“It’s time. Much like you, my time for hiding is over. If we’re going to put the rightful Heir back at the helm, all hands must be on deck,” he states.
Unease fills me. They’ve sacrificed so much already. I was apprehensive and angry when I first met my grandfather, but we’ve gotten closer over the past nine and a half weeks. While I may not agree with all the secrets they still keep from me, I understand some of the whys behind it.
I don’t want anything to happen to him or to them.
Sensing my worry, my grandmother’s hand rubs my back. “We need to keep you safe. You’re the future of this family, Emma. All paths to change will be made through you.”
Well, that’s not pressure or anything.
I open my mouth to object, but my grandfather silences my rebuttal with his next words.
“We’ve been on defense for too long. Now, it’s their turn, and we won’t stop until they’re all dead.”
I could’ve sworn I left the photo on my dresser. I need that damn picture. I knew I should’ve packed it away, but seeing it each morning fortified my need to stay focused and to work harder.
“You ready to go, Ry?” I look up to see Dad standing in the doorway and smile.
Bronston has pushed the limits of our relationship. It’s been frustrating, especially when he and Granddad would pull their
‘we’ll tell you when it’s time’ bullshit. I chuckle at the memory of some of my outbursts. It wasn’t until after a few heart-to-hearts with my grandmother that I realized that just because I didn’t like their answers didn’t mean they were treating me like a child.
His throat clears, and I know I’ve been lost in my head and have yet to answer his question.
“Almost, but I can’t find the photo. I swore I left it on the nightstand for me to pack last, but it’s not here.” I sigh.
“Maybe you or one of the packers boxed it up with the other stuff,” he suggests.
Rubbing my forehead, I try to remember whether I saw it before bed last night. He’s probably right. With all the stress of the move and my nervousness about heading back, the picture is probably with the others.
I take one last look around before heading to the car. When I step outside, I see five identical SUVs.
“Is the president here or something?” I ask Reign, stepping up beside him.
He says something in his earpiece before turning to me. He’s wearing his no-nonsense face. I guess that should be expected. We rarely left the estate, but whenever we did, the jokester persona he regaled us with at home was nonexistent.
“Necessary precaution,” is his only response before he walks off to bark orders to the security team.
“There’s been a threat,” Dad states, opening the car door.
This gets my attention, but I slide inside and wait for everyone to settle before I rattle my questions. Gram, Jamie, and the twins climb in next and buckle up before Dad finally joins us.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.