Page 61 of Entangled in Them

Chapter Twenty-seven

Rue

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THE NEXT FEW DAYS FOLLOWED in a sex-filled haze, only broken up with delicious meals cooked by Kodee, and their work hours, where they’d vanish into the room without me.

I’d become a part of the easy affection that existed between them—the kisses on the back of the neck, the playful swat on the bottom, the strong arms around the waist. There never seemed to be any strain or jealousy between us. Even Ryan, who I’d thought was going to be the most possessive over the others, especially where Kodee was involved, didn’t show any resentment to my new inclusion in the group.

I’d never experienced anything like it before, that feeling of being wanted and included, as an equal and not just as a toy for men to play with. Dillon teased me and flirted shamelessly, while Kodee included me in the more domesticated side of life, and Ryan took time to continue to read with me.

Kodee had given me a couple of drawers to keep my belongings. I still only had the items that Dillon had bought for me on that first day, but it was enough. Searching for a pair of panties in the smaller top drawer, I fished around. My fingertips met with something smooth right at the back. Something had slipped down the back of the drawer, and I worked to pull it out. It was a piece of shiny paper. No, not normal paper. Photo paper.

Immediately, I knew I was prying. Whatever this was, it didn’t belong to me. Kodee had been kind enough to give me use of his private space, to allow me to hollow out a small area for belongings of my own, though I knew it wouldn’t stay that way for long. Though I knew I shouldn’t look, I wanted to know more about this handsome man, who insisted on no commitment or emotions, despite me catching moments of deep intensity in his brown eyes. He was so in control all the time, taking care of each of us, but I felt sure he wanted to let go.

Slowly and carefully, I pulled the picture out of the drawer.

My heart thumped, my mouth running dry.

It was a photograph of Kodee, though I guessed it was from a few years ago, by the look of him in the picture. He seemed carefree and happy, smiling widely at the camera. But that wasn’t what had caught my attention and made my heart pound. In the photograph, he had his arm around a young woman, holding her tight to his side. And held in front of them was a boy I placed at around four years old. Could it be a sister and a nephew? From the way the woman was gazing up at him adoringly, I didn’t think so. The boy looked like Kodee, too—had the same eyes and nose—though that didn’t rule out them being family members.

My breath was shallow, and I felt like I’d been punched in the chest.

So, Kodee had a family somewhere. Did the others know? Had Kodee left them for Ryan, perhaps not acknowledging his sexuality until later in life? From the way the photograph was hidden right at the back of the drawer, I got the impression his family was something he was ashamed of, yet couldn’t quite let go of.

The photograph sat uneasily with me. Of each of the men, Kodee had been the one who’d seemed the kindest, and the one with the strongest morals. The idea that he’d abandoned a young family and was now hiding their existence, didn’t sit right with me.

Did I have any right to ask him about the photograph? We were having sex, but we knew this wasn’t for the long term. Even though none of us ever talked about the reason I was in their apartment in the first place, and that I was only with them for as long as the Capello brothers wanted to keep me hidden, I was still aware that we didn’t have a future together. So, should he be allowed to keep his secrets, or should I bring it up? I didn’t even know if Ryan and Dillon knew about Kodee’s past life. While I might not have a future with any of them, they did.

Didn’t they have a right to know?

Feeling uneasy, I put the photograph back where I’d found it.

I finished dressing and went into the living room. Kodee was in his normal spot in the kitchen, and he greeted me with a wide smile.

“Hey.”

I looked around, not seeing anyone else. “Hey. Where are the other two?”

“Out. Ryan had a physio appointment, and Dillon had to do a drop.”

I nodded. “Right.”

He must have sensed something was wrong, and he arched a quizzical eyebrow. “Everything okay?”

I lifted my gaze to his, my heart racing. “Who were you, Kodee? Before all of this.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I mean, before you became a forger and met Ryan and Dillon. I at least know some of their background, but you barely talk about your past.”

A cloud passed over his face.

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