Page 68 of Their Dark Rose

“We’re good?” I ask.

“Wait. I…I have to explain. I still blame myself for what happened to my parents. Still eaten by guilt.” Falk curses under his breath. “You understand why we visited your parents’ home often.”

There’s no use denying I’ve been listening in on them. They know. “To protect me when they couldn’t.”

“Since they couldn’t,“ Mason mutters under his breath.

“From the moment you were born, we swore to be more than your godfathers. We made a vow to be your guardians,” Falk starts again, fury creeping back into his tone. “You were Mason’s best friend’s kid. Your grandparents and my parents were best friends. And besides, we never gave them a choice in the matter.”

“Thank fuck we were there to do it instead of that witch and her—“

A smack sound echoes in the car. “Not until we’re sure, Finn.”

“Sure about what?” I ask him.

“Briar.” Falk twists my face to him when Finn presses on the gas. Falk’s intensity erases my worries. “Do you believe now that I don’t hate you, nor the concept of you?”

“I…” I want to. Terribly, wholeheartedly. “Why did you yell at me this morning?”

“I didn’t confiscate your parents’ car keys. Neither of us had.” He scowls, his fury too big for Finn’s car. “They’d been careful to use your driver instead of driving themselves.”

“We already meddled in their lives.” Mason’s bass, authoritative yet soothing tone is meant for my benefit and Falk’s. “We were concerned that by demanding their keys, they’d kick us out for good.”

“We put you first, little rose. Always have.” Finn pulls over to the cemetery.

I turn to see the large wrought iron gates. The parking lot is empty, and the gardens beyond the graves stretch as far as the eye can see. I don’t question why and how the cemetery is open this late. The brothers’ pull with the city definitely made it happen.

“I hated myself for not being able to stop them.” Falk’s strangled voice tears my heart into little pieces. “But to risk leaving you there without us was a risk all of us refused to take. I don’t regret not taking their keys. Despite what transpired later.”

“Don’t say that.” I cling to the collar of his coat, tears leaving my cheeks freely. “My life was not in any way more important than Darcy’s and Eugene’s.”

“You were a child. A helpless child.” Mason undoes his buckle. “Our parents agreed we should spend our free time looking after you. We were rich, but your family had decades of bribing judges all the time. No one was going to sign you off to us. Finding ways to stick around was the best we could do.”

I’m speechless as the men climb out of the car, and Falk wraps my coat around me again. Mason’s at my back while Finn and Falk hold my hands. Before we enter the gates, I remove my heels, leaving them outside so I won’t drown in the wet grass.

Together, we walk to the two largest gravestones in the cemetery. To the closest ones to the maple trees and the gardens beyond. Where their parents lie.

“I’m sure they’re happy you’re alive and well.” Finn squeezes my hand, his eyes anything but sad like I thought they would be. “And that we, ya know,”—he winks—“take care of you.”

“Jesus.” Falk’s dark chuckle surprises me.

I whip my head to him, eyeing him cautiously like you would a panther. “You’re laughing?”

The three of them close in on me as he speaks. “I’m done taking it out on you. I’m finally at peace.”

“We all are.” Mason presses a kiss to the top of my head, his hands snaking around my waist.

“Thank you.” I allow Finn and Falk to wipe my new tears off each cheek. “I don’t deserve it, but I’m grateful you thought about me, anyway.”

The three men hold me closer, their way of telling me everything is going to be okay.

“Mr. and Mrs. Abbot—“

“Eugene and Darcy,” Finn interrupts. “They’re your mother- and father-in-law. I think we’re past formalities.”

No one pays attention to Finn. I smile, though. Through the fresh wave of tears, I smile.

“I’m sorry,” I blurt out before any of the men can shut me up. “You didn’t deserve this. I’m so sorry you’re no longer here. So very sorry.”

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