Page 49 of The Cousins and the Brunette

Sebastian stood, crossing the distance between us in two long strides. His hand enveloped mine, warmth radiating from his touch. “Brynn, we understand. You don’t have to explain.”

I wanted to lean into his comfort, but held myself back. I didn’t deserve their forgiveness so easily.

Joel’s voice carried the blunt edge of honesty that always defined him. “Really, it’s okay. We’re just glad you’re here now.”

Braxton leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Safe and sound. That’s what matters.”

Their words, their acceptance, wrapped around me like a shield, soothing the raw ache that had settled in my bones since that night. No recriminations. No resentment. Just them, just us—a family, fractured but never broken.

A lump formed in my throat, threatening to choke me. Their kindness was almost too much to bear after weeks of self-imposed exile and guilt.

My voice came out as a whisper. “I was so afraid that you’d be angry with me.”

“Never!” Sebastian’s gaze ensnared mine, a well of emotion swirling within their brown depths. “You brought light into my darkest moments, Brynn. Your courage, your strength—it inspired me to strive to be a better person.”

I swallowed hard, Sebastian’s confession unraveling the last threads of my defenses. My heart swelled, my skin flushing with delicious warmth under the intensity of his attention. I wanted to look away, to hide how deeply his confession affected me, but I was lost in his stare.

Joel stepped closer, catching my attention, and, his usual confidence replaced by something softer, more tender. “When you left, there was this void. Made me realize I never truly appreciated you until you were gone. That won’t happen again.”

The low, earnest rumble of his voice resonated through me, igniting a yearning deep in my core. I drew in a shaky breath, my fingers curling with the urge to touch him, to assure myself that this was real. That they were all real.

Braxton’s playful grin held a hint of seriousness. He studied me, his boyish features arranged into a look of tender longing. “Shit, Brynn. I felt totally lost without you here. Your laughter, that sexy smile...it’s like the mansion was just walls and expensive furniture without you.”

Fresh memories surfaced—the hot sex and tender moments together. A pang squeezed my heart. I had convinced myself that leaving was the right choice, the only choice. Now faced with their open adoration, the ache of how much I had missed them, how incomplete I had felt, crashed over me in dizzying waves.

A torrent of affection filled the cold spaces within my heart, soothing the jagged pieces inside of me that I had thought were beyond repair. I had braced myself for anger, for resentment—but what I found instead was love and understanding.

The words I had been too afraid to say before now came spilling out. “I love you all, too. More than I ever thought possible.”

“And we love you,” Joel said while the other two cousins nodded.

It felt surreal, this newfound love between us. Just as I was about to speak, Joel cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.

“There’s something else you all need to know. Shoemaker’s been arrested.”

I blinked. “Wait, what? That slimy snake finally got what was coming to him?”

Joel nodded. “Elite authorities nabbed him after we provided proof of his wrongdoing. He was trying to sell his Nant-bot tech to foreign enemies of the United States. He’s heading to prison.”

Sebastian shook his head. “The media was all over it. It’s causing quite a stir among the Elites.”

“Serves him right. Now he’s finding out the hard way that no one’s above the law.” Braxton smirked.

Joel crossed his arms, his gaze steady. “We handed over all the damning evidence. Linked his actions to some pretty dangerous foreign organizations.”

I smiled. “Good. About time someone put that jerk in his place. You guys really know how to make a girl feel safe.”

Joel’s expression softened as he glanced at me. “And that’s the point, Brynn. You’re safe with us. Shoemaker’s out of the picture. For good.”

One by one, the cousins sank to their knees before me, expressions earnest and full of affection. Sebastian took my hand in his, fingers caressing my knuckles with exquisite gentleness. The spicy scent of his cologne hit my senses.

“Will you marry us, Brynn?” he asked, his deep voice husky with emotion. “And let us be there for you and Kay, always?”

My heart stuttered, then began to race. I squeezed his hand, savoring the sizzling frisson that raced up my arm at the contact. This man—this beautiful, complex, loyal man—was offering me everything I had ever wanted but never dared to dream of. A family. A future. A love that consumed and transformed.

Joel captured my other hand, the heat of his touch scorching me to my core. His blue gaze simmered with barely restrained intensity. He raised my fingers to his sensual mouth and kissed my knuckles, then released my hand. “Join our crazy family, officially?”

I felt my knees threatening to buckle. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Joel’s, mesmerized by the molten hunger I saw simmering in his heated gaze, tempered by a tenderness that stole my breath.

---