Page 68 of Sacrifice

"Hope we didn't crash anything?" Kronos grumbles as he looks at me.

Shaking my head, I hug each one of the guys. "No, not at all. I am ecstatic that y'all came. Please, come in."

Jorge shuts the door and looks at me. "Why don't I put you all in the sunroom?"

Looking at him, I nod. "That's excellent. Could you put together something to drink?" I ask, not sure if I should be asking. It's still odd for me to have a person that waits on me. I mean, yes, Miss Terrington did it, but we worked together. Jorge and I haven't figured out our dynamic yet. "Wait, I can do it. Sorry, Jorge." A blush pops up and everyone chuckles.

"Miss Bella, I’ve got it. I'll bring some sweet tea and a tray of snacks." He touches my hand and I smile.

"You are going to join us, right?" I'm not sure why I ask, but it seems like I trust Jorge and feel comfortable with him. It would be nice to make him a true member of my makeshift friends and family.

"Sure can, Miss Bella." He leaves us in the sunroom and I look at everyone there.

"It's good to see you smiling, Aribella," Charlotte says, and I giggle.

"While it has been a bit of a transition in the last few weeks, I'm getting there." Sitting down next to Janice, I take the baby that Ayres is holding, and he looks at me with gratitude. It's kind of comical that they are nervous and worried about holding their babies.

"Well, it’s good to see you happy," Hypnos says. Jorge comes in and sets down the tray.

"I've never seen the Powers' in such a homey setting," he says off-hand, and I look at the guys. They grin widely and move their coats to the side to show the guns, knives, and a small baseball bat.

Janice gasps and I squeeze her hand. "It's alright. They are harmless unless Charlotte or the babies are threatened."

Charlotte grins wickedly and winks at us. "We came because Kronos wanted to extend a business offer to Vincent. And I wanted to make sure you were alright. I know how men can be such brutes."

All three look guilty but have love in their eyes for her. "Yeah, well, you love it," Ayres mutters. Hypnos elbows him, and I can't help but feel a tad jealous.

We talk, and an ease of contentment flows over me. This is what it's like to have people in my corner. Janice suggests we have a girls’ day and I include Charlotte. We promise to take Mossimo or Jorge with us, and the guys reluctantly agree. I'm pretty sure that if Charlotte demanded to own China, they would make it happen.

Vincent comes in with Mossimo and he looks around. "Well, I didn't expect to see you guys here."

Kronos stands up and shakes his hand. "I have a proposal for you and Mossimo."

"Ah, I'd love to hear it, but my brothers are here. Is it possible for them to sit in with us to hear what you have to say?"

Kronos shakes his head in agreement. "Absolutely. Hypnos, you ready?"

At that, Hypnos gets up and hands the other baby to Charlotte. "Yes." Ayres sits there looking at Charlotte and I can't help but think I'd love for Vincent to stare at me like that.

"Aribella?" Vincent looks at me and I didn't even realize he’d moved toward me.

"I'm sorry, I zoned out there."

He bends down and kisses my forehead. "Are you alright,mi reina?"

"Yes, I'm good. Thank you for letting me have Janice over." He's looking me right in my eyes, and I feel like I'm the only person in the room.

"You deserve to be happy, love. That baby looks good in your arms." He kisses me one last time and leaves me shocked.

As he is moving up the steps to go back into the main room, he looks back at me. "My brothers want to meet you, but let me get business out of the way first."

"Sounds good," I tell him and go back to talking to Charlotte and Janice.

Janice leaves a little over an hour later with the promise to put together the girls’ day out.

Charlotte and Ayres are putting the twins in their carriers when Kronos and Hypnos come out. They don't look murderous, so things must have gone well.

"Aribella, as always, you are welcome to visit anytime. But we have to get the babies home," Kronos says and touches Charlotte on the head and kisses her hair.

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