Page 144 of Beast: Part Two

“Hey guys,” Malia greets as she enters the room with a tray of food. She’s designated herself as our very own chef. Making sure we eat every day.

She hands me a plate with a sandwich and chips. This woman is a godsend. Beautiful, full figured, and can cook. The twins should be lucky I am a loyal man. Malia tempts me.

“Thank you,” I say genuinely, watching the way her hips sway as she walks away.

“Don’t make me pluck those eyes out, Sim,” Lucien says, looking at me over his computer screen.

I shrug. What does he want me to do? I’m an ass man. Taking a bite out of my sandwich, I put my attention on everyone in the room. When I went on this mission to find my long-lost brother, I never expected to find a new family. Being able to witness the way Priest loved his sons made it painfully obvious I never had that relationship with Corbyn.

Although it wasn’t just fatherly love I noticed I lacked. Being amongst the guys and their women has made me realize everything I never had. The way Priest adored and worked alongside Albany was something to see. Seeing the Twins share Malia and Emory was inspiring. Watching Hawk love on Brooklyn as if she was his entire world was eye opening. Even the weird ass relationship Many and Ari have made me crave something I never thought I’d want. The biggest inspiration has to come from Beastie and Summer. Never have I envied two people more than I do them. Their love is beautiful.

While thinking about the couples around me, something sticks out to me for the first time.

“I’ve just noticed something.” Zel looks up from his plate at me. “Did you all have a meeting to decide you would all end up with African American women, or was it by chance?”

Zel snorts in laughter.

“Wait, Brooklyn’s black? I thought she was Asian,” Hawk says jokingly.

The room fills with laughter. It may seem out of place, but the house has not been the same. We were slowly starting to find happiness after Priest died, but having Summer and Gabe taken from us pushed us right back over the edge. We needed this laughter now.

“How was he down there?” Albany asks stepping up beside me. She keeps her voice low.

“The same. Here, but not here.”

Although we all believed that Beast would have a total meltdown once his family was taken, he had been quite the opposite. He’s quiet, reserved, actually. He’s in the room and present but feels miles away. The only thing he seems to do with any enthusiasm is kill. He and I hit the ground running. There has been so much bloodshed these last few days the streets could run like a river with it.

“We need to keep an eye on him. Until we get Summer and Gabe back, he won’t be the same,” she sighs. “Maybe I should bring Alicia back.”

“I don’t need Alicia,” Beast says, appearing at the doorway. “I just need my family.”

He’s shirtless, but he has another one in his hands. I imagine the one he had on is probably ruined.

“Chavis?” I asked.

“Dead,” he replies, taking a seat at the table. “Any luck with the accountant?”

“I’m tapping into her phones now. Kyra found a way in,” Lucien replies.

“That was quick,” Zel says what I was thinking.

We all enjoy our lunch as we sit around and plan our next move.

“If we can’t get a hit on the phone, I’ll pay the accountant a visit tonight,” Albany says as she packs up her trash from lunch.

“I’ll go with you,” Beast adds.

“No offense, Beast, but I think I should do this alone. We want to scare her into telling us, not completely terrify her.”

“She’s right brother,” I add. “I’ll go with her.”

Little brother is not in the right mind to be patient. And trying to get information from someone requires a lot of patience.

As Beastie opens his mouth to say something else, he’s interrupted by Lucien’s shout.

“I got him,” he says, tapping on his laptop. Suddenly the room fills with Corbyn’s voice.

“Julia,” he chuckles, “How are my numbers for today?”