Page 61 of Fractured Constellations
“Agreed,” Thorn adds, placing the metal cup in the bag at his feet. “And she’s all that matters now. I might look into music therapy courses.”
My gaze turns to him, pride making my chest swell. “I think you should. I’m going to see about a research position studying Hodgkin’s.”
“But our priority is her and her care, education comes second. Just for now at least,” Chase reminds us, and I roll my eyes.
“Of fucking course, there’s no question,” I say, pressing a kiss on the top of her silk-clad head. I inhale her soft vanilla and jasmine scent, letting it fill my lungs for the first time in two long fucking weeks.
Even if Dad was looking after her, I’d need to move back. These past couple weeks have been hell, especially when her check-ins were showing us that she wasn’t doing well. She needs us here, and I need her to be able to take a full breath, so the only choice is to be together.
And I don’t give a fuck what my dad says, because nothing will ever keep us apart again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
“BETWEEN THE WARS” BY ALLMAN BROWN
LUNA
Iwake up as we pull into the drive, blinking sleepily as Chase parks the car. The sun is low in the sky—clearly I slept the whole way back, which leaves me feeling a little refreshed. Thorn gets out first, Blade undoing our seat belt.
“Better?” Blade asks as I sit up, stretching out my back.
“A little, could do with another nap though,” I tell him honestly, and he brushes his fingers down my cheek.
“Let’s get you inside, maybe some food, and then another nap,” he states as Thorn opens our door.
“Hello, sleeping beauty,” he says, helping me out of the car and then pulling me into his arms. His whole body relaxes as his arms encircle me, and I can’t deny the way I take a deep inhale of his amber and dark rum scent, letting it ground me. “Fuck, I needed you in my arms, Goldie.”
We stay like that for a few moments, and I ponder how crazy it is that we were only apart for two weeks but it felt like a lifetime.
“Boys?” Richard’s stern question has my head snapping up to find him at the top of the steps that lead to the front door, my sleepy state disappearing as I’m now wide awake, my heart thudding at his harsh tone. “What are you doing here?”
I go to pull away from Thorn, Richard’s eyes taking our position in with a narrowed gaze, but Thorn doesn’t let me. If anything, he pulls me closer against his body, Blade and Chase coming in front of us like they’re blocking me from their dad’s sight.
“We need to talk, Father,” Chase states, his voice equally as cold as Richard’s. I hear Richard sigh, then Chase and Blade move, heading towards the steps.
“Fine,” he relents, and Thorn shifts us so his arm is around me, holding me close as we follow his brothers up the steps and into the house. “But it needs to be quick. We have dinner plans with the other shareholders.”
Thorn follows the others as Richard leads us down the hall to his office. I’ve never been in here before, and it’s everything I’d expect of a man like Richard. Dark walls with lots of wood, and my nose wrinkles at the scent of cigars that permeates the space.
We shut the door behind us, Richard going over to his enormous mahogany desk and sitting behind it. It strikes me as strange that he would talk to his sons in here rather than somewhere less formal, like the kitchen. He indicates the two leather chairs that are in front of his desk, and Thorn leads me to one, but instead of letting me sit down, he takes the seat and then pulls me onto his lap.
My breath stills inside my chest as Richard’s dark eyes narrow once again, his lips thinning as he takes in our position.
“What is it you needed to say?” he questions, exactly like the CEO he is, his eyes sliding to Chase. There’s a heavy note of disapproval in his tone that makes me shiver. Thorn pulls me into his body more, and I try to take comfort from his touch even as my stomach ties in knots.
Chase takes the other seat, Blade coming once again to stand behind me, his hand landing on my shoulder. Richard’s eye twitches as he notes the move.
“We will be transferring out of Harvard to local universities so we can continue to look after Luna. You have not been making sure she’s cared for, and her health has declined as a result.”
I suck in a sharp breath, Richard’s nostrils flaring at the criticism.
“She’s been more than adequately cared for. The fact that not only am I paying for her treatment but got her onto our new program that may save her life is proof of that,” Richard replies, anger lacing his tone.
“Actually, Father,weare paying for Luna’s care,” Chase tells him, and I stiffen atop Thorn’s lap, my head swinging towards him.
“You are?” I ask, a lump forming in my throat at how much they are doing for me. I had no idea they were personally paying for my treatment.
Chase’s gaze softens as he looks at me. “Of course we are.”
