Page 40 of Rebellion of a Kingdom

“It would be hard, but if we had help.” I think about the note I found in the treehouse.

“What help could we possibly require that we don’t already have?” Asher questions but before I can answer there is another knock at the door.

This time when I shout, ‘come in’, we are greeted with Logan as he whistles, “Damnnnn, sis, this is my kind of party. Where was my invite?”

Marcus pretends to grab me possessively, “watch it, Royton.”

He rolls his eyes. “Calm down, lover boy, I’m hardly gonna mack on my own sister.” He purrs, tossing me a wink, “besides, I’ll take my little psycho over here any day.” He adds gesturing to Asher and for the first time ever I’m sure I see a slight blush on Ash’s face.

He covers it quick enough that I can’t be sure before replying, “in your dreams, Logan.”

“Every damn night, dark prince.” He purrs back using Lincoln's nickname for him and I can’t help but laugh.

He switches his attention to me, “don’t know what you're laughing at King, we all heard your late-night activities, loud and clear.”

He starts motioning thrusts and I almost die of embarrassment. I throw a pillow at his head before stalking to the bathroom and slamming the door to block out the chorus of laughter coming from all three of them. Fuckers.

Chapter 24

MARCUS

We spend the rest of the morning together as a family. One huge, dysfunctional yet somehow perfectly fitted together family. Arthur and Helen put on a huge spread of food and we are kept entertained by stories of Zack and the twins’ childhood and what it was like when Elle joined them. Max chips in with stories about his school days with Zack, and me and the guys add our own stories about some of the foster homes we were housed in together. It’s a perfect morning after the terrible week we’ve all endured.

Elle keeps Cassie in her lap the whole morning as they eat, laugh and play. Asher never leaves their side for more than a minute. I catch him multiple times just staring at them with a concerned look on his face. A look that tells me this isn’t over, not for him and I can’t help but feel the same. We almost lost both of them and the threat to them is still out there. How can we settle when we not only know that, but also know they won’t stop until that they have them. Not unless someone else stops them first.

The rest of the day is spent turning the house into Santa's grotto. There are multiple trees and decorations everywhere. I have no idea where it all came from or how it got here so fast, but I can only presume from the smile on Helen's face that she is used to pulling off the impossible to keep her family happy. It isn’t long before a few of Max’s security guys pile back into the house with boxes and bags filled with gifts. Max, Tyler, and Liam will be staying with us for Christmas, but the rest of his guys leave tomorrow morning to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with their families. The house isn’t on Donovan's radar and it’s completely secure. Mix that with us all staying here together under the best security system money can buy, well it’s safe to say we feel protected enough to relax a little.

Elle hasn’t spoken about anything other than having the perfect Christmas for Cassie and I don’t blame her. I don’t know what is going to happen once Christmas is over, but for now I am happy to just be here with her, with everyone. She tucked Cassie into bed and then came to my room, where we proceeded to rip each other’s clothes off. We fucked hard and fast in the shower, then long and slow in bed, and once my girl was finally satisfied, she left to go back to Cassie. I was only in bed an hour before I found myself creeping down the hall and quietly opening their door, only to find Asher shaking his head at me with a smile, as I climbed in on the other side of them.

When we wake up the next day it’s Christmas Eve and it follows a similar pattern to yesterday. We have a big family breakfast and then us guys are all put to work in the spare room, wrapping presents and building toys. My Christmas Eves usually consisted of sneaking out of whatever foster home I was in and heading to my dad's grave to get drunk. Last year was a little better as I had the guys with me, but this year is completely different. I’m sitting building a dollhouse while my brothers build a bike. Something I didn’t think I would ever see, at least not for another ten years. But here we are, and I have never felt more at home.

Elle and the girls are in the kitchen making gingerbread houses while Helen preps all the trimmings for tomorrow's dinner. Everything feels so mundane and normal, just family stuff. Yet the ache in my chest has never felt such relief. I haven’t been this happy in years and when I lost my dad, I didn’t think I would ever be this happy again. It really is the perfect day.

When evening comes, I go in search of the girls and find the cutest sight I’ve ever seen. Elle is sitting in the center of the huge corner sofa with Cassie in her lap, they are wearing matching red pajamas, and both have their hair braided. Lily is on Elle’s left with Helen next to her and are both wearing exactly the same outfit too. It’s like the picture-perfect family photo. I can’t help but smile at them.

Cassie is the first to spot me and she dives off Elle’s lap running towards me, “Look, River.” She stops in front of me and does a little twirl to show off what she is wearing, “Christmas jammies.” She squeals and my cheeks hurt from how big I smile.

“You look beautiful princess,” I say, scooping her into my arms and heading towards the sofa, dropping down next to Elle on her right. “Just like your mom.” I add, leaning in to give Elle a kiss on the cheek causing a blush to coat her cheeks. Doesn’t matter that I’ve seen her naked, covered her body with my mouth, every time I give her a compliment she still blushes.

“We’re watching Frozen.” She squeals and I laugh. Of course, we are.

We wait a few more minutes for everyone else to arrive. Asher is the first to find us, coming right over and sitting next to me, and then Arthur comes in and drops down next to Helen. Lincoln enters with Logan trailing behind him and I don’t miss the way Asher tracks them across the room. I have no idea what their dynamic is about, but there is definitely something there. Zack wheels himself in with Max and Liam, they help him from the chair to the sofa and give him some pillows to ensure he’s comfy.

Jace is the last to arrive, looking around the room before he slinks over to a lone chair by the window and slumping into it. Tyler joins him and they quietly pass a bottle of whiskey between the two of them.

Elle hits play on the movie and by the time Elsa sings Let it Go, Cassie is fast asleep, so we switch the movie to Elf, giving us all something to laugh about. We have hot chocolate courtesy of Helen and homemade cookies that the girls made earlier in the day. It’s the perfect Christmas Eve.

Once everyone is in bed, I help Arthur bring all the presents out of hiding and place them under the tree ready for morning. He told me I didn’t need to help, but I can’t help it, I have this energy burning inside of me, like I just need to be doing something. I rearrange the presents three times after Arthur leaves to go to bed and that’s where Zack finds me.

“I thought everyone was asleep.” I look up from the box in my hand and shrug.

“I’m not ready yet.” I can’t help but feel like the words mean more than being ready for sleep.

“Me either.” He replies simply, as he rolls his shoulders, wincing slightly at his injuries.

“How are you?” I ask awkwardly, realizing we haven’t really spoken much.

“Sore, relieved, fucking pissed.” He shrugs and I huff a laugh.

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