Chapter 8

" H ave you told her yet?" Bast asks me the moment I walk into the room. I am currently shirtless, and my sweatpants are covered in spit-up. Charity decided to regurgitate all of the breast milk Chas just fed her.

"No, I haven't. I will, but there's no rush," I grumble, as I move into the laundry room and strip off, before jumping into the shower.

"This house has such a weird set up," Jonas comments, as he jumps up onto the counter so we can talk. I groan and put my head under the hot water.

If he wants to bitch about Ash again, it's going to need to wait until I have had a solid four hours of sleep.

Don't get me wrong, I love being a dad, and my kids are my life, but I also really like sleep, and since Eli was born, I don't think we have had a solid night of uninterrupted peace.

Chastity was a huge fan of co-sleeping, since it was easy for her to nurse in the middle of the night, but four adults in a bed with a baby, even with her laying inside some portable bassinet, does not make for a good night.

"Does Jacob at least know not to say anything?" Bast mutters, and I can hardly hear him over the water.

"Yes. Now, can I have a moment to wash, or did y'all want to jump in here and suck my cock?" I grunt and Jonas laughs.

Rolling my eyes, I grab some of the citrus body wash on the shelf and quickly clean my neck and chest.

We may all enjoy fucking Chastity, but the only swords that have ever crossed are Ash and Jonas. Bast has been curious, but he loves our girl too much to venture out of his comfort zone.

"Fine, Daddy, we will wait for you in the living room," Jonas snarks and my palm twitches. Just because I don't fuck them, doesn't mean I won't punish them.

Once they leave and the door shuts behind them, I close my eyes and think about all the things that are still to come, and my long overdue chat with my wife.

Chastity has been through a lot, and I don't want to add more stress to her plate.

Fuck, why did my dad have to fuck her mom? I mean… ugh, if she was anything like my girl, I can see the appeal.

All this does is complicate more shit. Rinsing off, I grab a towel to dry myself, and then I look in the dryer to find a change of clothes and tug them on. They are still warm, and all it makes me want to do is curl up and sleep.

I should have joined Jonas and Chas' nap earlier, but when I walked by, I could hear her comforting Jonas as he finally broke.

I knew it was only a matter of time, and hopefully, now we can move on. Ash is back, and we should be celebrating. But according to Snake, they may have to leave again, and…

Just another thing to add to my plate.

Leaving the bathroom/laundry room, I almost run into Rome. Otto is chasing him down the hall as he squeals.

God, I wish I could be a kid. To not have any worries in the world, except when to eat, sleep, and shit. Life was good back then. Why did I ever want to grow up?

"Hey, Jacob just called, he and Grandma Cross are almost here. Bast and Chastity are cooking dinner. I was hoping we could talk?"

He gives me a sheepish smile and I groan. Tossing my head back, I rub my hand down my face and sigh.

"Yeah," I grunt as I follow him into the backyard. It's not as nice as the one we have at home. But we're surrounded by trees here, and it's shady.

"Listen, I'll make this short. I love Jacob Cross with my whole heart, and you're breaking his. Learning about your father was just as much of a shock to him as it was to you, and you avoiding him… He's never told anyone, but Chastity wasn't the only one to be abused by Isabella. She has a taste for young flesh, and Jacob wasn't the exception."

"Wait, what?" I look into Otto's brown eyes and wince. He's on the verge of tears, and I know what he said is the truth. I mean, look at how she treated Ash.

"Jacob always wanted a brother. He loves his sisters, and would kill for them, but he told me that when he was pledging The Society, before becoming The Dragon, it was some of the best days of his life."

"Otto, you're a good man, and I know you're only trying to do what's best for the person you love, but I have to think about my wife, and how much this is going to upset her. I'll talk to Jacob. Okay?"

He wipes his face and smacks me hard on the shoulder, then takes off down the porch and around to the front of the house.

I can hear tires driving down the stone driveway, so I know they are here. Walking back inside, I move toward the kitchen, where I hear The Midnight Lights playing, and find Chastity swaying in Jonas' arms, while he sings to her.

"I hate to break this up, but she's here," I tell Chas, while clearing my throat, and her eyes widen.

"Oh, um, okay." Even after all this time, Mother Superior has us scrambling. Even though she's planning to retire, I don't think her domineering presence will ever end.

"Deep breaths. She's just here to meet her new great-grandbaby," Tempest says, holding Rome in her arms.

"Oh God! Where is the baby?" Chastity looks around the room in a panic, and I'm trying not to laugh at how frazzled she is.

"Bastian is changing her into the outfit that Grandma Cross bought her. You good, girl?" Temp asks Chas and she nods.

"Yes, yes. I am a grown woman. I'm married. I have babies. She will not control me anymore."

And with that final word, she stomps into the living room.

I look at Jonas and he's biting his lip, trying not to crack.

"Well, okay then. Let's get this dinner from hell over with."

"That was delicious. Thank you. Um, Levi, can we talk?" Jacob says, dropping his napkin onto his plate before pushing his chair back.

Chastity is chatting with her grandmother, and Otto catches my eye, nudging his head in Jacob's direction.

Ugh. Fine!

Tossing my fork onto the plate, not caring if it makes a clatter, I shove my chair back from the table, stand, and make my way outside.

Jacob follows, and I try to take some deep breaths. I don't want to explode on him, but can't he just give me some fucking space.

I have so much going on at the moment. Can't this wait?

"Levi, I…"

"I may be stuck in this house with you, Jacob, but I do not want to talk to you. At least, not yet," I grunt, leaving the porch and moving into the yard.

I can tell Jacob is becoming frustrated with me, so it's no surprise when he tosses his authority into the conversation.

"You may not want to, Levi, but it doesn't matter. I am still the leader of The Society, and you will respect me!" he shouts, and I curse the damn rules and orders that have been drilled into me since I was little.

Stopping, I turn and face him. "You lied to all of us. To your sister. You also knew this whole time that your mother was an Eve!"

He has the decency to look guilty, but I'm not buying it. "I didn't know that I was your brother, Levi, but honestly, I don't see why this is a huge deal. I have been your brother-in-law for almost two years."

Scoffing, I turn back around and continue on my walk. Chastity is inside with the kids and her grandmother. I should be in there with them, but instead, I'm running from my problems. Literally.

"Would being my brother really be that bad?" Jacob asks, and I sigh.

"No, but lying to my wife, who is also your sister… Jacob, this is fucked up. You have to see how weird this is."

"Chastity won't care, after she gets over the shock. She just learned that Snake is her dad. She will understand, Levi, and I never told you to keep this from her. Let's go, right now. Let's march inside and tell her."

He turns and starts walking fast, back to the house. "Shit. No. Not when your grandma is here!" I shout, turning and taking off after him. I stop him on the edge of the porch.

"Just wait. I still don't even know what to fucking say to her. Your mom fucked my dad and had a baby? We share a brother?"

"Levi, I'm starting to think that finding out we're related isn't the big issue here," Jacob mutters and I sigh, looking up at the night sky.

It's quiet here, and Jacob says we are safe for right now, but I wish we could be home. I built that place for my family. We should be there, raising our kids, not hiding in the shadows. Isabella needs to be brought down once and for all.

"Yeah, I was talking to my… our dad last night, and he mentioned Angel. With all the undercover work that Ash did, he never came across anything about her… I guess I'm on edge because I know it hasn't crossed her mind yet, but it's only a matter of time until Chas asks Ash…"

"Fuck, I… We made the decision to move to the safe house because Otto and I feared she would try to take Eli and Charity… My stepmother is psychotic and pure evil. The fact she's hidden as a preacher's wife all this time, while being in charge of an underground trafficking ring…"

Shaking his head, he plops down onto the grass with a groan. "I guess I need to tell you some more secrets," he mutters and I freeze. Chills run down my spine at how defeated he sounds.

"Is… Is she dead?" I croak, then clear my throat.

"The man who raped my sister and adopted Angel is gone. His wife too. Their bodies were found massacred in their vacation home. No sign of Angel. We don't know if she's still out there," he whispers, and my heart stops.

"What else? What other deep secrets and confessions do you need to disclose, Jacob?"

He looks up at me, and I can tell this is no longer The Dragon talking to me, but a scared man, weighed down with the world on his shoulders.

"My mom didn't die of cancer. She was poisoned by Isabella. She needed a cover, and what better than to be a loving stepmother and wife to a widowed preacher."

"I… I need a fucking drink," I grumble before I walk back inside. The girls are talking still, and I peek in on Rome and Eli.

They are passed out in the spare room.

Leaving them be, I head for the basement, which we learned is furnished, and is where Ash and Snake are sleeping. There is also a bar, which is what I need at the moment. I hope they are up for some company because I plan on drinking until I pass out.

ASH

"Finish up that second coat of paint, then go inside and shower, man. I can smell ya from here," Snake grunts at me and I nod. I may no longer be at the compound, but I can't stop following his orders.

Leaving the garage, I don't bother walking into the living areas. There is a bathroom with a shower across from the hall to the basement with my name on it. I never expected that returning to my family would be so damn difficult.

I knew that there would be some yelling, punches, and tears, but just being around them again, I feel almost alien.

I am not the same man as I was before I left them. I'm haunted, damaged, and I know they can tell. Spending time on Snake's surprise has been a good distraction, but I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to avoid Jonas and Chastity, and fuck, my son.

I don't think it's really hit me yet that I am a dad. That one morning I spent with the people I love the most resulted in a baby. And I wasn't even around to see him be born, or watch him grow up.

I despise Isabella, with every fiber of my being, for what she has done to me, but stealing away the time I should have had with my kid may be one of the worst offenses. Worse than the assaults and the rapes.

Stripping off my clothes, I turn the water on and step in. I'm in the process of washing my body when the door flies open and I hear his voice.

"Hey, Chastity wants to know if you're planning to hide all day, or would you like to watch a movie with us?"

My heart begins to race, and I'm at a loss of words.

"Um. Okay," I grunt, then cringe. "Fuck, I mean, yes. I'd like that?"

"Are you asking me or telling me?" Jonas snips and I sigh. Quickly rinsing off the soap, I turn the water off and grab a towel.

Throwing back the curtain, I don't miss the look of lust Jonas shoots my way. My body is bigger now, firmer, and has ink.

"Damn," Jonas mutters, then turns around and leaves the bathroom, slamming the door.

Shaking my head, I can't help but laugh. I can't remember the last time I did, but to see him so flustered…

Maybe there's a chance I can turn things around after all.