Chapter Nineteen

Sephie

After finally exhausting ourselves that evening, we fell into a tangled mess together on the bed and fell asleep. I knew he wasn’t going anywhere. I knew I wasn’t going anywhere. But there was a bigger part of me than I realized that felt so much more secure now that he’d made it official.

And boy did he make it official. This ring had its own zip code. But it was absolutely perfect in every way. He’d remembered my joke about black diamonds, so the main stone was a square black diamond, large enough to be seen from space. Pretty sure, anyway. It was surrounded by five smaller rubies, as well as even smaller white diamonds. It was perfect. It was a constant reminder that he, as well as all five of the guys, would always be with me.

Once asleep, I found myself walking down that same familiar path to that same familiar house. As soon as I looked down and noticed the path, I ran the rest of the way inside, knowing what was waiting on me.

“Dad!” I yelled as I ran through the front door. He could barely stand up from the piano before I smacked into him, wrapping my arms around him.

“Hey, peanut!” he said, his wide smile on his face.

“It’s been a long time. I’ve missed you,” I said.

“Oh, I’ve been around. I check in from time to time. You’re not the only one with a whiteboard to keep track of outcomes,” he said, a sly smile creeping across his face.

I laughed. He really was where I got most of my humor from. “What was the latest one?”

“We’re all waiting on Stephen. He’s closer than he’s ever been to figuring out his gift, but he hasn’t made the jump yet. You almost got him to do it the other day, but he’s still holding back. I have complete confidence that you’ll be able to help him figure it out soon though. You know, before the end of the month, if you could. Help an old man out and what not …” he said, laughing as he cut his eyes down at me.

“I’ll see what I can do. I didn’t know he was that close. I only just got him to open up about his past.”

“That’s the key, I think. He has to face his past first and then he’s ready. Same for Viktor. He has to finally come to terms with his past before he can move forward. They’re both closer than they’ve ever been though. That’s why I’m here, actually.”

“To check on your bet pool?”

He laughed. “No. To help you hurry them along. You need them, Sephie. Things are about to get very bad. You’re going to need all the help you can get, although you did surprise everyone by bringing Vitaliy along. No one thought you’d be able to do that. Well, I did. Because I know how special you really are. But no one else did. Even Lena was surprised you managed to bring him back from the brink. He’s been living in darkness for a very long time, peanut. But he’ll prove to be very useful for you in what’s coming.”

“What’s coming? Can you tell me? Is it Sal?”

“I’m technically not supposed to interfere. I can nudge you along, like I’ve been doing, but the future is dependent on decisions made in the present. I’m not allowed to interfere with those decisions. Them’s the rules. But what I can tell you is that you will succeed, but you have to stick together and you have to rely on each other. More than you ever have before. You’ve all done quite a good job at handling what life has thrown at you so far. It’s going to get even more weird, but it wouldn’t happen if you couldn’t handle it.”

“What about Viktor though? I’m worried about him. He seems the most unsure out of all of them. I think I scare him now.”

“It’s not you, peanut. It’s his potential. That’s what scares him. He sees it in you but can’t see it in himself. It’ll come. You’ll help him, just as you’ve helped the others. But you have to start believing in yourself again. You got knocked down; almost farther than I’ve ever seen you get knocked down this last time. But you got back up. When you feel your fear and panic threatening to take over, remember that. Not once have you stayed down. Fear is just excitement, without the breath. Breathe into your fear, peanut. That’s what you’re missing. That’s what Adrik has been trying to help you with. You can channel your fear, the same way you’ve learned to channel your anger. You’re going to need it. Fear and anger are two of the strongest emotions there are, next to love. Use them to your advantage.”

I was quietly contemplating what he’d just told me. “What about my eyes? Why do they have a mind of their own now?”

He chuckled. “You were right, peanut. They’re your warning system. You used them correctly when Sal and Armando took you and Ivan. They’re the reason Sal never came back. He ordered Armando to take care of you because he was terrified of you. He still has nightmares where he wakes up in a cold sweat after seeing your face and your black eyes in that room. That’s also the reason Armando was so savage with you. He was terrified of you and tried to cover it up with his anger. You almost saw through it, but your fear was stronger than you realized when it was happening. Learn to control your fear and you’re unstoppable.”

“But my lung. I still can’t catch my breath and then I panic.”

“I know a certain acupuncturist who can help with that. Andrei was right, too. It’s more to do with your anxiety about not being able to breathe than it is your lung.”

“What about Ivan and Andrei? Was Adrik right? Ivan can see evil and Andrei can see good?”

“He was right. He’s becoming quite astute to all of this going on. The four of you complement each other, balance each other. Adrik can feel good and evil, just as you can. You just feel it in different ways. Ivan can see evil, just as Andrei can see good. They just see it in different ways. You can use this. Misha is there to tie it all together. Stephen and Viktor will fit nicely into the puzzle as well once they figure out their gifts. You all have a special role to play in what’s coming. The key is Ricardo. Sal is a pawn for Ricardo, peanut. Ricardo is worse than you could imagine and will become more so if you don’t stop him. Same for Martin. They’ve both made deals that have everlasting consequences.”

I chewed on my bottom lip as I thought about everything he was telling me. He smiled down at me sweetly. “It’s a lot, I know. But I’m always around. Ivan is doing a fantastic job. So are Andrei and Misha. They’re all more connected to you than I think you realize yet. Soon, Viktor and Stephen will be too. You need each other. But right now, you need to go back. Adrik is awake and can’t leave you. I didn’t look, but I know you’re not exactly decent so he can’t take you downstairs with him.”

He tried to hide his grin, but he couldn’t. “Dad!” I said, completely embarrassed.

“You’re an adult, peanut. You do adult things. But that doesn’t mean I can’t laugh about it,” he said, snickering.

I hid my face in my hand. “I can’t believe this,” I said under my breath, but I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.

He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I love you, peanut. And it’s obvious to literally every being in the universe that Adrik loves you now too,” he said, pointing to my ring. Huh, it showed up in my dream too. “Of course it did,” he said, like he was reading my mind. “It has special meaning to you, as well as them. Think of it like your pinky swears you have with most of them. Funny how you haven’t made a pinky swear with Stephen and Viktor yet …”

Just as I was about to say something, he disappeared and everything faded to black in front of me. I was aware of Adrik’s hand running lightly over my back. He felt me start to stir. “Good morning, love. Were you having a dream? You were laughing,” he said, his wide smile on his face when I picked my head up off his chest to look at him.

“Mmm hmm. I was talking to my dad who informed me that you were trying to wake me up because you couldn’t leave me since I was naked. Do normal people get embarrassed by their fathers in their dreams too or is that just me?”

“And what insight did your father have this time?” he asked, as he rolled us both over so he was lying on top of me. I could tell by his expression that my eyes were changing.

“Are they swirling?” I asked, curious. He nodded, but it was clear he was still fascinated by them. I giggled. “He said that we were right about them. They really are my warning system. He said Sal still wakes up in a cold sweat thinking about my black eyes. Not gonna lie, that makes me really happy.”

He chuckled. “Me too. It’s probably why Armando gets angry anytime your name is mentioned as well.”

I looked at him, my fingers running lightly over his face. “My dad did say that you’re becoming quite astute to everything that’s happening,” I said, grinning at him. “He said Armando was terrified of me and that’s why he was so savage. Apparently, he’s still terrified.”

“He should be,” Adrik said, his anger slowly rising to the surface. I put my hand on the back of his neck, pulling him down to me. I didn’t want to think about all that first thing in the morning. Especially not this morning. He buried his face in my neck, his rough facial hair rubbing lightly against my skin. “You’re right. We shouldn’t be thinking about that so early in the morning,” he said. His hand moved to my breast, squeezing it to illustrate his point.

“You’re getting better at knowing what I’m thinking without even having to search my eyes,” I said. He went to move his hand from my breast, but I caught it and put it back.

“I need to stay ahead of the guys,” he said, picking his head up and grinning at me.

“They’re about to give you a run for your money, apparently. I figured out the key to getting Stephen and Viktor to realize their gifts. That was why my dad came to me. He’s trying to hurry us along. He said we’re going to need them soon.”

“I’m not sure I like the sound of that, but I have total confidence that you’ll find the right things to say to them to get them to figure out their gifts. Just not right at this moment. First, I need to hear you scream. Then breakfast. Then maybe I’ll have you for second breakfast. We’ll see,” he said, his lips on my neck as his hand ran down my stomach to my inner thighs. He lightly ran his hands over my thigh, as he moved one of his legs in between mine, pulling my leg around his waist. I moved my hips against his, already wanting him inside me. I would never get enough of him.

“I like your plans for the morning. I approve of your plans for the morning,” I said, already breathing heavier as his lips were on my neck. I raked my nails over his back, eliciting a low groan from him.

He moved on top of me, wrapping my other leg around his waist. “I don’t think I will ever tire of waking up this way. We can do this every single day for the rest of our lives and I’d be very happy about that,” he said as he rubbed the tip of his cock along my folds, teasing me. I pushed my hips into him, trying to get him to slide inside me. “I love that you’re so eager, my love,” he said, his voice husky with desire.

“I can’t help it. I can’t get enough of you,” I said, breathlessly. He enjoyed winding me up.

“I hope you never do,” he said as he slammed into me before stilling to let me adjust. I moaned loudly at the intense pleasure of him filling me up. I moved my hips, grinding against him, loving the gentle friction. He groaned against my neck as my pussy clenched around him. His hand moved to my thigh, pulling my leg tighter around him as he bucked his hips into mine. Another moan escaped my lips, causing him to exhale. I knew he was slowly losing his control. I was happily waiting for it to happen.

I put my lips close to his ear, almost whispering, “I love when you lose control.” He sat up enough that he could look me in the eyes. He searched my eyes for a moment, then I saw his sexy smirk on his face. His lips crashed into mine, claiming every inch of my mouth as his. Every inch of my body as his. Every piece of my soul as his.

The guys were making breakfast when we finally made it downstairs. They all had very sweet smiles on their faces, as they knew what had happened the night before. It was kind of adorable to see these giant men excited that their boss had officially claimed his girlfriend as his future wife.

“Come on, princess. Let’s see it,” Ivan said, motioning for me to show him the ring. I held it up so they could all see it, a goofy grin on my face. They all moved to surround me, getting a closer look. They’d all seen it, I was sure, but they were acting like it was the first time. I might’ve loved them all a little more for it. Ivan put his arm around my shoulder. “You’re officially stuck with all of us now, princess,” he said, smirking at me.

“I could think of much worse things in the world, Squish,” I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I know you had a very big part in this too. I might love you a little more for it.”

“I’m just glad I don’t have to hide it any longer. I’ve been holding onto that thing for a while now. I was getting paranoid you were going to see it somehow or see me thinking about it and find out about it,” Ivan said.

“She saw the plans for it on my desk one day but didn’t catch on. You were safe, but I agree. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to surprise her,” Adrik said.

“You did with this one. I had no clue. I keep trying to tell you I don’t pry. I don’t think you believe me,” I said, smacking Ivan’s arm. “But I am going to need extra training from Bubba to be strong enough to carry this thing around all day. This arm is gonna be like twice the size of my other one.”

“Job security, spider monkey. That’s why it’s that big. That was my decision,” Andrei said, grinning at me.

I laughed, leaving Ivan to go to Andrei. I wrapped my arms around him as he picked me up off the floor. “I love you all. I hope you know that.”

“We love you, Sephie. We’re not going anywhere. Now you have a constant reminder that you’re stuck with all of us,” Stephen said.

I watched Stephen look at the message that just came through on his phone as we were in the kitchen in the penthouse. His face went white. I think he might’ve forgotten to breathe even. Whatever news he just got was not good news.

“Yoden?” I asked quietly, trying to snap him out of it. “What’s wrong?”

He was staring at his phone, but he slowly raised his gaze to look at me. His eyes were wide, somewhat in shock. He was afraid. I dropped what I was doing and went to him. “Stephen? What happened? What’s going on? Talk to me,” I said, reaching out for his arm. When I touched his arm, I got hit with his memories. All of them. Every dark detail he never wanted me to know. Every time his sisters abused him and tortured him in the worst way possible, humiliating him for the sheer joy of it. I saw everything. I felt everything.

I didn’t mean to. I’d never had it happen like that before. I wasn’t actively searching his mind. I was trying to comfort him. I felt tears burning my eyes as I went to move my hand from his arm, apologizing. I wasn’t sure if he knew that I’d just seen everything he never wanted me to see. He caught my hand, holding it in place, but still not yet meeting my gaze.

“They’re coming to the city. I never thought they would actually come here, but they’ll be here in two days. They want to see me. I haven’t seen them in years. I don’t know if I can face them,” he said. He still hadn’t looked at me, but he wouldn’t let go of me either.

I sat down next to him, putting my other hand on top of his, resting my head on his shoulder. “You don’t have to see them. You can tell them to fuck off. You don’t owe them anything,” I said.

He was quiet for a moment, contemplating like he always did. “I think about what I’ll say to them when I’m forced to see them again. Each time I think about telling them off. Each time I think about pulling all of their demons out and putting them on full display for everyone to see. I think about breaking their minds the same way they tried to break mine.” He sighed. “And every time I can’t do it. I go back to that quiet kid who was terrified of his sisters.”

I rested my chin on his shoulder, looking at him fighting his memories. “I’ll be with you the whole time. You don’t even have to say anything. I’ll happily say it for you. I’d love nothing more than to destroy them so completely they never want to see you again and they leave questioning their entire existence.”

He chuckled. “I might pay to see that.”

“I will pay you for the chance to do it,” I said, my anger oozing out. I didn’t have my contacts in, so he saw my eyes go dark when he glanced at me.

“Huh. I didn’t think I’d miss seeing your eyes change, but I kinda miss your demon eyes. That’s such a weird thing to say, now that I say it out loud.”

I smiled at him, chewing on my bottom lip. I was trying to calm down so the other guys wouldn’t come rushing in. I wanted a few more minutes alone with Stephen.

“Yoden, I don’t want to freak you out, but when I touched your arm, I got a full view into your head. I didn’t mean to. I wasn’t trying to, it just happened. I saw everything,” I said tentatively.

“I know you did. I wanted you to. It’s easier than me having to tell you. I’ve found having to say the words is harder than anything,” he said. “I wasn’t sure it would work, but clearly it did.”

My heart just broke for him. He’d been carrying this around with him for so long with no one to talk to about it. His sisters were truly evil. “Did your parents know?” I asked quietly.

“I think my dad suspected. Pretty sure he thinks that’s why I’m gay. My mom faithfully maintains ignorance, even though she knows. Both my parents were gone a lot, always working when we were kids. My oldest sister practically raised us. She knew my middle sister teased me relentlessly, but she didn’t find out about the abuse for a while. She didn’t stop it when she did find out about it though. And she didn’t say anything when my middle sister got my youngest sister to join in.”

“That’s just as bad, in my opinion. Can I kill your sisters? Legit question. I’ll do it and not feel bad about it for one second.”

“I have thought about that as well. It makes me wonder if that’s why I ended up in the career path I’m in. Maybe I would’ve been an accountant otherwise,” he said, finally looking at me, a sly grin on his face.

“An accountant that murders numbers,” I said, unable to contain my laughter at my corny joke. He laughed quietly, but he was still struggling to get a handle on his emotions.

“What do they want while they’re here? Like do you just have to suffer through dinner with them? What’s the plan and how can we make this the most uncomfortable visit to the city they’ve ever had?” I asked.

“They’ll want to spend time with me while they’re here, I’m sure. I don’t think I’ll get by with just a dinner.”

“I’ll be there every time you have to see them,” I said. He looked at me, somewhat surprised, which made me laugh. “Don’t be surprised. There’s no way I’m letting you face them on your own. Pinky swear, even.”

His look of surprise only grew on his face. “What’s that?”

I grinned. “You’re in for a treat, Yoden. The pinky swear is the holiest of holy swears there is. All the gods, goddesses, demi-gods, and holy men were polled on what the holiest swear is and seven out of ten agree that the pinky swear is where it’s at. The other three were promptly thrown into the pits of Hell for disagreeing, but that’s neither here nor there.”

He finally laughed. “Okay, so how does one go about making this holiest of holy swears?”

I put my pinky out in front of him. “Give me your pinky,” I said. I hooked my pinky around his once he put it out in front of him. “I pinky swear that you will never have to face the demons of your past, present, and future alone ever again.”

He smiled as he looked at our pinkies, still hooked together. “And I pinky swear you’ll never have to face your demons alone ever again too.”

I grinned at him, loving that he indulged me, but also knowing this was the first step to getting him to realize his full potential. I leaned my head over to his shoulder once more. “You’re my favorite. Don’t tell the others.”