Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Easton

The words concussion, whiplash, and bruising were bouncing around my brain like a damn pinball machine. They did nothing to slow down the racing of my heart that kicked up the moment I got the call from Nolen.

I had been at my apartment, packing another bag. I didn’t need to pack much; I had no plans on returning to my place anytime soon, not to sleep anyway. Actually, I couldn't remember the last time I had slept at my own place.

The night of the fire, dumbass.

That’s right. Since that night, Kati had refused to sleep anywhere other than her own bed, and because I wanted to sleep where she was, I too had slept at her house. So today, while Kati went to pick Lucien up from school, I figured I would make a pit stop and grab a few things.

I should've gone with her instead. I should've demanded she have someone follow her instead of caving now that Alejandro was dead.

"Are you sure you're both okay?"

"You heard what the doctor said," Kati reassured me. "We're fine. Nothing a few days of rest can't fix."

Kati was talking a big game, but I didn't miss the way her hands shook, or the fact that she had yet to let go of Lucien's hand. She might want me to believe she was okay, but I knew better.

"Can you tell me what happened? All I got from Nolen was that you were in a car accident, but it didn’t seem to be an accident at all.”

"We were planning to stop at Glacial Delights for an ice cream before dinner when we got rear-ended going through the light."

"Did the person stop?"

"Yeah, they stopped."

Lucien’s voice put every one of my instincts on high alert, as did the quiet exchange he was sharing with his mother.

"It was someone from Alejandro's crew. They dragged me out of the car and threatened me."

"I'm pretty sure it was Manuel," Kati added in a whisper.

I needed to pace. I needed to smash something. I needed to find the asshole and show him what happened when he messed with the people I cared about. Maverick and I hadn't been able to find him but now we would. We would find him and kill him.

"I made it right. At least, I hope I did." There it was again, that silent communication between mother and son. He looked at her like he was asking for permission, and when she nodded her head, Lucien took a deep breath and turned his gaze back to me.

"The guy was screaming at me about Alejandro and how he would kill me before I could take his place. I told him I didn't know who he was talking about and that you were my father." I sat there in stunned silence while Lucien continued to ramble. "I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to say but I didn't want to die."

I grabbed Lucien around the back of the neck and yanked him to me until he let out a little yelp. Then I remembered what the doctor said about whiplash and immediately dropped my hands. "Sorry, I forgot for a second. But you did good, son. You did really good."

My eyes stung from unshed tears. A month ago, if someone mentioned me having a teenage son, I would've laughed in their face.

Now I wished more than anything that what Lucien had told the man was true. I would claim him as mine in a heartbeat.

"You're not mad? I kinda just blurted it out." Lucien looked so unsure and scared of what my response would be.

"Not only am I not mad, I would be honored to call you my son."

"Really?"

"One hundred percent." I pulled the two of them into a group hug.

There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Kati's tears were flowing freely down her face. Lucien was trying to stop his with his fist and I didn't bother to hold mine in anymore. I had never been so proud, or so grateful, for someone in my life.

I thought back to what I said to Kati on our first date. I didn’t normally lie, but it would appear I had that night.

After a few minutes, I pulled back and met Kati's teary gaze.

"Do you remember what we talked about during our first date? When we sat on the blanket and looked up at the stars?" Kati nodded her head. "I lied." She looked at me with confusion, so I clarified. "I do care about last names, and if Lucien will have it, I would love to give him mine."

Lucien launched himself off the bed and straight into my arms. I stumbled back at the teenager's weight, but righted myself quickly.

"Yes, yes, yes! I really do want that!" For a moment, Lucien didn't sound like the mature teenager I had come to know; he sounded like a very excited little boy who was just given the best Christmas gift.

Tears filled my eyes all over again. I had done that. I had made him that happy. I squeezed just a little tighter. Lucien wasn't the only one being given the greatest gift. Sometimes a person didn't know what they needed in life until it came to them. That was certainly the case for me. I took the job with Maverick because I thought I was missing a purpose and work would fill that empty space. In reality, I was missing someone to love. A family.

Kati cleared her throat and I gave her my full attention.

"Just Lucien?"

My heart soared. "I was trying not to push my luck. I figured it would take some time to convince you to take it as well. So … if I asked you to marry me, you would say yes?"

Kati's entire face broke out in a smile, not just her lips but her eyes as well. "Maybe," she teased.

I nuzzled into her neck. "Maybe, my ass. You know you want my last name just as much as Lucien does."

I was elated when she sighed and agreed with me. Her asking was more than I expected. I would buy her a ring as soon as I could and make this shit official.

"I love you, both. I didn't realize before I came to Texas what I was missing in life, but now I do. It was the two of you. My life wasn't complete until the two of you came into it."