11. Chapter Eleven

11

Chapter Eleven

Rowan

M y brothers could be heard talking and acting insane from three streets over. I'd say this is abnormal, but it isn't. This is Sunday at the Byrne house. Opening the back fence, my hand tugs gently on Clara's leading her into the backyard. Bear's hugging my neck as I hold him with one arm. Our backyard is huge. There's a big back patio with a grill, smoker, table set big enough for us all to eat outside, a couple of couches and chairs, an Olympic size pool and a four bedroom two and a half bath pool house. As we round the corner all of my brothers stop talking to stare at us.

Clara instantly cowers behind me. They're already pissing me off and no one's even said anything. I've helped raised the five of them better than to just stare at guests when they come over. Pushing up my Ray Bans long enough to shoot them a glare, they all go back to what they were doing. That is until I make it to the patio half pulling Clara in tow.

"Guys this is Clara and Rhett. Clara, this is Declan, Kieran, Mac, Flynn, and Sully" She finally lifts her head and when she looks at my brothers she gasps and pales.

What the fuck? Before I can ask her about it Mac sticks his hand out to take hers.

"Clara, I'm Mac. It's nice to see you again."

My eyebrows shoot up. "What do you mean, again?"

Clara stutters out, "I, uh, we, we, it isn't" She reaches for Rhett, fear in her eyes. Confused, I hand Rhett to her and notice her shaking, "I…I'm sorry I should have told you. We hadn't even really talked then. I'm so so sorry." My eyes shoot to Mac's with rage, did they hook up?

"Start talking MacQuillian." Mac looks at her like she's a wild animal about to bolt.

"We ran into each other at the park last week.. Literally she ran straight into me while Kieran and I were running. Well I was running, Kieran was moving at a snail's pace." He laughs and Kieran smacks him upside the head.

I look at Clara and ask her in a lowered voice, "Why are you so scared? Did they scare you?"

She shakes her head, "No, aren't you mad? We spoke and I didn't tell you. I should have. I'm sorry." Her eyes meet her shoes. Well that's not how this shit is going to work for me. I place my finger under her chin and lift it so she's looking into my eyes.

"I don't care who you talk to as long as they're respectful to you, and understand that if they aren't they have to deal with me. "

After a few long moments she looks up at me and smiles like shes embarassed, "I'm sorry I reacted like that."

I'm shaking my head at her before she can finish, "Don't, baby, you're fine. You're safe here."

After kissing her forehead then taking Rhett and setting him on his feet, I squat down so I'm on his level and lift my hands.

"Little Bear, these are my brothers. They're very silly, but they're really nice and will protect you like I do. They're not scary, and you're safe with any of them. Okay?" Rhett looks over at all of them before answering.

"Can I just stay with you and Mommy?"

"Of course you can, but if you want to go off with one of them that's okay too."

He nods and tilts his head, "What are their names?"

This time a huge smile takes over my face, "Why don't you ask them and let them tell you?"

Now his face is full of confusion as I look up to see the same confusion on Clara's face, but when I glance to see my brothers watching us they're all practically vibrating with excitement. Rhett looks at Kieran first, "What's your name?" Kieran softens his posture and his expression as much as he can as he bends down to Rhett's level while I stand up and hold Clara's hand. She watches Kieran intently as he lifts his hands.

"My name's Kieran. I'm one of Rowan's little brothers."

Tears fall freely down Clara's eyes as all of my brothers introduce themselves to Rhett one by one. Once introductions are finished, Rhett turns to us, "Can I go swim? Please?"

Clara looks to me, "I didn't bring a bathing suit or a life jacket for him?"

I smirk, "There's a few in the pool house for him to pick from. There's also a life jacket. I can get in with him or if you're okay with it the twins practically live in the pool."

"Okay, let's go get you changed. Do you want Rowan or Flynn and Sully to swim with you?"

A huge smile takes over his face, "Flynn and Sully please?"

"Of course Little Bear, go with Mommy and get changed."

They walk off to the pool house together. Turning I see all my brothers watching me with raised brows. They've never seen me with a girl before, not to mention a kid that wasn't one of them. I know they have shit to say so might as well get this over with.

"Get it out now, then leave it alone." Like a pack of wolves they all start talking at once. Holding up my hand then pointing to Dec, "Let's go oldest to youngest. Declan?"

"I was just going to say being a Dad looks good on you. And not in a sarcastic way, I'm being serious. This is the happiest I've seen you since we were kids." I reach out and grab him by the back of the neck pulling him into a hug.

"Thanks, that means a lot."

Kieran pops up next, "If you ever put me in a position where I have to choose you or that little boy. I'm choosing him. Just so we're clear."

Smirking I nod in contentment, "Good, just so we're clear if any of you pick me over Rhett or Clara, I'll murder you. And not in a ‘oh I'm pissed' way, but I will truly take you to the warehouse and make every last moment as painful as possible until your last breath. Understood?" They all nod in unison then Mac pipes up.

"She's skittish. Why?" Looking down trying to think of the best way to answer, finally I just go with honesty.

"I don't know. I'm assuming she was hurt but she hasn't told me anything. She has scars but I haven't asked. "

"You should ask." Mac replies while looking everywhere but at me.

I'm about to ask him why he's acting so weird when the twins speak up. Flynn starts, "I like them. Can we keep them?"

Sully laughs and picks up where Flynn left off, "Please Roe, Can we? Can we?"

I chuckle as my eyes roll, "Stop being idiots, and pull it together they're coming back."

Sul and Flynn are already in their bathing suits, so when Rhett appears in bright green trunks with blue sharks all over them and a blue and green life jacket they make their way to him. Flynn puts his hand out to Rhett and waits patiently for him to take it. He signs something to him, and Rhett looks to me. I lift a single brow as Rhett lifts his hands, "Safe?"

I smile and answer, "Promise." He nods and takes Flynn's hand heading to the pool.

I look to Clara and find her smiling while walking over to me. She wraps her arms around my waist and tucks her head under my chin, "Thank you for being you, Rowan Byrne."

I wrap her up in my arms and kiss the top of her head, "Thank you for giving me a chance, Clara Sanders."

We turn and watch our Bear being led around the pool by the twins. He's smiling from ear to ear and laughing. Between his laugh and his mamas. I never want to hear another sound.

* * *

Everyone has talked, ate, and got to know each other over the course of the day. Rhett swam until the twins were tired, then he asked Mac. Once Mac was done he moved on to Dec then Kieran. He told me he likes them because they look safe, like me. I think he meant they look like me, but I wasn't about to correct him. We're all just hanging out on the patio furniture. It's getting kind of late for Rhett; Clara's sitting beside me leaning her head on my shoulder, and Rhett is sitting beside Kieran while music plays softly through the outdoor speakers. He's tracing Kieran's tattoos on his arms and lets out a big yawn.

Kieran looks over at us before asking, "Is it okay if I take him just over there?" He points to one of the speakers on the post of the patio that the edison lights hang from.

Clara looks to me then shrugs, "If he wants to go, I don't mind."

Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze we watch as Kieran asks Rhett before they get up together and walk over to the speaker. At this point we're all watching them, wondering what Kieran's doing.

Kieran lifts his hands, "Do you want to feel the music?" Rhett looks at him like he's lost his mind, I'm also curious as to where he's going with this.

Rhett lifts his hands, "You don't feel music, silly. You hear it. I can't hear, so I don't know about that."

My little brother beams at him, he doesn't look like the usual menacing enforcer now. No, now he looks like he did when we were kids and he figured something out first. "Of course you can. Can I show you?"

Rhett turns back to Clara and I. He thinks it over for almost a full minute before he turns back to Kieran and nods. Kieran takes his hand and places his palm onto the speaker while calling out to Dec, "Turn it up a little more." Dec does so without question. We all watch in shock and amazement as Rhett beams up at him. He takes his other hand and brings it up to the speaker too. He's standing there taking in the vibration of the speakers for what seems like forever before instinctively his little body starts to wiggle to what he's feeling in his hands.

I'm almost positive we're all teary-eyed at this point. No one says a word. We all just take in the memory while Rhett gets his fill of the music. After about thirty minutes they sign back and forth before making their way back to us.

Clara's the one who breaks the silence first, "How'd you know to do that?"

Kieran shrugs like it isn't a monumental deal, "I've been looking into different ways he can experience sounds without being able to hear them. It's no big deal."

Rhett begins signing to me about how much he loved feeling the music so I don't catch the rest of the conversation but I do hear Clara tell him it's huge for them. They've never had anyone else care about them and be as kind as we were today. Well baby, get used to it because this is your new normal.

It's late when I press a kiss to Clara's forehead as she snuggles in close. Rhett looks over at us and tilts his head, "Can I lay with you?"

"Yeah, Bear. Come on." I reach my hand out.

He sleepily walks over with Safe clutched firmly in his hand. He climbs in my lap and curls up. Rubbing his back in small circles he leans his head on my chest and shuts his eyes.

"I think we wore him out." Sully laughs. "He's a really good kid, Clara. You're doing an amazing job."

I look over at Clara and see her cheeks heat. She whispers out, "Thank you" then shifts uncomfortably .

Thankfully Declan is amazing at reading a room and swiftly changes topics so all my brothers start discussing the current baseball season and who they think are going to make the playoffs. Leaning down and brushing my lips to the side of Clara's temple I whisper, "You ready to head home, Pretty Girl?" Clara nods, giving me all the answer that's needed. I stand up, pulling her up with me. Adjusting Rhett so his head is buried into my shoulder and his arms circle my neck we tell my brothers bye, make our way to my Tahoe and I buckle Rhett in. After helping Clara into her seat I make my way to my seat, slide in and make sure we're all buckled.

Grabbing Clara's hand as I drive out of my driveway, I'm noticing she's in another world. "Hey, what's going on in that pretty head of yours?" She looks over to me before turning back to the window.

"Is this what it could be like? Today was perfect Roe, but what about when the new wears off? What happens when we get into our first fight? Or when Rhett colors on one of your really important papers for work? Things don't stay like this. I want them to, but I know from experience they aren't great after the new wears off." Gripping her hand I bring her knuckles up to my lips and kiss every one of them.

"Baby, I don't know what you've experienced but I'm telling you I'm not him. When we fight, we'll talk it out, because nothing is worth losing you. Rhett could set my office on fire and I'd ask why it wasn't fireproof to begin with. There's nothing the two of you could do or say to change that. I'm prepared to spend the rest of forever proving to you the newness wearing off doesn't mean anything changes for the worse, it means more comfort, more memories, and so much love."

Finally her fingers wrap around mine and I set our hands on her thigh while we drive her home.

"Hey Rowan?"

"Yeah, Pretty Girl?"

I glance over at her and see her assaulting her bottom lip with her teeth, why is she so anxious?

"Would, uh would it be okay if Rhett and I stayed at our apartment alone tonight?" It feels like I was just punched in the gut but I'll be damned if I let that show.

"Yeah, baby. I'll walk you guys up and help you lay Rhett down then get out of your hair. My phone's on though, okay? On loud, you change your mind or you guys need me you have to call me. Promise?"

She gives me a sad smile, "Yeah babe, I promise." She's going to bolt, I can feel it in my bones.

Pulling up, I park my car then help Clara out. She gets Bear out and situated in her arms. My hand goes to her lower back as I lead them up to their apartment. As we approach her door I notice that it's cracked. What the actual…. Pushing her behind me but keeping one arm firmly wrapped around her hip I shoot off a text and draw my pistol from behind my back. Nudging the door open with the barrel of my gun. I get my first look inside her apartment and my eyes widen, "What the fuck?"

* * *

Clara

I'm shaking like a leaf as I try to peek around Rowan's broad back to see what's happening. He's pointing a gun into my apartment. Why does he always have a gun? He's a businessman? I continue to lean around Rowan to the best of my ability but I can't see anything. I'm also unable to move but so much with not wanting to wake Rhett. A loud BANG echoes through the hall as three men I saw earlier tonight sprint down the hall guns drawn. Declan yells "Roe, you good?" They all skid to a stop beside Rowan further blocking my view. Kieran, the tallest and broadest of the brothers mutters, "Holy shit." I've had enough of this so I push myself through the wall of men and stand in front of Rowan my free hand comes up to my mouth as I scream. Rowan grabs me by the hips to support my weight as my knees buckle. Rhett starts to wake up so I place my hand on the back of his head keeping him still. Rowan lifts his hands to sign something to Rhett, I can feel Rhett moving his hands to respond but I have no idea what's happening with them.

Kieran reaches out to Rhett and takes him. "We're just going to go wait in the car, Mama Bear. I won't take my eyes off him, I'll protect him with my life."

Looking over to Kieran, I'm wanting to say so much but all that comes out is a strained, "Safe?"

He smiles and nods, "Promise."

I watch them until they disappear down the stairs with Mac on their heels. Finally turning back to see my living room walls are splashed with red paint .

Surveillance style pictures of Rhett and I together and separate over the past few weeks litter every inch of floor and furniture in the room. I step into the room and see on the far wall it's clear of paint except for a message that's clearly for me and I know we've been found. I have to get back to Rhett. We have to get out of here NOW. Fear, dread, and horror shivers down my spine as I take one more look at the wall. "I see everything."

My heart hammers in my chest. I look up at Rowan, who's still holding onto me. He's speaking as low as he can into his phone but his eyes stay on mine. I have to go. I have to get away, I still have time. I have to get Rhett and I out of danger and also keep Rowan and his brothers safe. Pulling out of his grasp, I'm bolting into my bedroom in record time. It's been ransacked but I find a duffle bag and start throwing as many clothes that can fit and aren't cut up. I move the loose board in the back of the closet and grab our documents, throwing them in the bag too. Wasting no time I'm zipping it while heading into Rhett's room to do the same thing. His turtles missing, FUCK! He's had it since he was born, he loves that stuffy. I don't hear Rowan come in, but he crouches down beside me and gently grabs the back of my neck, "Baby, stop. We need to talk about this."

I don't stop, I'm continuing to throw what's salvageable of my son's possessions into a duffle. Repeating the process, zip it up then stand to make an exit, "No Rowan. You don't understand. I'm sorry, Maybe in another life. In another time and place. But I can't do this, I have to go. I have to get Rhett and we HAVE to go. I don't have a choice here."

He stands and grabs both shoulders not rough but firm, his tone is the same, "Clara, stop. You're not leaving. Rhett's already in my car with Kieran and Mac. We can go back to my place. I swear to you there's no safer place in the country for you two. We'll get Rhett settled and then we'll talk. I'll tell you everything you want to know, and we'll figure this out together….Please, baby. Give me a night to lay it all out."

The heartbreak in his eyes, the pain and sincerity in his voice as well as the slight tremble in this strong impenetrable man is what has me nodding in agreement. "Fine, one night. If I want to leave tomorrow you'll help Rhett and I leave."

He nods before I even finish my terms. "I promise, just let me get you to safety. We need to move."

He shoulders my duffle bags, grabs my hand and leads me back out to the Tahoe. My body trembles the whole way back down to the car. Rowan's arm is wrapped around my shoulder but that helps nothing. I want to throw up but I'm too scared to stop moving.

Declan is carrying our bags and walks a few paces behind us. We get out to Rowan's car and I glance around the parking lot. Spotting something on the hood of my car, without thinking I move towards it to get a better look. Someone's talking and walking behind me but I'm too into my own thoughts to even process it. Making my way to the hood and my heart drops out of my stomach and this time I do bend over and throw up until my stomach is empty. Laying on my hood is my engagement ring and red paint painted across the windshield that says, "TIL DEATH". My legs give out on me but before I land on my knees I'm scooped up by strong, warm, safe arms. Letting out a loud scream, releasing all my fear and pain, Rowan cradles me to him and whispers about how it's going to be okay.

He says it, but I can feel the rage coming off his body in waves. I somehow end up in the car beside Rowan with Kieran and Mac in the front two seats. My leg bounces, Rowan has to put his hand on it to get it to stop. And because our life isn't chaotic enough right now Rhett stirs and blinks over at us.

"Are we going home now?"

I choke back a sob and sign to him, "We're going to have a sleepover at Rowan's house. Is that okay?"

Rhett looks next to me at Rowan and nods, "Can you sleep with me? I don't want to get scared."

Rowan reaches over me and I don't think my heart will ever be the same after what happens next. He lifts his hands and signs, "Of course she can. I'll even sit by your door all night again and make sure you guys are safe."

Any walls I still had in place before that have just been blown to smithereens.

Rhett looks to me then back to him, "Really?"

Rowan nods and signs, "promise."

Rowan starts running his fingers through Rhett's curls again as Kieran drives. I must have dozed off on the way to Rowan's house. When we stop, I hear men speaking in low voices. I pick my head off Rowan's shoulder and look around, "Shhh, it's okay, Pretty Girl. It's just the guards." I nod and sleepily watch as they wave us through and we take the trek down the long driveway. We park in the garage and Rowan helps me out then opens the other back door so I can get Rhett out. His eyes flutter open when I unbuckle him and pick him up. Clutching his bear and blanket one of the men must have thrown over him when he fell asleep, he looks at Rowan for reassurance and Rowan signs, "Safe, promise." Rhett nods then leans over to my shoulder closest to Rowan. I try to adjust him then realize he's actually leaning for Rowan to take him. Shocked he's choosing Rowan over me, I whip my eyes to the man who may have stolen both our hearts.