6. Chapter Six

6

Chapter Six

Brittany

I t’s been weeks since my hookup with Kieran and I never texted or called him. Not because I haven’t thought about it a million times but because my brain just wont tell my fingers to pull up his contact and use it. The electricity between us is dangerous. The man looks like he promises nothing but heartbreak and good orgasms. I want the latter but can’t afford the former. I’ve almost reached out to him more than once. He intrigued me enough to have me wanting to, but then my self preservation kicks in and I tamper that back down.

I got a new job as a personal assistant at a law firm a week and a half ago. I’m working twelve plus hour days, six days a week. I’m not complaining because honestly I need the money. My boss is pretty cool. Although he’s a little too informal for my preference, but he’s fine to work for. I’ve missed my partner in crime this week. I didn’t just get a new job. I’ve also moved into my apartment right down the street from my office. It was like it fell right in my lap.

I just got off from work an hour ago and made my way straight over to Clara’s. I miss my best friend so much, and we needed a girls night in. That’s how we’ve ended up lounging on the giant sectional at the Byrne house with Rhett between us.

“Auntie, where have you been?”

“What do you mean, silly. I’ve been at my apartment.”

“But why? Why don’t you just live here? My Uncles live here. You can too.” Oh, his sweet heart.

“Well, your Uncles lived here before you did. Your Daddy isn’t my brother so I can’t live here.” A look of pure frustration covers his handsome little face. He sits with his arms folded while Clara and I go back to snuggling him and watching the movie. After a few minutes he huffs and jumps off the couch. Clara and I look at each other in question but neither of us say a word as we watch his little four and a half year old self march straight over to the door to his Daddy’s office. He knocks on the door. It swings open a moment later and none other than the man who has been the center of all my ‘self care’ sessions since he bossed me around while wringing every ounce of pleasure from my body takes up the door frame. Kieran squats down to his level, a gentle smile taking over his too handsome face. “Hey, Bear. What’s up?”

Rhett is still staring him down with a look that he’ll use to run the world one day, I’m sure of it.

“Where’s Rowan?” I’m pretty sure every person in hearing distance jaw drops.

“Woah.” Gone is the smile on Kieran’s face. “Why are you calling your Da by his name? That’s not very nice, and I’m sure it’ll hurt his feelings.”

His tough guy exterior drops in an instant and his little bottom lip quivers right before he starts crying. Kieran is jerked back by none other than Rowan, causing him to fall back onto his perfect ass. Roe scoops Rhett up and hugs him to his chest, “Hey, shh it’s okay. What’s wrong?”

I’ve heard that Rowan’s a force to be reckoned with outside of this house. But inside of it? He melts at a moments notice if Clara or Rhett even jut their lip out.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. I just want Auntie to live with us.”

Oh, my sweet boy. He was ready to go toe to toe with his Da for me.

“Who said Auntie can’t live with us?”

Shit.

“She did, because she’s not your brother.”

Rowan’s stone cold glare comes to me. “You made my son mad at me, Mitchell?”

Clara cuts in before I can say anything, “Down, boy. She was explaining why she doesn’t live here. Actually, I’m so glad you’re done with work for tonight. Rhett needs a bath and bedtime.”

Rowan’s eyes soften at his wife, he’s so obsessed with her that it’s unreal. “I’ll do bedtime solo, but you have to come to bed tonight.”

Clara stares him down for a solid minute before relenting, “Deal, but Britt’s coming too. I’m not leaving her down here alone.”

“Veto, I’m not sharing my bed with anyone but you and Rhett. She can have the guest room. ”

I toss my hand up, “ She is right here, and I’ll just go home later that’s no big deal.” Out of the corner of my eye I see Kieran stiffen at the suggestion.

“Auntie can sleep with me!” Rhett chimes in.

“Perfect, Little Bear, that’s a great idea.” Roe smirks because he knows he’s won this one.

“Okay, Rhett. You have to go to bed like a big boy or I won’t sleep in your room okay?”

“Okay!” He wiggles down out of his dads arms before taking his hand and leading him upstairs.

Like I said, he’s going to rule the world one day.

* * *

We’ve gossiped, drank wine, and watched three new scary movies. Now we’re leaning on each other while yawning and half asleep. I’m starting to nod off when I feel Rowan stand in front of the couch. He pushes the hair off Clara’s forehead then gently tilts me so I lay down on the couch. I’m in that half awake half asleep state when I hear Rowan.

“She’s so worn out. I don’t know what’s going on with her lately. I’m going to take her to bed, then I’ll come back and get Brittany.”

“I’ll take her. She’s going to Rhett’s room, right?” That was Kieran. I was going to offer to walk myself, but now I’m not saying a word. I’ve craved his touch since that night.

“Yeah, she’s supposed to, but Rhett’s already in our bed after a nightmare. You can put her in his room, or the spare room. Thanks.”

“Don’t worry about it. Get Clara to bed. They both look like they haven’t slept well in weeks.”

I feel fingertips brush my hair out of my face, the zap of electricity tells me exactly who just touched me. The next thing I know I’ve been scooped into strong arms and cradled against Kieran’s warm, strong chest. My head leaning on his shoulder, and the rhythmic sound of his heart almost pulling me completely under the blanket of sleep. We reach the top of the steps when he leans down and kisses the top of my head.

“Hey, Brave Girl. I know you can hear me.” He whispers.

Unwilling to have a full conversation I respond, “hmm?”

“Rhett’s room or the spare?”

Snuggling deeper into his hold I all but whisper, “Spare.”

I can feel Kieran smile against my hair as he gives me one last kiss and makes his way to the spare room. He gently lays me down and covers me up. He presses his lips to my forehead one last time before turning on his heels to go to his own room. Being half asleep is the only excuse I have for what I do next. Before he can move too far away I reach out and grab his fingers with my own.

“Stay.”

Kie sucks in a sharp breath and without another word pushes his sweat pants off so he’s just in his black boxers and climbs into bed behind me. His strong arm wraps around my waist and pulls my back into his chest. My body instantly melts into his. The last time we did this I slept soundly for the first time in as long as I can remember.

“Go to sleep. The bad dreams can’t get you here.”

“Swear?”

This feels too intimate. Way too much for a man I’ve hooked up with once, but at the same time his arms make me feel something that I’m not sure I’ve ever felt in my life. Protected. So I let Kie hold me as I drift off to sleep tangled up in his long limbs as I’m drifting to sleep I hear him whisper into the room.

“Swear.”

* * *

I wake up to an empty bed and instantly feel a sense of deja vu. After getting up and throwing on a pair of black leggings and an old band tee, I decide to head downstairs. While making my way down to find Clara and Rhett my mind wanders to where Kieran went. Not like it matters, we just slept in the same bed. Finding Rhett snuggled up on the couch, I grab a blanket out of the ottoman and curl up with him. He leans his head onto my arm and it brushes his bare ear. My head whips around, looking for Clara or Rowan. He always keeps his processors with one of them if he isn’t wearing them. My eyes catch on them sitting on the side table. What is happening this morning?

Scratching his head until he brings his tired miserable eyes to mine, my hands lift to talk to him, “Why are your processors off? Are you okay?”

He shakes his head, “My head hurts. Hearing break.”

Rhett was unable to hear anything until a few months ago. He takes hearing breaks but only after telling one or both of his parents and making sure his processors are safe with them. Poor baby also gets migraines from time to time like his mom. I’ve been around since the day he was born and the look he has in his eyes right now screams the beginning stages of a migraine .

Laying his head into my lap he closes his eyes and puts my hand gently on his head. We’ve done this enough over the years that I know exactly what he wants. My fingers twirl around his curls, playing with his hair as easily as possible. It doesn’t take long until he’s asleep. Looking around it’s empty down here. Come to think of it, there’s typically a Byrne brother around Rhett constantly. This morning there’s none to be found. Grabbing my phone I shoot Clara a text letting her know where I am and what’s going on, making sure to assure her I’ve got it and he’s fine.

About a half an hour later two sets of heavy footsteps run down the stairs.

“Bear?!” Rowan’s frantic voice fills the space.

“Hey, he’s right here. I’ve got him.” My hand doesn’t stop running through his curls for fear of waking him up. Rowan comes to a screeching stop in front of us.

“I’m so sorry, Clara’s down with a migraine and Rhett has some sort of sickness going on. I left him asleep in bed with Clara to take a call and when I came back he was gone.”

“What do you mean he has some sort of sickness?”

He gestures to him asleep in my lap like I’m an idiot. “He’s asleep in your lap at eleven on a Sunday morning.”

Giving him a small smile I let him in on what Clara must have not mentioned. “Rhett gets migraines too. He hasn’t had one to my knowledge since you’ve been around, but he gets them all the same. He likes to sleep with his head in my lap and lets me play with his hair. We’ve been doing this for every migraine since it started when he was two. I’ve been called over from work, appointments, and late nights out. I’m not his mom or his dad but I’m Auntie, and to Rhett, Auntie is his go to migraine remedy. ”

“I didn’t know about his migraines. Is there anything you need while you’re with him? Between him and Clara I’m feeling pretty useless. Are you sure I can’t take him?”

He’s so stiff and looks extremely stressed. I’ve never seen him like this before. Rowan’s always so relaxed and chill when I’m around. It’s also important to note that I’ve only ever been around when Clara and Rhett are as well and he’s in family mode. I know who Rowan is and what he does, so I’m sure he’s typically no nonsense. I’ve just never seen that side of him. “Yeah, I’ve got him. You take care of our girl. I’ve got our boy.”

He forces a smile however his voice is commanding, “Okay, you have my number, so keep me updated. If he throws up or anything changes text or call me right away. Declan will stay down here with you.”

No, absolutely not.

I give him my most dramatic ‘what the fuck’ face before spitting out, “You’re joking right?”

The look on his face tells me he’s very serious.

“I don’t need a damn babysitter Rowan. Let’s not forget that before you entered the picture I was Rhett’s second parent in almost every aspect. You’re here now and I’m so happy you’re the husband and dad they need. You can be stressed all you want, but you will NOT treat me like I can’t be trusted. I got them out of that house of horrors. Don’t disrespect me by acting like I’m going to hurt them. Never forget I loved them first.” By the time I’m done I’m practically vibrating with rage. I won’t be treated like I’m a new person that they’re unsure of. They can suck my ass. The entire time my hand keeps its same rhythm in my sweet godson’s hair.

Declan lets out a low whistle, “Looks like you pissed off the wrong one Roe. I’ll do whatever you want me to. Just know if she starts planning your untimely demise I’m not stopping her.” Rowan glares at me, but I’m not easily intimidated anymore so I glare right back.

Finally he huffs out a breath of annoyance and drops his hands from his hips dramatically, “Fine. But give me your phone. I’m putting all our numbers in here just in case anything happens. I mean if he so much as looks like he’s going to cough I need you to text one of us.”

Tossing my unlocked phone to him I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Stop micromanaging me, Rowan. Put the numbers in and I’ll use them if I need to. But this isn’t my first rodeo. It’s just yours.”

He grumbles to himself as he puts the numbers in. Before he hands it back to me I hear Dec and Roe’s phones go off.

Shit.

“I texted us all in a group chat so we all have your number too. You’ll answer when we call or text.” He hands me my phone then quickly turns on his heels before stomping out of the room. “I’m going to take care of my wife. Declan will be in my office handling some things if you need him.”

As he disappears up the stairs I lift a brow and look to Declan who just shrugs and coughs to hide his laugh. “Impressive Ms. Mitchell, I’ll be down the hall if you need me.” Giving me a sharp nod he puts his hands in his pockets and leaves the living room. Leaning my head back against the back of the couch I let my eyes drift shut, as I attempt to process what the fuck that was all about.

* * *

Waking up, the first thing I notice is that I’m lying on the couch instead of sitting up now. Rhett wiggled his way onto my chest and we’ve been covered with a big fluffy blanket. Blinking my eyes open they scan the living room. I startle in surprise when a set of medium green eyes lock onto mine. Shaggy hair lays wildly across his forehead. It’s so long that it’s almost in his eyes. Whispering out of habit more than anything, “Did you cover us up?”

He gives me a lazy smile that rivals his older brother’s. It’s the same one that’s been flooding my mind for weeks. “Yeah, you both looked cold. I was sent down here to check on you guys. I also took a picture. Mainly because I figured you’d appreciate it, but also to send proof of life.”

Shooting him a glare and giving the most unladylike huff of annoyance I can, “Tell Rowan I said he can jump off the roof. I’m not going to ‘prove’ myself to the new member of our dynamic. He stepped into my family unit, not the other way around.”

Mac’s eyes are huge by the time I’m done, his hands come up in surrender, “Woah, chill. Rowan didn’t send me. Kieran did.”

Okay. Now I’m confused.

“Kieran?”

“Yeah Kieran, care to explain why he’s been so paranoid about me checking on you and if you need anything ?”

I’m stunned. Has he been thinking about me too? Oh, come on Brittany, get it together. That man can, and probably does, have half the female population falling at his feet. We slept together once and snuggled twice. There’s no way he’s even given it another thought. He, like Rowan, probably just thinks I’m incompetent to look after my godson .

“Probably because you guys walk around here thinking anyone without the last name Byrne is going to sneak him into a storage container and run off to India with him.” I’m going for obvious sarcasm, but I can tell by the fire in Mac’s eyes he’s not in the mood for my shit.

“Right, well just so we’re clear, we would tear anyone who tried to take him from us limb from limb before feeding the remains to a pig and putting their teeth in acid so there was no trace left of them. We don’t care if you were ‘here first’ or not. No one messes with what’s ours.”

Yeah, fuck that.

“Get the fuck away from me Byrne. Tell your brother I’m fine, and tell your oldest brother as soon as Rhett’s better I’m leaving and I’ll meet up with Rhett and Clara solo from now on. Thanks for letting me stay last night, but I got it. Messages are received loud and clear. I’ll stay out of your way as much as possible, but in response I expect all six of you to leave me the fuck alone.” Mac’s eyes soften and if I didn’t know better I’d swear his feelings are hurt.

“Britt–”

Cutting him off because I’m over these macho alpha-hole men, “I’m done with this conversation, Mac. Let me spend time with my sweet boy in peace.” His eyes are downcast and his shoulders slumped but he nods and walks away without another word. Grabbing my phone to mute all their numbers I find a couple of texts from Kieran and a missed voicemail from a number I don’t recognize. Muting the other brothers I decide to check Kieran’s texts first.

Kieran: So this wasn’t the way I expected to get your number but I’ll take it.

Kieran: How’s Bear feeling? I miss him .

Kieran: I can’t stop thinking about you.

Kieran: At least send me proof of life before I have to force Mac to go check on you. He gets cranky when I’m out on business and he can’t find me. You do not want to deal with him right now.

Kieran: Okay, you leave me no choice, Brave Girl.

Shaking my head at his craziness I don’t respond and click on the voicemail bringing my phone up to my ear. A voice that makes my blood run cold slides through the receiver. “Ms. Mitchell, this is Officer McKinneon, I was the detective on your case. I just wanted to let you know that your father has been granted parole effective Friday. He is ordered to stay in the state of Ohio, and if you still reside in the state he has to stay one thousand feet away from you at all times. Failure to do so will result in a parole violation and he will be sent back to prison. If you have any questions feel free to call me back at this number. I’ll call with his parole officer’s information when it becomes available to me. Try to have a good rest of your Sunday Ms. Mitchell. I’ll talk to you soon.”

My trembling hand pulls the phone from my ear as I kill the call. Tears are streaming down my face. This can’t be happening. He’s supposed to have nine more years. I’m suppose to have nine more years. I’m going to get Rhett feeling better then I have to go. I need to figure things out and get out from under the thumb’s of the Byrne men. Taking shaking breaths I work hard to calm my frayed nerves and appear fine. I can feel Rhett shifting in my arms which means he should be up soon. Hopefully sans migraine.