“Yeah, and his assistant, Annabelle. They’re good people. But they don’t call me Damien,” he tells me, changing the subject. The more I learn about him, the more I realize my instinct about this man was right.
“What do they call you?”
“Dizzy.”
“Dizzy?”
“Yeah, I’ve always been the comedian in the group. Shit was always serious. Made it my life’s mission to make them laugh about the dumb shit.” He rolls onto his side, taking me with him. One hand cups my breast while the other rests at my hip.
“Now that, I can’t believe. You’ve been so serious this entire time.” I laugh, feeling warmth flood through me.
“It’s true, but it wasn’t just my life on the line, and if I had failed, you wouldn’t have been able to stop them from taking what they wanted,” he points out, only I’m not sure what time he’s talking about.
“Seems I get into a lot of trouble, don’t I?” I surmise.
“No more than Alice or Missy, and trust me, those girls are tough as nails.”
“Who are they?”
“Alice is Hudson’s girl, well, wife now. I’ve been gone so long I missed the wedding. They met while Hudson was on a job. She was running from some fucked-up shit. Needless to say, it caught up to them, but Alice showed more backbone than I ever thought possible.”
“What’d she do?”
“Survive,” he says. “Missy is Hudson’s older sister, and she’s with Kingston, my boss. They’ve known each other for years and finally stopped playing cat and mouse when they learned Missy had a stalker. She survived, too, kicking and screaming all the way.”
“Will I meet them?”
“You will when we go home.”
“Home?”
“Yeah, I live in Oregon. We all settled around King and Hudson when they started the company. I’ve been living with a couple of my team members, a bachelor situation, so we’ll start looking for a place of our own right away.” My heart skips a beat because he’s talking about where we’re going to live when we get back. “The girls will get you acclimated to the area pretty quickly. They’ve got the heavy on everything that happens in town.”
“Does your family live nearby?” I ask, and he shifts, growing quiet. “Did I say something wrong?”
“They live in Ohio, where I was born.” He trails off. I know he’s missing them, and he’s thinking more about them since he’s begun peeling back the layers. Maybe a little push in the right direction could help put him onto the path toward them.
“You know it’s Christmas in a few weeks.”
“It is,” he replies carefully.
“We could go see them,” I offer, hoping he responds well to my idea. It’s a long shot, but if he ever wants to be the man he was before all the darkness, he needs to go home and face his family. “I’d like to meet them before we go home and settle in. Wouldn’t it be nice to spend Christmas with them?”
Damien doesn’t say anything, but the way his body has remained relaxed and his breathing even, I know I haven’t upset him. He’s mulling over the suggestion. “I bet they’d love to see you.”
“Do you think so?” he asks, and I realize he’s afraid to face them.
“Of course,” I assure him and turn in his arms. “You’re their family, and no matter the reasons why you’ve stayed away, I’m sure having you back would do you and everyone some good.”
“They might be pissed.”
“Maybe, but you’ll never know unless you take the first step.” He nods, agreeing with me, but I still see the wariness in his eyes. “I’m not going to pretend I know what’s going to happen, but no matter what, I will be there at your side.”
After everything he’s done for me and the life he’s given, it’s the least I can do for him. He needs to find closure with his family, but most importantly, with his mother.
Chapter 26
Damien
It’s been a week since I called to check in with King. The last we spoke, we were still waiting on the FBI to get their shit together and close the case.
King is the person I talked to about everything related to this case and my new wife. He’s known about my attration to her and the fight I’ve been raging to keep myself from acting on it. He’s championed me to explore my feelings with Penny so often, I have no problem telling him where things lie with her.
He picks up the line on the second ring.
“Diz, so good of you to finally check in.” He sounds annoyed, and I know I’m going to get shit for not calling sooner.
“Hey, King, just calling to check in.”
“You were supposed to do that two days ago. You okay?”
“Just peachy.” I smile thinking about the way I pushed Penny’s body this morning. I lost count of how many times she came for me. “Any news?”
“I just hung up with McNamara, actually. They’re still trying to identify a couple of bodies.” He sounds as irritated as I feel.
“Fuck, man, I was hoping this shit would be wrapped already.” I’ve given up nearly a year of my life to this investigation, and to say I’m at my limit with it is putting it mildly. Not to mention the way things have progressed between Penny and me the last few days. I’m ready to get home and settle down.
“Everything okay out there? Do you want me to find a safehouse closer to home while shit gets worked out?”
“It’s good, but I want to take her home.”
“She decide to go home to her family after all?”
“My home, to meet my family.”
“Shit,” he chuckles across the line. “Is that why you didn’t check in?”
“Just leave it,” I retort. It’s none of his business what is or isn’t happening between Penny and me. I don’t get involved in his shit.
“Diz, man, don’t think that’s a good idea. You know why we suggested a safehouse when you started this case and you agreed to lay low until it was all over.” He’s not being an ass on purpose, and he’s right. I agreed to lay low, but I agreed to a lot of things, none of which included her. Now, things are different.
“No, King, I’m gonna go home, and I’m taking her with me.” I pause, waiting for him to argue with me, but he doesn’t, so I level with him. “It isn’t just her. This entire investigation has had me thinking about my sisters and my nieces. I’ve been running too long. It’s time to go home.”
“Yeah?”
“Besides, I think they’ll like her.”
“Something tells me they’ll love her, but how they gonna handle knowing you married her for the reasons you did? Are you sure bringing her to meet the family is a good idea right now?”
“They don’t need to know the details, but I know my family. They won’t hold the reasons against her.”
“They’re gonna wanna know why things are ending when they do.”
“Things aren’t gonna end.”
“Diz...” he starts, but I stop him. King has always had a level head when it comes to the team. He’s always been able to notice shit we’re too close to see, but this time, I know what I’m getting myself into.
“I married her with every intention of letting her go, King. I wanted to do the right thing by her, but things have changed. I’m not letting her go.”
“She know that?” he asks, surprising me. I expected him to argue.
“She will,” I inform him. And she will, if she hasn’t figured it out already.
“You love her.” It’s a simple statement, but it’s a topic I’m not comfortable with yet.
“I don’t know about love, but I know she’s mine.”
“Good,” he says, and maybe it’s because he’s finally found happiness himself, but he gets what’s happening without too much information. “You want me to have Annabelle book you a flight home?”
“Yeah, that’d be great. But I need a favor from you.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Don’t tell them I’m coming.”
“Tell who?”
“My sisters. I know you talk to them. That’s why they don’t bother me like they used to.”
“Dizzy… l—”
“It’s fine. If I had a problem with it, I would have said something years ago. But I get it. It’s what you do.”
“What do I do?”
“You care.”
“Fuck off,” he laughs into the phone, and I smile. “Alaska’s making you soft. Maybe you should come home.”
“Nah, I’m breathing for the first time in a long time, and it feels good.”
“I’m glad to hear it, man. I’ll have Annabelle email the flight information. What day you want to get there?”
“Christmas Eve.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“You’re a miracle worker, Kingston. Make it happen.”
I hang up the phone and look back to the little cabin that’s been our home since we arrived in the wild state of Alaska. While I’m glad to finally be going home, to both homes, I’m going to miss it just being the two of us.
Thankfully, the cabin is company property, which will make it easy to bring her back here one day.
Maybe a spontaneous trip for our anniversary.
Chapter 27
Damien
Christmas Eve
For as long as I can remember, Christmas has always been a big deal for my family. So, it isn’t a surprise to find every available square inch of my oldest sister’s house decked out in twinkling lights. It’s just like Astrid to have the brightest house on the street.
Penny gazes out the window. Her mouth hangs open, making me think about this morning. All I can think about is what her pretty pink lips would look like wrapped around my cock, while I watch her blue eyesfill with lust and her own need.
Fuck, now was not the time to think about fucking my wife. Not sitting outside my sister’s place on Christmas Eve, feeling like some horny teenager. I’m about to walk in on my family. I didn’t want to do it with a hard-on.
“Are you going to go in or sit out here and stare at the lights all night?” Penny’s soft voice pulls me out of my head. I can’t help every doubt I’ve had about this trip beginning to fill my head. Am I crazy for doing this? What if they don’t want me here? Should I have called at least? I wanted my visit to be a surprise, and I knew coming home married would really get the conversation going.
My gorgeous girl slips her slender hand into mine. the rock I bought her only hours ago twinkles up at me. I swallow hard and finally look up at her.
“I’m scared.”
Fuck, did I say that out loud? I look around the cab, half expecting one of the guys to pop their heads in and demand I return my man card. No joke.
“Damien, they’re your family.” She offers me a sweet smile and laces her fingers with mine. Leaning forward, she places a kiss on my cheek. “They’re going to be so happy to see you.”
“I should’ve called,” I groan and turn my head to lean it against the steering wheel.
“Stop worrying,” she laughs softly and opens her door. She lets go of my hand and slips out of the truck. “Come on.”
I take a deep breath before opening my door and step out into the cold night air. The snow is fresh and shimmers nicely with the Christmas lights. It makes me think of the fun I used to have every year decorating our family home.
We make our way up the walkway and stop at the large red door. The sound of music, laughter, and children vibrates through it. I knew everyone would be here tonight for the annual Christmas Eve family dinner; it’s a family tradition. My grandmother started it after her children had married off and wanted to visit their spouses’ families for the holidays, too. It was a day meant for joy and most importantly being together as a family. It’s one of the few traditions my family has that I’ve missed.
“Ready?” she asks before looping her arm into mine and stepping closer for warmth.
I reach out and ring the doorbell.
My heart pounds heavily in my chest. I can’t believe this is happening. I’m half expecting to wake up and discover it’s all some kind of weird dream.
The sound of tiny footsteps racing up to the door sharpens my senses. They stop abruptly, just as the door handle jiggles and a blast of warm air greets us. A young girl with a curious pair of green eyes stares up at us. Her blond ringlets bounce from the momentum.
“Are you Santa?” she asks excitedly.
“No,” I whisper and drop down on one knee, getting down to her level. She has to be one of my nieces. With blond hair like that, there is not doubt her mother is somewhere inside. I scour the various pictures I’ve committed to memory, the ones my sisters sent me on occasion of their families. If I remember correctly, this one belongs to Savannah, and her name is Bonnie. “But I happen to be great friends with him, Bonnie, and if you do me a big favor, I’ll put in a good word for you.”
“You will?”
“Sure will.” I smile at her.
“What do I have to do?”
“Tell your mama that Uncle Damien is here.” The little girl’s eyes light up when she hears my name.
“You’re my Uncle Damien?”
“I sure am.” I reach out and touch her little cherub cheek. She spins and takes off at breakneck speed down the hallway.
“Mama, Mama, there’s a man here,” I hear her chatter, causing the room to go quiet. “He says he’s friends with Santa. I didn’t know Uncle Damien knew Santa.”
“Bonnie, honey, what are you talking about?” I can hear my sister Savnnah ask with disbelief in her soft voice.
“It’s Uncle Damien,” Bonnie speaks fast, then she turns the corner and races back down the hallway toward me. Slamming into me and wrapping her arms aroud my leg. “Come look, Mama.”
I grab Penny’s hand, squeezing it tightly for courage. She squeezes back just as my sister rounds the corner.
“See, Mama, I told you, and now Santa’s going to bring me something special.” She giggles as my eyes meet those of my sister. She stands frozen in the middle of the hallway. Her eyes are wide, and her mouth hangs open.
“Damien?” she whispers.
“Merry Christmas, Savvie.” I barely get the words out before she screams with excitement, runs down the hallway, and slams into me like Bonnie did.
“Oh my… It is you.” She throws her arms around my neck and calls to the others. “It’s Damien! Damien’s home!”
“What?” a voice calls out, and I recognized it as Astrid’s, my oldest sister. The sounds of chairs scraping against the floor and feet shuffling into the hallways echoe throught the house. Their shocked gasps and voices all speaking at once fill the air.
“Oh my... Damien...” Farrah, the second oldest, bawls. She moves the quickest and wraps her arms around my midsection.
“It is him,” Skye, the youngest, sobs softly before finding an arm to cling to.
“Is this some kind of joke?” Astrid asks. She reaches for my face, holding it between her hands.
“I told you we were getting a Christmas miracle this year,” Savannah laughs in between tears. All four of my sisters have found a way to latch on to me, refusing to let me go.
I have no words. Their welcome is more than I expected, but it’s all I hoped it would be. The next few minutes are spent telling them all how happy I am to see them and how much I missed them. Their smiling faces beam back at me, and tears fall freely down their cheeks. Seeing them this overjoyed makes all the fear and trepidation go away.
“Son,” my father’s deep voice pulls my attention, and a knot forms in my gut. As nervous as I was about my sisters, I have been more worried about facing my father. I let go of my sisters and turn to face him.
His gray-blue eyes stare up at me, and for a moment, my smile falters. My father has aged more than I anticipated. He stands a few feet back from me and leans over onto a dark wooden cane.
“Hi, Dad.” I step toward him, reaching him in two strides. He smiles up at me, and I notice his eyes shimmer with his unshed tea
rs. He wobbles, and I see my sisters flinch, their fear over his struggle to stand apparent. I offer him my arm, and he takes it happily, leaning heavily on me. I wrap my arms gently around him and sigh. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”
He drops his cane and lifts his hand to my face. “Welcome home, son. It’s been too long.”
“Uh, Damien?” Astrid interrupts, and I turn my head toward her. She’s standing next to Penny, who offers me a shy smile. “Aren’t you going to introduce this lovely young woman?”
Savannah walks over to us, and my father reaches for her, allowing me to step away to stand next to Penny. I turn back to the gathered crowd and notice the various men standing along the back side of the room with the children standing nearby.
I know who these men are, and from the looks I am receiving from some of them, I know I’m going to have some explaining to do. I nod to the men with respect, but none nod back. I recognize one of them, Astrid’s husband, Jonah. He looks at me with disappointment laced in his eyes. They all do.
I lace my hand with Penny’s and watch as the detail doesn’t go unnoticed with my sisters. Astrid’s eyes grow wide, and I know she’s spotted the rock on Penny’s left hand.
“Everyone, this is Penelope. My wife.”
Chapter 28
Penelope
“Shut...up,” the smallest of his sisters giggles and steps closer to us, her eyes glued to my left hand. She picks it up and whistles. “Please, tell me this dork is lying and he didn’t marry a total babe.”
I can’t help laughing loudly. “I’m afraid it’s true, but dorks are kind of my thing.”
“I’m Skye, and you, sweetheart, are fucking awesome.” She pulls me in for a hug. “You’ve married into a family of huggers, and believe me when I tell you, we’re all going to want to thank the woman who brought our baby brother home.”
I laugh nervously, but before I can tell her otherwise, another sister pulls me in for a hug. And another. And finally, the last one.
Somehow, between all the hugs, we’ve made our way down the hallway and into the dining room. Damien’s father sits at the head of the table. He looks happy, and his eyes haven’t lingered too far from his son.
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