I squeezed him harder. “Yes, Edgar. It’s all right.”
EPILOGUE
Emma sat upright on her blanket in the nursery and waved a rattle. Little Conroy crawled around her. I cooed to them and smiled tenderly when Conroy pulled on my knee into a kneeling position.
Sunlight streamed into the room as the sound of downtown Denver filtered up from below. September had arrived, but the weather remained warm. Since I was still feeding my little ones around the clock, I’d put my schooling on hold. One day, I would finish my degree, but right now, my attention was needed at home.
Luke laughed. His massive body was stretched out across the carpet as he lay on his side with his head cupped in his hand. Pride filled his tone when Conroy pulled himself into my lap. “He’s a strong little bugger.”
“That he is. They both are.” I rubbed Emma’s back when she dropped to all fours and crawled toward me too. Soon, both of my babies were on their knees and trying to crawl into my arms.
Despite them only being two months old, it was obvious they weren’t normal infants. Most babies at that age still couldn’t sit, let alone crawl, but our babies were doing both and had been for over two weeks.
Father and Di figured it was due to their altered genetics. Every day, their strength and uncanny development made it very apparent they took after Luke more than me.
I lifted a cloth to wipe the drool that had pooled around Emma’s lips. She was easily twice the size she’d been at birth and had stayed human ever since that horrible day in Oregon. Father and Di had managed to recreate the drug Marcus and Albert had invented by using the information Edgar had extracted.
My daughter was finally safe.
I smiled sadly, thinking of Edgar. He still hadn’t fully recovered, but each day, he seemed a little better. With our family surrounding him, loving him, and supporting him, he’d improved. However, his strange powers hadn’t emerged again. Similar to how he’d been before, he seemed loath to use them. His help this summer had been a one-off, desperate attempt to save our children, and none of us pushed him to embrace his altered genetics. He didn’t want to, and it was his right to choose that.
I sighed wistfully. While realistically, it could still take months before his pseudo-Cockney accent fully disappeared and that haunted remnant left his eyes, I knew with time, it would. We certainly weren’t giving up on him. He was family. And family never gave up on one another.
“Is everyone coming to visit this weekend?” I asked as my thoughts stayed on Edgar.
Luke nodded. A small smile lifted his lips. “Yes, including Edgar. Susannah managed to get him out for a walk a few days ago, and she said most days now, he comes out of his room.”
Hope filled my heart. “I’m so relieved to hear that.”
Emma wrapped her little fist around my finger then giggled. My heart warmed even more.
“And Grace?” I asked. “Will she be joining us too?” My lips twitched into a smile when I removed my shirt to feed my demanding babies.
Conroy wailed until he latched on. He sucked greedily as his sister settled in to feed on my other breast.
“Luke?” I said when my mate didn’t reply.
Luke’s eyes had darkened as his gaze settled on my ample bosom. I was completely exposed.
“Luke?” I quirked an eyebrow. “Is Grace coming too?”
He inched closer to me, his gaze still on my breasts. “I’ll never grow tired of watching you feed our babes,” he said huskily.
I laughed since his attention was most definitely not on my question.
“Perhaps we can have a little fun after these two go down for a nap?” I eyed him suggestively.
He growled.
“Now, what we were talking about?” I asked demurely. “Oh yes. This weekend. Is everyone coming?”
Luke seemed reluctant to lift his gaze, but he finally did. “Yes, everyone, from what I hear. I hope you and Jet go easy on poor Raven. He’s got it bad for Grace.”
I laughed again as my babies continued suckling. “I know, which is exactly why I hope she’s there.”
Luke chuckled, the deep sound filling the room.
“Is there any current news on Albert?” I nervously threaded a hand through my hair. My blow-out from yesterday still had my long locks textured and soft.
His gaze softened. “The latest report from Conroy’s spies is that everyone thinks old Albert has gone senile. I believe they’ve even hired a nurse to care for him twenty-four hours a day in his home. He apparently spends most of his time wandering around, asking who everybody is. And since he can’t remember the passcode to his lab, he can’t access anything in the basement.”
I breathed a sigh of relief at hearing that. My biggest fear had been that Albert would study his old files and that something from his previous research would trigger his memory.
Luke put a warm hand on my thigh. “Don’t worry, my love. With every year that passes, he’ll grow older and less of a threat. Most likely, he’ll spend the rest of his days drooling while staring blankly out the window.”
My shoulders relaxed even more. Every day, gratitude filled me that we’d been able to find a non-violent solution to keep our family safe while allowing Albert to live.
Emma fell off my nipple, drawing my attention back to her. I settled her into the crook of my arm. Conroy soon followed. Both of them smiled lazily as their full tummies put them off to sleep.
Luke inched closer as my prominent breasts jutted out in front of me. “Now, my love, what were you saying about putting these two down for a nap?”
I laughed as he helped me to my feet. “Oh, I think you know exactly what I was saying, my love.”
ILLUMINATION
The Lost Children World
Book Three
THE LOST CHILDREN SERIES—BOOK 6
CHAPTER ONE
“Just go talk to her. It’s not that hard. Just go up to her, say hi, and ask if she wants to go to a movie or get a coffee or have dinner. Seriously, dude, just do it!” I paced outside the living room, alone in the hallway, talking to myself. ’Cause talking outloud to myself was a good look, obviously. But thankfully, Grace couldn’t hear me, although Jacinda probably could.
I groaned. My adopted sister would probably tease me about my nervousness to no end. Never mind that Jacinda had two six month old babies to look after. Both of those babies had been inflicted with altered genetics thanks to their parents’ crazy origins, but even though the babies kept her busy, Jacinda still found time to tease me.
My pace increased, my feet sliding along the thick carpet. Whenever Grace joined Lena on our weekend family visits, I’d act like a complete moron. Every time. If I wasn’t fawning and staring, like a tongue-tied idiot, I was pacing and talking to myself, trying to work up the courage to ask her out.
Of course, Jet and Jacinda made sure to give me a wink or make a sly comment to let me know that they enjoyed my discomfort immensely.
Damn sisters and damn brothers. Even Amber and Susannah had started teasing me. I couldn’t get away from it. Okay, then stop talking to yourself so nobody hears you.
My hands balled into fists as my feet sank even deeper into the carpet in my adoptive father’s reclusive Colorado mansion. I ran a hand through my dark hair. Nerves churned in my stomach as the whooshing from my steps carried down the hall.
On the other side of the massive windows lining the end of the hallway, snow flew. The new year had arrived, and winter gripped the land. At the moment, all of us had a break from our college courses which gave us plenty of free time, free time that we hadn’t had in months, which meant that I had the perfect excuse to finally ask Grace out on a date.
If only I could work up the courage.
“Oh, look at him! He’s so cute!” Grace’s soft, lilting voice, the voice that always sent a tingle down my spine, carried over the laughter and steady conversation that took place only a room away.
I stopped pacing and peeked around the corner into the larg
e living space. My family lay sprawled on the furniture. My heart rate increased at the sight of Grace. She sat on the carpet, next to Lena, while they played with Jacinda and Luke’s babies. Grace’s long blond hair trailed down her back, her beautiful blue eyes wide and luminous.
Damn. Why does she have to be so gorgeous?
But it wasn’t just her beauty that attracted me. It was everything. Lena’s best friend had become a part of our family over the past six months. She was the only normal human outside of our family that knew about our sinister origins and O’Brien Pharmaceuticals. She knew that all of us had altered genetics and displayed some type of extrasensory, paranormal, or animalistic power.
Yet Grace accepted us. All of us. Her kindness, willingness to always be there for Lena, and her trustworthiness meant she’d safeguard our secret origins no matter what.
Grace was gorgeous, inside and out, and single too.
But I was too big of a pussy to ask her out.
“She’s so strong. Aren’t you, little Emma girl? Look at you go!” Grace kneeled down, cooing to the six-month-old.
Emma pushed to her feet and toddled over to Grace. She drooled all over Grace’s finger before walking on chubby legs back to Jacinda and Luke. From there, she did the rounds, going to each and every person in the room: Father, Di, Amber, Susannah, Jasper, Mica, Edgar, and Lena. Jacinda and Luke’s twin babies had been graced with numerous aunts and uncles, thanks to our unusual family, although Flint and Jet were missing from the socializing in the living room.
Little Conroy, unlike Emma, was in his wolf form. He’d been that way since the afternoon, yipping and running while he played on the floor. Jasper chased him, letting the little guy chew on his fingers. Most likely, Conroy would transform back to his human baby form within the next hour or two. He never stayed a wolf for too long, and to Luke’s absolute delight, his son was strong enough to go for short runs around the backyard while Luke also ran as a wolf.
A soft yip came from Conroy when he pounced on Jasper’s head.
“You rascal!” Jasper laughed and swatted him away, but Conroy just jumped backward before pouncing again.
Unlike his sister, little Conroy had only learned how to transform a week ago. Jacinda had nearly had a heart attack when it happened, but so far, Conroy hadn’t demonstrated any of the detrimental effects that Emma had from transforming. That, of course, meant Jacinda had plenty of energy to tease me about my unrelenting crush on Lena’s best friend.
“Come here, Conroy. You cute little boy!” Grace cooed and scooped Conroy up. He wiggled and squirmed, trying valiantly to climb higher in her lap so he could lick her with his lapping pink tongue.
That’s one lucky puppy. I sagged against the wall, my stomach flipping as I watched her.
“Ogling again, bro?” A large hand clamped onto my shoulder. “You know, you’re kinda turning into a Peeping Tom.” Jet snickered and squeezed my shoulder. “You sure you don’t want to go in there and ask her out?”
I straightened and swallowed. “What are you talking about?” I asked as innocently as I could manage.
Jet’s blue eyes twinkled. He brushed back his dark curly hair. “It’s been over six months, Raves. Your interest is kinda turning into an obsession. If you don’t ask this girl out, I might ask her instead.”
My mouth dropped, my eyes flaming. “You wouldn’t! You know how I feel about her.” Even though I wore contacts, the fire still rose up inside me, but Jet wouldn’t know that since the contacts hid my internal fire.
“He’s kidding.” Flint’s deep voice came from the end of the hall. He sauntered up to us, his movements fluid and graceful. Like me, he had olive-toned skin and a tall lean build. As my only biological brother, he looked like me, but Flint’s chestnut hair was lighter than my black hair, and his dark eyes were normal, not like my fire-filled irises.
Flint leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. “Don’t worry, Raven. Jet won’t ask Grace out. Besides, Grace only has eyes for you. I don’t know why you haven’t already asked her.”
I swallowed, my throat suddenly feeling dry. How did I explain to my brothers that the thought of her potential rejection hurt so freakin’ much that I felt sick?
I’d never had a girlfriend, not really. I’d dated a few girls and hooked up a few times, but I’d never had an actual girlfriend. Lena said I was too shy, that I needed to come out of my shell, but that was easier said than done. Besides, I didn’t think I could handle Grace’s rejection. Because if she said no . . .
I squeezed my eyes shut, groaning inwardly. “It would kill me if she didn’t want to go out with me.”
Jet placed his hand back on my shoulder and squeezed it again. “Dude, you only live once. You’re wasting your life pining away for her. Just ask her. Trust me. She’ll say yes.” He dropped his hand, that cocky light in his eyes returning. “All you gotta do is walk up to her, flex your guns a bit, toss back your hair, and give her one of those smiles. Chicks love that stuff. Trust me. I do it all the time. Just act confident, bro. Chicks love confidence. Sometimes, you gotta fake it till ya make it. If you do, she’ll say yes.”
“Fake it till you make it. Right.” When I finally looked up, both Jet and Flint were nodding, encouraging me to get in there and do what I’d been too scared to do for the previous six months.
“He’s right,” Flint added. “You’re wasting your chance. She’s not gonna wait for you forever.”
“But if she’s as into me as you two both claim, why hasn’t she asked me out?” I curled my fingers into my palms. “It’s not like it’s the eighteenth century. Women ask out men.”
Jet shrugged. “Maybe she’s worried about rejection too.”
Flint nudged me toward the door. “Ask her. Just do it. You’re going to kick yourself in the future if you don’t.”
Sweat broke out on my palms, turning them into a sweaty mess. My heart leaped in my chest at the thought of walking across the room and asking her out. Not to mention, my entire family would witness my embarrassing fail if she said no.
“Go, dude.” Jet pushed me, and I stumbled into the room.
Grace’s head snapped up when I regained my footing. An attractive flush filled her cheeks.
“Hey, Raven!” Lena said cheerfully. She gave Grace side-eyes, but Grace didn’t see it. Grace’s chin had dipped, her flush turning to a blush. “Come sit with us.” Lena waved me over.
I awkwardly walked across the room, the conversation around me falling silent, but then Jet came into the room and snatched up Conroy.
“What you up to, you little bugger?” He scratched Conroy behind the ears, but Conroy whipped his head around and clamped onto Jet’s fingers, his little razor sharp teeth penetrating Jet’s skin.
“Ouch!” He pried Conroy off his hand but chuckled anyway. “You’re getting fast, you little trouble maker.”
Luke grunted with pride. “He takes after me.”
Luke, the largest member of our family, lay sprawled out on the couch beside Jacinda, his massive frame taking up most of the sofa. His shoulders spanned at least three feet, and his hands were as big as dinner plates.
Jacinda smiled, her full lips glossy from some shiny lipstick she wore. She tossed back her blond, perfectly styled hair. “Nice to see you, Raven. I wondered if you’d join us.” She winked, making my teeth grit.
“Uh, yeah. I was doing some stuff in the back.” I sat down by Lena, Grace on her other side. Grace peeked up at me, her blue eyes so vibrant that I wanted to drown in them.
“Hi, Raven.” She smiled tentatively.
I cleared my throat. “Hi. How are . . . how are ya doing?”
She shrugged and picked at the carpet. “Pretty good. It’s kinda nice to have a break from class.”
“Ah, yeah. Totally. I mean, I hate having class too. I mean, I don’t hate it, and not that you said you hated it, but—” I snapped my mouth shut, wanting to smack myself.
There I went again, acting like a freakin’ idiot.
My shoulders sagged, that feeling in my stomach growing. God, she was amazing, always trying to make everyone feel better and putting up with my tongue-tied sentences like they were normal.
Grace sat up straighter, some of her primness returning. It was another thing I loved about her. She was always so proper, and so on top of things. It was probably why she and Lena meshed so well. They were complete opposites in some ways, but those opposite qualities seemed to strengthen their friendship.
“So what are you up to this weekend, Raven?” Lena nudged me, her green eyes twinkling. Her long, curly red hair sat in a messy bun on the top of her head, making her small nose and fragile features look striking.
“I . . . uh . . .” I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants. I knew Lena had asked me that question as an opening for me to ask Grace out. As embarrassing as it was, my entire family knew about my crush.
Lena’s eyebrows rose, her expression encouraging.
Just do it! I sat up straighter and before I could lose my courage, I blurted, “I was actually going to see if Grace was free and wanted to hang out this weekend.”
The entire room fell quiet. Shit.
Grace’s mouth parted, her tongue darting out to moisten her lips. Seeing her little pink tongue made something else stir inside me. God, she’s so gorgeous.
Lena grinned, nudging Grace. “Did you hear that? Raven’s wondering if you want to hang out this weekend. Since it’s only Friday, you two could spend the whole weekend together.”
Grace’s cheeks bloomed bright red, then she bit her bottom lower lip.
My heart pounded. She hadn’t said yes. Why hadn’t she said yes?
“I, um . . .”
Oh my God, she’s going to say no.
My gaze shot to the floor, nausea rolling through my stomach. I’m going to throw up.
The Complete Lost Children Series Page 101