~oOo~
She was always a daddy’s girl and finding him murdered on the front porch that night nearly broke her. She, of course, didn’t tell many people, hating the way they would look at her in pity.
Fayth was strong and a survivor. She knew her father worked for powerful men, how could she not? He never purposely told Fayth what he did, but he also didn’t keep it from her.
After his death, Fayth stuck close to home, watching her mother waste away. She was in a mental hospital now, but it didn’t look like she’d be released anytime soon, if at all, thanks to Sebastian’s hold. She couldn’t deal with the death of her husband.
~oOo~
“He’s been caught,” Sebastian said knowingly. He folded his arms across his chest.
“You still won’t tell me who it was, will you?” Fayth asked, looking at Sebastian with almost a pleading look.
“It won’t matter,” Sebastian said with a slow blink. He knew all along who had killed one of his most trusted men, and in cold blood. There had been no reason for the death except for pure, flat out revenge.
“I would want to know,” Summer spoke up. She would want to know if anyone she cared about would have been murdered. Then it wouldn’t matter if the killer was already dead or not. She’d kill them again. It would give her closure anyhow.
“Please, Bash,” Fayth asked with a pout, her eyes filled with mock innocence.
With a deep breath, he finally uttered the one single name. “Tony.” His eyes were filled with hatred as the name passed his lips.
“Your own father?” Summer said in surprise. She knew that man hated his sons more so, because that they didn’t follow the path their last name was meant to.
“Yes,” Sebastian replied. “He would – did – everything to try to ruin me. He wouldn't have just taken me out of the picture, expect that Chase and Ivan would have done anything to end him in return.” There was a reason Sebastian entrusted the Marcel’s to not just keep him employed, but safe too.
“Lucky that son of a bitch is dead,” Fayth said darkly.
“Yes, it is,” Sebastian agreed. “But it’s in the past now.”
Fayth took a deep breath before turning back to Summer, finishing her hair.
The princess wasn’t sure what to say. She had never gotten along with her father, and her mother was pretty much still a stranger. Summer knew she’d be upset if she lost Emma.
“I never thought he could possibly do that,” Fayth mused after calming. Not that she really knew that man. Nor did she know too many other than Sebastian who worked with her father.
“I knew he would; I had hoped that I would get to him first, but I was too late. I wanted to take my old man out myself, but I didn’t get the chance to do so,” Sebastian stated his voice dark. Otherwise, he showed no emotion about the topic. “Anyway, Heidi should be back soon with the mail. A number of boxes arrived.”
“I didn’t order that much,” Summer said with calculated eyes.
“No, you didn’t,” Sebastian said with a glint in his eyes.
“I didn’t need much, Sebastian,” Summer sighed. She had only ordered what she had to have. And that wasn’t much at all. She had lived for so long with not much to her name, so going back to that status after a few months was fairly easy.
Sebastian simply shrugged. He would buy the girl whatever she wanted and needed. It was Heidi that ordered most of the things that Summer hadn’t thought of herself. A few bigger shirts, better fitting pants, and things that not even Sebastian wanted to shop for.
“Gabriel should be back sometime later. He went to clean up a new place for the Marcel crew,” he went on.
“I don’t trust that man,” Fayth said, laying the curling iron down next to the sink,
“Why?” Summer was the one that had to ask. She trusted Gabriel a lot more than she was willing to admit. She even trusted Sebastian, and if he trusted someone, then Summer tended to trust them also.
“Just have this feeling,” Fayth shrugged, not really giving her reason.
“He won’t harm anyone. I wouldn’t have demanded, or accepted, his help if I thought he’d hurt the princess in any way,” Sebastian said. But wasn't surprised that Fayth didn’t trust his brother. People who didn't know him tended to not trust him at first. He could be lethal if needed be at any given time.
“You’re just upset he broke up that kiss,” Summer joked with a smile.
“It was a hot kiss,” Fayth sighed with a small smile as a dreamy look came over her face. “I will kiss you again if I get the chance,” she warned, watching as Summer’s face flamed red. Man, she would love to do just that.
Too bad the Princess was already in love, Sebastian thought. He knew if Chase and Summer weren’t as deeply in love as they were, Fayth might just stand a chance. That type of relationship would do Fayth good, as the Princess surely would put her in the right place and settle her down somewhat.
“Gabriel can be trusted,” Summer said, staring at Fayth, determined to prove it so. “He’s never given me a reason to doubt him.”
“But he’s so . . . . . so fucking . . . shady!” Fayth said, not able to find the right word to describe the man. He was always keeping to himself. Not that she was here often enough to really get to know him.
“I’m sure what he does is dark,” Summer said.
Sebastian stood back, wanting to see how the Princess would handle this. He knew how she felt about his younger brother. She saw him as a brother too. Everyone that liked Summer was stuck with her if even she didn’t want them to be on her side.
“I’d rather not know what he does, or even to what extent,” Summer went on calmly. “Gabriel has kept me safe enough, and he even took care of Sebastian when he was hurt. He’s had more than one chance to end me or hurt me if he had wanted to.
“I’ve seen men take what they want when they want. I’ve been that object, played that part,” Summer said, willing her voice to not be filled with anger. “He’s not like those sick fucks that used and abused me. He never could be,” she ended. Her eyes daring Fayth to argue back.
Sebastian was surprised but thrilled, that Summer stuck up for the man. In many instances, Gabriel had been the glue that helped get shit done. They had both saved each other more times than either of them would ever want to admit.
It wasn’t often, if at all, that Summer cussed. He was amazed at how his brown haired girl had grown. She’d grown by leaps and bounds.
What Sebastian saw here, was past amazing. He wasn’t sure he’d ever seen the Princess stick up for anyone before that she didn’t know all that well. She shot her father to prove she cared and loved, Chase. She willingly went with Sebastian to keep herself safe, and in turn the Prince. She didn’t question, didn’t fight against what he was trying to do. She certainly could have, and Sebastian would have let her go back if she demanded at any time.
Sebastian cared too much about her and would do just about anything to keep her safe, but happy.
Now, as she stood up for his brother, Sebastian knew without a doubt that she was ready. She was ready to fight this war. And she would be able to take John down if it came to that. God, did he hope it didn’t. He’d do just about anything to keep that man as far away as possible for her.
Fayth broke out in a huge smile, happy to see her friend fighting for something she believed in. No matter how small or big. Fayth and even Sebastian couldn’t wait to see what Summer would be like when, and if, she faced John. Or possibly anyone else for that matter, who wanted to hurt her or her family.
“All done!” Fayth said after double checking that she had gotten Summer’s hair perfect. “You can go look now.”
“Do I really want to?” Summer asked, no idea if she wanted to see it or not.
“Go have a look, figlia,” Sebastian said, lifting his chin towards the bathroom.
With a drawn out sigh, Summer lifted herself out of the kitchen chair, which had been covered with an old sheet that had been used to keep the
dust off the furniture while the house had been empty of people.
Once in the bathroom, leaving Fayth to clean up the mess in the kitchen, Summer saw her reflection. Although her eyes were no longer sunken in, she couldn’t see any difference from the last time she looked at herself. It wasn’t often she stopped to see the changes in herself. There was no need to.
Her hair, although only slightly shorter than just a few weeks ago, now had more red to it. With it curled, the red looked like it was all natural. Even the front now framed her face that had filled out.
It was nice to feel human. After so many years of being just a thing, Summer felt like she was a person, and now even more so.
After her doctor’s appointment earlier that day, her view on life was slightly different. It truly was amazing what growing a little one inside of a person did.
“So?” Fayth asked, peeking her head around the doorframe, her eyes bright with hope.
“I like it,” Summer said with a smile, fingering her locks. “Definitely a change.”
“Since you’ve gained weight somewhat, it will be a bit harder for strangers to recognize you unless they look closer,” Fayth went on. “And if you start wearing makeup, I think it would maybe help.” Plus, she just wanted to see what Summer would look like with makeup on.
“No makeup,” Summer said with a small shake of her head. “It’s not who I am.” She shot the girl a sorrow filled smile.
“I’ll get you to wear some eventually, chica,” Fayth said, not upset. Oh, she certainly would sooner or later.
“Good luck trying,” Summer said with a laugh, turning away from the mirror, seeing her friend with a bright smile still in place.
“I’ll wear you down,” Fayth said, bouncing in place. When she was like this it made her think of Zinna. Those two would certainly get along well. And even Clare would adore Fayth.
Man, she missed her family. She missed normalcy, whatever that may be now for her.
Summer simply shook her head, hearing the back door close as Heidi’s voice floated to her ears. There was not a very good chance for Fayth to ever succeed in that department. Having her hair changed was more than enough. No matter how much Fayth would try, she wouldn’t win.
“Hey girls,” Heidi said, walking past and setting a couple of boxes down on Summer’s bed.
Summer and Fayth followed behind.
Seeing the pile of boxes, some good sized in fact, Summer wasn’t sure if she really wanted to know what was in there.
“I ordered you things I’m positive you didn’t even think about,” Heidi said, turning to face the Princess. “Things that you will need in time. Don’t you dare try to argue against not needing them, or saying something about you not being here to use them. If you aren’t, I’ll personally make sure you get them where ever you are.”
The older lady knew Summer better than she had thought at first. Instead of replying, Summer ducked her head, a blush covering her cheeks. The action caused Fayth to admire the princess un-shamefully while Heidi gave out a light laugh.
“Everything should to be your likening, sweetie,” Heidi said. “If not, just let me know.”
“Okay,” Summer mumbled out before Heidi made her way back out.
Fayth was the one that moved first, starting to opening one of the smaller boxes of the four. Summer slowly made her way over, and looked at what had been ordered for her.
Other than a few shirts and pants that Summer had ordered that would fit her when she started to show, there were other shirts, sleepwear, undergarments, socks, and other clothing. Fancier clothing that Summer surely wouldn’t ever think about wearing.
Why would she need a skirt, here of all places? There was no reason to dress up.
Where would she wear them?
The fact that Heidi went out of her way to order such things made Summer wonder what would happen. Was Chase safe? Would this war, whatever it was about, end soon? Or would he come see her for a day or two before returning by himself?
“You okay?” Fayth asked, noticing that Summer was a little bit quieter than normal.
“Just thinking,” Summer shrugged out.
She wondered about her sister, and how she was handling everything.
“About?” Fayth asked, tilting her head to the side, and purposely ignoring the box of undergarments that was wide opened.
“Life? Family?” Summer answered in a question. “Everything, really.”
“You can get through this, you know,” Fayth said, taking hold of her hands. “I’ll be there every step of the way. Everyone in this house will without question.”
She paused, gathering her words.
“I can see why everyone is so taken with you. I can’t wait to see you blow everyone away in a storm when the time comes. What Sebastian is doing, helping you has given you what you need to know to survive this. Without or without that husband of yours, you will come out of this alive.”
Summer hoped she was right.
Chapter 26
“No,” Sebastian seethed. “Absolutely no!” He paced the living room, a look of pure fury on his face. There was no way in hell he’d ever let Gabriel’s idea plan out. Just . . . no!
“Why not, brother? It would be perfect,” Gabriel said, with a relaxed posture in the chair, still in the clothes he had arrived in. His arms were on the arm rests, one hand holding a glass of water.
Luckily, Summer was asleep, but not for much longer with Sebastian’ raised voice. Gabriel had hoped to bring this idea up with his brother before he went to the Princess, but maybe he should have gone the other way first. Surely, Summer wouldn’t act so outraged.
“It’s not safe! I have done everything I possibly could to keep that girl safe, and you come strolling in with that absurd idea. The Princess will never go along with such an idea!” Sebastian nearly shouted. He would certainly not let her know about it if he could help it.
“If you’d shut your trap and actually listen, you’d see it’s a well thought out plan,” Gabriel said, watching as his brother paced back a forth. He knew that this wouldn’t go over well, but given time for the plan to sink in, he was sure his brother would be more open to the idea. They were running out of time before something worse would happen.
Gabriel knew without a doubt that his oldest brother was up to something. He wouldn’t come out of hiding, and no one he didn’t trust could get close enough to him. He was planning to bring everyone down with him if someone didn’t stand up and act fast.
“I did listen,” Sebastian nearly spit out. “And it’s not in the works. Nor will it be, Gabriel.”
“It would work. You know it will. It would actually be perfect, as no one would ever expect it,” Gabriel said. “And if Summer was the one that brought John down to his knees . . .”
Oh man, he’d love to see that man kicked off his high horse, begging for his life. No, he wouldn’t beg. He wasn’t the type. But his look would do good enough.
“No!” Sebastian shouted, outraged. “I will not go for it! Chase would kill me if I make it out alive!”
“No he won’t,” Gabriel said with a shake of his head. “I actually went over it with him, and he thought it would work well in the end.” Well, mostly. I may have left some of the finer important details out.”
“No!” Sebastian shouted again. The Prince would never go for something like that. He wouldn’t! Chase Marcel would never do anything to ever jeopardize the safety of the Princess.
“Hey,” Summer said timidly from between the hallway and the living room. She wasn’t sure about all the shouting but knew without a doubt that it had something to do with her. The way both men held themselves told her whatever it was, wasn’t going to be good.
Sebastian dropped his shoulders, turning to Summer with a look of false calm that she saw through. She had stood in there long enough to get the gist of what they were arguing about. Gabriel merrily leaned his head back enough to see her.
“Didn’t mean to wake you, Grace,” Gabriel s
aid. He really hadn’t meant to.
"What are you fighting over?" Summer asked, finally stepping farther into the room. She crossed her arms over her stomach, which now had a small bump that only she noticed when she had padded her way from the bed after hearing all the shouting.
Surprisingly, Sophie didn’t wake or at least didn’t care, about the raised voices. She had played fetch outside for a couple of hours earlier during the daylight hours, so she was still sound asleep. It was just now past midnight.
Summer hadn’t exactly wanted to get up either, but when Sebastian’s voice reached her not only once, but three times, she figured she should get up and see what was going on. She wasn’t even planning to say anything, at least not until she saw who Sebastian was with.
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