“No,” I disagree. “He’s preparing for a showdown with Oliver. I can feel it.”
“Is there any way both of them can come out of this alive?” Cooper asks.
“I don’t think so.” Caine huffs and sits on the couch. “If Oliver doesn’t kill Brody, then Kennedy will kill his own son, we know there’s no love lost between them. If Brody gets the chance, he will kill Oliver, and he’ll do it purely for fun.”
Yeah, he would. Brody has always loved the game of cat and mouse, it feeds his inner monster, and soothes his tumultuous soul. Then there’s the love he has for torture, he calls it an art, and loves to practice his skills whenever he gets the chance.
“So, we wait around until the showdown?” I ask and Caine throws me a dark look.
“Fuck no,” he grins and it transforms his face into something sinister. “If Brody is going to die, I’m going to make sure it’s by my hand.”
Well fuck.
It feels good to be in my bed, wrapped in my blankets, and between two men I love with my whole heart. Cooper is to my left with his arm thrown over his eyes and breathing deeply, and then Caine is to my right, his face lined in anger even in sleep.
I have to use the bathroom but I don’t want to disturb them, they look completely exhausted, and I know it’s because I haven’t been home.
“Stop wiggling.” Caine groans.
“I have to pee.” I whisper.
“Did you lose the ability to use the toilet along with your common sense in that house?” At least he doesn’t sound so angry today.
“I didn’t want to wake you.” I roll my eyes and sit up. “I should call Kimmy, too.”
“Yeah, she’s been annoying as all hell.” Cooper mutters from my left. “She just didn’t believe you’d want to be alone with Brody. Maybe we should’ve fucking listened to her.”
“Good morning.” I lean over and kiss his cheek. “I really need to pee.”
I grab my new phone on the way to the washroom and text Kimmy.
Me: Hey. I’m home.
Her reply is instant and I can feel the disdain through her words.
Kimmy: Call me now.
I bite the bullet and call her while I’m pissing on the fucking toilet.
“You better have a good explanation.” She sounds angry.
“I was kidnapped and held against my will?” It’s the truth.
“Seriously Kailey!! You fucking had me worried,” Kimmy rarely swears. “What the heck happened?”
“I needed to just spend some time alone with Brody and figure out how to be with his friends while having a friendship with him.” Ha! What a crock of shit.
“And?” She sounds a little better. “How did that work out for you?”
“It didn’t, there’s no middle ground for us.” I couldn’t hold back the sadness in my voice if I tried.
“Aw, Boo. I’m sorry, I know what he meant to you at one time.”
“How was your Christmas? Tell me Henry got you somethin’ worth a fortune.” I gush, trying to change the subject.
“Oh! Girl!" She squeals, “my man proposed to me in front of my mama and daddy! Got right down on one knee and everything!”
"Oh my god!" I jump up off the toilet. "Oh my god!"
"You need to see this ring. I can barely lift my gosh darned hand!" Her excitement about the engagement has made her forget my whole ordeal and I couldn't be more thankful.
"I'm a bridesmaid right?"
"Boo, you are my maid of honor! Even though you left me in the dark for days." Well hell, that went downhill.
"I'm sorry, Kimmy."
"I understand why you did it but don't you think your heart deserves happiness after everything?" She asks.
"Yeah." I agree solemnly. Why then does it feel like it was ripped out of my chest?
"How is your daddy taking all of this? Multiple boyfriends and all."
Fuck, this is something I didn't anticipate. How the hell do I answer this? Maybe partial truths.
"Kimmy, remember I told you Papa had a drinking problem and went to rehab for a little while?"
"Yes, of course. I commend him for fighting his demons." She praises. He was a fucking demon.
"Well, it was more than that. He was also addicted to drugs and was supposed to stay longer at the facility. I was told last week he left of his own accord and I can't locate him."
"Oh my gosh!" She gasps. "Boo, are you okay? Did you call the police?"
At the mention of police, my heart jumps, and trips over every fucking rib in my chest.
"Yes, they're looking for him."
"Did you want to come and stay with me? Mama wouldn't mind. We could have sleepovers and prepare for our New Year's ball."
Right, the fucking ball.
"I have the guys with me, I'm okay. We do need to go shopping though." I sigh.
"I have my dress, but we definitely need to go for you. It's masked!"
Even better. "Alright, tomorrow?"
"Yes!" She squeals.
I finally placate her enough and get off the phone. I glance in the mirror and cringe at the greenish/yellow bruises lining my throat. Looks like a turtleneck tomorrow and hopefully they're gone by New Year’s Eve. If not, I should buy some heavy duty foundation.
"Everything okay with Kimmy?" Cooper asks as soon as I step out of the bathroom.
"Her and Henry are engaged." I smile.
Caine is still sleeping while Cooper is propped up and looking at his phone.
"Really?" He grins at me and then suddenly his face is serious again. "One day you will be, too."
"Oh yeah?" I tease as I crawl back up the bed between them. "And how would that work?"
"Obviously, you would marry me, I was the mastermind behind this whole thing." His grin is wide and contagious.
"Fuck off," Caine's gruff voice cuts into our playful moment. "She's going to be a LeBlanc."
Well, I can see this is going to be a future problem. I roll my eyes and snuggle back down into the covers.
"Maybe I'll just stay a Richard." I murmur as I press my ass into Caine and wrap my arm around Cooper's waist. Although, the name Richard no longer has any appeal for me.
Caine's big arm comes around my waist and his face presses into the back of my neck.
"Go back to sleep." He rasps.
"You did look so good in red at Georgina's party!" Kimmy coos as we peruse the racks of gowns. "Has anyone seen her around?"
It's gotten out that Georgina had a huge fight with her mother about an affair and she ran away from home. Her mother was the one to call the police when she was alerted to Georgina's bank account being emptied. Thank every angel watching us that they had a huge blowout about my father the same night Brody got a hold of her.