Page 58 of Belonging to Them

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Sebastian

I can’t stand this.I can’t stand to see her looking so worried and helpless.

“That’s it,” I say to Ella, then look over at Kingston.“The police are useless.Call Jaxon, will you?”

He’s already got his phone out.“On it.”

“I’m going back to my place to grab a few things,” I say.“Including, my dear princess, our cat, some items from the studio, and that soft blanket you mentioned.”

She throws her arms around me and kisses my neck until I bend forward enough that she can reach my lips.Her mouth tastes like candied cherries, so fucking sweet.

“Thank you, Daddy,” she says.

“You got it, princess.Anything for you.”

And I don’t just mean a few comforts—I mean we’re going to give Ironwood whatever they need to get to the bottom of this.San Esteban PD has failed us, but Ironwood won’t.

FIFTEEN

Ella

We came to the beach house for Memorial Day weekend, and tonight, Monday night, is our last one here.I stare out at the dark ocean, thinking about the secrets it holds.Shivers erupt over my arms at the thought of everything I don’t know.

Ironwood has taken over all matters related to Tommy.They have my old phone to monitor it for messages, and King and Bash gave me a new phone with a new number and everything.It’s been a pain in the ass in some respects, getting in touch with everyone I trust to give them my new number, but otherwise it’s good.The guys weren’t sure I should give my new number to Gianna, but I argued for it in the end.The flashbang going off right after her baby shower didn’t inspire a lot of confidence in them for her trustworthiness.

But I still trust her.

Sebastian comes out of the house to stand with me on the deck.“It’s beautiful out here,” he says.

“Yeah, it is.The stars on the ocean…so pretty.”I sigh and lean against him.

“I have a question for you,” he says.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.Does it ever bother you that King and I are so much older than you are?”

“Bother me?”I scrunch my nose.“Nope.Does it bother you?”

He shakes his head, but there’s sorrow in his eyes.“Not in the slightest.I know I shouldn’t give a fuck what anyone thinks, but public opinion can be strong sometimes.”

“I’m not worried,” I say, kissing his soft, bearded cheek.

“Okay.”He smiles.

I’m not sure that the smile reaches his eyes; it’s hard to tell in the faint light.

We’re quiet a moment longer.I break the silence.“Hey, is there any word from Ironwood?”

“Still nothing.”He wraps an arm around my waist.“Do you think you could come inside?There’s a song I want your opinion on.”

“Oh, sure.”I stand on my tiptoes so I can kiss his cheek.“You know I’m a big Bastian Crown fan.”

“Well,nowyou are,” he says with a grumble.“When we first got together, you didn’t know my music at all.”

I grimace.“Well, I mean, I’dheardit before.”