Page 54 of Cloudless

GAME FACE

LILA

The canopy of oak trees swallows Jasper and Posey’s laughter as they skip up the driveway. Kam’s warm eyes search my face as he straightens. “Everything alright?”

My finger’s intertwine with his as I nod my head. “Yeah. I’m just really glad you’re here, Trouble.”

His smile shines brightly in the evening sun. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

The warmth of his palm seeps into mine like a calming balm on my soul as we follow the twins to the front door.

As Posey pushes the doorbell and the ding reverberates through the house, Kam’s fingers tighten around mine. His voice is a gentle whisper that’s easily lost in the autumn air. “Game faces, everyone. Just remember, we’re a team. We always have each other’s backs, no matter what.”

The door swings open to reveal pursed lips and perfectly stenciled brows. Victoria doesn’t say a word as she takes in our appearance. I’m sure our outfits wouldn’t meet her standards, even if I was standing before her in a ball gown and Kam in a tux.

“Good evening. Our chef is almost ready for the first course.” She steps to the side and waves a manicured hand. “If you’d join us in the parlor, we would like to have a few words before dinner.”

I struggle to contain my eye roll at the mention of a chef. What exactly is Posey going to eat if they’ve hired a professional chef? And does no one have home-cooked meals for Thanksgiving anymore?

Our shoes click against the marble as we follow her into her museum of a home. Twenty-foot ceilings showcase the artwork adorning the walls of the grand entry. A spiral staircase leads to a second-floor balcony that’s connected to two hallways leading in opposite directions.

The smell of fresh turkey and heavy spices lingers heavily in the air. I fight a sneeze that threatens to appear as we venture down a hallway that leads toward the back of the house.

Sunlight coming from the expansive windows illuminates the lack of movement of Victoria’s hair in front of me as we make our way through the maze of hallways. The straw-like texture is styled into a stern bun that rests at the nape of her neck.

The twins are silent in front of me as Victoria disappears through a doorway at the end of the hall.

Massive windows framed by thick, sage curtains look out at the manicured backyard. Intricate molding lines the border of the ceiling and the pale green floral wallpaper.

Heavy furniture forms a seating area in the center of the room that is clearly meant for long discussions with business partners over drinks, instead of comfortably lounging around a fireplace with friends.

The evening sun silhouettes Maxwell as he overlooks the backyard from the central window. He doesn’t bother turning to greet us as we file into the room.

Victoria sinks down onto the edge of a seat by the window. With her hands clasped in her lap, her eyes flick to her husband.

Maxwell’s deep voice rumbles through the room as he finally turns. “Children, I’m glad you have finally arrived. We had a few details to discuss with the impending court date next week.” He gestures to the seating area with a manicured hand. “Have a seat.”

My brows furrow as my feet follow his command without my permission. The scratchy fabric of the couch is rough against my fingers, despite how much I’m sure it costs.

I nearly lose my balance as the cushions move with Kam’s weight as he settles himself at the other end. The twins' feet dangle a few inches off the ground as they settle between us.

With a scrunch of his nose, Maxwell’s fingers glide along the top of the fireplace.

I raise my brows as I clear my throat. “You had something you wanted to discuss?”

He wipes what I’m sure is minimal dust from the mantle on the handkerchief he pulls from his pocket. “Yes, well, I wanted to hear your plan for the twins.” My brows furrow as he rests his hands on the back of the seat across from us. “I assume you have a plan in place?”

I shake my head as I rub the face of the watch on my wrist. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

He raises his brows as he picks an imaginary piece of lint off his suit jacket. “So you’re saying you don’t have a plan for their college fund, summer programs, or extra-curricular activities?”

I swallow thickly as I straighten in my seat. “Well, Posey’s ballet lessons are paid through the end of the year. Jasper plays hockey with his school team, so the cost for that so far has been minimal.”

He nods slowly. “What do you plan to do after the prepaid ballet tuition has run out?”

My fingers twist in my lap as Kam shifts at the other end of the couch. I lift my head to keep my eyes from falling to my lap. “I’ve been taking more shifts at the restaurant. Tips have been pretty good recently, so I’ve got a few hundred saved for her tuition next year.”

He raises his brows as I try not to cower in my seat. “A few hundred? Is that all? How do you expect to take care of two children when you take that long to save a few hundred dollars?”

“This is a temporary situation. After I graduate next year, I’ll be able to work full time.”

A smirk pulls at his lips that sends a chill down my spine. “Do you still plan on working at that restaurant after graduation?”

I shake my head. “Well, no, I?—”

His voice cuts off my words at their roots.

“We wanted to let the twins open their birthday present before dinner.” My eyes scan the room, looking for a set of gift bags or boxes, but come up empty.

The only unusual thing in the room is a file folder sitting in the middle of the coffee table.

“With the court date for your custody hearing quickly approaching, we thought it was appropriate to make our final decision.”

Final decision?

My muscles turn to stone as I clench my fists in my lap.

Victoria’s sickly sweet smile churns my stomach. “Yes, what better day than Thanksgiving to bring the twins fully into our family?”

My eyes jerk to Kam as he grits his teeth. His voice holds a hard edge I’ve never heard before. “What do you mean, exactly?”

Maxwell tilts his head toward the folder on the table.

“You will find copies of adoption papers in that folder. Our lawyer finalized them the day before their birthday. We were hoping to have this taken care of before the court date next week, but things haven’t played out exactly as we planned.

” A slimy smile stretches his face. “If we get the paperwork signed before the court date, the transition will go much smoother.”

Heat envelopes my face as my nails cut into my palms. “Do you really think I would sign away my rights to the twins?”

The twins sink further back into their couch next to me as I fight my natural instincts to cover them with my body.

Maxwell’s smile grows as he moves closer to the folder on the table.

“That’s exactly what I think is going to happen.

You just admitted to your lack of resources to look after them properly.

Also, when the judge finds out you have had a stranger looking after the twins, a stranger whose father has a history of DUIs no less, she’ll have no choice but to award custody to us. ”

Posey’s fingers dig into my shirt as my voice vibrates with rage. “I will never sign away my rights. Why would you want guardianship, anyway? A nanny practically raised my mom.”

Victoria’s lips twist as she straightens even more in her seat.

“Your mother was an ungrateful child who never understood the value of what she was born into. She chose to marry your father over the marriage we secured for her. We learned a lot from our time with your mother.” I jerk at the mention of an arranged marriage.

“We won’t make the same mistakes again.”

Sadness accompanies the rage flowing through my veins. “You tried to force her into an arranged marriage?”

Victoria narrows her eyes at me with a sneer on her face.

“It was the least she could do after everything we gave her. She wanted for nothing. She had the world at her fingertips, and she threw it all away for some rat off the street. Your grandfather lost a very important business deal because of her lack of responsibility, and I’ll never forgive her for it. ”

Rage vibrates through me as I stand. “My dad was not a rat off the street. He was a great husband and an even greater father.”

Maxwell rolls his eyes as he sticks out his chest like a gorilla. “Please, his salary was pathetic. I’m surprised he could keep food on the table.”

A calmness flows through me with the realization that I don’t need these people.

I don’t need them to take care of the twins.

I’ve been doing just fine on my own these past few months, despite them.

“There is more to life than the number in a bank account, Maxwell. Maybe try taking your head out of your ass for five seconds so you can see that your misery is your own making.” I lock eyes with Kam’s fury filled gaze from where he stands behind me.

“Sunny Marshmallow Unicorn Taco.” With a smile, I turn to the assholes in front of me.

“That’s our code words for wanting to get the hell out of here.

” My smile only grows. “The words spell out smut, by the way.”

With my last words, I spin on my heels, grab Posey and Jasper by the hand, and walk out of the room with a sway to my hips.

I don’t look over my shoulder as Kam’s heavy footsteps sound through the room to be followed by the sound of ripping paper. His voice shows the full magnitude of the fury I saw in his eyes. “If I were you, I wouldn’t bother showing your faces at court next week.”

My anger spikes at the sound of Maxwell’s voice. “I do not take kindly to threats.”

“Good thing I didn’t threaten you, then.”

Maxwell’s scoff doesn’t match the underlying fear he tries to hide from his voice. “We’ll see you in court, Kamden.”

I can hear the smirk in Kam’s voice. “Yeah, I’m counting on it.”