Page 141 of Corrupted Pleasure

“Don’t look at me, Uncle,” Wynter grumbled. “I’m not saving you.” Wynter’s eyes traveled behind me. “Though I’d like to know why we have all these criminals shadowing us?”

A snicker sounded somewhere in the courtyard, and I couldn’t determine whether it was Sasha or Luca.

“I’m taking that personally,” Sasha complained, though amusement danced in his eyes.

Wynter narrowed her eyes on him. “Well tough shit. How many things aren’t you telling us, Uncle?”

“Huh?” Juliette jumped her cousin, glaring at me. “All of you are just deciding shit on our behalf, without even bothering to consult us.”

“We’re legal adults.” Wynter put her hands on her waist, glaring at me. “Newsflash, Uncle. We have the right to determine for ourselves things that concern us.”

“You’re fucked, Brennan,” Luca chimed in, unhelpfully.

“And who in the hell are you?” Juliette snapped.

“Cassio and Luca King,” I introduced them. “And Juliette, show some respect.”

Her answer was another eyeroll.

Davina walked over and slipped her hand into mine. “I promise, I didn’t tell them,” she rasped in a whisper, her eyes on me. Maybe I was an idiot, but I believed her.

“I found the birth certificates,” Juliette announced. “Both Killian’s and mine.” Her eyes shimmered and something in my chest clenched. I wanted to protect her, not upset her. “Does he know?”

I almost wanted to lie and protect Killian but he really didn’t need protection. “Yes,” I admitted softly. “He was older when I took you in. He remembers your biological parents.” I reluctantly let go of Davina’s hand and took two big steps to my daughter. “It was all new to me. Killian helped and so did your aunt. I was way out of my element. I missed them, hungered to find their killers, and had a newborn overnight.”

“You could have just left us,” Juliette murmured.

“First, fuck no. I might not be your biological father, but I am your godfather. Both yours and Killian’s. And secondly, I made a promise,” I told her. “To my best friend. It was the only way to protect you. By letting the world believe both of you died.”

So many damn years of keeping them all off the radar. I was fucking tired. I knew it would be a necessity for today. Tomorrow. Maybe even years. But I’d find those responsible for their deaths and kill them. I’d kill two birds with one stone because the same threat lurked over Wynter and my sister.

“You should have told us a long time ago,” Wynter accused. “You all just expect us to be oblivious to everything. You think you’re doing us a favor when in fact, you’re putting us in more danger by not telling us. You should have told us when we were old enough. Both you and Killian.”

Of course she was right. Except what day do you pick to tell your children and niece all the shit that threatened them? My sister knew it and still ended up damaged by our way of life.

“I agree,” Juliette muttered. “We shouldn’t find shit out this way. Wynter wants to know about her dad. She has nothing, just his name. Do you ever stop to think how that makes us feel?”

“No,” I admitted. “I dread to think about it. But I hate even more having to put worry on your shoulders.”

“Well, you should at least teach us how to fucking survive,” Wynter grumbled. “Because we struggled to set up a goddamn burner phone.”

A choked laugh escaped me, trying to envision these women setting up a burner.

“I can teach you shit like that,” Sasha volunteered, and I wasn’t quite sure how to feel about it.

“That'd be great,” all four of the girls answered in unison, beaming like hundred watt light bulbs.

Wynter walked over and wrapped her arms around me. “I still love you, Uncle.”

I tugged on her curly blonde curls, just like when she was a little girl. “I love you too.” It was comical because she was so petite and short. It worked for her in figure skating but not here.

“But you have to straighten your ass back up,” I continued softly. “Otherwise, there will be hell to pay with my sister.”

Juliette joined in and all was good. For now. There was so much shit coming down the pipeline but for now, I’d enjoy this. Both of them made me proud. They’d need their strength.

Juliette reminded me of her father with her reckless character. But she was strong and loyal, just as he was. I worried about Wynter. Deep down, she was too soft.

Leaving the two cousins to hug it out, I went back to my wife and took her hand. Knowing they were all safe grounded me.