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Chapter Twenty-Three

Jolie

Two weeks have passed since that night, and our lives have somewhat returned to normal. The guys have forced me to go back to school since we have our exams this week. I don’t see why it matters, but they insist a certificate of education is important. It’s weird going into school now. Boston, Case, Davis, and Marlow are back too. According to Brennan, and even Ziyon, they need to complete high school to move on to the next stage of training at Olympia. They’ve been studying while they were away and only need to pass their exams. Laughn starts back on Monday, now that he’s officially off bed rest.

A lot has happened in these two weeks.

Lawyers are finalising everything to do with Olympia.

Mr Z’s body was found—Laughn, Creed, and Chester barely left him recognisable. The words “torn limb from limb” were used a few times. I try not to think about it.

Betty is still missing, and I know that as much as Jimmie is putting on a brave face, he’s worried about her. No one knows what her involvement was, but it’s only a matter of time—she can’t hide forever. Her tracking device was shut off before she came to my party, which makes finding her more difficult.

I roll over, unable to just continue laying here. Trace is beside me and has his arm thrown over his face. Every night someone is in my bed; they haven’t left me alone.

“Don’t stare at me,” he murmurs sleepily, but the smile on his face betrays him. He’s been awake for a while now.

“But you’re so pretty. I need to touch you.”

I reach over and run my hand down his stomach, sliding it under the waistband of his boxers. Things have progressed, but Trace wants to take it slow, and I can respect that. I’m just grateful he isn’t opposed to touching each other.

“Morning fuckers,” Kai says, walking into my room. I swear there is no point in even having a door; no one seems to knock anyway.

“What do you want, man?” Trace groans. “It’s Saturday... surely we can sleep in just one day.”

“Jolie, remove your hand from his dick. We all have a meeting with the lawyers and need to leave in half an hour. Brennan is having an aneurysm downstairs because Chester and Laughn ganged up on him and wouldn’t let him come upstairs to wake you.”

I laugh. “And how did you get up here then, huh?”

“Creed was left to guard, and I switched nights with him.” Kai shrugs like it’s no big deal.

I let go of Trace’s hard-on and slide my hands out from under the blanket. “Let’s shower and go downstairs before Brennan gets hurt.”

Kai slips out of the room as both Trace and I get in the shower. A naked Trace is a glorious sight—his colourful tattoos, corded muscles, and that deep V. I avert my eyes from staring straight at his cock. Nope, I lied, I can’t help it.

“Jolie, eyes up here,” he says with a laugh.

“I can’t help it! These lines point right to the goods.” Lightly running my fingers down the deep channels, I stare, transfixed as he moans, his hard cock pressed tight against his stomach.

Dropping to my knees, I look up at him, water falling into my face, waiting for him to tell me to stop. He doesn’t. I gently stroke him a few times, then leaning forward, I lick my way from root to head, finally sucking him into my mouth. Trace tangles one hand in my hair and raises the other above his head, leaning against the tiles to brace himself. He guides my head up and down his length at a pace that feels good for him. I want nothing more than to wrap my legs around his waist and fuck him senseless, but I respect the fact that he wants to wait.

The closer he gets, the faster he thrusts. “Oh fuck,” he groans. His thrusts turn short and his cock swells in my mouth until cum squirts down my throat.

Trace pulls me to my feet and hugs me to his body. “You’re perfect,” he whispers. “I’m sorry I’m not ready yet.”

“Don’t apologise. I will wait for as long as you need, and I’m happy to repeat that again.”

And it’s true, I will be patient with him. I’d be an asshole if I wasn’t. There are nine other guys downstairs that would dick me in two seconds flat.

“I like your tattoo,” he says, causing me to turn so he can see it better. Kai’s been working tirelessly on it, and we finally finished it yesterday. The fact we heal super fast is a bonus. It isn’t instant healing, but after twenty-four hours, I was good for another session.

Once we are washed and dressed, we head downstairs to make sure Chester hasn’t given Brennan an aneurysm yet.

Everyone is already gathered in the kitchen eating breakfast. “How did you sleep?” Case asks, taking my hand and pulling me into his lap.

“She was restless all night, tossing and turning.”

“My damn nipples are sore and I’m crampy. I think I’m due for my period.”

A bunch of groans fill the air.

“Sucks to be the ones who have the next seven days.” Kai laughs.

“I’m not opposed to blood,” Laughn mumbles, taking a bite of his toast.

“Her mouth doesn’t bleed,” Davis adds, and I flip him off.

“What have I gotten myself into?” I grumble under my breath.

Case pulls me into his chest. “We can run away and hide from these animals.”

I snort. “Somehow, I think they would hunt us down and drag me back.”

“We need to leave to be on time,” Brennan states, clearly still agitated.

“Brenny, with how much these assholes will make from this, they can wait five minutes,” Davis says with a chuckle.

Laughn hands me a piece of his toast, and we all get up and go to the garage. I get in with Brennan; I think he needs me with him to ease his anxiety.

“Is Ziyon coming today?” I ask as we drive away from the property.

“Yes, the lawyers finally have everything sorted. Mr Z had a will and it’ll be read today.”

I don’t know why I’m nervous. I barely had a relationship with the man, but something deep down inside wishes I could have had normal parents.

The drive to the city isn’t long, and we all park in an underground parking garage. Ziyon is already waiting for us, with Melinda by his side. I suppose now that the biggest threat has been eliminated, it’s safe for her to leave their underground home.

“Jolie, it’s nice to see you again.”

“You too, Melinda. Now we might be able to get to know each other.”

“I would love that.”

The drugs Chester had been working on brought back my memories, and I plan to ask him if he will try them with Melinda. She deserves to have her memories back too. I don’t trust Ziyon yet; he can tell his side all he likes, but everyone knows there’s always three sides to a story. And in this case, my gut tells me that Mr Z wasn’t the only bad guy.

Boston shimmies up beside me and bumps my shoulder with his. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” he asks.

I shrug. “As ready as I will ever be.”

We make our way through the underground garage as a group, pass into the building, and go upstairs to the lawyer’s office. The receptionist leads us all into a large boardroom where an older man sits at the head of the table with stacks of papers lined up in front of him.

“Thank you all for coming. Please take a seat so we can go through everything. I won’t keep you long. His instructions are very clear.”

We all quickly sit down around the table.

“In the event of his death, Zacari informed me of his wishes. These are iron clad. You could try to fight them, but he has dotted his i’s and crossed his t’s.”

“He wishes that the majority of his estate be passed to his daughter, Zircon. Here is a list of properties and bank accounts.” He slides a folder my way and I hand it to Brennan.

“There is a list of items he wishes his brother to be bequeathed.” He slides another folder to Ziyon, and he opens it straight away.

“What the fuck is this?!” he bellows. “All of this was mine to begin with.”

“Actually, it wasn’t. When you parted ways, you signed a contract forgoing your rights.” The lawyer slides more papers across the table. “All of this belonged to your brother, but he graciously never took it back. Now it’s officially yours again.”

Ziyon mutters under his breath and glowers at the lawyer, who pointedly ignores him and carries on.

“Next is Melinda. Zacari has left you a letter. He has also set up a bank account, so in the event you’re, in his words, ‘smart enough to leave his brother,’ you will be financially stable.”

Melinda reaches out tentatively and takes the letter. She wouldn’t know much about Mr Z beyond what Ziyon has told her.

“A copy of this letter has been stored in the event that the letter is misplaced and can be accessed by you at any time,” the lawyer adds.

I chance a quick look at Ziyon, but he has collected himself and his expression is unreadable.

Mr Z’s lawyer forges on, allowing no room for further outbursts. “I also have a letter to read to you all: ‘My prodigies, each and every challenge you have faced, you have exceeded my expectations. I am leaving my daughter in your hands, and I hope you will continue to protect her and love her in ways that I never could. She is the one thing of which I am most proud. Brennan Myers, I want you to take charge, as I know you can manage this transition. Your brain is truly remarkable, and I have full faith in you.’ ”

Wow, this is a lot to take in.

“Here is all the information he wishes for you to read.”

“Thank you,” Brennan says, taking the folder held out to him.

“As for Olympia,” the lawyer continues, “here are his wishes: ‘My company is to be left to my grandchildren. I have thought long and hard about this, and I could never trust my brother to run it. He is selfish and only looks out for himself. He proved that when it came down to our love for Melinda. If he is ever willing to reveal the truth about what he has done, he is welcome to be a part of Olympia again. I know what it is and have left an accurate account in the capable hands of my lawyer. Ziyon, if you want the truth to be set free, all you need to do is say the word. Until the day my grandchildren are old enough to take over, I leave Olympia to Zircon, now known as Jolie Smith, as sole director of the company. This cannot be contested or ceded to anyone else. I am fully aware Ziyon has been working against me to get his shares back. This company has the potential to be great, but it needed me to be ruthless first to advance the technology. Now it needs someone with compassion to lead it into the future.’ ”

“This is bullshit! You’ll be hearing from my lawyers. Melinda, let’s go.”

Melinda hesitantly gets up from her chair. I give her a nod, and she trails behind Ziyon as he stomps out of the conference room.

The lawyer continues on, completely unphased. “Lastly, Miss Smith, there is a letter addressed to you alone. Mr Olympia recommends you read it in private when you’re ready.”

He hands me the envelope, and this time I keep it clutched in my hands and stare blankly down at the handwriting on the front.

My dearest Zircon

Am I ever going to be ready to read what he has to say? My entire life has been a huge clusterfuck that has led to this moment. All I ever wanted was a family. I look around the table and chuckle under my breath. I might not have chosen them, but somehow they have all weaselled their way in, and someone would have to kill me to take them away.

Tears start to fall. Years we’ve missed—a mother I never had the chance to know, who doesn’t remember even giving birth to me. This man hid so much from me, yet I’m overwhelmed and unsure of how I should feel about his death. Am I allowed to mourn a father I wished I could have had, a man he could never have been? Should I be relieved he’s gone and my guys are safe? Scared that Olympia is now in my hands, I’m reeling from being put in charge of an entire company. Not to mention I’m pissed that he presumes just because I’m a woman that I’ll want kids. How the fuck would that work with ten guys? I could never pick between them and there’s no way I’m pushing ten kids out of my vag. No, thank you. That doesn’t sound like a good time.

“I can see how overwhelmed you are, Miss Smith. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me. Also, don’t worry about Ziyon. He will have to learn to accept that his brother was always ten steps ahead of him. And for what it’s worth, Zacari always wanted what was best for you, even if it didn’t seem that way.”

Brennan stands. “We appreciate your time, Mr Wright. If we have any further questions, we will be sure to call.”

Everyone else stands as Mr Wright and Brennan shake hands.

“I will have contracts sent to you as soon as possible. Please get your own lawyer to look over them.”

I zone out and the room blurs away. Someone takes my hand and leads me to the car, ushering me into it and buckling me in. I don’t talk. I just sit and stare sightlessly at the passing scenery as my mind conjures all the different things that could be contained within the letter.

Even when we get home, I sit like a statue at the kitchen bench as Creed makes us lunch. I keep staring at the envelope I refuse to put down. I should just read it and get it over and done with. What could he possibly have to say that would change how I feel about him and what he has done to all of us? I rip the side of the envelope and pull out the single piece of paper.

To my beautiful daughter,

If you’re reading this, then I’m gone, but I wanted to be able to say I did love you in my own way and I hope you like my parting gift.

All I ever wanted to do was create a legacy. Everyone may have seen me as the villain, and I can assure you that isn’t the case, but it is a title I was willing to wear for the greater good.

I beg of you not to trust my brother; he isn’t as he seems.

I wish for you to continue my legacy. I know Case had information that led you all to believe I left the entire company to “The Order.” Now you know that isn’t true at all. I just knew I could trust them not to hand my company over into the wrong hands. I worked hard to build Olympia from the ground up. Ziyon could have been by my side, but he didn’t want that. One day, he will have to face the truth of what he did. He can blame me, but our falling out was all on him.

As for Melinda, my “dead wife” who is not dead at all. Remember, there isn’t anything I don’t know—I didn’t get to a position of power without intelligence. I’ve known that she was alive this entire time, but chose not to intervene. She made her choice, but I still loved her.

As you now know, I have left the entire company for my grandchildren. Until the time that they are ready to take over, it’s on you to run the business, and I trust you will do good things with it.

I hope with the life of these new babies that you can see my vision come to fruition, and what you do with that information is now entirely up to you.

I hand-picked staff and created all of this for you and in memory of your departed sister. And you can do the same for your children.

I’m sure you’re freaking out about the news of having children, but don’t. I made sure you would have all the support you needed. It takes a village, and that you have, my dear.

Those boys will follow you wherever you go and help you succeed in this business—and in life. Brennan will guide you with his knowledge. Boston will keep you on your toes. Creed will always be the tender love that you need. Laughn will help you accept the darkest parts of your soul. Chester will protect you. Marlow will make sure you take time for yourself. Trace will always have your best interests in mind. Davis will question everything for you. Kai will make you laugh. And Case loves you so deeply that you will never forget it.

So please take that with you, and be great, and achieve everything that I couldn’t. I just wish I could have been here to see it with my own eyes, but sacrifices needed to be made.

With love,

Mr Z

P.S. Don’t kill Betty. She holds all the information you’re going to need.

Why was he going on about grandchildren and babies? I look down and hesitantly place my hand on my stomach.

“What the hell did he do?” I whisper.