Page 69 of Hunted

My eyes widen in shock. “You have a son?” I ask, as a mixture of hurt and happiness battle in my chest.

He nods. “Timmy. He’s three, and he’d love to meet his Uncle West.”

I swallow heavily, feeling angry that I’ve missed the first three years of my only nephew’s life. I give him a curt nod before I turn and move towards my new family.

“You okay, man? Who was that?” Bower asks, his hand clasping my shoulder in support.

I nod as I glance back at Brian, who’s just watching me with a mixture of guilt and hope in his eyes.

“That’s my brother, Brian. Looks like he finally believes me.”

Chapter nineteen

Darla

“That’s a good girl, deep breath in… and deep breath out,” Kingsley says softly, his voice a steady anchor as he holds me sideways in his lap, the seatbelt buckled snugly around us both. We’re driving home, getting closer and closer with every passing moment, and I try to focus on that instead of the chaos still buzzing in my mind.

The crowd at the airport had been too much. The noise, the bodies, the flashing lights, all of it pressing down on me until I thought I might snap.

Once I was ushered into the SUV, Kingsley had pulled me into his lap and started whispering words of reassurance while I gripped my necklace tightly. It helped to keep me grounded and stop me from spiraling as I clung to him and let his words soothe me.

The others piled into the SUV and the shouting of the paparazzi faded quickly behind us. But even with the doors shut, the city wasn’t quiet. San Francisco traffic buzzes around us, horns honking, engines growling, and I can feel it rattling my nerves. My hands tremble as I cling to Kingsley, my rock in the chaos.

Bower has my legs across his lap, his hands gentle and rhythmic as he rubs them over my leggings. Kingsley’s hand never stops moving on my back, tracing long, calming circles while he whispers softly, reminding me how to breathe.

“Not too much longer now. It will get quieter in a couple minutes and it’s about fifteen until we get home.”

“Does your side hurt at all?” Reece asks from the row of seats in front of us.

I shake my head. “No, it’s fine.”

“You’re doing really well,” Kingsley says, kissing the top of my head and giving me a comforting squeeze.

I roll my eyes, knowing how close to breaking down I am, for no real reason. “Yeah, right. I’m a mess.”

“Sweetheart, I think you’re doing extremely well,” he replies gently. “You haven’t heard the sound of another person, let alone a hoard of people or a city full of traffic, in a very long time. Even I’m having a little trouble adjusting.”

“Really?” I ask, hope curling around my words.

He nods, smiling down at me. “Yeah, really. Just do us all a favor and stop apologizing for how you feel. There is no expectation or wrong way to react or feel right now. Just let us know what’s going on in your head or what you need so we can help you.”

I rest my cheek against his chest, the beat of his heart grounding me. “Okay. I think I just need you close right now. All of you, I mean.”

“You’ve got us.” He wraps his arms around me, solid and warm, as Reece shifts forward to say something to Weston and Arnold up front. A moment later, soft rock filters through the SUV, the volume low and comforting. I smile at the memory of listening to this kind of music withReece, all those years ago as we laid on our backs on my bedroom floor, staring up at the ceiling.

My breathing evens out, the weight pressing on me begins to lift, and the world fades gently to black as I drift into sleep, surrounded by their soothing presence.

I stare up at the large estate they’ve been calling a house, my mind reeling at the size of it. “You live here?” I glance at the large two-story home. Pine trees line either side, blocking out the neighbors, and I’m pleased to see it’s located on such a quiet street on the outskirts of the city.

“Welive here,” Bower says, correcting me as he grabs my hand and gives me his signature smile.

Right. I live here now, too. I glance over at Weston, who looks just as stunned as I feel.

“You haven’t been here before?” I ask him. He turns to me and shakes his head, looking a little uncomfortable.

I reach out my free hand towards him, and he takes it in a firm grip as he moves to my side. “Shall we check out our new home together, then?”

He swallows uncomfortably and nods.