Page 46

Chapter 45

NO LONGER HIDING

I walked toward the man I hadn’t seen in years, my heart hammering in my chest. My brother, Monty Bouvier.

God, he’s gotten big . Which was a silly thought because he’s a grown-ass man now, and the last time I saw him in person, he was only seventeen.

He stared at me with confusion on his face, and I saw the moment he recognized me. We simultaneously broke into a run, our arms entwining around each other when our bodies crashed together. He was so strong, lifting me from my feet with ease as my legs wrapped around his waist.

Tears. Nothing existed except for the tears of sorrow and regret that streamed down my face and soaked his shirt. I could feel his grief dripping down my neck.

We said nothing for the longest time, aside from murmuring each other’s names, his coming out as a question each time, as if to assure himself that it was really me.

“Evie?”

“Monty.”

“Evie?”

We went back and forth like that until he finally pulled his head from my neck and searched my face. His blue eyes mirrored my own, blue and extremely wet.

“It’s you.” His tone was awestruck and raspy as he touched my face and swiped at my tears. “It’s really you.” My brother’s voice was so damn deep now, but there were cracks between each word that I knew matched the cracks in his heart.

Because of me.

“It’s really me,” I promised him.

Monty shook his head back and forth, his expression a jumble of wonder and confusion as he set me down but kept his arms around me.

“Where have you been all this time? What the hell happened to you, Evie?”

Well, here the fuck we go.

I heaved out a long breath and spit it out. “I was kidnapped.”

My brother’s expression transformed into one of rage, of the protective big brother, even though he was a year younger than me. “By whom?” he gritted out.

I glanced over my shoulder at the man standing nervously near a tree about twenty yards away, his face a mask of apprehension as our eyes met. He gave me a nod of encouragement, and I turned back to my brother.

“Human traffickers.”

Monty’s knees buckled, but he remained standing upright. “No,” he whispered, his face the picture of grief.

“I’m okay, Mon. I was rescued not long after I was taken, and I am okay.” I said those last three words slowly to emphasize them.

“But…” He shook his head back and forth, as if to clear it. “But where have you been? Why didn’t you come home or call us or… something?”

“I went into a do-it-yourself witness protection program.”

He pulled his head back, brow furrowing. “A what?”

“I’ll explain it all to you, but I’d rather not do it a million times. Can I talk to the whole family at once?”

“Fuck. Yeah,” he said, bobbing his head up and down. “We have to get to Dad and Auburn.” His eyes turned to the right where his gorgeous, pregnant wife was being comforted by Cruz Estrada, Auburn’s former driver and security guard.

I touched Monty’s arm as his face took on the consistency of a marshmallow at the sight of Kassie. “I’m so happy you and Kass are back together,” I told him, my throat feeling tight. They’d been apart for so long, but they’d finally found their way back to each other.

“You know about us?” Monty asked, giving me the side eye.

“I’ve been keeping up through social media and my friend Google.”

“Right, the Instagram account,” he said, shifting his gaze to the left this time. “So you’re really The Adventures of Garfield and Snoopy ?” A smile crossed his face when he spotted my fur babies.

I motioned for Dane, and he nodded, making his way toward us. “That’s me.” I’d sent Monty a private message from my account and told him I’d be bringing the furry duo to New York and asked if he wanted to meet up in Central Park. “Here you thought you’d be meeting the stars of the account, and you ended up with your sister.”

A laugh burst from Monty as he swiped the remnants of tears from his face. Then he looped an arm around my shoulders and squeezed. “Best goddamn surprise of my life. Who’s that guy? Some kind of handler or pet sitter?”

“Actually,” I said, reaching for Dane’s hand as he approached. “This is my husband, Dane Osbourne.”

My brother’s mouth dropped open so wide, I was surprised it didn’t hit his loafers. “Your husband? You’re married?”

“As are you,” I pointed out, and he shook his head in wonder.

“I’m just… I’m still trying to get my head around the fact that you’re here, but now you tell me you’re married? I guess I still think of you as an almost-nineteen-year-old.”

“I’ll always be a year older than you, no matter how long I’ve been gone.”

Monty gave me a light punch on the arm before turning to shake Dane’s hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Monty Bouvier.”

“I know. I’ve kept up with you through Ed—uh, Evie.”

“Wish I could say the same,” my brother said wryly before turning toward the approaching footsteps.

For an extremely pregnant woman, Kassie Bouvier could trot. She barreled into me, hugging me in a wild tangle of arms and tears. “Evie! Oh my god, Evie!”

I returned her embrace. Kassie and I had been instant friends as soon as Monty introduced us as teens. I’d been heartbroken when she and Monty split up shortly before I got kidnapped.

“You look so beautiful,” I told her, pulling back and patting her belly. “I’m so happy you two are back together.”

Her brown eyes were wide and wet. “What happened to you, Evie?”

Monty stepped up behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Evie was taken, and she’s going to tell us everything once we’re with Dad and Auburn. This is her husband, Dane.” He still looked incredulous that I was married.

Kassie did too. “You’re married?” she gasped.

I wanted to tell them I was also a mother, but I held back. We had enough to deal with first. While Kassie greeted Dane, I turned to the other man who was trying to look inconspicuous, though he wasn’t succeeding. He was the same size as Monty, tall and muscular.

“So,” I said, opening my arms for a hug, “I hear you’re my brother.”

Cruz Estrada laughed and embraced me. “Apparently so. It’s really nice to meet you, sis.”

“I saw the press releases a few months ago,” I explained. “Welcome to the family.”

“And welcome back to the family. I’ve heard so much about you from Monty and Auburn,” he replied, and I liked him instantly.

“So, your mom was my nanny when I was a baby?”

“Yes, she and our dad got together while he and Chloe were separated.”

“I want to hear the whole story some time,” I requested.

“Absolutely. It’s kind of complicated.”

“I bet mine would beat yours as far as complicated goes.”

“No doubt,” Cruz laughed, and then his face turned serious. “Are you okay, Evie? I know we just met, but I still care about you.”

Yep, I definitely liked my new brother.

Dane and I introduced Garfield and Snoopy to the group, and everyone gave them pets and scratches. Monty watched me the entire time and never got more than a foot away from me. He was probably afraid I’d disappear again.

Then he pulled Cruz aside, and they had a brief conversation before returning to our little circle. Monty pulled me into another hug and whispered, “I’m so fucking glad you’re home, Evie.”

“Me too,” I said, tearing up again.

“Auburn’s apartment is within walking distance. Cruz is going to pick up Dad, and he’ll bring him to us.” His lips tightened for a second before he took both my hands. “Dad had a heart attack last year.”

“What?” It would have been a scream if my throat hadn’t been attempting to close up. “Is he… I mean… oh my god. Dad.”

“He’s okay,” Monty soothed. “He had surgery, and he’s fine now, but we thought it would be best if Cruz broke the news to him gently to minimize the shock of seeing you. I’m guessing you heard about Chloe?” Our mother’s name came with a slight curling of his lip, almost a sneer, but not quite.

“I did,” I confirmed.

“Well, Dad is with Estrella now, Cruz’s mom. I just thought I would give you a heads-up. And Cruz is…” He huffed out a breath.

“Our brother. I know. I saw the press releases, and I’ve seen pictures of Dad with Estrella. It was big news for about a week, and then the media moved on to the next thing.”

Monty chuckled. “You have been keeping up.”

“I was a total stalker.”

His eyes searched my face one more time, like he wasn’t quite sure I was real. “I’m so happy to see you, Eve-ster Egg.”

“I’m happy to see you too, Montague.”

He cringed. “I don’t care how long you’ve been gone. You’re still not allowed to call me by my full name.”

It felt like old times, as though the years separating us had shrunk and we were back to our younger selves, teasing and laughing.

“Remember when we used to call ourselves the Wonder Twins?” I asked, and my brother laughed.

“Yeah, after we found those old comics in the attic.” He rolled his lips inward and then stared over my shoulder. “When you were gone, sometimes I would think about that and wish I really was a superhero so I could find you.”

“But you became a detective, so you were a hero to so many other people.”

I read the regretful response in his eyes, but he didn’t say it out loud. And yet I couldn’t find my own sister. Instead, he said, “Let’s go see if we can make Auburn piss himself.”

A few people recognized Snoopy and Garfield as we walked, and we had to pause for them to gush and take pictures. They really were popular.

“That’s our hotel,” I said, gesturing to the brick building across the street from the park. “Do you care if we leave Garfield and Snoopy with our friend upstairs?”

Monty looked surprised. “That’s fine, but why did you get a hotel room? You can stay with us.”

I shrugged. “I didn’t know…”

He rolled his eyes. “They’re welcome to come with us. Auburn and Gianna won’t mind.”

“No, it’s almost time for Snoopy’s nap. She gets grumpy if she doesn’t get at least twenty hours of sleep a day.”

Everyone laughed, and Dane reached to take Garfield’s leash from my hand. “I’ll take them. Will you be okay down here?” His eyes darted around as if looking for danger behind every lamp post.

“I’ll be fine,” I assured him.

We watched him enter the hotel, and Monty looped our arms together. “He seems really protective of you.”

“He is,” I said simply before changing the subject. “So tell me about your son. Sully, right?”

My brother’s face cracked into a proud grin. “He’s an awesome kid. I guess in all your snooping, you figured out he’s Kassie’s biological son and I adopted him?”

I nodded. “I’m so happy he has you.”

“I’m the lucky one,” he replied. “I’m not sure what I even did with my life before Kass came back. She and Sully and our soon-to-be daughter are my world. And now you’re here too. It’s like… I feel whole again.”

My chest ached for him. He’d been through so much by the time he turned eighteen. Losing their baby. Kassie disappearing. And then me.

Before I could reply, Dane exited the hotel and jogged up to me, tugging me into his chest and burying his face in my neck like he’d been in Siberia for twenty years instead of in the hotel for five minutes. “You okay?” he murmured, and I nodded. His face smelled faintly of baby lotion, and I suspected he’d grabbed a quick Paulie cuddle while he was up there.

“I am. Is… everything okay upstairs?”

My husband spoke low in my ear. “He’s fine. Doing his favorite activity right now.”

“Eating or pooping?” I whispered, and he chuckled.

“Eating.” He leaned back and brushed a strand of my hair behind my ear. I didn’t have the lavender streak anymore. I’d dispensed of that years ago, and then I’d gotten rid of the nose ring after Paulie almost yanked it out when he was two months old.

We parted and turned, finding Kassie and Monty staring at us. The curve of a smile Kassie gave us was understanding, and I knew she could see our love. Monty frowned a bit, acting like the big brother he pretended to be when we were in high school, protective and wary of any boys who showed interest in me.

We walked a few blocks, and Monty led the way into a gorgeous building and waved at the concierge. “Is this where Auburn lives?” I asked, and he nodded, gripping the back of my neck and kissing the top of my head as we walked to the bank of elevators.

“It is. Kass, Sully, and I live in this building too. So do Cruz and his fiancée, Lehra. Auburn owns it. He and his family live in the penthouse.”

“Why am I not shocked that Mr. Fancy Pants lives in the penthouse?” I teased, though my nerves were ramping up. Things were going okay so far, but now I was about to see my older brother and meet his wife for the first time. Then my dad would come. I had to swallow a lump at the thought of seeing him again. After that, I’d have to tell my story and pray they didn’t hate me for my choices.

Dane, sensing my shifting emotions, gripped my hand in the elevator as we rose to the penthouse floor. It opened into a foyer, and we stepped out onto the ivory marble floor.

“I was thinking…” Monty said. “Maybe I should go inside first and warn him. I thought I was having an aneurysm when I first saw you, and Auburn is over forty now.”

I nodded. “I wouldn’t want to kill any of my family members with my presence,” I said, only half joking because I was a bit worried about how my dad would take this. What if he had another heart attack from the shock of my return?

Kassie took my other hand and squeezed it as Monty let himself inside the apartment. Approximately thirty seconds later, the door swung open, and Auburn burst into the foyer and then screeched to a halt like a cartoon character. His eyes were wild and his normally perfect hair awry. I understood why a second later when he rammed both hands into the dark strands, his elbows winging out to the side.

“Evie. Holy fuck. You’re… here. You’re right fucking here. I thought Monty was fucking lying.”

“Don’t use that kind of language with your sister,” I popped off, and his face cracked into a huge grin as he rushed me, wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me off the ground.

“You’re here, and you’re still a smartass,” he crowed, squeezing me so hard I could barely breathe.

“I just got here, and you’re already trying to kill me,” I croaked, and Auburn let out a boisterous laugh before loosening his grip and planting me back on my feet.

Cupping my cheeks with both hands, he stared down at me, his face transforming by the second from joy to sorrow and back to joy. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you?” He swallowed hard and blinked, but he was unable to stop the tears from dripping down his handsome face.

“I missed you too,” I cried, smashing my face against his chest and smearing makeup all over his pristine white shirt. With one hand on the small of my back and the other on the back of my head, my big brother rocked me from side to side, his nose buried in my hair.

“You still smell the same,” he murmured, and I smiled up at him.

“You smell like expensive cologne and Icy Hot.”

That made him grin. “Hell, I’m old, little sis.” He studied my face for a long moment. “You look good, Evie. Are you…” The words stumbled a little before he started again. “Are you okay?”

My head bobbed up and down. “I’m really good, Auburn. Just glad to be home.”

“Monty said you were kidnapped. Did they…” He lost his words again, and his face crumpled into abject misery. But I read his thoughts.

“No, they didn’t hurt me like that. They weren’t very nice to me, but it wasn’t what you’re thinking.”

“Thank god,” he said, pressing his lips to my forehead and leaving them there until a sweet voice called from behind him.

“Are we gonna stand out in the foyer and cry all day? Or could we do that inside where we have tissues and snacks?”

From the Texas drawl, I assumed that was his wife, Gianna. Stepping around Auburn, I was faced with a freaking goddess standing in the doorway with damp eyes and a wide smile. Her brunette hair was pulled into a full ponytail, and her rounded belly stretched against the sweatshirt she was wearing. I loved that she and Kassie were pregnant at the same time.

I walked to her. “Hi, you must be Gianna. I’m—”

She cut me off with a hug. “Oh, hush your mouth. I know who you are.” She hugged me like I was her long-lost sister instead of someone she’d never met. Gianna’s embrace oozed warmth, and I liked her already. “Come on inside, Evie. I’m sure it’s been an emotional day, and I have pie.”

With a sweep of her hand, she ushered me inside, and the rest of the group followed. The living room was spacious, with tall windows that afforded a stunning view of the city. Deep-cushioned furniture in a gorgeous blood-red color formed a square around a sleek wood coffee table. Even though I’d only met Gianna a few seconds ago, I could definitely see her influence in the room. It was both classy and warm.

I wandered to the black stone fireplace as Gianna directed Monty and Auburn to get to the kitchen for iced tea and food. She was funny, with a sweet Southern charm and a side of bossiness. I perused the photos on the mantel. A wedding photo of Auburn and Gianna. A ton of pics of their kids. And right on the end…

I picked up the silver-framed picture of me, Auburn, and Monty. I remembered this. It was taken the Christmas before I was kidnapped… before all our lives were irrevocably changed forever.

Hands settled on my waist, and I relaxed back against my husband. “I remember that girl,” he said, peering over my shoulder. My hair was long and its natural caramel color in the picture. “You guys look good together. Happy.”

“We were,” I said, replacing the frame on the mantel before facing Dane. “What if they don’t understand?”

“If they’re the men you think they are, they’ll understand. They may struggle at first, but they’ll come around.”

I stared up at the photo once again. I was sticking my tongue out at the camera, Auburn was cheezing like a chipmunk, and Monty was holding bunny ears with his fingers behind my head. We were all so young and carefree. I knew we couldn’t reclaim our youth, but I craved that bond the three of us always had. The genuine affection behind all the teasing.

And I hoped like hell we could get that back.