Page 45 of Raphael

“Fuck,” Byron and Royce said at the same time, then set things in motion. Royce strode over to the three of us. No! The four of us. With little Gabriel in my arms, there were four of us.

“Don’t worry, blondie,” Royce comforted, his big hand coming to rest gently on Gabriel’s head. “Byron can move mountains. We got this. You don’t have to go home.”

“We can rent an apartment together,” Aurora suggested. “We’ll all help with the baby.”

“Gabriel,” I whispered. “Baby Gabriel.”

“Like an angel,” Willow murmured softly.

“Just like an angel,” I rasped. I’d keep my angel safe. His mother was my guardian angel, I’d be his.

The door swung open and the moment I saw two figures standing in the doorway, I shrank back, pulling Gabriel even closer to my chest. He never even stirred, unaware of the danger that lurked close.

Too close for comfort.

“What the fuck is going on here?” Father hissed. “Why aren’t you in school, Sailor?”

I shrank further back. Byron’s eyes darted to me then back to my father. I had never seen Aurora’s eldest brother in a cold, ruthless mode. Until now.

Royce put himself in front of his sister, Willow, Gabriel, and me. The room started to close in on me, the familiar fear creeping up my spine.

“Anya, your eldest daughter, passed away,” Byron informed him, as I peeked from behind Royce, holding my breath.

Father didn’t even flinch. Neither did my mother. She was always so adamant about pleasing him.

“She shouldn’t have had a baby.” Mother’s eyes shifted to me. No, not to me. To the baby in my arms and her lips turned into a distasteful grimace. “His coloring is a disgrace.”

I didn’t understand what she meant. He looked like a baby to me. Dr. Sophie even said he was a beautiful baby.

“I’m sorry,” Dr. Sophie cut in. “And who are you two?”

“We are her parents,” Father roared, his right hand with that fucking ring I hated so much lifting as if he was about to slap the beautiful doctor.

Byron stepped in front of her, his towering frame protecting her small frame. Not that she looked scared.

“Sailor’s coming home with us. You can take that baby and put it up for adoption. I don’t give a shit where it ends up.”

My spine straightened up. “No!” Everyone’s eyes, except for Byron’s, shifted to me. He kept his cold gaze locked on my father. “I’m keeping him. He’s mine.”

Byron muttered something that sounded like ‘Atta girl’ under his breath, while Dr. Sophie’s gaze held the same note of approval.

“There you have it,” she announced. “This is the maternity floor. So unless there is family to support, you can see yourself out.”

That woman was badass! I liked her.

“Fine.” Father’s face turned blood red, and I could see he barely held his anger back. “You are out then. No allowance. No clothes. No car. You’re on your own with that bastard in your arms.”

“We want nothing from you,” I hissed. Maybe it was the fact that Royce and Byron were here. Or maybe that my protective streak kicked in, but suddenly I found the courage to stand up to my parents. “And you call Gabriel bastard again, I’ll fucking kill you.”

Royce’s amusement was evident. The look he gave my father spoke of retribution if he uttered another word. I fucking loved Aurora’s brothers.

“Sailor, be reasonable,” my mother tried. “Come home with us. You are not in the position to take care of a baby. You are just finishing up your first year of college.”

Stubbornness and determination shot through me. “I’ll figure it out.” Somehow. “We are not your concern anymore.”

Father’s cruel eyes locked on me, then on Gabriel, and I watched his expression turn twisted and menacing.

“This isn’t over, Daughter. Not by a long shot.”