Page 116 of The Retaliation You Deliver

“Never better.” It’s not entirely true. The thought of having to go to Miami and deal with whatever Richard is going to throw at us fills me with dread but knowing Leon is going to be right by my side makes it feel that much more bearable.

* * *

Breakfast with Kayden is everything I hoped it would be and more. Seeing a softer side to both Leon and Luca as they chatted with their little brother was everything I didn’t know I needed to experience.

I feel honored to have been able to experience it because I know from being on the outside that the rest of the world doesn't get to see this.

All they get from press coverage is that the Dunn twins are focused, determined, and just like their father.

The reality couldn’t be any farther from the truth.

The Dunn twins are nothing like their father. I might never have met the man, but I know it for a fact just from what little I know of him. I also know that without him in their lives, they’re only going to become even more incredible and go on to achieve so much more than he ever did.

A cell ringing at the table halts our conversation and Luca reaches into his pocket.

“It’s Mom,” he says, looking at Lee. “I’d better take it.”

“Say hi for me.”

Luca slips out of the booth as Kayden, Leon and I continue coloring while Peyton watches us with a smile from across the table.

“How long do you think you’re going to be gone for?” Peyton asks.

I let out a sigh. “No idea. I guess it depends on how stubborn he wants to be. Knowing him, he’ll end up in a coma for six months just to torture us.”

“I really hope it— Is everything okay?” Peyton says when Luca steps back to the table with an unreadable expression on his face.

“Um… yeah. I just… Here,” he says, passing her some money, “can you take Kayden over to the candy machine, get him something for later.”

“Yesss,” he hisses, missing the fact that it’s all a ploy to get rid of him for a few minutes.

“Everything okay?” Peyton asks, sliding from the booth and wrapping her hand around Luca’s forearm.

“Yeah, I just need to talk to Lee. I’ll fill you in later.”

“Okay.” She pecks him on the cheek and takes Kayden’s hand once Leon lets him out.

“What’s going on?”

“You seen the news?”

“No.”

“Apparently there’s a new story about da— Brett. A drug dealer has been found beaten to death. They think it was Brett.”

“What?” Leon barks, his hand searching for mine under the table. “That’s insane. He wouldn’t beat up a dealer.”

“It would explain his injuries though.”

“Yeah but…”

“They’re doing toxicology tests, they think Brett’s been using for a while. Makes sense seeing as he fucked off after he tried to…” Luca trails off, not able to vocalize what their father tried to do to Peyton.

“You trying to tell me he suddenly grew a conscience?”

“I dunno. Not sure I know anything anymore.”

“Does it really matter?” I ask, trying to help Leon out. “The dealer was clearly a scumbag. Your father was an asshole. They’re both gone. Probably better for the world that way.”