Page 17 of The Secret's Out

Biting my bottom lip, my hand went to my chest as my heart beat hard behind it.

What was he saying?

“You two had better take care of her where I couldn’t,” Parker said. With my eyes wide, he walked up to me. Caden and Eli tensed. “You deserve happiness, honey. I hope you find it.” My body stilled when he raised a hand and gently ran his fingers across my cheek.

“Back off,” Caden growled.

Parker laughed. “Yeah, yeah. I know a claim when I see one...” he looked from my eyes to Caden and then Eli, “or two.” He shook his head and finished with, “I’ll be seeing you, kid. Or not. I’ve got to head out of town.” He stepped back and it was then I noticed his bag by the front door as he made his way to it.

“Parker,” I called. He turned. “Um, take care.”

He sent me a wink and a smile before walking out of the apartment.

It was obvious the day wasn’t over with surprises.

“I don’t like that guy.” Eli sighed. Caden nodded in agreement. I quickly bit my bottom lip to hide my smile and headed to the kitchen beside the living area. Our apartment was bigger than most in Melbourne, holding three bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room and separate kitchen. The laundry room was shared between the other three apartments and situated down in the basement. I loved living there. The apartment, even being owned by a man, had an appealing décor. The walls were a soft yellow. The furniture was mostly wooden and seemed handmade instead of store bought. It was peaceful.

“Would anyone like a coffee?” I asked, heading straight for the kettle. I knew I needed one. Hopefully, it would help me stay alert.

“Thanks, precious,” Caden said as he sat at the small four-seated table.

“Love one, sweetheart.” Eli smiled, also sitting down, only he turned his chair backward to straddle it.

“Good, and then you can both explain how you heard about my troubles and why you both came...not just for a visit, I’m presuming.”

As I fluttered around preparing our drinks, I caught the eye roll from Eli and a smirk from Caden, which they gave each other.

They would soon find out that in the last two years, I’d grown somewhat of a backbone...only those who were important in my life would probably tell. I still, of course, had trouble with people I hardly knew. Trust was something to earn and was not freely given. The two men at the table I trusted deeply, with my very soul. So they would get to see how I had grown into a woman.

Turning from the bench, I set their coffees in front of them and then claimed my own chair between both of theirs. Raising my eyebrows, I waited.

Caden scoffed. “All right, precious. All we know is that somehow Talon found out that you were having some troubles from people at school. He asked us to come here and check it out, see if we could help.”

Eli leaned into the chair more to catch my eye. “What I want to know is why you thought you’d deal with this on your own in the first place, Josie?”

“Billy,” Caden growled.

“No,” Eli barked. He stood from the chair and paced the small space behind the table. “You have people who care about you, sweetheart. You don’t have to deal with shit, fuckin’ pathetic crap, being dished out by some fuckin’ loser.” He stopped and turned to me. “All you had to do was call. Why didn’t you? Shit, how long have you been dealing with it all on your own?” He stood above me with his hands balled into fists. He didn’t like what I’d been going through. He didn’t like the thought of me on my own.

Slowly, I reached out and wound my hand around his fist. Shock registered on his face, his eyes flaring and then, once they settled, he unwound his fist and entwined our fingers.

I smiled up at him before my gaze went to Caden. My arm slid onto the table. I held my hand palm up for Caden’s. He didn’t hesitate and he also seemed surprised by my willingness to want to touch them. Silly men, didn’t they know they were my home. They were what helped keep me going. At school, it had been too soon for them to touch me, especially after being held violently against Scott’s body. However, now I was in my home, it was on my terms. I knew they wouldn’t push me for more than what I was willing to give.

“It was stupid of me really. I wanted to prove I could do this... I guess more to myself than anything or anyone. I wanted to know I could live out in the real, tough world on my own, without my security blanket, my family who go above and beyond to protect me. I-I still want that...but, I know now that what I want above everything is more important than anything. I want my family.”

“You want to go home to Ballarat?” Caden asked.

“Yes. Only not yet. I have four months left before school ends for the year. I do have the opportunity to transfer my degree to an open university course, so I can study from home. But then...yes, then I want to come home to Ballarat.”

“You know we won’t leave you with that dickhead still harassing you,” Eli stated.

Smiling sadly, I said, “I can’t have you both here for that long. You both have lives of your own. I won’t ask you to put that on hold and stay to be...my bodyguards for that amount of time. I could ring Talon and ask him to send a prospect. Then at least Talon won’t be losing two valuable employees and members.”

“I’ll talk to Talon about it,” Caden said.

“Pick,” Eli barked.

A meaningful look passed between them and Caden once again said, “I’ll talk to Talon about it.” Eli then nodded and sat back down at the table without letting go of my hand. “But first, our girl needs to call home.”

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