Page 58 of Shattered

“You’re perfect,” Royce said, pressing a kiss to her temple.

“Are you really happy, Daddy?”

“I am, sweetheart. I’m very happy. I loved your mother so much, I felt as if I’d crawled into her coffin and died with her.”

She gasped. “Oh Daddy, no.”

“It’s true. I did. Then, Jochi helped me. The world has color again. I can breathe a little bit more. I can see the sun—feel its heat. I’m free.” Jochi’s arms tightened around him. “I know the juxtaposition of this relationship is jarring, though. I can’t honestly say I’d ever expected a male partner—mate or otherwise.”

“I have to admit; you threw me for a loop.” Charisma gave him a watery smile. “But if you’re truly happy, it’s all I want for you. It doesn’t matter who or why.” She glanced over at Jochi. “Welcome to our family, Father.”

“Now that we got the weepy bull—” Kalkin snarled. “Crap, out of the way, I feel like there is more you need to tell them.”

Jochi laughed. “He does.”

“I’m retiring,” Jefferson said. “We’re staying here. I will only return to D.C. to make final arrangements and make sure PBH can’t hurt anyone else.”

“This all so much. I need to sit down,” Charisma said, taking the first available chair. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. It’s time. I want to be here for you two and my—our grandbabies. I want to slow down with my life. I missed so much. I don’t want to miss anymore. However, before I do that, I have to finish my work.”

“Which reminds me,” Kalkin said. “No talking about business when we’re all together. Family rule.”

“Well, then, we’ll discuss it later,” Jefferson said. “For now, I would like to enjoy my time with all of you, relaxing and getting to know my grandchildren better.”

“Sound wonderful, bèndàn. I too would like to get to know everyone now that the snow leopard is out of the bag.” Jochi winked at him then laughed as his horrible joke.

“Oh God,” Kalkin grunted. “You’re like the others, sickening sweet. Gag.”

Jefferson laughed. “S’pose we are.”

The intimacy of the moment was almost too much for Aurora. The whole family laid their business on the table and allowed everyone to examine it without worry or compunction. It made her a bit uncomfortable.

“This is how we do things,” Mackenzie said. “It’s normal for us.”

“Good for you,” she quipped. “I’m not sure I can be so free with my life.”

“No, I thought not,” Mackenzie said. “It’s a lot to take in.”

“It is.”

“Come on, we should be ready to eat in a minute.” He placed his arm over her shoulders and guided her outside. “You were attracted to Jochi, before you found out.”

Heat filled her cheeks. “He’s got something about him that’s... Different.”

“He has mastered the ability to seduce. If I’m not mistaken, he was also at the raid for the zoo, only dressed up as a woman.” Mackenzie shrugged.

“Did-Did he seduce you?”

Mackenzie glanced over at her. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

She gapped at him. “Are you... Are you insinuating something happened between the two of you?”

Mackenzie barked out a laugh. “He’s not my type. Besides, his eyes were only set on one person, Jefferson.”

“You’re... You’re an asshole, Mackenzie Raferty!” She crossed her arms and stomped her foot. “You did that on purpose.”

“I did. But you were the one thinking about bedding him. Not that I think he’d be averse to it.”

---