Page 104 of Beautifully Broken Control

My brother and I had decided to give the vast majority of our inheritances to create a fund to help reimburse the victims hit the hardest by my father’s crimes. Because while my mother had gone to prison, my father had toed the line of his parole and remained free, making no attempts at restitution. But I’d kept a few million of my inheritance aside for a very special project.

I’d approached the city and asked to buy the community center, with an agreement that I’d build a new one in its place. The buildings that lay before us now were so much more than that. Hope House had its own separate space with a cafeteria, a rec room, and apartments for families needing a place to stay until they got back on their feet again. Another building held a multi-level gymnasium complete with a gym, pool, and studio space for classes. Any member of the community could take any assortment of sessions for free. And I got to teach as many ballet classes as I wanted.

Lastly, there was the Kiara Center. A building that housed social workers, therapists, and an after-school staff. It was a safe haven for anyone who needed it. It was a place for kids who needed somewhere to go after school because no one was home. A place to help and support when the world hit especially hard. It even had a food pantry and a kitchen where anyone could come by for a warm meal. It was our dream to prevent the violence that had cut Kiara’s life short by providing the support any family might need. The help Cain and Kiara had needed.

“I’m so damn proud of you.” Cain pressed his lips to my temple.

I looked up. “I’m proud of us both.” While the project was mine, Cain had helped me every step of the way. He was my supporter, sounding board, and of course, he’d installed all of the security—at his expense.

“All right, already. Enough with the mushy stuff. We’ve got work to do.” Anna strode towards us, clapping her hands.

I grinned. “Good thing the head of Hope House is on top of things.” I’d given Anna the title she always should’ve had, and she was thriving here.

“They’ve been doing this all morning,” my brother groused as he trailed behind Anna.

Cain handed Preston the cake he held. “You could always stay at a hotel.”

“Boys,” I warned, holding up a hand.

“Holy shit!” Anna grabbed my hand. “You’re engaged?!” She pulled me in for a hard hug before I could answer. “Oh my God. Congratulations! Of course, he’d put a monster rock on your finger.”

I laughed. “Thank you.”

“I’m so glad you got your happy, girl.”

“Me, too.”

“What’s going on?” Jensen called as she crossed the parking lot, hand to her swollen belly, trailed by Tuck and Noah.

“Cain put a ring on it,” Anna called.

“What?!” Jensen shrieked. “Taylor, Tessa, hurry up! Our girl’s engaged!” She started speed-walking.

“Wilder,” Tuck warned. “Slow down.”

“Oh, calm down. The baby’s not going to just pop out.”

I stifled a laugh as Jensen pulled me in for a hug. This pregnancy had her snapping at Tuck a little more than usual. “You’re going to give the man a heart attack.”

“He needs to relax.” She pulled out my hand to examine the ring and grinned. Her gaze flicked up to Cain. “You do good work. Why am I not surprised?”

The next few hours were spent doling out congratulatory hugs, setting up for our grand opening, and finally seeing the space I’d worked so hard on come to life. By the time the doors opened, I was exhausted. Cain grabbed my hand and tugged me outside, leading me towards an Adirondack chair in the shade and pulling me into his lap. “Time for you to take a break.”

“But I—”

“Nope. No arguments. You’ve been going flat-out for the past week with all the last-minute prep. Sit back and soak it all in.”

I eased back against Cain. He was right. I didn’t want to miss the joy of the moment because I was too busy running around trying to make it all perfect. I sighed as the summer breeze ruffled my hair and carried with it the sounds of laughter and happy shouts.

I’d decided that a carnival setup would be the perfect way to bring people to the center, to make it a place that was fun and welcoming, not scary or just a place of charity. I wanted this to be a place where everyone felt welcome, no matter who they were or where they came from. It had worked like a charm.

My gaze caught on Walker and Taylor, their son toddling between them, holding onto each of their hands. The way they met each other’s gazes over his head, I wouldn’t be surprised if number two followed shortly behind.

Kids ran from one ride to the other, pausing to stare up at the Ferris wheel that reached high into the sky. Liam had Tessa wrapped in his arms, his hands resting on her belly that was just starting to show. They had one at home, but she was now expecting twins, much to Liam’s delight. Tessa had always wanted a big family, and he was determined to give her one.

Tessa reached up a hand to wave at Noah, who bounded over, parents, grandparents, and great-grandmother in tow, pointing up at the ride. “Hell no, Wilder.” Tuck’s voice carried on the wind as he stalked behind Jensen. “You are too pregnant to go on that thing.”

Jensen whirled on him. “Are you saying I’m fat?”

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