Page 70 of Belonging to Them
Simple.
Kingston and Sebastian have been tiptoeing around me.King even takes the day off work.I don’t know why they’re here, though—it’s not as if there’s anything they can do.We’re just waiting for news that might never come.Yes, Jaxon promised to check in, but he might be checking in with a whole lot of nothing.
Despite my frustration and sorrow and anxiety, despite the fact I kind of want to kick both men out of the penthouse and be left in peace for my wallowing and nerves, I’m grateful that they’re here.Without them, this waiting and worry would be so much worse.
Kingston coaxes me to the balcony for a midday swim.The sun perks me up a little, but I don’t even want to be underwater for long, for fear of missing a call from Ironwood.Sebastian makes us sandwiches after the swim, but I can’t force myself to eat.I pick at the crust and try not to stare at my phone.
I’ve gotten a couple of texts from Natasha and Olivia, congratulating me on my performance last night.They hadn’t been able to come, which I hadn’t minded because the whole affair was so last-minute.But now, they’ve been watching clips uploaded to VideYou by people from the audience and by Red Letter, which has its own channel.They’ll share some of the videos with me to cross-post, an arrangement Helena made on my behalf.
Hearing from Natasha and Olivia brings back the fact that I had an amazing show last night.
I wish I was more in the mood to celebrate.
I wish the last words to my brother hadn’t been telling him that I couldn’t have him in my life.I told him I was done.If he’s dead now, those are the last things he heard from me.
Fuck.I press my hands to my eyes, trying not to cry.
Sebastian and Kingston get out of their chairs and come around the table.They pull me into a big hug, and eventually I can breathe again.
“What can we do?”Sebastian asks.“Is there anything you want right now?”
“I just want my brother back,” I say.“I want to know what’s going on, and I want him safe.But you guys can’t control that.”
“No,” Kingston says sadly, “we can’t.Can I put a show on TV?Something to distract you?You like that vampire saga, right?”
“Yeah, sure,” I say, although I couldn’t care less about what those two stupid vampires get up to.The girl in their love triangle should just choose them both and call it good.Honestly, my initial reaction to that show when I was a teen—shouting, “Pick both, you donut!”at the heroine—should have been a good indicator of where I might end up someday: equally in love with two wonderful men.
Then again, I never would have dreamed I could end up with guys like Kingston and Sebastian.
I half-watch the high-school drama unfold with the vampires mucking up every event.Homecoming, football games, snooty weird-ass city celebrations, parties in the woods.The other part of my attention is on my phone, which is sadly silent on the coffee table in front of us.
Sebastian and Kingston sit on either side of me, buffers against the sorrows of the world.
Finally, at four p.m, a call comes in from Ironwood.I almost elbow Bash in the gut in my rush to grab it.
“Hello?”I answer breathlessly.
“Ella, this is Jaxon.”
“Do you have news?”I don’t even bother with the niceties, but given the circumstances, I’m sure he doesn’t mind too much.
“Yes.We had team members canvasing, searching for a body, but what they found instead was evidence that your brother walked out of that hotel room in Bellefleur on his own.Video surveillance footage from nearby buildings shows someone who looks just like him walking out, although it does look as if he was forced to go.We’ve shared that footage with the police.Detective Marks is now more helpful than ever, because there’s something to go on.”
Kingston and Sebastian are watching my face.I’m not sure what I’m hearing.
“Wait,” I say to Jaxon.“Can you say what all this means?”
“It means my team thinks your brother could be alive after all.”
I knew it.Iknewit.
Thank heavens I didn’t call Gianna last night or this morning.Stressing her unnecessarily, so close to the baby’s due date, could’ve been bad.
Jaxon and I exchange a few more words, and then we end the call.
“They think Tommy’s okay,” I blurt as soon as I hang up.
Kingston and Sebastian take turns kissing my cheeks.I hug them and laugh and feel so much relief.No, we don’t have Tommy back yet, and he could still be in a lot of danger.But at least we’re no longer looking for a body.
