Page 145 of Shattered Souls
The excitement when I told her…
The sheen in Grayson’s eyes…
It’s a moment I’ll never forget.
“Gayson’s my brother!”
Except, she can’t say brother so it comes out more likebrov-er,and the entire sentence is just adorable! Including the way Grayson’s chest swells with pride.
“He is?!” Logan exclaims, his grin broad and genuine. “Well, this is cause for a celebration. How about pancakes?”
“And milkshake?” Aurora enquires because, yes, Logan has gotten my daughter addicted to strawberry milk.
“Obviously. No celebration is complete without milkshakes with extra cream and chocolate sprinkles.”
“Yes!” Aurora throws her tiny fist in the air, abandoning Grayson’s side in favor of the promise of sugar.
While Logan gets her to help him with breakfast, Royce strides over to clap Grayson on the shoulder. Nothing is said, but the two of them share a loaded glance.
“Can I eat in front of the TV, Mommy?” Aurora asks, precariously carrying her plastic plate of maple syrup-covered pancakes.
“Sure, baby.” Bringing over her milkshake, I settle her in front of the TV with a cartoon program before returning to the kitchen. “However, remember, we have to get dressed soon. Today’s your first day of daycare, and we can’t be late.”
I’m fairly certain she’s not paying attention, too engrossed in her cartoons as I leave her to it.
“You ready to go back to class?” Logan asks when I sit down at the kitchen table with them. “You can take another day or two if you need it?”
I give him a soft smile. “I’m fine, Logan. I’m ready to get back to a normal routine.” My gaze slides to Grayson. “Your dad is still in hospital?”
He nods, sipping on his coffee. “Yup. They’ve had him in a medically induced coma while he’s intubated. He’s not going anywhere, Tempest.”
I ask for an update on Bertram every day, and every day, the relief at hearing he’s still there is lifting.
Between mouthfuls of food, I tell the guys, “I think he did something to Lydia.” I don’t honestly care, but I’m curious to get their perspectives. Is she dead like Bertram implied, in which case I never have to worry about her bothering us again, or is she really on some island in Europe, where she can just pop on a plane and return at any time?
All three of them stop mid-chew to look at me.
“Uh, baby,” Logan hedges.
“She and David are dead,” Royce states, laying it all out there.
“We found their bodies,” Grayson adds. Logan makes a gagging emotion before dropping his fork to his plate and pushing it away.
“Thanks for that reminder, man. Just what I needed—skipping breakfast before a practice session. Real cool.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, ignoring Logan’s antics.
“After Bertram… took you both,” Royce hedges, “We went to the apartment we found Aurora in case he took you both there. Obviously, you weren’t there, but Lydia and David were.”
My eyes go wide. “So they really are dead.”
“Deader than dead,” Logan deadpans. “You ain’t ever getting their stench out of the apartment.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about, but it feels good to know Lydia is gone.
“Good,” I say, picking up my fork and continuing with my breakfast.
The guys all share a glance, but that’s the end of the conversation. None of us care to spend any more time discussing the heinous bitch that was Lydia.
