Page 82 of Fractured Constellations
We all panting and breathing hard as the pleasure fills us up. After a few moments, Blade pulls out, leaving Luna and I groaning as he slumps next to us on the bed. Luna falls down on me, and I peek at her, her eyes closed as her body grows heavy.
“I think we wore her out,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around her, uncaring that we’re both covered in all kinds of bodily fluids.
“I think you’re right.” Chase chuckles, leaning down and pulling a blanket over us as Luna remains silent, her breathing steady as she sleeps on top of me. “Let her sleep and we’ll clean up in a bit.”
The observatory dome creaks as it rotates, ancient gears protesting the movement. Stars emerge as the opening aligns, pinpricks of light in endless darkness. They feel full of hope, full of the endless possibilities that our lives now have. This moment stretches, elastic and precious, as if time itself knows to be gentle with gifts like these. Knows that only a few weeks ago we weren’t sure if Luna would be home in time for her birthday.
And I, for one, will never again take these moments for granted. They are beyond sacred, more than just what they seem, and they are all ours.
The next couple of weeks pass by in complete bliss. We don’t hear much about what’s happening with Dad and Banks Industries, so we choose to ignore it and focus on Luna and her recovery. She gains more energy with each passing day,laughing and smiling and filling our lives with a sunlight we didn’t know was missing.
One morning, we’re just finishing breakfast when Chase switches on the TV. It’s the news, and I freeze, my heart thudding loudly inside my chest as my father, cuffed and being escorted by two officers, is led away from a courthouse.
“Richard Banks was denied bail due to flight risk concerns…” the news anchor says as we watch him bundled into the back of a truck. She then goes on to talk about the Banks Industries federal investigation, and I discover that it wasn’t just Luna who was targeted. Apparently there are several individuals who are demanding recompense for what our Dad did. Bile rises in my throat at the thought, the fact that he abused his position so horrifically. Put so many lives in danger. “Black Knight Corp has been brought in by federal authorities to manage the company during investigation...”
My gaze snaps to Chase, who looks unsurprised.
“You knew.” It’s not a question, and he gives me a sharp nod.
“I’ve been keeping up to date with the case, our lawyers informing me of the situation,” he tells me, his gaze sliding to Luna, whose eyes are fixed on the screen. There are two spots of red on her cheeks, telling me she’s pissed, but her shoulders are down like she’s relaxed, a sense of relief filling me at the fact that she’s no longer in danger. “I didn’t want to worry you all, so I just monitored it. I’m sorry if that was wrong.”
Luna turns to him, blinking but already shaking her head. “No, Chase love. It wasn’t wrong. Thank you for taking it on, but you shouldn’t have had to shoulder it alone. We’re here to help carry any burdens. We’re a family.”
I watch my once cold brother melt, his hand cupping her cheek as he does so often, his eyes focused on her.
“Love?” he whispers, and I hold my breath, waiting to hear what she replies.
Her lips pull up into a soft smile. “Yes, love.”
“I like it,” he tells her, leaning in and pressing a kiss to her lips. “And in the interest of sharing the load, Black Knight Corp will be here soon to discuss the future of Banks Industries.”
“Could have given us more notice, asshole,” Blade grumbles from the other side of Luna just as the doorbell rings.
Chase has the grace to look sheepish as he releases Luna, and Blade punches his arm as he walks past. Serves him right for keeping this from us, though in some ways, I agree with him. It was nice to escape the world these past weeks.
We hear voices, then footsteps as Chase leads several people back into the kitchen, where we are seated around the table. Luckily there are extra chairs, because it seems like the whole board of Black Knight Corp is here.
In the lead is a woman with brunette hair, maybe in her mid to late twenties, and my eyes snag on her rounded stomach. She looks pregnant, and by the way the large guy with blond hair in a bun hovers behind her, I’m guessing she is, but fuck asking just in case.
Three more guys come in after them. One with jet black hair and tattoos all the way up to his jaw. Another with messy auburn hair and green eyes not a dissimilar color to ours, but with a mischievous look to them. And the final guy has brown hair, glasses, and is carrying a laptop that reminds me so much of my brother that I huff a chuckle.
“Good morning,” the woman says in a British accent, her gaze finding each of ours but settling on Luna. “I’m Lilly Knight, and these are my husbands and business partners.”
I watch Luna’s eyes widen, a smile forming on her lips as Lilly’s words register. Husbands as in plural. Now there’s an idea. I know we all pledged ourselves to Moonbeam, but an official ceremony might have to go on Chase’s to-do list. “Mind if I sit?”
“Oh, of course!” Luna says, going to stand, but Lilly waves her off, sitting down with a sigh of relief. “Pregnancy number three, and I swear it doesn’t get easier. Only one more, then I’m done.”
Luna’s brows scrunch in the cutest way. “Why one more?”
Lilly smiles. “Gotta keep it fair, am I right?” She gives Luna a wink, whose eyes go even wider as she glances around the four imposing guys, then she laughs.
“Imagine if they were brothers. I swear, keeping things equal with these three is a full-time job.” Both women laugh, the guys and I all smile like the assholes we are. She’s not wrong, though we always make sure our pretty stepsis enjoys our rivalry.
“I knew that we would get on,” Lilly says as the one with glasses sits down next to her, the massive guy with blond hair standing behind her as the dark-haired one takes a seat. The redhead looks around the kitchen, his body flexing like he wants to go exploring. I get that energy, finding it difficult to sit still myself, hence standing by the countertop. “Right, introductions first. This here next to me is Kai. The viking is Jax, Mr dark and broody is Ash, and the one who’s twitching is Loki.”
The guys all give us nods, looking at Lilly with indulgent smiles like they’re used to her style of intro.
“Hello.” Luna waves, then her cheeks flush, which is just too fucking adorable. “I’m Luna. Next to me is Blade, Chase let you in but I guess you might know him already, and the one by the counter is Thorn.”
