Page 83 of Fractured Constellations
Lilly gives us a head dip, then takes a breath. “I don’t believe in beating around the bush. The Banks Industries will survive, but it needs to be completely rebuilt ethically, and we think you are the guys to do that.”
My eyebrows raise. I expected them to want us to give up our shares and distance ourselves given the connection with our father.
“Your names still carry weight in the industry, but we want to make sure it’s for the right reasons,” Jax rumbles, his voice even deeper than Blade’s.
“We’re also establishing a victim compensation fund. Luna’s case will be the template and we’d like her input and involvement, if that’s something you’d like, Luna?” Ash states, his gaze intense on Moonbeam. I like that they’re involving her, making her feel a part of this too.
“Um, well, sure. I’d like to help if I can,” Luna says, and Blade pulls her onto his lap. She doesn’t even try to tell him off, just snuggles into him and allows him to give her comfort.
“Provided her health allows, and she wants to go to college, so we’d need to account for that,” Chase states, coming to a seat across from Lilly.
“Also, any cooperation with the federal investigation would be voluntary, but helpful,” Kai adds, opening up his laptop. “I know it must be difficult, going against family, but, well, sometimes doing the right thing is more important.”
“He’s not family,” I interject, all eyes looking at me. “Not anymore. Our family is right here.”
Lilly gives me a smile, her look full of understanding and agreement. “Sometimes the family we choose is more important than the blood in our veins.” She looks at each of us in turn. “We want to offer you something your father never did—a choice. You won’t be inheriting Banks Industries, but building something better from the ashes. Something that will help thousands of people.”
“And Black Knight Corp has an educational foundation,” Loki interjects from his place by the windows. He looks at Luna. “We’d be honored to sponsor your education, in whatever field you choose to go down. When you’re ready of course.”
Luna’s mouth parts, her eyes going a little glassy. “Thank you, that’s… Thank you.”
“It would be our pleasure and honor as Loki says,” Lilly replies softly. “Well, we’ll leave you to think about it. Kai will send Chase all the details of our offer, which includes you three finishing your degrees first. Think about it and let us know.”
She uses the table to push herself up, but Jax is by her side in an instant, helping her. The smile she gives him is one of pure love, so radiant that it feels like I’ve intruded on a private moment.
“Let’s get you home and resting,” he orders, and she rolls her eyes playfully at him.
“Not my first rodeo, big guy,” she tells him, but takes his arm as Chase gets up to lead them out. She turns back to us, looking each one of us in the eyes. “I really hope we see you all soon.”
Then they all head out, each of the guys giving us nods and saying goodbye until we’re left with just us again. I don’t know about the others, but my mind is racing. Chase returns before any of us have spoken a word.
“I like her,” Luna says, snuggling into Blade. “I like her a lot.”
“Me too, and the guys. They seemed solid,” I add, heading over to the table and taking a seat next to Moonbeam and Blade. “Do we have the full offer?”
Chase opens his laptop, which is pretty much always nearby, and he whistles. “Kai works even quicker than me. They are suggesting I finish my degree, specializing in ethical pharmaceutical consulting, and continue that role within Banks Industries when I graduate, but also work with them as an intern and board member while I’m studying.” His eyes race across the screen as he reads. “They’re offering Blade a research fellowship at Dana-Farber, with Black Knight Corp funding. And Thorn, they suggest you head up an expanding music therapy program for cancer patients, again paid for in its entirety by Black Knight Corp.”
We’re silent for several long moments, just absorbing the information. It’s…Fuck, it’s a lot.
“Would we have to move?” Luna asks, and I glance at her, seeing the furrow in her brows. “Dana-Farber is quite a commute.”
Blade pulls her even tighter to him. “We could move closer, but we’re not splitting up, baby. I’ll commute if I need to, but I’m coming home to you every night.”
“Ditto,” I agree, and she takes in a deep inhale, giving me a nod.
“Well, then I think you should all go for it. It’s an amazing opportunity, and one not likely to come around twice.”
“Okay, so we’re doing this then? All of it? Helping with the investigation as well?” Chase questions, looking at each of us in turn.
“He made his bed, he can rot in it,” Blade states, his voice cold and unyielding.
“Think he’ll go to prison?” I ask, my stomach churning a little. I agree with Blade, he put the love of my life at risk, and by the sounds of it, countless others too. He’s still my dad though, still one half of me, and I’m not sure how to marry the two opposing feelings.
“I think he already has. He chose isolation over family,” Luna says, a sadness to her tone, and it just makes me love her all the more.
“We chose differently.” Blade places a kiss on Luna’s head, and the sadness from moments ago dissipates.
“We chose each other,” Chase points out, and he’s right. We chose this family of ours, and it’s all the stronger for it.
