Page 2 of Romancing His Heart
“You know what,” he directs this at the agents, but never takes his eyes off me, “I think Loki and I are going to need a few minutes. He just said good-bye to his parents, and it’s my duty to ensure he’s up to whatever you have planned for him. My address shouldn’t be too hard for you to find. You may meet us there in one hour.”
I bob back and forth between the bewildered agents and Mr. W, who is very clearly not going to change his mind.
“Come on, Loki. Let’s go tell Sylvie to catch a ride with the Knights, too.”
My throat is tight, so I nod and follow behind him. Glancing over my shoulder, I see the agents’ body language, and I immediately straighten my spine. If I am to make it through life as Antonio Black’s illegitimate son without my mother’s protection, I’ll have to emulate the hard-ass persona those agents have cultivated. I know whatever they have to tell me is going to change the course of my life, and I’m not sure I’m ready.
* * *
“Alright,Loki. I’m guessing by your reaction back there you know more about Black-hole than your mother thought. Why don’t you tell me everything so I can fill in the blanks before the suits show up at the house?”
I appreciate the fact that he never calls Antonio my father again. That’s the kind of man Clinton Westbrook is.
“Mr. Westbrook—”
“Well,” he releases a long low breath. “That’s not going to work now, is it, son? I think it’ll be okay for you to call us Clint and Sylvie. You’ve always been part of our family, Loki. Now we just have the paperwork to go with it. I also meant what I said earlier. We will be there for you for the rest of our lives. You can count on me, I promise.”
I’m silent, allowing the sounds of the road to soothe my frazzled nerves.
“You’ve always been an only child, but now you’re one of six. So, welcome to the chaos, officially,” he says, breaking the silence with a wink. His grin is genuine, but the sinking feeling persists, and I just want to get this conversation over with.
“Ah, sir? I’m not sure you’ll feel that way after I tell you about Black-hole.” I can’t even look him in the eye. With my stomach in my throat, I attempt to speak, but have to grab the door handle as Mr. W makes a wild stop on the side of the road.
Spinning in my seat, I glance left, then right frantically.Has he come for me already?
After putting his truck in park, Mr. W jumps out of the cab and rounds the hood toward me. Shitting bricks comes to mind as he rips open my door and unbuckles my seatbelt before pulling me from the truck. Whatever I was expecting was not the death grip of a hug he is wrapping me in now. The pressure of his embrace constricts my lungs.
“You listen here, Loki.” His voice booms over my head. “Your mother sat us down a long time ago and told us everything we needed to know. This was her worst nightmare, but she did everything she could to make sure you would never end up alone. Or with him.” Mr. W clears his throat, but his voice sounds strangled when he speaks. “Candace was Sylvie’s best friend, and those two didn’t hold back when it came to sharing. We have known all about you and the life your mother fought to protect you from since you started school with the boys. We know everything, son, and we are honored to be your guardians. Nothing and no one will take you from us, that I can promise. Black-hole may have millions in dirty money, but I was born a billionaire. If you think for one second I won’t spend every dime to keep you with us, you’re mistaken.”
He pulls back, and I realize for the first time today, I’m crying. I’m crying for the parents I’ll never see again, for the family that takes me in with all my baggage, and for the life I know I’ll never have. Mr. W lowers his face so we are eye to eye.
“You are my family, Loki. Now and forever, you belong to us, okay?”
I nod in understanding as we stand there, allowing my tears to run dry.
“We’d better get moving, though. We need to talk before the agents come back. I’m not sure how much you know, but I can guarantee it isn’t as much as they’ll want to tell you.”
“Mr. W—”
“Clint.”
“Clint?”
“Yes, son?” he says with a smile.
“Th-Thank you. For not turning my mom or me away when you found out.” I choke on the last of my words.
“That’s where you’re a little mixed up, Loki. It’s me who should be thanking you. I always wanted a sixth child, but Sylvie told me she’d cut off an appendage I’m rather fond of if I tried.” He winks, and I grin, embarrassed. “Thanks to you, I now have six boys. Eight if you count those knuckleheads, Dex and Trevor. I want you to always remember one thing. Family is what you make it, and I’m making you mine. Got it?”
I nod and mumble a thank you as warmth fills my body.
“We may be a crazy bunch, Loki, but we have love to last a lifetime. Now, let’s get moving before those agents circle back and pass us again.” He points to the black SUV with tinted windows passing by well below the speed limit.
This is all like a bad movie.
“You’ve seen them pass by already?” I ask as I climb into the cab of his truck.
“Three times since we were standing here. That’s something we will need to work on, buddy. I don’t want to scare you or make you paranoid, but you will have to learn to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Black-hole is still a dangerous man, and we must be ready for anything he tries to throw at you. I have a feeling that’s what the agents want to talk about, too. He won’t let you go willingly.”
