Page 20 of Inside the Maelstrom: Part Two
My father choked out a laugh. “Yes, the very same—he’s petitioned the court for legal conservatorship over your health and finances. Your response was to get married on the spot, without any further thought.”
Hendrick nodded. “Correct. But I should add, it was on legal advice.”
“Tobias is very good. If he thinks it will help, it will,” Sampson said softly.
My mother raised her hand. “And what would help poor Aviva? You've thrown her in the path of a monster.”
I froze, because she was right. Aviva was now on Ted Kenley’s radar, and we’d happily sacrificed her for Hendrick.
“We’ll protect her,” Evan said vehemently.
Aviva grabbed my hand, like she could feel my tension. “I volunteered. I’ve heard stories from Hendrick and Otto about what his father is like, and I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to Drix, knowing I could have prevented it. That kind of evil shouldn’t be allowed to win.”
My mother was silent again, but my dad was looking down at Viva’s hand in mine. “So, you and Hendrick are…?”
I felt blood rush to my face. I loved my parents, and had always been open with them about Hendrick and me, but still it was awkward as fuck having this conversation. “Boyfriends.”
“And you and Viva?”
“Also a couple.”
“And you, Sampson?”
We were all silent as we turned to Sampson, because that was the million-dollar question.
“She’s my girlfriend too. Just her, not Otto and Hendrick. That's just a them thing.”
Both my parents turned to Evan, who looked incredibly uncomfortable. Apparently, the key to breaking a Spec Ops soldier was to make him explain that he was part of a polyamorous relationship.
“Surely not you too, Evan?” my mother squeaked out. “She’s way too young for you.”
I internally winced, and Evan outwardly grimaced. But it was Aviva who answered for him. “Yes, Evan too. I know the age gap is unconventional—”
My dad roared out a laugh. “Aviva, that’s the least unconventional thing about this whole setup.”
My mother elbowed him. “Hush, John. Don’t interrupt.”
“But Evan gives me something I need, a steadiness that I kind of lack in life. All these guys fulfill a need I have; they fill an emptiness I didn’t know was there until I met them. I can only hope that I do the same for them. I know this is a lot to take in—and I know it’s probably not what you wanted for your son—but I promise, I will love him with everything in me, and make sure he’s happy. All of them, if I can.”
I squeezed her hand, and she smiled up at me.
Mom sighed. “You understand how hard it will be juggling this many relationships, especially one as unique as this? And that the scrutiny from the press and public given the profile of these two”—she indicated Hendrick and Sampson—“will be intense, and probably cruel?”
Aviva nodded furiously. “Yes, I do.”
My mom looked at my dad, who just shrugged. Finally, she looked back at Aviva. “Then, I guess, welcome to the family, Aviva Kenley. I hope you weather the storm.”
Chapter12
Aviva
Whatever Letitia had been cooking before our grand announcement had burned to a crisp, so we ended up ordering Chinese food. We ate companionably, and I was squashed between Otto and Evan at the large family dining table. I rested my hand on Evan's thigh as I ate, and he kept giving me sidelong glances. I ran my hand further up his thigh, and he frowned.
God, I wanted to fuck with him so bad, but he was already stressed enough.
When we were all done, Evan helped Letitia load the dishwasher and clean up, while Sampson went to try John’s new bottle of cognac from the south of France. Apparently, they were both quite passionate about their cognac.
Otto led me down to his bedroom, Hendrick close behind us. Walking into Otto’s childhood room made me happy. It was exactly how I’d thought it would look: a double bed with dark covers, his desk stacked high with textbooks and fantasy novels, and a bookshelf along one long wall. There were black and white photos of him, Hendrick and Sampson dotted all around the room, and I wandered over to one because I couldn’t resist.
