Page 46 of The Fortunate Ones
Everett smiled, and it seemed genuine for the first time. “Y-yeah, I’d like that.”
Matty’s eyes flashed to mine, his expression serious. I’d have to make sure I talked to him alone later to see how he was dealing with this. He was sensitive, even if he tried to hide it, and while their situations were wildly different, I hoped Everett’s struggles weren’t triggering him. I also knew Matty well enough by now to know he wasn’t going to say anything to me until he was sure Everett was okay.
I gave him a small nod of encouragement, and it seemed to do the trick. “C’mon, Ev. Let’s go play games for a bit. We can let the old people finish up in here.” Everett’s burst of surprise laughter was worth taking the old joke on the chin. Even Brooks stayed quiet as Matty dragged Everett out.
Immediately, both of us sagged into each other, emotionally drained.
CHAPTER 18
DIEGO
The guys werea little hesitant to push Everett after what had happened before dinner last night. I’d missed that, thank fuck, but Wes and I had walked in just in time to see the aftermath. Brooks and Maverick had been visibly shaken. Luca and Skye had shown up shortly after us, laughing and freshly fucked, but had sobered up the second they’d seen the guys. Mav and Brooks had filled us in the best they could.
I was dying for more information. Mr. Verlice was a place to start, more than we ever had on anyone in the Crimson Rose before, but it wasn’t enough. I needed more, but as soon as dinner had been done, Matty had bundled Everett up and dragged him to his bedroom. This morning, however, Luca had put his foot down and called a meeting.
I was the first one in here, getting everything set up. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was prepared for anything. Luca had everything I needed to work in here as well, which was great for team meetings. My office, even though I preferred it, was too cramped for all six of us, probably eight today, since it seemed highly unlikely that Matty would let Everett come alone.
Luca shuffled in next, looking sleep-deprived and carrying a travel mug of coffee that I knew for a fact Brooks had prepared for him. He grunted a greeting at me.
“Long night?” I teased.
Another grunt. “Your brother needed some help settling down.”
I made a soft sound of understanding. Brooks had really been shaken after Everett’s outburst. I could see at dinner that he’d been coming out of his skin. In the past, there would be only me to help him when he was like that, and I was woefully unskilled in that area. It was hard to comfort someone who thrived on touch when the very thought made my skin crawl. Times like last night would be when Brooks would end up fucking off to some club, hoping someone could put him under long enough for him to quiet his brain. Sometimes it worked; sometimes it hadn’t. Every time, I’d stayed up, stalking the tracker on his phone and waiting till I had my eyes on him again.
Thank fuck those days were behind us. My heart couldn’t take it. Now he had a gaggle of men who loved him and would do everything in their power to keep him safe and protect him. I knew he’d be taken care of. And while I’d love to have been able to handle that for him, it was a huge weight off my shoulders knowing I didn’t have to feel guilty for not being everything Brooks needed.
Wes was next to show up. He shot a worried glance toward Luca before immediately beelining straight to me. I tried to ignore the little flutters in my lower belly when those intense blue eyes landed on mine. Having all of Wes’s undivided attention was enough to make me squirm, as much as I loved it.
“Good morning, angel. I missed you when I woke up.”
There was no judgment or blame in his tone, only truth. Wes loved me being in bed with him in the morning, but sometimeswhen I was awake and alone in my thoughts, it all became too much and I ended up escaping.
“I missed you too,” I admitted, chewing on my lip. “I couldn’t sleep anymore and my brain was running a million miles a minute, so I worked out for a bit.”
Wes nodded in understanding. “Wake me up next time? I can come with you.”
“Sure.” Even though we both knew I wouldn’t. He needed that extra rest, and I needed my time alone in the morning to get my thoughts together. After I gave my permission, Wes kissed the top of my head and then went to talk to Luca. They had their arms wrapped around each other, whispering back and forth.
Soon, everyone else filed in. Brooks and Skye were holding hands and debating which fruit was better, pineapple or watermelon. They were both wrong. It was mangoes, but I didn’t get involved. Fuck knew those two could go on forever, and nobody had time for that. They took their usual seats at the table next to each other and across from me, the debate not pausing even for a second. Maverick came at the same time as Everett and, to no one’s surprise, Matty. He didn’t usually come to these, but since he refused to leave Everett’s side, it wasn’t a shock to see him. He was pressed up against Everett, arms touching and acting like a physical wall for him. Leading Everett to the table, Matty offered him the seat next to me. He dragged his chair over so it was practically touching Everett on the other side.
I met Brooks’s eyes over the table. He waggled them with a grin. I was sure we were all wondering exactly what was going on there. Luca and Wes came over finally, Luca taking the seat at the head of the table and Wes next to him, on Matty’s side. Maverick sat on the other side of Luca, next to Brooks.
Luca had a tablet in front of him. He booted it up and then looked up at us. “Thanks, everyone, for coming in today.” He looked at Everett. “I know this has been a lot and you’re probablypretty confused, but the only way we can help you is to get more information from you. We’ll try to keep it as painless as possible.”
“O-okay,” Everett stumbled. Matty squeezed his hand and knocked his shoulder against his in support.
“Good.” Luca smiled thinly before turning his attention toward me. “Diego, is there anything specific you want or need to start?”
I glanced down at my notes. “Not really. We’re pretty much in the dark with everything. Sven’s phone gave me jack shit. The only things I know are possible involvement from Crimson Rose and the name Mr. Verlice.” My eyes shot to Everett. He looked so fucking young and innocent. Those big eyes stared at me with so much earnestness that it was hard to stay impartial. No wonder the guys were already so protective of him. “Anything you can give me is better than what I have.”
Everett chewed on his lip, his body rocking back and forth in his chair. Matty was there and holding him steady, being a rock for this man he barely knew. Everett turned from me, his attention fully on Matty.
“You’re safe. We’ll protect you.”We’ll, not they’ll. Interesting.I’d never seen Matty imprint on a person like this. He was super close to his best friend, Harley, and they’d hit it off right away, but this felt different.
It also seemed to be exactly what Everett needed to hear. He gave Matty a sharp nod and turned to me.
“I didn’t know I was working for Crimson Rose until right before everything changed. They were always very careful never to say their name around me, and anything they showed me was always redacted because they knew I’d remember. I can’t forget. I never even heard of Crimson Rose until Agent Stevens showed me everything they had on them. Mr. Verlice was alwaysin charge, but Agent Stevens said he’s not. Not really. There are people above him.”
