Chapter Fifteen
“We’re in the forest.How will you find food, Cary?”
Catriona blinked a few times at Ted, who looked up at his big brother, his big eyes filled with uncertainty, hanging onto Chewy’s collar like a lifeline. It was the very first time she’d heard him speak, her heart squeezing so hard in her chest, guessing at the struggles the two of them had to face.
When she’d laid down the law and told Liam she wouldn’t go with them if Cary and his family didn’t come, she now had the reason why.
In the death of the night, Cary appeared with the little boy clutching his hand and a sports bag that didn’t seem to hold a lot. Catriona could see so many layers of suffering and sacrifices, and the dedication of a big brother who’d had to become an adult when he was barely a teenager.
Cary had been tight-lipped about their lack of parents, and the dark look he gave her prevented any further questions.
Ted was a shy and adorable boy, clinging to Cary with all his might, and eyeing her like she was a monster about to tear him away from his brother. However, it was the dog that made him grin and pulled him out of his shell.
Nonetheless, she smiled at Ted, keeping the distance he had to feel safe. “No need to go out. We’re going to find the kitchen and get some food there.”
As they walked, Ted murmured something to Cary who shook his head. “No, we don’t want money.”
Her heart twisted hard in her chest, making her smile wobbly. The more she observed them, the more she saw that both brothers mustn’t have eaten each day or have a protected place to sleep. A silent promise formed in her heart, one she vowed she’d keep.
Liam hadn’t been in his room when Catriona prepared the boys to head for breakfast, and it was easy for her brain to repeat the same scene as before, when he regretted touching her. Once more.
The place looked like a vast compound disguised as a mansion, or a very luxurious maze. Catriona was used to grand spaces, from living in convents and staying in Vatican City. Somehow, they all converged to the same point, which invariably headed to the kitchen.
As expected, voices, laughter, and a baby crying could be heard around the corner, guiding the way. The place was full of women, and apart from Deva and Lucas, who she already knew, it was filled with unfamiliar faces.
As Chewy barked joyfully, his big tail wagging, Deva came forward, all smiles and a big steaming cup of coffee in her hand. “Good morning! Hope you slept well.”
She pushed a mug into her hands as Lucas came in with a smile and nodded at Cary and Ted. “Hey! I’m Lucas. I bet you’re starving, wanna come and help me with breakfast? I’m making pancakes which are my specialty.”
Ted partially hid behind his brother as Cary looked up at her, as if searching for confirmation. “I’d love pancakes, and I’m sure Lucas can make some for you, even show you how it’s done. I’ll be right here. I’m going nowhere without letting you know.”
That seemed to satisfy the teenager who pulled his brother toward the kitchen.
Deva stayed by her side as Catriona finally took the first sip of coffee. “Sorry if we’re late. I was up early, but the boys were still sleeping, and I didn’t have the heart to wake them.”
“You did well. It’s not as if we’re going anywhere. From what Aleksei told me, until the situation is secured, the men are dead set on us staying here. And if you’re searching for our jailers, they’re currently working on security or something similar. I tried to get more details, but each time I ask questions, it gets complicated.”
Catriona smiled, easily getting the reference. Deva steered her toward the large kitchen table. “There’s a formal dining room, but personally, I’m not into formality. None of us are. And it’s more practical cooking and eating in the same place. Come, let me introduce you to the rest of the members of our club of women crazy enough to date or marry those men.
She opened her mouth to deny the dating part, but Deva steered her away too fast. A smiling red-head woman with a wriggling toddler in her arms extended her hand. Apologizing for her baby having a belly ache for the fourth day in a row, she introduced herself as Zoe Blackwood. Dark framed glasses on her beautiful face, Deva said she was Archer’s wife. The drooling and crying angel with her was their daughter, Julia.
Sitting at the table was the most beautiful woman Catriona had ever seen. A blonde goddess with wavy hair and sparkling pale eyes. Catriona almost expected her to be dressed in an evening gown and was surprised to see her clad in funny snowmen pajamas, but Isabel Osborne seemed to be the complete opposite of the ice queen her looks must often convey. The love of Kai Jones’ life, one of the brothers she hadn’t met yet, welcomed her with tremendous warmth, telling her to sit, even asking her if she wanted her to prepare her a plate of food.
Before she could answer, Catriona was taking a seat in the middle of a noisy and improbable family gathering.
As Isabel went to the counter and grabbed a dish, Catriona glanced at Cary who was standing by Lucas’s side at the stove, holding Ted in his arms as the young man stirred something in a pan. Lucas was speaking, and Cary looked so focused, as if trying to learn and process everything the older boy was saying. It was very faint, but Cary appeared younger, less burdened, she would say. Ted had an identical expression to his older brother, his hands and mouth full of strawberries, looking at what was inside the pan with even more longing. Chewy sat nearby, hoping for some scraps.
“You did good, bringing them here.”
Deva’s voice sliced through the ruckus, but not loud enough to be heard by the boys. “What do you mean?”
Isabel was chuckling at something Lucas said, and Ted threw her a strawberry. Cary’s laugh was surprising, as it was the first time she’d seen him acting his age.
“Kai ran some of his military face recognition software on Cary from the camera footage at the apartment and got some information about them. The two Paylor boys lost their parents in a shooting two years ago. Child services got them and tried to separate them. Didn’t go well. The morning when they were supposed to be transferred out, they disappeared. Until now.”
It was unbelievable, meaning they’d been left to fend for themselves on the streets, alone, in a perilous city, through criminality, hunger, and harsh winters.
She’d been an orphan, but one with incredible luck, so unlike the brothers, alone in the world, and fighting against it. What amazed her even more was that, despite what adults had put them through, Cary had offered his help and protection, and tried to help her with the limited means he had. He had a kind soul, a rare thing, at any age, these days.
