“I used the other shower to give you some privacy,” he smiles at me.
“Nothing happened,” I huff out as Cain laughs.
“We have things to do, little one. Tonight, I’ll be sure to rock your worlds,” he says as he kisses me lightly on the lips. Abel does the same.
“Your father texted where he would be. I’ve already told Meryl to have them pack this up and to take care of your books before you say anything. Pack what you want and need so we can go,” Abel says, tapping me on my ass.
I pull out one of my suitcases and toss what I need in it and add a few books I can’t part with before zipping it shut and handing it to Cain.
“I’m ready,” I follow them out to a waiting car. I wish we were taking Abel’s truck, but this is nice.
My father is sitting at a table outside a small café, sipping coffee and reading the paper. Something that looks so domesticated that it seems foreign to me since he never did that before, He’s not wearing a suit like he was before, but he still looks better than I remember.
“You came,” he rises when he sees us and I only nod.
“We’re ready to leave for home after this,” Cain says.
“Please sit. Coffee?” He asks. I nod as Abel and Cain voice their answers.
“I’m sorry if I had shit timing,” he says. I say nothing. I don’t know what to say.
“Any orders we need to know about?” Cain asks.
“Your father is waiting. I’m sure he will welcome you home like the son you are, the head of the family.”
“He’s not taking it,” Cain says, and I gasp. I know it was suggested but I didn’t think he would do it.
“Hammond, I mean, Abel. I know we talked about it, but it’s your birthright. Don’t turn it down because of me.”
“You can always work out the details later, but you are the one your father wants to take over when he retires. You’re ready,” my father says.
“I don’t know,” Abel murmurs.
“We have a whole car ride to discuss it,” Cain snaps and I sit straight up like he snapped at me. I am out of my element here. Both men reach under the table to rub my leg, calming me.
“Do it, Abel. Take your throne,” I say. I don’t know if that’s what we’re calling it, but I do read a lot.
“We will talk later,” he replies, looking like he’s far away instead of sitting right next to me.
After that conversation was like playing twenty questions, my father getting to know me. It went better than I thought.
“We should get on the road, so should you Marco,” Cain throws a hundred-dollar bill on the table. I feel like he loves to toss that money around.
“I’ll see you at your father’s,” my father steps forward to hug me, but hesitates. I step forward and hug him, we still have a long way to go, but hopefully, I’ll be able to forgive him for everything someday.
We go back for the truck and hit the road and I never thought to ask where we were going.
“Where do you live?” I ask Abel.
“Los Angeles,” he shrugs.
I hope I can work on my tan at least, that’s my last thought before I fall asleep.
Abel
“Speak your mind,” I hiss at Cain as soon as she’s asleep.
“I got nothing. I mean it’s your choice. I work for you. She is right we did talk about just doing the dirty work and keeping the circus running. But what if we made it an establishment and classy? It could bring in a lot of money if we put it close to the Sunset Strip.”
