Chapter Fifty-Five: Tell The Truth

Aamon’s Point of View

A younger version of my step-sister opened the door, her expression controlled and confident. However, I could tell she was nervous by how her hand trembled as she held the doorknob. I greeted her with a smile and introduced myself. Shiloh returned my smile and motioned for me to come inside.

As soon as I stepped through the door, Onyx and Salem barreled down the stairs, stopping before me. Grace followed closely behind, looking overwhelmed. She seemed on edge, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on. After all, she was supposed to be the adult here. What were these kids up to?

“Hello, Aunt Grace’s boyfriend,” giggled Salem while Grace turned a deep shade of red.

Oh, so that was what was going on. I knew Grace had never had anyone significant in her life, one meaningful enough to introduce to these kids. I was especially glad she had suggested the build set now. I smiled and handed the boys the bag. Their eyes grew wide when they took the bag but were even wider once they held the box up.

“This is one of the best sets! Thank you, sir,” Onyx said. The boys raced into the living room with the bag in Onyx’s hand.

I raised my eyebrows as I looked at Grace and she just shrugged. I shook my head and then reached into my jacket pocket to retrieve the gift card for Shiloh. I handed it to her and thanked my niece for making lunch for all of us. She smiled and thanked me.

I hoped I wouldn’t be known as ‘sir’ but Uncle Aamon soon. My grandfather would be so pleased to meet his grandchildren, too. It was one thing to watch them from afar, but my heart was swelling with pride and love being near them.

Shiloh motioned for me to follow her into the kitchen while Grace corralled the boys to join us.

“Thank you for joining us, Mr. Brzezinski. My brothers and I were looking forward to meeting you. I wanted to thank you for always watching over us, too. I hope that at one point this afternoon, before my Mom returns home, you can tell me why,” Shiloh said softly.

“Tell you what exactly, Shiloh?” I asked, careful with my tone. I didn’t want to scare her.

“Who are you to us, and why do you care so much?” Shiloh asked, holding my gaze. She didn’t flinch once. Her tone was even and firm. She would not let this go, and I would need to tell her something.

Before I could reply, Grace and the boys entered the kitchen and settled themselves at the table. Grace signalled for me to sit beside her while Shiloh picked the seat across from me. We ate our food without speaking, but I could feel their eyes on me as they watched my every move.

I realized then what made me nervous about Shiloh. She had the same presence as my stepfather. Casimir Brzezinski would have been so proud to see his granddaughter's gentle strength. My grandfather—her great-grandfather—certainly would have been.

I complimented Shiloh on her delicious grilled cheese sandwiches. "It's no wonder they're famous," I added.

"Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed them. I would have included your favorite fruit in the smoothie, but Aunt Grace couldn't remember what it was," Shiloh said, trying to hide her suspicion with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Well, that's because I don't have a favorite fruit. But when it comes to vegetables, broccoli is definitely my go-to," I replied with a mischievous glint.

In reality, I couldn't stand broccoli. And from the looks on the boys' faces, they felt the same way but were trying their best not to show it. Grace bit her lip and struggled to keep a straight face.

"Broccoli? Really?" Shiloh raised an eyebrow, knowing full well that I was not being truthful.

"Mr. Brzezinski," Shiloh began, her voice taking on a hard edge, "I need to ask you something important, and I hope you'll be more honest with me than you were about your favorite vegetable." Her youthful face remained composed as she spoke.

“Shiloh,” Grace started, and I gently shook my head and gestured for my niece to continue.

Shiloh's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes fixed on the floor. "I appreciate everything you've done for me and my brothers, but I can't help feeling like there's more to your constant surveillance," she said.

Her words hung in the air, filled with curiosity and suspicion. Shiloh looked up and held my gaze with fierce conviction, almost as if she could will me to tell her the truth.

Despite myself, my mouth dropped open in shock. It took a lot to drop my guard and surprise me. But the way in which she spoke and held herself was so much like my stepfather’s that it was uncanny. Before I could stop myself, the words came rushing out.

I answered, "I am your family, Shiloh. Onyx and Salem's family, too. You all mean a lot to me, and you always have. Someone has always been there to watch over and protect you and your mother."

“Are you our father?” Shiloh asked as her lip started to tremble.

My heart broke for her. As much as she had the same presence and aura as my stepfather, Shiloh was still only a child. She was trying to be brave and get the answers long overdue to them.

“I’m not your father. Greg Ravenscroft is. I am your family, though. I’m your uncle,” I answered carefully.

“Because you are dating Aunt Grace and are going to marry her?” Salem asked.

As cute as that was, I couldn’t just nod and leave the question unanswered. Shiloh's question took a lot of courage, and I wanted to honour that.

“Yes, but also because I really am your uncle. Rei, your mother, is my step-sister. Her father married my mother, and we became step-siblings,” I replied.

“Why haven’t we ever met you before then? Mom always told us we had no family other than Aunt Grace,” Onyx said, clearly troubled by my response.

“We had to keep you hidden to protect you because of our family's connections. But now, it's time for you to be fully accepted into the Brzezinski family,” I explained.

"You mean we're part of a mafia family?" Shiloh's face went pale, and she stared at me in disbelief.