Chapter Fifty-nine: Welcome To The Family

Aamon’s Point of View

“No wonder Mom wouldn’t let us play GTA,” whispered Onyx.

“I’m pretty sure that is NOT the reason,” Shiloh admonished him with a glare.

“Is this why Mom was always confused when the bills would mysteriously get paid?” Shiloh asked me, and I nodded.

“My step-father, your grandfather, wanted Rei to have the freedom to live without worrying about who she was. There’s a legacy with being part of the Brzezinski family, expectations and dangers he didn’t want to touch her,” I tried to explain.

“Why now? Why not when we were little, and Mom was struggling? Why not when the other kids at school made fun of us for not having a father? Is it because you are with Aunt Grace now? Is that why?” Shiloh fired questions at me as quickly as she could, with tears streaming down her cheeks and her lip quivering.

My heart broke for my niece. These were valid questions—ones I had asked myself countless times, wondering when, if ever, we would be allowed to claim them as our family finally.

“A long time ago, your Aunt Grace and I dated. I loved her then, but it didn’t work out between us. But I never stopped loving your Aunt. We found our way back to each other, and we will make it work this time. We’re older and wiser,” I smiled at Grace as I told this to Shiloh.

“As for why we didn’t step in and make ourselves known sooner, the answer to that is complicated. Not because I don’t want to tell you, but because it is. Our family has many connections throughout the world and a well-earned reputation. But, with power and wealth, sometimes comes enemies and uncomfortable truths. We were trying to keep you safe by keeping you apart from us,” I said.

“Are you the bad guys?” Salem asked, his eyes full of wonder and curiosity.

"It really depends on who you ask," I replied with a playful grin.

“What does Mom think about all of this?” Shiloh asked.

“She doesn’t know. Xavier needs to speak with your mother first about something, and then your uncle will share this with her,” Grace answered.

“Is Xavier asking Mom to marry him?” Salem asked, bouncing up and down in his seat.

I smiled affectionately at him. The kid was so full of love and energy.

“They just went on their first date,” Onyx scoffed.

“But they had a sleepover! Maybe they already got married and forgot to tell us,” Salem retorted.

“I don’t think it works that way,” Onyx frowned at his brother, clearly torn between teasing him and wanting to glean more information from me while he could.

“What does Xavier need to tell Mom that she doesn’t already know? Is he divorced? Does he have kids? Is he married?” Shiloh rattled off the questions faster than ever before, and I could see that she was starting to panic.

“No, Xavier is not married. And as far as I know, he doesn’t have any kids either. I know he’s had a crush on your mother for a very long time but was too scared to ask her on a date. Xavier wasn’t exactly honest when they first met. He knew who your mother was but didn’t tell her,” I replied.

“Why not? Mom is not scary and she’s nice. Why wouldn’t Xavier just tell her he thought she was pretty?” Salem asked.

“Your mother was sad for a very long time after your father left. She didn’t feel pretty or nice or want attention from anyone. Xavier recognized that and didn’t act on his feelings. Xavier respected and cared for your mother enough to know that what he wanted wasn’t what she did or what Rei needed,” I replied.

“That sounds like love to me; that doesn’t sound like a crush,” Shiloh muttered.

“If you were always watching us, why did you let my mom panic like that the night of the storm? Why was it Xavier that saved us and not you?” my niece questioned.

“Some individuals within our organization were watching and about to help when Xavier did. He was genuinely kind to your mother, and the situation could have gone terribly wrong, but it didn’t. And Xavier never pursued anything with your mother after that, did he?” I asked.

“No, he didn’t. Mom never mentioned him. We only knew him as the dark, mysterious biker who was our hero,” Shiloh mumbled, clearly reliving the memory of being trapped in that storm.

“Hey, if I thought for a second that Xavier would hurt your mother or be unkind to her, would I have let them go on a date? Or have a sleepover?” Grace asked the kids, who were all looking sad and uncomfortable.

Salem's mischievous grin widened as he shouted at Grace, "No way! You would have kicked his butt!"

I roared with laughter at his endless energy and enthusiasm.

“Don’t encourage him, please,” grimaced Grace.

How could I not, though? He was just so... full of spunk. It was truly adorable.

“So what happens now?” my niece inquired, aware that her life would change completely.

Grace looked down at her phone and then back at me.

“Rei wants to know if I’m okay if she has another sleepover at Xavier’s apartment,” my girlfriend asked.

This could work in my favor. If Rei brought Xavier here, I could bring the kids back to my place, and they could get accustomed to it sooner than we’d anticipated. There was an indoor pool, theatre room, and endless space. They would have fun.

“Ask Rei if it is okay if you take the kids out to stay with you overnight at a friend’s place that has an indoor pool. She and Xavier could have the house to themselves,” I suggested.

Grace nodded and left the room to call Rei while I turned to finish talking with the kids. All three sat there, staring at me in disbelief, their mouths hanging open.

"You have an indoor pool!" exclaimed Shiloh, amazed.

"And a theatre room? Can we play video games on your huge screen?" Onyx inquired excitedly.

“Can I bring the build set you bought for us? If you have that much space, I can spread out the pieces, making it much easier and faster,” Salem asked.

"Yes to all three," I responded. "If your mother approves, you can pack an overnight bag and spend the night with Aunt Grace and me," Salem smirked at my response, a mischievous glint in his eye.

“So you are going to marry Aunt Grace,” grinned Salem slyly.