Chapter One Hundred and Two: Future Plans and Family Decisions

Aamon’s Point of View

As Xavier left the room, the office fell into a heavy silence. Rei's nervous eyes darted around, taking in each of our faces.

"Chloe, were you paid to be my friend?" she asked hesitantly.

All eyes turned to me, and I let out a sigh.

"I hired Chloe to protect you and Grace to become your friend. But Chloe, Grace, and Iris genuinely care about you, Rei. It may have started as a job for them, but their feelings for you are real," I explained.

"Ladies, Rei and I haven't had a chance to talk alone as siblings yet. Could you give us some privacy for a few minutes? Maybe check on Xavier and contact Sam to make sure she's okay. With our new circumstances, it would be best if Alex, Tom, and Matt knew what we were dealing with. If we're going to change how we operate, we'll need the support and understanding of our loved ones," I suggested.

Grace squeezed my hand in support and kissed my cheek softly.

"I can stay if you need me to," she whispered discreetly.

I smiled at her reassuringly before she left with Chloe and Iris.

"Hi," Rei said nervously once we were alone.

"This is our first conversation. It feels a bit unfair because I've been watching over you since our father passed away, but we've never directly interacted. I can tell almost anything about you from observing you from afar or reading your file, but I don't know the real you," I admitted.

"I don't know you at all, other than your reputation in the community," Rei confessed.

"My reputation is well-earned. But rest assured, you have nothing to fear from me. I would never do anything to harm you, Grace or the kids. And I highly doubt that Xavier would ever give me a reason to. He loves you too much," I responded with a small smile.

“So … you and Grace, eh?” Rei chuckled uncomfortably.

“We had a relationship when you were married to Greg. She meant everything to me then, but I let her go when she left the organization. I never stop loving her, though. Grace is someone you can’t forget. She’s fierce and passionate, yet her heart radiates warmth and compassion. I love her with every breath I take, every beat of my heart, every thought that crosses my mind, and every step I take. I didn’t understand how loving someone else this deeply would ever consume you until Grace. There was an ache when she left that I never could fill. I won’t ever let her go again,” I said.

“Wow… big brother, that’s beautiful,” Rei said in awe, and I laughed. It was the first time she referred to me as a sibling.

“It is okay to call you big brother, right?” my step-sister asked hesitantly.

“Of course, I am older than you,” I smiled.

“And bigger,” muttered Rei, and I shook my head.

“Can you tell me about our father and grandfather?” Rei asked sadly.

I loved how she used "our" instead of "my." It felt as if, once she realized we were family, she embraced the bond regardless of how it came to be. Rei was a rare soul who viewed things as opportunities rather than being limited by society's preconceived notions of how things should be.

So, a moment turned into hours. I shared how Casimir had adopted me and treated me like his son, but always shared stories of Rei as I grew up. I told her how much he loved her, and although it was a hard decision, our father honestly thought it was the best thing for her.

I shared with her how I had joined the organization and what it entailed. She gasped while I was honest but not graphic. I assured her that Shiloh, Onyx, and Salem would never be expected to participate in the family business but that they would be invited to. It was my hope to have the organization completely legitimate by the time Onyx was of age.

Grace texted me that she was taking Xavier out to buy Rei’s engagement ring with my credit card. They would also purchase more clothes for the rest of the week. I knew that Rei, Xavier, and the kids would eventually return to the house, but I would enjoy their presence while I could. They made this house a home with their infectious chaos. I never thought looking at a mess created by children would be endearing, but this was where I was.

Rei asked about our father’s final moments when cancer ultimately took hold, and he breathed his last. I shared with her his final request, and then I held my sister as she cried. As we reminisced about my memories, it felt wrong to refer to Rei as my step-sister. In every way that truly mattered, she was my sister. Rei thanked me for keeping her and the children safe all these years and honouring our father's wishes.

Rei’s eyes widened when she realized we’d been talking as long as we had.

“The kids…” she started, stood up, and ran out of the room. I quickly stood and followed her, walking at a brisk pace.

Salem, Onyx and Shiloh were lounging on the couch together, each with a game controller. The TV screen was off, but they had found a box of granola bars and juice boxes. Now, all three of them were fast asleep, snoring softly as their heads rested against each other.

“It has been unusually quiet. Usually, that means something is wrong,” Rei noted.

“Just because things used to be different and you couldn’t trust the kids doesn't mean it's still that way. Salem, Onyx, and Shiloh have shown their resilience and ability to care for themselves. You need to trust them more, especially now. They have earned it,” I said.

“I know… especially Salem…” Rei’s voice trailed off.

"Don't wake them," I whisper, gesturing towards the three sleeping children on the couch. "We should talk about your plans after staying here with me for a few days. You need to consider where you want to live, which school will be best for the kids, and if you want to keep working at the hospital. Your lives are transforming, but this time, you have a say in how it all plays out," I explain softly.