Chapter Twenty-four: Mysteries Revealed

Aamon’s Point of View

My informant let me know that Grace was with Rei and the kids. They were going to stay in, order pizza and hang out. What was meant to be just a job became a friendship for Grace. She really cared about Rei. But that’s how my ex-girlfriend was: a big heart and a don’t mess with me and mine attitude. I’d never gotten over her, and I knew I never would. Grace was the first and last girl I would ever love.

After Grace left, I felt like a part of me went with her. But I don't hold it against her; she had every right to leave. I knew that meeting up with Lillianna would make her want to run away from our relationship. They had planned to have coffee together and say goodbye, but fate intervened when Lillianna didn't show up, and Rei needed help. Grace stayed behind to assist Rei in picking up the broken pieces of her life, something I couldn't do for her.

It was the right decision for Grace to leave this life behind, and I don't regret protecting Rei from it. Our father had made me promise to take care of her, and I did my best to protect and provide for my step-sister. But my biggest mistake was not intervening when she married that jerk, Greg Ravenscroft. But if I had, there would be no Shiloh, Onyx, or Salem. I cared deeply for my niece and nephews, even though they would never know me or our family ties.

I soothed the demons within my head by reminding myself that Grace was in Rei’s life. She had stayed when I could not. I only wish the woman I loved would have stayed for me, too.

Xavier’s Point of View

I nodded and focused on the instructions given to me by my superior. I was assigned to a team responsible for surveillance and gathering intelligence for an ongoing mission. The duration of the assignment was unknown, which frustrated me. However, Matt's text brought some relief. He informed me that Sam had contacted Rei and spoke to Grace afterwards. Rei seemed to like me and was disappointed, but she understood the situation. Unfortunately, this job had come at the most inconvenient time possible.

Or did it? Rei's brother had told me to stay away from her, but I couldn't resist. I was well aware of who Rei Draven was, even if she wasn't. And so was my best friend, Lillianna, which made me uneasy. We were on different sides in the world of crime and justice. Aamon, always watching us, would undoubtedly not be pleased when he caught wind of our interactions. I knew Aamon would find out, though. He was constantly fucking watching.

Lillianna’s Point of View

"Aw, that sucks. I feel bad for her," Alex sympathized, scrolling through the group chat with his friends.

My curiosity was piqued, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Could it have something to do with Rei? Maybe Xavier went against his promise and things had escalated between them. But then again, we both knew he couldn't have any real intentions towards her. But would Xavier pursue Rei regardless after promising me that he wouldn't? Doubt lingered in my mind, causing me to waver between trust and suspicion.

No matter the cost, I had to solidify my position in this group of friends to monitor Xavier and Rei's budding relationship. Alex was my key to entry, with tempting perks for me to exploit.

Alex surpassed all of my expectations. His stamina was unparalleled, and I was left in a state of complete satisfaction. He possessed an elusive quality, holding back until I reached the peak multiple times before allowing himself release. I knew I couldn't let him go easily, for he was more than just a valuable source of information. He had become a desirable addiction that I craved to keep close for as long as possible. Alex was no Xavier, though. Our night was wild and thrilling, but it lacked the intense emotional connection I had only ever found with X.

Alex’s eyes trailed down my naked body lying beside him in bed and back to my face with a smirk that disappeared quickly when he saw my eyebrow raised.

“I guess I shouldn't have mentioned it. That was Sam calling, and Matt was with her when X texted him. Xavier is apparently out of the picture for now. It's a shame. For once, I saw Rei truly at ease and content with someone, unlike when she was dating her ex-husband. Part of me wants to be happy for Rei, but another part can't help but worry about how this will all end for her." Alex explained hesitantly, unsure of his feelings towards Rei's new relationship.

“Rei is just a friend, though, right?” I purred, imagining it was Xavier that I was asking as I proceeded to use the tip of my tongue to lick up and down the base of Alex's shaft, pausing to circle it around his head.

“Fuck, yes, only a friend,” moaned Alex as I continued to pleasure him, imagining he was Xavier.

I lapped up the entire length, repeating as I felt Alex tremble from my attention. I took him in my mouth, slowly sliding up and down while sucking lightly, moving faster as I watched his toes curl. I edged him, denying Alex's release only to pleasure him more while I hummed and praised him for how good he tasted. And then I pulled out my ace, which always brought men to their knees.

I held Alex’s enormous cock in my hands, making a slow circular motion with my tongue around the top of it. Then, I started to jerk him off with one hand while massaging his prostate with the other. I swear his eyes rolled in the back of his head, and Alex stopped breathing for a moment as he exploded into my eager mouth.

I licked my lips as Alex stared at me in reverence. Mission accomplished. I’d secured my place in Alex’s life for as long as I needed to be in it.

Unknown Point of View

Aamon was aware that I knew of Rei’s existence and of my great-grandchildren. I controlled this organization, the one that my grandson would inherit one day. He didn’t have the heart for this life, but Aamon sacrificed, stayed, and thrived in our world of darkness. I wouldn’t live forever. My son’s unexpected early demise was proof of that. It wasn’t only our enemies who sought to cut us down. Cancer claimed my beloved Casimir.

My son thought he was being clever, having a hidden wife, secluded from this life until a rival family discovered her existence. Autumn was murdered, and Rei was only spared because she was a little girl. Casimir had her moved to a safe home, raised by a couple loyal to our organization who kept Rei safe and hidden. All of her documentation was changed when they adopted her, but the blood of our family ran in her veins.

After some time, Casimir found love again and married Aamon's mother. My grandson developed a strong bond with his stepfather and was welcomed into the family business. Even though Aamon was not his biological child, Casimir treated him as his own and loved him deeply. In Casimir's eyes, family was not defined by blood but by love and care. Before my son passed away, he entrusted me with the responsibility of looking after and protecting Aamon and Rei. He also asked Aamon to watch over his stepsister, even though they had never met before.

There was a knock on my door, and Jakub's voice announced, "Don Brzezinski, your appointment is here."

I nodded in acknowledgment and motioned for him to come in.

"Welcome," I growled, my voice laced with a subtle threat as he walked through the doorway. I thrust out my hand in greeting, grasping his in a cold, vice-like grip.

"Sit," I ordered, sharply gesturing to the chair beside me. "We have much to discuss."