Chapter Thirteen

Saturday—Warsaw, Poland

Summer

The following day I sit by myself at the kitchen table and pick at a piece of toast smeared with avocado. I’m trying to piece together the past seventy-two hours. How had I ended up here? As well as my submission to the brothers last night. Do I really believe that Donnie is dead? I feel lost and like giving up. All of my emotions overwhelmed me last night, and I had to accept what was right in front of me. I’m in a strange country, pregnant, and my only allies are the brothers. Even if they are the ones who kidnapped me in the first place.

“Is this what Stockholm syndrome is like?” I ask the empty kitchen.

After I went to bed, I’m guessing the brothers spent the rest of their night doing evil happy things because there has been no sign of them this morning. I made my way through the house, examining the large rooms and looking for any unlocked doors that I could escape through. When the back door leading to a large patio was open, I considered leaving, but where would I go and who would help me with the baby? I have no idea what to expect when she is born or how to raise a vampire. How to get her blood, or if she will even need it.

I can’t leave. There is no going back now. The shame and guilt that fill me at betraying Donnie this way leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I stand, take my plate to the trashcan and dump my barely eaten breakfast in the trash. I sigh heavily and head to the back patio to soak up some sun. The blackout curtains covering all of the windows in the house make it hard to tell what time of day it is. I think it is messing with my circadian rhythm already, but I refuse to give up the sun completely.

When I settle out on the patio with my copy of “Sense and Sensibility”, I get lost in my book and pretend for a few hours that I’m back home and my life is normal again.

***

Balint

“Where is Summer?” Tommie asks me as he enters the study.

“Out on the patio, reading.” I turn the computer monitor towards him and show him her curled up on the wicker sofa in the garden, reading peacefully. I watch my brother trace his fingers across the screen. I know what he is feeling right now, envying the warmth of the sun on her skin. I faced the same when I first turned on the CCTV this morning and watched her walk out there barefoot. I knew she would be able to feel the warmth of the stones in the pads of her feet as she made her way to the sofa where she lies curled up now, and it left a hollow feeling in my heart. Wanting to feel the sun on my skin and the urge to join her but being unable to do either.

“You’re not worried?” Jakub asks, standing behind Tommie now.

“That she’ll try to run? No, not after last night. She knows that if she has any hope of raising her child without its father, she needs us.” I nod and motion for them to sit down. Aaran comes into the room and leans against my desk, watching her sit in the sunlight as we all have before him.

“She’s amazing,” I tell them.

“Aye, she is.” Aaran agrees with me.

“But what is the plan to prove to her that this Donnie is dead? Do you really think we will be able to track down Leo and bring him here?” Tommie asks me.

“What would even make him go along with the plan and lie to her for us?” Jakub continues Tommie’s train of thought.

“Money,” I say as I rise from my desk and move to the liquor cart in the corner, pouring myself a glass of scotch before I continue. “We cost him a substantial sum of money. You don’t think he would be willing to do whatever we want for a little of that cash now?”

“I killed his mate,” Tommie says matter of factly. “He may not be willing to cooperate with us now, money or not.”

Shaking my head at his words, I move back towards the desk and see Summer on the screen, stretching like a cat in the sun. The name fits her perfectly, I think.

“He’ll agree to it. We will make him an offer he won't be able to refuse. If I know anything about Leo, it is that the greedy bastard is already working up a plan to get her back from us so he can make his money off of her.” Taking my seat behind my desk and sipping from my glass, I go on, “It will only take a few phone calls to get him here. Aaran, get in touch with our friend, won't you? The amount doesn’t matter. Do what you think is best.”

When they leave the room, I go back to watching Summer on the computer screen, wishing I could hold her. Her book has fallen out of her hand and onto her lap as she naps in the sun. “Soon,” I say to her image. “Soon, my darling. You will dream of us again, and you will let me hold you again.” Smiling as I turn off the screen and stand, I head towards the back patio door to wait for her to come to me.

***

Summer When I wake up, I can feel the tear stains on my cheeks. I was crying in my sleep. I dreamt of Leo killing Donnie again. I sigh as I sit up and rub my belly. “We’re going to be okay, don’t you worry,” I tell the little life inside of me. It is late afternoon. I spent most of the day lazing in the sun reading and napping. The one place the brothers can’t follow me and tempt me with their ever so handsome faces, intoxicating scents, and gorgeous eyes.

I don’t know what has gotten into me, if it is the pregnancy hormones or if somehow they can combine their powers and control me, but if I don’t get fucked soon, I’m going to die. My cheeks flush at the thought of it, and I think back to my dream last night and the bruises on my thighs this morning. Something is going on, but I can’t put my finger on it. Every time I think about it, I get distracted by images of the brothers’ naked bodies covering mine.

Shaking my head to clear those thoughts now, I stand and head towards the house to search for a snack. When I open the door a crack and slip inside, I notice Balint sitting in the living room, he waves shyly at me now, and I head towards him.

“I hope you don’t mind.” I motion back towards the patio door with my finger. “I just wanted to read and clear my mind. This is all a lot for me to take in right now. I’m homesick. I miss Gus.”

“Your son?” he asks me as I sit down next to him on the couch. I slide over and rest my head on his shoulder, unsure what is possessing me to do so, but still unable to stop myself.

“Yes, he is with my mom. I… Balint?” I shift, so I’m looking at him.

“Yes, darling. You want us to bring him here?” He cups my cheek in his hand, and I smile at him. The warmth radiates through me from having his skin on mine. I nod slightly at him and then curl myself back into his side.

“Of course, anything for you, darling. We will work out the details.” He is rubbing my hair softly when Aaran enters the room. He nods at Balint, and I raise my eyebrows in question.

Aaran comes to join us on the couch, and I sit up, cross my legs under me and look back and forth between the two. When Aaran takes my hand in his and squeezes, I meet his gaze, and the look in his eyes tells me he doesn’t want to say whatever he has to say to me.

“I spoke with Leo. He is going to come here. He is catching a flight and will be here Sunday morning.” I turn to look at Balint, unsure if I want to hear the rest of what they have to tell me, but Aaran squeezes my hand, and it draws my attention back to him.

“Fucking say it!” I shout at him. Tears fill my eyes as I look back and forth between his, and he just nods, the floodgates open, but I still need to hear the words. “Say it,” I gasp between breaths, tears falling from my face onto our clasped hands.

“Donnie is dead.” When he tells me I lose it, wailing in agony then. I grab hold of my stomach and cradle our baby in my arms. Donnie is dead. Leo killed him. I snap and sit up straight. Wiping my eyes with the back of my hands, I sniff.

“He will be here on Sunday?” I ask, and Aaran nods. I look up and notice that Tommie and Jakub are sitting on the oversized ottoman next to us.

They all nod in unison as I look between them, my Masters. I willingly submitted to them last night, and I told them they needed to give me proof. They will do that, but I will make one more demand from them.

Turning to face Balint, I can tell by the look in his eyes he already suspects what I am about to say, but he waits for my cue. “I want you to kill him.”

Tommie grasps my hand in his and squeezes. “You’re sure?” Balint asks me. “An eye for an eye. You have to be sure.” I nod, my eyes full of my conviction.

“I want Leo dead, for what he did to me, to my family. If you want me to stay here willingly, then do this, and I will agree to everything. But you must do this for me.”

“Yes,” Jakub and Aaran say at the same time. Tommie squeezes my hand, and Balint, lifting his hand to my face, rubs my cheek with his thumb while nodding. “Yes,” they all say this time.

I lay curled on the couch, my head in Balint’s lap. Tears are streaming down my cheeks onto his jeans. I drift off slowly, sobbing myself to sleep.

***

When I open my eyes, I am lying on a blanket in the middle of the living room floor, my hand resting on my pregnant belly. Across the room, I see Gus, with a little girl in his lap. She is the spitting image of Donnie. I smile at them playing together.

“Sleepy, darling?” The voice brings my attention to the body pushed against my back. I roll slightly and look back over my shoulder. Tommie lies behind me, his body stretched out against mine. The warmth of him spreads through me, and I smile up at him.

“A little,” I tell him. Then turn to look back at my children playing together on the floor.

“These two are really taking it out of you, aren’t they?” Tommie asks, his lips brushing against my ear as he lowers his hand to my pregnant belly and rubs small circles over it. I feel the movement within, telling me the babies are happy with the gentle touch and attention.

“It’s lunchtime, darlings,” Balint calls as he enters the room, Jakub and Aaran trail behind him. I watch the three men head towards the children. Balint bends and takes Gus by the hand. My little girl reaches her arms up towards Jakub, babbling at him while he scoops her into his arms, Aaran standing next to them, reaches out and bops her on the nose with his finger. She giggles up at the two.

“What say you, Sir Gus? Would you like to help me make sandwiches for lunch?” Balint asks as Gus looks up at him and smiles.

“Yep, Mommy said she wants grilled cheese. Can we make her grilled cheese?” His innocence makes me smile. The joy on his face is astounding. He is happy here.

“Of course!” Balint tells him as they head out of the room towards the kitchen.

“Let me help you up, lassie.” Aaran offers me his hand as he steps towards the spot where I’m reclined on the floor. I reach out to take it, and Tommie helps to guide me up from the ground by my hips as Aaran lifts me by the arms. I fall forward into his arms and giggle at the motion, his red curls tickle my face when I bury it into his neck, and I take a deep breath in, filling my lungs with the warm scent of him. He so often smells of pine. It’s like home. The thought springs into my mind, and I smile, wrapping my arms around his waist.

Unwrapping my hands from him, I step back and look into his eyes as I reach up and run my hand through his hair. “Maybe we will end up with a redhead.” I wink. “One with lots of curly red hair, just like Daddy.”

“Oh God, I hope not,” Tommie says behind us, laughing. “That is a terrible look,” he teases his brother. “Who would want a baby with a head full of red hair and a fiery attitude? Can you imagine?”

I turn and look at him, shooting daggers with my eyes. “Me!” I giggle. “Another little girl, but with a head full of bouncy red curls. She would be beautiful, don’t listen to him.” I direct my final words back at Aaran.

“Are you three coming to eat or not?” Balint calls from the kitchen.

We all turn, and Aaran shoves Tommie in the shoulder as they follow me through the doorway. I’m giggling at them still. As we enter the kitchen, I see Balint has pulled a kitchen chair over for Gus to stand on. They’re positioned in front of the stove with the makings of grilled cheese sandwiches spread out on the counter nearby.

“Mommy, I’m helping Daddy make your lunch!” Gus calls over his shoulder to me, his smile meeting his eyes, so proud to be a big helper in the kitchen.

“Thank you, baby,” I say and drop a kiss on top of his head as I pass and reach for the plates stacked on the counter.

“Hey, what about me? I’m making your lunch too, darling.” Balint pouts when I turn back to him, the stack of plates in my hands.

I smile up at him, and he cups my face in his hand and kisses me on the lips. The warmth of his kiss spreads joy through my body. “My apologies, sir.” I laugh, as he releases me from his kiss. “You too deserve kisses. An oversight on my part.”

When I turn towards the table, making my way over to set it for lunch, I see Jakub seated at the table, holding my little girl on his lap. Her chubby hands are wrapped around the bottle in his hand. “And how are we doing over here?” I ask him, leaning down and kissing his cheek.

“Great! She is crushing this. Do you mind getting me a jar of mash out of the cabinet for our little one?” Jakub turns his head and catches my mouth in his as he finishes his request.

“Yep, let me just set the table—” I start.

“I’ve got it,” Tommie calls from the pantry, cutting me off. “What does our princess want today? Chicken and rice? Lamb and carrots?” I hum to myself as I set the table and listen to him rattle off the baby food choices.

“Let me pick!” Gus says, and I hear his feet hit the floor as he jumps down from the chair he was perched on.

“Of course, here you go.” Tommie picks him up and lifts him to the shelf so he can see the jars and make his selection. “What are we feeding you? You’re getting so heavy and tall.”

“He shot up overnight,” I hear Aaran say and watch him ruffle Gus’s hair as he digs through the baby food jars for his sister’s lunch.

I stand after setting the last place for my family to sit and eat, smiling at them all when I look around the room.

“Lunch is served!” Balint calls as he approaches me and sets a plate of sandwiches in the middle of the table, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and resting his other hand on my pregnant belly. “How are you feeling today, darling?”

I nuzzle my head into his shoulder and sigh. “A little tired, to be honest. I think after lunch, I will lie down and take a nap with the kids.”

We all settle into our chairs around the table. “I don’t want to take a nap!” Gus protests as he hands the jar of baby food to Jakub, who is getting our daughter set up in her highchair between us.

“What would you rather do? If you want to keep growing so quickly, you need to get your rest,” Tommie tells Gus as he settles him into his chair next to him, Balint on his other side.

“I want to go to the park, please can we go to the park?” Gus bounces in his seat and whines out his request.

Balint’s eyes meet mine over his head, and I nod. I know he is hesitant to go out because they haven’t done so very often since they received their custom-made charms. But when Gus and I started spending our days lazing in the sun with his little sister in her bouncing seat between us, the brothers watched with envy from inside the house. I suggested that they contact a warlock and request a commission to have charms made for them. Now we are spending more and more time outdoors together, as a family.

I lift my hand and point to my ring finger, nodding, reminding Balint they can go to the park. He will be protected. “Go,” I mouth the word to him, then tell Gus, “I bet your daddies would love to take you and your little sister to the park and let Mommy nap after lunch. I think it is a fantastic idea.” I chuckle as Gus and Balint fight over getting the first grilled cheese sandwich.

After we finish lunch, I settle myself onto the couch and curl up, my head on one of the throw pillows. I have a soft blanket wrapped around me. My body is sore from this pregnancy. Carrying twins is much different from just one.

Each of my Masters takes their turn bending down and kissing me on the forehead as they head out to the park with the children.

“I love you, Mommy!” Gus kisses me on the forehead too and slips his hand into Tommie’s. They wave to me, and I drift off, relaxed, warm, and happy.

***

I slowly open my eyes, my dream reality still mixing with this one, as I look around the familiar room, expecting to see Gus playing in the corner. Aaran and Tommie come into the room together, one carrying a plate of food and a glass of water the other has a smaller plate with rolls on it.

“Hungry, lassie?” Aaran asks me.

Sitting up I nod at them. “Yes, but I’m also still exhausted. I can’t get enough sleep lately and then this week… Well, I think I’m going to be tired for a very long time.” I shrug.

“It’s okay, honest. We understand this is all a lot. Tomorrow the doctor is coming, and we’ll get you looked over, and you can mention it. But I’m sure it’s like you said.” Tommie continues as he sets the plate of food down on the tray sitting on the ottoman in front of me. “There has been a lot going on this week.”

“Do you mind if we join you?” Aaran asks, setting his smaller plate filled with bread down. I quickly pick up a roll and start tearing pieces off of it and popping them into my mouth. There are very few things that I love more than warm bread. I’ve hardly eaten in the past three days. Given my loss of appetite, I suspect they want to stay and encourage me to clean my plate.

“Sure,” I say anyway, I wouldn’t mind the company after all, and the bread is making me hungrier the more I eat.

“You were going to kill him either way, weren’t you?” I ask Tommie as I dig into my plate of cheese and fruit. I’ve finished two rolls since they set them down, and I’m feeling almost ravenous now.

He nods. “Yes, we don’t trust him not to try to do again what he already did once.”

“So if I asked you to spare him?” I tease, smiling at him.

“We would do that too.” He shrugs. “It is just a happy coincidence that what we all want aligns. But we would be willing to sacrifice what we want to give you what you want, my dear.”

His words make me smile, and I eat another slice of apple. “Thank you for being decent people, I mean in spite of the kidnapping thing.”

Tommie pats my knee, and Aaran pops a grape into his mouth. They both smile at me. “Of course, lassie,” he says, and I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder, gaining strength from the physical connection with them. Again I question why I am so drawn to them and have such a deep desire to be near each one, but the fog fills my mind, and I can’t focus on my thoughts, so I push them away.

I finish my meal, and the other two brothers join us in the living room, we sit, and I listen to the chatter. This must be how they have passed the time for centuries together, and now, I’ll be a part of it. That’s when it hits me.

“Wait, I’m human,” I tell them, and they all turn to look at me. Their faces plainly saying that I’m pointing out the obvious. “So I’m going to age, I’m going to have to leave you all and any children I have. You’ll all live on for eternity without me.”

I don’t know why this is the first time I have made this connection. Even before, with Donnie, I never realized that he and our daughter would be immortal, and I wouldn't. I would be doomed to live my mortal existence and then be gone out of their lives forever.

“Not if you don’t want to,” Balint says, and I turn to look at him, questions filling my eyes. “If you would want to be changed, darling, we could do that for you, but not right away. We would have to wait for the right time when we’re done having children.” He looks down at my belly. I can tell he is nervous about having this conversation. For my sake, they have all avoided the topic of the baby and any future we might have, for the time being. They’re trying to give me the time to mourn Donnie and the life I led before.

Nodding, I say, “Okay, yes. I didn’t… of course, you would.” I look down at my fingers tangled together in my lap. I fidget with the corners of my nails. “Would you? I mean, then you’ll… well, you’ll all be stuck with me for an eternity. Sharing me? Is that really something that you would all do? Something you want.”

I hear them sigh collectively, and I smile. Sometimes it is almost as if they’re one. I know the answer before they say it, but I still smile when all at once I hear them say, “Yes.”

We chat for a bit longer, but eventually, I excuse myself to head to bed and hopefully get some much-needed sleep.