15
After another two days on the road, Devon and I are more than happy to be home, well back on the East Coast at least. Devon and I are tight, but spending almost thirty hours in a car with a person can make you get sick of the sight of them.
On the outskirts of town, I grab my phone and send Brax a text.
Shay: Almost back in town. Gonna go home and crash. I’ll pop around in the morning. Everything good?
Brax: Long time no see, brother. Yeah, we’re good. Met Sylvia. That was not fun. You know anything about Harry Brimstone being arrested?
Shay: Wait, Sylvia? Brimstone?
Brax: Yeah. Turns out she’s my birth mom.
Shay: You’re f**king kidding me? Holy shit. Boss settled his grudge, finally. Will explain all tomorrow.
Brax: Wondered when that would happen. All good. Text when you’re heading over.
Shay: Roger that.
“You wanna stop for a beer before we get home?” Devon asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“Sounds like the best idea you’ve had all day, brother,” I say as he turns into a great little bar just a few blocks from my apartment. “Nice and close to home too,” I add with a wink, making Devon crack up laughing. He knows exactly what I’m thinking.
We’re on the prowl, and we won’t be going home until we’ve found a bed buddy for the night.
Perfect welcome home present.
After a memorable picnic on the rooftop, Elle and I pack up and move back downstairs to our apartment, both exhausted from a lack of sleep, lingering hangover, and the energetic activities after our picnic.
Having gotten ready for bed, we’re lying together under the covers, enjoying the blissful silence before sleep takes us.
“Brax, we need to talk about Aunt Sylvie.” I can tell she’s hesitant.
I sigh. She’s uncomfortable, and that’s not what I want. “I know. What do you wanna know?”
“Well, you said that you knew. How long have you known?”
“I connected the dots two days ago. I looked into her a few times in my past, especially after Roger died. He wanted me to reconnect with her, give her a chance to explain herself. But even with all my contacts, I could only find out that she was born and raised in Atlanta, was working for my father when she got pregnant with me, and that she had moved across country when she gave me up.”
“So, how did you know that it was Sylvie?” I can tell she’s confused now.
I start stroking her head which is lying on my chest. “Victor texted me yesterday, asking why Sylvia Brimstone was in town. I guessed that you must’ve called her. When I asked why it was important, he said that she wasn’t born in LA. It all kinda clicked.”
She lifts her head to look at me. “I’m sorry. If I had known….”
I move my hands to cup her face, “Elle, you had no way of knowing. And I was gonna tell you, but then she was at the door, and it was too late. But, to be honest, I was shell shocked just being in the same room as her.”
“You know I’m here for you, Brax. Always, and hopefully forever. You are my family. I have no one else but you and Shay, and now Devon and Aunt Sylvie. That’s it for me. You’re it for me.”
I grab her hand and give it a small squeeze. “Darlin’, I hope by now that you’ve realized that you’re it for me too. You’re my end game,” I say with a smile.
“So will you see Aunt Sylvie tomorrow? She can only stay for a couple more days. I spoke to her when you were out this morning.”
“I’ll try, Elle. I really will.” I drag my hands down to her ass, pulling her tight against me again. “Sleep, sweetheart,” I whisper. “I love you, Miss CEO.” I kiss her head.
“I love you, Mr. Secret Spy Agent,” she giggles. “Tomorrow, things will be better. I promise.”
The shrill of a phone ringing breaks through the silence on the apartment. I look over to my phone. 9 a.m. and Elle is not in bed with me. I quickly get my bearings, pull on some boxers, then after going to the bathroom, go in search of my beautiful girl.
I find her sitting on the couch, laptop open, scanning what looks like the news media sites. I lean down and give her a soft kiss on the lips. “Mornin’. What ya doing?”
“Just checking on the developments. I’ve already talked to Lawrence and the chairman of the board this morning. The feds are confident we will be able to recover the money Uncle Harry stole.” She grins up at me.
“Busy morning then?” I say with a smirk.
She smirks back, quirking an eyebrow in a silent challenge. “Busy morning,” she answers.
“Are you challenging me?” I lean over her, gently grabbing her hands, lifting them above her head and leaning her back onto the arm of the couch. “Because you know I’ll always win, baby,” I whisper in her ear.
I trail the tip of my tongue up her delicate neck and over her jaw until I reach my desired destination. I delve inside her mouth, making sure she knows exactly how I’ll win. I ease up the moment I hear her whimper, conceding beautifully.
I pull back and grin down at her. “Good morning.”
She giggles. “You already said that.”
“I know, but that was before I got to taste you again.” I wink before getting back to my feet and disappearing into the kitchen to grab my morning kryptonite from the coffee maker.
I hear the intercom buzz from downstairs. “I’ll get it, babe.” I take a gulp of coffee before walking over to the intercom, “Hey,” I say into the white, wall-mounted box on the wall of the living room. “
“Hey, sexy. I’m here for my 9.30am appointment,” I hear an all too familiar voice say.
“Fuck, you’re a dick,” I say in between laughs. “Bet the reporters loved hearing that too. Get your ass up here, bro.” I push the door release lock, and open the front door as Shay and Devon make their way up the stairs two at a time until I seem them reach the landing outside our apartment.
“Hey, man,” I say to Shay, giving a one armed man hug. “You too, old man,” I greet Devon as I lead them into the apartment. Elle is in the bedroom, probably getting dressed into something more decent.
“Coffee?” I look between them and see their affirmative nods. “Coming right up. Make yourself at home, why don’t you,” I add dryly.
“Don’t we always?” Devon says while Shay cracks up at his candor.
“Glad to see LA didn’t change you.”
After pouring two more coffees and carrying them into the living room, Elle walks back in just as I’m about to take a seat. “Everything okay?” I ask, raising my eyebrows and looking concerned.