Chapter 32 - Divulging Secrets

*Devon*

We all followed her outside and found chairs near her. She was like a huge piece of precious metal, and we were magnets, drawn to her. Anxious for her reaction to our private getaway.

This was the right call, bringing her here. I could see she was already more relaxed and then she called Paul, Daddy. I sighed quietly. That was step one. She was mad at us both, but I had the worse sin, meeting up with another girl. I’d have to wait a little longer for her forgiveness, I knew that, but it was hard being this close to her and not touching her.

After the beautiful sunset, we went inside and began to make supper. Garrett took her into the pantry to program her into the palm reader. He would probably show her the dry storage, but he wouldn’t show her what was behind the other doors, not yet. The tunnel into the woods was our biggest secret. We wouldn’t keep it from her, but it needed an explanation, and this wasn’t the time. I would show her tomorrow, let her know that we were ready to tell her everything. Maybe it would gain me some points in her eyes.

It was killing me that she was mad a me. I should have been open and honest. Perhaps she would have been onboard with the whole plan. Why didn’t I do that?

Garrett and Serena walked out of the pantry, and she came to stand next to me. I was finishing up our dinner. This was the closest she had voluntarily come to me since the incident. I wanted to touch her, pull her to me and normally I would, but I need her to take the next step. I can’t force her into intimacy with me. She had to choose me.

“What can I do to help?” she asked, looking up at me with those pretty eyes.

“It’s almost ready, you can grab some plates from that cabinet,” I said as I pointed.

Serena turned and did as I said, bringing the dishes to me.

“What does everyone want to drink?” she questioned.

Garrett and Paul were sitting on the stools in front of the counter watching her like I was. She was so lovely and ours.

She made four ice waters and pulled a couple of sodas out of the fridge placing them on the counter. She started opening drawers, familiarizing herself with the kitchen. She loved to cook, but I usually took that job because I like it too. I liked moving around with her in this space, it was something we could do together.

She took silverware out of a drawer and some napkins that were in there too, while I plated the food.

Serena went around the counter and sat on the stool in the middle of Garrett and Paul, and I would take the end furthest away from her. She started asking questions about what she saw downstairs. This was my chance to tell her I’d show her around tomorrow.

I knew the guys wouldn’t mind if I explained

“We have made a few enemies in our business dealings. This cabin is built as our sanctuary, should we ever need it. We have kept this place a secret, it’s owned by one of our companies and hidden under layers of other companies. Only the pilot and his wife even know the general area. We pay them to keep silent. The entire property is monitored, and we have sensors, cameras in key areas. If someone did find this place, downstairs we have built a safe room, but behind one of those doors is a tunnel. I’d like to show it to you tomorrow. We want to show you everything. We have other properties too, but this one we have invested the most into and it’s the closet to the penthouse. We can fly here within two hours, but it’s a drivable distance too, if we need to get out of town quickly.”

I could see the interest in her eyes. “Yes, I’d like that, Father. Can we go after breakfast.”

Thank God. I felt such relief.

“Absolutely, Baby Girl. We’ll go in the morning. Wear some sturdy clothes and shoes. We haven’t walked it in a while and the ground is uneven in some places.”

Plus, once outside, I had more to show her.

After dinner, we cleaned up the kitchen together while the guys took the bags upstairs. I know she was anxious to get up there and look around, but she stayed to help me. I took that as a good sign.

“I love you, Serena. And I’m sorry for hurting you and making you mistrust me. I swear, on my sister’s life, that I will never do it again.” I kept it simple, but it needed to be said until she forgave me.

Serena nodded a little, at least she wasn’t yelling at me again.

“Did you love her? That girl that you saw the other night?” She didn’t look at me. She was still hurt. I wanted to heal her heart.

“Ah, baby. I’m sorry you don’t trust me anymore. But no. I never loved her. She’s a bit of a pain and she wasn’t’ happy when I broke it off with her. She’s a little crazy and unpredictable. I didn’t want any part of her corrupted soul to touch any part of your sweetness. That’s one of the reasons why I kept it from you.”

I turned more fully towards her, setting the last dish aside. I tell her earnestly, “Another part is that, I wish none of this was necessary. My dad is a dark figure in our lives that we have very deliberately stepped away from. If he wasn’t Paul’s real father, I don’t think any of us would have anything to do with him at all. He’s manipulative and frankly, I think he’s somewhat evil. We hear rumors about him all the time and I believe that most of them are true. He’s a tyrant in business and as a father. Two of his wives have divorced him, so I think that he is probably a horrible husband as well. In my case, my mother is just as bad. Garrett’s too. Lacey’s mom is on whatever is going on with this party. She’s helping plan it and won’t even tell Lacey who is on the guest list. We are going to have to protect Lacy too. We need to get her out of that house before she turns eighteen. I suspect my dad has some nefarious plans for her.”

I smiled then, “Lacey isn’t related by blood, like none of us are, but she is the sweetest thing. If what we suspect is true, then he will try to marry Lacey off too. Can you imagine how that will go? At least we are grown ass men. She’s too sweet to be married off to one of his friends, or even enemies for some leverage in a business deal.”

“I want to help. I don’t know anything, about anything, but I need to help you save her. No one deserves that. Your dad sounds like a real asshole.” She said aggressively.

“Yeah, he kind of is. He has the veneer of a good guy, but it doesn’t take much to peel away the top layer and see the darkness beneath.”