Chapter One Hundred and Forty-One
Kelley stood in the foyer of his own house and listened to the argument in full swing in the sitting room. Grace’s body was clutched tight against his with her arms around his neck. She hadn’t let go once and even in the car he’d had to sit in the back seat with her clinging to him. Kelley hadn't minded, there was nothing he wouldn't do for the little girl in his arms.
“He’s so big into family and caring for everyone but he couldn’t even be bothered to show up to Blain’s funeral!” David yelled.
“I’m sure he had his reasons,” Lee said in an even tone.
“I don’t care about his reasons!”
Footsteps were muffled by the thick carpet. “I don’t have time for this shit. If you don’t want to be a part of this family, then leave, David,” Mason said angrily.
Mason stopped short in the foyer and Kelley smiled at him as his eyes widened. He nudged Grace in his arms and she turned her head to look at him. “Daddy?”
“Gracie.” Mason breathed her name out as Kelley put her down on the floor.
Mason sank to his knees as Grace ran toward him. Tears flowed unashamedly down his cheeks as he grabbed her and one hand settled on the back of her head as he pulled her against him. He was crying openly and Grace was crying too. Her shoulders shook but her little body was molded against her father’s.
Kelley could feel his own tears welling up in his eyes and he quickly wiped them away and walked towards them. He squeezed Mason’s shoulder with his hand and he felt a moment's peace.
Mason’s eyes were closed but in that moment he opened them and looked up at Kelley. “How?”
“I’ve got you Mason, I’ve always got you,” Kelley said and stepped into the living room. He wasn't afraid to face David or anyone else for that matter but getting Grace back had been more important than sitting in a church and listen to a pastor talk about Blain like he'd known him. He'd mourn and celebrate Blain in his own way.
“The man of the hour,” David said sarcastically.
Kelley surveyed the room. Jesse was whispering in Marley’s ear, her fists balled on her lap and angry eyes glaring at David. Cecile sat in a corner with her head down and Blaire had his arm around his mother’s shoulders.
Lee and Marella stood to one side, Lee half in front of her. Andrea was on the couch next to them and Carey and John stood behind the couch. David stood in the middle of the sitting room, his hands in his pockets and his eyes fixed on Kelley.
“What was so important that you couldn’t even make an appearance?” David’s words were taunting and clipped.
“I was busy negotiating peace for this family,” Kelley replied.
“Peace? Peace for what? What the hell is going on?” David yelled.
“Nothing is going on anymore. The deal is done and a truce have been reached,” Kelley said.
“This isn’t a family, this sounds more like organized crime!”
Kelley pursed his lips and looked at David intently. There were so many things he wanted to say but he wouldn't. He wouldn't put Lee in the middle of this nor would he do that to Blaire. This was his family and he'd bear the brunt of David's anger.
“You want to talk about family?” Lee asked him angrily. “You knew exactly what your brother was like. You knew he had a kid but you couldn’t even be bothered to do anything. You had your shitty job and your wife and your kids in the suburbs, so why worry about the boy in the basement. You want to talk about family with Kelley? Kelley is my family! I killed my father, I stabbed him to death and you know who had my back? Kelley did. Kelley took care of it and he kept my ass out of jail. That’s what family does. You don’t have any idea what the word family means! I sat in a cage for twelve fucking years!”
“I took you in, Lee,” David said in a much softer voice.
“Yeah, you took me in and you expected me to be normal. I heard you talking to Cecile at night, trying to talk away the guilt you felt for leaving me there. You knew what was happening to me and you kept your mouth shut. You’re the piece of shit, David. Get out of this house because you’re not family to me anymore,” Lee said and turned his back on David.
“Lee!”
“Get out of my house, David,” Kelley said.
Two guards stepped forward and they blocked David in, efficiently moving him towards the back of the house and towards the guesthouse. Cecile followed them meekly, stopping in front of Kelley. “He’s mourning, Kelley.”
She walked past him swiftly and Kelley turned to look at Carey. He was about to say something when Mason walked back in with Grace still in his arms. A collective gasp went through everyone and Lee almost bumped Carey out of the way in his haste to get to Mason.
“I don’t understand. How?”
“I don’t know, Lee. Kelley brought her home,” Mason said.
Kelley slipped the folder from his briefcase and handed it to Lee. “Judge Watkins is waiting for your call. He’ll file the adoption papers.”
“Kelley …”
Kelley turned to look at Lee, his eyes glistening. “Yeah?”
“I’ve got you too.”
Kelley nodded his head and headed up the stairs. He hadn’t heard from Steel or Milana again and he wanted to check on her himself, maybe get Ulrich to the house. He opened his bedroom door and rushed forward to where Steel lay on the floor, unconscious.
Milana wasn’t in their room and it didn’t look like a struggle had taken place. Steel had a pulse, albeit a faint one. “Connor,” Kelley spoke into his phone, not sure where he was. “Steel’s down and Milana’s missing. Call an ambulance.”
Connor rushed into his bedroom just minutes later and swore under his breath. The ambulance arrived five minutes later and the house was in chaos. Kelley felt his anger pulse in his veins. Marcus had played him, that was the only explanation. They’d taken Milana from his house!
