Page 28 of Locked Souls
He wipes his face and smacks me hard on the shoulder, then takes off down the porch and around to the front of the house.
I can hear tires driving down the stone driveway, so I know they are here. Walking back inside, I move toward the kitchen, where I hear The Midnight Lights playing, and find Chastity swaying in Jonas’ arms, while he sings to her.
“I hate to break this up, but she's here,” I tell Chas, while clearing my throat, and her eyes widen.
“Oh, um, okay.” Even after all this time, Mother Superior has us scrambling. Even though she's planning to retire, I don't think her domineering presence will ever end.
“Deep breaths. She's just here to meet her new great-grandbaby,” Tempest says, holding Rome in her arms.
“Oh God! Where is the baby?” Chastity looks around the room in a panic, and I'm trying not to laugh at how frazzled she is.
“Bastian is changing her into the outfit that Grandma Cross bought her. You good, girl?” Temp asks Chas and she nods.
“Yes, yes. I am a grown woman. I'm married. I have babies. She will not control me anymore.”
And with that final word, she stomps into the living room.
I look at Jonas and he's biting his lip, trying not to crack.
“Well, okay then. Let's get this dinner from hell over with.”
“That was delicious. Thank you. Um, Levi, can we talk?” Jacob says, dropping his napkin onto his plate before pushing his chair back.
Chastity is chatting with her grandmother, and Otto catches my eye, nudging his head in Jacob's direction.
Ugh. Fine!
Tossing my fork onto the plate, not caring if it makes a clatter, I shove my chair back from the table, stand, and make my way outside.
Jacob follows, and I try to take some deep breaths. I don't want to explode on him, but can't he just give me some fucking space.
I have so much going on at the moment. Can't this wait?
“Levi, I…”
“I may be stuck in this house with you, Jacob, but I do not want to talk to you. At least, not yet,” I grunt, leaving the porch and moving into the yard.
I can tell Jacob is becoming frustrated with me, so it's no surprise when he tosses his authority into the conversation.
“You may not want to, Levi, but it doesn’t matter. I am still the leader of The Society, and you will respect me!” he shouts, and I curse the damn rules and orders that have been drilled into me since I was little.
Stopping, I turn and face him. “You lied to all of us. To your sister. You also knew this whole time that your mother was an Eve!”
He has the decency to look guilty, but I’m not buying it. “I didn't know that I was your brother, Levi, but honestly, I don’t see why this is a huge deal. I have been your brother-in-law for almost two years.”
Scoffing, I turn back around and continue on my walk. Chastity is inside with the kids and her grandmother. I should be in there with them, but instead, I’m running from my problems. Literally.
“Would being my brother really be that bad?” Jacob asks, and I sigh.
“No, but lying to my wife, who is also your sister… Jacob, this is fucked up. You have to see how weird this is.”
“Chastity won’t care, after she gets over the shock. She just learned that Snake is her dad. She will understand, Levi, and I never told you to keep this from her. Let’s go, right now. Let’s march inside and tell her.”
He turns and starts walking fast, back to the house. “Shit. No. Not when your grandma is here!” I shout, turning and taking off after him. I stop him on the edge of the porch.
“Just wait. I still don’t even know what to fucking say to her. Your mom fucked my dad and had a baby? We share a brother?”
“Levi, I’m starting to think that finding out we’re related isn’t the big issue here,” Jacob mutters and I sigh, looking up at the night sky.