Page 49 of Tainted Essence
Each and every one of our aunts and uncles helped raise each of us kids. We all love our parents but our family is so tight-knit because we were all raised by the same group of parents and that’s why we are so close. Well, everyone except for Chanel, she is only close to Royal and the twins.
“I don’t know how to be okay,” I choke out.
Uncle B slowly pushes me back and places his hands on the tops of my shoulders as he stares into my eyes. “And that’s okay, Dest. I wish I could take the pain away. I would give anything to have traded places with you so you wouldn’t have had to suffer.” The conviction in his tone is awe inspiring and I don’t doubt for a second that he doesn’t mean what he says. “I built this compound to keep all of you safe, I never wanted this life to touch any of you kids. I clearly fucked up with Royal since that little prick wants to live in my shadow.” I crack a smile at that. “But you, Nytress, Unique and Amelia are the only ones who don’t want to be a part of this life and that makes me so happy.”
I reel back. “Really?”
“I granted Amelia’s wish because you all deserve to live a life without the burden of being a Murdoch. Meelz has never wanted this and I’m proud of her for wanting something of her own. Nyt and Neeks are off touring the world and being young and free. I won’t pretend to know what you went through but I can see it in your eyes that this life has taken your innocence from you.” I immediately drop my gaze but he clucks me on the chin forcing my eyes back to him. “You want out, then get out. I’ll help you like I am helping Amelia behind her father’s back.”
“Oh my God!” I breathe out.
He smiles and winks. “I may be the Don of this family and rule over thousands but make no mistake, my girl, the eight of you kids and your children but especially my granddaughter rule over me. Your happiness is the most important thing in the world to me and if I can help you achieve that, I will regardless of what my idiot brothers say.” It warms my heart that he still includes Havoc when he thinks of all us kids.
“Thank you, Uncle B,” I say, meaning it. Speaking to him has lightened the burden I have been carrying around me lately.
“You never have to thank me. Gage did a good job raising you.”
I smile proudly. “Yeah, he did.”
“But thank God you look like your mother because your father is fucking ugly.” Laughter bursts out of me, I haven’t laughed like this in weeks and it feels so good.
“God, I missed that sound.” I jump to my feet immediately at the sound of my dad’s voice. I expect him to look angry that I’m here talking to my uncle and not him but he just looks… happy to see me smiling.
“If it helps, hearing how ugly you are was what made her laugh,” Uncle B says as he climbs to his feet and winks at me. “This conversation stays between us, I promise,” he says low enough for only me to hear, then places a kiss to the top of my head and heads back inside, but not before shoving my dad first, bringing a smile to my face.
“You know he was a mistake, right?” Dad says as he comes over to me and claims the seat Uncle B just vacated. I reclaim mine and sip my coffee. Dad and I sit here and stare up at the slowly lightening sky, not saying a word but just enjoying being together.
“I want you to train me,” I say, breaking the silence after so long.
I feel his gaze boring into the side of my head. “Are you sure?”
I take a deep breath and lull my head to the side meeting his gaze. “Yeah. I want this fight against Tiana and then…”
“Then what?” he pushes.
“I don’t know, I think I want to try law school for real this time.”
His eyes widen. “Don’t let your mother sway you?—”
“She hasn’t. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time now, I don’t know if I want to fight for the rest of my life.”
“If this is what you want, then you know I will support you.” Hearing him say that means so fucking much to me. I jump up and shove him so he shifts over and climb in beside him. He wraps his arms around me and sighs in contentment.
“I missed this,” I admit.
“So did I. It’s been a hot minute since you wanted to hang out with your old man outside of the gym.”
“Yeah, I guess I didn’t realize what was really important to me until…” I clamp my mouth closed, unable to finish that sentence.
“Do you want to talk about what happened?” I close my eyes and mentally facepalm myself, of course he would think that I was talking about Koda when in truth, I was talking about someone else. Someone else who hasn’t even texted, called or sent a fucking email!
“No.”
“Your mother and I just want to help.” I sit up and throw my legs over the side giving him my back.
“You can’t help me,” I force out through gritted teeth. “This is my demon to kill.”
“We can help if you let us,” he begs.