Atonement (The Protectors #6)(51)

Aleks nodded and then a broken sob tore free of his throat. He pressed his face to my chest and I eagerly wrapped my arms around him as he began crying. His sobs were raw and painful and I couldn't stop my own tears from falling. I held onto him for what seemed like hours until he quieted against me. His tears had soaked through my shirt, but I didn't care in the least. I was glad that dam inside of him had finally broken. But I knew there would be many more as the walls he'd built to shield himself from all the brutality he'd faced started to crumble one by one.

And I'd be right by his side, just like I'd promised.

"Do you think you might want to come and stay with me and Magnus for a while longer?" I asked Aleks as I stroked his hair.

He nodded against my chest. "Mama and Papa will be angry."

"They'll want what's best for you," I murmured, though I wasn't sure it would be that easy.

"Even if you're what's best for me?" he asked. He shifted to a sitting position again. I reached out to wipe away the tears that lingered on his face.

"We'll figure it out," I declared. And I meant it. It was true that I couldn't spare my brother from all the pain he was going to endure in the coming future, but I sure as hell could ease the way and if that meant playing nice with my parents, I'd make it work.



       
         
       
        

Ace nudged us both. "I think he's kicking us out," I said as I gave the horse a pat. "You ready to go?"

Aleks nodded and we climbed to our feet. I put my arm around him as we left Ace's stall, closing it behind us. I spied Magnus and Nina waiting for us near the main entrance to the barn. I liked that Aleks was holding onto my waist as we walked … it gave me hope that his aversion to touch wouldn't be a permanent thing.

"How you guys doing?" Magnus asked, his eyes full of worry.

"Good," I said and I leaned in to kiss him. "Aleks is going to come stay with us for a while."

A smile filtered across Magnus's face and I felt the last bit of tension leave my body. I'd been almost certain he wouldn't mind having Aleks be a more permanent part of our lives since I knew he cared about my brother, but I'd also known it was a lot to ask. Magnus and I were still trying to figure our own relationship out and adding a troubled teenager to the mix was bound to cause some tension. It was unavoidable. But I also knew what we had was strong enough to endure it.

"Glad to hear it," Magnus said and he gave Aleks a gentle pat on the arm.

Aleks smiled and then looked at Nina. "Thank you for calling them."

"You're very welcome, Aleks," she said softly. "I hope this means we'll be seeing a lot more of you around here."

He nodded. "I'd like that."

We said our goodbyes to Nina and began heading towards the car when Aleks stopped and pulled free of my hold. He turned to face Nina again, who'd been about to slide the large sliding door closed.

"Miss Farley," he began, but then hesitated.

"Please, it's Nina," Nina said kindly and then she patiently waited for him to continue. I saw his fingers go to the chain around his neck.

"Nina, do you have something around here that can cut this off?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

To Nina's credit, she managed not to react overtly to the request. I could barely breathe as her gaze went from me to Magnus and he gave her the tiniest of nods. She couldn't know the reasons behind the importance of the moment, but she recognized it for what it was.

"Yes, I think I do. I'll be right back," she said and then she quickly went into the barn and disappeared through a door.

"You sure, Aleks?" I asked.

I could see his body was trembling, but he nodded. "One step at a time," he said quietly.

Nina returned within a couple of minutes and I was glad to see she'd found a set of bolt cutters that would do the trick. The sooner my brother was freed of this burden, the better. Nina handed the bolt cutters to Magnus and I stepped in front of Aleks, taking his hands in mine. I was close enough that even with the dim light above us, I could see a burn scar beneath the heavy links of the collar. I bit back the anger as I realized what the mark was. 

The only way Parks would have been able to get the collar permanently around Aleks's neck like it was, would have been to weld the links together while it was on him. The fucker hadn't given a shit about hurting Aleks in the process.

Aleks's hands were cold and clammy in mine as Magnus placed one of the links between the blades of the bolt cutters.

"Ready?" Magnus asked.

As much as I wanted the damn thing gone, I knew we still had to give Aleks the final choice.

"Ready," Aleks responded. I placed my arm next to Aleks's neck and held the chain so that the kickback of the bolt cutters when Magnus brought the blades together wouldn't make contact with my brother in any way. It took a little bit of effort on Magnus's part to sever the link. He handed the bolt cutters to a waiting Nina, and then he carefully pulled the link free. I took the loose end of the collar as it was released from the link and felt my stomach twist at how heavy it was. I forced myself not to focus on the discolored skin it left behind. I hoped like hell the paler flesh wouldn't be permanent because I knew Aleks would already see that collar every time he looked in a mirror for years to come.

"Good?" I asked as Magnus took the entire weight of the collar and removed it completely from Aleks's neck.

Aleks took in a deep breath and nodded. "I'm ready to go home now," he declared.

I smiled and leaned in to kiss his temple. "Then let's go." I put my arm back around him and then reached my hand out to Magnus. He handed the collar to Nina who took it without hesitation and nodded when he mouthed the words "thank you" to her. His hand felt warm in mine, his fingers strong as they linked with mine and together we walked with Aleks out of the barn.





Epilogue




Magnus



One month later …



"MawMaw!" Matty yelled as he came barreling around the corner of the hallway to where we were standing by the front door.

I didn't even bothering stifling my laughter as Dante's eyes widened in shock as Matty wrapped his arms around him. My lover sent me a 'what the fuck?' look that had me, Hawke and Tate doubling over in laughter.

"Nice," Dante said grouchily as he released Matty who was smiling broadly.

I high-fived my grandson before pulling Dante to me to brush a kiss against his temple. "I just had to," I said.

"Just remember, payback's a bitch," he whispered in my ear.

I shivered in anticipation. "Why do you think I did it?" I asked. Dante's eyes filled with heat and we momentarily forgot where we were until Hawke cleared his throat.

"Uh, guys," he said, casting his eyes downward at Matty who was watching us both with curiosity. I hoped like hell he hadn't inherited my sense of hearing.

"Did you bring him?" Matty asked excitedly.

I knew exactly who he was talking about because there was only one person besides Leo who could get such a reaction from my grandson. "Aleks went to talk to Connor about a homework assignment," I said. "He'll be over in a few minutes."

"Daddy, can I go over there?" Matty asked in a rush even as he dropped to the floor and began pulling on his shoes.

"What's the rule when you cross the street?" Tate asked as he motioned to the jacket on the peg near the door. I grabbed it and held it out for Matty as he stood so he could get his arms into it.



       
         
       
        

"Look both ways, then again and once more for good measure," Matty spouted off.

He was out the door like a shot and true to his word, he stopped at the curb and checked for traffic several times before darting across the street to Zane and Connor's house. I waited until I saw him disappear into the house before shutting the front door.

"Come on in, dinner will be ready in a few," Tate said as he and Hawke headed towards the kitchen. Dante and I made our way to the couch, but before we could get as comfortable as I would have liked, Hawke appeared at the back of the couch and thrust two bottles of beer between us.

"So … " Hawke said, his mischievous eyes shifting between me and Dante.

"So?" Dante and I both said at the same time.

"I gotta know. What part of my advice did it? The part about him buying you dinner first or the lube or-"

"Is that your husband I hear calling you?" I interrupted.

Hawk shook his head. "Nope, don't think so," he said innocently.

"Tate!" I shouted.

"Yeah?" came the response from the kitchen.

"Call your husband."

"What should I call him?" Tate asked as he poked his head out of the kitchen. I cast him a dry look. "Um, honeykins," Tate said.

"Yes, doodlebug," Hawke said with a smirk.

"Come give me a hand in the kitchen."

"What kind of hand?" Hawke asked, his eyes still on me and Dante.

Tate paused before saying, "The kind you like."

That got Hawke's attention and he immediately straightened. "That's my cue, guys … let's say ten minutes for dinner."