Page 151 of Bound By Blood and Lies

Finn has known the truth about his biological father for years now. When we conceived Luca two months after Finn was born, we knew we wouldn’t be able to hide it from him forever, especially because at the time they were the only two brothers in the whole of the Company. The conversations of course happened slowly over time and our truths were given carefully whenever he was old enough to carry them, but none of it ever changed what mattered.

Roman is his dad in every way that counts.

Finn technically stands as heir to three bloodlines. Mine, Fisher’s and Roman’s, but he’s only ever wanted one… his dad’s. For the last year Roman has been teaching him everything he can about The Company and all the expectations that come with it ready for university. Sometimes I catch the two of them sitting in Roman’s office late at night talking quietly over old files and maps and it still catches me off guard a little that somehow, we’re already here.

Finn walks over to the large corner sofa before slumping down and Aurora jumps on him before he even has a chance to breathe. He grunts as he catches her before glancing at Tiana and sighing.

Tiana stands quietly next to them biting her bottom lip and fidgeting with her dress before Finn stretches his free arm out. She smiles and the dimples that are so like Roman pop out on her cheeks as she walks over and snuggles in.

I walk over to where Roman is still grilling the meat and see Luca curl his lip as he cuts a glance towards Elsa who shakes her head and pretends to shiver.

“I’m telling Mum and Dad a secret for every second you’re sitting on Finn,” Luca declares which makes Aurora gasp.

“You wouldn’t dare,” she narrows her eyes.

Luca leans forward so he’s resting his elbows on his knees. “Try me, wench. Either I’m the favourite brother or your secrets get spilled tonight.”

Aurora charges for Luca who throws his head back in triumph and immediately takes off running around the garden. Luca is literally incapable of staying still for more than thirty seconds. At fifteen he moves through life like somebody permanently attached a battery pack to him and if he didn’t look exactly like Roman, height included, people probably would’ve assumed I’d had an affair with Riggs when I was younger because there is genuinely no other explanation for hispersonality. The amount of chaos packed into that boy should honestly be studied by a professional.

Roman likes to call Luca his penance for being so short with Riggs.

Personally, I just think it’s good old-fashioned karma.

Aurora suddenly screams as Luca snatches her phone before sprinting across the other side of the garden and the twins try chasing after him.

“LUCA!” Aurora shouts. “COME BACK HERE!”

Luca throws his head back as his laugh booms out of him before ducking behind the tree. I stand with my arms crossed watching the madness unfold.

“DELETE IT BEFORE DAD SEES!” she continues.

Roman slowly lowers the tongs and turns around from the BBQ.

“Before I see what?”

“Nothing,” all three of them answer instantly.

His eyes narrow suspiciously whilst Finn is the one to chuckle. Moments like this still catch me off guard. The noise. The chaos. The complete lack of fear in any of them. Growing up, silence usually meant safety to me. Now it’s this.

Roman cuts me a look before prowling over to me. He grabs the back of my neck as he bends down and kisses me passionately whilst I fist the front of his shirt. Behind us I hear Finn and Elsa gagging as they both mutter something about needing to be elsewhere and I smile into Roman’s mouth. He presses his forehead against mine and I close my eyes. His hand squeezes my arse firmly and I squeak as I try to push him away.

“Not in front of the kids,” I hiss and he shrugs.

“Eh, how else are we supposed to give them more siblings?”

I narrow my eyes. “Absolutely not.”

“Why not? They don’t need us now and look how cute they are.”

Just then another blood-curdling scream comes from one of the girls and I sigh before raising an eyebrow.

“Okay, look how cute they are when they’re sleeping.”

“Roman, if you keep talking like this, you’re wearing condoms. I mean it.”

“What? Why?”

“You know why…” I narrow my eyes and he looks rightfully guilty as he kisses my forehead and spins me around so I can’t read his facial expression.