Raiden (The Kent Brothers #2) - A.M. Hargrove Page 0,99
at all. She might have to share Olivia’s room, if you don’t.”
“We’ll work it out. Thank you.” Isla hugged me. “This will be great!”
The plan was set. We contacted Brax and Reynolds and the date we picked was for four months from now. That gave the family time to settle into their routine and catch up with work.
Dana and Brian had stayed at our place while we were away, but were going back to Florida since it was safe. The day came for their departure and it wasn’t easy seeing them go.
“Don’t worry dear, we’ll all be together again in a few months,” Dana said.
“Mom, Dad, would you two ever consider moving here permanently?” Raiden asked.
“Your father and I have been discussing that, honey. We want to go home and get our house in order.”
“Dana, Brian, that would be great and Olivia would love having you two close.”
Dana sniffed back tears. “I’ll miss my granddaughter.”
“I know you will. She’ll miss you too.”
“We’d better get a move on, dear. The plane won’t wait on us forever,” Brian said, giving her a nudge. Turning to Raiden, he said, “Thanks for letting us use it.”
“Don’t mention it. Safe travels, you two,” Raiden said.
Everyone hugged, and they left. “I will really miss them, but now I can get back on a healthy eating plan,” I said.
“For what? In a few months we’ll be back in Italy eating pasta and gelato.”
“True, but at least I can trim down to fatten up again.”
“I like your way of thinking.”
Acer and Isla were moving out today too. They had sold their small house and bought a much larger one. They needed a place to stay until the closing date, which took place yesterday. The house would sound spooky after they left. They were upstairs packing. I climbed the steps and poked my head into their room. “Need any help?”
“We’re almost done. Seems like we’ve been here forever,” Isla said.
“That’s because we have. We’re going home to our cracker box. I think it’s time we get a bigger place,” Acer said.
“You’re right. What if we get a big house that has a mother-in-law wing?”
“Wing. What kind of house are you looking for?” he asked.
“Not wing, but section, so Mom can move in. I hate she’s alone, especially after being with us for so long.”
Acer went up to Isla. “You know all you have to do is ask, and it’s yours.”
I watched them for a second, then backed away. I knew one thing. Those Kent brothers were really something, and I sure lucked out when I met Raiden.
Epilogue — Raiden
Two Months Later
“Have you seen Cruze?” Scottie asked.
“No, why?”
“I’ve been trying to reach him for three days now and he won’t return my calls or texts. I’m driving to his house to see if he’s there.”
“I’ll go too. This is strange. It’s not like him to take off and not tell anyone, especially since we have several important meetings this week.”
“Let’s find out if he’s home.”
His house wasn’t far from ours. We pulled to the garage and found his house sealed up like a vault. His SUV and motorcycle were missing, but his car was in the garage. I had a key, so we entered through the door in the garage, since I also had a garage opener.
“Cruze? Are you here?” I called out. We walked around the first floor and no answer. “Stay here, I’ll check upstairs, in case he has someone up there.”
“Good idea.”
I took the stairs, three at a time, but the bedroom door was wide open. The bed was made, and the place was as neat as a pin. I went to the closet and… it was half empty. What the fuck, Cruze?
I took off in a run, sprinting down the steps.
“What’s going on?” Scottie asked.
“He’s gone. His closet is practically empty, but all his suits are here.”
She didn’t answer. I ran into his home office to see if anything was in there. And that’s when I saw it—the thick manila envelope on the desk with my name scrawled across it.
“Fuck.” I picked it up and held it close to my chest.
“What is it?”
“Nothing good, if my hunch is correct.”
“Why don’t we go home?”
“No, Scottie, I need to open this here in case of—hell, I don’t know what.”
She held my hand and walked me to the den where we sat on a sofa.
I opened up the massive envelope and on top of all the papers was a letter from Cruze. I read it out loud.
Raiden,
Hey, bro, it’s been an awesome ride with you. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this journey. You have been my right hand, my left brain, and my everything where this business counts. But the time has come for a new voyage.
I know what you’re thinking and I can, sure as if I’m sitting there with you, see your expression. You think I’m crazy as fuck. Only I’m not. She means too much to let her go. Sure, maybe it won’t work, but how will I know if I don’t try?
I see what you, Scottie, Acer, and Isla have and realize I want the same thing. I don’t want a series of one and dones anymore. I’m ready for the real thing. She may be my real thing.
Do me a solid. Don’t look for me. I’m savvy enough to know how to disappear.
I wiped my name clean. I trashed my phone along with my email. I’m sure Huff could find me, but I’m asking you not to do that. For me. Please. I want this. I want her. And if it doesn’t work, you’ll be the first to know, as I’ll come crawling back one damn mess for sure.
Everything you need to operate the business without me is in the envelope. You have my power of attorney and you need to let Acer run things. He’s got the smarts and will make you proud. I’ve taken care of everything, so you don’t have to do any dirty work. Sorry about leaving you holding the ball, but you’re talented. Acer has come a long way too, and I believe it’s his time to step into my shoes.
I love you more than I can say. Be happy and healthy.
Yours,
Cruze
“Jesus, is this for real?” I asked.
“I think so. He acted strange. They must’ve kept in touch after the trial.”
I stared at Scottie. I’d never lived a day in my life without my brother. “He was like my twin. I can’t imagine life without him.”
“I’ve got you. I’m here for you. Remember this, Raiden. He chose this. He wants to be happy, and he sees this as his path to making it happen.”
“You’re right. I’m being selfish.”
“No, you’ll miss him. But it may not be permanent. Some day he may surprise you when you least expect it.”
“I hope the hell he does.”
The End… For Now
If you enjoyed Raiden and Scottie’s story I would be forever grateful if you would consider leaving a review. Thank you so much!
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If you haven’t read Isla and Acer’s story yet, click here for the first Kent Brothers novel:
https://readerlinks.com/l/1202148
For The West Brothers Novels, click here:
https://readerlinks.com/l/1420264/wbs
For The West Sisters Novels click here:
https://readerlinks.com/l/1420268/wss
For The Men of Crestview click here:
https://readerlinks.com/l/1420269/moc
To read about Gemini and Drex, you can find their story in Tragic Desires: https://readerlinks.com/l/688986
Other Books
For Other Books by A.M. Hargrove visit
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If you would like to purchase signed books, you can do so here: https://amhargrove.com/shop/
Adult Novels
The Kent Brothers Novels
ACER
RAIDEN
CRUZE (TBD)
The West Sisters Stand Alone Novels:
One Indecent Night
One Shameless Night
One Blissful Night
The West Brothers Stand Alone Novels:
From Ashes to Flames
From Ice to Flames
From Smoke to Flames
Stand Alones
Secret Nights
For The Love of English
For The Love of My Sexy Geek
I’ll Be Waiting
The Men of Crestview Stand Alone Novels:
A Special Obsession
Chasing Vivi
Craving Midnight
The Edge Series Stand Alone Novels:
Edge of Disaster
Shattered Edge
Kissing Fire
The Tragic Duet Stand Alone Novels:
Tragically Flawed, Tragic 1
Tragic Desires, Tragic 2
The Hart Brothers Series:
Freeing Her, Book 1
Freeing Him, Book 2
Kestrel, Book 3
The Fall and Rise of Kade Hart
The Hart Brothers Series Boxset
Sabin, A Seven Novel
A Hart Brothers Novel Spin-off
YA/NA Clean Romance
The Guardians of Vesturon Series:
Survival
Resurrection
Determinant
reEmergent
Co-Authored Books
Cruel & Beautiful:
Cruel and Beautiful
A Mess of a Man
One Wrong Choice
A Beautiful Sin
The Wilde Players Dirty Romance Series:
Sidelined
Fastball
Hooked
Worth Every Risk—
A Wilde Players Spin-Off
Acknowledgments
If you made it this far, I hope that means you enjoyed the book.