Secrets Worth Keeping (Finding my Home #2)- Nikita Parmenter Page 0,145

put my phone away when it buzzes again.

Unknown: Atlas he is one fucked up son of a bitch and your father was the one that had him moved.

I stare at the words before a roar of rage erupts from me. That mother fucking cunt. Something else is fucking going on and somehow Ever is fucking involved. I send one last text and hope that he fucking handles it. I can’t fucking deal with this right now. Blood boils in my veins and I grin savagely as a location and time pop up on my phone, well that’s fucking convenient timing. It’s time to make Ever, my Princess safe from at least one threat.

Time to go hunting.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Everleigh

The drive home is a blur. The guys try to start a conversation a couple of times but none of us seem to have the energy to keep it up for very long. I don’t even bother trying as I stay curled up in Jensen’s arms. Eventually we pull up to Trick’s house and we just sit for a second as if in preparation. I slowly pull my aching body away from Jensen and he kisses me softly, offering comfort. I can see how hard it was for him to leave Atlas, shinning in his green eyes and my heart aches for all of them. They’ve already lost him once and although this isn’t supposed to be forever or even for that long, the echo of when it happened before is still there.

I smile sadly and then close my eyes as everyone climbs out of the car. It’s way past dark now and the night wraps around them.

Come on Ever, you’ve got this.

Push it away.

If Jenny even suspects something is wrong then I’m just going to end up spilling the whole stupid thing and most likely bursting into tears. My heart feels like it’s missing a piece and I only fucking knew him for a few days, I don’t know if that makes it worse or better.

On the one hand, if I feel this strongly for him after this short amount of time then I imagine that it would’ve been completely impossible to leave him if we had spent more time together. On the other hand though, I only got a few days with him and I want more.

I finally step out of the truck when I’ve successfully pushed my emotions away and buried them. As soon as my foot hits the pavement the guys all turn to look at me, obviously worried about how I’m going to react. I grin happily at them, I’ve put this mask on so many times in the past but it’s never felt this fucking heavy.

Their eyes widen and Trick takes a step towards me as Jensen opens his mouth and Rafe watches me concerned. The other three sharing a worried look. The front door opens suddenly behind them and Jenny comes rushing out in whirlwind, hugging each of us and interrupting whatever was about to happen next.

“Kids!” Jenny calls as Rob chuckles by the door, “I’ve missed you so much. It’s been far too quiet and there’s too much food in the house” she chuckles and we all join in.

Making sure to keep my emotions on lockdown as I focus on the here and now.

“Ever!” She cries as she wraps me in her arms.

I chuckle as I return her hug. Having to focus a bit harder not to let the mask slip when I’m in the arms of someone giving me a mom cuddle.

“How was the trip?” she asks excitedly as she leads me into the house.

The guys all tense slightly, obviously expecting the question to break the fragile hold I have on my emotions.

“It was awesome” I reply excitedly, noting the worried look the guys share as they start to grab the bags from the trailer. “The snow was so pretty. We had a great time. What did you guys get up to?” I deflect.

“Oh you know this and that” she replies and then winks at me making a real laugh escape me.

“You had fun then?” I grin.

“Oh yeah” she giggles, then turns to the guys, “all of your parents want you home for the night” she says sternly as if she’s already anticipating a fight.

The guys gaze automatically lands on me and I shrug, it’s about as much input as I can give right now. With all the emotions of leaving Atlas it hadn’t occurred to me that of course the parents would want the