I Hope Someday Will Be Soon

RAINEY

“…And the last time we visited her mom’s house, he was acting like a possessive, unhinged jerk. Totally creepy and inappropriate,” Aiden tells my dad.

My dad’s eyebrows shoot up as he listens to the brothers fill him in on Jeff.

“Yeah, he didn’t want us around her. He had this smug look on his face, and he was so strangely defiant. ‘~What do you boys want with Rain?~’”

Arden tries to imitate Jeff’s voice, making Alaric chuckle quietly at his brother’s spot-on impersonation.

“He even threatened Ansel’s boss,” Alex chimes in, and Robert looks at Ansel with a questioning gaze.

“He did?”

“Yeah, I work part-time at Crossview Café, so he showed up one day while Rain was there,” Ansel explains.

“And he was so insistent on taking her with him, but Rain didn’t want to go, so I told him to leave.”

Rob nods.

“He didn’t want to. He was looking for a fight—”

“And he wouldn’t want to pick a fight with my brother.” Aiden shakes his head as he lounges on the couch. “Ansel would have rearranged his face.”

“So, Tim saw the commotion and came over, pushed him out of the café. He pointed a finger at Tim and was like, ‘~You will regret doing this—~’”

“You’re not doing it right, An,” Arden interrupts. “His voice is rougher. ‘~You will regret doing this!~’”

“Don’t. Don’t do it again. You sound too much like him, and it’s freaking me out.” Alex grimaces.

“So, did he follow through? Did he hurt your boss?” my dad asks.

“Nope. He can’t touch Tim,” Alaric chuckles. “Tim’s not an easy guy to mess with. I know, because he used to specialize in firearms and martial arts.”

Ansel nods. “Yeah, he did.”

I raise my eyebrows at this new information. Tim was into shooting and martial arts?

Alright. These brothers and everyone connected to them are more than meets the eye. I’ll remember that.

My dad’s worried look comes back, and he lets out a weary sigh before rubbing his face with his hand.

“I’ll make sure both he and his buddy end up behind bars for what they’ve done to my daughter. Thank you, boys, for standing by her. And thank you, Ry.”

Riley, who’s sitting on the floor mat, gives him a gentle smile. Her eyes shift to me, and her face softens as she mouths an apology.

I’m not mad at Riley for telling my dad everything. She had the courage to do what I couldn’t, and for that I’m grateful.

“We can’t get too cocky though,” Ansel sighs. “We still have to deal with the ‘big boss.’”

My dad tilts his head slightly. “What do you mean? What big boss?”

Alaric leans forward in his seat, resting his elbows on his knees as he rubs his hands together.

“There’s this drug dealer named Ron Moretto. Apparently, he’s taken a liking to your daughter and wants her.”

“~Wants~ her?”

“Yeah, Mr. Slate. The guy is messed up,” Alex adds. “He goes around collecting young girls, saying he needs them for his drug operation, while promising them protection and money.

“Jeff and Greg aren’t the only strange guys we’ve had to deal with lately.”

My dad’s face scrunches up as he turns to me with surprised eyes. “Rainey?”

I slump my shoulders. I didn’t tell him about Ron Moretto because I knew he’d want to take me away from here.

Safety is important, but so are Ansel and his brothers. I don’t want to leave and never see them again.

“Why didn’t you tell me this?” His voice is stern, and I shift uncomfortably while the brothers watch me with soft eyes.

“I…” I sigh. “I knew that if I did…you’d want to take me away from here.”

I stare at my black-painted nails, refusing to meet the sympathetic gazes around me. “And I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to not see them anymore.”

There’s a brief silence, and I have no idea what they’re all thinking.

I’ve grown attached to them. They give me a sense of warmth and belonging that I fear I won’t find anywhere else.

My dad lets out a sigh and puts an arm around my shoulders. “I can see you’ve grown close to them.”

I glance up at Ansel, and his eyes are slightly glossy, a look of pain shining in them. My throat tightens as my eyes meet his. He gives me a half smile, then mouths, “It will be okay.”

I nod my head. But if I’m going to be away from him, I don’t see how that’s possible.

“I don’t want to take you away from them either, Rain,” my father says softly. “But if a gang member is after you, then this is dangerous.

“I won’t let you be a target. I’ll have the police look into this as well.”

“Mr. Moretto is very powerful.” Alaric purses his lips. “He has a lot of friends in law enforcement, corrupt cops and judges. So be careful.”

Rob runs a hand through his hair. “I see. I’m going back to Dubai in a few days. I’ll take her with me while I get some of my contacts in law enforcement to investigate this.”

Dubai? Oh no.

“Dad—”

“You’re coming back, sweetheart. Once all this blows over,” he assures me, pulling me into his arms and pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I blink back tears as I look at the brothers. They’re all trying to smile, but their eyes are filled with pain.

This has to be one of the worst feelings ever.

I pull away from him. “I don’t want to leave. We can stand up to him. I could just—”

“You’re not staying in harm’s way, Rain.” My dad’s patience is wearing thin with my stubbornness. “How can I leave the country knowing you’re in the crosshairs of some drug dealer?”

He grimaces, shaking his head. “No. You’re coming with me. You can’t stay here. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

“You know, we could just protect her. That was our original plan,” Alaric offers. “I have a few guys nearby who can—”

“I don’t know. I’ve already caused you all so much trouble—”

“It’s not trouble,” Arden interrupts. “We love having her around. We can all take on Ron Moretto together.”

Rob sighs. “I just can’t leave her here. Her mom’s not a reliable guardian, and Rain doesn’t get along with her other relatives. She’s my only child, and I can’t risk losing her.”

I feel tears prick at my eyes, and I bite my lower lip.

“It’s okay, Rain.” Alex tries to smile. “You’ll be back once all this blows over, right?”

Ansel is fiddling with a loose thread on the old mini couch he’s sitting on. His head is down, but I can tell he’s just as sad as I am.

I don’t want to leave him, and I can tell he doesn’t want me to leave either.

The brothers look heartbroken, and that makes all of us.

***

Ever since my dad announced that he’s taking me with him to Dubai, the brothers have been going out of their way to cheer me up.

But I can see right through their antics and laughter. They’re just putting on a brave face. They’re just as upset as I am.

Melissa and Austin are home now, and my dad’s in the kitchen, talking to them.

I watch their expressions change from smiles to frowns and back to smiles, and I can’t help but wonder what they’re discussing.

“So, what’s your name?” Arden asks, sitting backward on a chair and eyeing my dad’s driver, who’s perched on the couch looking extremely uncomfortable.

The brothers are all watching him with interest, his stiff demeanor and serious attitude intriguing them.

Where did my dad find this guy? The military?

“Marco.” His voice is sharp, and Riley and I exchange amused smiles.

Marco is Asian, with perfectly styled hair slicked back to match his sleek black tuxedo. His shoes are spotless, and his skin is flawless.

“Cool name.” Alex shrugs.

Aiden clears his throat, standing up with a sigh.

“So, Marco, what’s your specialty?” He cracks his knuckles, then his neck, and Ansel chuckles, shaking his head.

“Pardon?”

“What’s your specialty? Are you a black belt? Red belt?” Aiden is waving his hands and kicking his legs out, as if warming up.

Alaric rolls his eyes at his cocky brother. “Aiden, sit your ass down.”

Marco tilts his head to the side. “Tenth-degree black belt.”

“Whoa,” Riley gasps, whispering in my ear. “That’s like the highest rank.”

“Really?” I gape.

Aiden looks surprised but quickly recovers, coughing unnecessarily. “I see. Well, I’m also trained. You see, I have a…uh, beige belt.”

Marco looks at him blankly.

“Never heard of it? Yeah, it’s rare.” Aiden is bouncing on his toes. “Only the fittest of the fit.”

His brothers are snickering, and I catch a hint of amusement in Marco’s eyes.

“So, you wouldn’t mind a little challenge, would you?” Aiden suggests.

Marco’s eyes drift to the kitchen, where my dad is still deep in conversation.

“My boss wouldn’t—”

“Come on, don’t be a chicken. Just one challenge. Arm wrestling.” Aiden rolls up his sleeve, clearing the coffee table so he can rest his elbow there.

Ansel stifles a laugh, covering it with his hand, while Alaric shakes his head in disbelief. “You’re going to make a fool of yourself. The guy looks like Jet Li for crying out loud.”

Marco glances at my dad once more before standing up and moving over to where Aiden is waiting, elbow on the table.

“I wouldn’t want to hurt you. My hand is very strong.” Marco’s accent is thick, and it’s clear English isn’t his first language.

Aiden scoffs. “Well, that makes two of us, Chinese guy.”

“I am Korean.”

Aiden hmms. “Same thing.”

They lock hands, and the battle begins. Aiden’s face is a picture of struggle as he tries to force Marco’s wrist down.

Marco’s expression remains calm and composed as he effortlessly pushes back. The brothers are laughing hysterically at the sight of Aiden losing.

“He looks like he’s taking a dump,” Alex says between fits of laughter. Riley and I are in stitches at the accurate comparison. He really does look like he’s on the toilet right now.

“I told the idiot he’d make a fool of himself. Now look at him.” Alaric shakes his head, chuckling.

“I…won’t…lose,” Aiden grunts, his face twisting with the effort. His jaw is clenched tight.

His neck veins are bulging, while Mr. Asian looks as cool as a cucumber. What kind of guy is this?

Marcos lets out a sigh. “Give up. I might ~bleark~ your hand.”

English isn’t his strong suit.

“I…won’t…give up!” Aiden manages to say. I can’t help but feel sorry for his hand, which is starting to look like a rubber band.

The standoff continues for a bit longer, until Aiden realizes his wrist is about to give out.

With a grunt, he eases up, and Marco slams his hand down on the table, claiming victory. Aiden cradles his hand, wincing, while everyone else bursts into laughter.

Marco grins. “I like your spirit~. ~You’re very ~completitive.~” He doesn’t quite get the last word right, but that’s okay.

He sits up straight, looking as cool as ever, like he didn’t even break a sweat.

He reaches out to Aiden, who’s panting but smirking, and they shake hands.

“I gotta admit…” Aiden sighs, wiping the sweat off his forehead. “I like this Chinese guy.”

“Korean,” Marco corrects him.

Aiden shrugs. “Same difference.”

We all laugh again, and I find myself grinning as I look around the room. I wish this moment could last forever.

But I know it can’t. I’ll have to leave soon. The thought of not seeing the King brothers anymore is almost too much to bear. My smile fades, replaced by tears welling up in my eyes. I swallow hard, trying to fight back the lump in my throat.

I’ll be back someday.

And I hope that day comes soon.