Lost in the Moment (A Savioe Family Novel) (40 page)

I looked over Eva’s head and saw Nate talking with the police. Charles was standing with Beau and Luke acting out everything that had happened. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the twins open the sliding door of the van and climb out. A third child hesitantly followed them. His blonde hair glistened white in the dying sunlight.

My mouth dropped open and heart sped up. I took a step toward him, my knees buckled and legs wobbled under me as I recognized him.
It couldn’t be. “Nicky?” I whispered softly.

His face lit up when he saw me. “Marcus!”

I rushed over to him, collapsing onto my knees tears unchecked as they rolled down my cheeks. He had grown a few inches and put on a little weight. “They told me you were dead.” I choked out as I squeezed him tightly against me. His chubby arms wrapped around my neck. “Everyone said you were dead. How is this possible?”

He sniffled against my
shoulder. “I jumped off the boat when I heard him yelling at father. Mummy told me to. She put the vest on me and told me to swim as fast as I could to shore. When I hit the water, I heard her cry out and scream at him before the gunshot. The boat exploded a few moments after that. When I got to shore, an old couple found me and started trying to find out where you were. A few months ago, I remembered Mrs. Lynsay’s full name. When they contacted her, she went to the police. I told them exactly what had happened on the boat that day and then Mr. Savioe sent over the information he had gathered. Father’s solicitor got involved and everyone was able to get all the facts together. Mr. Savioe also managed to get custody of me instead of Aunt Melissa.”

“
My god, Nicky. That is unbelievable.” I ruffled his hair and squeezed him once more.

He pulled away from me
his nose wrinkled up as he took in my appearance. He ran his hand over my beard. “That’s so weird. It looks like someone drew on your face.”

“It does not. I happen to like it.” I rubbed my chin looking down at him.

He shook his head at me. “It looks ridiculous and you know it.”

“That’s it munchkin. It’s been too long since you’ve been attacked.” I grabbed him by his sides and started tickling him. He squirmed giggling like a loon as he tried to escape my grasp.
I laughed with him, the final shadow that hovered in my heart finally lifted. I stopped my assault on him and pulled him back in a hug. “I’ve missed you, Brat.”

“Missed you too, Ogre.”
He whispered against my shirt.

I looked over to a weeping Eva and smiled at her. “Thank you.” Marie caught my eye next. She chewed on her bottom lip a few tears rolling down her cheeks. “Come here, pet. I want you to meet someone.”

Nicky sat back and looked at me in question. “Pet. Isn’t that what Father called Mummy when he thought we weren’t listening?”

I snorted a quick laugh. “I guess it was. I had forgotten about that.”

“So is she to you what Mummy was to Father?” He looked over at Marie and tilted his head to the side his eyebrows raised as he inspected her.

“Yes. I love her, Nicky. When we are allowed I plan on marrying her.”

Marie stopped in front of us in shock. “Oh ya do huh? Wha’ if I don’ wan’ ta?”

Nicky giggled as I clenched my jaw and gave her my version of the ‘stink eye.’ Her lips curved up in a smirk.
She sat down on the pavement next to me and pinched my arm. “Ya might wan’ ta actually ask me ‘fore ya go makin’ plans.”

“You’d be insane to turn me down, luv. Everyone knows I’m such a catch.” I gave her a hug and pressed my lips against her temple.

She rolled her eyes at me. “Everyone knows ya’re full of it. Now shush up and introduce me.”

“Marie, luv, this is Nicky. Nicky
, this is the love of my life and your future sister-in-law Marie.” I looked over to my brother and smiled.

He stood up, looked down at me with the same annoyed expression our father used to get when I had forgotten my manners and bowed over her hand. “Nicolas Anthony Dresden. It is a pleasure to meet you. I pray that you will come to your senses soon before he talks you into
marriage.”

She laughed at us
, stood up and tried to curtsy in her brother’s sweatpants. “Marie Noelle Savioe. I am afraid that I am too far gone, but I plan on keeping him on his toes.”

Remi and Dev ran up to us. “Nick, come on, man. You have to check out our room. It is awesome.” Remi grabbed my brother’s hand and pulled him in the house.

Marie looked down at me a smile hinted at her lips. “He’s adorable. I just hope the twins don’t change that.”

“I doubt that, pet. Nicky will probably give them a run for their money.” I pulled her down next to me and stole a quick kiss. “He’s the reason I never got too upset over them pranking me. I was used to it.”

She gasped her eyes going wide as she sent a panicked glance at the house. “You don’t think they will team up do you?”

I groaned rubbing my hand over my face. “I hope not.”

                                                        *****

After the police had left and everyone had settled down, I tucked Nicky in bed
later that night. He laid there his eyes heavy with sleep before he lifted a finger to my tattoo. “She looks like Mummy.”

I rubbed the gothic angel. “She should. I had the artist use her face.”

He traced the wings that had the date of their death hidden in them. The shadow under the angel was shaped like dad’s profile and the family crest hidden in the flowers. “You don’t have me on there.”

I rubbed my left arm. “I planned on adding to it when I turned eighteen. My old neighbor gave me this as payment for fixing his car.
”

“I’m glad you don’t.”
He yawned and snuggled down in the covers. “Good night, Marcus.”

“Get some sleep, Brat.” I ruffled his hair before
standing up to leave the room. As I closed the door, I spotted Marie against the opposite wall waiting for me. “Hey, pet.”

She reached out to me grabbing my hand with hers.
“Come on. We have possibly ten minutes before dad separates us.” She pulled me down the stairs and out to Grace.

We stood by the bonnet, her arms wrapped around my waist.
I tilted her face up to mine and kissed her gently. “I love you, pet.”

“I
know, Maw-cus.” Her golden eyes twinkled as a lopsided grin graced her face.

             
                                          *****

Beau

I closed my door on the loving couple silently thankful that
they had stopped circling around each other. It took them long enough to realize they were meant to be together. I pulled my T-shirt over my head and tossed it into the laundry basket. For a bit there, I was afraid that she’d freeze up and start ignoring him. Damn, Jackson and his crap.

I sat down on my bed and flung my arm over my eyes. My body still ached from the game Friday.
I can’t believe that I rejoined those assholes. Well it’s not like I had much of a choice. If I wanted to make sure the entries in the book stopped, I needed to get shoulder deep in that fucking drama again.

I sat up
when I heard my phone vibrate on my desk rolling my shoulder to ease some of the tightness out of it. I walked over to it and picked it up swiping my thumb across the screen. An unknown number sent me a message.

Unknown: I know what you did and soon everyone else will.

My hand shook as I pulled up the attachment. The lyrical laughter of Lacy greeted me. “Beau, why do you have that camera? Put it down and come here.” She fluttered on the screen twirling in circles on the back of my truck.

             
                                          *****

About the Author

Ginny Atkinson writes fiction for teens, Young Adults and those young at heart. Visit her on Facebook GinnyMAtkinson, Twitter @GinnyAtkinson1 or drop an email [email protected].

             
Other Books by Ginny Atkinson

Lumenessa Saga
:

Birth of the Fire Child

Awakening Beneath the Blood Moons

Coming soon….
Delivered Among the Veils.

Stonebrooke
:

Stonebrooke Confessions

Coming Soon…. Stonebrooke Scandals

Savioe Family:

Tangled up in You

Lost in the Moment