The Scars That Make Us (Second Generation Book 3)

Chapter 43

CATARINA

My head hurts and my stomach too, trying to comprehend everything that is happening right now. We moved from Jace and my place down to Brielle and Mitch’s, for safety purposes, and right now the tension within the house is unbearable. I feel horrible because everybody is stressed out and the kids are scared and it is all my fault. Most of the guys are in Mitch’s office going over strategy and I find myself hanging out with Nola in the corner of the living room, trying to stay out of everybody’s way.

“Are you okay, Catty Cakes?”

I shrug my shoulders, not sure how to give much of an answer beyond that. If I were being totally truthfully, the answer was so, I was not okay. A shrug will have to do though, I don’t want to go around worrying anybody and causing even more problems.

“You know this isn’t your fault, right?” 

I look up at Nola with glaring eyes, “Who else’s fault is it, No? Why does it feel like I’ve done nothing but bring drama to this amazing family? Now their ranch is being taken over by paparazzi! That’s not normal, Nola and it is all my fault.”

“Oh I know I didn’t just hear that come out of your mouth young lady.” I turn my head to see Britt standing there with a plate of snacks and some water tucked under her arm. She set the tray down on the table and shooed me over so she would sit next to me.

“You’re just trying to be nice, Britt. Ever since Jace and I decided to get married it has just been one thing after another. I mean, I ruined Sasha’s wedding for crying out loud and Granger and Jace have had more than one fight regarding me. Now this”

“Now that is just about enough of that. Sure, you’ve really brought some surprises to us, but none of them have been bad. Sure, this sucks, but our family has been through a lot before. These guys are pests, that’s it. Nobody has been hurt or injured. Nobody is in danger right now. We’re going to get through this.”

“I’m so sorry,” I lean my head onto her shoulder and she wraps her arms around me.

“You don’t need to be sorry, sweetie. You just need to get some rest and try to keep from getting too worked up. I know that is easier said than done, but you have the most important job here, keeping my granddaughter safe.” She rests her hand against my stomach and holds me for a bit like I’m the baby.

After meeting for what seemed like forever, the guys finally emerge from the office. Brooke, Clemmy, Stef, and Ember get the kids downstairs in Clemmy’s apartment in the basement and the rest of us adults stay in the living room where Granger takes control of the situation. This may be Brian’s land and family, but Granger takes charge in this circumstance. The way that others are acting, it seems that this is a normal occurrence.

“So here is where we stand right now, I called up my cousin Sadie to see if she could help and I just got off the phone with her after she sent me some...well some pretty damning stuff.”

“Excuse me,” Asher raised his hand from in front of me, “who exactly is Sadie beyond your cousin and how do my sister and I know we can trust her?”

Asher said what I was thinking, but Granger didn’t seem as amused. He shot a glare at Asher, “She’s my cousin and you can trust me because I know who she is and if you trust me, then you can trust her.”

I lean forward and put my hand on Asher’s shoulder. He turns around to face me, “It’s okay, Asher. He’s doing all of this for us, okay?” Asher nods his head and turns back around.

“As I was saying,” Granger continues, “Sadie did some searching under a premise she had. She said that the only reason somebody would care about bringing Catarina’s new life to light is if they were trying to sell her story to keep attention off of them.”