The Subtle Art of Love and War 3

Chapter 33: The Universe Gives Back What It Took

The chill nips at my exposed skin as Jo and I slide out of the car. I sidle next to her and wrap an arm around her back, pulling her closer to me whilst we walk to the docks. I fucking hate docks now. And boats. Anything that reminds me of the series of unfortunate events we just recently survived.

"Baby, breathe," Jo whispers, nuzzling her cheek to my thickly covered arm.

When I look down at her, she's already staring back at me with a soft smile, eyes gentle and filled with reassurance. I wish it's that simple. To just breathe and let the paranoia go. The footsteps falling behind us from the two black-suited bodyguards who try and fail to be inconspicuous proves how deep my said paranoia runs. Five others are stationed outside and around the perimeter of Fiennes Manor as of the moment to make sure Ocean and the rest of our families are safe.

Nevertheless, I force myself to do it, if only to keep that smile on my wife's face and not let worry mar her beauty. I've seen so many emotions grip her that I wish to never have her feel ever again. I'd give all my fortune if it comes down to that.

Satisfied as I inhale deeply and exhale loosely, steadying and grounding myself, she beams and says, "It's going to be fine."

I kiss the top of her head and we continue our short trek to the gorgeous grey Sanlorenzo Janus Greyson owns. The anchor drops and our friends start to pile out of the deck and down to the bridge at the after cabin. Jo's hand finds my own at her waist, intertwining our fingers together. Looking down at her, then following her line of vision, I realize she's staring at Katherine, specifically at the little baby bundled and cradled in her arms.

Squeezing her hand in mine, I whisper almost anxiously, "Josephine, we don't have to do this right now. Our best friends agreed to take care of her for me."

Her eyes meet mine, hands squeezing mine in return as well. "I know I was a bitch to her mum and I'm ashamed of how poorly I acted. The baby..." She casts her head down and subtly shakes her head as if clearing her head.

"Everything was a mess, baby. We both said and done stupid things yesterday," I tell her. Maybe I'm just saying this to absolve myself of my own stupidity.

"Yeah, I know." When she brings herself to return my gaze, guilt and shame reflect off them. "I want to see her, Hero. Then we'll figure out what we're gonna do. Together."

I can't speak and all I'm able to do is nod my head because this has been the best I had hoped for. Josephine and Claire didn't exactly hit it off-and I only blame the circumstances in which we were all thrusted in to-so for her to suggest we come and meet Luna the moment they arrive in London aboard Janus's yacht was a complete surprise for me.

I'd already talked to Felix about my dilemma when I woke up with a start before dawn even broke earlier, asking him how Luna was. She was being fuzzy, he said, but nothing Kath couldn't handle. She's had the best practice raising a devil like their son, Paxton-his words, not mine. And I mentioned to him my apprehension with bringing Luna into the mix. I'm already walking on eggshells right now with Jo and I have a lot of making up to do for everything that's happened because of my previous association with a psychopath ex. Felix, being my best guy, immediately offered to take care of Luna. That'd mean one less thing to worry about, but, fuck me, it just doesn't sit right with me. I owed Claire and Anton my life, and Claire asked me to take care of her daughter in return. She left Luna under my care, so why should I hand that responsibility to someone else?

Now, I'm not expecting anything more from Jo. Her willingness to compromise on this matter is astounding, to say the least, but I won't hold it against her if she decides she doesn't want anything to do with the baby. Luna is not her responsibility. I'll just have to figure out what the fuck I'm going to do once she's made up her mind. I might have to start with finding out if Luna's mum is still alive. Not to mention, we're literally illegally harboring a child.