𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝑶𝒇 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

The aftermath

ELI

The King and Nash families gathered in the living room where tension lingering like smoke in the air. I stood near the back, arms folded, eyes fixed on Ashton and Carter Herran/Smith. The two men who, not long ago, tried to dismantle everything we are. And yet, here they stood, broken, bruised, but somehow still standing.

I've to give it to them for having the spine to stand tall in front of the very people they swore to destroy once. I can't say I empathize with them; I don't do that. 

Understanding. May be. Having Adam Herran as their father is punishable enough. 

I look at Carter standing with his brother with no emotions in his face. His body rigid waiting to receive the final blow with grace. The killer image I'm used to in the track field no were to be seen. 

Carter had killed Adam. I knew that much. Ashton had stood by his brother, not flinching, not running. He is not made for blood or maliciousness. That's exactly why I gave the gun to Carter. There was something poetic in that act, as twisted as it was. The very hands that abused them, molded them into who they are loses its life. The monster who created them was gone, and now, they were just two sons without any to direct them. 

Aunt Silver spoke first. Her voice was soft, but the undercurrent of steel was unmistakable.

"We are not here to forgive or forget," she said, walking past Carter, then Ashton. "We are here to decide what happens next."

"You hurt our children. You hurt Ava. That will never be forgotten. But we saw your faces today. We saw what that man did to you. And we know something about pain." Mum said folding her hands. 

Carter flinched slightly, gaze falling to the floor. Ashton met their eyes, his expression guarded, but no longer defiant. It was as if killing Adam had taken something from them, maybe the illusion of vengeance solving everything. Maybe the rage that had driven them for so long is finally gone. 

I shifted, feeling Ava lean gently against me. I placed a hand on her waist, grounding myself. With her by my side, I can survive anything. The storm has passed we only have few things to clean up and then we can go back to our lives. Hopefully. 

"We are willing to give you a second chance," Aunt Silver said finally. "But on our terms. And you will never be trusted blindly. Understand that."

Carter scoffed under his breath. "We don't want your help. We never did."

My jaw ticks. The nerve of this fucking bastard. 

"Then leave," I said, stepping forward. "Leave and rot somewhere else. Your father is dead. Your empire is gone. You have no money, no allies, no name worth protecting. The moment you step outside, the world is going to hold you responsible for your father's action"

Ashton winced slightly. Carter's jaw tightened, but he stayed quiet.

"So? What do we do now?" Ava looks at our parents. She might not outright admit it, but she doesn't want them dead. 

I see Dad and Uncle Cole looking at each other before giving a silent nod. 

"Honestly, I don't see any reason for why we should spare you and your brother" Dad look straight at Carter. 

"Then don't" It was Ashton who spoke. 

"No" Dad says shocking both the brothers. 

"No?" they both ask in unison. 

"You both have hearing problem?" That shut them up. 

"You both can live but on a leash. Guess who'll be holding the leash. Us" Uncle Cole points to all of us.