Are You Willing to Trust?

Chapter 43: Meeting

Feeling something vibrating against my hip, I let out a muffled whimper into my pillow before slowly shifting on my lumpy couch of a bed and wiggling my phone out of my jeans.

         Blackbourne: Family meeting at Kota's one hour.

I watch the screen for a moment hoping that I read the meeting time wrong. Pushing myself up off the couch, as painlessly as possible, I stumble into the kitchen and punch the buttons on the coffee maker before moving to collapse on a stool.

         Barely more than four hours I had manage to sleep. The boys followed orders to a "T" that was for sure but unfortunately that left me beyond exhausted and cranky. Which meant, this meeting was not going to be pleasant.

         Once the coffee machine stopped gurgling, I had just enough time to take a large mouth full when Victor entered the kitchen looking refreshed. His eyes instantly widened when he spotted me but I did my best to ignore the startled look not wanting to lash out in exhaustion at him for something he didn't do. Taking my cup of coffee back to the couch, I stayed curled up in the corner for a little while until Silas, Sang, and North came out of the kitchen.

         Nodding to them, I sucked in another mouth full of coffee allowing it to burn the top of my mouth slightly before swallowing it. Luke stumbled in last, his hair tangled with massive bed head. Without a word, we all loaded into North and Victor's car and were on the way to Kota's house.

         I did my best to rest as much as possible on the way over but it didn't do me much good. Stepping out of the car, I followed the boys into the small house when my eyes fell upon a small woman making her way out of the house. Her eyes widened at my appearance but I quickly down casted my eyes as I followed the guys into a large living area that could easily accommodate the boys.

         Taking a seat in the corner of the room, I closed my eyes and rested as I waited for the meeting to start. But my rest didn't last long because the second Green walked into the room his fingers were dancing around my body as though he was playing an instrument. Unhappy with the sudden touches I pulled away sending him my most exhausted glare which is in turn met with shock.

         "Doc." North warns as Green starts to protest and I glance to Blackbourne's eyes who are focused upon me. Forcing myself to sit up, I wave Green away and nod to the male to start the meeting.

         "Okay. Let's begin. As you are probably all aware Mr. Morgan decided to come home yesterday and wasn't pleased to find Miss. Black in the house let alone defending Mr. Morgan." He waved to Victor whose eyes shimmered with anger and sadness before glancing to me. "Miss. Black was able to cover Mr. Morgan and protect him until we were able to come to their aid. Mr. Morgan was thankfully uninjured however, Miss. Black sustained injuries." Blackbourne's eyes narrowed at me and I placed my chin on my knees not adding anything to the story.

         "What happened to my father?" Victor questioned obvious rage in his voice and Blackbourne lets out a slow breath.

         "Mr. Korba detained him in his bedroom until he fell asleep." Blackbourne states and I watch him curiously unsure where he is going with this. "We are unable to keep him from the home from an extended period of time however without trading more favors." Instantly Victor's face goes from pure anger to pure terror as he looks to me. "That means Miss. Black will still be residing with you, Mr. Morgan until more measures can be taken."

         Mr. Blackbourne glances to me for a moment waiting for any outburst but I don't comment. This was my mission and I knew what was expected. If he thought, I was going to back down so easily then he was mistaken. Letting out a small yawn, I glanced at Blackbourne tiredly before he nodded to Green to continue.

         "As it is clear, Miss. Black has sustained injuries as soon as I am able to clear her, she and Mr. Morgan can return to his home." He states those green eyes fully focused upon me. "This however, requires her consent."

         All eyes seem to focus upon me and I bite my inner cheek doing my best to contain my tongue as I stare at the doctor. "I will see Roberts today. I need to check in anyways." I state quietly and Dr. Green's eyes widen with both shock and pain. Tucking my head back onto my knees, I stay quiet not willing to say more on the subject.

         Mr. Blackbourne sighs and rubs his forehead slightly before glancing around at the others. "Does anyone else wish to speak?"

         There is a moment of pause before North's voice rings out. "She knows Uncle." The words seem to echo in the room and suddenly all eyes are on me once more.

         "Mr. Taylor would you care to explain?" Mr. Blackbourne states a slight hint of confusion detected under his voice.

         "I woke her up yesterday to check to make sure her condition hadn't worsened like Doc ordered to. She stood up exhausted and stated she was unable to sleep when Sang Baby walked into the room." North glances at Sang his brown eyes melting a little and I wrap my arms around my knees and in front of my face to hide my smile. Even North had a weak spot. "I went to make sure she was okay and when I turned back, Angel was gone. I found her in the front lawn but to my surprise she was talking with Uncle. Like they were good friends. We, Silas, Luke, and I, along with Sang followed into the kitchen and the two were talking as though they were long lost friends."

         It took a couple of moments for the room to take in the information before everyone's eyes landed on me once more. "Miss. Black would you care to explain?" Blackbourne states his eyes open a little larger than normal in confusion.

         "He was there at the beginning." I state glancing to the floor before glancing back up to Blackbourne. "My beginning."

         There is another pause and Luke shifts in his seat drawing everyone's attention. "Uncle said he would explain the story later to all of us." Sang nods her head slightly in agreement before looking to Mr. Blackbourne.

         "I would like to be there." Sang states her eyes trained on Blackbourne for a moment before cuddling up next to Luke whose fingers instantly brush through her hair. This instantly earns him a glare from Gabe. God they were disgustingly cute.

         "I will message Uncle and let him know when we all are available." Mr. Blackbourne glances to Kota who nods in response and the meeting is broken up. Standing, I move to leave the room when a hand catches my wrist and I am forced to pause.

         Annoyed, I roughly pull my hand out of the grasp and turn to meet Dr. Green's wide eyes. Letting out a held breath, I sense everyone's eyes on me once more and do my best to relax my shoulders, doing my best not to seem like a threat. "Yes Doctor Green?" I ask keeping my voice low and neutral.

         "I-I" Dr. Green stops himself his voice shaking slightly whether in nervousness or anger I am unsure for his face is void of emotions. He quickly recovers however, "I was wondering if you would allow me to attend your meeting with Phil."

         Thinking the doctor's request over for a moment, I nod and I notice Dr. Green's eyes widen in surprise as I pull out my phone.  Opening a new text message, I quickly begin to type:

Black: Green has asked permission to attend our meeting. I have provided permission.

         Hitting send, I nod to Green before stepping out of the living room to find Kota looking at his phone puzzled. Stepping toward him, his dark green eyes meet mine for a second before a small smile graces his lips.

         "My mother just messaged asking who you were." He states and I suddenly recall the smaller woman exiting the house earlier. Smiling, I shrug leaning against the counter top.

         "Your mother knows of the Academy yes?" I ask and am instantly met with a nod. "Then just say I am a friend from the Academy that needed some help on a mission." I shrug glancing to the wide eyed male. "It's better not to lie to family." I state taking a slow breath. Taking a second to think my words over, Kota nods and looks back down at his phone and continues typing.