Lost and Found (BWWM)|Complete

🌊⚓Chapter 26⚓🌊

Anthony's POV

When the gun fired, I nearly lost it. Everything that Kayla and I could have been, was gone in the blink of an eye. I almost didn't process the words that Niyah had uttered. Once I did, I sprang into action.

She was alive. Kayla was alive, and I had Niyah to thank for that. I rushed to hug her. I was so grateful that Kayla's life was spared.

***Time Lapse***

Kayla and Ace were fast asleep. We had finally got her to calm down. Once the adrenaline wore off, she went straight to sleep.

So much has happened. No one really knew what to think, once the truth was thrust into the open.

"Can I speak to you for a moment?"

"You know, all my life I just wanted a father. I wanted to do all the father-son type stuff that other kids got to do. That's what Mateo provided me with. That is, until he married mom. Then he changed. He began to beat on her and me. I never knew why, until now. All this time, I thought that I was the reason for her death. Now I see that I could no more have prevented this, than you could have prevented my going missing."

"Son, I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you. I wasn't there to-"

"No, you weren't there, but I understand that it wasn't your fault."

"Son, about your brother, I-"

"Yeah, I understand that too. There is something that you need to understand thought. Firstly Ace is my brother, and I will protect him until my dying breath. Secondly, I love Kayla, and I will not let anything or anyone come between us."

"Son, the situation between Gustavo and I no longer exists. It will take a lot of work, but for you, I will forge a relationship with Kayla's family. I want to be a part of your life."

My father stretched out his hand for me to shake. I grabbed his hand and brought him in for a bro-hug. While I was hugging my father, my eyes met with Kayla's.

"Can I talk to you later?" I ask as I hold Kayla's gaze.

"Sure son, come find me when you're ready." He turned and walked away.

"Can we go outside?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper. I have never seen Kayla so quiet.

"Sure baby."

I grab her hand, leading her out to the back yard. We made our way by the pool and sat on a bench.

She stayed quiet for the longest. When she finally got ready to speak, we were interrupted.

"Hi Kayla, can we talk?"

Elijah and Gustavo stood side by side, waiting for Kayla's answer.

"I have nothing to say to either of you."

She got up to walk away, but I held onto her hand.

"Baby, just listen to what they have to say. If you still want to walk away when they're done, I won't stop you."

Her eyes filled with hurt, and she tried to blink it away.

"I will be right here with you, I promise."

She sat back down on the bench and crossed her arms.

"Talk," she demanded.

Gustavo and Elijah took turns telling her why they did what they did.

" Do you really expect me to believe that? Try again. Did you forget that you are speaking to your carbon copy? I was told I could thank you for this attitude."

"Kayla that is the truth. I wanted to keep both you and your sister safe. The best way to do that was getting you away from me."

"Oh yes because we were so far away from you. You fucking right-hand man basically raised us. How is that 'far away' from you? Just tell the truth."

" I knew that you would be safe with him."

"How did you know that? There was no way that you could have known that. We could have still been caught up with all of this mafia drama."

" I realized that when the house was set on fire. That was your psycho brother's father, by the way."

"And you, you thought it was ok to fake your death?"

"I had to Kay-"

"NO, DON'T CALL ME THAT. YOU WILL CALL ME KAYLA."

"Kayla, please."

"You know, I idolized you. I wanted to paint, just like you. I wanted to be just like you. Then the fire happened, and I thought you were dead. I cried myself to sleep each night. Did you know I had to go to counseling to get over your death? Did you know that for the longest, I blamed myself for your death?"

"Baby girl-"

"YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER, ELIJAH."

"I am your godfather, my job was to protect you. I did that the best way that I could. I hope that you understand that one day. You can be upset with me, but know that I love you, Kayla."

With that, he walked up to her and pulled her into his arms. As she struggled to get away from him, he kissed the top of her head. Then he let her go and walked away.

"He was only following orders, Kayla."

"Maybe he should follow orders from someone who doesn't abandon their daughters."

"Kayla, how many times must I tell you that I was trying to protect you?"

"Cut the bullshit old man, you kept Rafe."

"FINE. You want the truth, I'll tell you the truth. It was hard enough to care for your brother and sister, but you took the cake. Did you know that you are the exact replica of your mother? You look just like her. You have my attitude, but you look just like her. Leaving you was a struggle for me. On one hand, I wanted to stay so I could see your mother's face staring back at me. On the other hand, I wanted to make sure that you were safe. Your safety rang out. I admit placing you with Elijah wasn't a good idea, but there weren't many people that I trusted. Please believe me, I regret every moment of your life that I missed. Please allow me to be a part of your life."