Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Shattered GirlConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

her and Clint leave for the summer." Patrick

come to your rescue whenever you need it, except Mike and Josh; I cannot save your ass from them when you're in trouble." I stared at him, debating if I should stick my tongue out at him. Josh was focused on his game so I could get away with it. Patrick must be a mind reader, though, because he gave ine a severe look. "Love, if you are thinking about sticking your tongue out, you had better be prepared because I plan on finding a much better use for it."

Igaped at him in shock. "How did you know what I was thinking? You're Irish, so are you some magical fae that can read minds? Ears! If you are a magic fae who can read minds, you must have pointy ears. Please, please, please, can I see your pointy ears?" I was giving Patrick puppy dog eyes, my hands clasped together as I begged. All three guys froze and stared at me, their game forgotten; Patrick made a slight wheezing noise before they all laughed.

Patrick

ck just shook his head, wiping tears from his eyes." Love, of all the things I am, a magical, mind-reading, pointy-eared fae I am not."

T

"Damn it, I guess I can't check that off my list then." I sighed sadly. Mentioning the list got their attention.

"Baby girl, what are you talking about? Josh questioned.

Well, I keep a list as I read, and when I find something I want to try that I have never done before, it goes on my list," I said seriously.

So...what kind of book exactly is on your e-reader?" Jake asked

Oh, so right now, it's full of many romance stories that are so popular in my social media book groups this year, and no, I'm not going to tell you what I wrote on my list. I don't want you to make fun of me." "Sweetheart, none of us would make fun of you for something like that, Jake promised, with Josh and Patrick nodding.

Besides, it's a pretty long list since I'm still a virgin." The guys groaned as I jumped up off the couch. "Well, it's been a long day, I'm going to call it a night; enjoy your game." I closed my bedroom door to the sounds of cursing from the living room. I was laughing at how wound up I had gotten the guys. I pulled out a tank top and some sleep shorts from my dresser and brought them into the bathroom with me; turning on the shower, I stripped, tossed my clothes into the laundry hamper, and got into the shower. I made quick work of washing and conditioning my hair, then just enjoyed the warm water running over my sore body. When the water was cold, I turned off the shower and grabbed a towel. After changing into my tank and sleep shorts, I wandered back into the bedroom to find both twins waiting for me,

"Did Patrick leave?" The twins glanced at each other and moved so I could climb into bed with them. After settling between the guys, Josh cuddled me beside him, and Jake grabbed my hand, Guys, what's going on? You're starting to scare me."

"Patrick's father called and needed him to do a job. He's going to be gone for a few days." Josh explained. "He gave us permission to tell you about him and his family." Josh continued.

I had wrapped my arm around Josh's, mindlessly rubbing his arm as he talked. "Ok, so why me bad news then?"

are you guys acting like you're about to give

jake shrugged, "Well, it's a lot to take in, and we are all worried about how you will react, especially Patrick."

laughed, "What is he in the mob or something, and he's afraid that will scare me? Guys, I lived in one of the most dangerous parts of the city; if a night went by without the police responding to some drug or gang-related crime in our neighborhood, it was strange. The high school I graduated from had more drug arrests and assaults than any other school in the state. Not much scares me, so tell me." Both Josh and Jake were staring at me. Getting frustrated, I patted Josh's arm to get him talking. "Well, baby girl, your guess about Patrick's family was accurate," He waited a few seconds for me to say something. When I didn't say anything, he continued. "So, have you ever heard of the O'Kelly crime family? When I shook my head no, Josh continued. "Patrick is heir, and his father and uncles currently run it. Most of what Patrick does deals with their legal businesses, but sometimes he bala

things." I nodded in understanding

Ok, so my guess was accurate. Is that what you were all so worried about telling me?" The guys nodded their heads.

"Well, that's most of it, sweetheart. Patrick wanted to explain the re

rest to you, but since he's going to be gone for a while, he told us to." Jake shrugged his shoulders. Anyway, Patrick's mother is married to Conner and his three brothers."

7 The guys started laughing.

"Wait, is that even on legal? I don't think you can marry more than one person at a time, right?"

"Out of everything we just told you, baby girl, that's what you question? Josh was still laughing, so I grabbed a pillow and threw t over my shoulder at him. Jake barked out a laugh as Josh glared at both of us. That's one baby girl." "What's one, what do you mean?" I turned in his arms so I could see him better.

"I'm keeping track of your punishments for when you are all healed," Josh told me smugly.

That's not fair, I complained.

"Yes, it is now back to your question." He was all business again. No, it's not legal. So, on paper, Patrick's mom is married to Conner, but they also did a commitment ceremony with all five of them, and Patrick considers them his father." Josh explained.

Wow, that's a cool way to be a family. I bet there was always someone there for him and his mom." The guys broke into big grins and agreed with me." but what does any of that have to do with me? I won't judge him because his family dynamic differs from the norm." None of us ever thought you would, but we wanted you to know everything so you wouldn't be surprised by anything," Jake reassured

"There is more we need to discuss, but we must wait until everyone is together. It wouldn't be fair if Drew, Mike, and Patrick were not here for that conversation since it involves all of us." Josh explained. In the meantime, let's get some sleep; it's late. Now, that was an idea I could get behind; I was exhausted. I leaned over, kissing Jake, and then turned to give Josh one. I cuddled down between them with a happy smile. I had some things to think about. I felt I know what the guys wanted to talk about, and if I were right, my life would change again. Chapter Comments