“Matthew, please tell me where they are!” my mother cries from the other end of the phone line. Personally, it’s surprising it took her this long to call me. The only thing I can think is James has been up her ass and she couldn’t call me. That’s on her, not me.

This could also be a trap instigated by James. I wasn’t born yesterday. He’s deceiving on every level.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Austyn looks across the table at me, scooping a spoonful of Apple Jacks into her mouth, her brow raised.

I smile in return and lift my chin, telling her everything is fine.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about! You took my girls!” my mother screeches so loudly I have to pull the phone away from my ear then rub the sting out of it.

“You must have your wires crossed, Mom. I don’t know anything about this.”

Austyn smiles with the spoon between her lips. It shouldn’t be sexy, but it is. She breathes and it’s pretty much sexy.

“Mathew! They are minors! You cannot just come to my house and leave with them. You have no right to do that!”

There is so much I want to say to this. So much I want to yell at her. This is all her fault for keeping my siblings in this life. A life that is mapped out for them, where they have no choices. I get she’s brainwashed, but there isn’t a damn thing I can do for her unless she wants it. And that’s not in the cards for her. It pisses me off.

“Like I said, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Will you stop saying that? Yes, you do!”

Fed up, I tell her, “I have to go.”

“Matth—”

I disconnect the line, not needing to hear any more of her shit. Truth is, I don’t know where they are. I haven’t asked Princess because it’s too soon and she won’t give me the information. Mostly to protect me so when questions like this come up about do I know their whereabouts, I can answer honestly because I don’t.

Austyn reaches out and takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. It’s a comfort I find I like a fuck of a lot. “I’m sorry.”

“Beautiful, there is not one damn thing for you to be sorry about. My mother made her choice in how to live her life. She may have had help along the way, but it’s her choice. My sisters wanted out. If they’re old enough to be given a list of potential spouses, then they can make that decision.”

“Ashley didn’t,” she throws out there.

“That was a curveball, I admit. But if she chooses to go back, if there is something to go back to, then that’s on her. The way she clung to Breanna, though, I’m sure she’s on board with going away. Does it suck that I finally have them yet can’t see them? Yeah, it does. But it is what it is. It’s for their protection, and I’ll do whatever the hell I have to, to keep them safe.”

Her face warms. “That’s what I love about you.”

Getting up from the chair, I make my way over to Austyn, who stands. “What you love, huh?”

As a rosy pink comes to her cheeks, she tries to look away, but I grasp her chin lightly.

“Yeah,” she finally says.

I slam my lips to hers and lift her. She wraps her legs around my waist.

Emery is in her room, so I take Austyn to hers and press her back against the door, our lips never disconnecting.

“I’m fuckin’ you against the door, so you’d better be quiet or Emery will hear.”

Her eyes flare, liking this as much as I do. It’s always fun to have different kinks. It keeps the sex life fun.

I drop her legs. “Strip, fast.”

Her smile is sexy as hell as she tears her clothes from her body. Once we have our own place, I’m going to make her walk around naked all the time so I have easy access.

I rip my shirt over my head and pull my cock out, wrapping him in latex.

She eyes me coyly as I lift her with ease, our mouths connecting. Lowering her onto my cock, she cries out, and I chuckle.

“You want Emery to hear?”

Her eyes grow wide.

“It’s alright, beautiful, not like she hasn’t heard before.” Crashing my lips down on hers as I press her against the door, I pound into her like a jackhammer. She clenches around me, feeling the burn.

Her hips begin to swivel. Add that in with my thrusts and her angle, it only takes moments before I feel her grasp me so tightly I can barely pull out and push back in.

She cries into my mouth, and I suck it down greedily. Only then do I allow my release.

Our foreheads pressed together, we try to regain our breathing. When I think I can move, I make my way over to the bed, pulling out of her and laying her down. I remove the damn thing, strip off my jeans and boots, and climb into bed with her, holding her in my arms.

“I love you, too, beautiful. So damn much.”

She wraps her arms around me, holding me.

Little do I know this could be the last time we ever hold each other like this.