Chapter Seven - FIVE
I can see them on the beach as I come towards the island. Oliver and Katja, who I’ve only met once, and that was before we decided to come clean about Rory being alive.
Oliver is like a brother. Even more so than my real brother, Wyatt, who is almost sixteen years younger than me. I guess that’s how Rory feels about my sister, Kate. She’s more of a sister than her own little sister Cindy ever was. Cindy was only six when we faked Rory’s death to keep her safe, and four of those years Rory was away at Princeton. So they barely saw each other.
I think if there weren’t so many Shrike girls, it would’ve been different. But Oliver really is Cindy’s closest sibling.
The next time I look down, there they are.
Ollie and Cindy, together. Waiting for me to take them to their long-lost sister.
He’s gonna hit me hard over this bullshit. It doesn’t matter what I say, how I explain it, or what excuse I put up—he’s not gonna miss this chance to get even with me for lying.
So I’m ready for it as I land the plane on the water and glide up to the dock.
They have a lot of luggage, but it’s a wedding, after all. The dresses were sent ahead last week. All five of them. Rory’s mom, Veronica, made her dress last year. So she’s bringing that with her when the family gets here tomorrow night.
Oliver and Katja reach me first. Pax and Cindy not far behind them. They are all holding hands and I hold that sight in my mind for a few moments before turning the plane off and opening the door.
“Hey, man,” Oliver says, taking my hand and pulling me into a tight embrace. “This is fucking great, right?”
He’s… smiling? And happy?
I get why he’d be happy. He’s marrying the absolutely adorable Katja. But…
“What’s wrong?” Ollie says.
“He thinks you’re gonna kick his ass,” Cindy says, coming up with Pax.
“Dude,” Oliver says. “Why the fuck would I hit you? You brought my sister back from the dead!”
“Uh…” I have nothing to say. It’s just not the reaction I was expecting.
“So we’re outta here?” Pax says. “I got my boat hidden in the interior lagoon. You hear anything about any bad weather coming? I don’t want it to get banged up while we’re gone.”
Now we’re talking about the weather?
“It’s the nicest fucking yacht I’ve ever owned and I’m thinking I’d like to keep it a while.”
“Nah,” I say, snapping out of it. “It’s gonna be hot and sunny for the next week.”
“Cool,” Pax says, pushing past me. “Let’s fucking go.”
He helps Cindy into the new plane—seats eight now. It’s practically a flying boat. The best on the market today and can take off and land on a runway or water. I could probably start a little tourist business if I wanted.
Ollie helps Katja. They claim the last row and immediately begin to chat as we load up the luggage.
“Nice piece of ass you got here,” Pax says.
“Yeah,” Ollie concurs. “We should get one of these, huh, Pax?” He slaps me on the back. “Why you so quiet, Five? Tell me all about this island you have. Is it better than Pax’s? Because if so, he’s gonna try to talk me into going in on another one with him, you watch.”
Yeah. First he’s happy to see me, then we’re talking weather, now he’s chatting up Mysterious about adding a plane and an island to their collection of shared shit.
What the fuck is going on with him?
“Well,” I start, trying to shake off the feeling that something is very wrong with Oliver Shrike right now. “It’s a hundred and twenty-two acres—”
Pax whistles at that, then he and Oliver exchange a look of mutual envy.
“—and it’s got…”
I rattle off all the specifics. The houses, the barn, the horses, the trails, the bikes.
“Bikes!” Ollie says. “Fuck, yeah, we’re gonna ride this weekend, brother. You got enough for all of us?”
“Nah,” I say, letting myself relax a little. Maybe he’s gonna be reasonable? “They’re mostly for the kids.”
“Kids.” Oliver laughs. “Jesus. I’m an uncle again. I cannot wait to see those little princesses.”
“I guess you shoot girls, huh, Five?” Pax laughs. “Like Cindy’s father.”
“Hey,” Cindy says from the back. “You better shoot some girls too, Paxton Vance. I want a whole pack of princesses!”
“Speaking of princesses,” Katja says. “Nolan and Ivy brought baby Bronte, right?”
And that’s how it goes for the entire ride back to the island. No, Why the fuck did you lie to me? No angry outbursts. No playing the blame game.
Just normal, everyday life.
When we land, all the others are there waiting.
Mac and Ellie. Nolan, Ivy, and Bronte. West, Tori, and Ethan. And of course, my little royal family.
Rory squeals at Cindy and Ollie. They hug and dance and cry happy tears. Isa, Ana, Louise and Mathilda hover at their mother’s side, trying to push their way into the fray of joy.
The dogs come up and wag their tails. Hell, a trio of wild pigs even swim up on shore to see what the hell is going on and that makes everyone even happier.
This can’t be how it will go. Can it?
Oliver Shrike isn’t gonna try to hit me? Kick my ass? Take me down a peg or ten? He’s really not harboring some resentment over me taking away his sister?
I can’t believe it.
But that’s how it’s shaking out.
Oliver is gonna be… reasonable.
My eyes won’t be black and blue for my wedding photos. There won’t be any loud fights over trust and loyalty.
No, I decide. I did it. I pulled it off. This Mister wedding is gonna be the most perfect happily ever after in the history of fairytale endings.