The moment my hands goes to knock the front door of my brothers’ home, it’s pulled open, and Elliot frowns at me as he lets go of the door to cross his arms. It’s strange to be close to my brothers again, and not just having new photos John used to sneak in for me. There hasn’t been any photos or news of my family for the last two years since John had to stay in the New York fighting ring. I do hope to see my old friend again when this is all over. We are so close, and I keep trying to remind myself of that as Elliot stares at me like I’m a window salesman instead of his brother.

"You might have been gone a while, but you don't fucking knock on this door. This was your home," he growls out, which I didn’t quite expect before turning around and walking into the kitchen.

"Good morning to you too brother," I sarcastically state, stepping into the house and shutting the door behind me.

"In here!" I hear Sebastian shout and I walk through the kitchen and into the dining room, where all my brothers are waiting for me. Sebastian looks tense, awkwardly so, and Elliot doesn’t seem in a much better mood. Nothing I’m going to say is going to improve the situation. I can’t tell them anything because I know Arthur is following my every move while I’m here. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were microphones fitted in this house. He is a paranoid fucker, which has made my job that much harder over the years. Harley draws my attention to him as he seems lost in thought, no doubt trying to figure things out. If he knew Arthur let me come back here as a gift for my killing rate in Russia the last few months, he wouldn’t be happy. Seeing my brothers is a gift from my boss, a permanent one. I’ve all but managed to convince Arthur that I’m only seeing my brothers again to ruin them for leaving me in prison. I don’t actually feel that way, but it’s one of the million lies I’ve told to survive.

"Sit down, and start explaining," Harley says, leaning back on his chair and crossing his arms.

"No," I reply. I’m not here to be bossed around or to explain anything, no matter how much I want to. I want my brothers’ fucking help with the scariest thing I’m ever going to do in my entire life, but I know I can’t ask for it.

"What the fuck do you mean by no?" Elliot asks, looking like he wants to kill me. I don’t blame him one bit. I’m acting like a cocky asshole and pretending like their feelings aren’t important when they sure as fuck are.

"I'm back, isn't that enough?" I reply.

"Enough?" Sebastian growls, slamming his fists on the table as he stands up. "Was it enough that you've worried us all fucking sick for years? First, we thought you were dead, and it destroyed us. You’re our little brother, and we love you, and you just left like we are nothing to you. Could you have not just sent one message to us? Just one message to let us know you were okay?" His words almost make me want to feel guilty but the memories of everything I have done the last few years to keep them safe crosses over my mind. I know I don't care that I worried them. I've kept them safe...they just don't know it and they can't for a long time.

"I couldn't. I can't tell you where I have been and why I am back. I’ll leave if you can't deal with that,” I say. “I know it doesn’t make any fucking sense, but it is how it’s got to be.”

"You're not the same Luke I remember. You've grown up a hell of a lot," Elliot points out. “Whatever you’ve been doing has aged you.”

"I have grown up. Time does that," I reply to Harley, who rubs his face and glances around the room at our other brothers.

"Are you in trouble?" he asks. “Tell us, and we will fix it.”

"No," I reply, but it’s a lie, and nothing Harley could do would be able to fix it. My whole world has been in trouble for as long as I can remember but I know this time, it’s worth it. They have their families, and a lovely future ahead of them, and when this is all over, I’ll be able to explain to them where I’ve been all this time. I hate lying to them even more than what’s necessary, but there’s no way Arthur isn't watching and listening to my every move at the moment. Being back here is his final test to see if I’m as loyal as he needs me to be. The Cage is the final part of my journey over the years, and it's all going to end in fire and pain. It just won't be the ending Arthur expects to happen.

"You're lying, but I'm going to drop it. I want you to stay and be with your family," Harley says, not looking impressed about his conclusion as he gets up off his chair and comes to me. He gives me a manly hug, patting my back before stepping back.

"I want the truth, but I won't push you away to get it. I will figure it out on my own," Elliot announces, crossing his arms and I take that as a hug in Elliot's own way.

"Thanks, bro," I say, looking at Seb. "What about you?"

"Jake misses you. I miss you, even if you are a big fucking idiot for whatever trouble you have no doubt gotten yourself in. As long as you don't disappear, we can work past it," he replies. “I want my brother back.”

"I'm back. For good," I reply, meaning every word.

"Where are you staying?" Harley asks, crossing his arms.

"The Marylin hotel in town," I reply, with a little chuckle as I think of the place. “It’s a cute place, though the old lady that runs it is a little too touchy-feely for my liking. I have to sneak in before she sees me.”

"Right, I’ll make up your bed, and you should go and get your stuff. No brother of mine is living in a hotel with a creepy old lady," Harley says, and I don’t think I have a choice in the matter by the look on his face. I guess this place is a million times better than the hotel, and Arthur will like me living here, getting close to my family like he has planned.

"You sure?" I ask.

"This is your home, so I'm sure," Harley replies. “You don’t ever have to ask to stay here. It doesn’t work like that for us.” I nod at him, knowing he is right.

"One more question," I say before he can walk away.

"What about?" he asks.

"Emilia and Parker," I say, and they all smirk. It’s annoying when your brothers know a hell of a lot more about your girl and kid than you do.

"Emilia told Tilly, who told everyone that you figured it out at the wedding. Parker is a good kid, and you’re a lucky bastard who never should have left them," Seb states, pressing me but I don’t rise to it. He’s mad at me still and considering he doesn’t know or understand; I don’t blame him. It’s not his forgiveness I want. "What is the question?"

"I want to be his dad, but I'm clueless how to do that. You guys have kids, so how do you be a dad?" I ask.

"Ah, you want to know the one fail-safe trick that is the most important thing to any kid?" Harley asks, and I nod. "Being there for them. Always. That's all kids want." Harley pats my shoulder before walking out the room, followed by Elliot, but Seb stays put.

"This is awkward, isn't it?" I ask after a long moment of us just standing here.

"Yeah, it is," he says, laughing and rubbing the back of his neck. "How about we get a drink in the basement and catch up? Unless you have somewhere to be that is?"

"A drink and a catch up sound perfect to me," I say, knowing I want to learn about everything I've missed, and spend time with my brothers. I want to learn everything that photos do little to tell me. "And maybe you could do me a favour while we chat?"

"What favour?" Seb asks, looking over his shoulder as I follow him. “You are a cheeky bastard asking for one just after you’ve turned up. I thought Elliot was the asshole of the family, but you sure are giving him a fight for his title.”

"I know I have a lot to make up for and I’m being an ass. I just need someone's number. I'm pretty sure you can guess who." Seb doesn't agree, but he does laugh and pat my shoulder, still having a hostile look in his eyes. I suspect he doesn’t want to get close to me again while he isn’t sure if I’m going to walk away again. I'm glad to be back around my family, even if I have to keep lying to them for now. One day I’ll be able to tell them everything, and I have to hope they don't hate me for the choices I've made.