Cataclysm (Four Horsemen #4)(71)

“I’m still straight, Mum, and I’m not having sex with the boys if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I did not… that’s not what I was…” She let out a breath. “I wouldn’t have an issue with you being… intimate with them if that was the case. This is just not what I expected from any of you.”

Drake sat back in his chair and shrugged.

“It’s not the first time we’ve shared.”

I couldn’t believe he was admitting this to his mother. I had to put my free hand over my mouth in an attempt to hide my smile.

“It’s not the… lord have mercy, I’m not sure I want to ask what that means.”

The way her face coloured up was making me want to hide under the table and clutch my stomach. It was so difficult not to laugh at this situation and her reaction.

“This is why I don’t tell you things, Mum. You clearly don’t approve, but it doesn’t stop this from being a reality.” He waved at me. “You, of all people, should understand why we can’t stay away from each other with the way you go on about how Francis and I were born on the exact same day. It’s the same for all of us. We belong together. It’s always been Scarlett for me. Always. It will never be anyone else. I can’t stop loving her and I don’t want to try. Not when she makes me happy. She completes all of us. We weren’t okay without her. None of us were. And now we are. We’re a family. I won’t let anything come between us. Nothing will tear us apart. Never again.”

He looked at me then. The love in his eyes almost knocked me off the chair. The intensity of those indigo eyes had me dropping my hand from my mouth and reaching out to touch his face. The fact he was standing up to his mother over me had my heart in absolute knots.

He pressed a kiss to my palm, making me practically swoon. There was nothing like being wrapped up in Drake’s gaze when his full attention was on you. It was overwhelming, exhilarating and oh so fucking everything.

“Death needs his little wisp,” he whispered. “I’m keeping you this time. Eternity isn’t long enough, but it will have to do. I cannot imagine a world where you don’t exist next to me.”

I leant closer and rested my head on his shoulder.

“Listen, I love you and you’re my eternity too, but your mum is staring at us and I’m kind of worried if I kiss you, she’ll blow a blood vessel,” I whispered back.

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle her.”

He made me sit up and let go of my hand before rising from his seat. Drake dug his hands in his pockets and walked over to his mother, towering over the woman like he did most people. She stared up at him without compunction. May never backed down from a fight.

“You’re allowed to feel whatever it is you want about the five of us, but you don’t get a say in my life and who I choose to spend it with. If you have a problem with me and the others all being with Scarlett, then I’ll take her and walk out of that door. I’ve already been ambushed by Oscar today. You know I have no issues cutting my family out of my life.”

“Your father ambushed you?”

He sighed and removed his hand from his pocket to place it on her shoulder.

“Fletcher decided to trick me into lunch with them. We walked out of the restaurant.”

May looked incensed.

“That man knows absolutely no bounds.”

“Why do you speak to him?”

“He’s still your father, Drake. It’s easier this way.”

“Easier for who? Him?”

She shook her head.

“No, for me. I will never forgive him for everything he put us through, but I have no wish for animosity between us.”

She let out a sigh. There were so many things written across her face, but she took a long minute to voice them.

“I want you to be happy, Drake. The fact you’re here and in a relationship… well, I may need some time to deal with my personal feelings on the matter, but it doesn’t mean I want you and Scarlett to leave. Please, sit and let me make you lunch.”

Drake nodded at his mother before returning to me, taking a seat by my side. May went back to preparing us lunch. I leant into him, wanting his warmth surrounding me. He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me against his chest.

“Are you okay?” he murmured

“I’m with you, of course I’m okay.”

“Scarlett…”

“It’s fine. I knew she would have a hard time with it. Besides, I’ve dealt with Eliza, Jasper and Rosie’s feelings on the matter. What makes you think I can’t cope with your mother?”

He cocked his head to the side as I stared up at him.

“It’s less about me thinking you can’t deal with it and more you shouldn’t have to. I don’t want anyone making you feel bad for choosing us.”

I stroked his chest, adoring the fact he felt that way.

“Hate to break it to you, but a lot of people aren’t going to be very receptive to this.”

“Does that bother you?”

I shook my head.

“Is it weird that I didn’t really question it when I ended up with all four of you? It was barely a fleeting thought about what it might mean. It has always felt right. Like we’re meant to be together. Fighting it seemed futile, you know… like what would be the point in denying ourselves what we need.”