Page 79 of Fractured Hearts

“Let’s go. If your mom knows how to find Maverick, then this will be worth the therapy bills.”

“Malikai!” I turn at the sound of my dad’s voice, watching him race out of the house and engulf my brother in a fierce hug. This is the dad I remember. The loving and soft one. His whole personality switches off when he’s working, and I don’t think he’s stopped working a single moment since he helped me disappear.

Jo steps closer to my side as Belle watches Kai nervously. He hasn’t moved. His whole body is tense and still as a statue. Our dad doesn’t seem to mind that his hug isn’t being returned. When he finally lets go, it’s just to turn and grab me, bringing me flush to my twin’s side.

“Why is this so awkward?” I hear Jo whisper to Belle. Kai must hear her too because he laughs. It must be contagious because before I know it, we’re all laughing on the walkway to my parents’ house.

“I know I have a lot to make up for,” Dad starts, but Kai holds up a hand to stop him.

“I know what you were protecting Ezra from. I forgive you. I’d really like it if you were in our lives.” Kai grabs Belle by the hand and pulls her into his side.

“It’s so lovely to see you again, Bellamy,” Dad says, pulling her into a quick hug. “And you must be Jo. It’s wonderful to meet you.”

“Yes, it is,” Jo says, offering him a handshake when he tries to hug her. I snort. I can’t help it. “I haven’t decided how I feel about meeting you yet.”

“I think we’re going to get along just fine,” Dad says, accepting Jo’s handshake. He eyes our joined hands and raises a brow but doesn’t comment on it.

“Is Mom inside?” Kai asks, shifting from one foot to the other.

“She is. Let’s go have a discussion.” Dad leads the way. Kai and I quickly bump our shoulders together before following him.

“Let’s get this over with,” Kai grumbles.

eighty-four

JO

Adira offered us all tea and has been bee bopping around the house like we’re not aware of her usual zombie state. She’s smiling and asking Belle about Cal and his family. Belle is kind enough to answer her, but she doesn’t have a poker face and is openly frowning. Adira either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care. Kai and Ezra are stone-faced, and it’s the first time I’ve really noticed how identical they are. Ezra’s hair and beard really change his whole face. Now that he’s trimmed both, it would have been a lot more obvious that he wasn’t Ben.

It’s not until Adira takes a seat . . . on Gavin’s lap that Kai snaps.

“Okay. What the fuck?” he says, leaping to his feet and gesturing at his parents with both hands.

“Language!” Gavin chastises.

“No, I think fuck was pretty appropriate here,” Ezra argues. “You two need to start talking and fast. Maverick needs our help, and we’re wasting time watching our parents canoodle.”

Belle snorts and immediately covers her mouth, eyes wide. “I’m so sorry. I know this is a serious conversation, but canoodle is such a funny word.”

“Are you Midnightmare5650?” I ask before we end up off topic. Ezra’s right. Maverick doesn’t have the time to spare for this. We need to find him. It’s already been four days. I can’t imagine what he’s going through.

“I am,” Adira confirms with a soft smile.

“How?” Ezra asks, leaning forward. We’re all seated really close together on the couch while Gavin and Adira share a wingback chair.

“I’m going to give you the quick version, and we can have a more in-depth discussion later. Because you’re right,” Adira says, leaning forward and placing her hand on top of Ezra’s, “Maverick doesn’t have a lot of time.”

“The condensed version is, I’ve always known Ezra was alive.” Kai goes pale, and Belle gasps. “Eva had eyes on me. On this house. I think she always had a feeling he wasn’t really dead. So Gavin and I divorced, and he left to help Ezra. I stayed and pretended to drink away my grief.”

“Why were you such an asshole to Kai?” Belle interrupts. And yeah, I’d like to know that, too.

“I couldn’t have him looking. I needed Eva to stay away from him. It’s why I gave that interview. If you were too busy dealing with the press, then you couldn’t be looking into your brother.”

“That’s fucked up,” I say under my breath, but definitely loud enough for everyone to hear. Adira smiles sadly at me.

“It is, but it’s what kept everyone away and the eyes that could harm my family away from them.”

“Can we get to the Midnightmare5650 part?” Ezra says, shifting in his seat. I’m sure this conversation is making him uncomfortable.