#Chapter 98 – Home again

Victor is the last to leave the venue, wanting to ensure that he has left no mess behind and that no one lingers to gossip. He wanted the affair finished, complete, and stayed to ensure that it would happen.

Some of his guests protested, saying they wanted to stay overnight, but offered the venue an obscene amount of money to close out their tabs and ask them, politely, to leave. The venue happily complied.

He had been hoping that Evelyn and the children would have stayed behind – he still wanted a word with Ian and Alvin, whom he hadn’t seen since that morning’s awful trail, but he had received a text from her, earlier, letting him know that she wanted to get them home.

Evelyn: Stephen has offered us a ride home with some of the Betas and we are going to take it. I’m sorry if you wanted us to stay, but they boys are so upset – I just want this day to be over.

He understood, of course – he wanted the best thing for them. And Evelyn was a good mother – she would know what they needed.

Finally, when all is complete, there is only a single black sedan left with Beta Stephen as the driver. Burton gives him a little bow, holding the door open as Victor leaves the venue at last.

“I’ll follow tomorrow, sir. Some affairs to complete here.” Burton murmurs.

“Good,” Victor says, pausing to look him in the eye. “We’ll be glad to have you.”

Burton nods and smiles, heading back into the venue as Victor climbs into the car.

“Sir?” Beta Stephen asks through the lowered partition between front and back seats.

“Home, Beta.” Victor says, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. “Let’s go home.”

Some time later, they pull into the driveway and Victor blinks awake, not realizing he had fallen asleep. He runs a hand through his hair, looking up at his house, not knowing, really, what to expect when he goes in. Will Amelia be there, packing? Or waiting to scream at him?

Honestly, he wouldn’t be surprised by anything at this point.

Giving Stephen a nod as he exits the car, Victor makes his way up the drive. The Betas guarding his door give him a salute and, he could swear, a sympathetic look. Well, at least they’re still on his side.

He gives them a nod and opens the door.

The house is silent, empty and dark. The cleaning and cooking staff have been dismissed for a couple of days, on vacation during the time when Victor and Amelia expected to be celebrating.

few days,” he murmurs, walking

against the island, trying to figure out his next steps, unnerved by the utter quiet of the house. He wonders if Amelia has come

and

and eye peek around the corner of the door and Victor can’t

he says, coming around the island to greet

doesn’t come in. Victor sees that Alvin is standing behind him, almost afraid. Looking beyond them, Victor doesn’t see Evelyn and wonders if she stayed home. He brushes away the disappointment, concentrating on

a little wary.

to his knees so as to be

out from behind

bad,” Ian picks up, hanging his

suddenly, by the love he has for these boys in all their earnest sorrow. “Come here, guys,” he says, his voice gruff with feeling.

is sorry. I never should have let it get that far, let

Alvin says, his voice guilty. “We tried to make her mad a

mean to

their shoulders so they stand straight in front of them. “None of that,” he says, sternly. “You two deserve a mother who loves you, who can take a few pranks without resorting to cruelty,” Victor says, surer now of his decision

who doesn’t try to have us kidnapped,” Ian

Colorado,” Alvin says, looking

knew about

eyes at Victor. “We

being such good spies.

he also

hands over his head. Victor is glad to see that the sorrow and worry

knowing look. Victor chuckles and narrows

good mother. Does she know

I know,” Evelyn says from the doorway. Victor looks up, surprised, to see that she’s leaning against the door frame, surveying the scene before her and smiling. How did he miss her sneaking

says, standing slowly, a little at a loss

says, giving him a

moment as they

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