Damian chuckled. “I don’t see that happening, little sis.”
“Oh really? You know unless I have school I can’t leave the house. I have been housebound for well over six months, and you know what? It’s not fair. You’re all going to drive me crazy with your very perfect, fantastic lives. I’m Tamsin, the youngest sister in this little fold.” Tamsin held her hand out.
“Mia Banks, and this is Reese.”
“Cute kid. I’ll never have one.”
Again his mother groaned. “Do you remember when you were cute and adorable, go back to that?”
“Remember when you were talking to Dad because he wasn’t such a loser?”
Maddox arrived in the kitchen then, and Damian watched as his mother seemed to withdraw. Over the years his parents had argued and fought a lot, but this was different, it felt different even to him. He watched his father look at Charlotte, the longing and pain on his face clear to see. Still, he went and made himself some coffee without saying a word.
“I’m going to take Mia and the kids over to my place, and then I’ll meet everyone at the casino for work.”
“I’m heading to England,” Landon said. “Already got my ticket booked, and as much as I want to be here for whatever crap is about to unfold, I’m sure Tamsin will keep me updated via video chat.”
“You betcha, brother,” Tamsin said, high-fiving her brother.
“I’ll drive you,” Maddox said.
“You’ve got work. I’ll be driving him. Everything is arranged with Rick. He’ll be picking him up from the airport in England, and taking him back home. You’ll say hi to Sarah for us.”
“Yeah, I will.”
Sarah was the girl that Landon believed would be his. For the longest time Damian had thought that the curse didn’t activate until both parties were the right age, but Landon had told them all that he’d felt it. The moment he saw the little English girl, he’d known she was supposed to be his. There was only a two-year age difference, so maybe the curse or legacy worked whenever it felt the person was ready.
His mother handed him a set of keys, and helped with Martha and Reese. Mia sat in the back, in the middle between the two children, and he turned toward his mother.
“You going to be mad at him forever?” he asked.
Charlotte smiled. “No, I won’t be.”
“He wasn’t even with you.”
“I know. It’s crazy, but you need to be a woman to understand this. I love your father. Always have and always will. We have a very difficult relationship is all. Things get said that you are not always privy to.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say your father and I had an argument, and I’ve said some things that I’m not proud of, and when you’re in a relationship as long as we’ve been, you’ll understand.” She patted his arm, cupped his face, and kissed both of his cheeks. “Now, don’t be a stranger. Don’t do anything reckless or dangerous, and be here for Sunday lunch. I’m having all the family, apart from Landon, but you get my drift.”
“All the Coltons as well?” he asked.
“You really need to get over your hate of them, honey. They’re here to stay, and so is Gabriel. He doesn’t deserve your anger.”
“You know he’s destined to take over from Jacob?” Damian asked. “I’m not taking orders from that prick.”
“Language. You really don’t give him a whole lot of credit.”
“I’ve seen the crap that they can do firsthand.”
“It wasn’t him, and I’m aware of the family he came from.” Again, she kissed his cheek. “Learn to forgive, and move on. Maybe then you’ll find that peace you’re looking for.”
He took a deep breath, knowing in his heart of hearts that his mother, damn her, was right.
“I’m going to head out.”
“Go on then. Don’t let me keep you.”