Until Arsen (Daniels Family 1)

He’s it.

He is my everything.

Chapter Thirteen

Arsen

“Arsen!” I spin around to see Ember running full-speed towards Marina and I as we are about to take our seats for her recital.

“Hey, firecracker.” I grin as she leaps into my arms. This fucking kid, she never lets shit get her down.

“I’m so glad you guys could make it! The kids are going to be just thrilled!” She pulls away after giving me a death squeeze to do the same to Marina. A woman she’s only spoken to on the phone nearly every day this past week, taking her time away from me. “Oh, Marina, it’s so nice to finally meet you!”

“You, too, Ember. The kids look great in their costumes.” Marina grins as some of the younger ones walk by where we’re standing.

“Your Mom’s sewing circle did an amazing job! Are Dennis and Claudia coming tonight?”

“They are.” Marina looks around. “Don’t tell the kids, but all the ladies are, and they’ve got special treats for everyone.”

Ember’s eyes tear. These kids have been her life for almost two years now. Helping them, getting to know about them and their families. My sensitive sister has absorbed their pain as her own.

“Thank you, Marina. For everything. You and your mom have been marvelous.”

Marina pulls Ember in for a hug this time, and I just barely hear her whisper, “I meant it when I said my mother is your mother. I’ve always wanted a sister.” I couldn’t be prouder of my woman than right there. Witnessing her do that for my sister just makes me love her that much more.

“Kol here yet?” I ask when they pull apart.

“Saving seats for you guys.” Ember’s smile is sad this time.

“Not a lot of parents are coming, are there?” I ask.

“No.” She brushes off her melancholy quickly. “I have a favor

to ask. My friend Thea should be in the audience, too. Big green eyes, light, light blonde hair. Looks like a super model really. Could you guys introduce yourselves, and umm…” She trails off and looks away.

“What, Em?”

“She’s terrified. She doesn’t get out much. Don’t let Kol scare her off, okay?”

“Got it,” I say as she shoos us away. As soon as we enter the small seating area, we spot the woman she has to be talking about, sitting two rows behind Kol.

“Kol!” I call, and he turns around. His gaze stops on Thea before ever meeting mine. I watch, fascinated, as my little brother becomes just as enthralled with the woman as I did with Marina. “Another one bites the dust.” I laugh.

“Thea?” Marina asks, touching the girl’s shoulder lightly as we approach her. When she startles, I’m shocked to see stark fear in her gaze. “I’m Marina, Ember’s friend. This is Arsen and Kol, her brothers—she points to each of us in turn. She’s asked us to sit with you, would that be alright?” A sharp nod is the only answer.

Kol and I share a look. My brother seems slightly pissed, and I shake my head, knowing full-well he’s about to go into protector mode. Marina sits on one side of Thea while Kol jumps over the chairs to sit on her other, nearly crowding all her space. I shake my head at him as he puts an arm around the back of her seat.

“He’s going to scare her,” I mutter to Marina.

“It’ll be fine.”

“Marina!” I hear Claudia call and smile as I see not only has she brought her sewing circle but their husbands and any grandkids they may have.

“Your Mom’s aces, Ari,” Kol says to her when he sees all the people they’ve brought. The lights begin to dim, and everyone takes their seats as Ember appears on stage, surprised to see so many people in the audience.

She gets choked up as she begins to speak, and I’m incredibly proud of the woman she’s growing into. Ember is going to do great things.

Marina