I still couldn't see much through my vision, but I felt someone pull me up from the ground, holding me tightly in their arms.

"Mr.- Mr. Embry", I heard Tiara stutter, nervously. "Thank God you came!" Her voice changed, sounding all delighted, even though a tad of unease still lingered behind her words. "Estella here had a little accident as you see- "

"Spare me from your bullshit", he growled. "Rafael saw it all".

She looked like a deer caught in headlights from the way her eyes almost popped out of her head. Only for a second though. Then rage washed over her.

"He doesn't know what he's talking about. He had it out for me since I started yesterday!" She yelled, pointing an accusing finger in the said man's direction. "Besides, he wasn't even here", she added, angrily crossing her arms.

"He didn't need to be". As I clung to Embry's waist, I saw how he raised a hand, gesturing to the small camera in the corner of the ceiling and to the guards who were patrolling outside. "You would be a fool to think if we didn't have a security team that knows what's going on everywhere on this property".

Tiara's mouth hung open, horror flashing on her face.

"Why so quiet all of a sudden? You didn't know they were there?" Embry taunted. "You're not supposed to".

The girl was still silent as her gaze bounced between all of us.

"Rafael, I want you to guard Miss Gómez until Nate gets here. If she tries anything, you have my full permission to use force against her", Embry ordered, taking a hold of my hand.

"But Embry!" Tiara protested, reaching out to him with desperate eyes. "Can't we figure this out together, you and I?" She bargained, batting her lashes as she pushed her chest out further. "I'm sure I can make amends if you let me", she added, flashing more of her undergarments.

My brother stared at her skin that was showing out from the low-cut shirt she was wearing.

"Nice bra. A bit out of your pay range since your uncle blocked your credit cards. Don't you agree?" He gave her a nasty glare and then the corners of his mouth twitched into a fake smile. "Rafael, make sure she cleans this up before someone wants to talk with her".

Shock coated her features as he led me out of the library, Tiara's high-pitched voice calling out to Embry multiple times as we kept walking.

I was still crying a lot, endless streams of tears spilling out but at least I had the ability to see what was happening around us.

"Do you want to take a shower or get in the bathtub?" Embry asked as we walked down the bedroom hallway.

"Bathtub", I whimpered, hating how sticky my pants felt around my legs.

My brother took us to Nate's bathroom, turning on the faucet. He helped me undress and placed me in the warm water. He used a damp washcloth to gently wash my face, wiping away my tears even though they were still falling.

"Everything okay?"

I tensed at the voice from the other side of the door. It's been more than two weeks since I last heard it. Remembering back to that day I last saw him, my stomach twisted anxiously.

"Everything's fine, Slade", Embry replied, removing the plug. "Can you find some new clothes for her?"

Slade didn't say anything, but I heard his footsteps as he retreated. He most likely didn't want to help me. He doesn't like me because it was my fault, he got in trouble even though everyone says differently. I just didn't believe it.

Embry lifted me out of the bathtub and wrapped me in a soft towel. I could dry myself off but didn't mind him doing it for me. I wanted to be pampered a little.

"Here", Slade said, pushing the door open so he could hand over the clothes.

I was surprised he actually returned. He properly only did it because Embry told him to. I avoided making eye contact with him. His intimidating eyes from two weeks ago still existed in my memory and I wasn't ready to look at them yet.

In no time I was dressed in new clothes like nothing had happened. It was only my red cheeks and puffy eyes that was the evidence of what Tiara did to me. And the bump on the side of my head that had grown since I banged it on the floor.

My bottom lip was still trembling as I gazed at my feet, Embry's tall frame squatting down to my height.

"What can I do baby? How can I make you feel better?" He asked softly as he swiped a few stray locks behind my ears.

"I want Mr. Benny", I whispered. "And Nate", my voice broke at the end.

"Mr. Benny is your elephant, right?"

I nodded, using the end of my sleeve to wipe away a small tear.

"Let's go find him", he held out his hand for me to take but that wasn't what I wanted.

I raised my arms, wanting to be carried. It made me feel warm, protected, and safe when I was in someone's arms. I really needed that right now.

Embry lifted me up in his arms strolling towards Nate's bed where he found my stuffed animal sitting on the top of the covers. I hugged Mr. Benny close to my chest, squishing all of the comfort I could out of the poor thing.

My brother took me downstairs walking towards the hallway where the home offices were located. From outside, I could hear loud crying and two people who were speaking with each other.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am Nathaniel", an older voice sighed. "I hope you know that she will never be anywhere near your sister again".

We stood in the doorway where I was able to make out the scene in the office.

Tiara was sitting in a chair bawling her eyes out. Black streams that were mixed with tears coated her cheeks as she wiped her face with a tissue, a bunch of used ones laying in her lap.

"I know Carlos", Nate replied to the other man, a bit colder than he normally spoke to people. His stiff body posture and tight facial expression showed that he was angry. When his dark orbs connected with mine in the doorway, his gaze softened a little. "Unfortunately, it isn't me who deserves an apology".

The elder man, Carlos, followed my brother's eyes, landing on me. His brows furrowed with what I assumed to be guilt. A loud wail snapped his attention from me, anger morphing over his face as Tiara balled a new set of tissues in her hands.

He strode over to her in fast strides, yanking her up by her arm. She looked surprised by his actions as he hauled her over to stand in front of me. I sank further into Embry's embrace, not wanting to be anywhere near that girl.

"Speak!" Carlos nudged her arm when all she did was sniffle.

"Sorry", she muttered, not looking up.

"I think you can do better than that", the man snarled.

"I- I'm- "

"Look up. Don't be so disrespectful!" He reprimanded. "Your father must be rolling in his grave", Carlos sneered in her ear.

Tiara hiccupped her tear-filled eyes slowly connecting with mine. "I'm really sorry Miss Cifuentes".

I didn't know what to do so I just stayed silent, resting my head on Embry's shoulder.

"As am I", Carlos said, his voice laced with remorse while he looked at me. "My niece's behavior the past year has brought shame over our entire family but don't worry. She'll be under house arrest until she can be shipped off to another state".

"No uncle Carlos!"

"Shut up!" He hissed.

"Mr. Embry". Carlos bowed his head politely in his direction as he grabbed niece's arm again, urging her to step out of the office.

"My life is ruined!" Tiara sobbed hysterically, falling to her knees like I saw a toddler do in Costco once.

Her uncle squeezed his eyes shut, sighing heavily.

"Lord, give me strength", he whispered as he grabbed her underneath her arms, dragging her through the hallway, mumbling about what a drama queen she was as they passed Slade who stared at them with raised brows.

Embry shook his head, walking over to Nate where he placed me in his outstretched arms. "She wanted you", he mumbled, opening a laptop.

My nose buried itself in the crook of my eldest brother's neck, inhaling his comforting scent. His arms wrapped around me tightly as he cradled me close.

"I'm so sorry", he whispered a few times, kissing me on the head while he swayed us from side to side.

Feeling his eyes search for my face, I lifted up my head making eye contact with him.

"The man who is head of security is going to come in and tell us about what they observed. He's also going to show us the surveillance footage", he informed. "Do you want to stay, or would you rather want to relax in the living room?"

"I want to stay", I decided. "But I don't know if I want to say anything".

"That's fine angel". He sealed his words with a small kiss on my forehead, taking a seat behind the large desk with me on his lap. Slade had sat down in one of the armchairs in front of the desk, sitting rather calmly as he gazed out the window. I still felt uncomfortable by him being back after so long.

Shortly after, a man stepped in. He was wearing a suit like my two eldest brothers with an earpiece in his right ear.

"What do you got Ezra?" My eldest brother asked, lazily running his fingers through my hair.

Footage of Tiara and I showed up on the laptop screen that Embry placed on the desk in front of us.

"One of the guards who were patrolling outside on the patio area, reported that he could hear Miss Gómez raising her voice at Miss Estella inside the library", he started, skipping to another time stamp on the video.

My fingers fumbled with Mr. Benny as he played a few seconds of the video. A heavy weight sank in my chest as I relived how cruel Tiara was treating me. Thankfully, there wasn't any audio to the tape.

"As I received the report, I followed the surveillance closely from the command center. The guards reported back several times that Miss Gómez showed suspicious behavior, being slightly aggressive in her body language, her tone was disrespectful, and she wasn't providing the proper care for Miss Estella. That's when I called you", Ezra said, nudging his head in Nate's direction.

My brother nodded knowingly a single time, his focus remaining on the paused video.

"Like instructed, I kept Rafael in the hallway close to the library so he was ready to interfere whenever it would be necessary".

Wasn't it necessary the moment Tiara started to be mean? It would've been nice if they had come sooner.

"You agreed that we should wait to take control and see where it went until you were able to get back home. Of course, if a physical threat occurred, then we would have interfered immediately. Nothing really happened for a long time until your sister was denied to leave. That's when I decided to move Rafael in, ready to get involved. Mr. Embry also returned home that moment and joined us then", he explained, playing some of the video again. "This is when it escalated".

My orbs instantly dropped to my lap, not being able to see my accident as my cheeks burned from embarrassment. It was hard not to think about how many people might have seen it. That was properly what was most humiliating.

Nate's fingers lightly tracing the side of my head was calming to me. Except for when his feather light touch ran over my bump. I shrunk away in pain, with a small whimper. He was immediately forgiven when he lovingly stroked my hair.

He pressed the intercom on his desk. "Bring an ice pack please", he muttered.

"Thanks for catching her red-handed Ezra", Nathaniel said, shaking the man's hand.

"No worries", he answered, closing the laptop. "What should we do about that underwear?"

"Let her keep it", Nate sighed. "She'll need something to brighten her day when she is under house arrest".

Embry snorted in the background. "Really?" He enquired. "Let her at least pay back every cent. Just like she has to earn all the money Carlos' Lambo cost that she totaled".

My eldest brother exhaled deeply again, then nodded. "Fine, if that would make you feel better".

"It would".

"Okay sir". Ezra scribbled something on a sheet of paper. "And what are your thoughts about the security detail?"

A maid entered the office with an ice pack, handing it to my brother, who carefully held it to the side of my head. At first, I shivered from how cold it was, but it felt nice against the throbbing bump.

"Unless anything else is ordered, I want two visible bodyguards to accompany all my siblings when they're out, four more blending in with the surroundings". He swirled a lock of my hair around his finger.

"Noted", Ezra said, glancing up from his papers.

"That's all for now", Nate dismissed. "Good work Ezra", he praised as the said man was about to leave. "Tell Rafael that he may join us now".

He gave a curt nod, turning on his heel. Rafael entered the office, standing in front of my brother with his arms resting behind his back.

"Rafael, please remind me how long you have worked for us", Nathaniel requested.

"Seven years sir".

"And before you got employed here, you were in the army?"

"Yes. I enlisted when I was 18 and served until I was 25".

My brother hummed thoughtfully. "In the Marine, correct?"

"Yes sir", he replied. "I've got two tours to Afghanistan before I got wounded in crossfire".

"I see", my brother mumbled. "The reason why I've called you in today is because as you know, I value the protection of my family very much", he started, pinning the man's gaze to him. "Out of all the qualified guards we have, you've got the much potential and the best qualities".

"Thank you, sir".

My brother held the man's gaze. "I want you to be one of Estella's primary bodyguards".

The man gaped in bewilderment, blinking a few times. "But Mr. Nathaniel- "

My brother held up a hand. "I know what I'm asking is a lot. It's a high-risk job and you've just become a father, but I trust you, Rafael. You're observant, proactive, and courageous", he stated.

"Thank you, sir", he replied humbly, gazing at his feet.

"You're going to be partners with Sawyer. That means better working hours for the both of you, more time with your families and of course a raise. I trust the two of you to select four other guards to be a part of Estella's security detail", Nate finished.

Rafael shook his head slightly as if he thought he was dreaming. "I don't know what to say".

Nate cracked a smile. "You don't have to answer now. Take a few days to think about it".

"Thank you, Mr. Nathaniel".

"Don't thank me", my brother dismissed. "It was after all you who informed us about Miss Gómez's misdeeds while you were at the mall".

The guard shrugged. "I was just doing my job".

"And you do it damn well", Nate stated, approvingly. "That was all I wanted to discuss. You're dismissed if you don't have anything to add", he finished with a pleasant smile.

"I'm good sir", he answered, giving a curt nod before he retreated from the office.

Silence fell between us as both Embry and Nathaniel typed on their computers and wrote a few notes on a couple papers. My chest still felt heavy, and my mood was clouded with sadness, humiliation, and loneliness. The last thing was the worst. I was surrounded by people, but I had never been so lonely.

"Slade".

Nate's voice pulled me away from my depressive thoughts, my eyes trailing over to the brother sitting in front of us. Slade's appearance was so different, it was hard to understand this was the same person from two weeks ago. It wasn't so much his physical appearance. His hair was still as disheveled and voluminous as last time, and he was dressed comfy in gray sweatpants and green hoodie. But his facial expression and his entire demeanor however, made me doubt that this was actually the brother that took me to that weird playground and got us both in trouble. His dark cognac orbs didn't carry that bored, intimidating fury. They were as calm as still water, peering around the office until they connected with our eldest brother's.

"How are you doing hermano?"

(Brother)

"Better", he mumbled, diverting eye contact.

"What did the doctor say?" Nate asked.

"That I don't show any signs of withdrawal symptoms and I'm ready to come back home".

My eldest brother shifted in his chair, moving a bit more forward. "He made sure that the urine sample was clean, right?"

Slade nodded. "He also signed the medical certificate we gave him where it says that I've had the Covid-19 virus. It shouldn't be a problem to convince the coaches that I've been sick. They'll never know the real reason", he explained with a shaky voice, his eyes staring at his lap.

"Good", Nate said, the tension leaving his body.

He removed the ice pack from my head and stood up from the chair, placing me on the seat alone. I didn't really like that. I wasn't done being clingy yet.

Nathaniel strode over to his youngest brother, tugging at his arm, gesturing to him to stand. Slade's hands found their way to his pockets as his gaze was glued to his feet.

"Hermano, look at me".

(Brother)

Slade shook his head, his jaw snapped tight as he slightly tapped his foot on the hardwood floor.

Nate cupped the sides of his head, tilting his face upwards so he could look at him.

"Stop doing that", he ordered sternly.

The younger one of them bit his bottom lip. "I'm so stupid", he muttered through gritted teeth.

"You're not- "

"I am". Slade cut him off. "So fucking stupid", he spat, his jaw quivering as his hands balled together.

"Your actions were stupid, yes", Nate agreed. "You made a mistake and faced the consequences. You didn't give in to the withdrawal symptoms, not once". Nathaniel held eye contact with him as he carried on, refusing to let him divert from him. "You stood your ground and fought to get better. Don't beat yourself up like that. Give yourself some credit".

I couldn't see past Nate's figure to get a reaction from Slade as he never said anything but only hugged his brother tightly.

Their sweet moment was interrupted with a loud shout through the hallway.

"Yo! My favorite twin is back, and no one told me?" Ray came inside with fast steps, slinging his arm around his twin brother, giving him a noogie.

They play-fought a bit before they greeted each other with a proper hug, padding the other ones back gently.

"I'm so glad you're home", Ray said joyfully. "I just bought a new Ashton Martin, and I could use your help with fixing the carburetor".

Such an innocent comment had a way to crush my heart in my chest. For what reason, I didn't know. My stomach started aching and it felt like a magnet was pulling inside me, eager for me to be drawn to somewhere else. Not physically, more like an emotional place.

"Let's take a look at it then". Slade smirked, his dull eyes getting a small spark to them.

"We'll talk later". I heard Nate whisper in the youngest ear, with a pad on the back.

Embry had watched the entire interaction with a pleasant smile. "It's good he's back. Twins can't be apart for long".

"You must know", Nathaniel chuckled. As the laughter calmed down, I felt eyes on me as I swung my legs back and forward, rubbing Mr. Benny's fur.

"Emb, do you mind telling Sebastian that I take the rest of the day off and that I am only to be disturbed in case of an emergency?"

"Sure".

The sound of footsteps got close to me and soon, I was lifted onto Nate's hip where he carried me out of the office.

"What do you want to do?" Nate asked, while walking down the hallway.

I shrugged, not feeling like doing anything else than sulk.

"We can go for a