Chapter 67: Chapter 16

CADEN

The events of last night have left me convinced that Angelo doesn’t deserve those kids. After spending some time with them, I’ve realized they’re incredible. They’re a bit rough around the edges, but with the right guidance, they could be a great addition to our team. I just wish Angelo had given it more thought.

I believe they deserve to see him at least once. This morning, we’re heading into town to take care of some business. Nate doesn’t want the boys in the basement, and while I usually would agree, I think it might be good for them, considering what they’ve been through.

The boys shuffle down for breakfast, moving like they’re in a trance. We can’t help but chuckle as they navigate the kitchen. It’s clear they’ve made themselves comfortable here. As they sit down, they notice us watching them. We just sip our coffee, waiting for them to break the silence.

“Morning, guys.”

“Yeah, sorry, morning.”

“No worries, boys. We know it’s been a wild twenty-four hours. We have someone else for you to meet this morning. Her name is Peggy. She’s Toni’s mom, so she’s your grandma.”

They exchange a glance, then look back at us. I can see the gears turning in their heads. They probably had no idea they even had a grandmother.

“We have a grandma?”

Just then, Peggy walks in and sees the boys. They jump up and run to her, hugging her as she showers them with kisses.

My phone rings. It’s Andy. It’s only nine in the morning, so I doubt he’s finished with the paperwork this quickly. I answer the call, waiting to hear what he has to say.

“Hey, Andy, what’s up?”

“I just finished with the dad and I’m heading to the judge. I should have the paperwork by ten this morning. I had to rush it before the dad left.”

I glance at the boys, shocked by what I’m hearing. Where is he even going?

“What do you mean, left?”

“Caden, they’ve put the house up for sale and they’re loading up moving trucks. They’re leaving town fast. There are two moving trucks and crews everywhere.”

“Andy, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I wish I was, Caden! They look like they’re about halfway done. I’ll have the signed paperwork in about an hour. I can meet you there with the papers.”

“We’re on our way!”

I hang up quickly and tell everyone to get dressed. We need to leave immediately. Everyone scrambles to get ready. We throw on shoes and wait for everyone to pile into the SUVs. We race into town and as we turn onto their street, sure enough, there are moving vans.

I have the boys get out and stand on the opposite side of the street with me. Renae spots us first and calls Angelo outside, pointing in our direction. I have Eva stay with the boys because I have a bone to pick with Angelo. I beckon Nate, Jessie, and Jace to follow me as I approach him.

“What do you want, Caden? I gave you my answer.”

“I just wanted to show them what a coward looks like. They deserve to see you at least once.”

Andy arrives, rushing over with the papers. I take them and quickly scan for the names. Anthony and Marcus Maxwell. I hand the paperwork to Nate as I turn my attention back to Angelo.

“You need to leave. You’re not welcome here.”

“I’m sure Renae had a big part in this decision. It’s a shame you couldn’t put your issues aside for the boys. Luckily for me, they’re now mine and they’ll be Maxwells. Since you’re moving, this will be a lot easier. If you ever come back, I won’t hesitate to take you out.”

Renae starts to say something, but I cut her off.

“If you say one more thing, you can join your husband if I ever have to deal with him.”

She wisely keeps quiet and walks away. I signal for everyone to load up and take the paperwork from Nate. As I cross back over to the boys, I show them the paperwork and point out their new names. They look at me, then at their dad. I watch as they grin at each other and both raise their middle fingers, flipping him off. Eva is mortified, Nate and Jessie are laughing, and I couldn’t be prouder!

“All right, boys, let’s load up and take care of the rest.”

We all pile back into the SUVs and head toward the basement. Cami is being carried by Jace, Mandy, Nate, and the boys follow me down. I have Tank and Frankie go ahead of us to get things ready. I stop everyone in the hallway and explain that Mandy, Nate, Cami, and Jace can go in first and get their turn before we finish. Frankie comes out and hands Mandy and Cami a bat. They both grin.

I explain to the boys that these men ambushed Cami at school and beat her so badly she almost died. The rage I see in their eyes tells me they want a turn too. After a few minutes, Mandy and Cami come out, their bats bloody, both of them crying and holding each other.

Before I can say anything, the boys grab the bats and go in with Nate. They’re not in there long before they come out, crying. Eva quickly wraps them in a hug. Tank and Frankie hand Cami and Mandy a gun, and they walk back in with the boys.

I step in front of everyone, and when I see these two men… Damn, these kids did a number on them. I watch as Cami and Mandy step up, each hugging a boy as they put the gun to their heads. Two gunshots ring out and their heads drop. They’ll never hurt another child again. The boys bury their faces as they’re led out by the girls. I just stand there as Eva takes my hand.

“Caden, it’s over. Let’s get these boys out of here and show them the senior properties. Let’s show them what the Maxwells are all about. I’ll have Mandy and Nate go shopping for clothes and shoes since we’ll need to register them at school.”

I nod and exit the room. Everyone is changing out of their bloody clothes. Once everyone is cleaned up, I take the boys with Eva and we head to the elementary school with our paperwork.

When we pull up to the elementary school, we look around. We never thought we’d be back here, but here we are. We get out and walk inside, and there she is. You’ve got to be kidding me. This woman is now the secretary? I can see Eva is ready to leap across the counter and take her out.

“Well, hello, I’m Misty. How can I help you today?”

We wait as she slowly looks up and the color drains from her face. Yeah, I bet she didn’t think she’d ever see us again either!

“I need to get my boys enrolled in school.”

“Sure, we just need to fill out some paperwork.”

Before we can respond, Principal Miller appears and swiftly ushers us into his office. As I follow with the boys, I catch Eva whispering something to Misty, a smile playing on her lips. Misty, however, isn’t smiling. She’s probably discussing the weather. That’s my girl, fiercely protective of her kids. Ten minutes later, the boys are registered and we’re on our way.

We drive around, showing the boys the senior parks, comparing their current state to how they used to be. We pull up at the last one and spot Fred on his porch, chatting with neighbors. We approach slowly, hugging him before I kneel beside him.

“How’s everything, Fred? Need anything?”

“Not at all, Caden. Kyle’s been great, always checking in with Molly and ensuring we have everything.”

“That’s good to hear. I don’t want anyone here to go without. Anyone else you know who might need something?”

They exchange glances before Fred whispers, “Space number ten.” Apparently, the man’s family moved him in months ago and haven’t been back since.

“He keeps to himself, barely greets anyone. He always looks so sad, just staring out the windows.”

I glance at Eva and lead the boys over to space ten. There’s no car, so he can’t leave. I knock on the door and it swings open to a hopeful “James?” Then his face falls. My heart aches. Who would just abandon their parents like this?

“Sorry, I thought you were my son.”

“No worries, sir. I’m Caden Maxwell. This is my wife, Eva, and our boys, Anthony and Marcello. May we come in?”

“Absolutely! Please, come in. I’m Henry.”

“Thank you, sir. We were just checking on the property with Fred. We heard you moved in recently and thought we’d introduce ourselves. We like to ensure everyone has what they need.”

“I’m managing, but I don’t know where my son is. He doesn’t answer my calls. Hasn’t visited in months.”

“Maybe I could try calling him? He might answer for me.”

“I just want to know he’s okay.”

He hands me a number and I step outside with Eva, the boys trailing behind. I dial the number and wait as it rings.

“Hello? Who’s this?”

“I’m Caden. I’m with your father. He’s worried because he hasn’t heard from you.”

“Look, I gave him a nice place to live. I can’t be bothered with him. I have other shit to do than look after my stepdad. Just leave me the fuck alone.”

“Listen here, you little fucker! You have no idea who you’re dealing with! I’m Caden Maxwell and if you have any sense, you’ll be here in thirty minutes. I can be your best friend or your worst nightmare. Thirty minutes!”

I hang up and share a smile with the boys. I explain that we take care of our own, and if his son won’t, we will. We reenter the house and Henry looks at me, hopeful.

“I spoke to him. Told him to be here in thirty minutes.”

His face lights up, but there’s a hint of disappointment. His son answered a stranger’s call but not his father’s. He might come, he might not. Only time will tell.

“I helped raise that boy with his mom since he was little. After his mom passed, he just pushed me aside. He moved me here and kept the house.”

“We’ll see if he shows up. He has about twenty minutes left.”

Sure enough, ten minutes later, a car pulls up. I stand up, the boys following me outside, and there he is, the deadbeat son. Nate and Mandy pull up and park next to our SUV. He jumps out of his car and I signal him to slow down. Mandy walks over to Eva and the boys. Henry starts to descend the stairs as I stare at his son.

“Look, Caden, I didn’t know who was calling.”

“It shouldn’t fucking matter. That’s your dad who raised your sorry ass and this is how you repay him? Dumping him in a trailer?”

“I don’t know why you’re here. He’s fine here. I have better things to do.”

“Why am I here? I own this property. If you think taking care of him means dumping him in a trailer, you’re sorely mistaken!”

I call Tank. His parents passed a few years ago and their in-law unit is vacant. Henry will have company, help when he needs it, and Peggy to socialize with. Tank agrees and sends a text to the office guards to come and help him move.

“Hey, Henry, would you like to move? You can come live with us.”

“Take him then! It’ll save me money.”

He jumps back in his car and speeds off. I turn to my boys and explain.

“When I met Eva, she already had Nate. I raised him as my own and gave him my name without hesitation. We take care of our own, no matter what. Henry is now ours and we’ll take care of him just like we do you boys.”

Henry is in tears as Eva and Mandy hug him. We gather his immediate necessities and help him into the SUV. We might only have a few years with him, but at least he won’t be rotting away in a trailer.