BURNING HOT

CHAPTER 16

Al looked at the woman before him. They were alone in the kitchen because Ila had asked to speak with him privately, but she hadn't said a word since they got there.

"For a minute, I actually believed you didn't know who I was before you came here," she finally said.

"I don't know, I've been thinking of different ways the meeting could have gone, but never in my wildest mind did I expect this." He nodded at her, and she just rolled her eyes. Damn, she's hot.

"I just wanted to play along with the whole drama you all had going on."

"Well, you did," Ila answered.

"Are you going to explain exactly what I'm missing? I know I'm missing something," Al finally asked.

"I thought you already figured it out. You did come rushing over to California, even after knowing your son was safe," she said, looking up at him.

"That was because of... I have other businesses to attend to while I'm here." That was sloppy of him.

"Funny, I thought you were going to say because of me." The look in her eyes was daring, one he didn't miss.

"I have mixed feelings going on here, and before I say or do anything, I need to know exactly what is going on here."

Ila moved further away from him, and he just couldn't imagine what could be worse than her disappearing on him 18 years ago.

"We have a son together." The words sounded like broken glass to his ears, no matter how smooth her voice had been. "His name is Sky, Matt's bestie."

"We have a son together?" His voice was filled with disbelief, and Ila knew there was nothing she could do to make this right for him. She had made him lose 18 years of their son's life. She had deprived both son and father of their rights.

"He was the one sitting close to Kat, whispering in her ears?"

"Yes, I guess," she answered.

"Why?" He had grown into a really fine-looking man, and she just couldn't control her wayward mind even in this situation. "You must have had a reason to leave without a word and then raise our child alone, knowing fully well you had the resources to track me. Tell me, Ila. At least the name sounds right now."

"I'm not going to make excuses for myself. I left my real name and phone number on the table before leaving your room early that morning. When you didn't call back, I guessed you didn't see it or you didn't care."

"I didn't see the note, Ila," he sounded hurt. Ila looked down at her bare foot and sighed. "My dad was actually the one who came to wake me up that morning. He told me we needed to leave early. He got really sick when we got home and later died less than 2 months after."

"I'm sorry. Of course, with all those things going on, you probably couldn't be thinking about a girl you had a one-night stand with." She hadn't checked the date her father passed, but if it was two months after they met, then it was around the same time he also got married.

The reports had indicated he got married around that time. "Clearly, Ila, it was you who forgot about me. You didn't even find it important enough to let me know that we had a son. 18 years, Ila," he said, his frustration evident as he fought the urge to grab her and make her understand the weight of her actions.

Grace scanned the surroundings, but Sam was nowhere in sight; he probably preferred leaving this confrontation for Ila to handle. Grace empathized with Ila's situation, knowing she wouldn't want to be in her shoes at that moment.

The decisions Ila had made during her teenage years were now unfolding in her present, and Grace could only hope that the depth of affection these men had for her friend would outweigh any other concerns.

"They've been inside for quite some time. What could be happening in there?" Matt finally broke the silence, his gaze shifting from Sky to Grace.

"It seems like Al had already met Ila before," Kat added, curiosity in her voice.

"That's because they did, 18 years ago," Grace slowly revealed, her eyes fixed on Sky. A heavy sigh escaped Sky as he turned to Matt.

"We're half-brothers. I only found out last night, and I haven't had the chance to discuss it with you yet." Grace observed the range of emotions on Matt's face.

"How is that even possible? Could this really be a coincidence? All of this?" Matt's disbelief was palpable.

"Believe whatever you want, Matt. I'm sorry for all the commotion," Sky responded, looking at his newfound brother.

"I know I'm not the only one who has felt this connection since day one. And for me, I don't care what brought us together—whether it's blood or fate. We were already brothers before we knew about the blood relation." Sky sighed, struggling to express his emotions.

He knew he had to be sincere if he wanted to preserve his relationship with Matt.

"I don't want to lose you, Matt, no matter what my mom and your dad decide. Losing you is not something I want to entertain."

"Wow, Sky, I never imagined you'd be so talkative and cheesy," Grace interjected, attempting to break the tense atmosphere at the table.

"Indeed, the strength of your bond is no surprise considering how fast it developed," Kat chimed in with excitement. "So, how exactly did they cross paths? I'm dying to know."

"I don't have the whole story, just…" Sky began, but Grace swiftly cut him off, adjusting herself in her seat.

"Allow me to step in as the storyteller. I've been waiting forever to say this," Grace said with a playful grin, lightening the heavy mood around the table.

~•~•~°~•~•~

"Wow, did you really have to describe the intimate details that way?" Matt groaned, feeling like his ears were bleeding from Grace's explicit account of his father and Sky's mom.

"Wait, so they were each other's first? Your dad scored before Sam?" Sky mumbled in surprise, pondering what this meant for his mom. He'd talked to her about her feelings, and it was clear she still had them for the man.

Although calling him father might take some getting used to or may not happen, his current relationship with Matt wasn't really encouraging either.

"Scoring the first goal doesn't mean the match is over," Grace chimed in.

"Matt, Sky, and Kat, I know this is a lot to digest, but they've been tangled up since their teenage years."

"I hope you can keep an open mind about it and support them. No matter how it unfolds, I just want to see you three happy together," Grace winked, making the young trio blush and avert their eyes.

"Hey, Sky, can we talk in private?" Matt asked, rising from his seat. Kat watched as they left, passing by the two Tibetan Mastiffs that were absorbed in playing with Ila's flip-flops.

"Those Tibetan Mastiffs are so rare. How did you manage to get them?" Kat asked, amazed. "Their coats are so thick, and they have a fascinating history. They've always been isolated and are ancient. Known as the guardians of the Himalayas."

"Wow, you seem to have a real knack for understanding dogs," Grace commented with a warm smile. "Me, I'm more of an outdoorsy type, a bit of an adrenaline junkie, you could say."

"I've been exploring the mountains lately and stumbled upon these two. Their story is quite poignant, actually. We managed to rescue them."

"I can only imagine the ordeal they've been through," Kat responded, genuine sympathy in her voice.

"It's unfortunate that we couldn't get there in time, but when we did arrive, we found Black and Brown beside their parents' lifeless bodies after a savage wild boar attack. The parents fought tooth and nail to shield them."

"It's truly heartbreaking, but it's truly impressive that you were able to save them from such a dire situation."

"I managed to form a bond with them because of my experience in animal training. They allowed me to approach them, and they turned out to be the sole survivors."

"Your ability to connect with animals is truly remarkable. Training them for Ila even before she met them, and seeing them bond so seamlessly, that's quite something."

"I had a feeling they'd take to her, but it was ultimately their decision," Grace replied with a hint of satisfaction. Her eyes lit up with fondness.

"Ila has such a lovable personality. It's no surprise Al never opened his heart to anyone else." Kat admitted

"It's fascinating how one person can leave such a lasting impact on someone. You know, I've read that Al had his reservations about relationships with women," Grace interjected, her curiosity piqued as she waited eagerly for kat to continue.

"True, Al's past isn't exactly a mystery. He was pushed into an arranged marriage with Matt's mom due to his father's dying wish. He tried to move forward after his first love, facing a lot of pressures at his young age and uniting the territories. But fate was cruel she eloped with a lover, taking a substantial sum of money with her."

"After that incident, his entire demeanor shifted, and he became engrossed in his work, neglecting his son who had always yearned for his affection," she mused, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and understanding.

She recognized his current intentions, yet she realized that merely wanting to make amends wouldn't be enough to mend the fractured bond. For that, Al needed to make the right choices this time.

"Why has their journey been so riddled with challenges? I hope they're finally ready to prioritize their own happiness over everything else." Grace contemplated aloud, a genuine desire for positive change evident in her tone.

As she considered the complexities ahead, she couldn't help but acknowledge the uphill battle that lay before them. The trio comprised two formidable, egotistical men, and an equally determined woman who was far from yielding. Yeah she wasn't sure how this will end.

Kat's voice lowered as she whispered, "Do you genuinely think it's possible for a woman to navigate the intense emotions and possessiveness that come with being involved with two men?"

Grace leaned in, her expression thoughtful, as if pondering the depths of human emotions. "A woman's heart is capable of loving more than one, Kat.

But the willingness of men to share such a profound connection is exceedingly rare. When it does happen, it becomes a testament to a love that transcends societal norms and I believe there is no greater love for their willingness to stand against all odds"

Kat took a moment to process the insight, ultimately deciding to set aside the complexities of it all. As she gazed into the distance, she couldn't help but wonder how meeting Sky had so deeply entwined her emotions.

"Dean, how's our progress in reaching the rest of the team?" Sam's gaze remained firmly locked on the screen in front of him, monitoring the unfolding events.

"Captain, they're en route and should arrive by day's end," Dean replied.

"Is Valda included?" Sam inquired, wanting the entire team on full alert. His instincts were on edge; his intuition was rarely wrong when danger was near.

"Valda's due last, but she assured us she'll make it. She sounded swamped when we talked, so we couldn't chat much," Dean added, prompting a chuckle from the others as they listened through their earpieces.

"Andrea's with her too," Dean continued. "She said she had no choice, else Valda might end up in a bind somewhere."

Sam had been the one to direct Andrea to accompany Valda. He understood Valda's recklessness all too well and recognized the necessity of keeping an eye on her. His teammates had faced enough traumas that made them vulnerable on their own, hence the preference for working as a unit.

"Anyone else notice something off about Ila's leg?" Dylan's voice chimed in via the hidden earpiece mic. Sam knew his cousin had been closely monitoring Ila's progress, having witnessed firsthand the numerous surgeries and grueling therapy sessions she had endured to regain use of her leg.

"Yeah, she needs to sit down, but the conversation seems too intense for that..." Dean's response was interrupted as they all observed Al Barone closing the gap between himself and Ila.

Simultaneously, Sarah's voice joined in, speaking from her vantage point on the roof overlooking Al's men stationed outside. "If those two start kissing, I'm going to put bullets in one of his fancy cars."

"Turn up the volume," Sam directed, having granted Ila and Al their privacy up until this point, focusing solely on monitoring the security cameras for her safety. The audio feed was amplified.

"...There's nothing more to say. I'll take Matt and Kat with me now. But I'd like to meet Sky, if that's acceptable to you," Al stated firmly after he had guarded Ila to her seat before stepping back, a controlled action that did not go unnoticed by Sam.

"I'll inform him. I only revealed the truth to him last night. He's always believed you were gone, since I never spoke of you," Ila replied, her hand now gently massaging her knee, a gesture that held a world of meaning to them that knew her well.

Sam's attention was riveted on the two of them, absorbing their intense gazes and the charged atmosphere between them.

Unbidden emotions surged within him as he watched another man fixate on the woman he loved with a fervent hunger and passion that struck a chord deep within his own heart.

"Kal, Ryder, how are Sky and the others doing back there?" Sam inquired as he peered at the screen displaying the garden. Kat and Grace were currently captivated by the two enormous dogs, while Sky and Matt observed from a distance with smiles on their faces.

"They're secure. It's unbelievable that those two are giggling so innocently after the season they went through with Marco," Ryder's voice came through the microphone.

Upon returning with Mr. Stark yesterday, he had insisted that they interrogate Marco for the necessary information. Mr. Stark had also insisted I involving young Kat.

"I still can't shake the image of what they did to him. We all know Grace has some pent up anger to deliver, but Kat? How old is she? Around 15?" Ice's tone betrayed a hint of jealousy.

Despite his outward cheerful demeanor, he was the lynchpin of their team, and they all recognized the significance of his role.

He held their lives in his hands, having managed to keep them alive through situations they shouldn't have survived.

He functioned as their medic and had been trained to maintain a cool and composed demeanor, even in the role of a field medic.

He possessed an intimate familiarity with blades he was really good, and when it came to extracting information from their prisoners, he always took his time and no one could resist withholding information from him when he was done.

"She's 16, and Mr. Stark mentioned that she's been involved in this for three years now," Dean responded. "Cap. Al is inquiring about the complete report on our findings from Marco."

"He's requesting a meeting with Sam and the rest of our team. He wants to get acquainted with the men who protected his son," Dean didn't need to communicate this to Sam verbally; both were absorbed in watching the security feed.

Meanwhile, the other team members were stationed at various points within the building.

"He's simply trying to measure d***s," Sarah remarked with a chuckle. "His men are remarkably organized and alert; it's what one would expect from ex-military men."

Their research had been thorough, granting them access to a wealth of information. Although they didn't have everything, they had valuable intel, on the team working closely with him.

"Ila suggested that he meet with Sky first, and if he truly requires a report, it would be more appropriate to handle that at the office."

"She's always acted as though she tunes out during briefings and protocol discussions," Dylan added.

"Alright, everyone, they're headed towards the back door now; his man is stationed right outside. Let's not entertain any surprises." Sam cautioned, his vigilance unwavering.

While he knew the situation wouldn't escalate, constant alertness was a cornerstone of their training.

"The two Tibetan Mastiffs are keeping watch with him. I doubt he intends to make any rash moves at this moment," Ryder's voice carried a hint of amusement, filling the earpiece as Sam observed Al and Ila's exit.

Finally seeing the man who had once been a lover to his woman and a father to her son, was challenging for Sam. He could see the unresolved tension between them making it difficult to know how this would end.

Every fiber of his being seemed to throb with a relentless yearning, an ache that went beyond the physical and delved into the depths of his soul. The memory of her touch lingered like an intoxicating fragrance, teasing his senses and igniting a fire that he couldn't ignore.

He had told her about is unstable need and he really hoped she understood dept of what that meant. He found himself compelled to once again embrace her, seeking solace from the tumultuous shadows within himself.

The thought of losing her simply wasn't admissible; she represented an unbreakable tether for him, a cornerstone not only in his life but also within the team, a testament to her how important she was.