I believed your father, grandfather, and Damien would have protected you. I never, ever thought that Ram would have been on Luis’s side.
I’d like to say that if I knew, I’d have done things differently, but honestly, you know as well as I do that I probably wouldn’t.
I gave Damien your name, knowing that he’d look after his own, and I had to trust that he’d lay down his life for you, just like I knew your father would and hoped Ram would.
But Luis and Ram’s need to topple the Cirillo empire ran deeper than I ever could have imagined.
I never wanted to hurt you, Emmie. But I screwed up, I tried taking the easy way out.
I promise you, I’m going to do my time here. I already feel better than I have in years, and then I’m going to restart my life. I’d love to have you in it. Theo too, if you can forgive me. But I also understand you might not be able to, or even want to. And that’s okay.
All I want is the best for you, and if that means I need to be out of your life then so be it.
I love you, Emmie, and I hope they’re giving you the world, because you deserve it and then some.
All my love,
Mum x
Big, fat, ugly tears slide down my cheeks as I stare at Mum’s words, the pain of the past ripping through me like a tornado.
“Fucking hell,” I mutter to myself, wiping my face with the backs of my hands.
The urge to grab some paper and reply is huge, but I force myself to lock it down.
Just like I’ve enforced taking things slow with Theo, something tells me that it’s going to take even more time to discover a healthy relationship with Mum. Too many years have passed, filled with hurt and pain.
She made a mistake, trusted the wrong people. I get that. I even understand her desperation for more. But to be manipulated by a snake like Luis when she knew that ultimately I would pay the price? That’s going to take a while to digest.
When I look back at everything that’s happened because of her desperate decisions, I realise just how much worse it could have been. The fact that I’m still breathing after she stole from Damien and sold her soul to the devil is a freaking miracle. And I have every reason to believe that if I weren’t a part of the Family by blood, then I’d no longer exist. Mum either.
It’s a sobering thought, and one that almost makes me grateful for everything I have suffered through. I’m still here. I’m still fighting. And the rightful leaders are beginning to emerge.
Once my tears have subsided, I reach for my phone, finding a message that came through unnoticed a while ago.
His Lordship: Dad’s called me in. Talk later. Love you. x
A smile curls at my lips and a lightness washes through me.
If all of the pain and heartache that came before was all in a quest to lead me to Theo, then I’m pretty sure it might have all just been worth it. Because he’s everything.
Everything I didn’t know I needed.
My deviant knight who lets the world see his impenetrable shell, but for some reason chose me to see the soft, caring, lovable guy beneath.
Emmie: Okay, I’ll be waiting…
His Lordship: I wish I could hold you.
A laugh falls from my lips as I look at the camera and blow him a kiss.
Emmie: All weekend. I’m okay, I promise. Just dealing with some ghosts.
His Lordship: You’ve got this, babe. There isn’t anything my girl can’t handle.
I lower my phone with a wide smile on my face.
Closing down our conversation, I find another number, one I’ve not rung in a long time.
I hesitate for a beat but quickly pull up my big girl panties and hit call.
“Emmie,” a deep growl rumbles down the line. Not so long ago, the timbre would have done things to me. But not now. That was the old me.
“Archer,” I sigh. “How are you doing?” I ask, refusing to spill the I’m-sorry-for-your-loss bullshit. He hated his brother. I hated his brother. I’m pretty sure no one is actually sorry he’s gone.
But I have no doubt his death has had a massive impact on Archer’s life. And we used to be friends at one time, and hell, we’re connected in an entirely different way now. If the Cirillos, the Reapers, and the Wolves want a peaceful future, then we all need to find a way to get along.
“I’m…” he hesitates. “I’m sorry, Emmie. If I knew what he was doing, if I had any idea then—”
“Stop, Arch. It’s not your fault. I don’t blame you for any of it.”
“The second I found out, I tried to help, tried to—”
“Oh my God,” I gasp, realisation slamming into me. “It was Jace,” I breathe, sagging back against the headboard once more.
“Yeah,” he says with a chuckle. “And he assured me you were fine. Sassy little brat you’ve always been.”
“Arsehole,” I mutter.
“Whoa, careful. Are the Family taming you? You might have Greek blood running through your veins, girl. But don’t you forget where you come from,” he mocks.
“Nah, I’ll always be the girl from Lovell, Arch. You know that. So what happens now?” I ask.
“Ah, they got you on a snooping mission?”
“No,” I say, not leaving any question in my tone. “I don’t follow orders from them.”
“I’m teasing, Em. I can’t see you ever taking orders from anyone. But things are good. I always knew this day would come. I’ll figure it out the best I can. And I’ve got Dax and Jace by my side, so what could go wrong?”
I snort a laugh, thinking of the dumb shit the three of them have done over the years. “Oh yeah, what could go wrong? What about Misha? I’m sure she’ll—”
“We’re over,” he cuts me off.
“Oh.”
“It was just a bit of fun. Whatever, right?”
“Right,” I agree. Although I detect an undercurrent of hurt there. “Sorry if I interrupted anything, I just… I got a letter from Mum and I—”
“Missed me?” he teases.
“I was feeling nostalgic,” I confess. “But I’m glad I called. Thank Jace for taking care of me. I appreciate it.”
“I just wish I could have got there sooner.”
“It’s in the past, Arch. It’s all too late. Focus on the future. Something tells me that yours is going to be busy, Mr. Wolfe.”
He blows out a long breath, and I can imagine him scratching at his rough jaw as he considers what his life is now.
“If you need anything, you know where I am, yeah? I might not follow orders, but I’m happy to dish a few out for old time’s sake.”
“You’re one of a kind, Em. You know that?”
“Life would be boring otherwise. Apologise to Dax for me.”
“Sheesh, that motherfucker deserved it for touching something that didn’t belong to him. Plus, it was only a flesh wound.”
“I’m glad. But seriously, Arch. We’re on your side okay? Shit gets tough, just shout.” I have no idea what I’m really offering here, but something tells me it’s the right thing to do.