“Amelia, you have to climb up, please. Don’t let your dad’s sacrifice be in vain. Please,” Luc pleaded.
I couldn’t answer through my sobs.
“He did so much for you.” He reminded. “So much to protect you, so much to make it possible for you to live the life you wanted. Please, climb up.”
His words gripped me to my core. Dad had done so much for me. Right from the very beginning when I’d found out about our family and the secret life we’d lived.
He’d made sure I had what I wanted, protected me and loved me with his last breath.
That crack sounded again and fueled me with strength.
Dad had loved me with his last breath and given me another chance to live.
I couldn’t let his last sacrifice be in vain. I pulled in a sharp breath to clear my head and grabbed on tightly to the rope. Then, with one hand after the other, I used all my upper body strength to climb up.
Up I went until I was above the panel by the bolt the rope was attached to.
“That’s it. Now, get off the roof,” Luc called out.
“Luc. My dad…”
“I know, darling… I know.” I looked beyond him. The fighting had stopped, and our men were all standing looking on in sadness. Even Sinclaire and Max. “Go on now, Amelia. I’ll come get you.” He nodded.
A fresh bout of tears took me, but I gathered my strength and moved across the panels. I wasn’t out of the woods yet. I moved past Tag, not bothering to spare a moment to look at him. I didn’t want to. I didn’t need to.
I could see it. The steps leading down from the roof. The whole thing started to shake, and the panels around all cracked and fell in. I had to jump to make it over the side with the steps.
Instantly, I looked back to Luc, who’d watched me until I was safe.
It was only then that he started to move back. I watched him too, making sure he was safe, holding my breath until he got to his side.
He raised his hand and waved to me.
It was over.
My gaze fell to the drop again, and tears took me, uncontrollable and overpowering.
Dad.
I couldn’t believe what had happened.
It didn’t feel real. It didn’t feel right.
He was gone.
* * *
It took Luc and Claudius fifteen minutes to get to me. I never stopped crying.
I seemed to pass out from it, and when I woke up, a bright light blinded me.
I squinted against it, blinked, then refocused. Blinked again.
Luc stood beside my bed… no … I got them mixed up again.
Sometimes Luc and Claudius looked so much alike. It wasn’t until I saw his eyes—one blue and the other brown, and then the cross on his cheek—that I realized it wasn’t Luc.
Next to Claudius was Marcus. Then Gigi, Max, and Sinclaire.
