I hugged her back, ensuring not to hurt her as I’d never been around a pregnant woman before and wasn’t sure how things worked.
I’d seen a lot of movies where the person suffering from memory loss hits their head or a cure is triggered by a reunion similar to this one, but there was no rush of memories flashing before my eyes like a reel. A slight twinge of emotion buzzed inside my chest, though I wasn’t sure if it was genuine or a product of wanting to return the love radiating from Eva.
The man whose name I knew to be Derek Cain, a former member of Ares, stepped closer. He seemed completely unimpressed with my presence. Instead, hyper focused on his wife as if making sure she was okay.
When his eyes flickered to mine, I offered a nod. Before returning the gesture, he looked to Eva again, who was now wiping her tears, a hand on my forearm.
“Angel, are you okay?” The tension in his face melted the moment she found his gaze.
“Derek, it’s Frankie,” she said with a watery smile. He kissed her forehead, slid an arm around her waist, and lifted his eyes back to mine, finally returning my nod.
* * *
I tossed the last suitcase into the trunk of Derek’s SUV and watched as it latched closed.
“Hey,” Leni said, arms around me. “Are you ready?”
“To be with you? Absolutely.” I found Derek’s and Eva’s silhouette through the glass. “Other things, I’m not so sure.”
“One day at a time, Si.”
I nodded, and tugged her to my chest. “Will we tell them about Ronan?”
“Yes. They should be on alert and take precautions. You heard what he said.”
“I want his head.”
She clapped my shoulder. “Get in line.”
Despite everything going on around us and all of the emotions I was trying to process, I couldn’t take my eyes off her ass.
“Ready to go home?” she asked with a wink.
I was already home.
THE END
Epilogue
LENI
Baby giggles.
The sweetest noise. Valentina’s little belly laughs became louder every time her Uncle Silas lifted her above his head. Chubby fists to her mouth, legs kicking—the two were quite a sight. Apart from her parents, he was her favorite person. Wednesdays were Uncle Silas days. It was a day of the week we both treasured.
There were days when I’d see how great he was with her, and guilt for my choices gnawed at my heart. But Silas always assured me he didn’t need a child of his own. That I would always be enough. And baby Vali had captured his whole heart.
And mine.
I watched them from the kitchen, smiling at the man I’d learned to trust and love, and I knew he was right. I’d never felt happier. With the chaotic events of nearly a year ago behind us, Silas and I had grown closer than I had ever thought possible. Together, we’d made a life in Philly, with plans to eventually sever our ties to the organization. But until the threat of Ronan was dealt with, his head at our feet, we’d use the necessary resources at our disposal. Derek and I had a small competition about who’d get the honors. But I was practically foaming at the mouth for the opportunity to own his soul.
“I just received a text from Eva. She’s stuck at work. Derek’s on his way.” I slid into the spot beside them on the couch, baby V’s eyes lighting up the moment she met mine. My heart always melted whenever she reached for me. “Your papa is not my favorite person, but he helped make you, so I have to learn to like him a little bit, huh?”
She squealed as I bounced her in my arms, big brown eyes alight with happiness. My favorite eyes were now on this little person who looked so much like her dad, and I just knew that was on purpose.
“Derek’s not that bad, love,” Silas said with a laugh.
“You’re just saying that because he’s your new bestie.”
