Danny was clueless, his eyes darting back and forth. “We’ll fill you in later,” I told him, my stomach still in knots.
Everyone in the diner was holding their breath, listening in and waiting.
Montgomery sighed, finally holding out his hand.
Danny lifted his eyebrows, uncertain whether to accept the gesture.
“Go ahead. The two most important men in my life need to be friends.” I wasn’t requesting. I was commanding.
At least they both complied.
And everyone in the diner was finally able to breathe.
“How did you get away?” I asked.
“Well, according to the online sources, Danny Sebastian was dead. That allowed me to hide. I knew you’d find my letter. I knew it.”
“You should have called me.”
“That would have been dangerous even if he had the burner phone number,” Montgomery offered.
“He’s right, sis. I’m so sorry for what I put you through. Can you forgive me?”
I had no idea what to say, I was so overrun with emotions. And everyone, on every stool, in every booth and standing was waiting silently for my answer.
“He is family, little flower. Family is all that matters in this world.”
Hearing Montgomery’s voice broke through the veil of silence and pain.
“Absolutely. You will always be my brother. Even if I need to kick your ass.”
As I hugged Danny again, I touched the necklace and could feel the spirits around us. Including my parents and even Montgomery’s father. They were watching us as they always had and always would.
I had my brother back and I’d be damned if I’d allow anyone to tear us apart again.
Even more important, I had a man who believed in and loved me, a man who’d allowed me to peel away his layers exposing the most amazing person I’d ever known.
And the man I planned on sharing the rest of my life with.
No bag of gris-gris required.
Two months later…
Montgomery
“Well, Pops. I guess I was wrong about you.” My words were whispered, difficult to utter but necessary. “I miss you, Dad.”
The light breeze tickled my skin and I could swear Fleur’s fingers were caressing my cheek. I even touched my face. She was always with me. My rock. My little flower.
Sensing more than one presence around me, I bristled. “Really?”
“We thought we’d find you here.”
Hearing Sinclair’s voice, I had to laugh even if it wasn’t the time or place to do so. I was in a fucking cemetery, for God’s sake. I was paying my respect and my three brothers decided this was the right time and place for a business meeting.
“You have no empathy,” I told all of them.
“Now, he’s learned empathy from that hot little woman of his,” Jaxon mused.
