Santiago’s story, his involvement with Trinity Alliance, and the very reason he initially set up his alliance with his friends is a heavy revelation. But it feeds my shame and the sense of inadequacy I’ve always harbored.
Fumbling my feet into Aleksei’s boots, I race outside and sit on the bench in the yard. Roshka and Nalla follow me out, disappearing from where I’m staring when they split up.
Within minutes, they join me, each of them bracketing close. I fold forward, slumping against their bodies.
I always knew what I stumbled upon was bigger than Victor said it was. I saw through his lies even then, but I didn’t anticipate the size it actually was. The thought of us sharing DNA makes me want to vomit.
I let my thoughts and emotions happen instead of fighting against them. I put my energy into not fixating, and tunneling my focus into slowing my breathing and stopping the nausea swirling around.
It takes a while of regulating my inhales and exhales against Roshka’s fur, but eventually, acceptance replaces the horror of the discovery.
It’s hard pulling myself together, but I have no choice. Later, I’ll fall apart, but we don’t exactly have the luxury of time atthe moment. Now more than ever, I need, and want, to kill my asshole father.
I focus on my revenge, and as part of that, I have to reluctantly accept I did as much as I could back then. I did what I thought was right. Most people would have assumed reporting a crime was enough. Sadly, it was nowhere near enough. Neither was burning his warehouse to the ground, it seems.
I’m not the naive girl I was back then. Despite my current meltdown, I’m not defined by my emotions or the fact I am an Omega. And now, more than ever, I know I won’t fail; my pack won’t let me. As individuals, they’re all too personally invested for this not to be something we accomplish together.
Sitting up, I see them instead of heartbreak and problems.
The three of them are standing against the wall near the back door. They didn’t rush in and try to save the day. They know I can look after myself. It’s a gift, the way they do it, a loud proclamation I’m strong enough, but it's also very telling of how they’ll always be close by for me, when I need them.
“I’m the reason Victor missed his flight to Croatia.” My words carry over the snow and the wail of the wind. “We were having a meeting because, the night before, I had burned a warehouse to the ground, after I’d unlocked rooms and helped a handful of women and another handful of children escape. I had evidence of what he was doing and sent it to the police and the ambassador at the time.
“Victor obviously got to them first. They didn’t show up, and no one came to see me to talk about it. Anyway, apparently it was a Russian warehouse, and they were not happy that I’d messed everything up. In Victor’s words, someone had to pay, so it was either me or my sister. No-brainer there. But I had different proof of Victor’s own involvement, which was more disgusting than just trafficking. I blackmailed him because of it.
“I blackmailed him into paying for my education to become a doctor and leaving me alone until I had to be a Bratva wife. I needed time, anyway. I was only sixteen and freshly designated. Now I’m ready to take him down and every other person who was, and is, involved.”
“It’s a long list,maya. We will be old by the time we have finished,” Aleksei warns, though his expression isn’t a deterrent. He beams at me with his pride and his personal promise of protection, along with his confirmation we are together forever. I don’t think he will ever actually leave my side, irrespective of what our day holds.
“Can I come to you, bebe?” Santiago asks as soon as my eyes move off my husband onto him.
His designation shimmers around him, but he’s not forthright or expectant. He is gentle and hesitant, waiting for my invitation. It’s a side of Santiago I haven’t seen a lot of. Some Alphas can’t drop their dominance, and they force things. Not him or Aleksei. They change constantly, adapting to situations but, more importantly, to what I need. It’s a beautiful confirmation, reinforced by the perfection of his scent and the way our bond radiates that these men are my pack. I know it, but the reminder comes at a good time for me.
I smile softly at him and start to nod.
He’s striding across the courtyard before I finish. He pushes the dogs apart and squats in front of me. “Destiny marked you as mine a long time ago, Quinn. I’m sorry it took me so long to get to you.”
He wraps his arms around me, his forehead resting on mine, our breaths mingling. I inhale his scent, and he does something similar. I can feel his emotions clashing through our bond.
Cupping his face in my hands, I whisper against his face. “No wasted moments, Santiago.”
“None at all.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
QUINN
The icy weather only registers when Santiago and I race back inside.
Kade stands at the door, and the two of them rush me into the room we were using to sleep in because of the fireplace. The flames are roaring again.
“Take off your cardigan and your dress if it’s wet,” Kade insists as he uses his hands to help.
“My dress is fine, but I think I’ll change. I don’t want to ruin it. Or my cardigan. Can you hang it up for me, but don’t put it too close to the fire.”
He takes both items from my hands, leaving the room and leaving me with Aleksei.
“Maya, I’ll buy you every cardigan and dress you want. Don’t worry about it. Get your nakedpopkaunder the blankets.”
