She reassures me, and I heave a deep breath; any anxiety inside me is reserved for our younger sister now.
Rose grips my hand tightly. “Come inside. We have prepared a feast.”
The mansion exceeds expectations, and as Simeon falls into step with his brother behind us, Rose whispers, “I love it here, Alice. I have never experienced freedom like this. Julius has been so kind, despite the nature of our meeting, and it made my decision an easy one.”
“I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
“Same.”
We share a smile, words unnecessary because it’s obvious we are both on the same page. We found our purpose in life and there is no going back, but it doesn’t help that an important part of our family is missing.
We head inside a delightful living area that overlooks the most glorious view.
“I love your home, Rose.”
“I’ll give you the guided tour later, but Julius has some questions first.”
“For me?”
I’m surprised because there is nothing I can tell him that Rose couldn’t, and she raises her eyes.
“He’s a little intense, but you get used to him.”
“Ditto.”
I jerk my head in Simeon’s direction, and Rose raises her eyes.
“I never believed for one second that we would be in this position now.”
“Me neither.”
“And to think I lusted after the convent gardener for all these months.”
Her soft giggle causes me to groan. “That gardener turned out to be a snake.”
“No way! How?”
“I’ll tell you the whole story later, but first I want a cup of tea and to absorb every inch of the story that brought you here.”
I never realized how worried I was until I experienced the relief of seeing my sister again. As she tells me her story, it reminds me of my own, and not for the first time, I thank God for sending us the Ravera brothers.
If any criminal was going to find us, we were lucky it was them, and as I fill her in on my own story, her eyes fill with compassion.
“But you’re okay?”
She grips my hand, and I nod. “More than okay. I decided very early on that losing Simeon would be the hardest path. He may not have the same morals or principles, but he has something way better than that: my heart.”
“You can’t help who you fall in love with, and I know that more than anyone.”
I nod, noting the happiness in her eyes as she smiles lovingly at her wedding ring.
“But Tiffany?” My mind returns to one unresolved problem, and as if they heard us, Simeon and Julius join us from the corner they have been whispering in since we got here.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Alice.”
The eyes of a demon bore deep into my soul, and I swallow hard, recognizing the same malevolence burning behind the welcoming smile that Simeon has perfected.
I nod, words drying in my throat, and Simeon turns to Rose.
