A gun clicked, and Adria smiled.
“Didn’t see that one coming, huh, Mom?” Adria said, watching Eric hold a gun to her mother’s temple.
“I heard shouting,” he said, as if that explained everything.
“You wouldn’t dare,” her mother said.
“Why not? You seemed keen on Bryson ending his father’s life. Seems only fitting that I should do the same.”
“You won’t make it out of here alive.”
“You won’t kill me,” Adria said. Feeling more sure with every moment that passed.
“You need me. Need my heir. Need the hope that my blood gives you. That someday, no matter how small the chance is, that a Serra will sit at the table. That chance goes out the window if I’m dead.”
Sophia had quite literally thrown her whole life away to get that seat, and Adria knew in her bones that she wouldn’t quit. Not now, not ever.
Her mother sighed. “This is a mistake,” she said, handing Adria the note.
Eric tucked his gun away and went into the house.
Adria could hear the sounds of him packing inside.
“I guess this is goodbye,” Sophia said.
“It is,” Adria said.
Her mother gave her a soft smile. “You can’t trust them, Adria, they’ll betray you.”
“I guess that will just make them family then,” Adria said.
Her mother didn’t flinch; her smile didn’t falter. “Callen won’t let them live, my dear. Not after all he gave me to get them back.”
“Adria, wait,” Xander said, following her and Eric to the car.
“Did you know?” Adria asked, throwing a bag into the trunk.
“Sophia loves you. In her own way, she just has trouble seeing things clearly sometimes,” he said.
“Did you know?” Adria repeated, rounding on him.
Xander’s throat bobbed, and he said, “Not at first.”
“But she told you the truth eventually,” Adria said.
He gave her a soft nod. “She did, and you have to believe me—I felt sick about it every day. But?—”
He seemed to struggle, and his voice cracked. “I love her.”
Adria saw the anguish in Xander’s face as she opened the passenger door.
She gave the man who had been her rock—her salvation—for her entire adult life one final look and said, “I hope it’s enough for the two of you,” before shutting the door and telling Eric to leave.
CHAPTER 64
CURITIBA PARANÁ
Adria, we are sorry that we didn’t talk to you. Please believe us, it wasn’t like the last time.
