Malek cut in. “It’s somethin’ we’re talkin’ about. Somethin’ important to both of us, but also somethin’ I would never use as a weapon. My father wasn’t like that. That’s why I’m hoping that you’ll find it in you to forgive me, Mr. Grey. And Bridget too…‘cause we were brought up to end lives for our family. And if there’s even the smallest threat to any of you…respectfully, sir…it’llneverbe over. I’ll use my last breath to curse a fucker.”
“Here, here!” I stupidly yelled, raising my nearly-empty orange juice. At least??Greg followed suit. Making an arse of myself is becoming a habit. Fuck.
Vernon stared into Mal’s eyes, and I know there can’t possibly be a part that would disagree with a thing that slickgitjust said to him. It’s as painfully honest as one can get. And hehaschildren he’d gladly die for.
“I feel like I need to just add, like the doting big brother I am, that…I didn’t lose a wink of sleep after being the reason any of those men were in a box,” Greg said, forking a mouthful of chicken into his gourd. “And nobody should be damned because of the family they were born into. It’s what you make of it. For what it’s worth…our family business has never been smiled on, either. But I know me and Pipsqueak here never had any regrets.”
“Thanks, loser,” Sev winked, taking a bite.
“See? That’s the spirit. Keep that up and I might give you the mud pie I snagged from Desiree’s.”
It dawned on me that, while a hell of a lot more violent, the Byrne house wasn’t too much different from what I’m witnessing in this courtyard. Backwards and way bloodier…but this was us as bairns.All of us. Even Finley and his traitorous arse. Shavonn was part of that childhood too. A lot like Sev, and just as feisty and determined. Only difference other than the obvious? Waspower.
Vernon stood and I tensed, waiting for something bad to happen. I hate that it’s my first instinct, nowadays. Malek raised from his chair, ready to accept whatever came next…but a hand stretched between them.
“She’s as precious to me as her mother, Malek Byrne. And I’m proud to have you as a son.”
Sniffle.
Mal’s jaw feathered and he grasped Vern’s hand, shaking firmly before pulling him into a hug.
“I think I’m about to start myperiod,” I mock-cried, fanning my face. Greg burst into laughs and Seven palmed her face.
“Take that chap home with you.Please,” Vernon smirked, shaking his head.
CHAPTER 19
The Princess
I remember seeing an old video once. Of Malek as a toddler, still trying to figure his legs out, and eating a candy cane backwards while some drunk fat guy impersonated Santa Claus at one of Daddy’s old parties.
Daddy never knew I’d watched this old tape, and to tell you the truth…it took me a while to figure out how touseit. Prehistoric technology. But I’ll never forget it. And I’ll never forget why I really watched it.
It’s the only time I ever heard my mother’s voice.
She seemed so opposite what we are. So normal. Graceful, even. All the things that Poe talks about when he describes a woman. The way it should be. The way it should have been forher.
So many people in that room, drinking, laughing…gambling. But she only had eyes for her baby boy. I know she would have been that way with me, had she had the chance. Maybe I wouldn’t have ended up this way. Maybe I could find it in myself to be like her. But that’s just not how fate decided it, is it?
Ruth’s arms feel like home.
Her forgiveness is something I don’t feel worthy of.
Her smile awakened something in me again…but it wasn’t love.
It’s hate.God, it’s hate.
I fucking hate them. I hate them for looking at my mother like she was filthy, all because she didn’t have a drop of Irish blood. I hate them for how they looked at me and Malek the same way, even though we were half. I hate them for the painthey cause innocent people because they’re stupid enough to believe it matters at the end of the day, what name can hold the weight of the crown.
Well…if it matters so much…I’ll show them.
Leaving Ruth’s room, teary-eyed and not at all myself, I checked my phone and saw that Dec had left a message that they were eating in the hospital courtyard downstairs.
I spotted them before they spotted me.
How can they be so happy?
How do they find it in themselves to smile like that?
