Xavier appeared in the doorway, looking equal parts proud and overwhelmed by Cassidy’s enthusiasm. Everyone crowded behind him, all of them grinning.
“I asked her to marry me.” Xavier shrugged like it was an everyday occurrence. “She said yes.”
Cassidy crashed into his chest. “Of course, I said yes!” She held up her hand again, admiring the way the diamond caught the light. “Look at this ring! Look at this man! Of course, I said yes!”
Everyone laughed. Mom pulled Cassidy into a hug, crying happy tears. Rose was crying, too, dabbing at her eyes with her apron. Bella grabbed the ring hand to examine the diamond more closely while Charlie squeezed Xavier in a bear hug.
I caught Declan’s eye across the crowd. He was grinning like he’d won the lottery, proud as hell that his mine had produced the stone that would sit on his sister’s finger for the rest of her life—something good coming from something Frank had tried to destroy.
Xavier cleared his throat. “There’s something else.” He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. “The DNA results came back yesterday.”
The room went quiet again.
“I’m officially Frank’s biological son,” Xavier said, grinning. “So, I’m sorry, but I’m your half-brother.” He looked at Mitch, Declan, and me. “By blood.”
“And by choice,” Mitch said, clapping Xavier on his back. “Blood doesn’t make family. I think we all know that.” He wriggled his brows at Cassidy.
“Welcome to the family, mate.” I shook his hand.
“Thanks, Kayden. Mitch. That means everything.” Xavier took a breath. “Which is why I’d like to ask you all something. Mitch, Kayden, and Declan. Would you be my best men at our wedding?”
My heart swelled as I looked at my brothers. The ones I’d grown up with, fought beside, and survived hell alongside. And now Xavier, who’d stood with us against Frank and loved our sister fiercely.
“Of course, bro,” I said, shaking his hand again. “I’d be honored.”
“Hell, yes.” Declan shook his hand, too.
“Count me in. Wouldn’t miss it,” Mitch added.
Cassidy launched herself at all four of us, trying to hug everyone at once, laughing and crying simultaneously. We became a tangle of arms, joy, and love, while the women watched and cried their own happy tears.
Four brothers. Bound by blood and choice and survival.
Frank’s sons and Frank’s victims, all of us refusing to let him define us.
All of us choosing something better.
The celebrations ran all day. Bella kept cooking more and more food. By late afternoon, I needed space. I needed to move, to breathe, to feel the land under my feet. And to find Sapphire, who’d slipped out a while ago, saying she needed to take a phone call.
I found her at the stables, brushing down Eclipse. The pure white mare I’d given her was nudging Sapphire with her pink nose, making her giggle. Eclipse’s brilliant white coat caught the late afternoon light through the windows.
I leaned against the stall door, watching them. Four months ago, this woman had been a city cop with no plans to ever set foot on a cattle station again. Now, she was brushing her own horse like she’d been doing it her whole life.
“She looks good,” I said.
Sapphire glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “She’s perfect.”
“I told you she would be.”
“You did.” She kept brushing.
I watched her for a while longer. The easy way her hands moved. The way Eclipse leaned into the brush. The way the late sun lit Sapphire’s hair gold.
She’d never looked more at home.
“I’ve been thinking,” I said.
“Mmm?” She didn’t look up. “What about?”
