Page 145 of The Devil’s Lair

It takes a while to gather my siblings in one place. I enter the communal living room I share with Saskia and Christian, with my heart lodged in my throat and beating so fast. I may pass out were it not for the feel of Rebecca’s hand on my lower back, steadying me.

Despite what Dad said, my greatest fear is that they’ll all look at me differently. I couldn’t bear that. I hope Dad was right when he said that wouldn’t happen. Guess we’re about to find out.

“Hey, so, thanks for coming.” I sit on a loveseat, tugging Rebecca next to me. It’s a bit of a squish, but I want her close. I need her close.

Saskia peers at me. “Your voice is shaking. What’s the matter?” She’s always been astute.

“Sis, you’ve always been able to see right through me, which I find charming and terrifying in equal measure. I hope Luis is prepared for what he’s signed up for.” I laugh.

She doesn’t. Instead, she tilts her head to one side and says, “Tobias.”

I blow out a breath. “I’ve got a couple of things to tell you. First, the good news.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the adoption confirmation, waving it in the air. “This came earlier today. Isla is officially a De Vil.”

For a beat, the room goes silent. Then everyone speaks at once.

“Oh, my God.”

“Finally!”

“We’re so happy for you.”

I soak up their happiness, and there’s a moment where I doubt the timing of what I have to tell them next. To sully a happy moment with my trauma feels both selfish and unnecessary, but if I don’t tell them now, there’s a very real chance I won’t pluck up the courage to ever tell them. It’s now or never.

Rebecca’s hand grazes my knee. “I’ve got you. Tell them. It’s time.”

It’s as though she’s read my mind and sifted through the doubts, then said the exact words I needed to hear.

“Unfortunately, the other thing I have to tell you isn’t so happy.”

The words tangle as soon as I start. My mouth goes dry, my palms sweaty. I wipe them on my trousers without thinking. I can’t seem to look at my siblings, fixing my gaze somewhere between the wall and the floor instead.

I get it out anyway. Not cleanly, not in order, but enough, and through it all, there’s Rebecca, quietly supporting me, pressing herself closer as if she’s trying to absorb some of my pain when she’s got so much of her own to deal with.

When I finish, it’s as though I’m finally free. I’m lighter, grounded, a survivor of terrible abuse that my mind kept locked away for years to protect me, yet the trauma guided my every decision, every action. Now, I’m free to be me. Different. No longer the joker in the pack who hides pain behind humor, but a stronger, better version of myself.

Alexander is the first to act. He gets up from his chair and comes over to me, his arms outstretched. I stand, and we hug. No words, just solid support from my eldest brother.

“I’m so fucking proud of you,” he says gruffly. “None of this was your fault. Not a single part of it.” His grip tightens for a moment, then he releases me. “I love you, brother.”

One by one, every person in the room comes forward until I’m surrounded by my siblings and their partners. Their hugs and kisses and solidarity mean the world. And in the midst of it all is the touch I crave the most: Rebecca’s.

“I have one more request,” I say when we break apart. “I don’t want this to change a thing. I’m still the funniest by far, so if anyone has a thought of swooping in and taking my crown, forget it.”

“Thank God,” Nicholas says. “Imagine Xan trying to tell a joke. His face would crack and he’d fuck up the punchline.”

“Hey, I can be funny,” Xan says, faking outrage. “Imogen will tell you.”

“Hmm.” Imogen strokes his arm. “You have other strengths. I’m not sure comedy is your forte.”

“Great.” He throws his hands in the air. “Even my wife is ganging up against me.”

The Xan pile on continues, and as I join in, I realize Dad was right. Nothing will change. I’m still me, and they’re still them, and we always will be.

Everyone goes their separate ways until only Rebecca and I remain. I sag onto the sofa, relief a palpable force running through my veins.

Rebecca sits beside me and rests her head on my shoulder. “How do you feel?”

I run the back of my hand over her cheek and kiss the top of her head. “Free.”