Page 125 of Reaper’s Wrath

“Yeah, I guess I do.” We’ve never really labeled it, but that’s essentially what it entails. “That’s the biggest reason I couldn’t come back. They did it on purpose, using her as leverage to keep us there. I couldn’t leave her.”

“Of course, you couldn’t,” Mom insists, her spine going ramrod straight. “You did the right thing. When do we get to meet her?”

The thought of Tess with my mom brings an irrepressible smile to my face. They’ll adore one another.

“Soon.”

“Oh, good.” She claps her hands together quietly.

Her joy is such a double-edged sword for me. I’m happy she’s happy, but I can’t shake the guilt for not reaching out earlier.

My head lowers with the weight of my regret. “I’m so sorry,” I tell them quietly. “I’m sorry I let myself believe him.”

Mom’s hand covers mine. “I told you. No apologies. What happened was tragic—you were the victim of a horrific crime.” She clears her throat of the residual emotions, then gives me a watery smile. “We’re just so grateful you’re home. And I, for one, would love to know all about Isa Costa.”

I should have known. Word always did travel quickly around here.

My brother grins.

Isa told Terina, who told him, so when I went to tell him about my relationship with Isa, he already knew the basics.

“Isa and I secretly dated for almost a year before I was taken.” I give them the highlights of our story while my parents sit captivated by every word. I’m amazed at how it sounds in hindsight—like a fantastical bedtime story read to a child with fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, and dare I say, miracles.

It’s a good reminder of how lucky we are.

We spend another hour catching up. Our conversation is surprisingly comfortable and flows easily. I’m going to have to work hard not to punish myself for avoiding my homecoming. It’s easy to wonder how life would be different had I come back the second I was able. Not only could I have let go of the pain so much earlier, but I could have had my family again. The mental mindfuck is a trap that will only make me feel worse.

As DiAngelo and I leave the house, I swear to myself that I’ll find a way to let it go.

“Before you go,” D says, snagging my attention. “I have something for you.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a silver necklace. When I realize what it is, my head spins.

“My cross,” I say in awe, taking the chain and pendant from him. “Where did you get it?”

“The warehouse. It was in a bucket of bloody water.” His words are distant as he fingers the matching cross he wears around his neck—first communion gifts from our parents. “I was never the same after you disappeared.”

“That makes two of us.”

He nods. “I kept you with me, though. Always.” He lifts his shirt and shows me a tattoo of my name over his heart, lit by what looks like a firefly. He lowers his shirt, and I envelop him in a hug.

“It killed me to be away from you,” I admit quietly.

We stand like that in a vacuum of time, while our ragged soul mends itself back together.

“Tell me you’re gonna stay,” he says somberly when we separate.

I offer a tight smile, pleased he wants me to stick around. “I think that’s the goal, but I’m trying to work through the particulars. I haven’t exactly made a lot of friends in town while I’ve been here, and there are some loose ends I’ll need to tie up.”

“I hope you know, all you have to do is ask, and I’ll help in whatever way I can.”

I extend my hand, a smirk forming on my lips. He mirrors my expression as he catches on, then we do our twin handshake, muscle memory taking over as though it’s only been days rather than decades since we last performed the ritual.

I leave my parents’ house with my heart overflowing and certainty in my mind. This is where I belong. It’s time to make the move official.

CHAPTER 63

ISA

Elio docked Calypso at the marina two weeks ago. It’s a perfect compromise for now. We’re staying on the boat together while also being back in the city. I don’t need to rush the transition. Elio is making a huge change in his life to stay here with me. I recognize that and am eternally grateful—both to him for upending his life, and to the universe for bringing him back to me.