I’d foregone coming to visit my family years before. It had been too painful. But on this day, doing so felt right. An ending and a beginning.
And perhaps forgiveness.
I ran my finger across Lucian’s carved name, feeling the indentations in the stone as I allowed memories to surface once again. “You taught me so much, Luc. One thing you always told me was to stop while I was ahead. I’m going to take your advice.” A single tear found its way into my eye. Instead of wiping it away, I allowed it to fall.
For once, the memories weren’t painful.
When I rose to my feet, I glanced at the rainbow again. It was time to deliver Salvatore to his daughters.
As I walked toward the SUV, I finally felt a moment of peace. It was past time to live my life.
With the woman I loved.
Fallon
Life was a gift. That much I’d learned over the years.
“Do you forgive him?” Brooke said from behind me.
Turning slightly, I measured my words. She’d asked me the same thing three times and I’d yet to answer her. Was I angry with Papa for placing us in danger? Of course I was. Did I understand more about the politics of crime syndicates? I’d had a crash course in learning the ugly nuances, Navarro answering my dozens of questions.
Papa had felt he’d had no choice, his precious secret that we were alive discovered by a monster. It had been obvious he’d done his best to try to keep us safe, protecting us from the past. “He’s our father, Brooke. I’m sad and angry, hurt and unsure of the future for our relationship, but he will always be our father. I love him.”
She squeezed my shoulders. “As you told me so many times. Family is important. You deserve to be happy.”
“So do you.”
Her laugh brought tears to my eyes. To think she’d almost died because of greed had nearly destroyed me.
“I love it here, sis. I absolutely love it.”
I caught sight of Navarro out of the corner of my eye. Beside him was Silvio who was smiling and it wasn’t because of me. “You mean you adore the attention of one Spaniard named Silvio.”
“Well, he is very handsome. There’s just something about Spanish men.”
As Navarro motioned to three other soldiers to keep an eye on the park where we’d agreed to meet, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. “You’re absolutely right about that. Spanish men are to…”
“Die for?”
We both laughed while the crackle of electricity sweeping through me had nothing to do with the morning storm. Navarro looked so handsome in his sport coat and dark shirt, the jacket unable to hide his gorgeous physique. When he knew it was safe, he motioned for another soldier to guide my father down the grassy knoll toward us.
“You’re right,” I told her. “To die for.”
Navarro would die for me. Was the relationship perfect? Well, of course not, but we planned on taking our time. The fact he’d quit as commander of the powerful regime has startled me, but I’d sensed doing so had finally given him some peace.
Now it was time to find the joy in just existing.
Daddy had aged in the two weeks, the lines in his face deeper than before. He’d also lost at least fifteen pounds, but it was the haunted look in his eyes that troubled me the most.
When he was only a few feet away, he stopped, the uncertainty between the three of us tense.
Finally, sweet Brooke sighed, rushing toward our father. “Daddy. You’re safe.”
“Oh, baby girl,” he sobbed. “I’m so sorry. I am so very sorry.”
As the two of them hugged, I thought about Brooke’s question again. Could I forgive him? I wasn’t entirely certain, but I’d meant what I said. He was our father and had done his best to provide a normal life for his two children after a horrific tragedy.
Now it was time to create another life, one filled with hope and joy. I tipped my head, studying Navarro as he walked closer.
