Page 341 of Black Reign

“When Papa died, I couldn't tell him what happened. I couldn't type the words.”

My voice catches.

I stop.

Breathe.

Xavier waits.

He always waits.

“He didn't ask.”

A tear escapes.

Xavier frees one hand and catches it with his thumb.

“He just stayed.”

His jaw tightens.

“And then I discovered Ghost was Xavier Blackwell.”

The priest glances between us.

This story is clearly not included in standard premarital counseling.

“It was extremely inconvenient.”

Xavier almost smiles.

“I already cared about Ghost before I knew what Xavier might represent. Before Blackwell and Beaumont collided. Before I knew there were things between our families that might never be repaired.”

I take his hand again.

“I still don't know how this ends.”

He watches me.

“I don't know what we'll find about Papa.”

My voice drops.

“I don't know whether Blackwell destroyed my family or whether someone wanted me to believe it did.”

Something sharp enters Xavier's gaze at that.

Good.

Because that possibility has been growing in me too.

“But I do know one thing.”

I step slightly closer.

“When I was terrified, I called Ghost.”

His fingers tighten.