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I was resigned to my fate. Resigned to give myself up to Antonia in exchange for those children. When Pearl showed up, I let out the breath I was holding, knowing that with her by my side, there is nothing we can’t accomplish together. Luckily, Antonia kept her word and let the kids go, allowing them to reunite with their parents before Pearl showed up, probably thinking that I would never go back on my word. Because normally I wouldn’t, not when there was the possibility that she could simply lie in wait for the next opportunity to grab a hostage.
But I have to say, defeating both Antonia and Anthony seemed almost too easy. Like their quick deaths were too good for them, but the feeling of finally being free was exquisite. Until it wasn’t…
Until I watched the woman I love try to kill one of her friends for a drop of blood, and then watched, helpless, as she writhed in pain on the dirt-covered ground. And again, as a literal goddess descended from the heavens to come to her aide.
I’m still in shock at that. I believed Pearl when she told me she’d met Artemis. I did. But there was still a part of me that didn’t trulybelieveuntil I saw her with my own two eyes.
Pearl whimpers in her sleep, and I tug her petite frame into me, rubbing soothing circles on her back. I should’ve noticed something was wrong when she readily agreed to killing Anthony. My mate being the sweet, gentle woman that she is, would’ve tried to find another way. But at the time, I was only thinking of myself and of the revenge I could get on my tormentors. Not of the consequences. Not even just with Pearl. But with Zach and Amelia too.
How am I supposed to tell them that their mother is dead? That she was killed trying to take me back? That I watched with a smile on my face as the blood was freed from her body and the light in her eyes went out?
Loukas?My mom surprises me by speaking through our mental link.
I’m here, I tell her, feeling her getting closer to the house.
Skarlyt came and explained. The kids want to grab a few things and are going to sleep at my place tonight.
She doesn’t phrase it as a question. Instead, she is stating a fact, giving me no room for argument. As much as I want my children under the same roof as me—especially after today—I know that Pearl needs to come first right now, though she’d disagree.
Do they know about…I begin, unable to say that monster's name.
No. That will be a conversation that you can have with them when Pearl is better.
I breathe out a sigh of relief. I wouldn’t think that I would feel relieved to have to be the one to tell them about Antonia, but the fact that they don’t know yet is what relieves me. At least for tonight, they can pretend that all is right in their world.
Thank you. I’ll come and meet you at the door.I place a soft kiss on Pearl's head and nudge her over gently.
She hiccups in her sleep, the aftershocks of crying so hard and for so long. I pull the covers up, tucking her in before heading out the door.
I step out onto the porch in time for a little girl to come flying up the stairs and launch herself at me.
“Daddy!”
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her tight and then reaching out and pulling Zach in as well when he gets closer.
I hug them to me tightly, not realizing how much I needed to feel them safe in my arms.
“Are you okay, Dad?” Zach asks, trying to pull back, but I don’t let him. He tenses up for only a moment before he seems to realize that I just need to hold them. Even Amelia isn’t trying to talk up a storm, instead, snuggling her head into my chest.
I look up at my mom, tears streaking down my cheeks. Not at the fact that Antonia is dead. But at the thought of having to break my children’s hearts. She may have been a monster and a horrible mother. But she was still that… Their mother. And no matter how horrible she may have been, they still loved her as much as they could have. And I’m sure she loved them… in her own way.
My mom walks over to me, wiping the tears from my eyes.
It will be okay, my boy, she promises through our link.
How do you know?
She crouches down, putting her finger under my chin.
Because the three of you are here. You are free and you are safe.
But what if they hate me for letting their mother die?I ask.
My boy. Feel the way they cling to you. The way their hearts beat in time with yours. You see them, but you do not truly see.She wipes more tears from my cheeks.They could never hate you.
A sob escapes me at her words. “Daddy?” Amelia’s soft voice calls to me, leaning her little head back to get a look at my face. “Don’t cry. We won’t sleep at Ya-Ya’s if it’s going to make you cry.”
“I’m not crying because you’re sleeping at Ya-Ya’s. I think it’s great that you get to spend time with her,” I tell her, forcing a smile on my face as I look at them both.
