Page 33 of Truth is the Ultimate Weapon

"I need you," Devyn whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Rip's eyes softened, a tender smile playing at his lips. "You have me, Devyn," he murmured, his voice filled with primal emotion.

At that moment, all that mattered was the raw, unbridled passion that pulsed between them, threatening to consume them both in its fiery grip as they tumbled into the depths of passion. Devyn knew that she had found something truly special in Rip's arms.

All thoughts of self-defense and training were suddenly forgotten as Devyn lost herself in the heat of the moment. She melted into Rip's tantalizing embrace. Their bodies pressed together as they explored each other with a hunger that bordered on desperation. As they tumbled to the ground in a tangle of limbs and desire, Devyn knew that this was only the beginning of their journey and exactly how she needed to work out her feelings. All of them.

Their hold on one another was electrifying, a culmination of pent-up tension and unspoken desire that had been building between them for far too long. Devyn's senses were overwhelmed as she lost herself in the heat of the moment, her hands trailing over Rip's strong, muscular frame as he explored every inch of her with a reverence that left her breathless.

Their kisses grew more urgent, more desperate, as they sought to convey the depth of their feelings without words. Devyn felt a fire igniting within her, a primal need that demanded to be sated as Rip's touch sent shivers down her spine.

Their passion ignited like wildfire, consuming them both in a blaze of ecstasy as they surrendered to the undeniable pull of their desires. Devyn felt herself melting into Rip's touch, her heart pounding in her chest as he worshipped her with a fervor that left her trembling with need. Devyn felt herself teetering on the edge of oblivion, her senses ablaze with pleasure as Rip brought her to the brink of ecstasy again and again.

As they lay entwined beneath the stars, their bodies still humming with the aftershocks of their passion, Devyn couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. In Rip's arms, she had found a kind of peace she had never known before, a sense of belonging that transcended words, and she didn’t care why or how because they didn’t make sense together in any other way, other way. Their bond was a force to be reckoned with. It defied logic and reason as they surrendered themselves completely to each other.

The distraction was over, and it was time to face the truth she’d been avoiding all afternoon. Devyn sat in stunned silence, the words echoing in her mind like a relentless beat of a drum. The revelation had hit her like a freight train, shattering the already fragile semblance of her current reality. She had always felt different from her siblings, but she never could have imagined that the truth of her identity would be so profoundly devastating.

Rip watched her closely, angry over the turmoil she was experiencing. He reached out, tentatively placing a hand on her shoulder, offering what little comfort he could in the face of such overwhelming news.

"I'm sorry, Devyn." His voice was soft and empathic. I can't imagine what you must be feeling."

Devyn's emotions were like a tumultuous storm furiously coursing through her. Anger, sadness, confusion – they all warred for dominance as she struggled to process the truth that barreled in like a wrecking ball, set to destroy her life. She had spent her entire life believing herself to be one person, only to discover that she was someone entirely different.

"I just don't understand," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Why didn't they tell me? Why keep it a secret for so long?"

Rip sighed, his own frustration mirroring hers. "I wish I had the answers, Devyn. But sometimes, parents do things with the best intentions, even if they don't realize the pain it may cause."

Devyn nodded slowly, the weight of his words sinking in. She couldn't fault her family for wanting to protect her, even if it meant keeping painful truths hidden. But it didn't make the revelation any easier to bear.

"I feel so…" her voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t know, like I don't belong. I mean, it all makes sense in a way –– why I’m so different from them. It isn’t just because I’m the youngest, after all."

Rip's grip on her shoulder tightened slightly, his expression softening with understanding. "You'll always belong, Devyn," he assured her gently. "They don’t see you any differently, and this doesn't change who you are. When everyone thought Nash was Lucy’s child, did you think of him any differently?"

“Not even a little bit. He’s my brother in every way that counts.” Devyn shrugged. “Nothing could change that.”

“Then why do you think they would think any different of you?” Rip asked. “If anything, I’d think it’ll make them more protective of you than they already are. You’re the one they protect, with everything in them, more than anything else.”

“Maybe.” With a weak smile, she said, “I guess it’s just me –– I need to wrap my mind around all of this. Perhaps I should talk to Nash. He seemed to handle all this better than I am when he thought he was the outlier.”

“You’re not an outlier. You’re still their sister, Dev.”

Devyn met his gaze, her eyes searching his for solace. In that moment, she found a kindred spirit, someone who understood her in a way no one else could, despite their vast differences. She felt a surge of gratitude for his unwavering support, his presence shedding light in a moment of darkness.

"What about you, Rip?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What will you do when this case is over?"

Rip hesitated, his gaze flickering with uncertainty. "I'm not sure yet," he admitted. "But whatever happens, I'm here for now. I’m just taking it one day at a time."

Their eyes locked in a silent exchange of understanding, the weight of their shared burdens easing ever so slightly in the comfort of each other's presence. Somehow, amidst the chaos, Devyn and Rip found themselves drawn closer together, and as the night stretched on, they found comfort in each other's embrace, their hearts beating in unison against the backdrop of uncertainty and upheaval.

"I knew nothing would be the same after Mama died, especially given all that’s transpired since," Devyn confessed, her voice tinged with sorrow. "But I never expected this. It was a shock when we thought it was Nash, to find out it’s me––"

Rip nodded sympathetically, his gaze filled with empathy. "It doesn’t change anything, at least, it doesn’t have to, and you were in the same room with your family as I was, and it’s pretty clear they feel that way too," he murmured. "I get it, though. It’s still a lot to take in, so take your time figuring it out, but keep in mind, the only one wavering here is you."

Devyn smiled weakly, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Rip," she said softly. "I don't know what I'd do without your voice of reason telling me to get over myself and get it together."

“Dev, I don’t mean it like that. I meant…”

She giggled, “I’m just giving you a hard time. I know that’s not how you meant it, but it’s certainly the truth. I suppose there’s no better time to find out you were basically stolen and raised by the people who did away with your biological parents.”

---