Page 34 of Truth is the Ultimate Weapon

“Dev…”

“I know, I know. I’m kidding.” She admitted, “Bad joke. Too soon.”

“You like dark humor, got it.” Rip chuckled.

“Truth is, it really is good timing. I think given all the soul searching and learning about Mama I’ve been doing through all of the chaos, reacquainting myself with her through her words… it makes the blow a little softer. I know she loved me as fiercely as my brothers and sister. That means something.” Devyn paused, “I guess I’m lucky, in a way. Knowing how I could have grown up versus how I did grow up. They didn’t have to take me in, either. They chose me.”

“That’s a great perspective to have. I don’t think many people would think of it that way this soon.” Rip offered.

“Truth is, that’s the pep talk I was planning to give Nash when we thought this was his fate –– little did I know, those words of wisdom I pulled together were for myself. Go figure.”

“I think as long as you stay focused on that, you’ll be just fine, Dev.” He hugged her a little tighter. “Just… fine.”

Their conversation drifted into quieter, more intimate moments, each sharing their deepest fears and hopes with the other. Devyn spoke of her fear of never finding her place in the world, of being forever haunted by the ghosts of her past. Rip, in turn, revealed his own struggles with identity and belonging, admitting that he, too, felt a sense of uncertainty, albeit vague.

But amidst that uncertainty, there was a glimmer of something else—a shared understanding, a connection that transcended the chaos of their circumstances. As they lay together beneath the stars, their bodies entwined in a silent embrace, they found solace in the knowledge that they were not alone.

"I'm scared, Rip," Devyn whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "Scared of what the future holds, of what might happen next."

Rip pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his touch a soothing balm against her fears. "I know you are, but you don’t have to be, darlin’. I won’t let anything happen to you. Not a damn thing, okay?”

She nodded.

“I… I couldn’t live with myself if anything did.” He went on. “I’ll take care of you, protect you, okay? This guy, Steele, and whoever else he has in his back pocket can try all they want, and they won’t get any closer. I won’t let them anywhere near you, honey.”

A shared bond echoed in the stillness of the night as she drifted off to sleep, exhausted by the day’s revelations, wrapped in Rip’s protective embrace. It didn’t matter what the future held at that moment because the only future Rip saw ahead was one with her in it, and he’d lay down his life to make sure of it.

16

In the quiet of the night, Nash silently relished in the joy that surged through him like a tidal wave. As he sat on the balcony with Charlotte, just outside the bedroom he shared with her. His heart felt lighter, knowing that he belonged to this family, that he was a part of something greater than himself. But that sense of pride came with a price and a heavy heart because his new truth became his younger sister’s broken heart. It was like he’d traded his truth for hers. He wasn’t the secret baby; she was, and that came with an uncertain past and the weight of decades’ worth of trauma.

"Charlotte, I can't believe it," he whispered, his voice filled with wonder. "What a fucking plot twist."

“I’m happy for you, Nash. I know how hard these past days have been for you, and finding out Ben and Lilah are your parents…”

“It’s a good feeling.” He finished her thought for her, “But Dev…”

“I get it.” Charlotte nodded as she stood behind the chair he sat in and rested her hands on his shoulders. “There is no real winner or loser here, Nash. You can’t truly bask in the joy of your truth without the reminder of her truth being full of despair.”

“I hate that she’s hurting and wish I could help her.” He admitted. “This one of those cases where I can truly say I know what she’s going through, and it’s hell.”

“She’s tough.” Charlotte smiled. “She may have come into this world a different way than the rest of you, but she grew up a Stone, through and through. She’s just as determined as you all are, and she’ll get through this.”

“It’s so strange. I don’t know what to say to her or how to help her.” Nash admitted.

“Remember what she said to you?”

Nash nodded.

“Maybe start with something like that.” Charlotte bent forward, enveloping him in her embrace as she pressed a tender kiss to his cheek. “Let her know you feel the same way about her that she did you. Nothing changes. You’ll all get through this. One day at a time, honey. It’ll take a lot more than this bump in the road to fracture this family. I mean, look at y’all now. Facing some brutal trials and tribulations, thanks to the brutal hand of my father, and here you are, winning.”

“Oh, Jesus, Char.” Nash reached for her hand and gently guided her onto his lap. “I’m over here wallowing while you have your own heartache to contend with. You know that if your father is indeed involved that, nobody blames you at all, right? We cherish you. You’ve been our rock these past weeks, darlin’ –– months really when you consider the time and care you gave our Mama.”

Charlotte's heart sank at Nash's words, her own emotions swirling in turmoil. While he reveled in his newfound sense of belonging, she grappled with the devastating realization that her own father might be responsible for the chaos and tragedy that had befallen their town. She squeezed Nash's hand tightly, struggling to find the words to express the heaviness in her heart.

"I appreciate you saying that," she began, her voice trembling with emotion. "The idea that my father might be involved in all of this. The attacks, the murders... everything. It’s really hard to wrap my head around. I’ve never known this side of him. But I’m no fool and see exactly what y’all see. I will never stop apologizing for what he’s done."

Nash's expression shifted from joy to concern as he listened to Charlotte's confession. He dropped a kiss on her shoulder, offering what little comfort he could in the face of such devastating news.

---