Page 120 of Icy Cold Death

She hugged her.

“I’m sorry he hurt you. I know it had to be bad for you to risk coming back here,” she said, staring at Julian over her shoulder.

He nodded.

She was abused for a long time, he mouthed.

Claire held her tighter, so that her sister could understand that family forgave.

Family healed.

They circled you when you needed it.

“You’re ours, and we protect our own, Lianna. I forgive you, and I open my home to you. I trust you around my husband, and I forgive you for this past. Beckett and I talked it over, and we agreed. You’re not to carry this any longer. You’re a Littlemoon, and I want to get to know your children. I want my sister back.”

Lianna broke down even more at her words, knowing this was a miracle.

“I don’t deserve this.”

She held her.

“You didn’t deserve what he did to you. He broke you. Now, you’re going to let us rebuild you. You’re my twin, and I’m going to hold you up until you can feel safe again. I’m going to learn from Julian and Justin, and see how they always have each other’s backs. We have you, Lianna. We have you and always will. Your sin is forgiven.”

The brothers all moved closer, and even Beckett did too. This woman deserved a second chance.

Everyone did.

Mistakes happened.

“I’m sorry, Claire. I’m so damn sorry,” Lianna whispered.

She could see that.

“It’s okay. Your mistake gave me life. Now, let’s take that mistake and give you life back. I love you, Lianna. I’ve always loved you.”

Because his sister deserved it, Julian kissed Claire on the forehead.

That’s our girl, he mouthed.

She smiled.

Beckett had been right.

This version of her was so much better.

It was better to be kind. Setting her sister free, she wiped her tears with her sleeve.

“We got you. We were raised to always have you, and that’s something we will always do.”

Claire stood up.

Then, she pointed at Connor.

“Get the oldest vehicle we have, and we leave our phones. We ride to go West.”

Julian stared at her.

Booth had just said the same thing.

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