Page 27 of Criminology of a Character

“I like this version of Bel.” Rose hugged her from behind. “I worry about you, and I was afraid that after your kidnap… your thing, you would be different, but you’re glowing. You have a pretty tan too. If this very tall,very handsome, and veryintimidating man is to thank, I’ll give him a shot. He’sclearlybeen good for you.”

“It’s okay, Rose, you can say kidnapping.” Bel patted her sister’s arm. “I’m in therapy for it, and it doesn’t help to pretend it didn’t happen. It did, but I lived. Dad, Cerberus, and Eamon came for me, and I’m still here.”

“Eamon was there?” Luna asked.

“Yes. He’s protected me from more than you’ll ever know.”

“Wow… you really like him,” Luna said.

“Which is whyI want you guys to ignore the gruff exterior.”

“Do you promise he’s good to you?” Briar asked.

“Would Dad like a man who wasn’t?”

“Fair point. Okay, we’ll keep an open mind. Sorry, I was just taken aback when I saw him. He was not what I was expecting. I had no idea you were dating a Greek god.” Briar laughed as she pulled the turkey out of the oven. “What do they feed Bajka men? He’s giant.”

“You should see him with her dog,” a feminine voice interrupted, and Bel barely had time to brace herself before Wendy, John, and Michael Darling attacked her. “That pitbull looks like a yorkie in that man’s arms. It’s the funniest thing, but it’s also super cute. He’s obsessed with Cerberus…. And this one.” Wendy cupped Bel’s jaw in emphasis. “I missed you, but look at this tan. I’m jealous.”

“Thanks.” Bel ruffled the brothers’ hair as her sisters began plating the food. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Us too,” Michael said. “Nanna is here. Your dad said we could bring her. Can we play football with her and Cerberus?”

“After dinner, Mister,” Wendy said. “That’s all he’s been able to talk about. Playing football with Nanna, Cerberus, and Eamon.”

“Eamon will love that,” Bell said.

“Flynn will too.” Briar volunteered her husband. “I’m sure all the guys will, but now we eat! Bel, can you grab the cranberries?”

“Sure.” She grabbed the bowl, squeezing Wendy’s hand as she passed.

“Can I help?”Wendy asked, her eagerness to be involvedsounlike the woman Bel first met.The heiress had been hostile and snobbish, but now she fluttered about the kitchenas if she werethe seventh Emerson sister. And in a way, she was. She had no parents, and her marriage had been annulled afterher husband hired Peter Pann to kill her and her brothers.Bel and Eamon were the closestthingtoafamily the siblings had.

“Dinner!” Briar called as all seven women set the meal on the table. John and Michael joined the grandchildren at the small table, and the Emerson daughters settled beside their husbands as Reese cleared his throat.

“I’ll be brief because everyone’s hungry and the kids are dying to play a football game later, but I want to raise my glass to this family,” he said. “I’m so thankful for my beautiful daughters. I love you all so much. I’m also incredibly thankful for my sons-in-law who feel like my own flesh and blood and for my gorgeous grandkids, including mygrandpup.” He winked at Bel as he mentioned Cerberus, and she couldn’t stop the tears.

“I am thankful for the Darling family, who I hope feels like they’re one of us,” Reese continued as he toasted Wendy. “And last but not least, I’m thankful for the newest addition to our table.” He nodded at the stoic Eamon. “I am a man blessed beyond measure, and I love you all.”

“Oh, Dad.” Bel slipped out of her seat and threw her arms around her father. “I love you.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.” He opened his arms as the rest of his daughters swarmed him, and there was not a dry eye at the table save Eamon’s. He didn’t cry at the affection, but his black eyes softened almost angelically.

“All right, all right, let’s eat before you make your old man cry,” Reese teased. “I’ve been dreaming of this turkey all day.” He picked up the carving knives, the sisters returning to their seats, and as Bel slid beside Eamon, he leaned over and buried his nose in her hair.

“I never had a family,” he admitted, breathing in her scent as he spoke. “I was born for…” he paused. “Love had no part in my making.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re here.” She rubbed his back, tucking his painful admission away for later when they had the privacy to discuss it. “Mine is happy to have you… how much of our kitchen conversation did you hear?”

“All of it,” he chuckled, and she groaned as she lowered her forehead to his shoulder. “Don’t worry.” He kissed her hair as if he couldn’t stop himself. “I was expecting a far more severe response. Your sisters relented quickly.”

“Because Dad likes you. He’s good at reading people… too good sometimes. Trust me, if he didn’t like us together, you wouldn’t be sitting here. My sisters know that if he accepted you, you are family.”

“I like your father.” Eamon draped an arm around her shoulders as Reese started plating the turkey. “But I love you.”

Bel beamed at him, temporarily forgetting they had an audience. “Why is it you terrify people when you meet them?” She kissed his shoulder before resting her head against it, whispering so only he could hear her below the chatter.

“You bring out my humanity, but I’m not human,” he answered. “I drink blood to survive, and while I’m civil about my consumption now, I wasn’t always. An ancient evil created my kind, and I spent the first ages as a soulless monster. Humans can always sense when a beast enters their midst. Fear is their only defense against us. It forces them to run. The people who cared for me throughout the years softened my edges. Meeting you, though, changed me to my core, but it’ll never undo my DNA. Mortals will never truly be safe around me.”

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