Page 18 of Merciless Oath

“Okay, well…” I start, but the elevator dings open, interrupting me, and Lux breezes into the kitchen. She’s balancing a slim paper package with baby Rosie, who’s happily perched on her hip.

I motion to Jack to move the package away from here.

“Hello, hello, my terrifying little family.” She grins, waving at the group of stone-faced men packed into my kitchen. “Can I have my husband back now?”

Rafael’s face lights up for the first time since he arrived this morning, and he swoops in to grab Rosie and place a soft kiss on Lux’s mouth.

I watch the exchange, feeling jealous like I sometimes do. What Rafael and Lux have is an unmistakable, undeniable soul bond—something I’ve always deeply craved.

They complement each other perfectly. Her sunny disposition softens his dark, brooding ways, while his logic and steadfastness balance her chaotic nature.

And then there’s Rosie, their darling one-year-old and my goddaughter—an immaculate mix of Lux’s infectious smiles and Rafael’s toughness.

Rafael tosses her into the air, making her squeal with laughter, and even Uncle Joe cracks a smile. As the family gathers around Rosie, teasing her and making her laugh, Lux sidles over to me.

“You okay, bestie?”

“It’s been a rough day,” I admit. “Lot of weird shit happening around here and I just don’t know if I’m capable of handling it all.”

I nearly whisper the last part, feeling like a failure in my new role. Lux slips her fingers into mine and gives my hand a couple of quick squeezes.

“You’re going to figure this out,” she says, keeping her voice low. “You’re the smartest man I know, but don’t tell my husband I said that.”

“It’s in the vault,” I confirm, pretending to lock my lips.

“Oh, this is for you!” she says, thrusting an envelope into my hands. “I started chatting with the doorman while I was waiting for the elevator, and he was bringing this up for you, so I grabbed it instead.”

Great, another unmarked mysterious package.

I stare at it, twisting it around in my hands. It’s a slim envelope, the kind people usually use to send legal documents.Well, at least it’s not another bomb.

While the rest of the family is distracted by Rosie’s antics, Rafael wanders over to us and cocks his eyebrow at the envelope.

“Another one?”

“I don’t even know anymore,” I mumble, tearing the seal open with shaky fingers.

I hold my breath, staring at the innocent-looking envelope, and then pull myself together and peek inside.

“It’s just a paper.” I sigh with relief, pulling it out.

“A photograph,” Lux corrects me, leaning over to get a glimpse. The three of us stare at the picture in confusion.

“Who is she?” Rafael wonders, leaning closer.

For a brief, hopeful second, I think it might be a mistake. This photograph of a little girl with dark curls and bright green eyes wasn’t meant for me. The doorman probably got the address confused. I need to talk to him about thisandthe previous package.

I almost laugh at the paranoid mess The8 have turned me into, until Lux flips the photo over.

Matilda Rossi got your eyes six years ago, but I always have my eye on you.

I read the message again. And then a third time. Then it clicks, and the room starts to spin. I sink onto my haunches, dry heaving into my hands.

“Get him some water!” I vaguely hear Lux call out. A warm hand comes down on my shoulder, but it does little to comfort me.

Matilda Rossi. Five years ago. My eyes.

I gingerly pick up the photo from where it fell to the floor and stare at the small child—my child. My daughter has my mossy green eyes and identical dimples, one deeper than the other.

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