Page 110 of Reckless Promises

Daniel walks around us and makes his way to the front door, and when it opens, my heart might as well stop in my chest. Because my mom and sister stand on the other side.

“Odette.” Genevieve runs forward, and I catch her in my arms.

Her tears wet my cheek as she holds me tightly.

“I can’t believe you’re actually here.” And I can’t.

Even if Cillian told me he arranged for them to arrive today, holding my sister is nearly impossible to believe.

After Dad was taken into custody, the Feds did a full search and seizure of my father’s estate. They held mymom and sister for questioning, but quickly determined that just because they lived with him, they weren’t part of his operation.

The house was taken, along with most of my mom and sister’s belongings. My father’s accounts were frozen, and slowly the Feds are dismantling his entire operation—along with Sascha’s. And in the fallout, Cillian helped me convince my mom and sister it would be best if they came to stay with us for a while.

After all, the Cross compound has plenty of room for everyone.

Cillian’s only stipulation was that they stay in their own wing. Ours is just for the two of us, and as much as I love my family, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Gen pulls back, but I don’t let go of her shoulders.

“Is it true?” She smiles, even if tears are still streaming down her cheeks as her gaze moves to my belly.

“Yes.” I can’t hold back my grin when her eyes meet mine again. “I’m having a baby.”

She shrieks so loud it echoes in the open foyer, pulling me into a hug again and jumping up and down a little.

“Less shaking maybe?” Cillian rests a hand on me to keep me steady, and I let go of Gen to roll my eyes at him.

“Ignore my paranoid husband,” I tell her.

Gen laughs. “I don’t mind it. As long as he’s keeping my sister happy and healthy, he can go about his business.”

“Did someone scream?” Fallon bursts into the room with her eye masks still stuck to her face.

Cillian arranged a girls’ spa day for us this morning, and she’s still wearing her robe with her wild red hair up in a bun.

“Yes…” I spin around, looping my arm through Gen’s. “My sister.”

Fallon stops in front of us, her jaw dropping open. “You’re kidding.”

She turns and punches her brother in the arm.

“What was that for?” He rubs it, even if I’m sure it did nothing to phase him.

“You didn’t tell me guests were coming.”

“Technically,you’re a guest.” He shakes his head. “They’re going to be living here.”

“Either way, you should have told me.” Fallon reaches in and grabs my sister, giving her a big hug. “Welcome to the family. You’re coming with me. The guys can bring in your things.”

Fallon releases Gen, grabbing her hand and tugging her toward our spa day in the den. And Gen smiles at me over Fallon’s shoulder. Their personalities together might send Daniel to his breaking point, but I have no doubt they’ll get along.

They leave the room, laughing, while my mom has barely made it much further inside the door.

Even if my mom was here for the wedding, I didn’t see her that night. I haven’t been face-to-face with her since the night of the auction. Her complacency with my father had me conflicted for years, but now, seeing her standing in my home with Cillian, free from my father, I see her for who she really is.

A woman who loved her daughters above all else.

While it sometimes came across as cold or uncaring, it was just her way of preparing us for the harsh realities we were going to face. It was her way of protecting us. We didn’t have any more of a choice than she did. So she shielded us as best as she could while making sure we were ready for the worst.

---