Page 127 of Thorns of Blood
Lia released a shuddering breath, then turned to me and whispered, “Are you up for it?”
She waited for my answer, breathing harshly. The tremor in her hands didn’t escape me, and I smiled at this beautiful, strong woman who was all mine.
“Wife, I’m up for anything. As long as you’re happy and with me, I’ll go to the edge of the world with you.”
LIANA
Kian was right. I had to atone for my sins, and if continuing my mother’s legacy required it along with participation in this Syndicate I still didn’t understand, then so be it.
As long as I had Giovanni and my twins by my side.
The knot in my stomach coiled and emotions twisted in my chest as I watched Kian walk to his Jeep.
Someone might wonder why I wanted my babies, especially considering who their father was. But for me, they didn’t represent their father or the suffering I endured under his or Perez’s captivity. To me, my babies were hope—for the future, for love, for happiness.
Giovanni had given me those, but without the twins—now that I knew they lived—that happiness would never be complete. Not unless they were with me.
My hands trembled and my heart shuddered. A big part of me was still scared something would go awry and I’d lose my twins all over again. Gosh, it still seemed so surreal.I have twins, a boy and a girl.
Cristiano reached and took the gun out of my hands while I kept my eyes locked on the car, scared I’d miss something. That I’d blink and Kian would disappear with my babies.
Two sets of feet appeared underneath the door that blocked their small bodies and I held my breath. My knees buckled and Giovanni caught me, holding me upright.
I breathed his scent into my lungs, soaking in his strength, and I waited.
Then the first head full of dark hair peeked from behind the door, soon followed by the blonde curls, and I brought my hand to my mouth to stifle a sob.
Their steps hesitant, they started to walk, while I struggled for composure. Tears burned in the back of my eyes, and I fought the urge to run to them. I didn’t want to scare them.
Kian right at their backs, he followed them until all three came to stand in front of me.
“I knew they wouldn’t be identical twins, but they look like opposites,” I rasped, unable to come up with anything better.
“Yes, they are,” Kian confirmed, his eyes flicking behind me where Lou and Kingston stood in the shadows. “But they’re no less connected, very much like you and your twin.”
But my thoughts weren’t with my twin right now. They were with two sets of eyes that were studying me, deciding whether I was trustworthy.
I slowly lowered down to their eye level, swallowing a lump in my throat.
“Hello, Jet and Elira. I’m—”Your mother. And I love you so much.Yet, I was scared to utter those words, fearful of rejection.
“You’re our mom,” Jet finished. “We’re your flesh and blood.”
My eyes darted to Kian, thanking him silently, and he offered a terse nod in acknowledgement.
“Kian told us everything about you,” Elira chimed in. “We’ve been waiting to meet you.”
A strangled sob tore from my lips and no sooner did I open my arms, they fell into them and I wrapped them around their little bodies tightly.
“And I’ve been dreaming about meeting you,” I croaked, showering kisses all over their heads. “I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner.”
“But we came as soon as we could,” Giovanni chimed in, his hand on my back seeping strength into me. “I’m Giovanni, your mom’s husband, and I’m so happy to meet you.”
Jet straightened his shoulders and extended his hand. “The pleasure is ours, sir.”
My husband took his hand, lowering to my son’s eye level. “Call me Giovanni, Jet. And welcome to our family.”
“Is your family big?” Elira questioned, her eyes studying everyone. My twin and her husband abandoned their positions and joined the reunion. “There are so many people here.”
