Page 87 of When Sinners Rise
She nods. “Okay, but I have some reservations about your work-”
“Not that. Not yet. Don't push me on it. We're getting there.”
“But getting where, Knox? I haven't pried, and I've given you time, but I don't want Cade near that kind of life.”
I frown and look at him as we keep walking, unsure how much choice either of us will ever have in that. He might be part her, but he’s part me, too, and not one damn thing ever curtailed me. I'll try. I know I will. He'll go to the right schools, and he'll see a life other than mine, but if he is anything like me – anything at all – he'll want the dark.
“Peyton, you're the one who said you wanted to come to New York.”
“I do. I want to be where you are. We both do.”
“Then trust me. I can't work miracles in months. I’ll do what needs doing to change the path, but until then, you've just got to trust this Cortez knows what he’s trying to achieve.”
She turns away to stare at her ocean. “And what is that?”
“Peace, Peyton.”
And, with any luck, something quieter for us all.
EPILOGUE
MARIANA AND KAI
“Go and shower, Kai. I mean it. Everyone will be here soon, and I want it to be perfect.”
“Everything will be fine. Relax. And I’ll shower. You can even join me.” He pulls me from fixing the dining table and places a kiss on my head. “That might help you relax.”
“If you didn’t look like you’ve just bathed in all the dust in San Antonio, I might. Clean your ass up. We can celebrate together later.”
He strips off his T-shirt as he walks away, giving me a fine view of all of his ink as he heads upstairs. It’s good that he takes time to clear his head when it all starts to build and get too much for him. Riding is where that happens best. It’s his way of coping, of keeping himself balanced with everything he does for us. And it stops him from being a testosterone-fuelled jackass to me, so I’m happy, too. So far, we’ve kept our promise to each other, and we’ve found our way.
On any other day, I’d gladly follow him to the shower, but I’m more nervous than I’d like to be about hosting a family gathering. Probably because it’s the first time Dante and Wrenwill be here. They are the guests of honour, after all. This is their celebration.
Married. It still feels strange to think of Dante like that, but if finding his happy with Wren and doing our work in New York means the bridge I burned can be salvaged, I’m one hundred percent in.
Despite everything that’s happened over the last year, we’ve still not been together for a family celebration. They were once part of the heart of us – with Melena pulling our strings and issuing her commands – but we were happiest when we were together. Thanksgiving was nice, but with Dante missing, we weren’t whole. And now, I can’t help but think about Shaw and the fact he won’t be here. It's like Dante all over again. Why can’t we just be a family?
Funny how I never thought Shaw would be the one to leave or push back like he did. He’s never stood up for himself like that before. And the worst of it is, I never even knew what he was feeling deep down. I always felt the pain and guilt that Dante carried from when I was taken. And that shaped so much of my life. Shaw was just – Shaw. I didn’t see his pain, and that doesn’t sit well. He’s my twin, and I should have known, should've felt it. I should have looked for his pain besides my own.
I reach for the line of tequila bottles in the kitchen and break the seal to pour myself a shot. “Here’s to you, Brother.” It’s smooth, so much better than the crappy swill we had to toast with before. Well, not in my house. Traditions may stay, but I want to put my own mark on things. “We’ll drink together again. Put things right.” I take a second shot for Shaw.
~
Half an hour later, Kai comes down, looking sharp in a fitted shirt and smart jeans. “We ready?” he asks. I smile at himand wrap my arms around his neck, breathing him in to seek some comfort.
“Yep. Food is sorted. You could check the drinks for the toast. Champagne is chilling in the other room. Take the tequila through?”
“You got this, Mer,” he reassures me, running his hands down my arms.
“I know. It’s just… Dante and I haven’t had much contact since-”
“He’ll be fine. He knows how sorry you are. Knows that you want to make things right. Besides, there’s enough going on right now, and he seems okay in New York. Wren’s with him. It’s all good.” He takes a couple of bottles but looks at the already opened one before raising his brows at me.
“I needed it, shut up.” I grab the bottles from his hand and take them through myself, stacking them on the sideboard next to the dining table.
It’s all set, brimming with all our favourites. The smell of spice and meat is nostalgic, bringing back memories of when we were all together – Melena included. I snatch the open bottle of tequila and take another shot, banishing that thought of her.
The chime of the door brings me back to today and the task of hosting our first proper family celebration since then.
