Page 126 of The Devil's Deceit
“Wow,” is all he manages to say.
“I know.” I wrap my arms around him and give him a hug. “It’s a lot to take in.”
Juliet links her arm through mine. “Right? Remember how gobsmacked we were on that first visit.” She wrinkles her nose and shoots a wry smile in Christian’s direction. “Sorry. Touchy subject.”
“Not at all,” my husband says, gesturing toward the dining room, where the family gather on the first Friday of each month. “This is Grace’s home. You’re always welcome here.”
Juliet flashes me a wicked grin. “You must be a fireball in bed.”
Christian chuckles.
I dig Juliet sharply in the ribs. “Stop it. Oh, my God. I can’t believe you said that right in front of my brother.”
Juliet laughs. “It’s a fair point. I mean, after all that lying and cheating, I’d have thought he’d make you grovel for at least a couple more weeks.”
“We’ve both made mistakes.” Christian slides an arm around my waist and draws me closer to his side. “And yes, she is a fireball.”
I groan. “Kill me now.”
“Don’t worry about it, Gracie,” Arron says. “I’m pretty good at selective hearing. With Juliet, it comes in handy.”
“Ohhh, mister, you will regret that.”
Arron winks at me, then returns his attention to Juliet. “I can handle you.”
She sniffs. “We’ll see.”
They share a look, and my curiosity meter shoots up to one hundred. “Hang on a second. Am I missing something here?”
Arron cheeks tinge with pink.
Juliet groans. “You couldn’t be cool, could you? I told you tonight wasn’t the right time.”
My mouth drops open. I glance from him to her and back to him again. “Are you telling me you’re an item?”
Arron shuffles his feet. “Um… kinda.”
“Excuse me?” Juliet glares at him. “Kinda? Carry on like that, and this will be the shortest relationship in history. I want fawning, I want romance, I want you on your knees like a good fucking boy.”
“Would you like some privacy?” Christian’s eyes twinkle. “We have over seven hundred rooms for you to choose from.”
“Stop encouraging them.” I shake my head, but I’m smiling, too.
“So, you’re okay with it?” Juliet asks. I think it’s the first time I’ve ever seen her less than supremely confident. “We kind of got closer after you… went to Mexico. It was hard for both of us, worrying about you, wondering whether you were okay. I guess we turned to each other for support, and one thing led to another.”
“Okay? I’m thrilled.” I free myself from Christian and fling my arms around her. “My best friend and my brother is only the outcome of dreams. Although, I have to say, I think he’s getting the better end of the deal.”
“Hey,” Arron protests. “You’re my sister. Blood comes first.”
“You’re still a mister,” Juliet says. “Sisters before misters, even if they’re not blood related.”
I giggle, feeling freer from the weight of grief and remorse than I have in a long time. Despite the hour-long conversation Arron and I had following my return to Oakleigh, I was afraid this meeting would feel uncomfortable, but this unexpected news has helped smooth away any awkwardness there might have been.
Arron was as stunned as I was to discover the truth behind our parents’ deaths, not to mention Christian’s generosity in paying off their debts. If only we’d known then what we know now… but constant recriminations or blaming ourselves for our single-minded and ill-advised drive for revenge won’t do either of us any good.
Christian’s forgiven me for what I did, and I’ve forgiven him for hiding the truth that would’ve avoided all this heartache. Besides, if he hadn’t, I’m certain we wouldn’t be married.
As for Daniel, Arron and I decided to ask Christian to let him go, and that’s what he did. I had fears he might come for Arron or for us, but according to Christian, Patrick Mahoney put the fear of God into him. It’s been over a week now since he was released, and neither of us have heard a peep out of him. If he has any sense, he’ll make sure it stays that way.
