Page 93 of Original Sins (Dark Odyssey 6)

He told her he’d be right there waiting for her. That was the moment she died, and there was a smile on her face.

As much as the world stopped and my heart broke, that was the first time I knew what true love was.

My parents were my first examples, and I wondered if I would ever find that person I could feel that way about.

I never knew I’d find myself feeling that way about two men.

I’m sitting here by the second-floor balcony watching the sunrise, and I don’t know what to do. I’ve never been so conflicted in my life.

This is the third week of me being with them, and it's all supposed to end next Sunday at midnight, except I’m not Cinderella. I will leave no glass slipper when the clock strikes twelve for anyone to find me.

When I leave, I will disappear forever, and I’ll need to be as good as dead.

I’ve been asking myself how I’d feel when I get to this point. I thought I’d be fine, although, in the back of my mind, I knew I wouldn’t be.

To Georgiou and Henry, I’ve only been in their lives for three weeks. For me, it’s been so much longer.

Tomorrow I’m supposed to act like the doting bride-to-be in Peter’s arms when all I want to do is run to Georgiou and Henry and stay with them forever.

I can’t have what I want, what I truly want.

It was never in the cards for me, and now that I’m here, I want to stay in the place I’m trying to run from.

Warm hands run over my shoulders, making me lift my head. I meet Georgiou’s handsome face.

He’s shirtless and wearing a pair of joggers.

I smile when I see him, and he sits opposite me, pulling me into his lap so he can kiss me.

“What’s wrong, Bellezza?” he asks, nuzzling my nose with his.

“Nothing,” I lie. He’s so used to me lying now, though, that he no longer has that look of suspicion tainting his eyes. “I was watching the sunrise. It reminded me of Italy.”

“Yeah. I do that too. Mostly when I’m thinking of stuff that wears me down.”

“Does anything wear you down?” I smirk.

“You’d be surprised.” His gaze rivets to mine. “I’m always going to be here for you, Evie. We both will—Henry and me,” he looks over his shoulder as Henry steps outside too, his eyes on the rising sun. “Won’t we, Henry?”

“Always,” Henry replies with a wink.

The same way I remember knowing what true love looked like, the same way I’ll remember what it felt like too.

That’s what I feel now, for both of them.

“Thank you,” I whisper, and as they both look at me, I believe they know how I feel.

24

Georgiou

This is another momentous occasion that requires my undivided attention.

It’s early Friday night. The night is still young for me because I have to meet with Donny later. But right now, I’m supposed to be focusing on the first step to the beginning of the empire I’m creating with my family.

We’re all here now. The guys and Mimi and I brought Henry; both are as good as family.

It’s opening night to the restructured strip club, which is now our sex club.

---