Page 143 of Toxic

I laugh, relieved to have the topic turned away from my well-being. "I missed you more than you'll ever know."

He wiggles his eyebrows. "Good answer."

"Killian." Dante's voice hits my ear. He puts a hand on my back and, with the other, shakes Killian's. "Flight okay?"

"Yep. It's hard traveling in a private jet, you know?"

I smile bigger, shaking my head. "Glad to see you haven't changed."

He shrugs then discloses, "Arianna gets irritated when I make comments about the private jet."

"How is my sister? Am I ever going to see her again, now that her business is up and running?" Dante asks.

Pride fills Killian's face. "Sheisbusy, but she's here. She hired an assistant, and I convinced her to come. She's visiting with your papà."

"Ah. Good. I'm glad I'll get to see her."

Killian nods, then his smile falls. "So, are the kids here?"

My stomach dives. Killian and Dante convinced me to sit the kids down and talk to them about why I lied to them for years. I don't want to tell them the details of what happened to their father or me, but Killian and Dante think a bit of truth with their support would solve many issues.

Dante and I are also going to tell them about our relationship. I'm ready to stop hiding it from them, but I'm still unsure how they'll take it. They've only known me with their father. This is uncharted waters for them, and I don't want anything else to come between us. However, I can no longer keep my love for Dante a secret.

Every day, my future with Dante becomes clearer. I can't imagine moving forward without him. The love we have for each other only grows, and he's been my rock while I've been dealing with emotions I tried to bury for too many years.

Dante pulls me closer to him. "The kids are in the den with Tully."

My stomach flips, but I hold my chin higher.

Killian assesses me, cautiously asking, "Are you ready?"

I exhale. "Yes."

Dante gives me a peck on the lips. "Let me know when you're ready for me." He squeezes my hand.

"Okay." I square my shoulders and walk down the hall with Killian.

As soon as we step through the door, Fiona and Sean jump up.

"Uncle Killian! What are you doing here?" Fiona asks, tossing her arms around him.

He embraces her, chuckling. "Came to see if I need to knock any of your boyfriends around."

She pulls back, her face falling. "Not funny."

"I'm joking. Sean," Killian replies and hugs him.

"So? Why are you here?" Sean asks.

Killian points to the couches. "Let's sit down. Your mom, daideó, and I want to talk to you about some things."

Sean tilts his head, squinting his eyes. His voice turns firm. "Like what?"

"Sit," Killian orders, motioning again to the furniture.

Fiona and Sean sit on one couch. My dad and Killian sit on either side of me, on the larger sofa, across from the kids. They anxiously wait for us to speak.

I clear my throat then state, "I want to tell you why I lied to you for all those years."

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