Page 124 of Merciless Sinner

He smirks. “I just saw Olivia. She looks like she's doing okay.

“Yeah, she's doing better.”

Cillian comes in. “I'm heading back to Ireland now.”

I knew he would leave when this was over, but I've been contemplating something I wanted to run past him, so I give him a long hard stare.

“Why don't you stay?” I say.

He laughs again. “I don't know about that, old friend. I have a life in Ireland.”

“But you have a legacy here. Your family and I were once allies. I want us to be that again.”

He considers the idea, and sighs. “I'll tell you what, Virgo. I'll think about it. I'll really think about it. But I like that idea. How about right now, we just go back to being close friends?” He puts out his hand for me to shake, and I shake his.

“Close friends.” I give him firm nod, then I retrieve the memory stick and hand it to him. “I guess that's yours now.”

“What are you gonna do now?” I am curious. The mystery is wrapped up. But there's loose ends that need to be tied up with this knowledge of Lance Polinsky.

“You know damn well what I'm gonna do with it, now that I know Lance Polinsky wanted my parents dead. Sure, we got the killers, but not the guy who put the hit on my parents.”

“I figured you would say that. So, I'm here, if you need me.”

“Thank you. See you around, Virgo.”

“See you.” I dip my head, and he leaves.

With that done, I turn off my computer and go downstairs to find my wife. She's sitting in the sun room reading a book, and she does look better. Everything that happened took its toll on her. But there's a lightness about her that feels like she's healing.

Healing and getting over the fresh loss of a friend. She hasn't said much about Amelia. But I know it can't be easy to be betrayed in such a way.

She lifts her head and looks at me, offering a gentle smile. I walk over to her and kiss her.

“I was thinking we should go to dinner,” I suggest. That makes her smile brighter.

“That sounds like a date. Are you asking me out?”

“I guess I am, wife.”

“Then it's a yes from me always.”

I take her hand and lead her away, grateful to have her in my life. Every day with her is treasure to me.

Priceless moments of happiness.

ChapterThirty-Three

Olivia

2 months later

Iwalk across the lush green grass of the cemetery pathway leading to Amelia's grave.

I know I shouldn't be here.

No one expects me to be here. Not the living. Not the dead. But I've been meaning to come by well before now.

Two months have passed and Amelia was buried long ago. But I wanted to come and see her one last time. Not for the reasons you'd visit a friend's grave. This is for me. For closure.

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