Page 63 of Merciless Sinner

“You sure can. And don’t worry about feeling uncomfortable. You’re still Olivia O’Ridian.”

I stare back at her and simply nod, but I can’t agree.

Because I’m not that girl anymore.

* * *

I arrive at Seamus' house an hour after dropping Amelia off at her place. I'm sitting in the back of the Bugatti, gazing at the beautiful country-style home ahead of me. It has a European flair that I saw common to most of the homes in Germany and Italy.

The driveway is similar to Virgo's house with its endless length, but there's something homier about Seamus' house that I can feel from all the way out here.

We stop on the driveway and get out. One guard stays in the car while the other escorts me up to the front door. This guard's name is Kirill. He doesn't talk much, but he seems friendly. When he speaks, it's more in Russian, so I get the impression that he doesn't speak English often.

We ring the doorbell, and not even a full minute passes before Seamus opens the door. He's dressed differently to how he was the other day.

Both times he wore a suit. Now he's wearing a sweater and cream slacks. He looks like he's going to play golf.

"Olivia," he beams heartily, and pulls me in for a hug.

"Hi, Uncle," I say. I called him that the other day, and I swore he looked like he almost cried. He has the same look now as he pulls away and stares at me.

"I'll be out here if you need me," Kirill says, backing away.

"Thanks, Kirill." Seamus dips his head, and I smile at both of them.

"Come in." Seamus ushers me inside and closes the door. "Cillian is just on a call. He'll be with us any moment."

"Oh, good. I can't wait to see him," I reply, although I'm nervous as hell.

"How are you today?"

"I'm okay. Just a little antsy.”

“Try not to be.”

"I was just..." Footsteps cut into my words. I look to my left, then I find him—Cillian.

Since I've been back in New York, I've only seen pictures of my brother, but seeing him in real life produces a different effect in me. He stops at the door, standing as tall as Virgo and as proud as him, too. Something inside me warms at the sight of him, something I can't explain.

He stares back at me with parted lips, and I step away from Seamus to move toward him. The same warmth lures me closer, and suddenly, I find myself rushing forward at the same time he does.

He pulls me into his arms and holds me close.

It’s strange. Even though I can't remember him, he feels like family to me. When we pull apart, he cups my face and I gaze into his eyes that look like my own. Staring at someone who shares some similarity with me offers a comfort that feels like home.

"Olivia." He says my name, and it's the first time that anyone has said it when I felt like I could be Olivia. “It’s really you.” He touches my face.

“Yes,” I reply, and he hugs me again.

Seamus walks up to us, looking us over in awe, and nods. “I feel blessed for this moment,” he says. “To have the two of you together again. Come on, let’s go eat.”

Seamus ushers us into the dining room, where a feast that looks fit for Thanksgiving or Christmas awaits. An assortment of food is spread out on the table, and the maids keep bringing more.

We dive into eating while we talk like nothing ever happened and like we do this all the time.

Once we're finished, Seamus leaves me to speak with Cillian.

We go out into the garden and sit by the Koi carp pond. Night is approaching, so the sky has that dusty color and the solar panel lights have just started to come on.

---