Page 145 of Prodigal Son

“Oh.”

“They usually fade by adulthood, but mine never did.”

He kissed the mark, thinking how delicately she’d been designed and how completely beautiful she was. “It makes you unique.”

Gracie clasped his hand and his eyes opened. “They’re identical, Cain. All three of them. This could mean…”

He withdrew his hand and closed off his mind. “Don’t make assumptions. Destiny is mortal.”

“Then why couldn’t you get into her mind?”

“Because her first language is Portuguese and I don’t speak Portuguese. The bishop can, and that’s why he was able to erase her memories.”

“But he didn’t erase them completely.”

“The last time he did. I saw her, Grace. The day of the fire. She has no memory of me or this place. It’s all gone.”

“Our memories are never gone. They’re only covered. Anything covered can be uncovered, Cain.”

“You said yourself it was only a hunch.”

“Aren’t you the least bit curious? You love her. Even when you block your thoughts, I can read it in your eyes. As an empath, Adam has been suffering your heartbreak since the day she left. Why would you deny yourself the chance to have a life with her?”

His jaw locked when it started to tremble. “Because the moment I dare to care about anything, it somehow gets taken away.”

Before Gracie could respond Anna entered the kitchen and paused. “Am I interrupting?”

Cain blanked his expression and turned away. “I was just seeing why supper was taking so long.”

Gracie picked up the celery and moved it to the cutting board. “We’re eating late tonight. Adam’s still on his way back to the farm.”

Cain hadn’t realized his brother was away. “Where did he go?”

Anna heaped baby Cain into his arms. “He had an errand to run. Let me help you, Grace.”

The kid was getting heavier and squirmed much more than he used to. Cain set him down on a quilt spread out in the corner of the kitchen with toys scattered about.

Dinner got underway and the table was set. They were just sitting down when the front door opened and Adam appeared. Both Gracie and Anna looked up at him expectantly, and Adam nodded, confirming some unspoken question. Cain frowned, feeling left out of whatever conspiracy the three of them had been hiding. Too hungry to play detective at the moment.

Gracie smiled. “Shall we eat then?”

Anna greeted her husband, pressing a kiss on Adam’s cheek. “So it’s a yes?”

“It’s a yes,” Adam said, and Anna tensed with excitement, then let out a squeak of joy.

“Where were you?” Cain reached for a dish and paused as his brother filled the seat at the head of the table. His curiosity dissolved the moment he caught a whiff of Adam’s clothes.

The unmistakable scent of jasmine along with several other familiar notes, had his fangs punching through his gums. A snarl ripped from his throat and he was out of his seat, pegging his twin to the wall.

The females screamed as Cain threw his body into Adam’s and growled. “Why?” His fists and claws tore into Adam’s shirt.

“Brother, you misunder—”

“Do not lie to me! I can smell her on you.”

“Cain!” Anna yelled, but he ignored her.

Adam grunted as Cain’s grip tightened. “Let me explain.”

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