Page 81 of Sinner's Salvation

“He’s at the compound with Kieran.”

“It hurts to be left in the dark.”

“I remember the feeling, and I don’t miss it.” She spaces out before she turns her head to me and says, “Those four are a unit, and there hasn’t been a war like this before. Two of them are in the forefront, while the other two make sure they get back home.”

She must see the plea in my eyes for more information because she continues. “Everyone of them has a particular set of skills. My husband is proficient at being a ghost, and Cato is a very lethal hunter. Kieran is behind the scenes, ensuring everything goes according to plan. And Cam, well, he’s the public image of the group, which he hates at times. But he does his part, securing more power, making sure no one gets near the Syndicate.”

“You mean their illegal stuff?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” Why would men like them, who have their kind of heritage, take this path?

“I think they liked the thrill at the beginning, playing the power game. Now it is what it is.”

Small feet thump down the stairs, and it’s the first time Alessandra genuinely smiles since I arrived. Leia jumps into her mother’s arms, eyeing me. “Mommy, she isn’t wearing her gloves.” Children are truly refreshing.

I raise my hands and she says, “You have a ring on your finger, like Mommy.”

“I told you. She’s married to your Uncle Cameron.”

“She’s my aunt then?”

I lean forward, smiling at her. “Yes.”

“You’re in love, like Mommy and Daddy.”

I open and close my mouth. Alessandra lifts an eyebrow and I pin her with a stare. I am not in love. I am committed but definitely not in love.

“Are you still afraid of hugs? I love hugs. I would hug you too. I miss Daddy.”

It breaks my heart, and my hands tremble as she burrows her head into her mother’s chest. Alessandra coos, stroking her back. A pager goes off and Alessandra stiffens. Her daughter says, “Someone needs to be saved, Mommy.”

I watch Alessandra staring at the pager rattling on the glass table in front of us. A battle tears her apart while she holds onto her daughter.

“I’m staying home with you.”

“No, Mommy. I am a big girl, and Daddy said heroes need to go out there and save lives. You’re his hero, Mommy.”

“Daddy is not home. I’m staying.”

The pager goes off again and I say, “I’ll look after her.”

“Yay, and we can have a teddy bear party.”

“It’s okay. Thank you, though.”

More beeping fills the room. Alessandra places Leia beside her on the couch and picks up the pager. Her eyes widen. “Let me message the girls.”

Alessandra stands up. Pacing around, she taps fast on her screen. Her daughter says, “Go, Mommy. I’ll be fine.”

Alessandra looks at Leia, then at me. I see the fear, the plea, and so many other emotions glistening in her eyes.

“I’ll protect Leia with my life.”

“Thank you.”

She rushes up the stairs, and now I realize what I’ve done.

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