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“What stopped you?”

“I was so wrapped up in your mom. I wanted her love so bad,” he whines, his eyes filled with need.

“You spent so much time waiting for her love. You didn’t turn to the one person that would have given it freely.”

“I wished I would have,” he says, shameful.

“Me too.”

“That’s why I encouraged you to be with Tom. He seemed to love you so much. I thought he could give you what I wasn’t capable of giving,” he confesses.

“He gave me obsession and pain, not love.”

“I didn’t know.”

“You were capable of love. Look at what you gave mom. You spent your life loving her,” I say, bitter.

“You’re right,” he sighs. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” I never expected to get an apology or feel the seeds of forgiveness take root in my chest.

“I am,” he says softly. “If I could change things, I would.”

“Thank you,” I whisper. “It’s too late, though.”

“Babe,” Ryker calls. I look over my shoulder at him. “Bash got them.”

I look back at my dad. He knows. He may have had hope at first, but now he knows what will happen to him. He’s accepted it now. He’s in pain physically and emotionally. He’s been bleeding steadily since the beginning, and his heart is ready for it to end.

I walk over to Ryker. I slide out one of his blades on his chest with a trembling hand. “I can’t do this,” I rasp.

Ryker eases the blade from my hand. “You don’t have to. I will do anything for you.” He kisses my forehead.

“I want you to know. I do forgive you,” I say, turning back to my dad. “I will do my best from this day on to remember your regret and not the horrible things you did. Mom is waiting for you, just not where you were expecting. I hope you can ask for forgiveness from those that really matter, wherever you are going. I hope you do see Mom. I hope you both let the hate in your heart heal, and the hate and anger at each other lead to love. Think of the families of those you killed. Think of the shifters you forced to do horrible things.” I let the tears flooding my eyes fall. “I do wish we could go back. We both have always wanted the same thing: acceptance for who we are and love. I loved you from the beginning. I didn’t need a reason.”

I bring my hand up and wipe the tears away.

I shouldn’t feel this sorrow. He was a bad man. He killed innocent people. Maybe I understand his position better than I thought.

“Baby, go,” Ryker says, urging me towards the stairs. “Wait upstairs for me.”

I take one last look at my dad and drag my hand over Ryker’s chest before walking slowly away.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ryker

My woman is so brave. She tries to hide her tears and angrily wipes them away when we step off the elevator. Being strong is commendable, but there is also strength in tears.

I insisted that we come home and allow Kerian to take care of the body. River and Kerian watched her with respect and understanding. Her last words to her father affected us all.

Bash and Brian dealt with the shifters they found in cages, starving and hopeless. They would need the support of all of us for a smooth transition back to normal life. Bash was not confident they all would recover. Time and care would tell.

River, for once, was mellow and thoughtful. He is determined to find Masters. He may get his chance soon, with his name highlighted on the list of shifters they wanted to eliminate.

“I’m going to shower,” Serenity says.

“Okay, baby,” I say, kissing her temple. “I’ll be up soon.”