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A shudder travels through me when I think about it. Blood and torture, those are things I’m definitely not familiar with, not at all. Fighting for what I want and need, that I can do.

I head into the house, reminding myself that my best friend is here, and we haven’t had time to talk to each other. It feels like we haven’t seen each other in years, when it’s only been a few months.

“It’s good to have you back.” Tarian smiles at me as I pass him on his way out of the house.

“Thank you.” My voice is small and shy; tears sting my eyes. I’ve always wanted a brother—Ares and Tarian are just that and so much more. My heart is full; it feels as if I’ve been through hell and made it out on the other side.

I find Dahlia in the kitchen. She’s standing at the countertop, scrolling through her phone when I walk in. She leaves the device on the surface and leaps into my arms, knocking us both backward, and I’m mumbling in her long dark hair how much I missed her.

“I still can’t believe you’re here,” she tells me, in a soft whisper, as she holds onto me. “I was so alone. I missed you so much.” She sounds so happy, so at ease that we’re here together once more.

“I’ve felt uneasy since I came back, but the past two days have been less stressful, even with the shit that’s been going on. I mean, I just explained to Etienne, it’s something I’ve always wanted, needed even—a family.”

Her eyes turn glassy as she regards me. She knows who I am inside. I’ve hidden away behind the parties and makeup, but deep down, I was just like her—a shy girl who was thrown in at the deep end.

“Let’s go get some wine and catch up.” Dahlia tugs me away from the countertop, and when I glance over my shoulder, I know that the boys are gone, but it’s something I’ve always done—looked behind me in case someone was coming for me.

“Wow, this place is amazing,” I tell her, not remembering seeing most of the kitchen since I was last here. It’s been refurbished, and it looks incredible.

“Ares let me go wild taking out some of the old furniture and cupboards.” I watch my best friend pop the cork on a bottle of sparkling wine, and I notice how bubbly she is. Dahlia is glowing, she looks happy, and it makes me smile.

“You and Ares are doing well then?” I question, remembering when I last saw my best friend and her boyfriend, they were at odds with each other.

Dahlia stops, looks up at me and grins, “We still have our moments, but I love him. He chose me over his father. He’s given me a chance to bury my father, and I feel like I’m finally living my life.”

“It looks good on you. Love, I mean.”

She sets the glasses on the table, and I lift mine. The bubbly liquid is golden, and when I take a sip, the cold hits my jaw, making me wince. “That’s dry,” I giggle, taking a longer swallow, slowly getting used to the flavor.

“It is, but it’s so good.” Dahlia winks, lifting the bottle, topping off our flutes, before she holds hers in the air. “To us, to love, and to the future.”

I clink to that because I’m tired of living in the past. The man I thought was my father is gone for good, and I can finally move on.

“So, are you going to tell me more about you and Etienne having wild sex?” My best friend waggles her brows.

“Oh my god, you’re terrible.”

“Hey, I’m the best friend, I need to know these things.” She pouts, shrugging her shoulders, as if she’s right and she needs all the dirty details, which only makes me laugh out loud.

“Fine.” I roll my eyes for dramatic effect, but Dahlia doesn’t relent. That’s one thing about my best friend, she’s adamant. “By the way, we kept our pact, best friends,” I offer with a wink, before I dive into the details of Etienne and my first time together. It wasn’t the magical, candle-lit night I thought it would be. Instead, it was raw and passionate. Filled with everything I didn’t realize I needed.

“I can’t believe you and Etienne.” She sighs, sipping her champagne.

Just then, the boys join us, and I notice Ares is carrying a folder and the car keys. Etienne’s arms wrap around me. “We’re heading out now. I’ll be back soon.” He holds me tight as he asks, “When is Tar getting here?”

“In an hour or so, but he’s going to be taking some time out after we interrogate Fergus. We can head to the church now.” Ares’s voice is tight with emotion, and I wonder if it has something to do with Thane. “I think he just needs to get his head straight. Learning your uncle is a ruthless criminal isn’t easy.”