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"I got it all wrong, hell girl…" I shake my head. "When Bianca and I were ambushed, there were maybe six people total. If Miles was involved in the planning of it, then he should have known that six people would have never held me back. Let alone the fact that Bianca was with me too."

"You're thinking they weren't sent to kill you?" She narrows her eyes, but I see her features light up slowly as she gets it too. "They were sent to delay you," she finally says and I nod.

"Miles didn't want me dead. He just wanted me away so he could get to Katya. Just like he probably knew that Misha stood no chance once I got back."

"He played your brother. But why? All this work not to kill you and just take your sister?"

"Miles' mind doesn't work like regular people," I say, gritting my teeth. I should know because I've been emulating his way of thinking for the better part of two decades. "He needed Katya to continue his experiments in-house. But for me," I shake my head, smirking, "he had other plans."

"I don't understand." Sisi frowns.

"Think about it. Valentino found me in an abandoned place, with Vanya dead by my side. There was no one else around save for Nero. Now, why would Miles let me go if I were his miracle ?"

Sisi blinks twice, and I watch as the wheels slowly turn in her head. My little nun may have grown in a convent, but there's no denying her innate intelligence and sage judgement. From the very beginning I've been in awe of the way her mind works, her keen senses of observation almost unparalleled.

Few people I've met have managed to surprise me as much as her, and that's one of the highest praises I could give someone. Of course, also one of the reasons why I love her so much.

"He did it on purpose. He wanted you to be found. But why…" Her brows furrow, her head tilted to the side as she ruminates. "God, he wanted to…" Her eyes widen at the realization and I nod.

"Exactly. He wanted to study me in my natural habitat so to speak.

This means that I must have passed his tests, and I was ready to be let loose into the world.

Nero too, and I wouldn't be surprised if it were Miles who got Nero his new bionic pieces through an intermediary. He's been observing us."

"My God! That's why he's always been a step ahead of you," she whispers, now getting the full picture. "He's been watching you this whole time, hasn't he?"

"That's what I think." I nod.

"Then why would he want you dead now?"

I smirk, suddenly the entire thing looking a little different.

"What if he doesn't exactly want me dead? What if it's just another test?"

"Damn," Sisi mutters, rubbing her arms. "That would make sense."

"But also, it might be that Miles is not personally behind the attacks," I add, offering another angle. "It is a business at its core, and me going after it full force would affect a lot of people."

"That's true too," Sisi sighs. "We have our work cut out for us, don't we?" She makes a feeble attempt at a smile.

"We'll figure it out, hell girl. Now if only I could remember everything that happened while I was with Miles… I could at least understand the entire scope of his research."

"Don't force yourself." Her hand reaches for mine, squeezing it in comfort. "The memories will come. When you're ready for them," she says and I grunt.

"There's another thing that's been plaguing me for a while," I tell her. "There was a third person involved with Misha. It's just circumstantial evidence, but based on the circle of connections, it must have been another syndicate person. Someone with interests in New York."

"You're right," she agrees, "because who else would have direct access to both Misha and Miles if not someone who knew them both?"

I'd already gone through all of Misha's connections from New Jersey—most of them dead by now—and I'd come empty-handed. Still, there is one more person…

"I need to look again at all the people Misha had been in contact with," I tell her.

What I don't say is that I'm becoming increasingly sure that this person could be Meester. He knew my father and our family, and he sure as hell knew Misha. Besides, his heated attempt to get me married to his daughter years ago to get some footing in New York does make him suspicious.

But I haven't uncovered any evidence that he's been in contact with Miles—one way or another. That he'd sent an entire squad to finish me off does put him in the running, but I don't want to speak without having any proof to back up my hunch.

"We should do one of those connection boards like they have in detective shows," Sisi suggests, excited. "That way we can keep track of everyone."

"You know what, hell girl? That's not a bad idea at all," I praise her, entrusting her with the task of doing that when we get home.

Home…

Funny how it had never been home before. But one plucky former nun and my entire life's been turned upside down.

"Shit, Sisi. Your brother," I groan as the thought suddenly crosses my mind.

Surprisingly, he hadn't come looking for me in New Orleans. Knowing Marcello, I would have assumed he would send an entire army to rescue his saintly sister from the clutches of the devil–armed with holy water, of course.

But now that we'll be back in the Big Apple, there's no way Marcello won't be alerted to our presence.

"Don't worry. I'll handle that." Sisi puts her hand up, a serious expression on her face. "We'll go to the house and we'll calmly explain the circumstances. He's bound to understand, right?"

I don't want to scare her by telling her that there's no way in hell that Marcello's going to understand. But I find myself agreeing with her anyway.

"Exactly, it shouldn't be too bad." I nod, my features strained.

But she is right in one respect. The faster I solve the situation with Marcello, the sooner I'll have time to focus all my attention on Miles and his cronies. Though I am sure there will be blood spilled.

"There's also Guerra," Sisi bites the inside of her cheek, looking worried. "I don't think they're too pleased either. They'll want some type of retribution to save face."

"I'll deal with Guerra, don't worry." I wave my hand dismissively. They're the least of my concerns right now.

"How?"

"Let's just say I have something they want." The corner of my mouth tugs up. "And they would certainly be put out if I were to offer my services to DeVille instead."

"You're devious." Sisi punches my arm playfully.

"It's the politics of our world." I shrug. "And you're becoming better and better at dealing with them."

"I adapt," she replies, a haunted look on her face. "I always adapt."

Snaking an arm around her, I bring her into me, her front flush against mine. It will never cease to amaze me that despite our different sizes we fit so well, her place right at home in my arms.

"You don't have to adapt anymore, hell girl. From now on, the world will adapt to you ." I tell her, taking a strand of her hair and pushing it gently behind her ear to get a better look of her lovely face.

She raises her eyes at me, her gaze dazed as she's trying to ascertain the veracity of my words.

"I made a vow to you, Sisi. I'll lay the entire world at your feet. No one will ever look down on you again."

I tip her chin up, leaning forward to press a kiss on her lips.

"From now on, everyone will bow to you, " I continue, watching a small tear make its way down her face.

Pressing my thumb to her skin, I wipe it away.

"You're my goddess," I murmur softly, "my wife, my partner," I lay another kiss on her cheek, tasting fresh tears, "my everything. And that means we rule together."

"Sometimes you're too sweet." She lifts her hand to stroke my jaw, her lips widening in a gorgeous smile.

"Only for you, hell girl. You're my one exception."

"And you're mine," she replies, twinning her arms behind my neck and tugging me toward her, our lips meeting in a heart-stopping kiss.

Truth is, everything I'm doing is for her, and will always be for her. Including facing my past.

Because I know we'll never be able to live in peace with so many loose threads hanging over our heads.