Page 27

The Instagram DM notification buzzed on my phone just as I settled onto the couch, my swollen ankles screaming in relief. I almost ignored it—until I saw the headline preview:

"Mafia Princess Slays Father, Then Herself in Psychiatric Ward."

My thumb hovered. Ice slithered down my spine.

Who sent this to me? I almost didn’t click on the link.

The article loaded with a blurry photo of Lilith—strapped to a gurney, eyes vacant, blood streaked across her hospital gown like war paint. My stomach lurched.

A knock at the door pulled my eyes from my phone.

I jumped, the phone banging to the floor. Maya. It had to be. We didn’t get visitors. She’d gone to the bodega for whipped cream—probably forgot her key again.

“Damn it, Maya,” I muttered, heaving myself up with a grunt. My back ached, my balance was shot. I waddled to the door, already rehearsing my lecture about how she needed to—

The air left my lungs.

Priest stood on the threshold. I realized then why I’d just received the article

He seemed taller than I remembered. Darker eyes.

He smelled like whiskey and winter. A black wool overcoat hung open just enough for me to catch sight of his holster.

There was a dark suit beneath—tailored to his broad chest, his lean waist. A thick black scarf was wrapped loose around his neck. He looked beautiful and brutal.

I stumbled back.

He didn’t move. Just stared at my belly. His fingers kept flexing at his side like he wanted to touch it but held himself back. That was different.

“I killed them for you, Lil Saint. ” he said, voice rough as gravel. “I tried to stay away. Knew I brought you more hell than heaven.” His jaw flexed. “But I’m selfish, Miyori . I couldn’t let you raise my child by yourself and have them thinking I didn’t want them.”

He paused .

“I want us to be a family. Me, you, our child… even Maya if you want. She’s part of you. That means she matters to me. I want to be different than my parents.”

He reached for my hand but didn’t force mine into his like the old Priest would have.

“I’m willing to change. Hell, I am changing.

Every day without you felt like I was walking around without skin.

There was no peace. No sleep. I didn’t come to force you.

I came to beg you to give me a chance. And you know that’s not me. Patience isn’t even in my nature.”

My pulse roared in my ears as he continued.

“I won’t be jealous anymore,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well… I will. I just won’t show it the way I used to.”

His gaze dragged over my face. “I won’t punish you for making me feel it.”

He exhaled slowly, like this was the hardest promise he’d ever made. “I’ll just… deal with it. Like a fucking adult. You didn’t deserve how I treated you.”

He raised his hand to his temple, rubbing the side of his head like it suddenly ached. Two pale scars just above his eyebrow drew my attention.

My stomach turned.

I hadn’t meant to hit him that hard.

Without thinking, I reached out. My fingers brushed over the raised skin.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I ruined your perfect face.”

He looked down at me, his expression soft—like I hadn’t nearly cracked his skull open. Like I hadn’t run.

“I don’t blame you,” he said, quiet, like his voice had been dipped in understanding. “You were scared. You thought you had to protect yourself. You could have done worse,” he murmured. “And I’d still be right here, where I’m at. Begging you.”

I felt overwhelmed. I was happy to see him, but that was the only good emotion I was feeling.

Behind him, Maya appeared, a grocery bag in hand. She took one look at Priest, then at my face, and—smiled.

“It took you long enough to find her,” she said, shoving past him. “Come in. You’re staying for dinner.”

Priest didn’t move. He stared at me for approval.

Maya yanked him inside by his coat sleeve. The door clicked shut, sealing us in with the devil’s spawn who—

I stared at my traitor sister.

“What?” Maya shrugged, dumping the groceries on the counter. “Now you can stop moping around pretending you’re okay. You need him.”

Priest’s gaze burned into me. He was waiting for me to confirm or deny.

Outside, snow began to fall.