Page 51 of Raphael

Shifting off the bed, I padded over the Spanish tile floor to the large open window that led to the balcony. The view was magnificent during the day. Even at night, slivers of moonlight danced over the dark surface.

Moving away from the balcony, I headed out of the room and to Gabriel’s bedroom. It was right next to mine. I found him in a deep sleep, his usual position of his leg hanging over the bed and his dark curls covering part of his face.

I neared the bed and brushed the curls away from his face. He looked like a dark angel like this, his facial expression relaxed. It gutted me to see the fear on his face when we were being shot at.

Even scarier was the thought that lingered in my mind. That my parents were connected to yesterday’s attack. I didn’t tell my mother I was at the cabin but maybe she guessed. Or maybe my stupid comment that I was at the Ashford’s place tipped her off.

If only the Ashfords never trusted them. But my parents were those rare people that knew the location of the cabin. After all, the McHale family was one of the most influential D.C. political families. Who would ever doubt them?

It wasn’t until Anya had a baby then died, and I walked away from them that the whispers started. That the McHale family wasn’t so perfect after all. They had no idea how right they were. Our family was fucked up.

Either way, I was done. I wanted nothing to do with them. I wished they’d rot in hell. They said karma was a bitch. Well, I still waited for it to start playing with the two people that destroyed my sister.

I closed my eyes and inhaled another deep breath. Anya loved the mountains and the views. She found peace in her final resting place - on top of the Appalachian mountain. Courtesy of Royce Ashford.

The snow covered every visible inch of land as Anya’s coffin was lowered down into the darkness of the earth. I couldn’t help but think she’d like the setting. Leaving the fresh snow white view to embrace her darkness.

She didn’t mind it; I feared it.

A soft tremor rolled down my spine, and it had nothing to do with the zero temperatures. I could barely keep my shit together. I cried a lot over the last few days. I barely slept - until Royce figured out I was scared of the dark.

So he installed a nightlight in my room and Gabriel’s. Byron handled all the legalities with his lawyers with Winston’s help. Those two could rule the world together.

My eyes roamed over the small group. The three Ashford brothers, Willow and Aurora, and little Gabriel. And Anya resting in the beautiful white casket.

All the people that mattered.

Little Gabriel slept in my arms.

Everywhere I looked on top of this mountain, the scene was serene. Peaceful. But inside my soul, a storm was brewing. Ugly and green. Hateful and red. I wanted to make my parents pay. I wanted to make them suffer, like they made Anya suffer.

It was an ugly feeling, yet I refused to let it go and let it fester inside me. I didn’t know how or when, but I’d make them pay.

“Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. In sure and certain hope of the resurrection—”

I stopped listening. My mind drifted. My soul hurt.

Each member of my new little family came up and hugged me with little Gabriel still sleeping soundly in my arms. I couldn’t bear to leave. I needed one more minute to say goodbye.

“Remember, blondie,” Royce whispered softly into my ear as he wrapped his big arms around me. “You grieve today. Get even tomorrow.”

I met Royce’s dark gaze. He and Aurora looked most alike. Dark hair and dark eyes.

The burn in my throat choked and my chest squeezed. “I can’t let her go,” I rasped.

“And you won’t,” Royce assured. His eyes flickered to the little baby in my arms. “She’s part of Gabriel. She’ll always be part of you.”

The tears on my face half-froze as they ran down my face. I tasted salt on my tongue.

I followed his gaze to the snow suit-bundled baby in my arms, his eyes closed as he slept comfortably. Hints of his dark hair were visible even under all of the layers of clothes. He was beautiful.

“Want me to stay with you?” Royce offered. I shook my head. His home was about two miles away from here and we all drove here in two vehicles. But right now, I needed some time alone. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”

“Thank you.”

With each step he took, the crunching of the snow under his boots grew fainter and fainter.

My gaze locked on the coffin. The men were waiting for me to leave so they could close the grave.