Page 204 of Severed Heart

“I will call Ormand.”

Chapter Fifty-Five

DELPHINE

THE SCREEN DOORcreaks open behind me, the familiarity of the telling sound always drawing mixed emotions, especially inthis house. A house that now contains so much history, its walls and doors laying witness to so much of my life and of those who once dwelled here. Used now only to store the boxed remnants of our pasts.

But despite the horrors it’s witnessed and the extreme mixture of memories this house hosts and can evoke, as of tonight, unexpectedly, it has been declared a gathering point. Even more unbelievably, a temporary place ofrefugefor Dominic and Sean, whom Tyler gathered and brought here after their confrontation with Tobias at King’s. Shortly after, Dom fled, and I arrived just after to witness Sean’s devastation firsthand, which was telling enough of my nephew’s state.

All has been quiet as the hours have passed as I wait in hope of his return.Too quiet, and because of it, it’s the familiar snap of the door closing, one I’ve heard a thousand times or more, that manages to bring some comfort. As does the strong, warm hand that covers my shoulder as Tyler takes the step behind me, encasing me with his legs before pulling me back into his chest. Bending, he gently nuzzles my neck as he speaks.

“He might not come back tonight, baby. He’s gutted.” When he hesitates briefly just after, I know he’s holding more news, and I gently nudge him to continue. “I just got off the phone with Jimmy,” he emits low, knowing I’m aware Jimmy is the one who tattoos all local Ravens. “He passed Dom as he was leaving Roman’s house.”

“Dom tried to stop it?” I ask.

“I’m thinking he wanted to. Dom is still parked at Roman’s now.”

“Mon Dieu,”My God, “Tyler, this is too much,” I croak, my eyes watering as the surrealness of the situation sets in. My fear increasing for all involved—especially my nephews. As of this morning, after Sean and Dom discovered Ezekiel and Cecelia’s relationship, they are all at oddsindefinitely.Ezekiel’s latest claiming act of marking Cecelia only damning any near future chance of reconciliation.

“I feel this hurt for them both, for Jean Dominic especially. In his voice last night . . .” I utter, feeling the desperation of my nephews’ words during their call while taking comfort in my love’s arms as they circle my waist. “I feelso much, Soldier ... it’s worry and thishorrible achethat won’t subside as if it’s happening tome.”

“You know what that sounds like?” he asks before pressing a slow kiss to my temple.

“What?”

“Like the love of aparent.” He turns my chin with his finger to face him. “You weren’t nearly as bad as you’ve convinced yourself you were. As pointless as it might be to voice, Dom was more of an unbearable teenager than most. Hell, Tobias could barely stand him back then.”

“Hewassuch anasshole,” I laugh lightly as I lean back into him. “I will admit that.” I stare into my love’s eyes. “Thank you for saying that.”

“I’m not saying it to be kind,” he assures, “it’s just the truth.”

I blow out a long breath. “I have this horrible feeling.”

“It’ll be okay,” he assures, “it’ll take time, but they’ll get through it.”

“Is Sean sleeping?” I ask, his heartbreak palpable, bleeding through the walls and doors from where we both sit.

“No, he’s in T’s room,” he replies, “it’s quiet, but I can smell a fresh cigarette burning every few minutes.”

“I could use a cigarette myself,” I sigh, “too bad I only smoked when I drank.” His answering grin is filled with pride before he releases me.

“I’ll go check on him ... fuck, I hate this,” he groans.

“Should we have spoken up, Soldier? Maybe tried to somehow stop this?”

“The results would have been the same. At least, that’s what I tell myself. It’s times like this that any justification we come up with won’t make it any easier to deal with.” He pinches my chin lightly, turning my face to his. “One more hour, General, then you come to bed, okay?”

He leaves me with a chaste kiss before making his way back into the house. Seconds after, I follow, quietly opening the storm door before pausing in wait. It’s when I hear Tyler and Sean’s muffled exchange drifting from Ezekiel’s room that I pull both front doors firmly closed before resuming my place on the steps.

Staring out at the quiet street from the porch, only the crickets sing as I pray for the sound of his engine, willing Dominic to return and hating that I’m slightly winded from so little physical activity. The gnawing inside me is telling enough. Then again, I’ve slept so little since I heard Dom’s pained voice last night. My youngest nephew’s words replaying in my mind throughout the day.

The war I started with Jean Dominic started so long ago that all I want now is to put a permanent end to it. To try to be here for him as he suffers this heartache. When he took me to see that sunset last summer, it felt like a start, but it was my guilt-fueled confession about how I had wronged Cecelia that quickly ruined that progress. My darkest secret. One I have yet to fully forgive myself for. But it was themanwho spoke to Tyler last night—a man who sounded very much like Dominic— who voiced words I never imagined he’d ever say. Words that sparked my hope that our war could finally end.

As the minutes tick by, I replay dozens of clear memories of Jean Dominic. Vivid memories captured in my mind before the haze, before Celine’s and Beau’s deaths. In searching them, I manage to pinpoint the memory of the last time I saw my sister and her youngest son together.

Though almost too big for her frame, Dominic bounced on Celine’s hip as they danced in her kitchen. Their foreheads and noses touching, dark hair tangling as Dominic widened his eyes at her in animation. His heart was wide open back then, and he didn’t care who noticed how he loved and adored his mother. Neither did Ezekiel.

That recollection brings instant tears to my eyes as I track that memory to the next, up to the months after Celine and Beau died. Of the devastation on Jean Dominic’s face and just how carefully hewatched me—heartbreak and confusion in his expression as I lashed out. Even back then, he was my mirror. Through the reflection in his eyes, Isawthe comparison of the Tatie he once knew to the unhinged mess I was quickly becoming, and in turn, Ihurt himfor it.