Page 107 of Revenge and Honor
“This was all his idea,” she added, nodding toward Brando. “He even picked the dog.”
Brando puffed up, clearly proud of himself.
“Really?” I said, grinning. “Then I’ll have to repay him. Sooner than he thinks.”
Laughter echoed around the room as Gabriel gnawed my finger and the pup chewed at my pant leg.I looked down at my son, tiny hands gripping mine with surprising strength, then up at Emily. In her eyes I saw it all: warmth, love, a faith I hadn’t earned.
Gabriel cooed, his wide eyes fixed on me like I was his whole world. That’s when I knew: this was mine. Not the blood, not the empire, not the fear I commanded. Them. Emily and Gabriel, their laughter, their trust. They weren’t just my family. They were my reason.
I kissed Gabriel’s head, breathed that baby scent, then pressed my lips to Emily’s. The burden I’d carried for years felt lighter, not gone, but worth carrying. Whatever hell waited, I knew this:
I’d fight for them.
Kill for them.
And die for them without a second thought.
THE END
