Page 169 of Indestructible

Inhaling on a slow breath, I took the envelope and drew out the single sheet of white paper. As I opened it the lingering scent, I recognized a moment later as my mother’s perfume drifted through my nostrils. I opened the letter and began reading.

My sweet, sweet Gia,

If you’re reading this, then it means that you and I can only spend time together in heaven where I will wait for you, forever. Because I have your angel wings in my pocket, I just need to clip them on.

It also means you have found the happiness and love you deserve and that I hoped you will. I’m not around to impart any advice on love but if you’re reading this then it means you don’t need any. I pray that unlike me, your love will blossom for a thousand years, in this life and the next.

Something I found. Not with Cassius.

When you read the next words, do not judge me, baby, because all a woman needs in life is love for herself. Because in herself she will find the strength to overcome wars that even man may deign not to battle for he may not be strong enough. And with that, the love of a good man will not necessarily make it her best but will give her the life she truly deserves because she is worthy of love, life, and happiness.

Something I found. Not with Cassius.

Again, do not judge me but the man I found the strength and love I needed stands right in front of you, delivering these words to you like he promised he would do, while his heart silently broke, not only for me but for the daughter he could never love openly.

Do not judge him for stealing the heart of a married woman. Look at him with love, sweetheart because he deserves the love of the daughter he’s been watching over, patiently waiting for this day.

I love you, always.

Mom.

The tears began on her first words but my heart rocked, rolled, and flipped on the last few as my eyes lifted to the man in front of me. His eyes reflecting my pain, his tears a shadow of the loneliness he’d weathered, yet through it all, he smiled.

“You’re my father,” I whispered. Slowly, he nodded. “You’re my father,” the words rasped out again, between my tears.

“I’m sorry—” he began but I cut him off by flinging myself into his arms, my hard sobs an echo against his chest. “All I ever wanted was the love of a man worthy of being called a father and you gave me that with your silence.” I cried.

When I stepped back, he was crying just as hard, yet like him, his tears were silent rivers, not hard sobs yet they said more than tears ever would.

“Why?” I finally whispered. “Why the silence even after she was gone?”

He sighed. “Because I promised her that I will only tell you once you had everything. And now,” his gaze shifted to Maddox and Rowan on their stomachs coloring then Salvatore and Zayne, who’d both moved closer to us when I began reading, before it returned to my face, “you have everything.”

“You’re right, I now have everything, but you’ve just completed me.” I smiled, kissing his cheek. “Thank you for always being there for me, through it all. I have never been so proud than I am right now to be called the daughter of a man like you.” He kissed my cheek then I laughed. “I always secretly wished you and my mom would marry and the three of us would live happily ever after. And you’ve granted that wish, even if she isn’t here.” Laughing, he drew me in for a long hug and kissed the top of my head. When I stepped back again, I had to ask. “How?”

As if he knew to what I referred, he smiled. “Your mom visited an orphanage once where I worked as the stable hand teaching the kids how to ride horses and grow vegetables. Something clicked and we became friends. She’d visit often and one day she arrived with a sadness in her eyes, I couldn’t stand to see. Things happened then she told me who she was married to and accepted we’d never be together because he’d hurt her if he found out. Cassius was a powerful criminal and me, the simple man your mother loved. We kept our affair a secret until she found out she was pregnant, and I couldn’t leave her with him. So, I trained and got myself equipped with the skills of a bodyguard and applied for a job with your father, just so I could watch over you and your mother.”

My eyes had grown so round since he began speaking, I feared they pop out of my head. “Wow, that’s so...” I was at a loss for words.

“True love at its finest,” Salvatore finished for me and I glanced at him with a slow smile, nodding.

“What men wouldn’t do for love.” Zayne grinned, winking at me and my smile hurt my face with how far it stretched. “I guess now we have to watch ourselves, right Vince? We were her daddies, now she has a real one who’ll kill us if we fuck up, I’m sure.”

“God, Zayne,” I scolded, my cheeks burning even though Julian knew our decision to stay together.

“What’s wrong,bella, he’s just stating a fact.” Salvatore winked, something he’d never done.

I suddenly realized I was looking forward to getting to know the man behind the devil. Then I looked at Zayne, with his usual smirk in place, and accepted I couldn’t wait to see that man bring out the devil, especially between the sheets. My gaze switched to the third man, the father I couldn’t wait to walk beside and shout that he was my father.

Laughing, Julian warned, “you’re right about that Zayne. I will fuck you up, sniper and all.” This time he winked, earning a chuckle from the other men before Maddox and Rowan dragged him off to play with them.

“I only intend to call one man daddy. So quit while you’re ahead if you have any ideas, Zayne,” I warned, my raised brow daring him to challenge me.

And he did. “Trust me, baby girl, I have five years to make up for and there are a lot more words I’d like to hear you scream. Starting with ride my ass Zayne followed immediately by fuck my pussy Salvatore. And judging by my brother’s face I’d say he can’t wait to put the kids to bed. So if I were you, I’d add in some extra stretches to your yoga warm-up session tonight.”

Their Cheshire cats mirroring each other perfectly, they walked away leaving me standing there with my mouth gaping, my suddenly drenched pussy aching, my ass twitching, and my heart rate going ‘what the fuck did I just sign on for.’

Yet as I watched the three men playing with the kids, I couldn’t help thinking that some women walk into the sunset with either a man she’d just met the dream man she’d married or a man she’d fell in love with.

I had all three.

I just met my father, fell in love with Salvatore, and married my dream man, Zayne.

I was once a girl, innocent and sweet. And now I’m a woman no one can defeat.

The men of the roundtable always called Salvatore the devil.

Then I stepped into his shoes, and they called me...

Indestructible.