Page 78 of Her Ghostly Embrace
“I’m glad it’s over.” It would take a long time to process everything that happened to the Thornfields, especially her mother and uncle, but at the moment, the weight that had been lifted overshadowed everything else.
Gia reached for Aurora’s hand. “I’m glad too. I didn’t want you looking over your shoulder all your life, wondering if they’d come after you once you escaped.”
Aurora had to admit, knowing the Thornfields wouldn’t come calling was as big a relief as being free of the binding. “What about you? Will you have to worry about your father’s men?”
Gia’s lip curled. “I don’t think so. Why bother with me when they can return to Ashton Lakes and fight over who’s the new head of the organization? Besides, I don’t think any of them are bullheaded enough to come for me after yesterday.”
Unease washed away Aurora’s relief. “You think?”
“I’m almost certain of it. Franco’s death is an opportunity. His men were loyal to him, but not past death. Franco’s power is gone. The only reason Salvator or the rest might come for me is if Marc takes over and orders them to. And it seems he won’t be doing that.” Her brow furrowed.
“What’s that look?”
“Franco’s men were loyal, but how much was hypnosis?” Gia sighed. “It doesn’t matter. Point is, I’m not worried anyone will cause me trouble. I can kill them far easier than Franco was killed, and they know it.”
Aurora’s stomach twisted unpleasantly. “I’m sorry I channeled you to kill him.”
Her eyes widened. “Why?”
“It’s what Franco did to you, and I didn’t ask if you were okay with killing him. We’d only discussed channeling to fight my coven.”
“That’s not true. I asked you to channel me because I trust you and the choices you make. If you hadn’t made tough calls, Franco would have won.”
“Maybe, but you can still feel conflicted about it.”
Gia considered a moment longer before saying, “I wouldn’t have made a single choice differently. I wanted him dead, and right now, I’m glad I was able to use the horrible things Franco forced me to do to beat him and help you. And I told Viv to finish him off. That was my call, not something you should feel responsible for.”
“You’re right,” Aurora conceded.
“Maybe I shouldn’t feel good about his death. I might see itdifferently one day, once time has passed. Who knows? Guilt could set in.” She gave Aurora a vulnerable look.
Aurora scooted closer. “I’m not judging you for how you feel about it any more than you’re judging me for how I handled things.”
“I know you’re not. But I want to make it clear: I’m never planning to use magic like that again.”
“Me either. Life as a witch doesn’t have to be bloody or full of terrible curses. I promise.”
A small smile pulled at Gia’s lips. “Thank god.”
Aurora’s stomach growled ridiculously loud, and she smashed her face into the pillow. Way to kill a heavy moment.
Gia laughed. “You must be starving.”
Aurora turned, peeking out with one eye. “Notstarving, but I could probably eat an entire breakfast buffet.”
Gia’s laugh deepened. “Let me see what I can do about that.”
TWENTY-SIX
GIA
Gia and Aurorawent to a café along the riverfront. Had Gia known the riverfront was so close to her condo? Had she even known a river ran through this neighborhood? No and no. But she forgave herself for not exploring until now.
Not having to look over your shoulder changed everything. Gia meant what she’d said about not being worried about Franco’s men. She had no interest in taking over Franco’s empire, so they had no reason to come for her, even if they were foolish enough to go against the very weapon Franco had used to intimidate everyone around him. Marc could take over if he wanted.
A pang settled in Gia’s gut at the thought of her brother. Would he return to Ashton Lakes?
Viv had confirmed his mind had been altered. Not as extensively as Gia’s, but there had been a tangle of commands and manipulations spanning fifteen years—as long as Franco had been a vampire.
