Page 78 of Sinful Empire (Mount Trilogy 3)
I smile. “You’ll see.”
Mount
As the plane touches down on the runway, Keira pulls a folder from her bag and hands it to me.
“What is this?”
“Don’t get mad . . .”
I tense at the caution pervading her tone. “Why would I get mad?”
“Because I stole your DNA, submitted it under a false name using a PO box . . .”
I blink twice, replaying her statement in my head. “Why the hell would you do that?”
I snatch the folder from her hand and stare down at it. I’ve never wanted to know about the woman who left me in front of a church, but I can’t deny I’ve always wondered about my roots, especially after seeing how Keira felt when she saw Dublin.
“Because I wanted you to know where you come from. I wanted to be able to tell our kids what their heritage is—from both sides of the family.”
My gaze cuts to her face. “Are you—”
Keira shakes her head. “Not yet. But I definitely want to talk about it soon.”
Kids. A family. Things I never considered before her, but think about all the time now. I used to avoid any connection for fear of weakness, but now I have no doubt that she’s my greatest strength. She gives me a reason to wake up every morning and rule our empire with honor. Even if it’s tarnished and dented.
I open the folder, and the results are on the first page.
73% Italy/Greece
“So, where the hell are we?” I lift my eyes from the page, shocked beyond belief.
“Greece. I thought we’d start here and see what you think. Sicily is next. Seemed appropriate. Then I figured we could head wherever you want to go next from there.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted to give you something I didn’t think you’d ever give yourself. Something you gave me—a chance to see where I came from.”
“I’m . . . literally fucking speechless.”
“And that’s totally fine. But in case you’re wondering, it doesn’t matter where you came from. All that matters is that you became the man you are. The one I love. The one I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. The one I’m going to raise a family with. And someday, the man who’s going to meet my parents, preferably before we have our first kid.”
She says the last part on a laugh, and I stand and pull her from her seat.
“They can meet us in Italy. Greece is our honeymoon. No parents allowed.”
A smile breaks over Keira’s face.
“Deal.”
Epilogue
Keira
One month later – Mardi Gras
Sometimes, making a deal with the devil is the best thing you can ever do. Especially when you realize he’s not the devil at all.
Except tonight.
