Tethered (A BirthRight Novel #1)

by Brandi Leigh Hall

Aunt Morgan and Michael sit, pouting after yet another failed visit with his parents. And just as we expected, Mr. Russo refuses to listen to reason.

  He’s convinced it’s all lies—so there’s nothing they can say to change his mind. And to add insult to injury, now he thinks we’ve brainwashed his son. He’s even refusing to speak to Michael as long as he’s ‘tangled up with those devil worshipers again’.

  I sit in the living room, watching the surprising change in Aunt Morgan these last two days since she’s been talking to Michael. And considering the goo-goo eyes they’re giving each other, it’s clear how much they’re still in love, even after all these years.

  How wild is that?

  To lose the love of your life and spend the next two decades broken hearted—thinking he wanted nothing to do with you and the children you created—only to find out it was a lie and you’ve been hating the wrong person. Yeah, she’s gotta be on a cloud.

  Last night, I overheard Michael say he’d gotten married after college, but was never in love with her. She was his best friend, so he thought it only made sense to get married. They were together for ten years, but his never wanting to have kids eventually destroyed their marriage. The pain he felt from losing his twins with Morgan was something he never got over—so he never wanted to try again.

  But now he’s found his way back to the woman he’s always loved, and the children he always wanted, but lost.

  I can’t see what the future holds for Michael and Aunt Morgan, but my gut tells me they’ll find a way to work through it. Being apart for so long has done nothing to diminish their feelings. It’s extraordinary.

  I guess it’s never too late to start over.

  I suppose I can even understand why the boys feel so strongly about not helping Mr. Russo. But given the fact that we now know innocent people are involved—two of which are children—even the boys agree we have to do something.

  According to my vision, we have mere minutes to get them out once the fire starts. So we’ve spent the last few hours devising a plan that makes the most sense for everyone’s safety.

  We know the adults are together in the den when the fire breaks out, while Emma and Isabella are upstairs. And Michael thinks he can get his mother to let us know what room they’re in after Natalia puts them to bed.

  I keep trying to figure out the exact time this so-called “exorcism” takes place, but I can’t trigger another vision. We know it’s after dark, so we just have to sit around watching the house for the first sign of fire. Can you imagine? To make matters worse, the Russo den is the only room without windows, so we’ll be lucky if we’re not too late.

  Oddly enough, everyone’s in a good mood today. The idea of being able to use our powers, in light of this linking thing, has everyone buzzing with anticipation.

  As usual, it’s me who’s the worrywart—so I can’t get excited like they are. Not that I don’t understand where it’s coming from, because I do. My mind just refuses to let me think about anything other than what could go wrong.

  I sit on the couch watching Hunter shape-shift with my brother and cousins. It’s surprisingly impressive to watch. I’m just not sure what I think of this whole thing yet. It’s like nothing you can ever imagine.

  He must feel my eyes burning a hole through his forehead, so he turns my way and smiles. My god, even after breaking my heart, he still manages to make me flutter.

  I smile, turning the other way.

  We’re getting along okay, but it’s still somewhat unsettling having Hunter know everything about the family. My entire life I was never able to share our secrets with a single person. Now, not only does he know about us, but he also has his own secrets, which we need to protect in return. It’s a lot to handle.

  Like the gentleman he is, Hunter’s giving me plenty of space, but I’m still not myself. Yes, I made the choice to forgive him. And I can’t blame him for doing the exact same thing I had done. So what’s still holding me back? I miss holding him—and kissing him—yet I won’t allow myself to get too close.

  Is it possible hearing him say he’d fallen for me, freaked me out more than I realized? The night he told me, I was so overwhelmed by my vision, I suppose I might have over looked it.

  I was so convinced this was just a crush. But now I know destiny has other plans.

  It’s uncanny how well Hunter gets along with my family. As I sit here admiring the bonds he’s formed overnight, I’m reminded of what it was like before he came into our lives. He’s had an effect on each and every one of us. Is that part of the prophecy, too?

  We try deciphering the riddles to figure out who will play what part in the prophecy. The only thing we know for sure is, tonight’s plan is the pivotal event that puts everything into motion.

  But no pressure!

  I watch the four guys as they practice playing out possible scenarios. It’s fascinating to see how they can link their powers. If I weren’t so freaked out, I’d be joining in on the fun.

  No one has any idea how things will work out tonight—or if. There are any number of things that could go wrong on this rescue mission, but I need to have faith in our abilities. We can do this—I know we can.

  I force myself to stop fretting so I can spend some time with the ladies of the house. Another five minutes watching the guys and I might have testosterone-overload.

  I drag my feet into the kitchen, finding the rest of the group going over the plan with Pap. Even though he can’t make any magical contributions, he still wants to help any way he can.

  “What’s up with the face?” Pap asks as I plop on the bar stool next to him.

  “Oh, you know me.” I admit, shrugging with a sigh.

  “Well, get over it for a few minutes and have some pie. Key Lime or Boston Crème?” His joyous grin makes it impossible not to smile.

  “How about one of each?” I lean my head on his shoulder as he chuckles.

  “Good call, dear. Who else wants a piece?” Gram opens the fridge, pulling out two heaping pans.

  Everyone raises their hands. She shakes her head, grabbing a stack of paper plates and plastic forks from the pantry.

  “Are the boys ready?” Aunt Morgan turns to look out towards the living room. “It’ll be dark soon.”

  They were pretty much done when I left the room. “Yeah, I’d say so. They’re just messing around now.”

  “Well, I’ll go tell them it’s almost time. I’d feel much better if we’re ready and waiting before the sun goes down.” Aunt Morgan tugs at her tight collar, heading towards the boys.

  “Good idea. Let’s hurry up with dessert and get everyone together on the front porch.” Gram puts what’s left of the pie back in the fridge.

  We shovel down dessert then head out to get the group together.

  On our way towards the front porch, Hunter grabs my arm. “Chloe. Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  Once everyone goes out the door, I turn to him. “What’s up? You aren’t getting nervous, are you?”

  He shakes his head. “No, no. It’s nothing like that. I’m used to these types of situations. Usually much worse. It’s just that, we haven’t really talked since everything was brought out in the open. I’m not sure how we are . . . and I really miss you. I didn’t want us going into this without telling you how I feel.” Predictably, he shoves his hands in his front pockets.

  Oh my god, I’ve missed you, too! “I know what you mean. And I know I’ve been distant. I guess I just need time to digest everything. Not to mention the fact that I’ve been worried about tonight. And for the record, Hunter . . . I miss you just as much. I was so happy a few days ago, and then someone pulled the rug out from under me.” I look into his eyes, seeing his pain over the distance he’s caused.

  My stomach ties up in knots to see him like this.

  “Well, we have no way of knowing how this is going to work out tonight, but I need you to know . . . I love you. I don’t want you to say anything back. I just need to make sure I
tell you, in case something should go wrong.” He pauses, taking a deep breath. “We haven’t been seeing each other very long, but I knew I would love you from the very first moment our eyes met at the airport. I’ve never experienced anything like this, and I just hope you give me the chance to prove it to you one day.”

  Whoa!

  My heart races, his words registering with undeniable clarity. I wasn’t expecting this at all. There’s so much swimming around in my mind, but I know this isn’t the time to get into it. So instead of trying to find the right words, I reach out for his hands. The second our skin touches, all sense of reality disappears.

  I tug his hands around my waist—then I wrap mine around his neck.

  Our eyes only meet for a second, but it’s all I need to make me forget my own name.

  Up on my tippy toes, I search to find the sweetness of his lips. My legs tremble. I hunger for the taste of his mouth—but I crave his touch more than anything. As we get lost in the most delicious, passionate kiss, the sound of giggling breaks our trance.

  “Are you kids coming out . . . or were you waiting for your personal invitation to come in the mail?” Pap chuckles, turning away from the open door.

  I’m not ready to let go just yet, so I rest my head on his chest, continuing to hold on tight. I can feel he wants me in his arms, just as much as I want to be here. But we have an important job to do. The lives of innocent people are about to be in our hands.

  We dolefully pull ourselves apart without saying a word, exchanging a knowing glance as I grab his hand and lead him to the porch.

  No one must be aware of what Pap walked in on. My family sits, watching the Russo house in pained silence, awaiting the moment of a reckoning.

  Gram stands up. “Does everyone know what they’re supposed to do?” With slow, deliberate eyes, she looks to each of us.

  Everyone nods.

  “Okay, good. Does anyone have any questions?” She eyes us again, but no one utters a word.

  Hunter clears his throat. “Well, I don’t have a question, but I do have a suggestion.”

  “What is it, dear,” Gram asks, wearing her pleasant, business-like smile.

  “Well, even though I’m not actually a fireman, I’ve still had a lot of training in emergency situations. So if we’re planning to run into a burning house, it might be a good idea to wet our clothes first to avoid catching on fire ourselves.”

  “You know, I can’t believe we never thought of that. We were so worried about getting everyone out of the house, we never thought about it from that side of things. Terrific idea, Hunter. Dru, would you please grab the garden hose and pull it around to the front?” Gram points to the back yard.

  “Sure thing, Gram . . . I’m on it.” Dru jumps to his feet and takes off around the corner of the house.

  “Also,” Hunter adds, “we should have on pants and long sleeves to protect our skin. I know we plan on being in and out like lightning, but you just never know what might happen. I’d feel a lot better if we had on footwear and clothing that wouldn’t melt, but I know it’s too late for that. Just be as quick as you can.”

  “You heard him everyone. Hurry up and change your clothes. Chop-chop!” Gram barks the orders, smacking her hands together like a teacher.

  A few minutes later, everyone’s dressed and ready to go.

  For thirty minutes, we wait for a sign.

  Something. Anything.

  Michael still hasn’t heard from his mother about what room the kids are in—so we’ll have to wing it.

  My stomach knots, thinking of what we’re about to do.

  I look around at my family, all wearing the same apprehensive, furrowed brow. We’ve never done anything like this before. It’s enough to freak anyone out.

  Michael stands up. “I’ll be right back. Maybe I can see something.” He walks over to his parents’ house, turning back every few seconds to look at us. If we’re worried, he must be going out of his mind. His entire family is behind those walls.

  He disappears around the side of the house.

  Dru steps in front of us, his face turning snow white.

  Within seconds, Michael flies back around the corner shouting, “Now! Now! I hear screaming inside! Go now!”

  The instant the first words leave his mouth, we see flames emerge in the front.

  Everyone bolts to their feet and Gram grabs the nozzle, spraying us down like a mad woman. Just as rehearsed, Dru, Dhelia, Ash, Aidan, Aunt Morgan and I, form a circle and join hands. Gram begins chanting something in the background, but the only thing I’m able to focus on is the sight of Hunter shape shifting into the most enormous bird I’ve ever seen. He darts across the lawn, gracefully taking flight as he makes it into the Russo’s yard.

  As Aidan begins Teleporting, the rest of us link-in with him—then disappear in a flash. The last thing I see is Hunter landing on the Russo’s second floor balcony, changing back into his human form before kicking the window in.

  We’re blinded by darkness for only two seconds.

  In the blink of an eye, we’re standing in the middle of a burning room. The first thing I see, is the scaffolding they’d been using to paint, had fallen in front of the closed door, barricading any possibility of escape. Now I understand how they became trapped in the first place.

  I try scanning the room, but I can’t see through the clotting smoke.

  My eyes burn like they’re full of acid as I struggle to find Michael’s family.

  Cries for help draw our panic-stricken attention to Mrs. Russo, Natalia, and two men, huddling together on the floor for protection from falling debris. As we move closer, the flames grow hungry, demanding something to feed on.

  My chest constricts—from both fear—and polluted air. I brush it from my mind as screams come from somewhere close. As Dru, Ash, and I work our way towards the women—Aidan, Aunt Morgan, and Dhelia move in the opposite direction.

  “Help us, please!” Mrs. Russo cries out in tortured desperation.

  I lean down beside her. “That’s why we’re here. Where are the others?”

  Mrs. Russo and her daughter try looking around, but the noxious scene before them makes it difficult to see.

  “Ash, can you conjure up some wet rags?” I ask.

  In a flash, he hands them dripping wet, white towels, which they use to cover their faces.

  As we try moving them from the corner, a loud cracking sound of breaking wood gets my attention. I look up, just as a large beam begins falling from the ceiling. “Dhelia! Above you . . . look out!” I shout.

  She turns as the beam loses its last hold, falling right towards them. Her eyes light up like a neon sign, sending the flaming piece of timber flying into the wall in the opposite direction.

  Oh, thank god. That was close.

  “My girls!” Natalia cries out, pulling the cloth away from her face. “They’re in the attic. Please help them.”

  “Don’t worry. Someone is already looking for them.” I try to calm her, but I remember Hunter’s only looking on the second floor. Not on the top floor. Bile rears its ugly head at the thought of something happening to them. Or him!

  “Dru, can you please do your thing?” I ask, hoping he can calm them long enough to get out.

  “Consider it done, sis.”

  As he works his magic, the rest of the group appears with four other people.

  “We need to get out of here now!” Aidan shouts, lifting his arm to block his face from the growing flames beside him.

  We push them together, forming a protective circle around them. “Grab on to one of us. Hurry!” I yell.

  In a flash, Aidan’s teleportation zips us outside the blazing house and back on our front lawn. Everyone coughs to clear their throat, but it doesn’t look like anyone has injuries beyond a few scrapes and misleading soot smudges.

  Wow! How’d we get so lucky?

  “Is everyone okay?” I ask, scanning their faces for something I might have missed.

&nb
sp; “Yes, we’re okay.” Mrs. Russo’s voice sounds hoarse and irritated.

  As if somehow I feel his presence getting closer, I look up towards the balcony, just as Hunter appears through the broken window. “I can’t find them,” he shouts. “Where are they?” Trepidation remolds his handsome face.

  “They’re in the attic! It’s two doors down from where you are on the right!” Natalia yells, wincing as she squeezes her raw throat, while tears stream down her ashen cheeks. “Dear god, please help him find my girls.”

  My heart goes out to her. I know how unbearable it was to lose a parent. But a child? How would one come back from that?

  Hunter’s chiseled face, ingrained with alarm as he takes in the state of his surroundings. The entire house is in flames. He turns, leaping back through the window in search of the sleeping children.

  “Peter! Where’s Peter?” Mrs. Russo shouts, desperately searching the faces around her.

  Everyone stops to look.

  What the . . . . We missed Mr. Russo? “Aidan, please take me back inside. He’s still in there.” Dread now controls every inch of my body like a puppeteer.

  “Chloe, no! It’s too dangerous,” Aidan says.

  “The fire trucks won’t be here for a few more minutes,” Gram cuts in.

  “We can’t leave him in there, Aidan.” I place my hands on both sides of his face. “Please, we have to save your grandfather. Trust me, you don’t want this on your conscience.”

  I know Aidan. I know what’s going through his mind.

  But I can see in his eyes he knows I’m right.

  He bounds to his feet the same second I do, then we join hands and disappear.

  Once our feet make contact with the ground again, the searing heat warns me we’re too close to flames.

  “Mr. Russo! Where are you?” I scream at the top of my lungs while pulling down the sleeves of my wet shirt.

  “Mr. Russo? Where are you? Granddad?” Aidan yells, taking me by surprise.

  “I’m h . . . here,” says Mr. Russo, so faint I’m surprised we even hear it.

  As fast as we’re able to cross the room through the flames, we make it to where he lay in a charred heap on the floor. He’s beneath a large beam, burned more than you’d think possible for someone still breathing.

  The pain this man must be in. My god, he didn’t deserve this.

  Tears flood my eyes as I see Aidan’s horrified face. His bottom lip trembling.

  We join hands, leaning down to lay our free ones upon Mr. Russo’s scorched flesh. How is this man even still alive?

  Seconds later, we’re back with the others in the yard. I hear Mrs. Russo from behind me, screaming the instant she sees the overwhelming state of her husband. “Oh Peter, what have you done?” She cries, falling to her knees beside him.

  “I . . . I’m so sorry.” His words are breathy and forced.

  Aunt Morgan grabs my arm. “Chloe, please do something.”

  I scan the faces of those who will surely know about my power if I choose to save him. But it doesn’t matter. I have no choice. Despite the horrible things he’s done to my family, I know I must save this man.

  He has burns covering half his body. He shouldn’t be alive.

  I squat down on the ground next to him, placing one hand on his blistering, half-mutilated forehead—and the other against the melted fabric barely covering his seared chest.

  His eyes open.

  “C . . . Chloe?” As he recognizes my face, tears fall down his blackened cheeks.

  I inhale past a scratchy throat, closing my eyes to let the healing power flow from my body, down through my fingertips. My head tingles from the energy and my palms feel like they’re on fire. Is it warmth from the healing, or from the wounds lifting from his body? It’s so hot.

  Shocked gasps surround me, but I ignore it. I continue my mission.

  But then a high-pitched scream from the distance breaks my concentration.

  I look up to the second floor balcony where I’d seen Hunter two times before. He stands out of harm’s way, with Emma and Isabella in his arms. The girls tremble, but otherwise seem okay.

  “He found them. Thank god,” cries Natalia.

  As everyone looks up with relief stretched across their faces, the most spectacular, majestic, ivory wings emerge from Hunter’s back.

  My mouth falls open in awe.

  He leans down, whispering something to the adorable little girls that brings a smile to their faces.

  Hunter looks towards us before stepping off the balcony in one fluid motion.

  And as the most magnificent wings with at least a ten-foot-span glide them through the air, the full moon appears from behind him—like he’s surrounded by a glowing orb of light.

  I’ve never seen a more breathtaking, exalted vision in my life.

  He looks like an Angel!

  My Angel.

  As if caught in a gentle breeze, they soar through the air, falling like a weightless snowflake unable to catch up with time.

  Nothing else around us exists.

  No hatred.

  No fear of what the future might bring.

  Only this beautiful moment remains.

  All eyes glued to the image, as if being sent from above to answer their prayers.

  Hunter lands on the ground just a few feet in front of me.

  With my hands still on Mr. Russo, he sits up, his eyes glued to Hunter. “Holy mother of God. It’s a miracle.”

  I shake my head. “No, Mr. Russo. It’s magic!”

  With a smeared, ashen face, he turns to me. “How could you save a man who wanted to destroy you? Who has hurt your family so many times over the years?” His voice is but a whisper.

  “Because it’s not your fault. People fear what they don’t know. But now you do know, right?” I send him a sweet smile.

  “Yes, I believe I finally do.” He coughs. “I think I need to get up now.” He tries to move.

  “Not yet. You aren’t completely healed.” I try to hold him down.

  He coughs a laugh. “That’s okay. I need to suffer a bit for what I’ve done. A painful reminder will do me some good.”

  “Are you sure?” I can’t leave him like this. It wouldn’t be right.

  “Yes, I’m sure. Thank you, Chloe.” He looks up at Hunter. “And thank you, Agent Payne. I had no idea what you were.”

  Hunter retracts his iridescent wings, looking at Mr. Russo with an innocent grin. “I’m whatever you need me to be, Mr. Russo. And you’re welcome.”

  I catch Hunter’s meaning, but it flies right over Mr. Russo’s head. His assessment of Hunter isn’t entirely accurate, but there’s no need to open that can-of-worms right now. If he wants to believe he’s actually an Angel—I’ll let him. No one needs to know he’s a Shape-shifter.

  Loud sirens interrupt this monumental moment. Only a little late, three fire trucks and two ambulances pull in. They rush to hose down the house, but it’s unclear how much they’ll be able to save. It’s in pretty bad shape.

  Gram and Pap brought a cooler with bottled water from the house, knowing we’d all need it from breathing in so much smoke. And because she’s always on the ball, she even brought wet rags for everyone to wipe off their hands and face. She’s always ten steps ahead of the game.

  While the paramedics check everyone out, the group thanks us for saving them. Both Mr. Russo and Father Gabriel apologize profusely for their actions, but now seem relieved they were wrong about who we are.

  Gram’s kindness even surprises me. She told the Russo’s they were more than welcome to stay with us, but they declined considering everything they’ve already put us through. And what we’ve already done for them.

  Hours later, everyone but the Russo’s have gone home, and Mr. Russo asks if he can talk to us before he leaves. Even though it’s late—we agree. Mostly out of curiosity to hear what he has to say.

  Natalia and Tony decide it would be best if they head to a hotel to settle in
. It was a traumatizing night for the girls.

  Father Gabriel also decides to take off. He’s had more than enough excitement and desires the solace he can only receive behind the sacred walls of his church.

  As we head in the house, Hunter comes up from behind, wrapping his arms around me. Right now, I can’t imagine there’s anything that would feel better. Well, other than a bath that is.

  Everyone takes a seat in the living room and Mr. Russo gets right to it. “I’m sure most of you don’t know this, but more than three-hundred years ago, this land was shared by both of our families, just like it is now. The only difference is our family’s belonged to the same coven. Apparently, they fled to New York just before the Salem witch trials in 1692, but they didn’t actually own this land until sometime in the 1700’s.” He pauses, looking around the room at our shocked faces.

  I can’t tell who’s more surprised. Gram or Mrs. Russo.

  “That’s right,” he continues, “the Russo bloodline also comes from Witches. For hundreds of years they did wonderful things together. That is, until my great, great, great, great, great, grandmother, Raven Parsons, ruined everything.

  “As legend has it, she somehow got involved in the black arts. One night, while calling on a power to aid her with her magic, she was possessed by a powerful demon who wanted to be reborn as a human.

  “I’m not sure how long it lasted, but while it did, she was responsible for hundreds of deaths. She was later burnt at the stake for her crimes, but it was the family who suffered the most. It was because of her that our family gave up the craft to find Christ and the Catholic Church.

  “The promise had been made that someone from each generation would be a man of the cloth . . . to oversee the family and the land, to ensure no more magical misdeeds are done. I suppose you could say Father Gabriel is a ‘guardian’ of sorts.” He pulls out the rosary beads Michael returned after the fire, rubbing the cross with his thumb.

  “From the way it was always told . . . it was only the ancient Wiccan’s who were truly good. It might be safe to say we were brainwashed to believe Witchcraft in any form, is evil.” He covers his heart with his hand. “Yes, I’m guilty of succumbing to this belief, and for that, I’m sorrier than you’ll ever know.”

  Is this really happening?

  “I know what my ignorance and prejudice has cost your family . . . and my own for that matter. Twenty-one years ago, I feared for my family and their safety. I’d hoped you weren’t practicing magic, but when I found out you were, I panicked. There is no excuse for the lies and betrayal . . . and I can never right the wrongs I have done. I just need you to know, after what I have seen here tonight, I no longer believe you’re evil. You would have had every right to leave me burn in that fire for my sins. But despite my horrible misdeeds, you had enough compassion in your heart to save my family and me. I don’t know that I would have had such strength, had the tables been reversed.

  “You went out of your way to warn us. Not once . . . but twice. Even when I didn’t listen, you still figured out a way to save us. So the way I see it, there is no way your magic could be bad when that’s how you choose to use it.

  “I will be forever grateful and in your debt. If there is ever anything I can do to repay your kindness, please let me know.” He pauses. “But before we leave you folks alone, there’s just one question I have.” Mr. Russo looks at Gram.

  “What is it, dear? Ask away.”

  Mr. Russo’s face turns red. “I just need to know . . . what on earth was going on the night I saw you through the windows in the back? It scared the daylights out of me, but now I wonder if I might have imagined it.”

  Gram laughs. “No, Peter . . . you didn’t imagine anything. What you witnessed was another miracle of sorts. We brought Samuel home from the hospital that day because they told us he was brain-dead. But before we pulled the plug, I wanted to try a few spells to see if there might be something we could do to save him. What you witnessed . . . was us calling upon the power of our ancestors. What you saw was their spirits. It was that night we learned of Chloe’s gift to heal. You see, when her twin died at birth, her healing power transferred to Chloe. We had no idea.” Gram smiles at me.

  “One of those spirits was my daughter, Moira, and she shared that little tidbit with us. As you can see, Samuel is alive and well, thanks to Chloe.”

  Now it’s me who’s embarrassed. I squirm. Man, I hate attention. Ugh.

  “So you’re a Healer and a Seer? That’s a lot of power and responsibility for one small girl . . . but also such a blessing. You all are.” He looks around the room at each of us. “You should be so proud of who you are. I only regret it took me this long to realize it. Don’t ever let someone make you feel less than special, just because they don’t understand you . . . or your beliefs.”

  My family smiles at him. I’m sure from both relief and happiness at this unbelievable moment.

  “I know it will take time, but I hope you can learn to forgive me. Especially Michael, Morgan, and my extraordinary grandchildren. You know, I was ready to die tonight. I had told myself it was time to give up. But then I heard a voice call out through the smoke and flames. It was the sound of hearing ‘Granddad’ that gave me the strength to speak up, and the will to live.” With his eyes now full of tears, he looks across the room at Ash and Aidan with such pride.

  Tears stream down his face as he hangs his head. Watching the display, you can only feel sorry him.

  Ash and Aidan stand—then walk up to the broken Peter Russo and wrap their arms around him in a heartfelt embrace. When they let go, he’s bawling so hard he can’t speak. With his wife now at his side, he holds up his hand to wave before disappearing through the front door.

  Both family’s lives will be forever changed because of this night. How could they not be?

  I watch as my family forgives the Russo’s, regardless of what they’ve done.

  Without prejudice.

  And without hesitation.

  So what’s my problem? If these two families can find forgiveness after a lifetime of betrayal, surely I can forgive Hunter. I have to.

  Apparently, he’s my destiny.

  As Hunter wraps his strong, loving arms around me, I realize—everything truly does happen for a reason.

  Epilogue

  PARANORMAL POKER