Page 15 of Dark Consequences

“Thank you for sharing that with me.”

Rose smiles carefully, hearing the sincerity in my voice, and just like that, I think I’ve made a friend. My first in years.

Mei joins us on the couch, curling up beside me, and soon, her giggles fill the room. She’s completely entranced by the kid show Rose helped me select on the television. Whenever Xiao indulged Mei with screen time, I was rarely included, and so much has changed.

Before I know it, hours have passed in comfortable company and friendly conversation. When Mei falls asleep, I carefully carry her to our bedroom and tuck her in. Hesitation fills me when I go to leave her alone, causing me to stop in the doorway and watch her. I don’t know how long I stand there, but Rose eventually comes looking for me.

“She’s a sweet girl,” Rose says. “You raised her well.”

“Thank you. I did my best. Tried to, at least. But Mei deserves to have a normal and happy childhood. We can’t go back. I can’t put her through anymore of that.”

“You won’t,” Rose says adamantly enough that I glance away from my sleeping daughter. “You’re not going back. I know we just met, Lily, but I want you to know you can be honest with me, and I’ll be honest with you. Ask me anything.”

No time like the present to test that.

“Am I safe here? Are we safe here?”

“Yes,” she answers immediately. “One hundred percent, yes. Michael is fair and just in everything he does. He considers every detail and fact before making a decision. And yes, he’s set to inherit the head seat of the High Table, but he’s also a son, brother, and father. He is the most wonderful man and partner I could have ever asked for. Is he a little overbearing and protective sometimes? Absolutely. But when everything happened, when I learned who he really was, I asked myself one question. Do I feel safe with him? And the answer was yes. It still is. Even when he’s grumpy as shit because he didn’t get enough sleep.”

I laugh softly, remembering how sour the man was this morning. The complete opposite of his brother. His twin. Michael’s hair is styled with a shorter length on the sides and longer top, while Raphael’s hair is more untamed, with longer locks that curl slightly at the ends, giving him an overall tousled look. Like someone ran their hands through it, maybe seconds before tugging him forward to capture those plump, sinful lips in a tantalizing kiss…

“Raphael is a good man, too.” Rose’s words break through the fog of attraction that shouldn’t be there to begin with. “I owe him for so much and trust him with my life.”

I want to believe her but I hardly know the man, and only time and his actions will prove her words to me.

“Do you think Raphael can really take down Xiao?”

“I do. I think with your help, we can stop him and put an end to his cruelty.”

I nod before looking at Mei and seeing a dozen different girls all at once. Girls innocent like her, young like her…the perfect victim. How many girls can I help save? Because even if it’s just one…that’s one less life ruined.

9

Raphael

“What is it with my sons bringing strange women home like lost puppies?”

Dominic chuckles into his coffee cup, and I quickly kick his shin beneath the table, causing him to choke on the hot liquid. He tosses me a dark look over the cup, and I return the look with a smirk.

“We’re twins, Dad,” Michael reminds our old man like he even needs it. “To be honest, I’m surprised she’s not a redhead, but then again, Raphael has always had poor taste.”

Don’t get me wrong, Rose is a beautiful woman with gorgeous red hair and vibrant green eyes to match, but that’s all she is to me. A beautiful woman.

I would do anything for my future sister-in-law because she’s family, but I don’t love her the same way Michael does. My brother worships the ground she walks on. He would burn the entire world for her if she asked. Hell, he would hand her the matches and watch her do it herself before fucking her senseless on the ashes.

I want that kind of passion in my life, that kind of devotion that consumes every inch of your heart, body, and soul. The kind of love you would go to war to protect.

Lily’s face flashes across my mind. It’s easy to see why Xiao kept her around. She’s a beautiful woman, tortured soul and all. Blond hair frames her delicate and angled face with the most brilliant blue eyes I’ve ever seen. But she’s in pain. She’s lost and confused, with more weight on her shoulders than anyone should have to bear. And for some fucked-up reason, it calls to the protector in me, which is highly inconvenient given her past. Because a man is the last thing she needs trying to help her.

“Any updates on Xiao?” I ask, changing the subject before Michael’s mouth gets us in too much trouble when Dad’s already in a foul mood.

Dom shakes his head. “Nothing. I’ve had eyes on the house since last night, and it’s been silent.”

“Do you think he knew you were coming?” Dad asks.

Michael says what we’re all thinking. “If he did, that means we have a mole in our ranks.”

“And high up too,” Uncle Leo adds.

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