Page 96 of Code Name: Reaper
“Even if it means burning every bridge I’ve ever built. I already proved that to you.”
She kissed me again, soft and sweet and full of promise. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
We stayed in the water until our fingers wrinkled, talking about everything except the violence and death of the day.
When we finally got out, I wrapped Amaryllis in the largest towel I could find and held her close.
“Ready to go meet the rest of your family?”
She took a deep breath. “I am.”
23
AMARYLLIS
“This place is daunting,” I said as we descended the staircase that looked like something out of a movie. “I mean, we’re staying in a suite in a wing.”
Reaper chuckled. “It rivals the White House, except without the Oval Office, press room, and situation room—on the other hand, given this family is behind one of the most secret and elite intelligence organizations in the world, one that even agencies like the NSA, CIA, and SIS knew nothing about, maybe it does have all that.”
“Right?” I clasped my hands together to keep them from shaking. “I was nervous enough without the reminder of who I’m dealing with.”
Reaper put his arm around my shoulders. “It’s going to be fine. And you aren’t ‘dealing’ with them. They’re your family.”
When we reached the bottom step, Lyra came around the corner and tucked my arm in hers. “Ready?”
My stomach clenched, but I stepped forward when she did. Kingston squeezed my other hand as she led me through the house to a warmly lit sitting room. Classical music played softlyfrom hidden speakers, and everything was bathed in golden lamplight.
A woman sat on a cream-colored sofa, and my breath caught as I approached. Her silver hair was pulled back, and in her eyes, I saw my own—the same blue-green color, the same shape.
“Charity,” Lyra said softly. “This is my mother. Your grandmother.”
Anna rose slowly, her hands trembling as she reached for me. “My dear child,” she whispered in accented English. “You look so much like Amelia.”
She pulled me into an embrace that smelled of lavender and roses, and I clung to this stranger who was my family. Anna held me tight, and I could feel her crying.
“I thought I would never meet you,” she whispered against my hair. “All these years, watching over you...”
When we finally pulled apart, she cupped my face with shaking hands. “Let me look at you properly. Amelia’s smile, yes, but Horatio’s stubborn chin,” she said through her tears. “You are perfect.”
Another woman joined us. “I am Polina.” Her accent sounded Russian. “Katarina’s grandmother.”
She embraced me too. “I am so sorry we could not know each other until now. But you are here, you are safe, and that is what matters.”
They invited me to sit between them on the sofa, and Anna took my hand in hers. “I want to know everything about you.” She looked around the room. “Lyra, where is the young man?”
“I thought it best for you to have time alone with Charity first, Mama.”
“Yes. Of course.” Anna returned her gaze to me. “Norman and Dorothy—your grandparents were lovely people.”
“I miss them so much.”
She tightened her grip on my hand. “You must understand that they did what they knew was best for you. And you must forgive them.”
“I have,” I responded honestly.
“And us,” she added.
