Page 144 of Shattered Souls
That decision should firmly be Riley’s.
Aurora’s lips twist into a frown, and despite her young age, I can see her mind working. “He said he was my daddy, too.”Before I can figure out what to say, she asks, “Did he play with you?”
My throat bobs as I swallow. “No, he didn’t.”
She pouts. “He wouldn’t play with me, either.” She bites down on her bottom lip in a way that mimics Riley’s, and it almost makes me laugh. “He was scary.”
“It’s okay,” I reassure her, covering her tiny hand with mine. “He scared me, too.” Leaning in, my forehead rests against hers. “Do you want to know a secret, though?”
Her eyes round, excitement lighting up her face as she nods eagerly.
“You don’t need to be afraid of him. He’ll never scare you again. I’m going to make sure of that.”
Feeling a weighted stare, my gaze flicks to Riley, finding her watching our interaction. Concern creases her forehead, even as a softness enters her eyes.
Shuffling closer, her voice is raspy with sleep as she cuddles Aurora and says, “That man, he isn’t really your dad, but he did help make you. Just like he helped make Grayson.” She pauses, waiting. “Do you know what that means, baby?”
I go still. Swear, I don’t even breathe. Don’t dare to blink as I watch on.
Aurora gives a slight shake of her head.
“It means the two of you are siblings.” She waits, the two of us watching Aurora closely. “Grayson is your brother.”
My nerves buzz like a live wire beneath my skin as I wait for her reaction. This little girl is all the blood family I have left, and the weight of that truth presses heavily on me. I want her to accept me, to see me as someone who can be part of her world despite everything. I don’t want to make the same mistakes I have with her mother. Don’t want to give her any reason to distrust me.
Aurora’s brow furrows, and she remains silent while she processes Riley’s words. The seconds stretch on, each one feeling like an eternity. Panic spikes. I glance at Riley, who gives me a reassuring smile, but it does little to calm my racing thoughts.
Then, something shifts. Aurora’s eyes light up with a spark of realization. She looks up at me, her expression a mix of awe and excitement. “You’re my brother?” she asks, her voice filled with wonder.
I nod, my throat tight with emotion. “Yeah, I am.”
A huge grin spreads across her face, and she squeals with delight, bouncing in place on the bed. “You’ll play dress-up with me? And have tea parties? And—and we can be princesses together?”
“Rora, baby, Grayson might not?—”
“Yes,” I interject, cutting across whatever out Riley was giving me as relief washes over me, so intense that I almost feel dizzy. “We can do all those things. Anything you want.”
She throws her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. “I’ve always wanted a big brother!” she exclaims, her joy infectious. “This is the best day ever!”
Chuckling, I return her embrace as my teary-eyed gaze connects with Riley’s. She’s watching us, her own eyes shimmering with unshed tears and a soft smile playing on her lips.
Aurora’s acceptance, her pure and unconditional excitement, wraps around my heart, soothing wounds I’ve carried for so long. This tiny, fierce little girl is giving me a chance to rebuild a family from the wreckage of our past. And for the first time in a long time, I feel like maybe, just maybe, I deserve it.
42
RILEY
“Guess what!” Aurora announces as she bounces into the kitchen a short while later. Logan and Royce are already there, and Logan immediately scoops her up, throwing her into the air and making her squeal in delight.
“What?” he enquires. He tries to settle her on his hip but she squirms to get down, grinning like it’s Christmas morning as she bounces over to Grayson. She’s barely left his side since I told her he’s her brother.
I’d been half asleep, refusing to admit it was time to get up when I heard their whispered conversation.
It broke my heart, listening to them bond over their shithead of a father—albeit on two very different levels. If scaring her and not playing with my daughter is the worst Bertram did to her, then I can live with that.
May she never know the horrors I’ve faced at that man’s hands.
Still, it made it clear to me just how much theyneededone another, even if Aurora didn’t know it yet.
