Growing Up

Paige

I walked up the front steps of the imposing manor house Sera shared with Killian for the first time without Tom next to me. Mom and Dad used to get quiet when we drove past the Ricci place, as though Carmine Ricci could hear us from the street. I thought I’d gotten over a lot of that, especially after what happened in Egypt, but a little of the old fear shivered down my spine as I rang the doorbell with the hand not holding the garment bag.

The massive wood door sprang open almost instantly, and Joyce swept me up in a huge hug. I struggled between smiling and choking until she released me.

“Oh, even without the dress you’re beautiful.” She wiped a tear from her eye. “Miss Sera and Olivia are upstairs already. Go, join them.” She shooed me away.

I laughed as I fled up the massive staircase and thanked God Sera texted me directions through the house before I started the drive over. Joyce was too excited to help me navigate the mausoleum, and “upstairs” didn’t exactly get me to the