Chapter Eighty-four: Forgiveness and Learning to Love Again

Emmanuel’s Point of View

I knew to be cautious of the Brzezinski family's thugs, but I was caught off guard by how quickly the police were on our tails. Sure, I shouldn't have pulled the trigger on the cop who showed up at the gas station, but it wasn't a fatal shot. It just gave us enough time to make our escape. However, Xavier and his motorcycle were too fast for us, and we lost him in the chase. But I promised myself I would find him and his little snake of a girlfriend. Not just because Lillianna wanted revenge but because he needed to pay for betraying us, and his girlfriend looked tempting. I wanted a piece of her, too.

The boys and I were driving back to our place when we were attacked. It wasn’t the cops, but they weren’t the mafia either. I didn’t know who they were, but shots were fired, and I was the only one to get out of there alive.

I sped up as fast as I could get the car to go, desperately trying to outrun them. Eventually, I found a familiar forested area and quickly pulled over, abandoning my car and running for cover. Luckily, they had no tracking dogs, so I could escape and go to our hidden hideout in the woods that had our motorcycles. The haunting memory of my friends covered in blood, their eyes blank and lifeless, will never fade from my mind as long as I live.

I had enough supplies to last me for a while, but my thoughts were consumed with Lillianna. If they found us, whoever "they" were, they could also be searching for her. Lillianna believed she was just a toy and a snack to me, but she meant so much more. Despite her constant pursuit of Xavier's love and attention, she was the one I loved. I knew I could make her happy, even though I wasn't the best man. But to Lillianna, I was merely a convenient distraction from her obsession with Xavier Woods. She didn't truly love him; it was the thrill of the chase that excited her. Once she had him, she would lose interest. Yet somehow, she convinced herself that this wouldn't happen with Xavier. It was a dangerous fixation, not true love. I hoped she finally figured that out before it was too late.

Grace’s Point of View

“Are you sure you don’t want something to drink? The kids are all gone to bed now,” Aamon offered, gesturing towards the liquor cabinet.

I smiled and declined, shaking my head. Deep down, I desperately wanted a drink to numb my emotions, but I also knew my limits. If I started, I wouldn’t be able to stop until the whole bottle was gone. It was one of the main reasons I often volunteered as the designated driver when going out with friends. Drinking to cope with my feelings never ended well. There had been a lot of changes and growth in my life over the past ten years that Aamon didn’t know about yet. I would share them with him when I was ready, but tonight wasn’t the night for that.

Aamon got a notification on his phone and looked up to tell me that Xavier and Rei were here. I steadied myself as much as I could. I knew that there was always the possibility that this day would come. I had just always hoped that it never did.

Xavier was holding Rei’s hand as they entered the room. That gave me hope. If she had forgiven him, there was a chance that Rei would forgive me one day, too. Looking at her carefully, there was more hurt in Rei’s eyes than anger.

"Grace, tell me everything. I need to understand why you never told me the truth about who I am and why you were part of my life. You've been like a sister to me, and I deserve to know," Rei's voice trembled with emotion as tears streamed down her face.

With trembling hands, I told her everything. Not leaving out any details, no matter how difficult they were to share. When I finished, Rei stood before me with tear-stained cheeks but an emotionless expression on her face. My heart raced as she stepped towards me; I instinctively flinched, bracing myself for impact. But instead of hitting me, Rei broke down and threw herself into my arms, crying uncontrollably. It was then that I knew she had truly forgiven me for keeping such a big secret from her all these years.

“What happens now?” Xavier’s voice broke the silence in the room.

“You and Rei stay here, along with the kids. You both are safe here. Lilianna and Emmanuel are being hunted. We learn how to be the family we’ve always been but never had a chance to know,” Aamon said firmly.

“I’m assuming the two of you will be staying in a room together?” Aamon asked Rei, and my best friend blushed furiously.

Looking at her neck and the marks there it was obvious why they were late getting here. It was hard not to laugh at how she was embarrassed when both Aamon and I knew that she and Xavier had been fucking nonstop since she left me with the kids.

Aamon's eyes darkened as he warned Xavier about the importance of being careful with his step-sister's heart.

"Remember, by being with Rei, you are also becoming a part of our family and organization. You understand the gravity of that?" Aamon asked sternly.

Xavier assured him, "I've spoken to Ethan and know there will be tough decisions ahead. But my loyalty will always stay with Rei."

Aamon nodded in approval at Xavier's answer.

"I plan on proposing to Rei once I have earned her trust and respect. No other woman will ever hold my heart like she does."

“I think you are supposed to ask Rei first, not her stepbrother,” I groaned, and Rei looked at Xavier in shock.

"You really want to marry me?" Rei asked, stunned.

Xavier gazed at my best friend as if she were the very air he breathed. His love for her radiated throughout the room, palpable and undeniable to anyone who saw them together. He took off one of his rings and got down on one knee in front of her.

"I had plans to go ring shopping with you, but this will have to do for now. Rei Brzezinski, I have loved you for so long, and I know I always will. Will you marry me and let me spend every day loving only you?" Xavier asked sincerely.