The ticket takes me to a gallery. A closed large window is responsible for bathing the room with a strange white light that comes from outside, and I study the intact windows at a glance, looking for a guarantee that Jonathan had no other way to get out than the only door ahead.A trail of blood is interrupted a few steps before reaching the door, although it has formed a generous puddle in the place I am stepping on. The blood still looks fresh, and I deduce that maybe your followers found a way to stop the bleeding, keeping it safe inside the room while cleaning the way outside.I realize that they can still be very close when I return my gun to the holster on my thigh and hold only the one that belongs to Dante, adapting to the weight, and I hear noises behind the thick wooden door. Like everything I've been hearing tonight since the beginning of the carnage, they are just shouted words and appeals made in a foreign language.Taking a cautious step back and stabilizing the gun in f

“Finally! "Gabby exclaims, getting up when he saw me enter the hospital waiting room. "I couldn't stand waiting for your news anymore.”Momentarily confused, I look through the unknown room, studying the space of one of the few hospitals in Washington that I never set foot in. That is, remembering the time when I lived with my father, when I could say with conviction that I spent most of my time in hospitals than in any other public place."How long have you been here?”"For a long time" she represses a tired sigh, but as strongly as she can, she quickly wraps my shoulders with her arms before pulling me against my chest. Gabby hugs me tight, causing my hospital sweater to bend uncomfortably against my body. "We were truly worried when the police lost the surprise element of the night.”"I confess that this was not one of my best plans.”Gabby moves away a few centimeters and looks at my face with peculiar caution."What exactly happened at this dinner? You may be one of the few consc

Gabby holds my face with both hands, keeping our eyes at the same height.“Heave me, Suzy. He's dead. The Brotherhood that the father and he commanded will no longer exist from tonight. He can't rule anyone seven feet from the ground. It can't affect anyone else's lives. You can't blame yourself for any of this anymore. The story between you is over, now you have to wait for Hunter's justice.”"Justice is against Hunter" my voice fails, but I repress the emotional pain with all the strength I have left."But we, the people who care about him, are next to him. We can wait as long as it takes until he is cleared, until Jon Maxwell is arrested and convicted. We can wait because Jonathan can no longer control any of us.”Without any permission, I feel my eyes burn in tears."I tried to be strong for everyone. I tried not to be afraid and not to feel what hurt me, because I knew they needed me. Penelope, Hunter, Colton, and even my brothers. But everything I do always doubles in size and n

An employee of the house shows up and takes Gabby's empty plate, but she is very distracted looking at nothing to notice. Looking closely, she doesn't stop hitting her nails on the table, clearly swarming with some internal dilemma."Do you want to tell me something, Gabby?”"Oh, nothing..." she opens a dull smile. "It's just that two of your brothers called earlier today. In fact, only one of them called, but the two were included in the conversation.”The chair releases a soft moan when I retreat into place, abruptly attentive."Who called?”“Mikaela and Lawrence.”"I imagine that my family still watches the news," I say with a slight grudge. "There must be a lot of new curses for the daughter who always brings shame to everyone.”"Your brothers didn't seem at all embarrassed when they asked if it was too problematic for them to spend a few days here, with you," she replies in a soft tone.I'm speechless for a moment. I never stop being surprised by my family."My mother must be fre

The body still has the same fragile, pale appearance, but when she notices my presence, she takes the oxygen mask off her face and offers me an immaculately beautiful and spontaneous smile."I heard that I will have to put up with a small version of you soon "she jokes, her voice sounding lethargic and angry.I laugh softly, occupying a place in the first chair I find next to her, leaving the table between us."Who told me about my pregnancy?”"The biggest gossip in Boston, also known as Colton Vincent Rock.”“Colton! "I reheal it with fun and Penelope's smile widens slowly.Colton's cheeks take on that lovely reddish tone."He looks so cute when he's embarrassed," observes Penelope, leaving the oxygen mask on the table.The comment makes me notice a quick exchange of glances between the two. It doesn't last more than a few seconds, but still, it's as if they both know exactly what the other intends to say without really talking. I put an arm on the table and keep watching in silence.