I’m freed from a cage of my own making, and it’s because of them.
“Marry me.” The words burst out of my mouth without thought or planning, and I mean them.
Leaning up over me, they share a look, and, for once, I’m privy to the telepathic connection. It’s one of love and acceptance.
Seven leans down first, licking across my lips before biting the bottom one. “Should be us asking you,” he utters, sticking his tongue out to tangle with mine. “Fuck yeah, I’ll marry you.”
My smile hurts my cheeks as he moves out of the way for his brother. Severo doesn’t do more than kiss me passionately, stealing the breath from my lungs before whispering, “Yes.”
Epilogue
SEVEN
Six months later.
Claiming Aria as ours was easy. Everyone in our circle recognized she belonged to us from the minute she was born, and we were drawn to her. But convincing her father to allow us to give her our last names, move in with us, that was the hard part.
Aria is his little girl, and for as big and badass as King Adair is, he’s filled with nothing but love and best intentions when it comes to Aria. It’s evident in the way he walks her towards us now. Chest puffed out with pride as he watches every step she takes closer to us.
One step closer to belonging to us.
Aria’s beauty is amplified by the black and white strapless gown she’s wearing. Pearls float seamlessly across the bodice, accentuating her tanned cleavage every time she breathes. White lace ribbons float down from the waistline, brushing the floor, allowing the black silk skirt to play peek-a-boo with every step she takes. But the genuinely radiant thing about Aria today is the confidence she’s exuding. Her hair is swept up, and her scars are on full display. After everything she’s overcome, witnessing her happiness and confidence and grabbing the world by the balls has made today even more special.
Our girl has found herself, and I like to think we had a hand in making that happen. She hides from nothing and no one now. She has the self-assuredness of her mother but the compassion she has always presented to the outside world. Aria has become the woman we all knew she would one day.
“Break her heart, boys, and I’ll eat yours for breakfast,” King warns once again with a grin on his face as he hands each of us one of her hands.
“Yes, sir,” we respond in kind.
The darkness that used to eat at me, the desire to inflict pain, dissipates with every vow spoken as my brother and I marry the woman we always knew would become ours.
* * *
Aria
One year later.
It’s incredible what can happen in a year.
Marriage.
Peace.
Love.
I never believed I would have any of those things in my life. Not after Tristan. But now, with the twins, I have more than I ever imagined possible.
Staring down at the girl in bed beside me, I firmly believe that every minute of pain, every ounce of fear I ever felt, made me strong enough so that when she found me, I would be ready for her.
Three months ago, when my mother and I visited Sparrow House on a dark rainy morning, we found Gus Hunt lying hidden in the bushes beyond the fence. If not for a lightning strike brightening the sky, we would have missed her. Bloody, beaten, and nearly on death's bed, we fought for her.
To survive.
To escape.
To live.
At sixteen years old, Gus has spent her entire life at the hands of a mad man whose only intention was to torture this poor girl.