Chapter 1 #2
So, I get Sophie’s anger toward me. I would be angry, too, if the roles were reversed.
Finding out what he and the Bratva did to these women, I will never forgive myself for allowing it to happen on my watch.
Losing the jewels in Morocco, all those innocent women sold to God knows who, I need to find them and make things right.
No. I will find them and make every person involved pay with their lives. My revenge will be swift and punishing.
“Nothing I can say will forgive the horrors that happened to your sisters. If I had truly known about it, I would have saved them. I’ll never forgive myself for being blind to something so heinous. I’ll stop at nothing to make sure these men pay for what they have done,” I tell her honestly.
Sophie doesn’t look convinced. “You broke my sister when she found out Max had died. Do you realize that?”
“I had to save my brother. I won’t apologize for that.”
“Believe me, I get it. I’d do anything for my family.
The agony she and we have gone through these past two weeks.
We had to monitor Grace to make sure she didn’t do something incredibly stupid because she couldn’t take any more of this fucked up hand she’s been dealt.
Or that maybe she would reach for those little white pills that turned her into a zombie last time.
My family wouldn’t survive losing her again,” Sophie angrily explains.
“You know, there was no other way.”
“What would Max have done if Grace did something to herself?” Sophie questions, those green eyes narrowed on me.
“That would never have happened. We always had eyes on her.”
Sophie stills, she turns and stares at me. “What do you mean?”
“The Bratva had to think we were truly dead, otherwise, Max and Grace would spend forever being chased. Grace and Max both deserve a peaceful life together,” I tell her.
“Are you saying they believed it?” Sophie questions me.
Do I tell her what I know? Max knows, so it’s only a matter of time before he tells Grace, who will tell her sisters.
“Yes.”
Sophie stares at me with surprise. “And that’s all you’re going to say?”
“I’ve said too much already.”
Sophie stares out at the celebration happening before us, the tears, the shock, the amazement that a miracle has happened. “Even if I guess you will not tell me?”
I shake my head at her question.
“Please tell me you’re not interrogating Elena?
” Zoe asks, walking over to where we are standing.
Her pregnant belly is on display, looking very cute in her white tank as she shows off her new curves.
She’s glowing. I would be too going to bed with Mateo and Tomas every night.
No wonder they have knocked her up so quickly.
I wonder if she knows which one of those handsome men is the father of her child.
Guess it doesn’t matter if the three of them are together.
Either way, the baby is going to be beautiful.
“It’s Ellie Clark now. Looks like you’ve gained another sister,” I say uneasily, with a shrug at this new bit of information.
“I don’t need another sister.” Sophie huffs beside me.
“And Max Clark is your new brother.”
“That’s fucking messed up, even for you. They can’t be siblings,” Sophie says angrily.
“They’re not, they’re married but using Clark as their surname. My brother is progressive,” I tease.
“I still can’t believe you’re alive,” Zoe says in awe as she pokes me a couple of times, not quite believing I’m here before launching herself at me with a hug.
“Welcome to the family. Can’t have too many sisters,” she says as she tries to squeeze me to death.
Even after meeting under horrible conditions, she is still so kind.
She’s a strong woman, then again, I think all the Clark girls are.
That’s why I know once the dust has settled over our rebirth, everything will be okay.
“I’m so happy you’re alive,” she says, still clinging to me.
Is there a warm and fuzzy feeling in my chest or am I having a heart attack? “I am, too,” I tell her.
“Thank you for bringing Max back to Grace,” she adds, stepping out of our hug before her face falls.
“I know there was a good reason you did it the way you did,” she says as an errant tear slides down her cheek before she wipes it away.
“None of us care about the intricacies of why it had to happen that way.” Sophie coughs, disagreeing with that statement.
Zoe rolls her eyes at her sister, ignoring her.
“All we care about is that the two of you are back from the dead.” She smiles before turning to Sophie.
“There’s nothing else to say on the matter.
” Zoe directs that statement to her sister.
“You know I’m not known to hold my tongue,” Sophie quips.
“Guess you’re gonna have to learn,” Zoe fires back as she turns her attention back to me.
“We need to celebrate the miracle of your return tonight because this is not how we thought the day would end. It may take people some time to get over it, but that’s a them problem.
” She glares at Sophie again, who ignores her.
“Come, let's pop some champagne. Today has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Sophie, rally the troops,” she asks her sister, holding out her arm for me to take.
Her sister huffs before storming away from us and starts herding everyone inside.
Zoe and I walk in silence for a couple of steps until everyone else has disappeared inside. “Sophie and Grace will come around, eventually. They’re both stubborn bitches.”
This makes me smile. “Thank you. I don’t deserve your kindness.”
“Why wouldn’t you?” Zoe exclaims, surprised by my comment.
“Because I broke your sister’s heart making her believe Max was dead.”
“You had your reasons, and that is something we can talk about tomorrow when everyone’s emotions have settled down. Grace buried the love of her life today, so things may be tense for a while until she feels safe again. It’s been touch and go for her since Moscow and the same with Sergei.”
“It was the only way to keep Max safe,” I reiterate.
“I know, we all know,” she says, patting my hand, “but the funeral was literally today. We all said our goodbyes to you both.”
It was nice that her family included me today at their funeral for Max.
“It was a beautiful service, thank you,” I add.
“We may not have known you well, but we still cared that we had lost you. Wait, you were there?” Zoe asks, her eyes wide with surprise.
I nod. “We watched from afar. It killed Max to see Grace like that. We were supposed to have come back tomorrow morning to ensure the coast was clear, but Max couldn’t wait any longer.”
“Your brother loves my sister something fierce.”
“He sure does.”
“And you think they are safe now?” she asks cautiously.
“I do.”
Zoe lets out a breath. “Good. Well, then welcome home, Ellie,” she says, giving me a bright smile as we walk inside her gorgeous home. “We have a spare bedroom on the other side of the garden near Mateo’s studio. Hope you don’t mind not being in the main house. We weren’t expecting you.”
“I’m fine sleeping under the stars or on a sofa. I won’t be staying long.”
Zoe stops, lets go of my arm, and stands in front of me. “You’re not staying?”
“Don’t you think it’s for the best that I leave Max to it here? I’m a burden. I don’t want to be a constant reminder to Grace or to you of that life,” I explain to her.
“You will never be a burden, Elena,” she says, using my real name to emphasize how serious her point is. “You’re a Clark now and that means you are one of us for the rest of your life. That means you will never be alone again.”
I’ve been alone for so long. I’m not sure if I know what it’s like to be part of a family again.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I am. And if anyone has a problem with it, they can deal with a hormonal pregnant woman and see how that goes,” Zoe says with a chuckle.