Once Allegra was done speaking, the two of us just stared at her in disbelief. She held the weight of our gazes, her own eyes tired and weary.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. That such barbaric, fucking crazy things were still happening now, in the twenty-first century. But I could almost imagine it. This small, fucked-up town where all of it went down. I would never let Ginger go back there. I needed to protect her.

"I can't believe this," Ginger whispered, and I squeezed her hand to let her know I was there for her.

She rewarded me with a smile before turning her attention back to Allegra. "You never told me any of that."

"I couldn't," Allegra explained. "Anyone else who knew would be in danger. There's a reason no one leaves Hollyhock, Ginger. They don't let them."

"But what about Astor? When am I going to see her again?"

"When I've avenged what they've done for centuries. Do you remember that little boy next door, Cash? "

"Yes." Ginger nodded. "The one you played with all the time."

"You remember when he disappeared?"

"Vaguely. Didn't he leave to live with his aunt?"

"That's what they told us," Allegra sneered. "But it wasn't the fucking truth. They tried to kill him too, Ginger. They did it the way they used to at the beginning, with stoning."

"But he was just a little boy," Ginger whispered. "He couldn't have been older than twelve."

"They never cared about that." Allegra shrugged. "He escaped. That's why they decided they'd have to burn our sister, because stoning is too risky and they didn't know if she'd stand still."

"But what happened to Cash?"

"I still don't know," Allegra admitted. "But I need some answers from him so I can bring Hollyhock down. I'm working with a policeman, but we need evidence, and another witness. He says they'll discredit me because of my history in the asylum."

"I'm sorry, for all of it," Ginger whispered. "I can't believe I didn't know what was happening. How cruel they were, what they'd tried to do… and what I did to you."

I took a step back, knowing this was the moment Ginger had been waiting for. The moment where Allegra could either forgive her or walk away, leaving my girl in shambles.

"I didn't want you to be admitted," Ginger continued. "I will never forgive myself for what happened to you because of me."

She froze when Allegra took a step forward, gently taking her sister's hand. 

"Well I forgive you," she said softly. "You didn't know what was really going on. You couldn't have helped me. You were just trying to do what was right. And I'm happy knowing you don't hate me."

"Why would I hate you?" Ginger laughed nervously, but there was no missing the fat tear that escaped her eye. "I've always cared about you, you know that."

"I do," Allegra replied, squeezing her hand. "I do. And I always have. I'm sorry for the cryptic notes, Ginger. For a while my obsession got the better of me. I thought maybe you knew."

"Never." Ginger shook her head. "I never knew anything about this."

"Good. I'm glad they protected at least one of us."

A silence followed, and Allegra's eyes connected with mine over the top of Ginger's head.

"So, you two," she said, a sly little grin on her face. "You're happy together now?"

"Yes," I said firmly.

"I'm happy to see that. I will admit I sought you out for revenge, Ryker. And then I became obsessed with the stone. What happened to it, in the end?"

My grip on Ginger's hand tightened, and she gave me a surprised glance.

"I'll tell you soon," I said with a smile. "But what are your plans now, Allegra? Where do you go from here?"

"I have a lead on Cash's location. I want to find him, then return to Hollyhock with him as Astor. They don't know we both survived, and if I know them well enough… I think they'll want to finish what they started eight years ago."

"But you'll be in so much danger," Ginger said. "Something bad could happen to you. You don't want to go back to that snake's nest, do you?"

"I have to. I have to avenge everything that happened."

"When will I see you again?" Ginger's voice was barely above a whisper. "It's been so long. I want to see you more often."

"You will," Allegra promised firmly. "But I have to do this on my own. I owe it to myself, and to you and Astor, my sisters."

"Will you be in touch?" I asked her, and she nodded.

Then she jumped forward and pulled Ginger into a tight hug as I watched with a smile on my face. It was the best resolution I could've hoped for—if I ignored the horrendous truth about Hollyhock.

"Do you have to go already?" Ginger asked, sniffling.

"Unfortunately," Allegra replied. "My flight leaves in a couple of hours. Ryker, I was wondering if I could get a ride to the airport?"

"Of course." I nodded. "Carlo will take you. Let me walk you out."

The two sisters regarded one another, emotions ranging from pure sadness to sweet resolution changing place on their faces.

"I'll see you soon," Allegra promised. "I'll be back before you know it."

"You'll be careful?" Ginger asked. "You'll take care of yourself, won't you, Allegra?"

"Of course." Allegra kissed Ginger's cheek. "I wouldn't dream of letting you down again."

I gave them some privacy so they could say their goodbyes, hearing them muttering inside and then dissolving in fits of giggles. I smiled to myself. I liked this. Very much.

A few moments later, I walked Allegra to where Carlo was waiting with the boat.

She hugged me and I returned the gesture, happy when I noticed there were no ulterior motives behind her actions.

"I like you two together," she admitted. "You complete each other in a weird, fucked-up way."

"I like us together too," I replied with a grin. "You're not jealous, are you?"

"You flatter yourself." She smirked. "You're my sister's. I knew you belonged to another woman from the moment I met you. I just didn't know it was her."

We smiled at one another.

"Besides," she whispered, "there's someone else who's meant for me."

I nodded but didn't ask. I had a feeling she'd tell us when she was ready.

Hugging her goodbye, I looked around us before pulling out a small midnight blue velvet box.

I opened it, and Allegra gasped at the stone inside it, now intricately laid upon a platinum band, surrounded by smaller diamonds.

"It's gorgeous," she gushed. "When are you proposing?"

"Tonight. I can't wait any longer. But I would love if you gave us your blessing."

"You have it." She nodded, giving me a warm smile. "You'll take care of her, won't you, Ryker? I need her to be okay."

"Of course. No one will hurt her while she's with me. And I intend to keep her with me forever."

"Thank you," she whispered. "Grazie."

I waved goodbye, watching the boat speed away as her figure became smaller and smaller.

Our mystery had finally been solved. Now it was time for the closing act.

"What's this?" Ginger asked, laughing nervously as I led her into the room.

I'd prepared the house's ballroom for her. It was enormous, with huge windows and a gorgeous view. There was a single table in the middle with two chairs, a beautiful dinner waiting for us atop it. Nobody would be disturbing our meal. This night belonged to us.

I pulled out her chair and helped her sit down, her eyes following me as I took my own seat.

"Special occasion?" she asked, and I smiled in response.

"I'm just glad things with your sister are finally sorted. And I want to spoil you a little. I thought you might enjoy it."

"I do," she gushed. "And thank you for my presents. They're truly beautiful."

Her hands slid over those glorious curves in a cream, skintight dress with a peplum around the waist. She was a sight for sore fucking eyes all right, especially with that light tan and sun-kissed hair spilling down her back. She wore strappy stiletto heels, but no jewelry as of yet.

That would change soon.

We made our way through the first few courses delivered by the maid, Carlotta, who was discreet and earned herself a nice bonus at the end of the month. My eyes devoured Ginger as she ate, and once again I found it hard to believe she really was all mine.

She was beautiful in a gentle, sweet way that made my heart pound. She was innocence and sex appeal all wrapped up in one fucking glorious package, and I knew I would never be able to get enough of her.

"Ginger," I started after we'd eaten our dessert. "I just want you to know how happy I am."

Her smile prompted me to go on, and we clinked our champagne flutes filled with Bellini.

"You have made me the happiest man alive," I continued. "And there's only one thing left to do, only one thing that can make me happier."

Her eyes widened in anticipation as I reached inside my jacket, pulling out the velvet box. I pushed my chair back and dropped to one knee in front of her.

Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears, and I opened the box to display La Bellezza Maledetta in all its glory.

"It's beautiful," she murmured.

"Let me speak, woman," I growled, and she giggled nervously, her eyes apologetic. "Ginger Adley, you're the smartest, most beautiful and loyal woman I've met in my entire life. I want you to know I will fight for you every fucking day, every minute for the rest of our lives. I'm never letting you slip through my fingers again, and I will spend every hour of every day proving how much I love you."

"Oh, Ryker," she said, teary-eyed. "You don't have to prove anything. I love you."

"I love you too. Will you do me the absolute honor and be my blushing bride? Will you marry me, tesoro?"

"Yes, Daddy," she whispered, and my heart soared hearing the exact words I'd wanted her to say.

I slipped the ring on her finger and she grinned, showing it off to me. I stood and embraced her when she jumped off her seat, her body slight and shaky in my arms.

"I love you, my little treasure. It's time for you to become my empress. I want you by my side forever."

"Yes," she said softly. "There's nothing I want more, my emperor."

We kissed, her lips soft under mine and opening readily when I wanted them to. She tasted sweeter than ever, like peaches and champagne from the delicious Bellini. I couldn't get enough.

"There's so much more for me to show you," I whispered in her ear. "I'm going to show you the whole wide world, Ginger. I can't wait."

"Me neither." She threw her head back in the most carefree laugh I'd ever heard.

My heart swelled at the thought of her happiness, pumping endorphins through my body when I remembered I was the source of it all.

After all those years, after all the hardships, I'd found the treasure I'd been looking for all along. Now I could stop searching. I could keep her in my arms and treat her like the queen she was for the rest of our lives. Give her anything she wanted, provide for her in a way no other man would.

For the first time in my life, I was happy. Not numb, or empty, or alone. I was the opposite of all those feelings.

I was complete.