Harper
Three Weeks Later
“I think Liam and I should sell this place,” Savannah says, looking around her lake house with a sad smile.
“What? Why?” I ask, turning my head to look at her. I move so quickly, I almost lose my balance on the ladder.
“Dammit, Sugar,” Roman says, picking me up from the ladder and setting me on the floor. “You’re pregnant. You can’t climb ladders and you really can’t fall off of ladders.”
“I’m pregnant, not an invalid.”
“Be careful,” he growls, kissing me roughly on the lips. Roman takes the end of the banner I was trying to hang from my hands and climbs up, securing it to the bannister.
“Why do you want to sell?” I ask Savannah.
“Everywhere Liam and I buy or rent turns into a blood bath. I love this place too much to let that happen here.”
Roman climbs back down, folding me in his arms, squeezing me tightly to his chest. It hasn’t been an easy few weeks for us. Watching him shoot someone in front of me was hard for me to handle—I’m still having nightmares that Roman will be taken away from me.
Every night the dream changes. It begins the same as the reality. Two brothers pointing guns at each other, one entirely good, the other entirely evil. Which bullet will hit first? The words exchanged change every night, and every single night when the bullet fires, I don’t know who it will hit. Roman patiently tucks me in his strong arms, holding, ensuring that he’s still with me.
Rafael isn’t the only one I feared would take Roman away from me. Rafael was a DEA agent. Yes, he was dirty, but I still fear that the cops will come knocking, locking Roman away from me.
The house had cameras everywhere inside, and the evidence showed the real story with Rafael’s confession and Roman’s shot in self-defense. No charges were filed against him for either person he shot that night––both law enforcement officers. That doesn’t ease my panic that something’s going to happen to him and he’ll be taken from me.
Roman’s been battling his own demons, coming to terms with the fact Santiago knew from the time of his birth that Roman was his son. We’ve been fighting the battles together, though. Roman told me he should walk away, but I wouldn’t let him. I love him too much and he loves me the same. It’s time to move forward and start our family together, putting the past behind us.
Much of the days after that horrible night were spent in the hospital going back and forth between James’ and Kiernan’s bedsides. I look up at the banner, my heart filling with gratitude.
Welcome home, James and Kiernan!
“Savannah, nothing’s going to happen to this place. The only reason your house in Austin turned into a bloodbath is because of me.”
“That’s not true, Sugar. That was him—not you. That’s all on him.”
I look down at my feet, nodding. Getting past the demons and guilt will take time.
Liam walks in, wrapping Savannah in his arms. “Gorgeous wife, we are not selling this place. It’s our only house. We can’t be homeless and pregnant, too—like that one over there,” Liam chuckles.
Savannah’s eyes go wide when what Liam says registers. “Oh, my God,” I squeal. “I’m so happy for the two of you!”
“It’s too early to say anything,” she says, holding up her hands. “I don’t want to jinx it. It’s too early. Don’t congratulate me yet. Act surprised when I tell you again in a few weeks.”
I burst out laughing. “Deal.”
Roman nuzzles my neck. “Need to hear that sound more, Sugar. I’ve missed it.”
I turn to face him. “I’ve missed your laugh, too.”
He kisses me softly on the lips, brushing his nose over mine. My hands cup his face while I stare into his bright brown eyes, full of hope and promise. A new beginning.
“Hudson just called, they’ll be here any minute.”
Valerie and Gabe walk through the back door just in time to greet James and Kiernan as they’re ushered inside. Kiernan eats up the attention, grinning from ear to ear, opening his arms to each of us for a hug. James stands back, staying silent as ever with a scowl on his face. It’s hard for someone that large to blend into the background. I walk over and give him a big hug. “Thank you,” I say in admiration, looking up at him.
“Stop saying that,” James grumbles, rubbing my back while I continue to hug him tightly.
“Never,” I whisper.
“Hey, man,” Roman says walking up to us. He shakes James’ hand, telling him the same thing.
James grumbles again, walking off. Roman and I have thanked him every single day and will continue to thank him. We owe him so much and we won’t stop until he realizes how grateful we are to have him in our lives, for everything he’s done, and most of all, the fact that he’s still breathing.
“Take a walk by the water with me, Sugar?”
I grab Roman’s hand. “I’d love to.”
We walk along the sandy beach of the lake, hand-in-hand, sharing the silence. “I have a favor to ask you, Sugar.”
“Anything,” I answer honestly, turning into him and wrapping my arms around his hips.
“I have Santiago’s letter. I think it will be easier for me to process if I hear it in your sweet voice.” Roman pulls the crumbled letter from his pocket, handing it to me.
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“I need to know,” he says, squeezing me tightly.
Wrapped in his arms, I start reading.
Roman,
My son.
I do mean that literally. If you’re reading this, it means I am gone and never got to tell you in person. You are my son. I have watched you every day of your life. It was the hardest challenge of mine to not run and snatch you away from the hardships you faced as a child. I worried if you grew up with me, you would follow in my footsteps. Mine is not the right path to take.
As you got older and skipped school a few times, I knew something needed to change. I could no longer only watch from the shadows. I approached you with an offer you couldn’t refuse. I used your desperation for food and money to my advantage. I told you I would pay for school and groceries, if you agree to go to the school of my choosing. I told you I had a similar childhood to yours and didn’t want to see a boy who reminded me of myself go down the wrong path. At the mention of food, your face lit up like a Christmas tree and my heart shattered.
I chose that school because it’s where Harper went. I knew you’d meet her and fall into her magnetic orbit, like everyone around her. I could think of nothing that would make me happier. You, my boy, such a bright, good boy, with a girl I already loved as my own. She’d set you on the right path. When Harper’s father found out what I did, he was furious. He worried you would corrupt her, I said all he had to do was meet you.
He called me after the night he met you and told me he was proud of me for doing the right thing for you. He could see even then that you were worthy of Harper. I know the two of you will live a beautiful life together. Protect her and honor her the way she deserves.
I never got to tell you in person but I am damn proud to be your father. You may never understand my choices but I hope you can look past them and accept me in your heart as your father.
There is another piece I must tell you. You have a brother. He’s dangerous. Keep him away from yourself and Harper at all costs. Do not ever get to know him. He can be charming and persuasive. Don’t fall for it. As far as I’m concerned, you are my only son.
It was an honor to know you.
Your father,
Santiago
Roman takes a deep, shuddering breath. “I knew it would be better if you read it to me.” His voice is hoarse, raspy and filled with emotion.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I will be,” Roman answers confidently. “Every day you’re with me, I will be okay.”