Find me

Chapter 61

Aria POV

“Come here, baby.” my dad said as soon as we entered the house.

He pulled me to the couch, sat down, and placed me on his lap.

“You do know that everything he said wasn’t true?” my dad asked as he cupped my face. “You are not his daughter, you are mine. He will never hurt you or touch you again. You are done with him, baby. He will never get out of the fucking prison.”

“Even if he did, I would kill him before he could even think about hurting you.” Gabriel added as he sat down next to dad and me.

I looked at him and chuckled.

“I wouldn’t want you anywhere near them.” I said, taking his hand in mine.

Dad put his arms around Gabriel’s shoulders and pulled him closer. He kissed the top of Gabriel’s head.

“I love you, my babies.” dad mumbled.

“We love you too, dad.” I said, smiling.

Dad smiled at me and kissed my cheek.

“Did you know what you were going to say to them?” Gabriel asked me. “I was so fucking proud of you. Did you rehearse that?”

I smiled and shook my head.

“I didn’t know.” I said. “I had absolutely no idea what to tell them. For a second, I didn’t even want to speak. But then I realized that they were the kind of people who would always have a hold on me unless I did something about it. I realized that they would be able to scare me even from prison. I had to let them know that they don’t have me anymore.”

“Oh, my little girl.” dad said as he wrapped his arms around me. “They don’t, baby. You are home. You are with your dad. You are with your brother. Those people are locked up. They will never touch you or scare you again.”

“I know, dad.” I said, leaning even more into him.

My dad was my home. My brother was my safe haven. They were my peace. They were my happy ending.

Gabriel reached out for me. I let my dad go and hugged my brother.

“I love you.” he mumbled as he kissed my temple.

“I love you too.” I said, smiling.

I felt peace like never before. I was so glad that I decided to talk to Mark and Rose. I needed it. I needed to face them. I needed to face my fear.

Their hold on me was really gone.

“I have some bad news, Ari.” Gabriel said as he wrapped his arms around me even tighter.

My heart stopped beating.

“What’s wrong, Gabriel?” my dad asked immediately.

I let Gabriel go and looked at him. I started shaking.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Gray is coming over.” Gabriel said as a hint of mischief flashed in his eyes. “He said that we are watching the rest of season one of Game of Thrones tonight.”

I blinked and just stared at him for a second.

It took me a second to realize that he was messing with me.

“Are you serious?!” I exclaimed. “You almost gave me a heart attack!”

“Gabe, buddy, come on.” dad said, chuckling.

Gabriel grinned, winking at me.

“Are all brothers this annoying?” I asked, looking at my dad.

“I wouldn’t know, baby.” dad said, chuckling. “Yours definitely is.”