Mercy on my Soul

TWENTY

Ryder's P.O.V

I walk through the cemetery with my head down and my hands in my dress pants pockets. It was quiet. Nothing but footsteps and the birds around. I stop at the tombstone I was looking for and let out a heavy sigh. "Ash, fall back," I said clearly enough for him to hear. 

"Are you sure sir? I mean Apollo's men could be anywhere," I turn my head just slightly towards him and he clears his throat. "Yes, sir," I turn my head back to the tombstone and wait for his footsteps to retreat. 

Viola Grace Montalli

A loving mother, wife, and daughter. Gone but never forgotten. 

Born May 23, 1976 - Died June 4, 1992

"Hey, mom, I know it's been a long time. I just haven't found the strength to come and see you." I spoke honestly. I wait a moment to think about what I was going to say until I close my eyes. "Azura is pregnant," I breathed with a bit of joy. My eyes began to burn and I open them to look at the tombstone. "I'm trying to be a good guy in this situation but I don't want to lose my child. I want to be a father. I want this so bad. But Azura doesn't want this at all. She made it very clear. I just wish you were here to tell me what to do," I mumble. 

"I may not be mom, but I can help," I smile hearing her voice, and take a deep breath. 

"Please," Her footsteps stop at my side and I look at her and she smiles her dimpled smile. 

"Mom would tell you to give Azura a reason to want to keep the baby. All she has a million reasons why she shouldn't," She says. I pull her into my arms and kiss her forehead. 

"I love you, Rose," She giggles. 

"I know," She pulls back and looks at me with a warm smile. "When are you going to admit to yourself that you are falling in love with Azura?" I roll my eyes as my body goes stiff. 

"I'm incapable of love. Father made sure of that," She rolls her eyes. 

"Speaking of the devil, he's back. He's at the house now. He's drunk again." She says looking away from me. I grab her chin slightly as I force her to look at me. Her eyes were filled with pain and tears. I tilt her head up to see a bruise forming on her neck. I growl causing her to jump. "Ryder, don't," I ignore her plead and turn around. "Ryder, stop," I stop and look back at her. 

"Did he touch you?" She gulps and looks away from me. "Choking you? I might be able to get past it. But raping you? No, I have had enough of this. He is going to be reunited with his favorite child." She gives me a scared look. 

"Do you always have to go running towards the danger? Can you just stop and be there for me just once? You are so damn wrapped up in Azura's drama you never even stop to asking me how I'm doing. I know you're happy and it's new for you and I really like Azura but I am your sister. I matter too." She cries. That was all it took for me to let my guard down. I was angry but I wasn't going to do anything about it right now. Rose needed me and I was going to be there for her. I wrap my arms around her. She sucks in a heavy breath before hugging me back. 

"I love you, Roseleen. More than you will ever know." She cries. 

Silas's P.O.V

I walk into the warehouse as Ronan was shouting. I roll my eyes as something gets thrown out of the gym. I wait for a second as something else gets thrown out the door before I walk in. He goes to throw something else but sees me. He drops it and looks at me. "Silas!" I walk in bored as most of his men look terrified for me.