Köhler Lies and Deception Book 11 of The Köhler Series

New Start

Melody had a lot to get off her chest, but she had to be out her mind suggesting a therapy session especially with her whole family. Then she dragged Madison into it because she was being bitter. In a way, she and Maddy did wrong. They both faked their deaths, but at least she could say she didn't try to kill her family. Mel didn't know what to think. Yes, Madison was brainwashed, but in a way, she thought Maddy secretly hated them all. If that were true, she wouldn't be here now.

There were so many questions about the woman going through her head as the others had about her. It was time to tell their family the truth, and it could help with whatever Maddy was holding back if there was anything. "I heard we were about to have a family meeting."

"Really, Ma! I said not to tell him about this. Dad is still recovering—"

"And I'm a grown fucking man. If I want to be a part of this, I can decide that for myself. So what was so important about this meeting that I could not attend?" Luca questioned as Xerxes sighed. It wasn't anything he didn't know about her unless Madison had secrets she had yet to tell them. However, Melody was an open book. She realized hiding things from her family never ended well, and now the brother of the man she killed was gunning for her.

"You can stay, but if I see you getting upset—"

"Xerxes." They may have been adults, but they all knew when to hush. Luca's warning voice scared them all, and it only took one time. It was something they all thought they would grow out of, but they were wrong, and X quickly hushed, turning to the rest as they gathered in his living room.

"What are you ugly fucks looking at?"

"You bitch, but you're the ugliest muthafucka here." Elias smiled, giving his dad the finger as he sat. On the other hand, Elijah started to throw something, but Luca was in the way. Anyhow, everyone made their way into the room, even their cousins, uncles, and aunts they didn't invite. It wasn't anything new but something Melody missed.

"Okay, I'll start since I was the one that initiated this meeting. A lot of you are mad at me, and I'm sorry. I did what I thought was right when it comes to my children, nephews, and nieces. Xavier and Elijah came to me looking for help, and I was willing to give my head to the man who wanted to kill them. Instead, Ying Lee offered me another way out. I swear I didn't know he was the enemy. If I knew—"

"We know, but that's not the problem, Mel. You made us believe you were dead. Do you know how much that shit hurt? I watched a casket go into the fucking ground, and I thought my cousin... best friend was inside of it. Why?" Melody sighed as she looked at Leah, who was waiting for her answer.

"Why what?"

"Why didn't you come to me... to us? We could have helped, and none of us cared about you sleeping with Ying Lee. You're not the first person in a mafia to sleep with the enemy. Hell, you weren't even the first in our mafia to do so, but then you faked your death as if your family had no feelings."

"I knew you had feelings. I... I thought it could live a life without the fussing, fighting, and war shit." Melody shrugged as Leah shook her head. They were mad at her and she could tell. Yet, she was the one who wanted her family to know the full truth about why she left.

"Okay, I have a question for you, Madison. What made you turn against our family?"

"There are no secrets about me. They know everything, but if you need to know. I believed my birth father's lies, but I didn't see how evil the man was. Sometimes, we all fall victim to the craziest shit, and sometimes, our thoughts of escaping this life conquer the truth. I don't blame you for what you did. Yeah, you hurt most of us, but I can't say I hurt the way they did because I wasn't here to witness, but the news was devastating. I don't know what you want to hear... what any of them want to hear, but the only thing that matters is you are alive."