Mara looked up, not startled, strong. For the first time in weeks, they saw the storm in her eyes. The storm said: You took one of mine. I'm coming for you.
"She's singing," Stefan whispered, stunned.
"She's back," Steve said, not hiding the emotion in his voice. Mara kissed her baby's fingers and looked at her brothers.
"I want every name Philip ever worked with. Every shadow. Every crooked friend. He's hiding, but he won't hide from me. I'm done being broken."
She held Audrey tighter.
"I'm going to find Andrew. And I'm going to bring him home."
The brothers nodded, hearts thundering with hope.
Stefania Shepherd was back. And God help anyone who tried to stand in her way.
—
Ethan stood by the nursery door, just watching.
Mara was sitting on the floor in a loose hoodie, her hair tied back, cheeks still soft with sleep. Audrey babbled in front of her. The room smelled faintly of lavender and baby lotion, a soft lullaby humming in the background.
