“Messiah won’t hurt the twins. They’re safer with him than with anyone else on this earth. They’re fine, Mo. He may not know what he’s doing, but he knows what he’s feeling. There’s this moment when you see your kid for the first time, you recognize the miracle of your DNA inside someone so good, and it just changes you. In that moment, you vow never to let anybody hurt that child. You know that you’ll die for your flesh and blood. It’s a split-second change that happens instantly. He’s missed a lot, but tonight he’s discovering that feeling. He’s falling in love with his kids right now, and you have to give him space while he does it. He got hit with a lot tonight. Just give him some time.”

“He’s Mizan’s brother, Ethic,” Morgan whispered. “Mizan’s brother has my babies.”

Ethic was surprised that Messiah hadn’t told her otherwise yet. Ethic’s brow lifted, and he sucked in a deep breath. “He’s not,” he revealed. He had known the information for a while. Now seemed like the appropriate time to share it. Morgan had been so unstable over the years that even mentioning Messiah would cause her to pull away.

“What?” she asked. She sucked in air. She knew she had to be hearing him wrong.

“You had a hard time after we thought he died. I thought I would lose you too. You moved across the world to get away from his memory. I wanted to tell you before, but you weren’t ready. You weren’t strong, Mo, and anytime I even mentioned his name, you shut me out more. Shut everyone out, and all we wanted you to do was let us in.” He paused and rubbed his beard. “Let me in, Mo. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this before, but it’s true. I verified it time and time again. He’s not related to Mizan. He believed he was for a long time, but he’s not. He’s not anything like the man who hurt Raven, and I know he mishandled you, Mo, but I don’t think he’s capable of ever intentionally harming you. When I look at him, and I look at you, I see what could have been. I see me with your sister. I see a chance for the world to witness what Raven and I could have been. He loves you. He’s not perfect. Niggas ain’t perfect, but he does love you. I discounted that before, when he asked me for permission with you all those years ago. I should have given the green light. I regret that, Mo.”