CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

"You are REAPER? REAPER-Patriots? Voodoo Guardians?" he asked. The room chuckled at his shocked expression.

"They are good men," said Erica. "You are a good man, brother. I know it in my heart."

"I wasn't always. I've been forced to train as a killer since I was ten years old," he said, staring at his sister. "I'm sorry that we grew up so far apart."

"I am, too," she smiled. The door to the auditorium opened, and Matthew and Irene walked in, headed straight toward the young man.

"What the hell?" muttered Luke.

"I asked them to come," said Wilson without explanation.

"Why?"

"Because we've always been good at judging a man's character," said Matthew. "That hasn't changed. I believe I can tell you whether or not there is darkness in this man's heart and soul."

"Grandpa, I don't think that's something you can see," said Luke.

"I beg to differ," said Matthew. He reached out his hand, and U-Jin gripped it, shaking. But Matthew didn't let go. He held the young man's hand, staring into his eyes. U-Jin swallowed, staring back as if he had no other choice. He felt a warmth flood through his body as this man stared into his very soul, his heart as if reading his mind.

Irene touched his shoulder, smiling up at him.

"You've been through a great deal in your young life," said the old woman. "So much pain, so much. I'm sorry you had to go through that without anyone to turn to. You don't have to do that any longer. My boys will take care of you. You and your girl. ‘Course, you'll need to marry her, but we can talk about that later. You don't have to be alone any longer, baby. Let my boys handle things, and the girls will take care of your love over there."

Irene lowered her hand from his shoulder and kissed the young man's cheek. She touched Matthew's arm as she left, just as he released U-Jin's hand.

"You're a good man in your soul. The darkness is not yours. Be a good man for the rest of your life." When Matthew was gone, U-Jin knelt on the floor, covering his face. He began to sob, and Erica looked at the others for guidance.

"I have no idea what just happened," said Luke. "Those were my grandparents."

"H-he saw into my soul," sniffed U-Jin, "and he still loved me."

"Well, that's Grandpa," smirked Ben. "But you better believe Grandma will want a wedding if you decide to stay."

Erica helped her brother to stand. He was much taller than her, but then again, everyone was much taller than she was. He looked down at their nearly identical faces and nodded. He gave her a hug and shook his head.

"I will help you to kill our mother and expose the truth. I'm not sure if I can stay here and make a life, but I'd like to think about it."

"You help us, and you can have all the time you need," said Moose.

"Is my sister expected to birth a child of yours?" he frowned. Moose laughed, shaking his head.

"Yeah, that's something else, ain't it?"

"I do not believe it's possible," he sneered. Erica just laughed.

"The doctors assure me it's possible. Don't put ideas into my husband's head. And I'm no longer Hae-Won. My name is Erica."

"Erica," he nodded. "Call me Johnny." The siblings smiled at one another then hugged. Really, really hugged. Then they laughed and cried and laughed again. The entire scene made Moose very happy.

"Not to break up the love fest," smirked Cam, "but back to your mother."

"She is at a home in South Korea. Yeoncheon. It belonged to an old maid of hers. After she killed the woman, she took the home and remodeled it. It's a mansion now. The only one of its kind in the area."

"A maid," whispered Erica. "Yun-Je?"

"Yes," he frowned. "How did you know that?"

"She helped us to escape. I just thought she was an old woman, not a maid."

"I'm afraid not. She'd been a maid in our grandfather's household for decades. If she helped you to escape, it was all planned by our mother and father. Everything was theatrical with them, a game to amuse themselves."

"I am not amused," said Erica.

"Neither am I any longer," said Johnny.

"Uh, again, not to break up this very touching reunion and planning session," said Pigsty, "but I thought you might like to know that Mata Hari has just landed in Washington, D.C. According to the news reports, she is hoping to get the cooperation and assistance of the president in securing her rightful place as president of North Korea."

"She's here," whispered Erica with a fearful expression.

"She's come to me," said U-Jin. An entire group of men turned, staring at him. He chuckled to himself. "She's come to us. It will definitely make it easier. But how do we get to her if she is meeting with your president?"

"Something you'll learn about us, Johnny," smiled Moose, gripping his brother-in-law's neck, "we know a whole lot of people."

It seemed the entire room was suddenly buzzing with planning their next steps. Wilson walked up to Johnny and handed him three pills. He stared at them with fear etched on his face.

"Relax. It's ibuprofen. Just going to help with the pain and swelling." He swallowed the pills then felt a stab at his arm. "That was an injection of antibiotics. I didn't want to fight you. If Matthew and Irene say you're a good soul, I believe them. But if you hurt my family, and everyone here is my family, I will personally dismember you."

"I will harm no one," he said to the big doctor. At least he hoped he was a doctor. Erica smiled at her brother, taking the seat beside him. He held tightly to Lucianna's hand.

"I'm glad you've found love," she said to her brother.

"It was unexpected, but I have this feeling that it was all for a reason, a purpose. It led me here to you. Believe me when I say this. I had no idea that you and I were twins. I was told that you were father's bastard child."

"I'm sure you were. I didn't know that you existed, either. I'm glad we've found one another. This place is remarkable, and the people are truly amazing. They speak truth in everything they say, and no one will harm you here unless you harm someone else. They will watch over you and Lucianna. Maybe if you stay, we can begin anew. Become the siblings we're supposed to be. I've needed someone."

"Me too, sister. Me too."