Page 115 of Born in Sin

He kissed her forehead, exhaling hard. “Done,” he said. “Let’s get on that as soon as we can get your weak ass out of this hospital bed.”

“My weak ass saved your ass,” she grumbled, snuggling in closer, holding him close. Sleep closed in, waves of fatigue drawing her under. Lying in the security of his arms, Cara allowed herself to let go of all the stress, tension, and pain of the past. Maybe it was finally time for the happiness they’d been denied all these years.

Until a thought occurred to her and her eyes popped open again.

“There is one thing though,” she said.

“Hmm?”

“Amigo has to like you. If he doesn’t, this is never going to happen.”

“And Amigo is?” Virat asked, sounding wary.

“My dog. He’s the most beautiful baby boy in the world.” Her voice was dreamy and laced with wistfulness. She was desperate to get home and feel his furry warmth press up against her.

“What breed is he?” Virat asked, a smile in his voice.

“A golden retriever,” she said, her voice starting to slur as she tipped over into sleep.

“Well then,” he said confidently. “Getting him to love me will be a piece of cake. Goldens love everybody.”

A week later, when Virat sat across from the most beautiful baby boy in the world and watched him bare his teeth at him from behind Celi’s back, he wasn’t so sure. This cake wasn’t piecing so easily.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

VIRAT

He followed the prison guard, one arm around Celi as they walked through the grounds and entered the visitation area. She looked pale and walked slowly, favouring the side she’d been shot. The post mortem of that night had been intensive and it had taken a little time, but they’d figured out that the bullet had come from Ashish’s gun. He’d been aiming for Virat but his aim misfired and he got her instead. Another mark on Virat’s conscience.

They sat down at a scarred metal table near the window and waited. Majid entered a second later, his gaze going immediately to where Celi sat, her composed face angled towards the entrance. The guard following him met Virat’s eyes and waited for his nod before he withdrew to shut the door and stand outside it.

Majid came to sit across from her at the table, ignoring Virat’s presence completely, his intense gaze focused only on her.

“Thank you for coming,” he said, his hands shaking slightly as he laid them on the table. He laced his fingers together to still them.

Cara didn’t reply for a moment. Virat leaned back and let her take the lead in this conversation. He was here for support, not for interference.

After a long moment, she spoke. “Why, Majid?”

He flushed, his eyes glittering with unshed tears. “It’s no excuse but they said…” he swallowed convulsively. “Varun said it was either you or my sister.”

Virat’s body jolted as shock slammed through him. Majid’s sister had been in the sixth grade when all this had gone down. The utter bastards.

“I don’t deserve to say sorry but I’m saying it anyway.” Majid’s hands shook violently and this time Cara reached to cover them with her own. He stared down at her hand and the tears he’d been valiantly holding back, slid free. He crumpled, dropping his head to their joined hands and sobbed. Eventually, he straightened, wiped his eyes and met her gaze again. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

“So am I,” she said, the first words she’d spoken since his breakdown. “I’m sorry to see you here.”

He gave a watery chuckle. “I deserve it.”

“You’re doing your best to make it right,” Cara’s voice gentled. “That’s huge, Majid.”

He shook his head. “It’s not enough. None of it is enough.”

“But it’s something.”

He nodded, sniffed. “It’s something,” he said, bitterly.

“Why did you stay in the organization for so many years?” she asked now.