Page 79

ERIN

“OMG!”Kara cries, sweeping me into a hug and a cloud of soft summer flowers with a hint of spice. “A surprise visit. Yay! I just got home from work. Are you here a while? Do you want to order pizza? It’s a shitty night with the rain, but…”

She trails off as she releases me and takes in my face.

Sasha marches in. “Daddy and me park tomorrow!”

At least I’m pretty sure that’s what he says. He goes to his room and starts dragging toys out.

I love the fact Kara has a room for him.

And I look at her to tell her this and burst into tears.

She immediately sweeps me in and shoves me on the sofa, then rushes off to return with wine and two glasses.

I look at her and cry louder. “I can’t. I’m pregnant.”

“Oh, is that all? I was worried. I’ll order the pizza and I’ll have the wine…” She gets me a soda and a big glass of chocolate milk for Sasha. She slides me a look, then turns on the TV which he plops in front of, immediately captivated by whatever cartoon is on.

“I’m good, we just decided to visit.”

“First, congratulations. I thought the tears werehormones, but your face says otherwise, so spill the hot tea and tell Aunt Kara what’s wrong.”

I toy with my soda. “Is it that obvious?”

Kara raised a brow. “I’m your best friend, remember?” She pours herself the wine. “I can always tell when something’s wrong. You just threw me with the pregnancy thing.”

The tears start again, and I gulp them back, the story coming out in fits and starts.

“You told me about the Stefina thing. And so did Alina. But she said it’s not for a long time and he’ll get out of it.”

I shake my head. “You don’t understand. This Sergio has forced Demyan to move the wedding to next week. How the fuck is he going to get out of it?”

“Erin… he promised to marry another woman, and he tells you he can’t get out of it? From all accounts, he’s very powerful, very rich. Are you sure this isn’t something he wants?”

Her words hurt, but if I was in her shoes, I’d ask the same thing, and for the briefest moment, I wonder if I’m being a fool, believing him.

But he’s being honest and that must count for something, right?

“No, I don’t think he wants it.”

She takes a sip of her wine and taps her fingers on the bench. “Thing is, powerful means he should be able to get out of it, and why did he get into it in the first place? More power? He might not want her, but he wants something. I’d hate to see him hoodwinking you.”

“He wouldn’t.”

She sighs. “After my asshole brother, this all just proves you’re too good for most men. You deserve the world. You deserve a man who should just fight for you, not have you as his bit on the side.” She looks at me as she takes my hand. “Are you sure he’s the right man for you?”

I start to cry again.

“Because from where I stand, Erin, you deserve better.”

“Kara, I love him. He’s the father of my children. He hasn’t hit me or hurt me or cheated on me. H-he did this to save me.” The whole business of being kidnapped and what he did to get me back comes out and she just stares. “I can’t… I know it’s not any of what you’re saying. But I just… I don’t know what to do.”

“Your brother was right, he’s dangerous. I like Alina, but look what happened to Max. It could have happened to you, too.”

“He saved me. Ilya got shot for me. But staying and having him marry her, if that’s the only way, just might kill me.”

“What are you going to do?”