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"Love you, sis."
"Love you too."
I hang up and head to the door. When I open it, Silas and Soraya are standing there.
"Mommy . . .night," they say, almost in unison.
"They wanted to give you a kiss before bedtime," Eleanor explains.
I crouch down to talk to them. "Good night, my loves. Mommy loves you so much."
They throw their little arms around my neck, and for a moment, as I feel their warmth and smell their sweet baby scent, I question what I’m doing.
I take their hands and walk them to their room. After tucking them in, I say goodbye to my mom.
"Brooklyn?" she calls just as I’m about to leave the room.
"Yes?"
"Don’t overthink this."
"Madison said something similar."
"If you’re unsure about going, call and cancel."
"No. I really want to go. If you need me, will you call?"
"Of course, but we’ll be fine. If you’re not coming back, just let me know."
"I’m not . . .” I start, feeling my cheeks heat, but she cuts me off:
"Just text me so I don’t worry, Brooklyn."
"Okay," I reply, practically rushing out.
I finish getting ready at the exact moment my phone lights up with a message from Athanasios saying the driver is waiting outside.
I step outside with shaky legs, my hands cold with nervousness about seeing him in about thirty minutes. But nothing prepares me for the sight of him standing near the car.
"Hi," I say.
He walks over to me, and without warning—and completely indifferent to the people around us—pulls me into his arms and kisses me.
It’s nothing like our previous kisses; this one is possessive, as if he’s marking me.
I surrender without resistance. I don’t want to resist—I want him to keep making me feel like my feet aren’t touching the ground.
My heart pounds against my ribs, and all the fear and doubt I’d been feeling throughout the day vanish like magic as his sensual mouth teases me and his rough tongue claims me as his.
I moan, pressing my body against his solid chest, and I think that’s what finally makes him aware of our audience.
"We need to talk," he says.
I pull back to look at him, the enchantment of seconds ago transforming into apprehension. "Did something happen?"
"Yes. We uncovered some things about your past."
"We?"