Page 153 of Deceptive Vows

She’ll be under the protection of the Voirik.

I’ve made all the arrangements. I’m just finalizing things now with Eric.

He got back to New York earlier, but this is the first chance I’ve had to meet him. I couldn’t leave Natalia earlier in the state she was in, but she seemed to calm as the day wore on.

I couldn’t afford to lose time with her since there’s so little of it.

Eric opens the door to his hotel suite the moment I knock. Like he was waiting for me.

“Hey, there,” he says.

“Hi,” I sigh, walking in.

We enter the sitting room, where he pours me some scotch. I fucking need it.

“Thanks.” The ice clinks against the glass as I swirl the amber liquid around and take a swig. The bitterness hits the back of my throat, but the gentle buzz I crave follows seconds later.

“How are things?” he asks, resting his hands on his knees.

I’m sure he can tell my mind is fucked.

“The same.” I bite the inside of my lip. “Funeral was this morning. Natalia was a mess.”

He offers a look of sympathy. “I can imagine.”

“Things okay with you?” I never want to make it look like I’m the kind of fucker who takes his friends for granted because of what they can do for me. I’m aware Eric is here on borrowed time. He already stayed longer than his usual amount of time. I’m sure his wife must miss him.

He’s a man like me, so he’ll always be thinking of his girl’s safety.

His face brightens at the question, and I know he’s about to tell me something about his wife.

“Summer is pregnant,” he says with a bright smile.

I smile, too, because that’s great news. “Congratulations, man.”

I reach forward and shake his hand.

“Thank you. I never thought I’d have kids. I was that guy who never factored in the future. Until her.”

His words grip me because the person he’s describing is me.

“You met the right woman.”

“I did, and I know I’m lucky. We’ve been married for years and had fun together. Now we’re looking forward to starting a family.”

I smile wider and wonder what that must feel like. A baby, an actual extension of them and their love.

That’s not in the cards for me. None of it is. I have to accept that.

“I’m really happy for you both. We can all do with some good news. It’s food for the soul.”

“It is.” The seriousness returns to his face. “Everything is finalized on my end. Natalia will stay with Summer and me until she gets her house ready.”

“You sure that’s going to be okay?”

“Of course. We have plenty of space, and Summer will love the company. I’ve arranged for Aiden to pick Natalia up from the airport when she arrives. He’ll call once he has her secured. I don’t think you’ll have to worry about anything more after that.”

“I can’t thank you enough.”