Page 47

I watched the front doors of our mansion swing open as Mark strode in, precisely at ten o’clock, a mere ten minutes later than he’d texted. My heart did its usual uneasy flutter, equal parts dread and resigned acceptance. The baby, tucked in my arms, let out a soft coo, unaware of the trouble filling the foyer.

“Lexi?” Mark called, his voice echoing off the marble. He stepped into view, immaculate as always in a tailored charcoal suit, tie loosened just enough to appear casually refined. His gaze flicked over me, then over the baby. “Who was at the door earlier?” he asked, setting his leather briefcase on a polished hall table.

Of course he’d ask. The security staff probably mentioned a visitor. My mind flashed to Maverick, the raw desperation in his eyes, the way he looked at our son, his son, before I practically forced him out. I was still shaken up by it.

There was no use lying. Mark would see him on the video. I summoned a steady breath. “It was… Maverick,” I said quietly, choosing honesty.

His expression hardened, though a spark of interest flickered in his eyes. “He showed up here?” He stepped closer, brushing his hand over the baby’s head. “And you sent him away?”

“I told him the baby isn’t his, and that I was happy here.” The lie caught in my throat, but I forced it out. “I handled it.”

Mark visibly eased. “Good.” His lips curved in a triumphant smirk. Then he leaned in and pressed a perfunctory kiss to my cheek.

The scent of his expensive cologne washed over me, and under it there was another scent, more feminine. Nauseatingly sweet.

“He left,” he murmured. “So, you did well.”

My cheeks burned with anger and shame, but I kept a placid smile plastered on my face. He gave my waist a possessive squeeze, then pulled back. “I’ll be out late tonight,” he added, removing his tie and draping it over a marble bust near the hallway. “Don’t wait up.”

I stifled a bitter laugh. We both knew what that meant. He’d been discreetly seeing other women for months, some fling or multiple flings, though he never bothered to hide it much after I’d caught him in the act at the office. Our marriage was nothing but a front, our bedroom arrangements purely for show. “All right,” I whispered, adjusting the baby’s blanket.

He gave me a final nod, then swept through the hall, calling out for the driver. The front doors banged shut behind him, leaving me in the echoing stillness.

I stared down at the baby’s eyes, big and bright with innocence, my heart aching. This was how life had been since I married Mark, empty, routine, ruled by fear. If Maverick hadn’t appeared earlier, I might’ve stayed numb. But his visit cracked open something inside me, a longing for the biker I once trusted more than anyone else.

Yet I’d told Mark I was happy, just to protect my child from more mob threats. The same twisted sense of duty had forced me to keep Maverick away. I’m sorry, I silently told my son. It’s the only way I know how.

Afterwards, the days blurred. Mark came and went, sometimes doting on the baby, other times ignoring us entirely. Every coo, gurgle, and smile from the baby reminded me so much of Maverick. And that I sent him away. It was tough. But I carried on, playing my role as the perfect trophy wife on maternity leave.

The next Saturday, I found a rare chance to slip away. Nova had invited me to brunch. She’d texted me, urging me to get out of the mansion. I put on a simple floral dress, strapped the baby into the car seat, and sent Mark a quick text about meeting some girlfriends for a ladies’ lunch. He barely acknowledged it, just typed back, giving me permission. He was probably off with one of his mistresses, anyway.

So, I drove to our usual spot, a cozy café near downtown. The city was baking, but the awnings provided shade on the sidewalks. People were walking around with iced coffees, couples had their dogs out. It was all so lively, a total change from my stuffy life at Mark’s mansion. I missed this life.

Nova was already seated at a corner table, wearing sunglasses pushed into her dark-blonde hair. The instant I approached with the stroller, she jumped up to hug me.

“God, Lex,” she whispered, glancing at the baby. “He’s getting so big!”

I gave a tight smile, settling the stroller beside my chair. “Babies tend to grow,” I joked weakly. Then I took a seat, ignoring the pang in my heart. He was Maverick’s spitting image.

Nova studied me with sympathetic eyes. “How are you holding up?”

Fiddling with my napkin, I lifted a shoulder. “I’m… managing.” My tone sounded hollow. “Mark’s still controlling, still sees other women, but at least he’s not on my case every second. The baby’s healthy, that’s all that matters.” Except I couldn’t quite meet her gaze.

She sipped her lemonade. “And Maverick? I know he visited. Are you okay?”

I remembered the intensity in Maverick’s eyes. “He’s gone now. I told him I was happy. Not to come back. I had to.”

Nova frowned. “You had to?”

I was on the verge of tears. “Yes, because Mark, he’d use the mob to crush him if he discovered he knew the truth. I can’t risk that. I can’t lose…” My voice broke. “I can’t lose Maverick… if the mob hunts him down… This arrangement is all I have to keep everyone alive.”

Nova squeezed my hand across the table, silent empathy flowing between us. It was so great to have someone to talk to who understood my position.

The waiter approached, we each ordered, then waited in uneasy quiet until the server left.

“How’s Chigger?” I asked about Nova’s on again, off again fling, changing the subject.

She could talk for hours, telling me every detail of their adventures and their sex life. I was living vicariously through her as she babbled.

Finally, Nova cleared her throat. “You deserve real happiness, Lex. You shouldn’t be living in fear.”

I forced a wry laugh. “And how do I get that? I can’t snap my fingers and fix the mess I created. Mark has the power to kill us all if I stray from my contract.”

Nova frowned, glancing at the baby. “Still, maybe there’s another way.”

Our brunch arrived, eggs benedict for me, a fruit-laden waffle for her. We nibbled half-heartedly, the baby dozing in the stroller. When the plates were cleared, Nova dabbed her mouth with a napkin with a thoughtful look on her face.

“Don’t hurry off. I want to show you my new place. You have never visited since I moved out of the city. Please come, even if it’s just for an hour. I'll drive you home before Mark’s back, promise.”

I hesitated. Mark’s schedule was unpredictable, but I craved any semblance of normalcy. “All right,” I said softly. “But let me text him, say I’m doing some shopping.”

Nova nodded approval. “Do it now. We can head out soon.”

I typed a quick message to Mark, Going shopping after brunch. Be home later .

He responded with a curt, Ok .

Good enough.

Soon, Nova guided her SUV onto the highway, the baby strapped securely in the back seat, me in the passenger side. The city disappeared, replaced by endless suburbs. We chatted a bit or tried to. My mind was drifting to the day last year when we’d driven together for that ill-fated rally. My life had changed so drastically.

“It’s wild,” I murmured, gazing at the passing scenery. “A year ago, we were hitting book signings, squealing over hot cover models. Now I’m married to a man I don’t love, and I have a baby who might never know his real father.”

Nova gave me a sympathetic smile. “I know. Life’s insane. But you’re strong, Lex. We’ll figure something out.”

I gave a sad smile. “I wish I could be truly happy, you know? Like the heroines in those romance novels we used to devour. None of them had to face real mob threats. Only imaginary ones.”

Nova gave a quiet chuckle. “True. Our real-life story is a bit more… real. But maybe we’ll find a better ending if we keep fighting.”

My smile faded. I knew Nova was just trying to cheer me up, but since Maverick showed up, and I learned he hadn’t been happy with his wife, I’d been throwing a pity party for one.

We arrived in a quiet suburb outside Frisco, pulling into the driveway of a modest, single-story home with a neat lawn. Flower pots lined the porch, the paint fresh. It wasn’t big or flashy, just cozy like her place before we got the condo. She helped me carry the diaper bag and ushered me inside.

The interior smelled faintly of fresh paint, boxes scattered around the living room. I blinked, taking in how half the place seemed packed up. “You just moved here, and you haven’t unpacked?” I teased lightly, noticing labeled crates, kitchen, books, bedroom stuff.

Nova grimaced. “Yeah, about that…” She motioned for me to set the baby’s car seat on the couch. “Let me get you something to drink. Have a seat.”

Confusion gnawed at me. “Is something wrong?”

She just shook her head and gave a strained smile. “Relax. I’ll explain in a sec.” Then she disappeared into the small kitchen.

I gently unbuckled the baby, holding him close while scanning the boxes. A pang of worry fluttered in my stomach. Was she moving again so soon? Was it because of the mob threat?

Nova returned with a cold glass of iced tea, pressing it into my hand. “Here, sip. Put him down for a bit? The couch is wide. I have a blanket.”

I raised an eyebrow but followed her suggestion, laying the baby on a folded blanket. He stirred, then fell back to drowsing, lulled by the house’s cool air. Whatever she had to tell me, she thought I didn’t need to be holding the baby. Was it that bad?

“You’re stalling,” I said, taking a sip of the tea. “What’s going on?”

Nova settled onto a nearby chair, fiddling with her glass. “I have news,” she began, voice trembling slightly.

She was taking her sweet time with it. I took a big gulp, waiting.

“I’m… going on the road with Chigger. All my stuff’s going in storage. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

I was so shocked, I almost spit out my tea. “You’re what? Why?” She’d joked about seeing the country on the back of his Harley. But fuck. I didn’t want her to leave, leave me all alone in Texas with Mark.

She exhaled, setting her untouched glass down with a clink. “Because I see how stuck you are with Mark. I know why you’re there, fear, blackmail, all that. But as long as you think me, or Chigger, or Maverick might be in danger, you won’t break free. You’ll stay married to that prick. So, I’m removing myself from the equation.”

“That’s… that’s ridiculous. I told you, I’m coping fine. Don’t throw your life away on the road just because of me.”

Nova’s gaze hardened. “I’m not throwing anything away. I’m living my life. And I won’t let you use me as an excuse to stay in a loveless marriage. If the mob threatens me or Chigger, we’ll be long gone. They won’t find us.”

I felt tears welling up. “But I don’t want you to vanish. You’re my best friend, my only real friend in this city.”

She reached for my hand, squeezing tight. “I’m sorry. But you deserve the chance to choose your future without worrying about me. If you want to be with Mark, that’s your call, but I want to be sure it’s actually your call and not fear for me or the others.”

My head gave a shake, tears slipping. “Nova, that’s… I don’t want you to leave.”

She forced a small smile. “I love you, Lex, but it’s time. Now, look, I want you to understand something.” Her voice grew firmer. “You do not have to stay with Mark. We can figure out a better plan. The baby belongs with you, you alone if you choose. But Maverick’s the father…”

I opened my mouth to argue, but a woozy sensation twisted my vision. The room seemed to tilt, the edges blurring. My thoughts grew fuzzy. “N-Nova,” I mumbled, blinking rapidly. “I feel… weird. Dizzy.”

She shot up, alarmed. “Are you okay?”

I tried to speak again, but the words tangled on my tongue. My limbs grew heavy, eyes drooping. The baby’s soft coo sounded distant, like I was underwater. What was happening?

Darkness rushed in. My body slumped, everything going black. I vaguely heard Nova saying my name, her voice echoing as though down a long tunnel. Then nothing.