Page 151 of Thorns of Silence

Nix released a long, relieved breath, and then she flashed him a smile that had to have melted the ice around his heart.

“Agreed.” She extended her hand.

* * *

Our daughter’s head in Phoenix’s lap, I watched my wife’s fingers stroke through Skye’s hair, her blue eyes drooping at the motion. It took no time for her to be fully asleep, and my wife’s eyes found me.

Worry still lingered in them. The Nikolaev men left just as quickly as they arrived, leaving Cesar, Amon, and me, along with the guards that roamed the acres outside.

“Thank you for coming,” I told my brother. “You saved my ass. Again.”

“Always,” he vowed.

“How did you know to show up here? That the Nikolaevs would attack?”

He shot me a grin. “I hacked into Konstantin’s communication. Tatiana apparently had lots of things to say about Skye’s kidnapping.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, that woman has too many opinions.”

“Is Tatiana upset?” Nix chimed in, chewing on her bottom lip with worry.

“They’ll live,” I assured her, and Amon nodded his agreement.

“They will. And your solution—although unconventional—will save our relations.”

She nodded and lowered her eyes on our daughter. Jesus, our daughter.

“She’s mine,” I told Amon. “Both of them.”

He gave me a wry smile. “You don’t say, huh?”

Cesar rubbed his neck. “Yeah, you don’t say. I couldn’t see you fighting those crazy motherfuckers just for the hell of it.”

“I know how you can pay me back,” Amon said suddenly and I met his gaze. “Have your wife explain it all to Reina. Her history, what’s just happened now, her future plans. I’m assuming she wants to stay with you?”

As if sensing we were talking about her, Nix raised her eyes. “What do you say, Nix?” I mouthed. “Want to stay with me?”

She nodded. “Forever.”

And I knew right there and then, the three of us would dance through life together.

One Month Later

SIXTY

DANTE

Tap… tap… tap… tap… tap.

Dr. Freud watched me curiously as I tapped my fingers on the armrest. The only other sound in the otherwise silent space was the ticking of the clock.

“So are we back to on-demand therapy sessions?” she said, finally breaking the silence.

I smiled. “This will be my last one.”

She tilted her head and her eyebrows creased. “Why?”

“Because I found what I’ve been missing. My wife and daughter.” My voice turned thoughtful. “You were right. In a way, I was blocking my own memories, shielding myself from the pain.” Dr. Freud’s gaze fell to the ring on my finger. “I didn’t think she’d want me back after—” My voice broke off and I cleared my throat. There was a fine line between things I should and shouldn’t share. “Once she accepted me, the puzzle pieces fell into place.”