Page 22 of Vows in Sin

R eign

As we step onto the tarmac, a swarm of people surrounds us. Congratulating and praising me as if I were a war hero. The attention makes my shirt feel too tight at my neckline, and the strap of the makeshift sling I wear is clinging and hot.

“I heard you went back in to get teacher Cary,” someone says.

“It’s true,” another adds. “He didn’t even flinch when the third bomb went off.”

“No one would’ve made it without him.”

Tabitha stares up at me like I hung the moon. I don’t bask in the praise. Instead, I deflect it to the team. “Our young men were brave. They gave their all.”

“Still,” Tabby says. “It was your hunch that kicked off the evacuation.”

“The weight of lives lies on many shoulders.” I end the conversation.

Tabby and I make our way past the crowd towards the big white tent at the far end of the field. She’s convinced I need to be seen by a medical professional. I’m too tired to argue.

“I still think it’s way past overkill that you made me come,” Tabby says. “I’m pretty sure I was fine in the city. No one even knows you are my dad. I mean, no one knows my dad is a Bachman.” She goes quiet, then says, “Anyway, you know what I’m saying.”

“I’m not taking any chances with your safety.

” It's a good thing she’s not the one making the decisions.

I don’t say that, of course. Don’t want my eyes scratched out.

Instead, “You were looking for a break from your job. Think of this as an opportunity to get your head together. Do some thinking. Decide what direction you want to take your career.”

“Or,” she says, “I could lay out by the pool. Paddleboard in the lake. Work on my tan.”

I chuckle. “We both know I’ll be leaving you in the medical tent once I’ve been looked over. I’m sure I won’t be seeing you till well after midnight.”

“Depends on how long it takes to patch everyone up. Including you.” She nudges an elbow into my side. “But, yeah, don’t wait up.”

After college, Tabby lived with me. She completed EMT training and worked as a paramedic before she became a stylist. When she was ready to have her own place, she wouldn’t accept help with rent. She relied on her design degree and found work as a consultant.

We’re almost to the tents when Tabby Cat changes direction. “There she is!” She accidentally digs her nails into my arm in her excitement. Her voice lowers to a whisper. “She’s literally the only other person I know here other than you.”

I look to where she points. Seraphina.

What will she think when she sees me, beat up and worn out, looking every bit my age? Now with my singed beard. The angry burn that streaks the side of my neck. Flashes of painful heat come off it, reminding me it’s there.

Then I remember what Fifi told me.

Seraphina is here for Dame.

Every step I get closer to her, the louder my heart hammers.

Tabby chats away. I pick up the words, “I’m dying for you to meet her. I can’t believe your paths never crossed. You’re always popping in and out with treats. And don’t think I spent those bills you hid in your last cookie delivery. I put them straight in my savings account.”

“Did you read the note?” I ask, my voice shaking, as I think of anything to say other than blurting out the truth. “That money was for you to spend on yourself.”

"Yes, but I don’t need to spoil myself. You do enough of that already."

I can barely process her words with my heart pounding intensely, the blood roaring in my ears. The noise is deafening, making it impossible to focus. Each muscle clench floods me with a surging, overwhelming need.

Tabitha waves to her friend. "Seraphina! Over here.” She leaves me, running to close the distance to her mate.

Seraphina. The name wrecks me every time I hear it, which is nothing compared to what I feel seeing her now.

Seraphina turns and greets Tabitha. Her eyes briefly flick past mine, sparks flying from the brief contact of our gazes. “Have you met my dad?” Tabby calls brightly, dragging me closer. “He’s the one who got everyone out,” she says with pride.

My daughter’s best mate. She’s nothing more to me. Not anymore. So why does my heart beat this hard? My mouth opens, but the words tangle. There’s a storm behind my ribs. I can’t name the churning emotions.

Her eyes finally meet mine.

I keep my gaze careful. Controlled. I don’t offer a flicker of recognition.

She matches my performance.

“Nice to meet you,” I say, smiling like my insides aren’t on fire.

I extend my hand.

Her grip makes my throat ache. Soft. Strong. Warm.

Electricity pulses over my skin.

My fingers linger a beat too long. She mumbles, “Pleasure.”

I drop her hand.

“I’ve heard so much about you,” she says lightly, lying through her teeth.

“Oh?” Cool as ice. “I hope only the good parts.”

We hold the gaze too long. A war of restraint and longing.

Tabitha gives me a funny look. “Are you sure you two have never met?”

“I’m sure I’d remember,” I murmur, unable to make my eyes leave her face.

Seraphina trains her gaze on Tabitha. “Nope. Not that I know of.”

“It’s wild that you haven’t. Seraphina and I have been friends for years. I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about her.”

“Nope,” I say. “I’d remember a name that…” Beautiful. I clear my throat. “Unique.”

Tabitha shrugs. “Well, she used to go by Sara.”

“I did.” Seraphina keeps her eyes trained on Tabitha as much as possible. “Changed it when I moved to the city.”

Sara. I try to hide the recognition from my face. I have heard Tabitha talk about a girl from home. A real feisty one with pretty brown curls.

I didn’t put the pieces together.

Tabitha continues. “We’ve all been placed with Blaze and your friend Cleo! Their parents were living there but recently moved to town. It’ll be a squeeze but like a fun sleepover with your two besties!”

And I can’t breathe.

Being on this massive Estate together is one thing.

Sharing a house? No. Impossible.

Cleopatra steps up, demanding introductions from Seraphina. Tabitha and Cleo hit it off immediately. Tabitha’s brief distraction leaves Seraphina and me insulated for a moment.

Pretending we’ve never tasted each other.

Pretending she’s not mine.

Acting as if she doesn’t reside in my mind. Taking up so much space. As if my obsession with her wasn’t the catalyst that saved all our lives.

We let the silence stretch.

And in it, I feel everything.

Every touch. Every kiss. Every lie we have to tell.

The words are on the tip of my tongue.

I missed you. I dream about you.

But I swallow them.

Because none of them matter.

Not now.

Not with my daughter standing between us.

Dame puts his arm around Seraphina. Staking his claim.

My blood boils.

I guess they found their way to one another after all. Tastes change.

I’ve not told anyone about Seraphina and me. I trust Sideburns and Budgie to keep their mouths shut tight. The only way Dame knows is if Seraphina told him.

If any other man got one taste of that woman, they’d be as obsessed as I am. They’d have returned her fucking calls.

Texts.

Whatever.

Running a hand over my tired beard, I stare at them. She’s come here for him. Flown across the world without a moment’s notice. Now I’m on their turf, I’m in their space.

Dame gives me a broad smile I can’t read as anything other than good wishes.

My jaw clenches. Stone on stone. Jealousy rages through my veins. I can’t not stare at the easy way his arm lays around her shoulders.

I want to take that arm and put it in a matching sling to mine.

“You all can stay with me,” Dame offers. Raking the coals. “My bachelor pad hasn’t been placed yet. Reign?” He glances down at the girl in his arm. “Seraphina?” Back to me. “Sound good?”

I’ll fucking sleep in a lake of fire before I share a roof with the two of them together.

Seraphina pops in, “We’re already staying with Cleopatra. And with the wedding planning going warp speed, we’ll be up all night.” She smiles up at Dame. “I wouldn’t want to bore you with centerpieces.”

Dame laughs. “Thanks for that.”

They share a grin.

And the fire rages on.