“Seriously, Frank,” I say, my voice insistent, not letting him make a joke to get out of it. “Are you…how are you feeling?”“I feel,” he says, smiling a little and raising his eyes to me. “Proud of my son, and desperately in love with you.” He lifts a hand then, cupping the back of my head as he lea
“Oh!” Leo says, breaking into a grin and rushing back to me, his rifle bouncing on his back. “Sorry!”“Don’t be sorry, babes,” I murmur, handing my son his water bottle and then snatching him close to me for another hug. “Just stay hydrated and make sure your dad has some too.”“Come on, Leo!” Frank
My breath stops in my throat as I stare, wide eyed, at the man standing at the door, his hands sunk deep in his pockets, his face cold. That dark, slightly tousled hair - those piercing grey-blue eyes…Christian.Christian. He…he found me. Found us.Terror runs through me like a wild animal.Christ
“He loves me, Christian,” I growl, fierce and loyal. “I –““Oh, I don’t doubt that he loves you,” Christian says, turning back to me slightly and looking at me over his shoulder. “Why wouldn’t he? You’re still gorgeous, Iris, even after five years and two kids. You’ve always been far, far above his
Nico steps through the door with Leo’s hand held tight in his own. I look up and moan at the sight of my little boy, who looks frightened and scared, his face pale and –And flecked with blood –I reach for him, crying his name, and Leo breaks from Nico, dashing for me, throwing himself into my lap
“This entire life was a lie, Iris,” Christian insists, his voice steely. “You’re mine, my wife, whether you like it or not. And I’m taking you home.”Nico stands back, watching silently, his face a mask of indifference. I realize he’s not here to comfort me; he’s here to enforce Christian’s will.I
A few days later, the world outside the limousine blurs past in a haze of color and noise. Inside, a heavy silence envelops us. I hold Daisy tightly in my arms, her small frame trembling slightly, while Leo sits beside me, his eyes wide with uncertainty. He hasn’t said much in the past few days as h
“I’m Leo,” my brave boy says, setting his shoulders back and reaching out a hand. Bianca laughs as she takes it in both of her own, beaming at the boy, clearly immediately seeing the affinity between Leo and his father, between Leo and her own son.“Leo, I’m your Auntie Bianca,” she says, grinning.