Jacqueline was no longer pouring the whiskey in the glass but chugging it straight from the bottle.
I signaled for Maxwell. “We have to go.”
A few of my men headed out too.
I stopped them. “No. Stay with Ava. They’ll be more outside of the building and door.”
They nodded and went back to their positions.
“Misha,” Jacqueline called after me.
I looked at her.
She remained on the couch. “Thank you.”
I let go of the breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“Give her some time, baby.” Jacqueline took another gulp of the bottle. “I kept her sheltered. She’s not used to all of this.”
“You both are safe. I’ll have a whole—”
“I know you will.” She gave me a sad smile. “Just make sure you take care of yourself.”
I nodded.
Maxwell headed out and waved goodbye to her. “See you later, Jacqueline.”
“Mrs. Jones,” she corrected.
He gave her a wicked grin. “We’ll see.”
She rolled her eyes.
We left, and I had no idea where we would be going. Too bad, the Devil wasn’t near. I would’ve loved to kill him in that moment.
Down the hallway, I marched toward the elevator in only a towel. Devasted. Stunned. Losing my fucking mind.
She needs space. She didn’t break up yet. I have time. It’ll be fine.
Thank God, Maxwell didn’t comment on my new look as we waited on the elevator.
My phone rang again.
I dropped some of my clothes, trying to answer it.
“I got you, homey.” Maxwell winked and grabbed the clothes.
I answered, not having any idea who it was, “Yes?”
“I’ve got the results.” My lab tech Pike came on the line. “Congratulations.”
It took me a minute to figure out what he was talking about. “I’m the father?”
“It says 99.997% match.”
Maxwell smiled next to me.
“You’re the father,” Pike said. “Can I ask who is the woman?”
“Not if you want to live.” I hung up and stared at the elevator as it opened.
Maxwell got on.
I remained in the hallway, wondering about the absurdity of the day.
The elevator began to close.
Maxwell put his hand out to hold the doors open. “Come on, man. It’s going to fine.”
“I’m the father.”
“Yes, you are. Thank God, because I didn’t want to deal with the alternative.”
Still standing there in a daze. I was confused more than ever before. “Maybe, I should call Valentina.”
“Hey, man.” Maxwell waved that idea away. “My personal advice. It looks like you’re having a rough week. Perhaps, you should save that conversation with Valentina for next week.”
“You may be right.” I stepped on the elevator. “With my luck, Valentina will shoot me for stealing the pacifier.”
“The odds are good on that.”
The elevator doors closed.
I turned to Maxwell. “She said she wanted time.”
Maxwell gave me an odd look. “Valentina said that?”
“No. Ava.”
“Oh. Yeah. That’s to be expected. She just learned you’re a killer. Chicks are weird about shit like that. Give her a minute, man.”
“So, I didn’t lose her?”
“With chicks in this situation, you just have to wait it out.”
The elevator lowered.
Maxwell continued to look at me. “Where are we going now?”
“I don’t know.”
Maxwell gestured to the towel. “We should probably get you some clothes either way.”
“Fair point.” I’d forgotten I just had on my towel, so stunned by what Ava, Naveen, and even Pike had said. “Let’s head to my condo.”
“You’ve got a lot of places here.”
“I do.”
“It’s good to be you. Even at your worst, man, you’re killing it. Wait. That might not be a good choice of words. You know what?”
I stared back at the elevator doors. “What?”
“Even though shit is bad right now.” Maxwell shrugged. “Many men would be happy to be in your shoes. Granted, you’re not wearing shoes right now, but lots of men would trade places with you. With that fact, shit can’t be too bad.”
Reluctantly, I nodded. “You’re right. I have to remember that.”
My life had spiraled out of control to the point where I stepped off an elevator and walked to my limo with only a towel on. No shoes. No shirt. No pride. Just dread and heartache. Confusion and complete devastation.
A cold breeze blew through my damp hair.
I won’t let Ava go, not even if she runs.
Once inside the limo, I leaned back in the seat and closed my eyes. Maxwell must’ve gotten in on the other side. Thank God he remained quiet. If he had, I wouldn’t have heard him anyway with all the screaming in my head.
I pushed the rage out of my mind, soothing myself with reassurances.
In the end, I would do anything she wanted. I would prove to her that I wasn’t just a killer—a monster like the men that I killed. I’d show her that she could be safe around me, as well as her family. Most of all, I would atone however Ava needed me to.
What other option did I have?
I won’t let her go. . .not even if she begs. . .