Second (Betrothed 6)

“He apologized…for everything.”

That was all he was good for…fucking apologies.

“Said he wouldn’t fight.”

“Good.” I wanted him to be what she deserved. I didn’t understand why that was so hard for him. His wife was the most stunning woman on the planet. Why did he want to make his knuckles bloody when he could be home with her?

She gripped the strap of her bag, her other arm crossing over her chest. “Fighting will always be his passion, no matter how rich he is, but he understands why I don’t want him to do it. I think the matter is settled.”

It should have been settled a long time ago.

“So, you and Hades can move on to another candidate. There’re a lot of other good fighters out there.”

I’d moved on a long time ago. Hades was the one who hadn’t…but I didn’t tell her that. “Yeah.” I moved past her and opened the door for her. It was hard to stand there when the wind subtly moved through her hair, when the cold air made her nipples harden under her sweater. I could still feel her little nipple in my mouth, remember every groove of each one that was permanently imprinted on my tongue.

She hesitated instead of getting inside the car.

I knew there was something else on her mind.

“What is it, Annabella?”

She dropped her gaze for a moment. “I was thinking about what you said…that it would happen for me someday. Did you mean that?”

She didn’t talk about it much, but it was obvious that losing her child still haunted her. That it would always haunt her. And being around Andrew and a pregnant Sofia made her question her fertility, made her wonder if she was less of a woman. I couldn’t give her concrete evidence, but she still wanted me to comfort her.

I assumed Liam never tried. He only thought about himself, how it affected him, even though she was the one who’d had life growing inside her. She knew the moment it was gone. “Of course.”

She lifted her gaze. “I never went to a fertility specialist because I’m scared—”

“You will have children, baby.” I wanted to chase away all those fears, hold her until all the pain was gone. “Miscarriages are common. It’s not you. There’s nothing you could have done.” I hadn’t known anything about pregnancy and childbirth until I’d researched all of it. And the only reason I did that was because she told me what had happened to her…so I cared. “Just because it happened once doesn’t mean it’ll happen again. And even if it does, you have other options. You will find a way.” I wasn’t her husband so I would never be the father of her children, but I was talking to her like I was. This wasn’t my problem to solve. I wasn’t the person who should comfort her. But I did it anyway.

She inhaled a breath of relief as if that was what she wanted to hear, that I had successfully consoled her. “You’re right.”

“Of course I am. I’m always right.” I lightened the mood so she could drive away with a smile on her face.

And then she smiled…and that made me smile.

He was hard to track.

He never stayed in one place too long, never used the same number for long. That was why he was the best—because even his clients couldn’t track him down. Charlotte was asleep in my bed, so I stepped outside onto the cold balcony, my naked chest unaffected by the icy breeze. I rested my arm on the stone wall and looked at the city, quiet ringing in my ear.

He picked up after a few rings. “Who the fuck is this?” Deep and low, his unmistakable voice came over the phone, packed with hostility and rage.

“You’re hard to track down.”

He was silent for a long time, as if he was trying to recognize my voice. “That’s the way I like it. Now answer me.”

“Damien.”

He was quiet again, like that name meant nothing to him. “I don’t do that anymore.”

I refused his answer. “Things change.”

“Not for me. Don’t call me again.”

“Bones.”

He didn’t hang up.

“You’re the only one who can pull this off. And I have twenty duffel bags stuffed with cash with your name written on each one.”

His answer was the same. “I don’t do that anymore.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“Don’t call me again.” He hung up.

I listened to the line go dead. “Fuck.” I shoved the phone into my pocket and ran my hand through the back of my hair. Hiring the most skilled hit man in the world was my best option to get rid of Heath. It was quick and anonymous. The Skull Kings would suspect me but would never be able to prove it because Bones could have been hired by anyone. But my brilliant plan just went out the window.