Текст книги "Lev"

Автор книги: Belle Aurora

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 18 (всего у книги 23 страниц)

Chapter Forty-One

Mina

Nas and Sasha greeted us at the door, hoping to get some Lidiya love, but sadly, she’d fallen asleep in the car.

Mirella took her to her room to nap in peace, and Sasha hugged his brother, clapping him on the back tightly. “Everything okay?”

Lev sighed. “Yeah. I think so.”

Nas asked gently, “What happened?”

Lev looked down at me before turning to his brother and sister. “Irina swallowed a bunch of pills.” He huffed out a breath. “Left a note saying I’m sorry.”

Nas gasped softly and Sasha’s brow furrowed. “She killed herself?”

Lev nodded. “Yeah, the cops aren’t treating her death as suspicious, so I guess, yeah, she did.”

Sasha got down to the main point. “And Lidiya?”

Lev sighed tiredly. “She’s home for good.”

Nas smiled sadly at that. “I know you wanted her home, but I’m sure you didn’t want her to come home this way.” She wrapped her arms around Lev’s waist. “I’m sorry, Lev.”

He gave her a light squeeze. “Thanks.”

When Nas released him, Sasha squeezed his shoulder. “We got you. You need anything, you let us know.”

With their kind offer, they left, and taking Lev by the hand, I led him upstairs to our bedroom, locking the door behind us. I pulled Lev toward the bed and he took the hint, lying down. I curled into his side and waited.

He stroked my side a long while before he whispered, “I thought I killed her.”

I kissed his tee-covered chest and spoke softly, “You didn’t, sweetie.”

“I know,” he drew in an unsteady breath, “but I thought I did.”

I didn’t respond. He’d tortured himself enough over the passed twenty-four hours. It was haunting him that he could have been the cause of Irina’s death. He needed time to come to grips with the fact that he didn’t do anything wrong.

And I would be there, even in silence, if that was what he needed.

A week passed rather quickly.

Under the unforeseen circumstances, Sasha decided to close the club up until the following Thursday, re-opening next Friday, giving us all time with our little Lidi bear.

She had adjusted well, if the shrieking giggles were anything to go by. We all fought for her attention, but the place she seemed most comfortable was in Lev’s arms, just watching the world from way up high.

The change in Lev was incredible.

He was smiling more, laughing more, and not even just at Lidiya, at everyone. My sweet man was trying hard to be the daddy Lidiya deserved, but Lev was Lev. He was special that way, and one day, I knew Lidiya would see him for the man he was.

Bunches of flowers started to arrive at the house. Letters of condolences followed. Igor Alkaev politely asked Lev to attend Irina’s funeral, but Lev respectfully declined. He told the man, “I’m sorry for your loss, Igor, but let’s not pretend here. Irina made my life hell in any way she could. I’m sorry she’s dead, but I won’t be coming to her funeral. Neither will Lidiya.”

It was a sad moment, but I was proud of him.

Igor asked Lev if he and his wife would be able to see Lidiya on occasion, and Lev told him he would need to think about it. We spoke about it at length, and Lev called Igor back to tell him that if they wanted to see Lidiya, they would have to come to the house and do so under Lev’s supervision. The old man was offended at the offer and hung up on Lev.

Two hours later, his wife called back and accepted the offer.

We understood they were grieving, but after all the shit they pulled, they were lucky Lev was offering even that. Igor Alkaev did not deserve to see Lidiya, but we both understood they genuinely loved Lidiya, and she should not be punished because their families didn’t get along. The fact Lev was giving them an opportunity to see her at all was a miracle, in my opinion.

I walked into the living room, smiling wide at the sound of Lidiya’s wild laughter. I found her on the floor, kicking through her laughter, with Sasha noisily pretending to eat her belly. “Stop, Asha!” she cried through her mirth. “No mo! No mo!”

It was hilarious to see a man in a suit reduced to this.

Sasha lifted his head. “No more? Are you sure? Because I’m still hungry.”

Another peal of giggles. “No mo. No. Asha pay a me?” she asked as she stood up and ran to the corner, where I set up her tea set.

Sasha checked his watch. “Baby, I would love to play with you, but I need to go.” He walked over to her. “Come here.”

Lidiya was already holding her arms up. I watched from the door as Sasha lifted her and cuddled her tight, holding a hand at the back of her head tenderly. “I love you,” he told her quietly.

She pulled back, puckering her pouty lips. “Kiss?”

Sasha smiled, smacking a loud kiss to her lips before putting her down. “Bye, princess. Be good.”

She sat on the carpet, waving in that way an almost three-year old did, up and down and super floppy. I smiled at Sasha as he went past. He jerked his chin at me and let himself out.

I walked into the room and sat by Mirella. “How are you doing?” I asked quietly.

She let out a long sigh. “I’m doing okay.” She was clearly lying.

“You need a break,” I told her honestly. “You’re exhausted.”

She shook her head, but her mouth betrayed her by yawning. “I’m fine.”

I stood, pulling her up by her arm. “Go. Shoo. Get some sleep. And don’t you dare come down until tomorrow morning. You’re off duty.”

She smiled, blinking tiredly. “If you’re sure…”

“I’m sure,” I uttered, gently pushing her out the door. “Now scoot.”

Mirella shuffled down the hall to her room and closed the door behind her. It was nice having her around, but the poor woman needed a break every now and again. It was only natural that she was bound to succumb to fatigue.

Lidiya pulled on my hand, and smiling, I reached down to pick up my chubby bubby. “Hey, you,” I said, smacking a kiss to the plump cheek. “You want to play with me?”

“Pay a me, Eena.” She kicked her little legs, trying to get down. I chuckled and let her feet touch the ground. She ran to the tea set and I followed. She poured pretend tea and we ate pretend cookies, and she said the same thing she’d been saying for a whole week.

“Mama sweeping.”

It broke my heart every damn time. My expression sad, I repeated gently, “Yes, baby. Mama’s sleeping.”

How did you explain to a two-year-old that her mother was dead?

You didn’t. It was distressing enough as it was that she would be permanently separated from Irina, and regardless of how many times I had been told Irina was a bad mother, I was sure Lidiya didn’t see it that way. I liked to believe Lidiya loved her mother. Children were funny that way. When they gave an emotion, they gave it all. I wanted to believe that even Irina was not immune to her daughter’s love.

Lidiya soon got sick of playing and grabbed her blankie, throwing her thumb into her mouth. She approached me like it was no big deal to come on over and curl up on my lap, her legs dangling and her head resting on my chest.

I loved these moments, where it was just me and Lidi, where she gave that love so freely, almost as if she knew I needed it. I knew she wasn’t my daughter by blood, but she was the daughter of my heart.

Ten minutes passed, and the little angel was definitely asleep with all dangly limbs. I kissed her forehead and held her tight. I didn’t need any more than this.

I whispered into her hair, “I would have given anything to have a child like you, my Lidi. I’m glad you’re home.”

From behind me, in the open doorway, came, “You want children?”

Turning my head, I saw Lev standing there, a soft expression on seeing his two favorite girls. I smiled. “I love kids.” I quickly added, “I thought you were meant to be working, mister.”

He leaned his tall body against the wall. “I find myself distracted.”

I understood. Lev’s attempt to bury himself in Bleeding Hearts’ books was not working.

“Come here,” I told him.

He didn’t hesitate. I knew what he needed.

Once he was seated next to me on the sofa, I gently passed Lidiya over to him. The chubby little girl was hefted effortlessly onto Lev’s lap. She snuffled in her sleep, but quickly got comfortable on her father. He breathed a sigh of relief and pressed soft kisses into her hair.

He loved her so damn much. I found myself getting choked up over it.

Resting his cheek on her little head, he turned to me. “I make a good kid, if you’re interested,” he finished with a smile.

I chuckled and shook my head at his terrible joke. My smile wavered, as I knew it was time to bring up something I had been dreading. I’d been holding it in for a full week. It felt cheap to bring it up after Irina had died.

“Lev, sweetie,” I started, “I need to ask you something, and I need you to not get angry with me about it, okay?”

He frowned, rocking Lidiya. “Okay.”

My mouth dry, I tried to explain the quick way. “Alessio found the Petersons for me.” From the way his body stiffened, I had my answer. But I had to ask. “I need to know if you found them first. I need to know if you lied to me.”

Disappointment flooded me when he responded quietly, “I wasn’t ready for you to see them.” He went on, “I wasn’t ready for you to leave me.”

My eyes closing, I uttered a gentle, “I love you, Lev, but this…this was not about you.” My eyes prickled behind my closed lids. “I begged you to find them. You told me you would. Knowing I could have seen them over a month ago…it hurts.”

“I’m sorry,” he said in that robotic tone of his.

My eyes snapped open. “I don’t think you are.” I shook my head. “I think you’re sorry you got caught.” I stood and spoke gently, “I’m going to see them this week, and I’m taking Alessio with me. Don’t try to stop me.” I paused a moment. “I’m pissed at you, baby.” There was no heat in my saying that, only disappointment.

He blinked up at me, almost as if my quietly spoken statement shocked him. He repeated with more feeling, “I’m sorry, Mina.”

My voice flat, I walked out of the living room, muttering, “So am I.”

He found me lying on our bed an hour later, staring up at the ceiling.

My frustration was there, evident, but I wasn’t going to make Lev drown in it. That wasn’t my style. I forced a smile. “Hey. Where’s the princess?”

His eyes didn’t meet mine. “Nas stole her away.”

I checked the time on my phone. “She’s going to be hungry soon.”

“Yeah. Nas is keeping her for dinner. Ada made spaghetti.” He sighed, stepping into the room. “I need you to understand something about me.” I waited carefully. He opened his arms wide and stated, “I’m selfish.”

My brow bunched. “No, you’re not. You’re not selfish at all.”

His jaw tight, he sat on the edge of the bed and nodded. “I am. And I’m ruthless. When I want something, I will do whatever I can to get it.”

That didn’t sound like the Lev I knew. “You’re being dramatic.”

His warm eyes met mine. “I didn’t want you to see the Petersons for two reasons.” He held up a finger. “I wanted to punish Maggie Peterson in the knowledge that you were looking for her, but she couldn’t find you. I wanted the salty words she spoke to you the day you ran away to rot in her mouth like maggots. She hurt you. I wanted her to suffer the consequences of her actions that day.”

Whoa. That was kind of ruthless. I cleared my throat and asked, “And the second reason?”

He lowered his face and ground out, “The son, James, is recently divorced.”

I didn’t understand. “What does that mean?”

His expression fierce, he stated, “I wasn’t going to lose you to a man you once loved. It wasn’t going to happen.”

My irritation sparked at that. “Don’t you trust me?”

He pinned me with a knowing stare. “When Anika is around, is it me you don’t trust, or is it her?”

“Her,” I squawked in disbelief that he’d even ask me that. Then I realized he had made a point. “Okay,” I began, “I understand your stupid reasons for not wanting me to see them, however invalid they are. But,” I sighed, “things have changed. I’ve changed. I think I’ve made it clear that I love you. You. Not James.”

Lev reached up to unbutton the collar of his shirt. “You don’t know that seeing him wouldn’t bring up old feelings.”

“That’s true,” I admitted. “But those feelings you’re speaking of were that of a sixteen-year-old girl who was shocked that a guy would actually notice her, not a twenty-four-year-old woman.” I reached over to wrap my hand around his. “I don’t swoon at every guy who throws me an appreciative look, do I?”

He sighed, fighting to loosen his tie with his free hand, jerking it roughly. “You loved him.”

He was not wrong. I did love James. But that was an age ago.

That love had faded and made room for a bigger love. A mature love. A real love.

Taking his hand, I placed it in his lap as I worked on loosening his tie gently. I spoke softly, “I love you.” I undid the silken tie, draping it over his shoulders. “I want you.” Pulling on both sides of the silk, I drew him close and got right in his face. “Do you understand me?”

His hand came up to rest high on my waist and he huffed out a long breath. “I can’t lose you.”

I leaned forward just enough to capture his lips in a warm, loving kiss. “Do you trust me?”

There was no hesitation in his rough response. “Yes.”

I laid a hand against his stubbled cheek then threw his words back at him. “Then trust me.”

We spent the afternoon in bed, holding each other and kissing like a couple of sixteen-year-olds.

It was tame and exactly what we needed.

Any day spent with Lev was perfect.

Just perfect.

Chapter Forty-Two

Mina

When Nas wanted something, she played hard at getting it.

Around six, Lev walked over to her house to fetch Lidiya, but came back empty-handed with a scowl on his face.

I fought my smile. “What happened?”

He shut the door with more force than necessary, grunting, “Sleepover. No boys allowed, apparently.”

I did laugh then, making my way over to him and wrapping my arms around him. “You’re not the only one who missed her, you know?”

He frowned down at me. “I just want her here with me.” His face softened. “With us.”

“It’s only been a week, sweetie. They’re excited. It’s going to take time for them to get it out of their systems. They love her to death.”

He lifted his hands to unbutton his shirt. “They’re going to be the death of me.”

My brain grinned. I had the perfect distraction. I squeezed his waist. “Hey, can I get your opinion on something? I need you to be honest though.”

He looked tired, but was ever obliging. “Of course, mouse.”

I was going to remedy that exhaustion. I smiled innocently. “Great. You get comfortable, and I’ll be back in just a second.” I rushed over to the en suite, grabbing the black garment bag on the way. I closed the door just in time to see Lev throw himself back on the bed, resting an arm over his eyes.

It took less than five minutes to dress, and when I opened the door, Lev was in the same position I left him in. I walked slowly, careful in the heels, so as not to embarrass myself by face-planting. When I made it a few feet from the bed, I cleared my throat.

Lev lifted his head with a sigh, and when his eyes landed on me, they widened comically. Unconsciously, he kept his eyes on me but reached for his dick, gripping it firmly in his hand.

I stood tall, legs apart, expression pure. “Honest opinion, sweetie.” I turned for him slowly, and asked a sultry, “Is this hotter than boobs and butts?”

His eyes trailed the teeny-weeny navy blue and white sailor outfit. The skirt frilled prettily and added no coverage at all, revealing my navy satin and lace panties. The white shirt coming just under my breasts, I wore it open but tied at my cleavage. My cute sailor hat pinned high up on the left side of my crown, I watched as his eyes trailed my legs and the thigh-high fishnets that covered them then down lower to my white peep-toe heels.

Grinning, I spread out the feathered fan and waved it in front of my face. “Sweetie, I need your sincere opinion.”

Lev’s full lips parted lightly and he squeezed himself tight. He muttered distractedly, “Much hotter than boobs and butts.”

“So this burlesque thing could work?”

He nodded slowly before standing and stalking slowly toward me. I swallowed hard and took a wobbly step back in my heels. “Lev?”

I squeaked when he pounced on me, tackling me to the ground. I moaned when he turned me on my knees, pulled down the scrap of satin covering my pussy, and drove into me from behind. I sighed when we released moments apart. I smiled sleepily as he carried me to the bed, laying me down with gentle ease, wrapping his arms around me.

Oh, yeah.

This burlesque thing could actually work.

“Slow down!” I hollered, lightly hyperventilating.

We were going to get there too soon. I didn’t want to be early. What kind of loser showed up early?

Me. That’s who.

Lev reached over to squeeze my hand. “We’re going under the speed limit, mouse. We’re not going to get there early.”

We were on our way to meet the Petersons. It was a forty-five-minute drive from where we currently lived, and with Lidiya in the back seat, singing to herself, I made every excuse in the book to pull over.

The first one had been that I thought Lidiya was cold, but when Lev checked the rearview mirror and saw Lidiya smiling back, waving her wobbly wave and saying her sweet, “Hewwo, Papa!” he turned to me, brows raised. I shrank into myself.

I was not going to admit I was nervous. No way, no how.

The second time, I tried to tell Lev that I needed to pee. He told me I didn’t. I yelled that I did.

So he smiled at me.

The asshole.

The third time, I told him that I thought we’d gotten the dates mixed up and should go home to check. By that point, Lev was straight-up ignoring my hysterics and whistling along to the radio, while Lidiya watched her dad closely before putting her lips together as if she was going to whistle, but making a horrifying shrieking noise through the tiny hole her mouth was making.

I didn’t want to laugh. Why was she making me laugh? It should have been illegal to be that cute. Really.

My face felt hot and I breathed deep through the knot in my stomach. I dressed nicely, wanting to impress, but not too much. So I wore black jeans and a white blouse with my white blazer over the top. I slipped on my black ballet flats, applied a little makeup, and then tied my hair up into a high ponytail.

And now? Now I was sure I was going to blow chunks all over the Camaro’s upholstery.

We got there a little after two p.m., and while Lev got Lidi out of the car, I waited inside, gathering my thoughts. After a minute to myself, Lev opened the passenger door, looking gorgeous in his jeans, tee, and dress jacket, holding an adorable Lidi in her pretty pink dress and white cardigan, her curls a chaotic mess at the top of her head.

With these two by my side, I was ready as I’d ever be.

I took Lev’s offered hand and stepped out of the car. He locked it, put his arm around me, and lead me to the modest-looking house. Then suddenly, the knot in my stomach faded to a pinch. A second later, it was gone completely. Another moment, and I wasn’t afraid anymore. I had once loved these people dearly. There was no reason to be afraid.

We approached the front door together, and Lev’s arm tightened around my shoulders. I stepped forward to press the doorbell.

A loud chiming sounded, and not ten seconds later, the door opened.

The woman who stood there looked different, but under all the lines on her face and salt-and-pepper streaked hair, I found Maggie Peterson.

Her brows drew low and she placed a trembling hand to her mouth in stunned disbelief. “Mina, is that you, honey?”

At my smile, a gasp escaped her and she didn’t ask permission. She wrapped her arms around me and drew me in for a tight, warm hug, her body quaking the entire time. I lifted my arms to hug her back and listened to her shaky whispers of, “Oh, Mina,” and “My little girl.”

I swallowed through the thickness in my throat and squeezed her tight. When she pulled back, her eyes were wet, but she was smiling. “Where are my manners?” She motioned to us all. “Please, come in. John and James are out back.”

I swiped away the stray tear I didn’t know had fallen and followed her inside, with Lev and Lidi trailing behind me. As we walked down the hall, I saw pictures of new family members of all races and backgrounds. I smiled and asked, “More sons and daughters?”

She smiled weakly and shrugged. “We only do temporary fostering now. No more than six months at a time.”

She didn’t say much about that, but I had a feeling that was my fault.

Maggie held my hand as we entered the backyard. “John. James. Look who’s here.”

A much pudgier-looking John than I remembered stood from his place at the table. He smiled wide and didn’t waste time; he came forward and wrapped me up in a bear hug. “Oh, Mina, Mina. What am I going to do with you?”

We separated and I smiled kindly. “You look good, John.”

He chuckled and patted his belly. “Yeah, sure do. I’m surprised you haven’t asked when I’m due.” He laughed good-naturedly.

But the man who stood by his chair, looking at me as though I’d betrayed him in the worst possible way, caught my attention. “James,” I breathed.

He was still handsome as ever in that All-American way. His sandy brown hair cut neatly, his blue eyes clear, he looked harder than I remembered. There were no smiles spared for me that afternoon. He uttered offhandedly, “Mina. Nice to see you.”

The way he said this indicated that his statement was a lie. A big, fat one.

“Yeah.” My voice was small. I absently rubbed at my forearm. “You too. Where are the twins?”

John rolled his eyes but he did it smiling. “At a friends house. Teenagers.” There was a thick moment of silence before John cleared his throat. “Well, are you going to introduce us to this fine-looking fella, or are we going to have to guess?” He smiled wider. “Because if I had to guess, I’d give him the name Thor.”

My smile returned full force. John hadn’t changed a bit.

I stepped back, allowing Lev to place his arm around me. I looked up into his warm cognac eyes and announced. “This is my…my…” My smile softened. “This is my Lev.” His arm tightened around me. He bent down to kiss my forehead. I leaned into him and added, “And the little princess on Lev’s hip is his daughter, Lidiya.”

Maggie came forward, took one look at Lidiya, and beamed. “Hello, princess. Would you like a dolly to play with?” She looked up at Lev and explained, “I’ve got tons of toys if she wants to play with something.”

Lev stared at Maggie a long moment before placing Lidiya on the ground. My heart pumped hard before it slowed in relief as Lidi took Maggie’s hand and blinked up at her. “I pay a dolly?”

Maggie looked down at the cuteness that was Lidiya before announcing, “Of course you can play with a dolly.”

That was the good thing about Maggie. She spoke fluent baby.

As Maggie disappeared inside with Lidi, John gestured to the table and we sat. “What are you having, Mina? And Lev, was it? What can I get you to drink?”

I smiled. “I’ll have a glass of juice.”

“Same,” Lev responded.

John clapped his hands together. “It will be done. Give me a second.”

He left us with James and, the coward I was, I refused to look him in the eye when I asked, “How are you, James?”

I felt his eyes on me. I felt his anger at my small talk. Truth was, I wasn’t ready to discuss what happened. Not just yet.

After a long pause, he responded a low, “Just fine, thanks.”

I nodded. He didn’t ask about me. My guess was he wanted to throw me out of this house and gladly never see me again.

I suppose I expected things to be awkward, but he was angry with me. Furious, even. And I didn’t understand why.

We were both to blame for what happened. The sex didn’t just happen. I didn’t seduce him. We were an item. We loved each other. I’d be damned if I was going to take all the blame for what we were caught doing.

Maggie opened the back door and returned with Lidiya, holding a Barbie doll at the very same time that John returned with our drinks. He placed three glasses of juice down for Lev, Maggie, and me, while he and James sipped on beer.

Well…this was going to be fun.

About as fun as pulling teeth, I thought.

“So,” Maggie started, raising her shoulders in a light shrug. She held a firm smile, but her brows pulled down in a would-be frown. She asked quietly, “Where have you been, honey?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. Gaping fish was a good look on me.

Instead, Lev replied calmly, “Up until three months ago, Mina lived on the streets.”

Silence. Thick as concrete.

“What happened three months ago?” James asked icily.

Lev uttered, “I found her.” His message was implied. I was his. His hand came down on my thigh, squeezing lightly.

John surmised, “You chose being homeless over living with us?” He sounded hurt.

Maggie’s eyes shone brightly. “We would’ve taken care of you, honey. You were our girl.”

It was funny what seven years could do to a person. In listening to all of this bullshit, I found myself bitter. I scoffed, “Oh yeah? I thought I was nothing but a little whore, Maggie? Isn’t that what you called me? Oh wait, no. That’s not right. Apparently, I was a little tramp.”

Maggie drew back, her expression pained, but I wasn’t done.

“You were angry with me.” I turned to a somber John. “You both were.” I looked at James. His jaw clenched tight. “And you…” I shook my head. “You said nothing.” My heart clenched. “You said you loved me, but when we were caught, where were you? Hiding with you tail between your legs, that’s where.” I shook my head. “Don’t tell me I had a place here. I considered you my parents up until that day.” I glared at James. “I wasn’t the only one to blame.”

John spoke quietly, “I think we all handled the situation poorly.”

Maggie shook her head. “No. I handled the situation poorly.” She blinked away tears. “I know it doesn’t mean much now, but I regretted saying those things to you the second they were out of my mouth.” She tried to force a laugh, but it came out a whimper. “I don’t even know why I said it. But I’ve regretted it for seven years.”

Her emotion hit me hard.

I felt like an asshole. “It wasn’t just you, Maggie. The whole situation was out of control.” I sighed. “There was no way you would have let James and me be together. Even if somehow you were okay with it, which you weren’t, child services would have placed me in a different home when they found out. I was seventeen. I didn’t want to go to another home.” My breath caught as I let out a broken, “This was my home.”

At my sudden distress, Maggie broke down. She placed a hand over her face and cried silently. The mood at the table had dampened a notch and a half. John sat quietly while James frowned down at his hands.

This was something I caused. I needed to do something, say something. “For what it’s worth, you guys were the best. I loved you, and I never thought badly of you after what happened. I just needed to go. Be on my own. I was sick of being someone else’s burden.”

At that, James stood suddenly. “I’m out.” He didn’t look at me. “Glad you’re not dead, Mina.”

Before anyone could respond, he was gone. I stood before I realized what I was doing and followed him. He was not going to make me feel guilty, dammit.

When I stepped out the front door, he was already unlocking his car. “What is your problem, James?”

He opened the car door. “Go back inside, Mina.”

He tried to sit and close the door on me, but I caught it before it shut, pulling it open. “No. We’re going to have it out. What is your deal?”

James scoffed. “Go back to your man, Mina. Forget about us. Again.”

Oooh. We were finally getting to the point of things.

“Why are you so mad at me?”

His expression turned vicious. He stepped out of the car and stood a foot away from me. “Why am I mad?” He glowered. “Why am I mad?” He blinked a moment before throwing his arms out and shouting, “You left me!”

Uh…what?

His jaw ticked. “You didn’t even say goodbye, just packed a bag and ran. You left me. You left us,” he panted. “I loved you.”

My heart sank. “I loved you, too. But when push came to shove, you didn’t show me at the time I needed it most. Your mother said some vile things to me, and you said nothing.”

He dipped his chin, shaking his head. “I was a kid, Mina. You were my girl. She was my mom. We both knew what we were doing was wrong. Why else would we have kept it hidden? We knew we shouldn’t have been doing it, but we loved each other. Nothing else mattered.” He sighed. “If you’d have just given her some time to cool down… She was shocked.”

I gritted my teeth. “I was seventeen years old. She called me a tramp. She had hate in her eyes. And you…you wouldn’t even look at me.” I told him the honest truth. “You were a coward.”

His hands came up to rest on his hips. He nodded slowly. “Yeah, maybe I was. But I would’ve given up everything for you. I loved you that much. I would’ve dropped everything. My football scholarship, my family, none of it mattered. If you just asked me to pack a bag, I would have come with you. We could’ve been together,” he finished on a whisper.

“You don’t know what you’re saying,” I told him. “I would never wish the life I’ve lived upon someone I loved. I wouldn’t even wish it upon someone I hate.” I leaned against his car and looked out into the street. “I was starving, James. Literally starving before Lev busted me stealing his brother’s wallet. I wasn’t ready to die. I just wanted to get something to eat. Stealing that wallet turned out to be the best thing that happened to me. It changed my life.”

James huffed out a breath, leaning on the car in the space next to me. “I would’ve always provided for you. You never would have gone hungry if we’d done that together. But you didn’t give me the opportunity.”

I changed the subject. “I heard you got divorced.” I turned to him. “What happened?”

He looked at me, those baby blues full of sadness. “I was still in love with another woman. My wife resented that so she left me.” He blinked slowly, reaching out to take my hand. “It’s only ever been you for me, Mina. Only you.”

His hand was warm on mine and a sudden rush of emotion hit me. I squeezed his hand and spoke quietly, “You need to move on, James.”

“Like you’ve moved on?” he uttered sternly as he released my hand.