I groan.
Valentina comes out of the bathroom in her robe and winces. "Bad?"
"It's Liam. Sean and I were just summoned."
Worry fills her expression. She looks away, and guilt claws at me. I step closer. "This isn't your fault."
She turns toward me and shrugs. "This was always going to happen, wasn't it?"
I sigh. "Probably."
Silence fills the space between us.
I add, "I'm taking you to Sean's. You can visit with Zara and the babies."
Her mouth curves into the faintest smile. "Okay."
I grab my keys and point toward the hallway. "Get dressed and get your shoes."
She bites her lip.
"What?"
"I think they're still in Pompei."
"Shit." I glance around, then grab her and toss her over my shoulder.
She shrieks. "Brax!"
I slap her ass. "I can carry you out!"
She laughs.
I swing her around my body.
She puts her arms around my shoulders. "We're going to look ridiculous."
I shrug. "I don't care."
Within minutes, we're in the parking garage. We get into my Mustang and I speed onto the street toward Sean's penthouse. I turn down four blocks, accelerate down two more streets, and pull up to the curb. I get out and open Valentina's door.
She wrinkles her nose. "This is embarrassing."
"You love it," I tease, then slide my arms under her and pick her up. I carry her through the building, nodding at security, and into the elevator. I press my hand on the screen, and it moves toward the penthouse.
Zara meets us in the foyer. Her hair's piled into a messy knot, River's strapped to her chest, and Willow's tucked into her arm.
I whistle. "Damn. You're talented."
She waves her hand in front of her face. "Nah. Piece of cake." She skims over us and states, "Well, this is a dramatic entrance."
Valentina snickers. "My clothes and shoes are in Pompei. You can put me down now," she says, looking at me.
"Can I?" I tease.
"You can."
I carefully put her down.
