Very alone.
I wish Jake were here; he’d know what to do. But he’s gone, and now it’s on me to avenge him.
“I know what you’re thinking,” I murmur. “That I’m being selfish. That I’m not thinking about the consequences.”
Stephan makes a frustrated sound in the back of his throat. “That’s not… Fuck, Clara. I’m just worried about you. This life… it’s not easy for anyone. But for a single mother? In our line of work?” He shakes his head, his expression grim. “It’s a death sentence. For you, and for the…kid.”
I shut my eyes, taking a deep breath at the brutal honesty in them. He’s right. I know he’s right. But still…
“Do you know who the father is?” he asks.
The father.A traitorous voice whispers in the back of my mind.The man you can’t stop dreaming about, even though you don’t know his name or his face.
Unbidden, a memory of that night flashes through my mind.Anton, or whatever the fuck his real name is. The way he appeared out of nowhere, saving me from the assassin. The feel of his strong arms around me, his masculine scent enveloping me as he carried me to safety.
Fuck. Stop it, Clara. He’s out of your life now. And he’s not important.
I told myself not to try to find him after that night. I slipped away, knowing it was for the best.
There’s more to him; I know there is. That’s why he kept his mask on, just like I did.
But something about that night feels… off. Like I’m missing a piece of the puzzle. I frown, trying to chase the thought, but it slips away like smoke through my fingers.
“How did they know?” I whisper, more to myself than to Stephan. “How did they know I’d be at the Viper that night?”
Stephan’s reflection meets my gaze, his eyes troubled. “I don’t know. But I intend to find out.”
I nod, squaring my shoulders. He will. Stephan always keeps his promises.
A ping sounds from Stephan’s phone, breaking the tense silence. He glances down at the screen, and for a moment, a flash of something like satisfaction crosses his face. But it’s gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual stoic mask.
“Something’s happening with the Ravens,” he says, his deep voice tight with controlled excitement. “Looks like there’s been an attack on one of their warehouses. Could be the start of an internal power struggle.”
I feel a savage surge of pleasure at the news. Those fuckers. If they’re tearing each other apart from the inside… good. Let them destroy each other. Saves me the trouble.
Stephan slips his phone back into his pocket, already moving toward the door. “I have to go check this out. You going to be okay here?”
I nod, not trusting myself to speak. Stephan hesitates, then reaches out, giving my shoulder a quick squeeze.
“Okay,” he says, his deep voice surprisingly gentle. “Take some time, Clara. Think it over. But don’t take too long. We need to move on this, one way or the other.”
He turns to go, and I bite down hard on my bottom lip. I taste blood, the coppery tang flooding my mouth.
Sorry, kiddo,I think, my hand stroking my stomach.But I have to do what’s best for both of us.
“Stephan, wait.” My voice sounds strange to my own ears, hollow and distant.
He pauses, looking back at me expectantly. I take a deep breath, steeling myself.
“Go ahead and set up that appointment. I’ll… I’ll take care of it. Today.”
Relief flashes across Stephan’s face, chased by something that might be sympathy. “Good, Clara. I know it’s hard, but it’s the right decision. The only decision.”
I nod, not able to meet his eyes. He’s right. I know he’s right.
But that doesn’t make it any easier.
The door clicks shut behind him, and I’m alone. Just me and the tiny life growing inside me. The life I’m about to snuff out before it even has a chance to begin.
