“The less you know, the safer you both are.”
Beck growled, lunging into Seth’s personal space. “If you think I’m just going to let it slide that some motherfucking Russian mobster—and don’t tell me he isn’t—not only approached our woman in the lobby, but also knew her fucking name, you’re out of your goddamn mind!”
Seth ran a hand through his hair. “Nikolai Volkov is an old friend who helped me track down Silas eight years ago. We haven’t spoken since.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Beck bellowed. “You’re snooping around the dangerous shit that got Autumn and Tristan killed?”
“No!” Seth barked. “It’s not my fault he showed up. I sure as fuck didn’t invite him.”
“Then how did he know you were here? And how the fuck does he know Heavenly’s name?”
“We’re on his turf. It’s his job to know.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck about his job,” Beck bit out. “I want to know how the motherfucker has so much information about her. Did he shove a tracker up your ass eight years ago?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Seth scowled. “He wanted information. I made it crystal clear that I didn’t have any. Honestly, I don’t expect to hear from him again.”
“You better be right,” Beck warned, pulling Heavenly protectively into his arms. “If your past gets her hurt—if it gets our baby hurt—I will end you myself.”
Though Beck’s threat made Seth’s blood boil, the mention of their potential child had his chest tightening. “I would never let anything happen to either of you. You should know that.”
“You can’t control this.”
“I can, by not getting involved again. I made it clear that I’m out. What the fuck else do you want me to do? I can’t change the past.”
“Just don’t fucking drag it into our future. If you start that shit, we’re done.”
The realization that a cop had probably murdered his loved ones made Seth seethe. Made him crave revenge. But… “I’ve already lost too fucking many people. Do you really think I’m reckless enough to risk you and Heavenly? To risk Hudson, too?”
Beck hesitated, then grimaced and rubbed at the back of his neck. “Fuck. Point taken. I’m just worried.”
“I know. And I’m glad you want to protect her. I can’t be with her every minute, so it’s good she’s got you watching out for her, too.”
Beck relaxed slightly but kept his arms around Heavenly. “What did he want to know?”
“If I had any information about the organization Silas probably worked for. Apparently, it’s grown since I killed him, and now they’re infringing on Nikolai’s territory. But I didn’t have anything to give him. So that was that.”
Relief skipped over Beck’s face. “Make sure it stays that way.”
Seth intended to, but…the organization knew he was in town. They were watching. Despite his best efforts to leave the past behind, the worry that history would repeat itself in the worst possible way buzzed through his brain.
Seth shoved down rising apprehension. As much as their spying pissed him off, he couldn’t fall back into old patterns. He’d made his choice to move on.
Life and love, he silently pledged.
“I’ll do everything I can.” He cradled Heavenly’s crown.
“Are you two good now?” Heavenly asked. “I hate it when you fight.”
Seth caught Beck’s gaze. When the doctor nodded, Seth smiled her way. “We’re done. I’m sorry Nikolai scared you. He should never have approached you. I’ll die before I let anyone hurt you.”
Heavenly sat cross-legged on the hotel suite’s sofa, accepting the paper plate Beck handed her before he distributed napkins. The pizza box from the takeout place around the corner sat open on the coffee table, grease already seeping through the cardboard, the scent of pepperoni and Italian spices filling the room. She grabbed a slice and bit in, the cheese still hot enough to burn the roof of her mouth.
Seth finally stopped pacing near the window long enough to snag two slices, though he remained standing, eating mechanically while staring out at the city skyline.
The last two hours had crossed from tense to unsettled. He had apologized for his encounter with Nikolai, but Beck was still furious. Heavenly saw both sides. Yes, she’d been shaken, but Seth had been ambushed by the big Russian. That wasn’t his fault.
He’d also sworn he wasn’t getting involved in the past again. Heavenly believed he meant that—in the moment. But she was less convinced he’d be able to refuse if his past came for him again.
