“I care about him. He’s a good man.”
“Do you want to marry him?”
My question hung in the air for a long time before she answered.
“I want my babies to be safe. He offered me that.”
I closed my eyes. I knew this answer. It was the only reason he was doing it, because I knew he loved Rosalie.
“He is in love with another,” I said. “Like I was.”
“I know,” she said, her voice wavering.
“As long as you know,” I said, getting to my feet. I stumbled and swayed, but she grabbed me to keep me from toppling over.
“You’ll never make it to your room,” she said, helping me back to her bed. “Stay here tonight.”
I nodded, not wanting to fight it because I knew she was right. There was no way in hell I’d make it back to my bed. Klaus or Alessio would likely find me passed out in the hallway.
She helped me remove my shoes before pulling off my suit jacket. I fumbled for a moment before getting my pants off and dropping my shirt to the floor.
I looked at her tiredly, and she stared at me, her lips parted.
“What?” I asked.
“You just… um, I-I didn’t realize you had so many tattoos.”
“I enjoy art,” I murmured, sliding back in the bed and letting my head hit the pillow. “Come. Lie with me.”
She hesitated for a moment before crawling into bed next to me.
“If you want to kill me in my sleep, there’s a gun in my jacket. Safety is on.” I grabbed her hand and pressed it over my heart.“Shoot here. I want my boys to be still able to see my face after I die.”
Her hand trembled over my skin. I let her go, but she didn’t move it. Instead, she settled in close to me.
“You’re sad,” she said.
“I am.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.”
We were both quiet for a moment before I spoke, my head spinning.
“I will let you speak to Dominic tomorrow if it is what you want.”
“Really?”
My guts clenched at the hope in her voice.
“Yes.”
“Are you only saying this because you’re drunk?”
“I am saying it because I promise it. Sleep, Bianca. The babies need their mommy to be strong and healthy. Tomorrow, you’ll speak to Dominic. Swear it.”
She didn’t say another word, but she didn’t remove her hand from my heart either.
