“It’s simple, sweetie.” Becky took a deep breath, swallowing against the lump in her throat as she stared out the window into the dark, starless sky. “He loves her too.”
* * * *
“I have to go, don’t I?”
No. No, you can stay. Dominik pressed his lips together, staring out the huge, fingerprint-smeared window at the planes lining the runway. One of which would be taking Oriana away from him all too soon. His whole chest caved in a little more with each breath he took, closing down on his heart which beat so hard against his ribs he was sure Oriana could hear it. His jaw ached from clenching his teeth to keep his smile in place. He loosened it as he glanced over at Oriana, taking in her wide eyes, glistening with tears.
This wasn’t easy for her, which made what he had to do, to say, even harder. A few words and he could play her uncertainty in his favor. Have her go back to Max and force him to leave without her. But then what? Being without him might hurt, but losing Max would tear her apart.
Max would stay. Max would do anything for her. You don’t have to let either of them go.
Could he do that to them? Or himself? It would be so simple. All he had to do was pretend the relationship hadn’t truly ended months ago. Lie to himself every night as he held Oriana. Make believe she’d chosen him.
“Sloan is waiting for you.” He touched her cheek, hanging on to his smile so she would know he wasn’t trying to be cruel. All he’d ever asked from her was the truth. And he couldn’t hold it against her just because the truth wasn’t what he wanted to hear. It was time for him to make her face it. “If you’re not getting on that plane, you should call him and let him know.”
“Dominik, you know I can’t do that.” She tucked her hair behind her ears, the faint color in her cheeks vanishing completely. “I-I love him. I can’t picture my life without him.”
But you can picture it without me. Not a question. It was all too clear. “Then you have your answer.”
She caught his hand, shaking her head. “But I still love you. You can come with us and—”
“No, Oriana. I can’t. The team needs me.” He held his breath, hating what he had to say next. But there was no other way to end this. If all they’d ever had was honesty and trust, they would have that still, even though it was over. “You don’t need me. Not anymore.”
“That’s not true—”
“Look. At. Me.” Dominik’s voice broke as tears spilled down her cheeks. His own eyes burned as he gave her the last command he would ever give her. “Go. Go build something strong between yourself, Max, and Sloan. Find the life you’ve always wanted and . . .” He swallowed hard. “Don’t look back. There’s nothing left for you here.”
“There’s my family.” She swiped her tears away and bit her bottom lip. “There’s y—”
“Just your family. And you’ll visit. But you know what you have to do now, Oriana.” He was shocked that he still managed to smile as he dried her last tears. “Go.”
“All right.” She inhaled roughly, stepping away from him. She sniffed, then squared her shoulders. “I’m sorry I made this more difficult for you. All I want—all I’ve ever wanted—was for you to be happy. But none of us have been for a while, have we?”
“No.” His smile faltered. He wanted to take all his words back as he saw her physically, and emotionally, pulling away from him. And he would have, if it would change anything. Only, there was no point in dragging this out any further. It shouldn’t have been dragged on this long. “We will be though. Door closes, window opens, and all that.”
She blinked back fresh tears and nodded. “For you too. You’re the captain of the team. And you’ll find someone—”
Spine stiffening, Dominik backed away from her. “Don’t. Please don’t. We’ve said all we have to say. I’m trying to make this easier, but I can’t hear that from you. Not that.”
Covering her mouth with her hand, Oriana’s face crumpled. “I’m sorry! Dominik, I didn’t mean to—”
Brisk footsteps came toward them. Without looking, Dominik knew it was Max. He gave a jerky nod as Max squeezed his shoulder, facing the window as the man drew Oriana away.
“If we’re going, we have to leave now,” Max said softly, speaking to her. “You know I’ll accept whatever choice you make.”
“We’re going.” Oriana never came any closer. Simply whispered, “Goodbye, Dominik.”
Dominik’s lips formed the word, but the sound couldn’t pass the locked down part of his throat. Max’s heavy footsteps, followed by the slow scrape of Oriana’s heels, faded away. And his whole body shook as he leaned his forehead against the cool glass before him. A broken sound escaped as his heart shattered into a million jagged pieces. He choked on a sob, pressing his fist against his lips.
She’s gone. A blazing hot tear trailed down his cheek. She’s really gone.
Chapter Nine
Mason hadn’t come back. Oriana and Perron had said their last goodbyes at security. Their plane had disappeared over the horizon. But Mason was nowhere to be seen.
Zach knew the man wouldn’t do anything stupid, no matter how upset he was, but he shouldn’t be alone right now. Looking over at Becky, he could tell, by the way her lips parted and her hand tightened on his while she stared down the hall where Mason had disappeared, that she’d been about to say just that.
“I’ll check on him, then give you a call later.” He leaned over to brush a kiss on her cheek, then nodded to Richter and Bower, who barely acknowledged him. Silver stood between them, staring out at nothing, her face utterly still. Tears would have been reassuring, but this . . . this was a little frightening. Thankfully, her men were capable of taking good care of her. And Becky had been pregnant, so she’d know if there was anything to worry about.
Ford blocked him before he could go any farther. He rolled his eyes when Zach frowned at him. “Cam came with us. His probably with Dominik.”
“What if Dominik doesn’t want to talk to him?” Silver curved her hand around the base of her throat, lips pressed together so hard they faded into the rest of her pale skin. “What if he just needs time to . . . to deal. I think I need that. Just a short walk by myself so I can wrap my head around this.”
“Silver—” Bower reached for her, but Richter drew him back. Bower hunched his shoulders, then nodded. “Go ahead, ma cherie. We’ll wait for you at the car.”
Becky stepped up to Zach’s side as Silver made her way out the closest door, her throat working hard as she looked helplessly at her brother. She looked worn out. Zach had been keeping her up too late, and with the emotional rollercoaster of the last few days, she was probably completely drained.
“You should get back to Richter’s place and get some sleep.” Zach stroked her back gently, warmth filling him as she leaned against his chest, not trying to hide her exhaustion. He didn’t mind a clashing of wills once in a while, but with this, he’d have pushed the issue if she’d argued with him. “I know you’re going to spend the night worrying about Silver and your brother.”
“Come with me?” Becky tipped her head up to look at him, holding back a wince. “Ugh, that sounded pathetic, didn’t it? You have a lot to do tomorrow.”
“My bike’s still back there. I can stay for a little.” He kissed the tip of her nose, grinning at the way she wrinkled it. She was adorable when she was all sleepy. “Tuck you in and sing you a lullaby?”
“Mmm. I bet you have a really nice voice.” Straightening, Becky rubbed her eyes, letting out a light laugh. “I don’t have the energy to say no to you.”
Tempting, but no. He wouldn’t even tease her about her words. This painfully long day needed to end.
But as he passed the automatic doors, familiar screams told him it wasn’t over yet.
“You fucking bitch! Oriana just left!” Silver stood in the middle of the parking lot, facing a woman Zach was sure he’d seen around the forum. “My father sent you for me and Ford? Tonight? Why don’t you tell him—”
&
nbsp; “You’ve always been so dramatic, my dear.” The woman—Anne, Mr. Delgado’s secretary or assistant or something—clasped her hands in front of her lime green pencil skirt, her thin lips twisted in a smirk. Her tone was maddeningly calm in the face of Silver’s rage. “Please get ahold of yourself. This excitement isn’t good for the baby.”
“Why didn’t he come? She’s his daughter and all she ever wanted was for him to say he loved her!” Silver’s voice cracked. “It would have meant so much to her if he’d come.”
Richter strode ahead, with Bower following as fast as he could, but Silver waved them both back, then completely ignored Ford as he moved up to her side. Zach took Becky’s lead, sticking close to Bower in case his leg gave him trouble.
“Why would your father make that kind of effort for a child he doesn’t believe is his? And besides, her behavior reflects badly on the family. It humiliated your father that she carried his name while strutting around with all those men.” Anne sniffed, eyeing Silver’s stomach. “Though I can’t say you’re much better.”
“Listen, lady—” Ford took a step forward, grunting when Silver slapped her hand into his chest. “Fuck, Silver. She can’t talk to you like that.”
“I don’t need you defending me. I—” Silver cringed and hugged herself. She let out a pain-filled gasp as the color left her face. “No. Not again.”
“As I said. Too much excitement,” Anne said, glancing over at Ford as he wrapped his arm around Silver’s back to support her. “Your father would still like to see you at your convenience.”
“Tell my father he can go to hell.” Ford snarled, nodding when Richter came to lift Silver into his arms. Ford looked shocked when Silver latched on to his hand, towing him along with them. “I got you, sis.”
Anne seemed about to follow, but Becky smoothly cut her off, hissing something under her breath that had the woman skittering away as fast as her stick legs would carry her. Bower limped fast toward the car, cursing as his crutch snagged in a wide crack in the pavement. He gave Zach a grateful smile when Zach took one of the crutches and flung Bower’s arm over his shoulders, bearing most of his weight.
“Fuck, I’m glad you came, Pearce.” Bower let out a strained laugh as he watched Richter ease Silver into the backseat of his SUV. His whole body shook with nervous energy. “You just might be good enough for my sister. Stand by her tonight, let her know she doesn’t have to worry about me, and I’ll give you my blessing.”
“I’ll stand by her either way.” Zach opened the front passenger side door for Bower, then helped him up. “But it’s good to know you approve.”
“Shit. This is it.” Bower took a few deep breaths, sounding a bit like he was doing Lamaze in preparation to push out the baby himself. “You’re okay, Silver. The doctor said you passed the dangerous time.”
“Don’t tell me I’m okay! Damn it, that woman ruined everything!” Silver panted, then thunked her head against the headrest. “It wasn’t supposed to happen yet!”
“Shh. You’re ready, dragonfly.” Richter smoothed hair sticky with sweat away from Silver’s face. “You’re going to be just fine.”
“No, I won’t!” Silver pressed her eyes shut, sobbing breathlessly. “Oriana said she would be here. She’s not here.”
Zach winced as he took the keys from Richter, who’d taken the seat at Silver’s other side. Poor, kid.
Ford patted the back of Silver’s hand, his voice calm even though he was shaking just as hard as Bower. “I’m here, sis.”
Silver cried harder, but laughter broke through her sobs. “But I hate you!”
“Hate me later. Right now, just hold my hand and tell me you’re going to be okay, because you’re fucking scaring me.”
“Don’t fucking swear around my baby! What kind of uncle are you?”
A glimmer of hope stole some of the shadows from Ford’s eyes, but he simply chuckled. “Shut up and breathe, or push, or whatever you need to—”
“Don’t push!” Becky gave Zach a shove toward the driver’s side, suddenly all business. “Just breathe, Silver. Kinda like Landon’s doing, only slower so you don’t hyperventilate.” She climbed into the farthest seats in the back, then snapped on her seat belt, glaring at Zach through the rearview mirror. “Go, Zach! She’s not having my niece or nephew in this car!”
He grinned at her as he started the car, loving the way she inhaled sharply, her cheeks glowing red with excitement. His beautiful sub was fierce, and he had a feeling even the baby would wait until she gave it permission to come out before moving another inch. The best subs always seemed like Dommes out in the world, but with Becky, he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to let her take charge in the bedroom.
“I’ll have her there in five minutes, Ma’am.” He winked at Becky when she gaped at him. That look was priceless. Even the title coming from him seemed to disturb her. She wouldn’t be playing his Mistress any time soon.
“Shit.” Silver went still, blushing as she buried her face under Richter’s arm, while still clinging to Ford’s hand.
Richter stroked her hair, murmuring. “What is it,dragonfly?”
“I think my water broke.”
Zach’s pulse raced. He didn’t know much about babies, but the water breaking was universal for “Hospital. Now.” “I can cut that time in half if I—”
“Five is fine, Zach.” Becky looked like she wanted to laugh. “Don’t worry, the baby is not just going to slide out. Drive safe.”
“Safe. Got it.” Zach felt his cheeks heat as he caught himself breathing along with Bower in short puffs, then long exhales. He supposed it was better than Ford, who seemed to have stopped breathing altogether. Only Richter and Becky still had some semblance of control.
“All right boys, with me. In.” Becky inhaled a long, slow, steady breath. “And out.”
“Becky.” Bower growled. “Focus on Silver.”
“Silver is fine. Let’s try that again.”
“Shut up.”
“Watch it, little brother. You’re not too old to spank.”
Richter snorted. Bower clamped his lips together. Silver stopped panting long enough to giggle.
Zach just did his best to focus on the road as the tension eased out of the car. He’d never met a woman like Becky. Her strength, the way she put others before herself, no matter how she was feeling, her dedication to her family . . . if he looked at her again before he got ahold of himself, she would see something in his eyes that it was too soon to share.
She would see that he was falling in love.
* * * *
Hours passed, time measured by the short spans between contractions, then suffering that seemed endless. Suffering Landon wished he could take away. He limped across the delivery room as Silver bent forward, her face red and beaded with sweat. She bit back a scream as he took her hand, fighting so hard to be brave for him.
He braced his free hand on the bed by her side, leaning over to kiss her forehead. “Let it out, mon amour.”
“I can’t.” Silver hissed in a breath through her teeth. “Are you all right? You shouldn’t be standing so much. Where’s Dean?”
Landon did his best not to react to her asking for the other man. Dean was just as involved in this as he was. The only problem was, Silver didn’t seem to think Landon was strong enough to stand by her. His behavior over the past few months probably hadn’t helped.
“I’m here, dragonfly.” Dean spoke up from where he sat across the room, reading the sports section from that morning’s newspaper, tipping down his new reading glasses to smile at her. His calm was driving Landon a little insane, but his level tone had Silver relaxing back on to the pillows and smiling back. “Becky’s gone to get some more ice. Did you need something else?”
“Yes. I need you to . . .” She gave Landon an apologetic look before meeting Dean’s eyes. “Make sure he doesn’t make his leg worse. I know how bad he wants to get back between the pipes and—”
“The pipes
? Mon dieu, Silver, do you think I care about the damn game right now?” Landon raked his fingers through his close-shaved hair. “All I can think about is you and our baby.”
“Right.” Silver panted. “But you were in the hospital not that long ago. You need to take care of yourself. The team’s got a lot of money invested in you, and you’ll be a free agent in—”
“You’re in the hospital now.” He shook his head, eyes narrowing as Dean chuckled. “You seriously want to talk about my contract?”
“Absolutely. I want to extend it—ah!” Silver’s grip on his hand tightened. She rasped out the words even as she bent over in pain. “Twenty years. Dean can . . . work out the details. I don’t . . . don’t want any other team stealing you from us.”
“No one’s taking me away from you.” Landon winced as Silver tossed her head from side to side, gasping, then finally letting out a sharp scream. There was an IV taped to the back of her hand, but the damn thing was useless. Where’s the fucking doctor? “Let me see if Dr. Singh can come and give you something else—”
“Don’t want anything else.” Silver huffed out a breath, whispering thanks as Becky returned with a pitcher full of ice and a plastic cup. Her eyes fluttered shut as Becky gently stroked her wet fingers across her cheeks and down over her throat. She let Becky feed her a sliver of ice, then relaxed as she crunched on it, looking close to sleep for the first time in over an hour. With her face nuzzled against Landon’s forearm, she mumbled. “Talk to him, Becky. Has to be careful.”
“Tabernac.” Landon gave Dean a grim smile as the man pulled a chair up for him. His leg hurt like a motherfucker, but it was nothing compared to what Silver was going through. “I really messed up. She shouldn’t be worrying about me.”
“Why not?” Dean laid a hand on Landon’s shoulder, his thumb moving soothingly up and down the back of Landon’s neck. “There’s nothing wrong with her focusing on you rather than her pain. And you’re doing very well. I thought you’d be panicking by this point.”
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