Piper’s cry came through the baby monitor.
“I’ll handle it. You go back to sleep.”
“You sure?”
“Aye.”
The scotch had long ago run its course and I was clear headed. I could tend to our infant daughter, and from the sound of it, Barrett was exhausted. Better to let her sleep.
“Thank you,” she whispered, lifting herself off me and collapsing back into the pillow.
I went and tended to Piper. She was squalling, her tiny fists clenched in anger. I quickly picked her up and placed her to my shoulder to soothe her for a moment before changing her. After I cleaned her up, I took her downstairs to the kitchen to make her a bottle.
The sun was just starting to creep up when I made it back to bed. Barrett was asleep, but she was having a fitful dream. She was on her back, her hands were grasping the headboard, and she was moaning.
Grinning, I stripped out of my clothes and crawled in next to her.
There was no point in letting Barrett’s dream stay a dream.
I was about to make it a reality.
Chapter31
SASHA
The door openedand Barrett appeared with Piper.
“Sasha,” she said in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“Can I come in?”
She didn’t move and I half-expected her to slam the door in my face, but finally, she stepped back and allowed me to enter. A look of weary caution spread across her features.
“The house is quiet,” I commented.
“The boys are still at school. Mrs. Aducci just left, and Flynn is in London.”
“I know Flynn is in London.” I nodded. “So, we have complete privacy.”
She blanched. “I guess we do.”
Piper let out a milky burp, stealing Barrett’s attention from me. She smiled and gently patted Piper’s back.
“We need to talk,” I announced.
She reluctantly looked at me. “Why?”
“Why? What do you meanwhy? I can’t get it out of my mind, Barrett. I’ve been going over and over it, and nothing is adding up. Every time we’re surrounded by friends and family, you purposely avoid me. You’ve been ignoring my calls. I want an answer.”
“Is this why you stopped by unannounced?”
“Da,” I said without a hint of remorse.
“It doesn’t concern you,” she said quietly.
“Like hell it doesn’t. You’re battling. I know what you look like when something is weighing on you. Even now, you look thin and haggard, and the sparkle has left your eyes. Tell me what’s going on. Let me help you.”
She swayed ever so slightly on her feet. “Sasha?”
