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She felt her cheeks warm and then stood up to pour herself a glass of ice tea.
“Dominion, you’ve done so much for me.”
He raised his hand up. “I’ve not done enough for you, Nina. I should have found you sooner and should have realized that you were mine. Instead you had to live on the streets and in shelters and fight against gangs. You wound up in the center of a life I would have kept you from as best I could.”
“You know as well as I do that you wouldn’t have been able to. If the men you betrayed to save Nicolai knew that I existed, then I would have been dead or used against you.” She sighed and took a sip of iced tea, then looked out toward the swimming pool and cabana.
He came closer and took her hand and held it against his chest.
“You’ve had to sacrifice so much. You continue to want to take care of yourself and the baby. You won’t be able to work and be on your feet for too long. You should be catered to and cared for.”
She smiled softly. “In a different world, under different circumstances, maybe, but not in this lifetime. I have your support, and your care and help, if needed. You’ve given me a new life, a new job and home, and I’m fine with that.”
He swallowed softly.
“Don’t you think the men you gave your heart and soul to deserve to know about the baby? They shouldn’t find out years from now. It isn’t fair to them or to my grandchild.”
She gave a soft smile.
“You know what I told you was true. They have been searching for you, begging Nicolai to tell them where you are and to get their help in finding you. They love you, Nina.”
She shook her head.
“They feel responsible for me. They made their decision when they left me and put their desire to stay unattached and uncommitted, and that’s not the life I want. It’s not right for the baby, either. I’ll always love them. I don’t think I’ll ever love any other man again.”
“Then why remain sad and lonely and without them? Why not let them prove to you that they love you?”
She stepped back.
“Because I’m pregnant and they’ll feel responsible?” she asked.
“Oh. Nina, you’re barely showing. You could meet with them and hear them out. Take it from me, Nina. Things would have been so different if I knew Mya was pregnant with my baby. Maybe I wouldn’t have gotten caught up in the types of jobs I did. Maybe I could have supported her and you better. She didn’t give me the opportunity to be part of your life. I know you’re afraid. You fear giving even a little bit of trust, of weakness, because of the pain and the betrayal you felt. It’s understandable, and it will take time, but don’t do what your mother did. Don’t shut out the baby’s father and not let them have the opportunity to love you and the baby. You’ll regret it. It will eat at you every day. Look what it did to your mother.”
She felt the tears fill her eyes as she wrapped her arms around her midsection and thought about her mom’s addictions. She’d been lost, sad, and had a broken heart, and Nina hadn’t even known it. Perhaps when her mom looked at Nina with anger, disgust, and regret, it was because, by having her, she had to give up the love of her life and a future that would have been so different. If she hadn’t gotten pregnant, maybe the fear of her mother being used against him would be less? She didn’t know. Maybe her mother just couldn’t handle not ever seeing Dominion again or getting a chance to hold him, love him, or feel his arms around her. What was really a home, anyway? Was it an object, a shared dwelling where two people in love expanded on their lives? Or was it simpler than that? Was it love? Was it an embrace? Something as simple as a hug and a knowledge that took away feelings of loneliness and made a person feel as though they had support, companionship, and the power to accomplish anything?
Her heart ached, her gut clenched, and then she felt Dominion wrap his arms around her and hold her tight.
“Give them a chance, Nina. If it doesn’t work out, then at least you know you tried and that you gave it a fighting chance.”
* * * *
“Why are we even here? You don’t even know who sent that address,” Jessup said in annoyance. He’d been complaining the entire ride into Tranquility.
Atlanta shook his head as he pulled the truck into a parking spot outside of the restaurant. It was too early for lunch, but the view of the gardens and the landscape throughout the property was breathtaking. There was even a man-made lake with a long dock that led out to a gazebo. He saw that the restaurant wasn’t crowded at all, nor was the side deck that looked out at the gardens.
“This is ridiculous. Who sent us this address and asked for a meeting?” Freeman asked.
“They didn’t say, just that it was important and, if we wanted to find the person we loved the most, then we should come here,” Corona said to them.
Atlanta locked the door. “Someone is messing with us. We’ve been looking for Nina for two months.”
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They walked along the front entryway.
“Let’s head to the back. It doesn’t look like anyone is dining inside,” Freeman stated.
“That’s because it’s so beautiful out here,” Jessup stated.
