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Home. Nowhere has felt like it since I lost Jacob.
When I proposed to Sara after four short months, I knew I had to open up, to reveal my past in further light. I told her how my brother was gunned down on the street, and the only crew I could join forces with to seek out revenge was the Bratva.
Kristina’s men helped destroy every fucking face that was involved in Jacob’s murder. And for that, I owed her big time. But that’s now far in the past. And somehow, I haven’t run into Kristina or any one of her men watching our backs. Maybe she couldn’t find us…but I know how unlikely that is. The woman doesn’t stop until she finds her target.
She must have realized it was better to let us go than fight for something she knew wouldn’t make a difference. I’ve paid back my debt, and Sara here…she means nothing to the man Kristina was looking to tear down. She must’ve realized it was best to just—
“What a beautiful boy,” a voice coos, and I glare up into the sun, momentarily blinded as I hear Sara suck in a breath.
But the second my focus clears, I find the face I thought was forever gone—Kristina.
“What’s his name?” she asks, a hint of smile in her voice as her eyes find mine.
Like my wife, I’m caught off-guard. It’s been ayear. This island was the last spot I was banking on a run-in.
I clear my throat, regaining composure. “Maxwell,” I state evenly.
“Maxwell,” she repeats, nodding. “A good name. And you must be the mother,” she looks over at Sara, smiling. But Sara stays quiet. I suddenly remember Kristina has never seen Sara’s face in person—only a hood over her head.
Kristina’s eyes cut back to me and I notice she looks older than I remember, even more tired.
“Seeing how beautiful she is, I understand why you did what you did, Jude. Although, for how rash you acted, I assume there’s something more between you two than just beauty.”
Sara tightens her hold on the stroller—I catch it out the corner of my eye. I can tell she’s fighting the urge to pick Max up and hold him to her chest, keeping him close. But I know with the high-traffic area we’re in, Kristina wouldnevermake a move.
“There certainly is,” I answer, hoping I’m right in assuming our best chance is to be civil. I can’t exactly choke out the leader of the Bratva in plain sight, though the fleeting thought is tempting.
Her gaze shifts to Sara again. “She’s my wife,” I say, the words coming out strong, almost as if warning her not to touch.
Kristina looks momentarily surprised, dropping her eyes to the delicate ring Sara wears—glinting in the sunlight along with the champagne glasses around.
“Well, congratulations,” she nods, gaze sweeping back to me. “I wish you the best, Jude. That’s all I really came here to say.”
That’s all?Doubt it.
“Nothing more?”
She nods again. “Nothing more. We had an agreement, you and I.” A smile surfaces her lips and there’s even a hint of amusement in her eyes. “You were to bring me Sara Carter, which yousomewhatdid.” Her smile slowly widens. “But your debt was paid back and your forms we’re printed, so I released you; even considering that stunt you pulled last minute. I had larger worries at hand with the Gusev’s. And since I had to make a stop just across the border, I figured it’d be a perfect time to drop by and see how you were doing.”
A part of me is still doubtful as her words sink in like stones. It’s as if this past year I’ve been waiting…waiting for this day to come. Though I pictured it differently all this time…
But looking at Kristina, finding the exhaustion in her posture and on her face, I get the feeling deep down she means what she says. She’s tying up loose ends it seems, and maybe,just maybe, this is the start of something new.
Sara looks back and forth between us, as if thinking this is too good to be true. I reach under the table and take her hand, squeezing it lightly as my stare keeps on Kristina.
“Thank you,” I say, meaning it. With my family right here, it’s hard to not be thankful she’s not willing to fight.
“It’s you I have to thank, Jude. You served me well all those years. Lead a good life now; you deserve it.”
And just like that, she walks away, opening the future before us.
