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Keep it together Cara, not long now. You’ve got this.
What I would give to be back in bed with Killian, having my thoughts screwed out of my head.
I stop near a flower sculpture, smoothing my hands down my black box dress and sucking in several deep, calming breaths tainted by the scent of lilies when a presence appears at my elbow. I flinch so suddenly that I almost step back into the sculpture.
“Careful.” Dante catches my elbow before I make contact with the stone and cause an accident, and heat prickles over my skin in fright.
“You scared me,” I gasp slightly, placing a hand over my racing heart as Dante takes a step back to give me some breathing room.
“Apologies, that wasn’t my intent.” Dante offers a firm smile and I’m struck suddenly by how little I’ve interacted with the man. Being Killian’s brother I would have expected to see him more. Then again, mafia families don’t work like regular families. I nod and smile, unsure what to say.
“I doubt this will be the last one of these I attend,” Dante remarks and he lifts his hands to adjust the tie around his neck, his dark gaze coming to rest on me.
I swallow hard.
“Killian… told me about the bomb and the attack being because of what he did,” I say softly, cautious of anyone around us overhearing something they shouldn’t. “I know what this means.”
“War,” Dante replies with a nod. “Things are already in motion and I assure you, those responsible for this will not get away with it.”
Grief swells so largely in my heart that I struggle to breathe, nodding again before I can find my words around my fat tongue.
“I want to say I’m sorry. Without my father, none of this would have happened. You wouldn’t be facing down the Russians like this,” I say softly.
To my surprise, Dante smiles.
“Irish, Russian; war was coming. Sienna and I, as much as we try to avoid bloodshed, know where the lines are drawn. It was perhaps bound to happen, sooner or later. The important thing is that we keep our people safe.” His gaze is unwavering and I’m pinned in almost the same way Killian’s eyes lock me in place.
“We all must be careful not to beabsentfrom one another,” Dante adds pointedly and my heart lurches.
Does he know? Did Killian tell him I left the club that night? Or is he just that good?
“I understand,” I say and my voice struggles to find volume above a whisper.
“Do you?” Dante cocks a brow then his gaze sweeps back to the crowd. I follow it and through the sea of people, I catch Killian with Emilia in his arms, deep in discussion with Sienna. It looks to be important but every so often, Killian bounces Emilia in his arms and she beams up at him.
Kids look so good on him.
“I don’t want to be attending the funeral of my brother because you have something more important to tend to,” Dante says quietly and the weight in my chest swells further, sweeping up my throat.
“I need Killian at his best,” Dante continues, “especially now that we’re at war. He becomes… distracted too easily by you. So, I trust you will help me keep his focus in the right place?” Dante’s gaze returns to me, burning into my soul until I turn back to meet him.
“Like I said,” I say, forcing the words calmly around the lump in my throat. “I understand. Killian is important to me too.” It’s impossible to tell if that satisfies Dante as his face remains as calm as ever. He steps close, taking my hand in his and lifting it to press a kiss to my knuckles. His lips are cooler than I expected.
“My deepest condolences for your loss, Cara.” Dante ends the conversation and strides away from me through the crowd and towards Killian and Sienna.
Fuck.
He’s right. I know he’s right. Killian’s focus hones in on me and as much as I’ve come toadorehis possessive nature, I don’t want to be a distraction that ends up getting him killed. As I watch Killian dance lightly with Emilia, Sienna and Dante reunite and the warmth they share is clear to any outsider.
How does she do it? How does Sienna manage to doeverythingand be so graceful?
Dante doesn’t know it but I’m not the distraction he has to worry about. Blair is.
Killian catches my eye across the crowd finally and he smiles, causing my heart to clench. Watching him with Emilia warms me but as I stare, doubt creeps into my mind.
That could be him and Blair’s child. If it makes him this happy, do I stand a chance?
“Cara?”
