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I drag my palms down my face to wipe away the wetness. Taking a deep breath, I raise my head, and Emi takes a step toward a luggage bag I’d not noticed before now.
“You’re free now, Shaw.” Her eyes shine back at me, those orbs penetrating into my soul and forcing me to take a sharp intake of breath as they seize my capacity to breathe naturally.
Jesus, she’s so beautiful it hurts.
“I really am sorry, Shaw. I hope you find your happiness.” She picks up the bag and walks out the door, taking my heart with her.
She’s wrong, though. I’m not free. I’ll be forever imprisoned to a life of misery without her and our bump.
They were my everything.
They were my happiness.
THIRTY
SHAW
Islam my glass down on the table and hold my hand up for another. The waitress wastes no time in dumping another scotch in front of me. I don’t miss the critical glance of the guys around the table, but I scoff at them and tip the drink back, determined to wash away the misery.
When Emi walked out the door, taking my child with her, I felt like my heart was going to combust.
Uncontrollable sobs fell from me as I dropped to the floor.
When my eyes met with Mase’s standing in the doorway, I couldn’t help but feel a combination of relief and hate for Emi. She knew I’d need someone to help me pick up the pieces and she chose wisely, with Mase being the better option of my friends. I loathe her for how well she knows me, and I grinded my teeth at the thoughtful gesture behind her action.
Sitting up to tell Mase she’s left me and I’m not going to be a daddy after all, made me hiccup on my words. But like the good friend he is, he pulled me into an embrace while I sobbed into his shoulder.
Today’s a new day and one I intend to drown in alcohol instead of tears. Emilia Varros does not deserve a second thought of mine, not after the shit she’s pulled.
“Maybe you’ve had enough to drink.” Reed raises his eyebrows and tilts his head.
“Maybe you should mind your fucking business,” I snipe back, refusing to look at him.
“Have you spoken to Lizzie? That woman has upset my housekeeper, and she hasn’t been there twenty-four hours yet.” I can feel Owen’s gaze drilling into the side of my head, but again, I refuse to acknowledge my friend. Instead, I opt to raise my hand for another drink.
“I think there’s more to it.” Mase’s comment makes my spine straighten and my nostrils flare, but I refuse to acknowledge him, or his words, choosing to throw back another drink and exhale the burn in my throat. I slam the glass on the table.
“Me too,” Reed throws in, making my head spin in his direction.
Reed glares back at me, unwavering, before speaking again with confidence. “There’s more to it.” He holds my gaze, refusing to back down.
“She fucked her brother’s soldier. They spawned a kid. She freaked out and pinned it on me. The billionaire. The better option.” I grimace, and even as I say the words, I almost give in to disbelieving them.
“Do you love her?” Tate asks.
I roll my head to face him but refuse to give him an answer. “If you love her, it doesn’t matter whose kid it is. You’ll love the baby like your own.” He shrugs, but his words hit deep. There’s no doubt in my mind that I love bump. I ball my hands into fists at the suggestion that I don’t love my baby; it couldn’t be further from the truth. They’re mine, I want to scream, but the realization that they are in fact not mine makes me slump back in my chair and hang my head in devastation.
“Shaw, man. Why don’t you go speak to her? Get some answers. This is all out of character for Emi.” Owen squeezes my shoulder.
“Maybe she was pissed at you for fathering another baby with your ex?” Mase leans across the table and delivers a sharp slap to the back of Tate’s head for his comment.
Reed shuffles forward. “You have to admit, he has a point. Why now? Why’d she choose now to deliver this information?”
I sit forward and mull over his words. “Right? She’s probably lashing out; you know what women are like.” Tate waves his hand around like an idiot.
But something in my friends’ words hit me, making me also question, why now?
“She thought she was doing you a favor.” Mase stares at me, and I scan his face for an explanation. “You said she said that you’re free?”
