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“We always have a choice,” she replies softly. “And his wouldn’t ever be to hurt you.”
About the same time, the door opens, and Hawk sees us. He appears to have aged in the few hours he’s been gone.
Wren stands. “Where have you been and why weren’t you answering me? How could you just leave like that?” She starts in on him.
“Wren, I need to talk to Brittney alone. We’ll talk tomorrow,” he says gently.
She glances back at me as if asking if I’m okay for her to leave me alone with him. I nod and she tries to smile before leaving us alone.
“Brittney, I’m sorry—” he starts.
I cut him off. “You believe her, don’t you?” I ask defensively. I thought he’d demand proof first.
His shoulders sag. “She has a convincing story,” he says.
I stand up, so I can face him better. I won’t take this lying down. “A convincing story, huh?”
His eyes fall. “I’m going to meet him tomorrow, but on our terms. We’ll be at our club here in Nashville, Midnight Kiss.” He pauses and his eyes find mine again. “I want you to come with me if you will.”
My heart may as well have stopped beating in my chest. Tears fall from my eyes unfettered. This man, the one I love, may have a child with a woman who stole all the things he promised me, and he wants me with him for a first meeting. I don’t know what’s worse, him asking me to go or if he were to do it without me.
He moves closer and takes my face in both hands before wiping my tears away with his thumbs.“Dolcezza…
“If he’s my son, this doesn’t change how I feel about you,” he says as he leans his forehead against mine.
A quiet sob escapes my throat. “Maybe not, but it changes everything else.”
He squeezes his eyes shut and his lips land on mine. I let him kiss me for a moment before pulling away. “I’m sorry. I can’t right now. I’ll be there tomorrow, I promise.”
He appears wounded and his eyes are red-rimmed. “Okay. I’m going to take a quick shower and I’ll let you be tonight.”
While he showers, I slide under the covers and silently pray my heart won’t be completely shattered again. When he comes back out, he’s in gym shorts that hang low on his hips revealing chiseled abs and the perfect signature V.
“I’ll sleep in one of the other rooms and give you some space,” he says.
I lift the covers. “Don’t leave me alone,” I plead softly.
He flips the light switch off and climbs under the covers. “Not ever,dolcezza.It’s you and me…forever,” he says as he scoops me up and pulls me close to him.
I’m staring up at the sign that readsMidnight Kisson the front of the building as I wait for Hawk to tell Hart something as we get out of the SUV. I’m not sure how Bree and I didn’t stumble on this club the night we were in Nashville.All things happen for a reasonmy mind taunts. Maybe the reason is because I wasn’t meant to have Hawk in my life again.
Wren, Valentina, Marco, Gianna, and Vincent exit a blacked-out limo parked behind my SUV. Hawk walks up beside me and links my fingers with his. “Thank you, baby. I need you.”
I need you too and I need this nightmare to end, but I’m afraid when it does, I’ll lose you after all,I think to myself, but I smile for him.
“Where did the name Midnight Kiss come from?” I ask as we enter the club.
“It belongs to Mamma. She once told me it’s because midnight is the end of one dark night and the beginning of a bright new day. And not everything that happens in the dark is bad. She says there’s chance in between where light and dark meet, and we’re all made up of both,” he says.
I turn and find Valentina taking in her club with sad eyes. I’m a little bit in awe of her. He was blessed in the mother department. She’s strong, yet kind…a little broken, yet so wise. I can only hope to handle whatever heartbreak is in store for me with as much grace and class as she has.
The club is beautiful and brilliant. It has more of an elegant, vintage vibe. A large chandelier hangs in the center with small replicas throughout creating a soft glow. It’s brighter at the center beneath the large one, creating an illusion of light meeting dark and I’m reminded of Hawk saying his family colors in shades of gray. Each detail about Midnight Kiss reveals that if you know what to search for.
The tables throughout are white in contrast with the black chairs and booths. The walls are a deep purple, and the floor is an ash-gray color. Even the glasses on the shelves are reminiscent of a time in history when exquisite detail was the norm and expected.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.
He kisses my knuckles. “It is, but not as beautiful as you.”
