Astrid wiggles in her crib, her eyes closed, her feet kicking every so often in her sleep. I watch her, careful not to make a sound as she sleeps, oblivious to the dangers lurking all around her.
I won’t take her from her father. I’m not the monster. Besides, there’s nowhere that I could go where Jace couldn’t track me down and find me. He’s made that clear, investigating my finances.
I should be angry with him for betraying my trust. But I’m not. My stomach tenses and bubbles with anxiety. I quietly retreat from the crib and climb into Jace’s bed.
His scent is all over the sheets, the bed, even the room. I shut my eyes as I rest my head on the pillow. I’m used to hiding from myself, my pain, and the world around me.
Just as I begin to drift off to sleep, Astrid awakens. Her cries are high-pitched, and I doubt she’ll fall back asleep anytime soon.
I shuffle out of bed and into the nursery, lifting Astrid into my arms. I bring her over to the changing table to change her diaper, which seems to do the trick.
Her blue eyes are glistening with tears, and her cheeks are flushed from crying. I drop a quick kiss to her nose. “I know, babe. I’m worried about him too.”
Maybe I should be angry with Jace, hate him for what he’d done, destroying my family. But I don’t hate him.
I feel sorry for Jace. Living in the shadows as a don with the spotlight on him as a billionaire. It’s not an easy life to have enemies at every turn, always having to watch his back.
There’s a strange sense of comfort in knowing that if the tragedies hadn’t taken place, Astrid wouldn’t be here in my arms. Those moments led me here, with her.
Astrid gurgles and coos, reaching out for my finger. She’s perfect. Everything about her, except her father, runs the mafia.