Will this be me?
Did I fuck up so badly that Siobhan is never going to forgive me?
“This isn’t going to buy you her absolution,” Anya whispers as she takes her daughter away.
“Where did you come from?”
She grins. “I have a gift of being able to scurry around without anyone noticing.”
I clear my throat because I think this has to be addressed. “What I’m doing—” I cover my mouth with my fist as I cough a couple of times. “Helping you has nothing to do with what happened between Siobhan and me. I’ll grovel later.”
“Then why are you doing it?”
“Because I love her, and I’d do anything to make sure she doesn’t hurt.”
Anya gives me a sad smile. I’m not sure if it’s because she knows Siobhan will never give me a second thought or if she’s missing her husband.
My phone rings. It’s Lang. “Yes?”
“The jet is ready. I found a place where you can stay while they run tests on Anya. They can keep it for as long as they need it if she goes into treatment. And I have a message from Manelik.”
I take a deep breath before asking, “What does he want?”
“Fix this, or he’ll kill you with his bare hands. His woman isn’t happy.”
“Why are you so fucking annoying, Lang?” I growl before hanging up.
Siobhan, who’s finally joined us, gives me a disappointed look. “What’s your problem with Byron Langdon?”
“The car is waiting for us,” I say, not responding to her absurd question.
“Oh, let me get the car seat for Rumi.” Anya hands the baby to Siobhan, who looks so fucking gorgeous holding her.
And for one moment, I play with the idea that in a year, she might be holding our child. Even when I’ve always said that I don’t want a family, the thought doesn’t scare me at all.
“Are you going to acknowledge my question?” she presses.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She scuffs. “You and Byron are always at each other’s throats.”
“Because he’s too fucking annoying.”
“Ah, I see the problem. You’re in love with him—unrequited feelings and all. It explains everything.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “No one has ever come up with that theory, but you’re wrong.”
“Huh, so I’m not the only one who’s noticed you hate him.”
“I don’t hate him.”
“You can’t stand him.”
I let out an exasperated breath. Am I the only one who has a problem with Lang? I don’t think so, but maybe I’m the one who fights with him the most.
“He never listens. It’s like talking to a wall. I have more experience, but instead of following my advice, he makes the impossible happen just to prove me wrong.”
She gives me a lopsided grin. “Like a little brother.”