Page 98 of Absolution

Fuck.

The days pass too fast. Cecilia is getting increasingly excited about gifts, about cake and balloons. I’m also getting increasingly excited, or rather, terrified.

Friday, 3:55 p.m. finds me standing on the gravel, clutching a bouncing Cecilia’s hand, more for my sake than hers. The parking area to the side is half-filled with exclusive cars but not a sound is heard except for birds chirping.

The doorbell clings softly when I push it, and the door opens almost immediately. Before me stands a tall, broad blond man, his face neutral as he nods for us to come inside. Ivan, if I recall correctly.

“Happy birthday, little one,” he says and goes down on one knee to be level with her.

“Thank you, sir,” says my little daughter to my great surprise. Sir? Wow. Who taught her that?

Ivan stands and a ghost of a smile passes his lips. “You’ve raised her well. This way.”

My legs are heavy with trepidation as I follow the giant through the house. The sound of people talking, of laughter and music increases. Suddenly I feel so alone, and I surprise myself by wishing I had Christian by my side, holding me tight.

We enter a large bright room with a whole wall of sliding glass doors pushed to the side, a large patio outside, people everywhere and children running around the legs of the adults. Cecilia bounces and pulls my hand as she sees the balloons, the serpentines, and the table with beautifully wrapped gifts.

Everyone turns as we enter. I hold my breath, my eyes darting over the crowd. There’s only one person I want to see, and by God, I really do want to see him. It’s been weeks. Salvatore spreads his arms as he walks up to us, grabs my shoulders and kisses my cheeks. Then he crouches and does the same with Cecilia.

“The young lady of the hour!” He sweeps her up in his strong arms, and spins around. My cheeks burn hot from his surprisingly gentle greeting. “Everybody, let me present young Cecilia Russo!”

I widen my eyes. “Jackson,” I hiss in his ear.

He laughs. “Jackson. For now.” He smacks Cecilia’s butt. “Now go play. There are kids everywhere.” He puts her down and she runs toward the garden, toward the colorful flags and begins to chase a stray balloon.

I inhale to protest.

“And a whole slew of people looking after them,” he tells me. “She’s safe.”

A tingling sensation of being watched makes me spin on my heels. To the far right stands Christian, his face guarded, tall, beautiful, dressed in a dark gray suit that fits like it was sewn directly on his body. He looks more buff than when I saw him the last time. My eyes look to his powerful hands, his thighs, and my body reacts with no connection to my brain whatsoever. I forget Salvatore, the people around me, whether it’s day or night, as I take a step toward him. He seems to hesitate a moment, then he moves too, and we meet halfway.

“Hey,” we say with one mouth.

“How’ve you been?” he asks.

“Okay,” I say.

“I heard Cecilia is with Carmen. That was a clever move.”

“Did you visit her?”

He shakes his head.

“Why?”

“I told you I’d stay away.”

“But you’re here.”

“I’m not very good at keeping my promises,” he says darkly.

My eyes dart between his. “You confuse me so much, Christian.”

He licks his lips and I can’t help that my gaze is drawn to his tongue. “Is that a good or a bad thing?” he asks.

The air between us thickens, ignites. I stagger back. “We should—”

He swallows audibly. “Yeah, let’s go— The party.” Sliding up next to me he puts a palm to the small of my back, electrifying my whole body, then he removes it. “Sorry,” he mumbles.

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