Page 97 of Mine to Worship

“Of course, she will,” he says, pride and certainty coloring his words.

Chapter 34

Kian

The rocky and dusty landscape spreads in front of my eyes. I thought I would feel at home, or at least a twitch of excitement to be back in the place I made my playground over the years. But as I watch my wife, her hand sleepily caressing her belly as she dozes off, I know my home is her.

As the sun disappears behind the horizon, and purples cover the sky, the sleepless city welcomes me back.

The roar of the city only intensifies with each mile, horns blaring, bikes and tourists crammed on each side of the Strip, and Ellia stirs awake. By the time I get to the next traffic light, my heart and brain decide it’s time to leave this behind, and soon. I can work from anywhere; the past months have shown that. Brandon is a great right hand. My presence has been needed only a few times.

Ellia stares outside then she turns her head to me and says, “It’s loud, I never realized how much until now. Maybe it’s the pregnancy.”

“No, it’s fucking loud.”

She smiles and goes back to looking outside the window at the people and buildings passing by, the lights offering a free show.

I want my girls to be surrounded by endless fresh air, harmony, and safety. In the city of sin, no one preserves their innocence, and still next to me, pregnant with my child, is the definition of how beauty can flourish anywhere. We are free to live however we want and start over as many times as possible.

“We’ll stay until the baby is born,” I say, decision made, knowing Ellia will agree.

Relief is apparent on her face. I lift her hand to my lips and kiss her dainty fingers.

I hope getting my revenge will offer me the closure I need for my sake. I want to be the type of man my wife and my girl are proud of. Heck, so that I can be proud of myself. That and taking care of the man who touched her. I will make sure that scum suffers for the rest of his miserable life. If Robert knew what I have in store for him, he’d crawl back under the rock he came from, but I would dig him out to deliver the punishment he deserves.

Chapter 35

Ellia

The city sparkles with a thousand lights creating a vibrant atmosphere. The woman I was before I got pregnant loved this city and the anonymity it provided. But I am no longer afraid of my past. I don’t have a strong desire to live here anymore; there are better places for my daughter to grow up.

I am sure she will have enough travel starting young, with an artist for a mother and a hotel mogul for a father. It’s this knowledge that pushes me to a secluded place, where we can enjoy the stillness of nature. Yet, Las Vegas is where I met the love of my life, the person who sent me flying from heaven to hell, and in the end, grounded me on earth and bound me to him.

When we reach the hotel, my heart speeds up when I spot the big, gold, and imposing Reyes. In there is where I gave my heart, or he stole it right from my chest while I was busy staring at him. Upstairs in his penthouse is where I discovered another hunger inside of me, the one he is so keen to ignite and satiate.

It’s also where I got my heart broken, my trust shaken, and where my hurt led me to deceive him.

Yet, here we are, and I regret nothing. I met my man here, but it’s a chalet in the mountains that brought me my husband.

Kian parks the car, but neither of us moves.

“It’s awkward,” I say.

“We’re different.”

I offer him a small smile. He leans over the console and kisses me.

“Let’s go upstairs, it’s late.”

But my stomach answers for me. Right now, I need food more than sleep. A chuckle escapes his full lips and he says,

“Food first.”

When we reach the penthouse, only our breaths interrupt the quietness, and the same spectacular sky view welcomes me. I walk to the window while Kian places an order for food. He wraps his arms around me, his hands cradling my belly, and he rests his chin on my shoulder.

“Here we are,” he says wistfully.

I place my hand on his. “It’s where we met and started loving each other. It will forever hold a piece of my heart.”

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