Page 69 of Owned By The Bratva King

Grief flashes across Quinn’s face, and I recognize her feelings. It’s the pain that comes when you know you’re going to lose someone who means the world to you, it’s gonna happen soon, and you can do nothing to prevent it.

“Roman asked what he could do for me,” Carrie continues. “I said I was fine. I wished for only two things, and he’d made one come true already, but he insisted on knowing the other. I told him I regretted that Winston and I sold our beach house. It was where we were happiest.”

She leans back and closes her eyes, a tranquil expression lighting up her face. “And here I am, back in the home I shared with the love of my life. I can’t tell you how peaceful I feel.”

Quinn glances at me, still confused. “I paid six times the market value to get the previous owners to move out quickly,” I say. “They left, and Viktor lined up his contacts to renovate it. He had plenty of old photos to work from.”

My wife looks from me to Carrie and back again, shaking her head in wonderment. “You keep surprising me,” she murmurs. “Every day, there’s more to you.”

The nurse brings pastries and coffee. She’s part of a team that will attend twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, providing all medical and personal care.

“Thank you, Esmeralda,” Carrie says. She picks up the pot in her trembling hand, and I swiftly relieve her of it, pouring us all a cup. I don’t call attention to her frailty; we all know she’s fading.

Crazy that she escaped a fire virtually unscathed—a couple of days on supplementary oxygen and steroids saw her right—yet the cancer creeping through her body will still steal her life, slowly but surely.

Quinn reaches out and takes her hand. “Tell us about Winston.”

Carrie’s face lights up at the invitation. It’s clear that she adored him, and her eyes sparkle with fond memories.

“He was a wonderful man,” she says, her voice soft with emotion. “He had a way of making everyone feel special, like they mattered. And he had the best sense of humor. He always knew how to make me laugh, even on the hardest days.”

She turns to me. “Roman, you remind me a bit of my husband. You are strong, determined, and fiercely loyal to the people that matter to you.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “I’m not sure I deserve that comparison, but thank you.”

“Oh, you do. And you’re as stubborn, too. But that’s not always a bad thing. It’s the stubborn ones who get things done.”

Quinn laughs, and I can’t help but join in. The warmth and camaraderie here feel like a balm to my soul, and I realize I must face up to something important; I do have regrets.

I wish I’d had the courage to stick around and see it through when my Mama was sick. I made excuses to Quinn about not wanting to end up in the care system, but the truth was that I was afraid. Afraid to accompany my mother on her final journey, when I should have been at her side to the last.

I was just a kid, but it’s still one of the worst things I’ve ever done. Doing right by Carrie is my atonement, and although it won’t heal the wound, it might make it hurt a little less.

We lapse into companionable silence as we drink our coffee. The wind is cold, but Carrie is bundled up in her blankets and doesn’t seem to feel it. If she can cope with the bracing weather, so can we. It won’t be long before she won’t be able to sit out here at all.

Carrie sets down her cup and rises to her feet. “I’m going to take a little nap,” she says. “Thank you for coming, my dears. It means the world to me.”

Quinn stands and hugs her tightly. “We’ll visit often,” she promises. “I’m so glad you’re happy here.”

Carrie nods, then turns to me. “Look after her, Roman. She’s a treasure.”

“I know,” I reply, my voice firm. “I will. Always.”

51

Quinn

Roman kisses Carrie’s cheek. “I’ll talk to Esmeralda and make sure it’s all running fine with the hospice provider,” he says. “Quinn will help you to bed before we go.”

He heads for the door. “Take care, Carrie. If you want or need anything, you let me know.”

“Thank you.” Carrie blows him a kiss. “I will.”

Then he’s gone, and it’s just her and me. Then, I realize how exhausted she is, and I support her as she walks inside.

Roman’s gesture has left me speechless. Buying this house for Carrie, ensuring she has a place to live out her days in peace, is more than I ever expected—more than I could have hoped for.

My heart swells with gratitude and love for him, and I feel a tear slip down my cheek. Carrie notices and stops, turning to face me.

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