Page 105 of Relentless Sinner

“So you think things can be okay between us just because you accept you were wrong to treat me like shit?”

“No. I don’t and I can't take back what I did or change the past.” He swallows hard. “I'm doing what I'm doing now,whether you accept it or not. All I’m going to ask from you is one thing.”

“What's that?”

“Take me to Russia and stay with me for a few days. Bring your wife.”

I stare back at him in disbelief. “You wantmeto go with you?”

“I don't have long left. I'm moving up the date again. Once I'm done handing over everything to you, I want to head out. I don’t want to be here anymore. I want to be with her.”

My mother is buried in Russia in a garden my father bought for her. Jacob is buried next to her. That’s where my father wants to go.

“Please, say yes. I want you to go with me.”

I think for a moment and once again the lost little boy tugs on my heart, begging me now to give him a chance and do this one thing.

This will be it. The last time.

Sometimes in life people are forced to change and accept their wrongs. That’s what’s happened to him.

Although I’d like to guard myself and be mindful of the past, it’s me who’s going to be left behind.

I don’t want to have any regrets, so I’ll oblige him.

“Okay,” I agree with a curt nod. “I'll go with you.”

“Thank you.”

Saturday night comes quickly. Thank God. The last few days were draining, and I’ve hardly seen Gabriella.

As it stands I won’t have her to myself again until the party is over. I came home straight from the office, so all I got from herwas a quick kiss before my friends descended on me with their well wishes and questions.

It’s quite a good turnout and the mood is more relaxing than it was at my father’s house. It’s been a while since I’ve done anything like this at my home. I suppose that’s because it’s been a while since I’ve had anything to celebrate.

I take a swig of my beer and stare at Gabriella across the hall. Cillian and Micah are talking to me about our business venture in Italy. I’m listening to them but I’m watching her.

She seems to bond well with Chloe, Cillian’s wife. I knew they would get along because they’re both Italian and, I suppose, new to the fold. My other married friends have had more time to form a tighter clique. It’s harder to be accepted amongst friends who have been friends for years.

Gabriella is smiling, then she’s laughing at something Chloe said. I wish I knew what it was. I like hearing her laughter and watching her.

We’re still in that haze, but I feel like it’s beginning to crack. Sometimes I catch her staring into space and I know she’s thinking about the things we need to talk about and figure out.

I’ve been stalling with talking about those things because I don’t want to ruin what we have. I’m buying time until the cracks get bigger and the façade that things are okay between us fades. Then I know I’ll have to face the music.

Feeling my gaze on her, she looks at me and gives me a little smile. From here I can see the soft rose color of her cheeks as a blush creeps down her neck.

What is she thinking now?

Maybe that blush is for earlier this morning before I left. I had her up against the wall of the shower.

“Did you even hear me?” Micah says, poking my arm. Back in high school he would have probably shoved me into the lockers. Then we’d end up fighting.

I look back at him and, no, I didn’t hear a damn thing, so I don’t know what he said. “Sorry, I was distracted.”

“I can see that.” Cillian looks across at Gabriella and Chloe. He throws Chloe a kiss, to which she giggles before she continues her conversation with my wife.

Micah shakes his head at the two of us.

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