Page 86 of Solemn Vow

There are some perks of having an overbearing, overprotective man hovering close by.

“I have to move around though, or I could get fluid in my lungs,” I remind him of what the doctor said and start my slow lap around the bedroom. Not just to get some movement, but to put a little distance between us.

I have to ask him.

And I’m more afraid of the answer than I should be.

Because if he confirms what I already suspect, I’m not sure I’m strong enough to do what I should. I don’t want to walk away from him.

My eyes burn with tears just thinking about it.

When I get to the dresser, I grab onto the edge and take several deep breaths like the doctor showed me before I face him.

“Did you go to Michael’s yesterday?” I blurt out.

His concern turns to confusion.

“Yesterday afternoon? Yes.” He gives a sharp nod that might as well be a fist to my ribs. It knocks the breath from me.

At least he has the decency not to lie about it right to my face.

I suppose that should count for something.

But it’s not enough.

“Andrei had a meeting with him. Sergei and I went, as we always do when there’s Petrov business to be discussed,” he continues.

My chest unclenches slightly.

But I’m not grasping at hope just yet.

“So, you weren’t there because of me? You didn’t go to give him the recording of Jimmy?” I steady myself with the edge of the dresser.

“No. I told you, we’d handle that together.” His eyes are firm, but I continue to search them for the tell of a lie. And then it hits me, I have no idea what his tell is, because he’s never lied to me before.

Air comes easily now.

“Jimmy saw you,” I say. “He thought you were getting involved. After he got me to his sister’s house, he found the recording on my phone.” I pause, guilt building up in me. “I assumed you’d broken your promise.”

He’s silent for a long beat. His hands flex at his sides.

“Is this why you’ve been so quiet? You thought I betrayed you?” There’s pain in the question, and it makes my own heart ache.

“I’m sorry.” A tear falls down my cheek. “You don’t deserve my doubt.” I remember the look on his face when I thanked him for coming for me last night. My own fucked-up head hurt him.

“You’ve never had a man in your life that gave you reason to do anything but doubt.” He stares at me like he wants to rush me and sweep me up in his arms, but he keeps still.

“But you haven’t,” I point out. “I have another question.”

He nods. “Go ahead.”

“You didn’t seem at all shocked when Theresa said I was Michael’s daughter. You didn’t react at all actually.” Another subject I haven’t allowed myself to dwell on just yet.

His nostrils flare with his exhale.

“Michael told me yesterday afternoon.” He slips his hands into his pockets and shifts his weight to one foot. “After we were finished with what Andrei wanted to see him for, he brought you up… and Jimmy.”

“What did he say?”

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