Page 14 of Rectify

“What about you, Natalya? Are you married?” Rogan asked.

“Me? No, I’m not involved with anyone.”

“Dumped you, did he?” Aedan asked as he rose and poured himself another whiskey. He leaned against the opposite wall, almost as though he was trying to get as far away as possible from her.

Natalya concentrated on keeping her hurt hidden. She’d known this would be difficult. It wasn’t like she had expected him to welcome her with open arms. But facing his icy wrath now, knowing how warm and loving he’d been before, was more of a shock than she’d expected.

“Actually, I left him. Aedan, you don’t know the full story?—”

“I don’t want to know the full story. You left me so you could fuck a drug lord. What more is there left to say?”

“Aedan, if you’ll just listen to me. It isn’t what it seems?—”

“Oh, so Rogan’s man had it wrong? You didn’t fall straight into bed with Diego Mota?”

“No! I mean, yes . . . urgh, you are so frustrating sometimes!” Her temper flashed.

“Natalya, why don’t you tell us why you’re here?” Rogan gave Aedan a warning look. “And Aedan, don’t interrupt.”

“I almost don’t know where to start.” She ran a shaking hand over her face. She was shattered. Had she ever been this exhausted? Maybe when Mateo was a baby. But now, she no longer had that glow of being a new mom or the feeling that she could do anything.

Now she was just desperate and scared. Terrified.

“Someone kidnapped my son. I need your help to get him back.”

2

Aedan gazed down at Natalya in disbelief. Her son? What the hell?

He leaned heavily against the wall. Those eyes that had once gazed at him with fire and adoration were now filled with hopeless desperation. Her shoulders were slumped, and her hands trembled as she brought the cup of coffee to her mouth and sipped. She wasn’t appropriately dressed for the cool night, wearing only a ripped pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and a cotton cardigan.

When she’d walked through the door, his first thought had been that this wasn’t his Natalya. She wasn’t the bright, fiery, full-of-life woman he’d known. This Natalya seemed rundown, like she was near the end of her rope. The curves he’d loved had been whittled away to nothing.

He was concerned, which made him angry. He didn’t want to care. Aedan didn’t want to desire her. But despite her rundown appearance, she was still the most stunning woman he’d ever seen. Waves of dark hair, the color of deep midnight, cascaded over her shoulders. Her deep brown eyes were framed by sootylashes. And that mouth. Lord, he loved her mouth. Sensuous, alluring, and too damn appealing.

Somehow, he needed to find the self-control to keep his hands off her.

“Who is the father?” he asked in a hoarse voice. Was it him? Is that why she was here? To tell him he was a dad?

Her shoulders slumped farther. “Diego,” she whispered.

“He’s not mine?” He had to be sure.

“No.” Standing, she clasped her arms around her body. “I’m sorry I disturbed you both.”

She turned away, and he let her go, shocked by the depth of his disappointment. Her son wasn’t his. They hadn’t made a child together.

“Aedan.Aedan.” Rogan’s voice broke through his thoughts.

Aedan glanced over at him questioningly. “What?”

“Are you just going to let her leave?” Rogan asked.

Aedan scanned the room, shocked to see she’d gone. “She left? Shit!” He ran out before Rogan could reply, storming down the passage to find her in the foyer.

“Natalya?” he asked.

She kept her gaze lowered. “It’s all right. I get it.”

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