Page 213 of Divine Obsession

She nodded, a deep sigh escaping her lips. “Yeah. But it’s not just gifts and money. I see it tearing him apart on the inside. I see and feel it every time we kiss or…You know. He won’t forgive himself.”

I smiled sadly, a sigh escaping me. “What happened with you guys was…Intense.”

Maria shook her head. “You gotta understand, Nat… The things I’ve seen and experienced – both in the Bronx and as an assassin – what happened wasnothing. All he did was hold me in that room for two days. At his apartment in Queens. He never hurt me, not even when he thought I was sent to kill him.” She averted her eyes, her voice carrying insinuation. “Plus, we even…”

I gasped, laughing. “While you were hiscaptive? I should’ve known you’d be this kinky.”

She rolled her eyes, a faint blush on her cheeks. “Those feelings don’t just go away.”

“So, why does he still feel guilty?” I asked, more serious now. I reached out, squeezing her arm lightly.

She hesitated, her gaze softening. “When he said nothing between us had been real. That he’d used me to get to Ruiz. Of course, I know that was a lie now, but… That was what hurt.”

I took another deep breath, nodding understandingly. “I get that.”

“When I left his place in Queens, he told me he’d lied. But I didn’t believe him.”

“When did you believe him?” I asked, leaning forward.

She let out a small breath, her voice barely above a whisper. “When he was bleeding out for taking four bullets in the chest for me.”

“God…” I shook my head, the memory vivid in my mind. “You wouldn’t stop crying at the hospital. I’d never seen you like that before.”

Maria shook her head slowly, her expression distant. “He almost died, Nat. Because of me.” She gulped. “And now he’s upset at himself for making me cry. I wish I knew how to help him move past this.”

“Do you still talk about it?” I asked gently.

“We did when we got back together,” She admitted. “I told him everything – my past, what happened with us, how I felt.Hetoldmeeverything… There’s nothing left to say. He just… Won’t forgive himself.”

I pulled her into a hug. “He just really loves you, Em. What he did was wrong, and this is his way of apologizing, even though you’ve already forgiven him.” Pulling back, I cupped the side of her face. “Give him some time. It’s only been three months.”

Maria smiled.

“And talk to him again. Tell him how you feel.”

She laughed, straightening. “Yeah. You’re right. I will.”

The front door opened, and I glanced up from my spot on the couch to see Trevor and Zach walk in.

Speak of the devil.

“Hi!” Maria and I said in unison, our voices carrying the warmth.

The guys flashed us smiles as they took off their winter jackets. Trevor’s grin soft and full of adoration, while Zach’s smirk was wide and slightly teasing – classic him.

I watched as Zach made his way directly to Maria, who twisted around on her knees on the couch. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close like he’d been gone for days instead of hours.

“Mi amor,” He murmured, his voice low and intimate as he leaned down to kiss her.

She let out a soft breath, her hands already slipping under his black T-shirt to rest against his abs. “Missed you,” She whispered against his lips.

I turned my attention to Trevor, smiling shyly as he rounded the couch to where I sat. His grin was playful, but the way he kissed me – a slow, sweet pull – made my heart flutter, even now.

Then, to my surprise, he squatted down in front of me, brushing a soft kiss across my growing belly. He did it all the time when it was just us, but this was the first time with others in the room.

“How are my girls?” He asked, his voice filled with so much love I felt my heart grow.

Maria pulled away from kissing Zach, her head snapping towards me. “You’re having a baby girl?!”

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