Page 36 of Redemption's Inferno

“Makes you human,” Nate said.

“I don’t want this to blow back on Mum… I have to leave England.”

“I’ll be movin’ in with your mum,” Nate said gruffly. “Already bought the bloody ring, but she’s been a bit standoffish with regards to a wedding. I think she was waiting for you.”

“For me?” Chains’ eyes widened. “For what?”

“To approve. To give a blessing. She’ll never say the words, but I think she needs that, to know you’re okay with it.”

Chains nodded. “Yeah.” He didn’t know this man well enough to be okay with anything, but as far as approval went, he wanted whatever would make his mother happy. She’d been alone far too long and finding someone not only would be good for her, it would make him worry less. He still had a few friends in MI6, people who checked on his mother for him regularly, but it would be better for her to have a man in the house, with her all the time.

“Are you okay with it?” Nate glanced over at him. “I’m an open book, mate. You can check me out ten ways to Sunday—I don’t want anything from you or your mum. I’ve my own money, own my house. Have a grown daughter who’s married and seems to be popping out a new grandbaby every year, and she adores Dolores. I’d like us to be friends, but if you’re not willing, I respect your decision. You should just know your mum won’t take the next step if you don’t approve.”

“My only issue is trust,” Chains said quietly. “And that takes time to build. If you’re who you say you are, and you genuinely love her, I don’t have a problem with anything. If you lay a hand on her, go after her money, or are somehow involved with my MI6 past and that’s the only reason you’re with her—we will have a big problem.”

“Then I’ve nothing to worry about.” He paused. “Except this nonsense here tonight.”

Chains nodded. “Yeah, I know.” He hesitated. “Do you spend the night often?”

Nate shrugged. “No. Usually she stays with me. She didn’t want to leave with you here, and I was tired of going home every night, so tonight I put my foot down about staying the night. Glad I did.”

“Me too.” Chains wasn’t sure how he felt about the older man spending the night, but until he had a reason to suspect he’d been involved in whatever had happened tonight, he owed it to his mother to give him a chance. He already had Warren and Joe both putting out feelers. If Nate had a nefarious past, one of them would find out. In the meantime, his night with Emilie had been disrupted, they’d been about to have their first fight and he’d seen the look on her face when she’d gone upstairs; she was upset, which basically defeated the purpose of everything he’d done this week. He’d wanted her to be relaxed and happy, especially now that he’d had a taste of her. He didn’t know what he was going to do about their complicated relationship, or the way she’d tried to push him away, but he had more pressing matters to think about in the immediate future.

* * *

Emilie woke to the buzzing of her phone and rolled over sleepily, reaching for it. Jamie’s name flashed on the screen and she frowned, wondering what was going on for him to be calling her at midnight his time. It was just after 8:00 in the morning here, so she answered in a worried voice. “Jamie? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, sorry. Did I wake you?”

“I was ready to get up,” she yawned. “What’s happening? Aren’t you and Viggo on holiday? Your honeymoon?”

“We go home in the morning,” he said. “But something’s been on my mind and Viggo thought we should talk about it.”

“Of course. What is it?” Emilie sat up, putting the phone on speaker.

“Viggo told me what you’re going through and, based on our history, I guess I wondered if you’d done a test or gotten your period or anything.”

Emilie froze, staring at the phone as though she didn’t know what it was.

“Em?”

“I, uh, no.” She swallowed. “I didn’t, I mean...damn. I didn’t even think about it, Jamie.”

“When was the last time you had a period?”

“I…I…” She wracked her brain. “I don’t know! Shit! Do you know how many times we didn’t use protection?”

“Four,” he said quietly.

“You counted?”

“Of course I counted! We made a conscious decision to get pregnant and then you just left! Haven’t you thought about it at all?”

“No! At the time I just assumed I would feel something or notice I was late… I don’t think I am, but I guess I should check.”

“I’m okay either way, but with you being so cryptic about what’s going on, when you’re coming back—I really need to know, Em.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about that when I made the decision to come to England. I just knew I needed to sort out a situation that happened eight years ago in London, and I couldn’t put it off any longer.”

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