Page 29 of Redemption's Inferno

“Em, that’s kind of spooky.”

“You trust me, don’t you?”

“You know I do.”

“Then do this for me. I might be in a bit of trouble, over something I did a long time ago, but Chains is helping me sort it out. It’s just, you know, in case…”

He let out a low growl. “Em! You have a daughter to think about!”

“I am thinking about her!” she cried softly. “I’m doing this for her! I can’t be a good mother if I don’t handle this. You said you trusted me and would do anything for me except leave Jamie—all I ask is you put the letter away until the first day of hockey season or when I get home, whichever comes first. Can you do that?”

“All right, yeah.” He let out a breath. “But you have to text me every day to update me, even if it’s just to say you’re okay.”

“Viggo, I—”

“Every day or no deal,” he said firmly.

She blew out a breath. “Yes, all right. I’ll text every day.”

“I love you, Em. You know my feelings for you are no different now?”

“I love you too,” she said, warmth spreading through her. “I’m thankful nothing has changed. You mean so much to me.”

“And you to me. Thank you for messaging Jamie after the verdict—it means a lot that you care about him too.”

“How could I not? If he’s going to be Simone’s second daddy, he’s part of us now. Besides, seeing you two together makes me happy.”

“About that.” He cleared his throat.

“What is it?” she asked quickly.

“We got married. Yesterday, here in Ottawa.”

“Married?!” She was so surprised she wasn’t sure what to say at first. “Oh, my goodness! Viggo, congratulations! Are you happy? Was it lovely? Tell me everything!”

He laughed on the other end, obviously relieved. “Well, it happened quickly. We were talking about the future and I showed him the rings I’d bought just before we left for Ottawa, and asked what he thought about that. Next thing you know we’d asked the concierge here at the hotel if she could help us and…the next day we did it.”

“Who was there? What did your parents say?! Tell me everything, dammit!”

Laughing like the old friends they were, they talked another 15 minutes as he told her the details of their special day and that they were going on a short three-day honeymoon in Niagara Falls. She was smiling when she hung up, though a tiny part of her wanted to sob with envy. She wasn’t jealous—she adored both of them and knew they were much better suited for each other than she and Viggo had been—but she hadn’t realized how much she wanted that same type of happiness for herself until just now.

“Emilie?” Dolores was watching her with concern. “Are you all right, love?”

“Yes.” Emilie swiped at a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen. “My ex-husband and his partner were married yesterday and I missed it.” She forced a smile. “Anyway, where to next?”

Dolores hesitated. “You want to talk? You look a little shaken.”

“I’m fine, truly. I’m just a little sad I couldn’t be there with them and all our friends. It was a special day and I’m here…” She shook her head. “I don’t mean I’m not happy to have met you, only that I missed something so important.”

“Think of all you’d have missed if Chains hadn’t stopped you from going to Scotland Yard.”

Emilie looked down. “I know. That’s what’s so hard.”

Dolores watched her carefully, her brows knitting together with concern. “I think that’s enough sun for you today. Let’s have a cup of tea up the street and then we’ll head home. Come along.”

Chapter 11

Chains was on his way home from the library when his phone rang. He was surprised to see Viggo’s name on the screen but had a feeling he knew why he was calling.

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