Page 175 of Filthy Lies

“After everything I?—”

“After everything,” I confirm. “You made mistakes. So did I. But when it mattered, when Vince’s life was on the line, when Sofiya’s future hung in the balance, you were there. That’s worth more than anything else.”

Tears fill her eyes, threatening to spill over. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”

“Probably not,” I agree with a wink. “But you’re getting it anyway.”

She laughs wetly, dabbing at her eyes. “Then yes. I’d be honored.”

Relief surges through me. Our friendship will never be what it was—too much has happened, too many secrets and lies between us—but this new relationship, built on hard-earned trust and painful honesty, might be stronger for having been broken.

“How’s Arkady doing?” Natalie asks, recovering her composure. “I haven’t seen him at the office since… well, since the shooting.”

Something in her tone makes me glance at her sharply. “He’s better. Physical therapy is kicking his ass, but he’s trudging through it. Doctors say it’s a miracle he survived.”

“And he’s here tonight?” Her attempt at casualness falls comically short.

“Inside, probably harassing the bartender for stronger vodka.” I study her with growing amusement. “Why do you ask?”

A blush creeps up her neck. “No reason. Just… professional concern.”

“Bullshit.” I laugh, genuinely delighted by this unexpected development. “You like him.”

“I don’t?—”

“You do.” I bump her shoulder with mine. “And that’s okay. He’s a good man. Loyal to a fault.”

“He tried to kill your husband,” she reminds me.

“And then took a bullet for him.” I shrug. “Complicated relationships are kind of our brand around here.”

Natalie bites her lip, considering. “Do you think he’d… I mean, would Vince allow?—”

“Vince doesn’t control who Arkady dates.” I pause. “But he might kill him if he hurts you. So there’s that to consider.”

She laughs, the sound genuinely happy, and I realize how long it’s been since I’ve heard it. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

It’s so perfect, the idea of the two of them together, that I have to forcibly keep myself from grinning like a lunatic. After everything Natalie’s ex put her through—making her a mom and then a single mom in the span of a year so he could go ball out in Vegas with their life savings—she deserves a happy ending as much as anyone.

The music swells inside, drawing our attention back to the celebration. Through the glass doors, I can see Vince dancing with Sofiya in his arms. He holds her out and spins her in gentle circles as she squeals with delight.

“You look happy, Rowan.” Natalie’s voice is soft. “I never thought it was possible, after everything, but you actually look really, truly happy.”

“I am,” I say quietly. “Not always. Not every day. But in the moments that matter?”

I watch my husband tenderly cradling our daughter, and my heart swells with a love so fierce it borders on violence.

“… In the moments that matter, I’m fuckingtranscendent.”

Natalie smiles, raising her glass. “To moments that matter, then.”

We clink glasses, and I return my gaze to Vince, who has spotted me through the window. His eyes lock on mine, intense and possessive even across the distance. He mouths something I can’t hear but understand perfectly:

Mine.

I nod once, acknowledging the claim, and mouth back:

Always.

---