Page 111 of Daniil
“There’s that whole skull fracture thing, you know?”
“It’s more than that.”
“I’m not sure what your point is—I can’t put Micah in a position where that kind of thing is the rule instead of the exception.”
“Did you ever ask him to come here?”
I stare at him and then slowly shake my head.“Yeah, okay—I’m going to ask a prince to give up his birthright, his position as a working royal, and the oath he took as a Royal Protector to come play house with me in Vegas.”
“I’m not talking about playing!”he protests.“I’m talking about marriage.Making a family unit for Micah.Being happy, Courtney.And you werehappywith Daniil.”
“How would you know?”
“I could tell just from your texts.The pictures you sent.You werehappy.Happier than I’ve ever seen you outside of a helicopter.”
Because I was.
But I can’t tell him that.I can’t even admit it to myself.What kind of mother would I be if I put my desires before my son’s safety?
“Please don’t do this,” I whisper.“Daniil and I agreed this was for the best.It’s done.Now it’s a matter of getting over it.I need your support, okay?Please?”
He sighs and wraps an arm around my shoulder.“You’ve always got my support.I just want you to be okay.And I know you’re not.”
“I’m getting there.And maybe buying Westfield & Carruthers will give me something to focus on beyond my broken heart.”
He opens his mouth but then closes it again.“Fair enough.Just think about what I said, okay?When you’re alone and staring at the ceiling at night, think about giving Daniil an option.All he can do is say no.”
I don’t know how to respond to that, so I don’t.
But deep down, it’s something to consider.
Chapter45
Daniil
It’s beena month since Courtney and Micah left Limaj.And me.I’ve thrown myself into work and exercise, doing a great deal of both.Sleep doesn’t come easily these days, so I’ve given up trying.Usually, I’m at the gym by five, ready for security briefings by eight, and at Parliament by ten.My days don’t end until after midnight, and then I do it all again.
Day after monotonous day.
I’ve just finished my twentieth pull up when Erik comes in.I’m so surprised to see him I nearly let go of the bar.
“Everything okay?”I ask automatically since I’m the only one here.
He nods.“Can you walk with me?”
“Sure.”I let go, drop to the ground, and grab my towel, wiping the sweat off my brow.I grab my phone and water bottle off the floor and fall into step beside him.
“It’s done,” he says quietly.
I slow down.“Jesper?”
“He was being transferred to the high-security prison and they were hit head on by an eighteen-wheeler.Driver fell asleep at the wheel.”
I don’t say anything at first, trying to quell the disparate emotions ripping through me.
Grief for a man I once cared about deeply.
Relief that my son is now safe.
