Page 11 of Sinner's Salvation

“Open up. Love is not only physical.”

“If you don’t stop spewing this nonsense, I’ll question your intelligence. My pending marriage serves a purpose. It isn’t love.”

She raises her hands in exasperation. “Do you have any idea how many times I question why I have everything I have ever wished for, knowing what I did? I don’t even know what your problem is.”

I tip my head up and follow the birds chasing through the sky with my eyes. “Leia misses you. She’s at an age when she knows the difference between people who are in her life and people who aren’t. Do not make my daughter believe you fall into the latter category, because I know you would die for her.”

“Here’s some feedback. Could you do better for my next birthday?”

Her face twists into fake incredulity. Like every other time, she runs off, and it’s a competition to see who reaches my house first.

“Beat you.”

She smiles, breathing heavily when we reach my home, and waves at me while she hops into her golf cart and drives away.

Men patrol the estate, even though it’s not like anyone could attack. We know if anyone approaches from any angle, be it sky or land.

Upstairs, in my bedroom, after I shower, I change into a dark gray suit, slipping into black Italian leather shoes when my phone rings.

I let it ring a few more times, but it would be rude not to answer my future father-in-law.

“Happy birthday.”

“Cut the bullshit.”

“We need to talk.”

“Tomorrow.”

“You’re young, Cameron. Still, do not disrespect me again by making me chase you down.”

“You’re old. Maybe you forgot who you’re talking to.”

I hang up and head to Aurora and Kieran’s place, an impressive limestone mansion, and follow the cobblestone path.

As soon as I am inside, I notice rain trickling down the round windows in the winter garden, which has been decorated for my party with balloons and fairy lights. A buffet is along the wall and soft music plays. In the corner, a table is set.

My nieces Celia and Leia, who are eight months apart, jump into my arms and I spin them both as they giggle. It’s the best sound in the world.

“Again,” they beg.

I turn until I am dizzy. They run around chasing each other and dancing to the playlist.

I’ll make damn sure they will only know peace while growing up. Looking at what I will never have, something stirs in my chest. I’ll never have kids. I didn’t think I would want any.

Kieran approaches, hands tucked in his pockets, focusing on me.

“From where I stand, each of you has had it better than you thought you deserved.”

“Maybe we all get what we need and not what we want.”

Gnashing my teeth, I scowl. I knew the guys would make me pay for intervening, but if I didn’t play the master puppeteer, we wouldn’t be here. I wanted the best for my sister, and Aurora was Kieran’s weakness. The need to protect her was stronger than anything else in his life. It took one glance at Chiara and I knew she was Cato’s type of woman. And Hayden needed one push to live, and Alessandra is his life, so I made him see that he couldn’t be okay with her being anywhere other than next to him.

Yet, I understand how they feel. Add to that they are vengeful bastards, and my fate is sealed. What they would have had in mind for me if they were miserable instead is better left unanswered.

When Aurora calls Kieran, he instantly goes to her. I watch them on the dance floor, swaying to a tune of love I will never experience, so I approach my nieces. These two have been inseparable since birth, which helps since they are close in age.

“Read us something,” Celia says in her bossy little voice, but what else would I expect of Chiara and Cato’s offspring?

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