Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Santiago pulls his arm away from me, and I quickly take a step back and move partially behind him.
I watch as he takes Kristian from Dominik, and as if he’s held a million babies, he handles my month-old nephew like a pro.
Santiago turns to me, and my eyes drift over every adorable inch of Kristian, who’s making baby noises.
“Would you like to hold your nephew?” Grace asks, stepping closer to us.
When I nod, Santiago hands him to me, and my heart clenches as I stare into my nephew's gray eyes. His cheeks are chubby, and his lips are a rosy red.
Grace moves closer. “He’s growing so fast.”
I glance at my sister, then say, “He’s so adorable.”
Kristian kicks, more baby sounds filling the air, and I get lost in staring at him again.
“Come sit, mi sol,” Santiago murmurs, softly nudging me toward the couch.
As I take a seat, Dominik asks, “How are things in Peru?”
“Good,” Santiago answers. “I need to put in another order for weapons.”
“Just send it to Evinka. She’ll take care of it.”
“Do I get a discount, seeing as we’re practically family?” Santiago asks with a playful tone.
“You and your fucking discounts,” Dominik mutters as he takes a seat on the couch across from us.
Grace hovers near me, and I scoot closer to Santiago to make space for her. “Come sit by me.”
A smile spreads over her face, and she quickly drops down on the couch.
“Maybe we should head to the restaurant so the women can have some alone time,” Dominik says as he stands up again.
When Santiago begins to move, my anxiety spikes and I give him a pleading look to stay with me. He immediately settles back on the couch and says, “Not yet.”
“It’s okay.” Grace lifts her hand and brushes some of my hair over my shoulder. “I understand it’s going to take some time.”
I give her a grateful look before staring at Kristian again. He’s getting heavier by the second, though, and after ten or so minutes, I hand him back to Grace.
When I see her cradling her son, I’m struck with an overwhelming emotion.
She’s a mother.
My eyes flick to Dominik, who’s watching Grace with a loving look.
She’s married to him.
I scoot even closer to Santiago.
Our lives have completely changed. Grace has built a family with Dominik, and I’m no longer the woman I used to be.
The realization is jarring, and I lower my head, hoping it doesn't show on my face.
“We had a long trip,” Santiago says. “We’re going to head to my place. How about dinner at eight?”
“Sounds good,” Dominik replies.
Santiago takes hold of my hand, and I quickly link my fingers with his.
When we get up, I glance at Grace and whisper, “See you later.”
She nods, her gaze searching over mine. I quickly look away again and walk with Santiago out of the house.
Not too far from Grace’s home, there’s another house nestled in the greenery. It also has black slate walls, but the design is different.
When Santiago places his hand on a biometric scanner and the door clicks open, he says, “We’ll scan your hand later so you can come and go as you please.”
I step into the house, and this time the atmosphere doesn’t feel foreign, and the tension in my body eases up.
“You did well, mi vida.”
“It doesn’t feel like it,” I whisper as I walk to the windows. I wrap my arms around myself, and stare at the beautiful view of plants, trees, and the stream. I feel Santiago behind me and admit, “I don’t fit into her life.”
“You will with time.”
I turn around to look at him. “Grace’s life continued while mine…” I shake my head to fight the dark memories so they don’t creep into my mind. “I’m happy for her, but I don’t know…” I press my hand to my chest where my heart is aching, and my voice is hoarse as I whimper, “I don’t belong anymore.”
“You do.” He steps closer to me, and lifting his hands, he frames my face and looks deep into my eyes. “You do belong, Ciara.”
I take in every handsome inch of his striking features, and I realize there’s nothing for me to decide. I’ll follow Santiago to the ends of the world.
I’m safe with him, and he’s the most selfless person I’ve ever met. Everything he does is for others.
With time, I can love him.
My lips part, and I whisper, “With you.”
He tilts his head, and the corner of his mouth lifts. “Always. No matter what you decide in the future, I’m yours, Ciara.” He reaches behind his neck and removes a gold chain. “I was going to wait for your birthday, but now feels like the right time to give this to you.” I see the diamond ring hanging from the chain, and shock trembles through me. “I got this ring for you when Lorena told me that I’d live a long life with you.”