Page 104 of Heritage of Fire

I can’t remember the last time I ate ice cream. The cold, judgmental voice of my mother slithers through my mind, but the warm arm wrapped around my waist dulls it to a mere whisper.

“I’ll have a triple scoop of triple chocolate fudge,” Nik’s tells the employee, his voice is smug, and he smirks in my direction. “My wife works too many calories out of me.”

My mouth falls open, and my eyes dart to the girl behind the counter. She looks like she’s trying not to laugh.

“And for you?” she asks me.

“I’ll have a scoop of the lavender honey in a cone, please.”

It’s Nik’s turn to drop his mouth open. “Please tell me you didnotorder that over the cookie dough or salted caramel swirl.” He laughs at my affronted look, reaching into his back pocket for some cash to hand the girl.

“Well, you don’t have to eat any.” I wink at him, utilizing a page from his playbook, and he grabs my hand to bring it to his chest.

“It’s insane what you do to me, Luna.”

I blush.

A few minutes later, waffle cones in hand, we retreat to a cozy booth by the window. It reflects the perfect picture; husband and wife, sitting across from each other eating ice cream. A flash of the future dots my vision. Nik and I, older, ushering our grandkids to this spot as a special treat.

I blink.Oh gosh, Luna.

Does Nik even want kids?

Outside, the city continues to pulse with life, but here, within the confines of this ice cream shop, time seems to slow down—our own little pocket of peace.

“Do you want kids?” I blurt out.

And there goes the peace.

Nik stops midlick, already at his bottom scoop, and stares at me. His eyes go far off, like he’s seriously thinking about something. Then he lowers his cone and grabs a napkin to wipe his mouth.

“I’m sorry, that was sonota question I should be asking right now.” I divert my eyes, embarrassed. Shoot. I let my heart and my head get ahead of where we are.

This is new for us both, and I’m ruining things already.

“I … haven’t thought much about it. Honestly, Luna, I never thought I’d ever get married let alone have kids. Never wanted to.”

I nod. Of course. It was stupid of me to think he might want a family with a wife he never wanted.

“Right. I know. I’m sorry,” I say.

He twirls his cone between two fingers. “But now,” he says, and I hold my breath. “Now I’m not so sure. I don’t know, Luna. I don’t have a legacy to carry on like Luka does, and I wouldn’t want the childhood I had for my own kids. Plus, I’d be a horrible father.”

My heart clenches hearing him say that. Because, while I’m still getting to know Nik, I doubt he’d be a terrible parent.

“Don’t sell yourself short, Nik. You have so much to give.” And he does. So much joy, infectious humor, and loyalty. Great qualities that, if passed down to children, would make for wonderful little Niks in the world.

I picture little ones running around again, and I stop myself. I’mclearlydelusional, because we live above a weapons warehouse. I shake my head.

Nik has gone introspective once more, and I mentally chide myself for bringing it up.

The walk to his car is quiet, the silence between us growing stronger and stronger. DidIdo this? Or is something else bothering him?

After sliding into my seat, I lean across the console to brush a kiss to his cheek, and he closes his eyes—as if relishing it. But as we drive back home, his hands grip the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turn white, and his jaw remains clenched the entire time.

I think he isn’t saying something.

Chapter 39

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