Page 70 of Death

“I’ve prepared the guest room for you,” Grace says, drawing my attention to her.

I told Santiago I’ll see how things go before I make any big decisions, but as I stand in my sister's home, everything feels foreign.

Dominik comes out of another room with Kristian in his arms, and when his eyes land on me, they’re not hard like I remember. His tone is also much softer when he murmurs, “Hi, Ciara. It’s good to see you again.”

Every muscle in my body tenses, but I manage to whisper, “Hi.”

When he smiles at Santiago, I’m thrown for a loop because I’ve never seen him smile before. “Finally, you get to meet your godson.”

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.

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