Page 63 of Protected By the Sinner
When I stepped into her room and saw her, pale and so small in that big hospital bed, even after everything she’s done, I hated what I felt.
The problem with liars is that they’re usually people you keep close. People who matter.
As much as I didn’t want to admit it before, she has taken up a space in my life that no one else ever has.
When I looked at her earlier, lying in that bed, I didn’t see the traitor from the photos, conspiring with my enemies. I saw my girlfriend. My lover.
It’s hard to separate the two. Harder still to accept that the images are real, even though I know they are.
The car stops whereheis waiting for me.
I run a hand through my hair, exhausted.
Right now, I have more questions than answers.
If she doesn’t already know she’s pregnant, I don’t even know whether she’ll want the baby.That’s okay. I want the child. Besides, I won’t let my son or daughter grow up like a nomad, like I did. A child needs roots.
Maybe we can come to an agreement. As much as it drives me insane to think of keeping her close after finding out she’s aliar, a child needs their mother. Maybe if I make her a generous offer, she’ll agree to raise the baby near me.
If not, I’ll file for custody. I’ve already contacted the law firm that handles my affairs—they’ll give me their opinion by tomorrow, though they’ve already warned me that during the pregnancy, I can’t legally force her to stay by my side.
I climb the steps to the house, for the first time without feeling any joy at seeing my mentor again.
The door opens before I reach the last step, and even with the darkness still clouding my heart, I smile.
“I’m glad to hear your girlfriend and your child are doing well.”
Even after a lifetime of knowing him, I’m still surprised at how he always seems to know everything.
“Yes, they are. How did you find out?” I ask, mostly out of habit.
“I’m like God, my son. Omniscient. Nothing happens in this world without my knowledge.”
I walk up to him and hug him. “Welcome back to America, Ruslan. I missed you.”
“Want a drink?” he asks, already knowing I’ll say no.
We’re seated in the library of his Boston home, which is massive, by the way.
“Not a good time to dull my senses. Besides, the sun’s barely up. Why the sudden visit?”
“Notsosudden. You know how I am. Always coming and going.”
“Like God. Omnipresent,” I joke, worn out.
“First of all, congratulations on the baby. Children are always a blessing.”
“I don’t know if every parent feels that way, but I really want this child.”
I know he understands. He’s had children across practically every continent, and as far as I know, he’s been a good father to them. There might be others he doesn’t even know about. I wouldn’t be surprised if new grandchildren kept popping up until the day he takes his final breath. But even with all the women he’s been with, Ruslan is, above all else, a family man.
Our unlikely friendship started when I was just seventeen. Fresh out of high school, I had no plans. Even though I’d been offered a spot on a college football team, it wasn’t my passion.
Nothing excited me, really. And maybe, if fate hadn’t stepped in and made our paths cross, I’d already be dead by now.
But fate did intervene.
I was coming home from a party with some friends when I saw a man—older—walking out of a building. He had bodyguards with him, but maybe because it was late, they were distracted.
