Fall (Romanian Mob Chronicles Book 2) (11 page)

E
sther

T
wo Months Later
…

“
I
’m going
to
hold my niece tonight whether you like it or not, Esther,” Sorin said, voice deep, eyes pointed little daggers of cold blue.

“That still doesn’t work on me,” I said, and to add insult to injury, I kissed Maria’s head and walked back to the living room where I deposited her with her father.

“You two still going at it?” Vasile asked.

“I’m not doing anything,” I said, pleading innocence.

Vasile laughed and Fawn shook her head. “We know better, Esther. Be nice to Sorin,” she said.

I huffed. “You can’t be on his side. You’re
my
best friend.”

Sorin, who’d followed behind me, wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me back against his chest. “Don’t harass Fawn, either, Esther. The woman knows the truth when she sees it. And it’s not her fault you’re a pest.”

Then he kissed my cheek, the soft peck kind, friendly, while the possessive arm around my waist revealed the true depth of his feelings.

Vasile handed Maria to Fawn and then put his arm around her shoulders, the love in his eyes much like what I knew was reflected in Sorin’s.

“This is nice,” Fawn said, “being like this.”

“Family,” Sorin said.

“Family,” Vasile agreed.

Tears of joy pricked the back of my eyes, but I choked them back and instead said, “All right, enough with the feelings. I have an early day tomorrow.”

I didn’t have to look at Sorin to know he shook his head, probably had his face turned down in a frown.

“Night. Talk to you tomorrow?” Fawn said.

“Yep.”

Sorin and I headed to my house, the ride, one we’d taken countless times. But today was different, it reminded me of where we’d started, of how far we’d come.

“You remember?” I said suddenly.

“What?” he asked.

“That first time, when we first met?”

He chuckled softly and then reached for my hand. “I won’t ever forget.”

I glanced at him. “Did you ever think…?”

“Not in a million years,” he said.

We continued the rest of the drive in silence, entered my house, one that had changed to accommodate Sorin’s presence. He locked the door and then embraced me, his lips against mine a welcome feeling, even though it had been almost no time since I’d felt them last.

I broke away, pressed my hands against his chest, stared up into his eyes.

“It makes you happy, right?” I paused. “I make you happy?”

“Well, you can be—”

“I’m serious, Sorin,” I said, hating the pleading tone in my voice but needing his reassurance nonetheless.

“Esther, you’re pushy, stubborn, and you drive me fucking crazy. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I didn’t believe in love until I met you,” he said.

Then he held me tight, his warm, solid form against mine, cocooning me with love.

“Why?” he asked long moments later.

I looked up at him again. “I just needed to be sure,” I said.

He smiled. “If you never believe anything else, believe that,” he said.

“Good. So…” I said.

“What?” he asked, looking suspicious.

“Do you think Maria wants a niece or nephew?”

Confusion flashed across his face, followed by a moment of the purest joy I had ever seen.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he yelled.

“Nope,” I said.

“Argh!” He lifted me off my feet and spun me around, but then quickly put me down, concern crossing his face.

“I’m fine,” I said, smiling so big my face hurt.

He returned the expression, then gingerly cupped my face.

“I love you, Esther Jordan,” he whispered.

“And I love you, Sorin Petran.”

T
he Mob Boss
: Complete Saga

The Enforcer

The Assassin

The Soldier

The Con

Keep

Fall

Avenge