Page 13 of Brazen Obsession

Verity’s house was like this. I went over a time or two. It always felt so cold, sterile. I felt sorry for her back then. To have to live in that place without the warmth of my mother to fill it.

After a few minutes of silence, Tom and Natasha appear in the doorway. They walk to the other side of the table where there are two place settings. Tom holds out the chair for Natasha and helps her slide in before taking his seat.

Tom meets my eyes. Which, if he heard any of that earlier, I wouldn’t think he’d be able to. I know I wouldn’t be able to look into his eyes if I heard him and Natasha going at it. And if Wyatt does what he whispered in my ear on the way down here, fucking me against the joining wall knowing I’m not able to keep quiet, I definitely won’t be able to meet Tom’s eyes across the breakfast table.

Before they showed us our rooms, Finn talked briefly to all of us so Tom and Natasha would know what’s going on.

Natasha can’t possibly be comfortable here. This is her father’s enemy’s home. When her brown eyes collide with mine, I give her a reassuring smile. Sure, her father kidnapped me and held me hostage while using my dog as a ransom note, but that’s not all her fault. Not entirely.

If she and Tom weren’t runners, that never would have happened to me. It burns through me like lava in my veins. Fuck. Maybe I’m still not over it. Maybe I’ll never get over it. But I will move on from it. It’s just going to take time.

I have months to work on it, and for Tom to sufficiently grovel, to leave it in the past before their baby is born. The baby didn’t have anything to do with it, so I can smother it with my love even if I haven’t fully forgiven Tom.

“Any idea what the plan for tonight is?” Tom’s gaze locks on Finn.

“Nope.” Finn leans back in his chair, looking completely relaxed and gorgeous in his three-piece suit. Different from the one this morning. Does his father just keep clothes on hand? Can I ask him that? Would that be rude? Or impertinent?

“Great.” Tom runs a hand through his hair, messing it up.

Natasha reaches over to brush it back into place. The way Tom’s face lights up makes my heart beat a little louder. They really do love each other. I’m happy Tom found someone to love, but at what price? And did that price really need to be paid?

If they’d gone to Peter and told him everything, would things have gone differently?

“Don’t get up, gentlemen.” Colin walks into the room and takes the chair at the head of the table next to Tom and Finn. “Ladies, it’s a pleasure to see you this evening. My dinners aren’t usually so colorful.”

Natasha’s dress is a pale blue in a similar style to mine. “Thank you for the clothes, sir.”

Colin sits back with his winsome smile and sparkling green eyes. “I appreciate a fine dining experience. It wouldn’t do to leave my guests in their pajamas.”

I tilt my head. Did they not get their things from the estate like we did?

Colin nods toward the staff and suddenly a flurry of activity erupts around us. Plates are set in front of us along with our wineglasses being filled. This feels normal and not at the same time. I’ve been to plenty of dinner parties at my parents’ friends’ houses.

But usually we aren’t taken in the middle of the night to get there. I cross my legs and wait. When the servers retreat, Colin holds up his wineglass.

Instinctually, I reach for mine and lift it as well. We’re all trained for this, so everyone does.

“To happy futures for all of you.” He tips his glass toward Finn with a smile before drinking.

We all take a sip. Well, all except Finn who drinks about half of his wine. That doesn’t really instill confidence in me. I reach beneath the table for his hand and tangle our fingers together. He squeezes my hand and sets the wineglass down.

The temptation to draw his head to mine and check to make sure everything is all right burns inside me, but it wouldn’t be appropriate. Instead, I just hold his hand, letting him know I’m here for him.

Colin lifts his fork, indicating it’s time to begin eating the salad before us. The sound of forks brushing fine china fills the room.

“Ms. Sokolov.” Colin looks at Natasha.

“Mrs. Morris.” Tom lifts her hand with the diamond set I haven’t had a chance to admire yet to his lips and brushes a kiss over her knuckles. “Newly wed.”

“Pardon me.” Colin leans back in his chair and studies them like a predator studies its prey.

My pulse picks up the pace. We may not be in danger here, but are my brother and his wife?

“It was my understanding that you were promised to Alexander Petrov.”

Natasha straightens. “I was, but that wasn’t my wish. It was my father’s.”

Colin nods and takes a bite of his salad, looking thoughtful. “It’s interesting that this generation doesn’t want to toe the line.”