Pike bowed his head, wincing as he nodded. “For you to be afraid that way and leave with our child…”
Belle nodded, wincing a bit then too. “I can’t say what I would or wouldn’t have done, Isak. I was...I was really messed up. I think it was the same for Persephone- all she had to deal with and then being pregnant too...I don’t know how I would’ve handled it- maybe the same way, maybe… worse…” She tugged at his bowtie hanging loose around the collar of his shirt.
“All that really matters is what happens now and now is looking pretty good so long as we maintain that honesty you guys harped on so nicely last night.”
Pike shrugged. “If you insist.”
“I do.” She put a kiss to his jaw. “We’re always entitled to our personal feelings, Isak. So long as they don’t damage our love.”
“Nothing can do that,” he cupped her face and gave the lightest squeeze. “No more secrets?”
Belle shook her head obediently. “No more secrets and to prove it, I’ll let you in on the last one I have.”
Pike deciphered the sly message in his wife’s chestnut colored eyes. “You know, don’t you?”
She leaned in, tugging the lapels of his white jacket then. “I couldn’t resist. Should I tell you?”
Pike hesitated only a moment and then nodded. Belle stood on her toes, whispered in his ear and then stepped back as if to judge her reaction.
“Seriously?” Was all he
could say before tugging her into a long and thorough
kiss.
~~~
“You do know that I’ll hunt you down if you ever leave me?”
Darby leaned back to search her husband’s emerald stare with her own. “And what will you do when you track me down?”
Kraven rolled his eyes and then gave all his attention to Quincee who he held. He and Darby had been first to take the baby out to join the dancing in the middle of the ballroom. Quincee giggled as Kraven nuzzled her cheek. He turned back to Darby who he held in his other arm.
“I shouldn’t say in front of the baby,” he told her.
Darby settled in closer and spoke near Kraven’s ear. “Sounds like it might take a toll on me.”
“Oh it would.”
“Maybe you could show me what I’m in for once you get me back to your castle, Lord DeBurgh.”
“Count on it,” his expression changed then. “I’m sorry, Lass.”
“Me too,” Darby pressed her face into his neck, inhaled.
Kraven put a kiss to her temple. “If you’re ever afraid, try to remember that I’m here and that I want to face it with you, whatever it is. And if it’s…me that you’re ever afraid of-”
“Kraven no-”
“But if it is-”
“It never will be.”
The seductive curve of his mouth sharpened with a curious smile. “You’re certain?”
“Very.” Darby smoothed her lips across his jaw. “I know you…and I love everything I know. I love who you were because that played a part in making the man you are now and I trust that man with my life.” She nudged him with the bump of her belly. “I trust him with the life we’ve made together.”
Kraven’s vivid gaze darkened with emotion. “I love you Darby.”
“I love you,” Darby’s eyes flooded with similar emotion. “Always,” she whispered.
Kraven began to nuzzle Darby’s cheek while
Quincee clapped as if sensing a make-up.
~~~
“So we’ve got Pevsner’s long narrative, schematics and shipping manifests, but no location?” Hill was asking.
Caiphus, Moses and Carlos joined him as did Bill and Dena. The group chatted as they waited for Kraven to finish his three-way dance with Darby and Quincee.
“Lamont’s info was very thorough. He gave us all the pieces, just left us with no idea where to find them.” Bill chimed in.
“How is it Lamont led an organization like Vestige and had no clue how to find his own father?” Dena asked.
“Maybe he didn’t want to find him,” Bill theorized. “Shannon, having more of a foothold in Vestige would’ve been a nightmare for Lamont- especially since he wasn’t as on board with the man’s mission statement as he once was.”
“You still gotta wonder why he left the stuff at all,” Carlos shrugged. “Like it’s just a piece to an even bigger puzzle.”
“Maybe that’s why.”
Everyone looked up as Kraven took a seat near Hill.
“He knew you guys were getting closer-figuring it out,” Kraven waved to the newlyweds curled into each other on a sofa specially designated for them.
