“I don’t know…”

  “Just do it, okay? I need you to make sure Vivian makes it out of there. Please, I’m begging you, don’t argue with me, Wes.”

  Wes nodded in agreement and followed Eric into the house. They entered from the back. The man Eric had in the house gestured for him to follow. Eric went in the opposite direction toward the front of the house.

  Wes went up the stairs and into the room the man gestured toward and Eric went in search of Miguel. He found him in his office. Miguel sat at a desk, a gun in his hand. He directed it at Eric, and Eric kept his own gun focused on Miguel. He should have handled the situation better, but it was too late to go back. He moved closer into the room and remained silent. There had to be a way to get the upper hand. Wes and the two women entered the room with another man behind them. Eric didn’t turn when they entered. He kept his own gun focused on Miguel.

  “Found them trying to escape.” The man behind Wes, Vitoria, and Vivian said.

  When the man spoke, Eric turned his head. His displeasure was apparent on his face that they’d not escaped as he’d hoped they would. Eric hardened his features at the sight of them. Wes failed his one task. Eric had to act, do something to fix it, and ensure their survival. Eric jumped over the desk and tackled Miguel attempting to knock him out. They struggled over Miguel’s gun. A gun fired, the sound of the shot echoing through the room. Eric punched Miguel and subdued him.

  Screams echoed through the room. Eric turned to see what the commotion was all about. Wes grabbed a heavy statue and clocked a guy in the head. The man fell in front of him, his head bouncing off the floor with a hard thud. Wes swayed as he studied the man on the floor, then hit the floor next to the man he’d just knocked out.

  “Oh God, Wes, are you okay?” Vitoria rushed to his side.

  “You worried about me, sweetheart?” Wes’s voice shook as he spoke.

  Tears were falling down Vitoria’s face. She wiped them away with her hands. “Why’d you have to go and scare me like that?”

  “I’m going to be fine. It’s a scratch.”

  Wes held his hand over his shoulder, blood dripping through his fingers. He glanced up and met Eric’s gaze.

  “He doesn’t look good.” Eric frowned. Eric retrieved his phone and dialed. He demanded an ambulance. Wes would not die.

  Wes ran his fingers across Vitoria’s cheek and wiped away a tear falling over it. “I love you, Tori.”

  “Wes?” Vitoria said his name anxiously.

  Wes lost consciousness and Vitoria’s sobs grew louder. Not long after that the ambulance arrived to carry Wes to the hospital.

  He went over to Vitoria and said, “An ambulance pulled up. They are going to take Wes to the hospital. It looks like the bullet went through his shoulder.” Eric laid his hand on Vitoria’s arm. “I have Miguel and his associate in handcuffs. They’re both going to go away for a very long time.”

  “Good. They should,” Vitoria replied. She glanced at Vivian crying on the other side of the room. “What the hell is this all about?”

  Eric shook his head. “This isn’t the time to talk about all of this. We need to get Wes to the hospital.” He hated he made Vivian cry. Eric wanted to hold her but he didn’t think she’d let him.

  “Yes, we do,” Vitoria agreed. “I’m not letting you off the hook though. He has a bullet in him because of your incompetence.”

  “Leave him alone, Tori,” Vivian ordered

  Vitoria met her sister’s gaze. “You tried to warn me, didn’t you?”

  Vivian nodded. “I did.”

  “You didn’t try hard enough.” Her words filled with bitterness. “I was in danger, and all you did was leave a few messages. I always knew you didn’t really care about me. It’s disappointing to find out how little I do mean to you.”

  “It’s not like that—”

  “No, it’s exactly like that.”

  Eric should say something, defend Vivian, but he didn’t know how, and he didn’t know Vitoria. The paramedics came into the room in a rush. They pulled a stretcher along with them. “Where’s the injured individual?”

  “He’s over here,” Vitoria replied.

  They went to work on him. Once they had an idea on his condition, they hauled him onto the stretcher and wheeled him out.

  “Wait, can I come in the ambulance with you?” Vitoria asked.

  “Are you family?”

  “No—but…”

  “Sorry ma’am, you’ll have to meet us at the hospital.”

  Tears began to spill out of her eyes. Eric took a deep breath. This was something he could fix… “I’ll take you to the hospital, Vitoria.” Eric grabbed her arm. “Come with me, I have a vehicle outside.”

  Vitoria yanked her arm out of his hands and seethed, “This is all your fault. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “Don’t be stupid Tori. You want to be with Wes, and Eric’s giving you a way to get there,” Vivian coaxed.

  Eric didn’t know why Vivian was helping, but he was grateful.

  “Fine,” she agreed. “He can take me to the hospital.”

  “I’m glad you’re seeing reason,” Eric replied.

  “Yeah, I’m still not going to forgive you anytime soon. In fact, you two can call his brother and ruin his wedding night by informing him of Wes’s condition.”

  Eric groaned. Dallas was going to be livid… “I can do that on the way to the hospital.” He turned to Vivian. “You’re coming with us.”

  “Why the hell would I do that?”

  “I want you both to get checked out,” he replied.

  “You can go to hell,” Vivian retorted. “I don’t have to do anything you tell me to.”

  “Viv…”

  “Don’t even start, Eric. I’m really pissed off at you right now.” She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not about to forgive you because you bat your pretty eyelashes at me.”

  “This has nothing to do with forgiving me.” He hardened his expression as he stared at her. “I don’t expect you too.”

  “Right, how stupid of me.” Vivian rolled her eyes. “You didn’t bother to tell me you were alive. Why would you want to seek any kind of absolution? It’s clear you never loved me.”

  “Viv—that’s not it at all.” Eric reached for her.

  “Come on Tori, let’s go outside and wait for his royal jackass to come out to drive us to the hospital.”

  “I can come with you now—”

  “Don’t rush on our account.” Vivian glared at him. “I know you have better things to do with your time.”

  Eric remained silent. They both had a right to their feelings regarding him. He joined them in the car and drove them to the hospital. He stayed silent the entire time. All through Vitoria’s pleas to be taken to Wes, through Wes’s family joining them…mostly, and even when Vivian glared at him from across the waiting room. He broke that silence when Vitoria seemed reluctant to go into to see Wes. “You should go in.”

  Tori glanced back at Eric. “I want to.”

  “What’s holding you back?” he asked.

  “I don’t know.” Her voice wobbled as she spoke

  Eric nodded. “I get it. You’re afraid the doctor was lying and he isn’t going to make it. Don’t make the same mistakes I did. Go see him.”

  Vitoria stared up into Eric’s eyes. He’d given Vivian up to save her. Perhaps Vitoria understood. Vitoria opened up the door and walked inside to look at Wes, Eric stood directly behind her. His face was pale, yet peaceful. She raised her hand and caressed his cheek. His eyes fluttered open. “Hey, sweetheart.”

  “If you’re trying to get my attention, this wasn’t the way to go about it.” Vitoria folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.

  Wes laughed and then coughed. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts too much.”

  “I’m sorry…”

  “Don’t be,” he squeezed her hand. “I love you.”

  Vitoria glared at him. “You’re such an asshole.”

  “I tell you I love you and you insult me?” Wes shook his head.

  “Yes, you don’t do that.”

  “What? Admit how much I adore you?”

  It hurt a little to witness this declaration of love between them. Eric wanted something like this for him and Vivian. He didn’t think he’d find it though. He tuned them out for a little bit, but when he brought himself back to the present he smiled. He was happy for Wes.

  “Glad to see you’re going to be all right.” Eric laughed and turned to leave.

  “No Eric, wait,” Wes called.

  He walked over to the bed. Misery flowed through him. This was all his fault. “I’m sorry, Wes. I thought you’d be able to get Vivian and Vitoria out unnoticed. I didn’t intend—”

  “It’s fine, Eric. You don’t need to apologize to me. I think you have someone else you need talk to.”

  Eric stared at him. “What do you mean?”

  Wes grinned. “Vivian.”

  “Yeah, I have a lot of explaining to do.”

  “No time like the present to start,” Wes said.

  Eric nodded and left the room. Maybe they’d be able to work things out between them. Somehow he didn’t think it would be easy though… Sometimes second chances weren’t given, and he didn’t think Vivian would be easy to convince he deserved one.

  Chapter 2

  Three months later…

  Vivian stared at her hair. It had grown out over the past few months and the red streaks had faded. The scarlet coloring not quite as bright as when she’d first had it done were a reminder of how preoccupied she’d become. Perhaps she should go to the stylist and have her hair color changed completely. The blonde was a little…blah, and she felt even more so. Perhaps it was because of Eric. He had tried, at first, to gain her forgiveness, then gave up as fast as he started.

  Why did she have to love him?

  She groaned and closed her eyes. She had to get Eric out of her head. He didn’t love her. If he had he’d never have left her alone. Left her to have their baby without him. She could forgive the secrets and the lies. It would be hypocritical of her if she didn’t. She had told her fair share of them. He had called her Vivian. Not Via. Vivi or Vivian. He knew who she was. Had he always known? Did he know about Gabriel too? If he did, and still stayed away, that said more than anything that she, and their son, didn’t matter to him.

  “Momma,” Gabriel said as he wobbled into her room. He was so little. Barely two years old and so precocious. He was also a tiny version of his father. It hurt to look at him sometimes. The reminder of the man she loved… Before it was because she believed Eric dead, now she ached deep inside because she wasn’t as important to him as he was to her.

  “Yes, baby,” she said. “Did you have a bad dream?”

  Gabriel had been down for his nap for the past hour. He usually slept for at least two hours. He was a good sleeper so something must have awakened him. He toddled over to her with his arms up. “Up, up,” he said.

  Vivian picked her son up and cradled him in her arms. He was growing so fast. Before she knew it he’d be past the days of wanting to cuddle with her or seek comfort in her arms.

  “Do you want me to read you a story?” she asked.

  “No,” he said. “Momma?”

  “Yes, baby.” She rubbed her fingers through his dark curls.

  “Juice,” he said in his little boy voice.

  Vivian smiled. Gabriel loved juice. “Sure,” she said and set him on the floor. “Let’s get you some juice.” She left her room and headed to the kitchen with her son following close behind her. Vivian opened the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of apple juice, then carried it over to the counter. She pulled one of Gabriel’s special cups out of the cupboard and filled it half way with water and the other half with juice. If she allowed him to he’d drink nothing but juice and it would run right through him. This was her compromise. “Here you go sweetie,” she handed the cup to Gabriel. “Would you like a snack too?”

  “Yesss,” he hissed out the word. “Watch cartoons?”

  “Sure,” she said. “I’ll put them on for you and then get you a snack.” Vivian went to the living room and turned the television on. She clicked on a children’s network and one of Gabe’s favorite shows was already airing. It featured a happy blue dog that helped the host solve mysteries. Gabe loved that dog. Maybe she should consider getting him a puppy… She shook her head and dismissed the thought. Vivian didn’t have the time for a dog. “There you go,” she told him. Gabe snuggled up on the sofa with his sippy cup and stared at the television. Vivian left him alone to make him a snack.

  She grabbed some grapes out of the refrigerator and peeled the skins off. She had a weird fear he’d choke on them so she peeled them and sliced them in half. She sliced a banana and some strawberries and made him a nice fruit cup. As she was leaving the kitchen her doorbell rang. Vivian frowned, set the cup on the table by Gabe, and then went to see who was visiting. Maybe it was her sister, Tori. They had been making an effort to repair their relationship. She was glad for that. Vivian had a rough couple of years and it would have been nice to have her sister around for them.

  Vivian opened the door and froze. Not Tori… “What are you doing here?” Her heart beat heavily inside her chest. She didn’t know how she was still standing upright.

  “I thought if I gave you enough time…” Eric shoved his hands into his pockets. “Can we talk?”

  She was suddenly conscious of how terrible she must look. Her hair was limp and the color fading. Her torn jeans were loose on her hips and her t-shirt had seen better days. She hadn’t expected company and if it had been anyone other than Eric she’d have been all right with how she looked. He on the other had was every woman’s fantasy. His dark jeans fit perfectly and his black shirt clung to his muscular chest. She wanted to run her fingers through his black hair and lose herself in those turquoise eyes. She held back. Barely. “I don’t think we have anything to talk about.”

  “That’s not true and you know it,” he told her. “I made mistakes…”

  She snorted. “That’s an understatement. Look, you’re right, we do have things to discuss.” He had to know about Gabriel. “But now is not a good time.

  “Please,” he begged. “I…” He swallowed hard. “We had something good. If its possible I’d like to find our way back to that.”

  He wanted a second chance? “I don’t know if I have anything left to give you. When you…died.” It was her turn to swallow hard. “I had to pick up the pieces of my life. The pieces of me…” She glanced away. “I was broken but I had someone else to think about other than myself. Somehow I found a way to move on, to be strong, without you. If you want to be a part of Gabriel’s life I won’t stop you. But you and me” Vivian gestured between the two of them. “There’s no going back to the past. All we can do is go forward.”

  She moved away from him and shut the door. Vivian didn’t want to deal with him. She couldn’t handle it. Not when she wasn’t even remotely feeling her best…

  Chapter 3

  Eric stared at the closed door uncertain what he should do next. He’d waited too long. She wouldn’t be reasonable. Wait… What was she talking about? Who was Gabriel? Eric lifted his hand and pounded on the door again. She didn’t open it so he repeated the action until finally she stood before him again.

  “What the hell is wrong with you? I told you this wasn’t a good time.”

  “Gabriel,” he said.

  “Is that what all the ruckus is about? You want to finally meet your son?”

  Eric felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. He had a son. Why hadn’t anyone bothered to tell him that? His informant only watched Miguel to ensure he didn’t go after Vivian. No one mentioned she had been pregnant. He wouldn’t have been able to stay away if they had. She was—had been vulnerable. He was such an asshole. “I didn’t know…” The words came out on a harsh mumble. Eric cursed under his breath. “Let me in.” He didn’t wait for her to invite him in this time. Eric pushed past her and walked into the living room. A small boy sat on the couch eating fruit and watching a cartoon. His son…

  “Eric?” Vivian came to stand beside him. She placed her hand on his arm. “You really didn’t know?” Her voice was hoarse. “At least I know you would have cared about him. Do care…”

  “I care about you,” he insisted. “I never stopped loving you. Going away—doing what I did—it was to protect you.” He swallowed hard. “I didn’t want to leave.”

  She frowned. “There had to be a better way to handle it all.”

  He shook his head. “There wasn’t. You were in danger as long as I was alive.” Eric scrubbed his hands over his face. “We need to talk about it all. Now. It’s past time.”

  She nodded. “You’re right. Follow me I’ll make coffee. Gabriel will be fine watching his cartoons for a little while.”

  Eric did as she instructed and went to the kitchen with her. As she fussed with the coffee preparation he sat at the table. Her home was cozy, comfortable…inviting. A nice place to raise a child. “Why did you leave the FBI?”

  “I didn’t realize you knew about that.”

  “I knew everything before I left. I worked with the CIA for several years after I earned my degree…as an analyst. If not for Miguel I’d still be working behind the scenes.”

  “What was different about him?”

  “The numbers,” he said. “No one understood how he hid his money and moved it. They needed me on the inside to find the evidence. I was the only one that would be able to recognize it when I found it. I didn’t get it all before it got to hot for me to be there. To make my death believable they listed me on the case files as a key witness making me expendable to Miguel and therefore making my execution more believable.”

  “He said he didn’t order it…”

  “That’s because he didn’t. It was made chaotic for a reason. So my handlers could retrieve my dead body and send me overseas without anyone the wiser.” It had been a mess from start to finish. He hated hurting her. He should have found a reason for her to stay home that night. It would have been much safer for her. “You were never supposed to be injured. A stray bullet hit you.” God. She could have lost the baby. Thank God she hadn’t.

 

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