Page 39 of Vegas Baby

Her anxiety suddenly makes sense. She has to tell me something. And she thinks I’m going to run like she did.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I reiterate firmly. When she doesn’t look at me, I grab her chin and turn her face, so her eyes meet mine. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“Why did you get back together with me?” she asks seemingly out of nowhere.

I swallow hard, not sure where this was going. “Because I still had feelings for you,” I admit.

Her face tightens. “What kind of feelings, Sebastian? I need to hear it.”

I close my eyes. This isn’t like Kira at all. Do I admit it and risk scaring her off? Or do I hold back and risk not giving her whatever it is she needs right now?

I open my eyes, remembering when Maria said I had to keep trying.

“Because I love you, Kira. I loved you then, and I love you now. That’s why I was so upset. If you didn’t matter to me, I wouldn’t have been so hurt.”

Kira’s face crumples. “I’m sorry I put you through that. But you should know, I love you too. I didn’t know that before because it wasn’t until Nadia that I truly understood what that felt like. And I realized when you came back into my life that I felt that for you too. Everything you’ve done since then has only made me feel it more.”

I want to smile, to laugh, to kiss her … but something about her countenance is still off.

“What brought this on?” I ask carefully.

Kira takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “Maria asked me about Nadia’s father today.”

I drop my hand from her chin and frown. Why on earth would Maria go poking around in Kira’s past? That’s a surefire way to stress her out, which is the last thing she needs right now. It could definitely explain why she’s feeling like she needs reassurance right now.

Though I guess Maria wouldn’t know that as I’ve never talked to her about it. But I’m sure as hell going to have a talk with her now.

“I’m so sorry, babe, that was out of line. I’ll have a talk with Maria and —”

Kira puts her hand over my mouth, and I blanch in shock. “You don’t understand. I didn’t either. She saw something neither of us saw.” Kira drops her hand and takes a deep breath. “Nadia isn’t Andrei’s, Sebastian.”

My breath catches in my throat. Maria didn’t know who Nadia’s father was. The weird as fuck cheek swab immediately pops into my mind. Goddamn nosy Maria. But that means …

“She’s … mine?” I put together out loud. I look up at Kira. Her wary eyes all but confirm it.

“Yes. I had no idea. If I had, I wouldn’t have kept it from you. I hope you know that.”

I can hear the fear in her voice but it’s like a distant echo in my ears as my blood rushes loudly through my veins, making her sound far away. I start to feel lightheaded.

I’m a father.

I’m Nadia’s father.

I got Kira pregnant.

And she ran.

She did it all alone.

Hijo de puta.

I feel Kira’s hand on my shoulder, and I look up.

“Did you hear me?” she asks.

“What?” I respond dumbly.

“I asked if you need to lie down.”