Page 229 of Allegiance

“You have a family and they love you,” she admitted. “You’re very fortunate.”

He was aware.

“BUT…they aren’t the same thing. Like my brothers have their own circle inside the circle, I want that too.”

She was curious.

“When you were with Sarah, what did it feel like?” she asked.

He was honest.

“This is going to make me sound like a huge dick, but I know you can tell if I’m lying or not.”

“I can.”

He was aware.

So, he went there.

“It felt like an obligation.”

She stared into his face.

“Why?”

“She followed me here. She gave up her career, and I was convinced I had to be that guy. I didn’t want to marry her. I mean, on the outside, I did, but I put it off and almost didn’t show up for the wedding.”

“Why did you?”

“Again, obligation.”

That made her wonder.

“Do you feel an obligation to me?” she asked.

He didn’t lie.

“No. I feel an obligation to our child, but I want to be with you. There’s a difference. We made a choice and the child deserves to be loved and protected. That’s OUR obligation. We don’t have to be a couple to do that. We can do it separately.”

She waited.

“I don’t want to do it separately. I want to do it with you. I want to be with you, Evie.”

She calmed down.

She wanted that too.

Only, before she could say anything, they heard it. Once more, their moment was being interrupted—like it had in the bunker.

Footsteps were coming down the hall.

Immediately, she apologized.

“I’m sorry. It’s Violet.”

He reassured her.

“She’s always welcome. There’s nothing to apologize for, Evie.”