Page 93 of Allegiance

That made her happy.

“Can I really, Mom?” she asked.

Eve gave the mother’s reply.

“We’ll see.”

That told Dakota everything he needed to know. The woman wasn’t going to make this easy, and he didn’t expect her to.

Suddenly, he didn’t want to be there. His heart really hurt, and he had so many regrets. Only, his friend’s words stuck with him.

Do.

Not.

Run.

“Where is the crib? I’ll start putting it together for you, so Violet can keep practicing.”

That worked for Eve.

She headed deeper into the beautiful home, and Dakota said nothing as he followed until he saw the sunny rooms and the beautiful artwork.

The house…it was beautiful. It was filled with pretty things, and definitely a home that two women would be comfortable in.

It was also very calm. That was something that Dakota envied. He didn’t feel calm anywhere.

When she noticed him taking it all in, she was curious.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

She knew what she, herself, was pondering. Eve hated that he looked good here. She hated that this man, full of rage and anger, didn’t look out of place in this space.

“Just that you have a beautiful home.”

“Thank you.”

“It reminds me of you. It’s very calm and collected. The artwork is beautiful.”

Funny, she didn’t feel that way. For the last three days, she felt like she was in a freefall. Then, she looked at security and saw him at the door.

Talk about shocking.

“It’s a place to call our own. Violet picked it out, and we fancied it up. She likes art, and Doctor Gaines said to let her surround herself with what she likes. It’s very healing for her.”

“I’m glad. She did a good job picking. It reminds me of both of you.”

Eve said nothing else.

Instead, she wanted him to do his thing and leave. She didn’t think seeing him was good for her. He’d not said the most important thing.

That he’d fucked up.

Because he had.

“The room is here,” she said, walking him in.

When he got into the room, he knew it was a nursery—or would be soon enough.