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My heart stalls in my chest. “What do you mean?”
“Not that you care, but there’s a man who’s shown interest in her. He’s good, too. We checked him out.”
I’ll kill him. “She’s pregnant.”
“He doesn’t seem bothered by that. He’s helping her set up the baby’s room. He’s an accountant and is teaching her how to better manage her business.”
Fucker. “Good for him.”
“Elena is sure there will be wedding bells. She’s offered to host the wedding at the compound. Should we arrange to send you an invitation?”
There’s a part of me that thinks he’s bullshitting me. But maybe not. Kate is a good woman.
“Why not?” I say even though seeing Kate with another man would gut me.
“The thing is, he’ll probably want to adopt the child. You’ll have to sign away your rights.”
It’s like there’s a butcher knife in my chest and Niko is twisting it back and forth, carving out my heart. “I’ll let my attorney know.”
He laughs derisively. “Okay, so if this pity party of yours isn’t about Kate, then what is it?”
“Just blowing off steam. Relaxing.” I sip my coffee. It needs bourbon.
His expression turns serious. “I’m worried about you, man.”
“Don’t—”
“Come on, Liam. What the fuck is going on? Why can’t you grab love?”
“And give my enemies a target? No, thanks.”
“That’s the reason? Jesus, Kate is safer in your protection than she is sleeping in her own bed.”
I shake my head.
He blows out a breath. “So keeping away from Kate is to avoid the misery of losing her? Of not having her in your life?”
I press my index finger to my nose.
“How’s that working out?”
It’s not, but I don’t want to admit that.
“You dumb shit, your actions have created the feelings you’re trying to avoid. Have you thought of that?”
I stand and go to my kitchen to get the bourbon.
“God, why are you doing this?”
I’ve never heard Niko sound so exasperated and worried.
“Because it’s all I can do,” I snap. “If you don’t like it, get the fuck out of my home.”
His eyes darken. “Fine. Fuck you, Liam.”
“Yeah, fuck you too, Niko.” I pour the bourbon in my coffee, taking a large gulp as my door slams from Niko’s exit. “Good riddance.” Except it doesn’t feel good. It feels like shit.
I drink enough bourbon that the day is a blur. I can see worry in Robbie’s eyes when he stops by to give me updates.
