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Biting his lip, Kingpin wobbled his head. “I always knew it was a possibility. Well, that’s a lie. After the doctor told us Sky was having twins, I lied to myself. I thought twins meant they were certainly mine.”
I knew Kingpin really thought Sky’s babies were his and mourned the twin who died in childbirth. Just the thought of a baby dying made me feel like I was being stabbed.
Kingpin admitted, “I also lied to Sky. I told her it wouldn’t matter if her babies weren’t mine. She knew it did. And it did hurt me. But that’s not why I ain’t with her.”
“You’re not with Sky because Hallow took her.”
“You know that’s bullshit. You know I planned to destroy everything between her and I even when I thought she had my baby. I intended to tell the truth about us.”
“Then why?” I wanted him to say it. “Why ain’t you with her?”
“I ain’t meant to be with her.”
I’ve never rolled my eyes harder. But I didn’t say anything to him. I talked to the baby. “Your daddy once said it was foolish to think you’re meant for anyone.”
Kingpin laughed. “I say a lot of things that ain’t true.”
“You mean to say you lie a lot.”
“I’m done with that. Where it counts, anyhow.”
“I’m supposed to believe you now?”
“Sky agreed to give me a divorce before her name changes. That’s why I know where they are. I had to know where to send the papers. After she signs, they’ll move on quick so no one can track them.”
I put it all together quickly. “So, she’s fixin to marry Hallow? Is that what you’re telling me?”
“I reckon. Their new names share a last name per their request.”
Shocked myself, I focused on him. “How do you feel about that?”
“I don’t much care. I care for Sky but not like I should. I’ve agreed to pay Hallow off. He’ll take care of her and her baby.”
“You’re giving Hallow money for me? The restitution he asked for?”
“Not really like that. And not by choice. If I had my way, he wouldn’t have gotten out alive.”
I covered the baby’s ears. “What did Hallow do to deserve to be killed?”
“Near mutiny,” Kingpin reasoned.
“There wasn’t any.” I remembered that much.
“He had designs. And he disrespected my woman.” He spoke of me.
“I wasn’t your woman. I ain’t your woman.”
Kingpin ignored my words. “And he kidnapped my wife. He thought that baby he took was mine, you know. He planned to take my baby and my wife.”
“Yes. It’s beyond horrifying to think he would stoop to that level,” I said, looking at my own child. The thought of someone taking this baby was too much to endure.
Unexpectedly, I understood Sky’s motivations. The mama bear in me knew if I had a chance to save my child from the mafia, I would do anything. I still wasn’t over the fact Hallow left. But I couldn’t blame him for leaving me. There hadn’t been time to justify anything to him. I never meant to really hurt him. I loved him and only wanted a second chance. I had only been trying to protect Sky by lying and that was all Kingpin’s doing.
Protect Sky while I was sleeping with her husband. I knew how crazy that sounded. I felt like a lowly dog. Of course, Sky would want to humiliate me. I was sure Hallow was hurt and wanted revenge on Kingpin, too. With the way he found out about me sleeping with his President and what happened afterwards, I was sure he wasn’t thinking straight at all. We hadn’t aimed to, not exactly, but Kingpin and I had done them both real dirty.
“Deep down, Hallow’s a good guy,” I said, believing it with all my heart.
“Hallow’s a runner. He never deserved you,” Kingpin said, full of conviction. “Sky’s always wanted to run away, too.”
