Three days later …

There was a knock at the door and her heart raced. Her palms felt instantly sweaty and those same words rushed through her mind, like they did every time the phone rang, or if she caught sight of a big man in a crowd.

Talon.

Was it him?

Was he trying to make contact? He'd dropped her back at the boathouse and had vanished. His stuff had been packed and was gone by the time she got back to her apartment. Gone. Like he'd never been there. It was the ache inside her ‒ as corny as that sounded ‒ that was left behind. A part of her that was missing. She missed him. He hadn't been in her life for very long, and yet she missed him a ton.

The knock sounded again.

Could it be? She hated this desperate part of her that wanted to see him again. That would take what little he offered. Thing was, she didn’t think he was coming back. She didn’t think she would ever see him again. Talon was gone for good.

Vicky opened the door. She gasped when she saw who was there.

Kerry burst into tears as soon as their eyes locked. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I shouldn’t have come. It was wrong of me.” She looked away, began to turn. Her cheeks turning pink.

“No, wait!” Vicky half-yelled. “Come in, please.”

Vicky turned back to the door. Tears streaked down Kerry’s cheeks and her nose was running. Her left eye was almost sealed shut. It was swollen, with angry black and purple bruises. Her top lip was cut and puffy.

“Come in and sit down,” Vicky repeated.

Kerry nodded once, she gripped the handle of a wheely bag and pulled. “I left him,” her voice shook. “I thought he was going to kill me.” She made a whimpering noise.

Oh shit! “Sit.” Vicky gestured to the sofa. “I’m going to get you some Kleenex.” She went and fetched the box in the bathroom, placing it in front of Kerry.

“Thank you,” she said, taking a tissue and dabbing it around her good eye. She winced as she tried to blow her nose. “I’m sorry, I probably shouldn’t have come.” She made to stand.

“No, stay. Let’s talk.”

Kerry held her gaze for a second and then nodded, looking down at her lap.

“Can I get you some tea or a coffee?”

Kerry looked up again. “Do you have herbal tea?” She put a hand on her belly. “I have been avoiding caffeine.” This brought on a fresh wave of tears.

“I’m sure I have chamomile somewhere in my cupboard?” She raised her brows.

Kerry nodded. “That would be nice, thank you.”

“Give me a few minutes.

Kerry nodded once. “Sit tight, I’ll be right back.”

Vicky put the kettle on and set about preparing a tray. Her mind raced. Had Jeff done that to Kerry? She knew her ex had a bad temper. He’d shoved her once, but he’d never gotten physical, not like that.

The kettle boiled and she filled the mugs, leaving the tea bags in to steep. Vicky took the tray out to Kerry, placing it on the coffee table in front of them. “Here you are.”

“Thank you.” Kerry’s bottom lip quivered and she bit down to stop it. “You are kind to let me into your house, after …” Her eyes filled with tears but she blinked them away. “I came to apologize and to thank you for sending me that email.”

“No need, don’t—”

“No, I do.” She sat forward in her chair, her words firm. “I didn’t know. I swear to you that I didn’t know that he was married, at least, it was my understanding that you guys were separated when we first met. That it was as good as over between you.”

“We weren’t separated though. We were still very much together. Did Jeff tell you that we were trying for a baby?”

“No.” Fresh tears streaked down her cheeks. She shook her head, sounding distraught. “He was such a liar and a bastard. He told me that you guys were separated. That the divorce was pending. I wouldn’t let him sleep with me until you guys were officially divorced, only to find out now that the divorce wasn’t finalized until months after we moved in together and now …” Kerry grabbed a couple of Kleenex, using them to dab at her face. “He sent you a message online. He told me that you had cheated on him. That he couldn’t forgive you, even though he had tried. You’d been to a ton of therapy but he couldn’t move past it.”

Vicky nodded. “I’m sorry, Kerry. None of it is true and yes, he did send me a message through that online dating site.” She pointed to her computer on the table. “I can show it to you, if you like.”

Kerry shook her head. “No, I believe you. He’s been acting strangely lately. Working late. Hiding his phone. I was starting to suspect something was up.”

“Not with me.” Vicky put up her hands. “I completely ignored him.”

“I know, I think he’s probably messaging other women as well. In fact, I’m sure of it.”

“We were still married when he had the affair with you. I found an email and then messages between the two of you. I always thought you had known he was married. It never occurred to me that he was lying to us both.”

“I would never …” She shook her head vehemently. “I swear. Thank you for warning me.”

“I almost didn’t. My friend, Maggie talked me into it. So, it’s she who you should probably be thanking.” The message from Jeff had left a bad taste in her mouth. He’d told her how much he missed her, how good she was looking. He made it clear that he was unhappy in his relationship with Kerry. “Did he hit you?” It needed to be asked.

Kerry nodded. “He got so angry when I said I was leaving. Up until then he’d apologized and asked for forgiveness. He told me it was my fault he was looking elsewhere.” She sniffed. Vicky could see that she was trying hard not to cry. “He isn’t attracted to me now that I’ve started to show. My libido hasn’t been the same either.” She shrugged. “He said he has needs as a man, needs I wasn’t meeting.”

Typical Jeff. “What a dick! You know that isn’t true, right?”

“Yes,” she nodded, “of course, I know. That’s why I stuck to my guns and packed my bag. That’s when he started getting angry. He told me I’d have nothing if I left. That my baby and I would have to live on the street. I gave up my job when I became pregnant. I’m such an idiot for believing all his lies.” Kerry squared her shoulders. “I’ll be alright though. We’ll be just fine without him.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’ll move in with my sister for a short while. She has three kids and her husband is out of work, but she’s offered to let me sleep on the couch until I get back on my feet. I will reapply for my old job.” She shrugged. “You never know, maybe I will get lucky. Otherwise, I’ll try to find work. I doubt anyone will employ a pregnant lady though ‒ I’m already four months along. I don’t care. I’ll live on baked beans. I’ll do what it takes.”

“He needs to help out.”

“Jeff told me he doesn’t believe the baby is his.” Another tear streaked down her cheek. “He told me if I walk out the door it’s over … that he wants nothing to do with me … nothing to do with us. It’s definitely his baby. I don’t sleep around. I had one serious boyfriend before Jeff, I … I can’t believe I was so stupid. I’m pissed at myself.”

“You can have the baby tested once he or she is born. Don’t let him get away with it.”

“I won’t.” Kerry shook her head.

“You should report him for that.” Vicky pointed at her face. “He should never have put his hands on you.”

“No.” Kerry’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t want to have to deal with him.” She shook her head.

“No, you should report it. At the very least, get a restraining order against him. You can decide later if you want to press charges but at least you’ll have something on record. He beat you, Kerry. What if he had hurt the baby? You could have lost your child.”

Kerry’s lip quivered and she sucked in a deep breath, trying hard to compose herself. When she picked up her mug of tea, Vicky could see that her hand was shaking. She took a sip, holding onto the mug so hard her knuckles were white. “You’re right.” She held the mug in her hands. “I will. Thank you again for everything.”

“No pr—” there was a knock at the door. Talon. Her heart beat faster. Maybe it was him. Maybe. Another knock, louder this time.

Kerry’s eyes were wide, she continued to clutch the mug like her life depended on it.

Vicky realized that she was worried it might be Jeff. “You stay here,” she instructed the other woman. “Don’t worry, he wouldn’t dare come here. I’ll make sure before I open, and I’ll call the cops if it is him.”

Kerry visibly relaxed. She nodded once.

“Who is it?” Vicky asked through the door.

“It’s Cadon.” A deep voice. One she didn’t recognize. “I’m a friend of Talon’s.”

Vicky remembered that name, Talon had mentioned it once or twice. It was the guy he contacted every morning. Vicky opened the door just a crack and yup, sure as nuts, the guy in the hallway was at least as big as Talon, only his hair was longer and more of a sandy blond. His eyes were the same color, only more golden. Definitely a griffin shifter. He wore jeans, sneakers and a T-shirt that read ‘I wish you were beer’. Yup, he was a friend of Talon alright.

“Hi, I’m Vicky. I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

“Please can I come in. Talon asked me to check on you.”

Her heart beat like mad. She nodded once, feeling like an idiot for wanting to hold on to any part of him. “Come in.” She stood to the side.

He nodded.

“Can I offer you some tea?” Vicky asked as he brushed past her.

Cadon shook his head, his eyes were on Kerry.

Kerry put a hand to her chest when she caught sight of Cadon. The guy was huge and intense looking. Must be a shifter thing. “Cadon this is Kerry, Kerry meet Cadon. He’s a friend of a friend.”

“Talon asked me to check in on you,” Cadon repeated, eyes still on Kerry. He finally managed to wrestle his gaze away. “Is everything okay here?” He looked back at Kerry. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Kerry replied, her cheeks suffused with pink. Her one hand rubbed her tiny swell.

“Are you sure you won’t have tea?” Vicky asked.

“Quite sure.”

“I’d better get going.” Kerry put down her still half-full mug. “I’m going to call a cab and head to the police station.”

“Are you doing okay, Vicky?” Cadon asked, his gaze moving back to hers.

“Perfectly fine.” Talon had sent his friend to check in on her. He did still care. Of course he did. That wasn’t the problem. “You can tell Talon I don’t need checking in on.” She licked her lips. “How is he doing?” Weak, she was so weak. “Has he gone back … home?”

“Yes,” Cadon nodded, “he is well and yes, he is back home.”

Kerry stood up. “Thank you for the tea and the help … all of it.”

“It’s a pleasure. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.” Kerry grabbed the handle of her wheely bag and began to pull it towards the door.

“Allow me,” Cadon said, picking up the bag.

“No, it’s fine. I’m fine,” Kerry protested. “I can manage.” Her hand still clutched the handle even though Cadon was carrying the bag.

“I will help you,” Cadon said in a no-nonsense tone.

“Okay,” Kerry said, letting go. “Thank you.”

Cadon was looking at Kerry strangely. “Let’s go,” he said before turning back to Vicky. “I will tell Talon you send your regards.”

“Is he coming back?” Vicky asked. Weak. So very damned weak. She shouldn’t care. Shouldn’t be trying, but the problem was that she did care.

Cadon shook his head. “No. Goodbye, Vicky.”

A fresh wave of pain seared through her. “All the best, Kerry.” The other woman nodded once and then followed Cadon.

It was for the best anyway. Talon was still in love with his dead wife. There was no competing with that. It was something she admired about him. Both hated and admired. It probably made her a bad person. The part where she hated his love for his wife. Dead or not, she couldn’t help it. Just like she couldn’t help missing him. It was Vicky’s turn to bite down on her lip, to blink rapidly so that she wouldn’t cry.