a run for it.”
Kai’s heart tightened at the thought of anyone getting violent with her. Worst of all, that person was Brie, someone he had depended on and trusted for years.
“Why did she do it?” Diane’s lower lip trembled.
Kai raked his fingers through his hair and sighed. “She wanted to take my place. Put me behind bars and out of the picture. She was my second-in-command, so she would take over the company in my absence.”
“I never saw this coming from her.”
“I didn’t either, and I’ve known her for years.”
Diane closed her eyes. “Kai, I’m so sorry for accusing you of—”
“You didn’t know,” he cut in.
She opened her eyes, and he could see the uncertainty there. “Still. I’m sorry.”
“An apology isn’t necessary, but thank you anyway.” He looked down at where their hands touched.
Abruptly, Diane drew her hand from his. “Is that the car?”
His heart jumped into his throat. “Um, yeah. That’s it.”
His driver pulled up to the curb, and Kai opened the back door for Diane. Her not wanting to hold his hand certainly meant something.
She was willing to come over to his place and talk, presumably about the pregnancy, but it looked like that was as far as things would go. She was no longer interested in him, and that was something he would need to learn to live with.
Chapter 25
Diane
After the fluorescent lighting and hard chairs in the police station, it was nice to be in an air-conditioned car with soft, leather seats. Even if the vehicle was carrying her toward what was sure to be one of the most unpleasant conversations of her life.
She still couldn’t believe what had happened. Every time she thought about Brie’s freak-out in her apartment or the police rushing the building, she went numb all over and couldn’t think any further.
Except for when it came to Kai.
When she thought of him barreling into her apartment or taking her hand in the hallway, a warmth entered her heart. Thanks to either divine intervention or sheer luck, he’d arrived back in her life at the perfect moment.
And now they were headed to his place. To talk.
About the baby.
Of course, Kai didn’t know this. He probably figured they’d be having a conversation about Brie and their personal relationship.
As they pulled up to Kai’s building, her stomach churned. There’d been no morning sickness for days, but now seemed like a likely time for it to return. She practiced a few ways in her head to break the baby news, but no option seemed right.
She’d hardly unbuckled when Kai was out of the car and holding the door open for her.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
It was so familiar, the walk into the building, the ride in the elevator. Kai’s apartment smelled of cinnamon and clean linen. It always did.
All of it together made a deep, fiery pit open in her core. She would always want this. Even once she moved to another state and carried on with her life.
“Have a seat. Rest.” Kai gently ushered her through the kitchen, past the unfinished mural, and into the living room.
She sank into the couch, surprised at how weak she felt.
“What can I get you?” he asked.
“Nothing.” She forced a smile, not wanting to be a burden.
It was possible she wouldn’t be there long, anyway. That all depended on Kai’s reaction to the baby.
“I’ll make you tea,” he decided. “And have you had breakfast?”
“I’m fine. Really,” she said right as her stomach growled loudly.
“I’m making you an omelet.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
Kai did make great omelets, and if he was insistent then she wasn’t really being an inconvenience.
“I can help,” she added.
“No.” He held up a palm. “Stay here. Rest. You’ve been through a lot.”
“So have you,” she pointed out.
He fixed her with the gaze that said he meant business and the terms were non-negotiable. It was a look she was familiar with. And missed.
“O-kay.” She leaned back into the cushions.
“Put on the TV, if you like, and let me know if you need anything.”
She grabbed the remote and flipped the TV on, but it was impossible to focus on anything. The events of the morning and possible scenarios of what was to come played on a loop in her head.
Kai returned with a full breakfast tray, including a steaming cup of tea, an omelet, toast, and sliced fruit.
“Wow,” she said as he set the tray on the coffee table. “First-class service.”
He smiled gently and took a seat on the couch. The half a foot separating them meant they weren’t touching, but