Free Bound by Vengeance by Adriana Noir Page B

this.”
    She clamped her eyes shut and covered her mouth, her head shaking in a slow entreaty. Tears rolled over the high slopes of her cheeks. “Please don’t…Sebastian. Oh, God, please don’t say it.”
    “You know this is for the best. If this goes any further and Marx catches wind of a custody battle, we are all in for a world of hurt. Protecting our division comes first. You know that. You knew it before you got involved with Dane. I didn’t want this life for you, Monique. I tried to keep you out of it as best as I could, but you made your decisions, and here we are.”
    “But that’s my baby,” she cried. “I can’t just let her go. Please . I can’t. Do something, Sebastian, please .”
    Her head thrashed faster, and when she buried her face in her hands, his heart shattered. Reaching out, he stroked his sister’s hair. “I have, and I promise I did everything I could. You will still see her.”
    Her head snapped up and her eyes locked with his. “When?”
    “The Duprees have graciously agreed to allow visitation on holidays and every other weekend. However, you and Josh will have to spend the holidays somewhere else together, not here.”
    Monique reached for him. Tears slid down her cheeks as she curled her fingers around his. “What? Why?”
    He shrugged and stood, pulling away. Clasping his hands behind his back, he prowled the length of his study. “That was the agreement we came to. They would let you have your daughter, and I would stay away from her.”
    “Why would you do that? That’s not gracious, Sebastian. It’s cruel. We’re a family. We always spend holidays together. Always , and you’re all I have left.” Her chin trembled, and her face fell beneath a wave of pain.
    “No, Monique. You have Josh and Aiden now, too. This is what is best—saf est for you and your daughter.”
    Her shoulders jerked with a sorrowful sob. “What about you?”
    He shook his head. “This isn’t about me. You and I will still see each other. Do what’s right for your little girl.” Raking a hand through his hair, he cast a sidelong glance, hating the defeated slump of her body. “I’m sorry it’s not more. Given the situation, this was the best I could do.”
    “Marx doesn’t know you talked to them.” Her whisper was a statement, not a question.
    Sebastian pinned her with a look of soft reproach. “Let’s be realistic, Monique. He knows. It just wasn’t done with his approval.”
    Fear illuminated her bright green eyes. Wetting her lips, she dashed the tears off her face and stood. She reached for him, but he stepped out of range, his head tilt ing slightly in warning. His sister faltered and wrung her hands again.
    “He’s not going to like this. He’s not going to like you going behind his back, Sebastian. He’ll hurt you.”
    He shrugged and adjusted the lush fern spilling across the mantle. “Perhaps, but he may see the wisdom in it as well. It doesn’t matter. I take care of my family. Not him.”
    Monique dried her cheeks. Smoothing her hands over her shirt, she regarded him with a baffling mixture of love and pity. Not caring much for the second, his ey es narrowed. Sniffling, she lowered her gaze. Sebastian stepped around her and opened the door, showing his sister out. She faltered in the doorway, her fingers curling around his forearm in a gentle squeeze. Closing his eyes, he allowed her that much. Despite his efforts to distance himself, she was still his family. Sometimes, a small bit of comfort and reassurance was needed. Not just for her sake, but for his.
    “Thank you, Sebastian…for everything. You’ve always gone out of your way for me. I know this wasn’t easy,” she whispered. Leaning up, she kissed his cheek. “You’re a wonderful brother.”
    Frowning, he patted her head and nudged his way past. He wished more than anything he could believe those words were true.

Chapter 5 ~
     
     
    Taylor tugged the blue si lk wrap of her robe tighter. Glancing over