Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(107)

In a room full of people, old and young, happy and sad, Alex and Lennox were alone. No one else mattered as they moved to their own private melody.

“What do you wish for them,” I asked. “If you could wish anything.”

Adelaide smiled as her eyes stayed glued to our children. “That in their young lives they’ve already experienced all the pain they will. That now and forever they only know joy.” She turned to me. “And you? What would you wish?”

I scanned the crowd, my gaze meeting Vincent’s. He nodded.

Had he told us the truth? Had he orchestrated Alton’s demise and then selflessly refused Lennox’s debt?

I wasn’t sure I’d ever know. I smiled and returned the nod, my gratitude, and my respect.

“Amore mio,” I said, whispering toward Adelaide, “I pray that together they know the joy of fidelity, the joy that only comes with fealty, loyalty, and support.”

Adelaide lifted her glass of pink punch. “To fidelity.”





But I couldn’t end it… not yet.

Please turn the page for a glimpse into the future—

for the epilogue to the Infidelity series.





STANDING NEAR THE window, I watched as the snow continued to fall. The light from the pool house’s windows illuminated large, fluffy flakes dropping steadily through the dark night sky. It had been snowing for hours. Each frozen crystal added to the growing sparkly blanket of white. Inside, the fireplace snapped and crackled as voices murmured and laughed, keeping the cold at bay.

“What are you thinking about?”

The deep voice questioned me while at the same time strong arms encircled my once-again enlarged waist. Nox’s hands splayed over our growing baby, our second little miracle. I leaned my head back against his wide chest and took in our faint reflection. From the top of his dark hair I started to scan, and inch-by-inch my gaze lowered. As I always did, I hesitated as my gaze met his mesmerizing blue eyes. He could speak volumes with them and never say a word.

Down I moved to his sensual lips and chiseled chin. It was resting atop my head, covered with just the right amount of stubble. We fit together perfectly. Nearly four years married and I doubted I’d ever tire of the way he held me or looked at me. Even from across the room, he made me feel as if no one else mattered, no one else existed.

Through all we’d experienced, his love and concern never wavered nor had his desire—make that our desire. In his arms, I was alive. With only his eyes he could set my skin ablaze. With his touch he could accelerate my heartbeat or calm a wild sea inside me.

The first time we’d created life while death had been all around us. This time, the life inside me was a planned joy, an anticipated addition to our family. Nox’s hard limit was gone.

“I was thinking,” I said, “about something Silvia told me a long time ago.”

I spun in his arms, craning my neck upward and relishing his light-blue gaze. Even surrounded by family and friends, Nox had a way of cutting through all the noise to see me, deep inside me.

“If it’s making you sad, stop.”

Despite the moisture in my eyes, my lips turned upward. “It doesn’t make me sad, not really.”

“You, Mrs. Demetri, have never been good at lying.”

“I’m not lying. I’m not sad. I’m reminiscing. The first time I was ever here in our house, Silvia told me about your mom. She said how much she’d loved this house and how she’d always wanted it filled with family.”

Together we turned toward the Christmas tree, aglow with colorful lights. From our position we could see the back of Oren’s and my mother’s heads as they sat together on the sofa. Silvia, Cy, Pat, Uncle Preston, and Aunt Gwen were also near, some refilling their plates with more of the amazing food that I’d help Silvia prepare. The chatter was light and festive as Christmas music played in the background.

I’d not neared Silvia’s level of culinary genius; however, frozen meatballs were no longer in my repertoire. With hers and the help of many patient Costello ladies, I’d made enough strides to keep my husband from starving—well, when Silvia wasn’t around.

Nox nodded. “It feels good having them all here. I think she’d be happy.”

I turned back toward the window. “I’m glad it feels good, because if the snow keeps falling as the weather people promise, we may all be together for more than tonight and tomorrow.”

“Luckily we have some extra rooms, plus the guest house, and Silvia will keep everyone well fed.”

“Mommy!” Angi squealed as she ran ahead of Jane. “Will Santa still come?”

Nox squatted to the floor, capturing our daughter only seconds before she tackled me—and her baby brother in the process. “Whoa, slow down, princess. Have you been good?”

Her lips thinned as she gazed up at her daddy, peering her big light-blue eyes through long lashes. “Mostly.”

“Mostly?” he asked, tickling her sides.

“Daddy, stop!”

The entire room quieted as Angelina became the center of attention.

“If you’ve been mostly good,” Nox asked, “why are you worried about Santa?”

She pointed out the large windows. “Because the man on TV said the snow is coming. He said lots and lots. He said no driving. What about Santa?”