Infini (Aerial Ethereal #2)(107)

“They said it was most likely mismatched chromosomes.” She nods to herself more, fiddling with her fingers. “They said it’s the cause of sixty-percent of miscarriages, and that I’ll probably have no problem getting pregnant…next time.”

Thora sighs out the tension in her bones, and she stares off at the wall. “I told Nik that…no matter how much the doctors tell me it’s not my fault, I keep thinking I did something wrong to cause this. Like…I could’ve done something differently and I’d still be…” Her face twists in hurt.

“No,” I say strongly. “Bad things—they happen for no reason, all the time.” I think of my parents.

“It’s not your fault,” Katya chimes in.

“They’re right,” Camila says, squeezing Thora’s hand.

Thora blows out a measured breath and then wipes her watery eyes. “I thought I’d be relieved. I thought Nik would too.” She looks up at the ceiling. “I mean, AE is probably jumping for joy. I can now stay in Amour for the rest of the year and longer, if they renew my contract. I don’t know, maybe they won’t want to after all this…and I’m rambling. Nonsense. It’s all nonsense, right?”

I nudge her lightly. “It’s not nonsense. It’s your life.”

Thora blows out another breath. “I can do this,” she mutters. “I can do this.” I once asked Thora how she’s able to be so positive.

She said that if she gave up on herself, then her biggest cheerleader would be gone, and she needs Thora James rooting her on in the stands.

It was inspiring.

And I slowly start to smile watching Thora motivate herself forward.

I wish I could find that inner-cheerleader.

I’m going to need Baylee Wright to buckle up soon. Geoffrey Lesage is waiting somewhere in the hospital, and when he confronts me and Luka, my whole world may change.

But right now, I think about Thora.

I listen as she tries to gather more words, more strength and courage in the face of heartbreak and pain. We’re here. Girls bonded not by last name but random happenstance and choice.

And we’re here for as long as she needs us.





Act Thirty-Seven

Luka Kotova




No one’s seen Nikolai since he left Thora so the girls could talk and comfort her, but after a three-minute search in the hospital, I find my brother. I just don’t tell anyone else.

I enter a two-stall bathroom, empty except for Nikolai. He grips the sink basin, slightly hunched over. A rare sight for a guy who stands so erect you’d truly think someone shoved a stick up his ass from birth.

He barely acknowledges me. Barely moves.

I lock the door behind me, and Nik slowly turns on the faucet.

I’m not the best with words. I’m not the best at much, but family is all we have. And I have to be enough for him. Like he has to be enough for me.

His nose runs, and he wipes it with the back of his hand before splashing water at his face.

I take a step closer and stuff my hands in my pockets. “Dimitri texted. Said he heard the girls laughing. Like good laughter.”

Nikolai tightens his eyes closed, his chest caving. And he clutches the sink’s edges again.

I’ve never seen Nik cry.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he never has.

He’s used to being everyone’s rock. He was next to Thora in the ambulance. At the hospital. By her bed. I saw a glimpse through the ER curtains, and he was holding her after the doctors explained the news. She cried into his shoulder, and even from my obscured view, he looked so torn up. Maybe Thora even saw him cry for the first time right then.

I can imagine him being vulnerable with her, easily.

Nikolai staggers slowly back from the sink and he drifts to the mirrored wall. His knees nearly give out, and he sits on the tiles, head hung. Arms draped on his bent legs.

I approach like a ghost and quietly sit next to him. And I say what I think he needs to hear. “It wasn’t your fault.”

His nose flares, and he shields his face with a shaking hand.

I wrap my arm around his broad shoulders. “There’s nothing more you could’ve done. Nothing to prevent it or save her from this. You did everything you could.” I feel him shudder, and I edge closer. He reaches out, his hand on my knee.

His grip is strong like he doesn’t want me to leave. And I watch my selfless, stoic brother pinch his eyes and fight gut-wrenching tears. His face reddens, scrunched up.

His pain balls in my throat, and I rub his back. “She’s going to be okay, Nik.”

And then he drops his hand, and tears slip out of the corners of his bloodshot eyes. Mine burn and cloud.

After a few minutes of unleashing his emotion, he finds the strength to lift his head up, and he leans more against the mirror. I stare at the locked door with him.

Outside of that door, my life is about to become undone, and I can’t tell him that I fucked up again. Irresponsible Luka Kotova. Letting down the people I love most. Repeating all of my mistakes, and still, I wouldn’t change anything but being caught.

(I’m so sorry, Nik. You deserved a better brother than the one you got.)





Act Thirty-Eight Luka Kotova



“Baylee?” I say.

She looks numb, staring off as we stand in a tiny vending area within the hospital. One of the only secluded places Geoffrey could find after he corralled us in the hallway.