Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Dante, Harper, and I haven’t stopped working. Not by a long shot. There are still so many victims to save and monsters to slay. Even though my mother is dead, the trafficking rings continue to operate. They keep going because evil doesn’t stay dead.
I find it difficult to sit at home, waiting for Harper and Dante to get back from the job they’re on. But I have to be careful while I’m pregnant. Our first baby is due any day now.
“Do you need anything else?” River asks me as he walks into the bedroom.
I’m sitting on the bed with my back against the headboard while doing some work on my computer.
I look up at my twin brother and smile. “No. I don’t need anyone to babysit me. I know the procedure if I go into labor.”
“Yeah, I know you do, but I’m going to be the annoying big brother until I know my little niece or nephew is here.” He settles himself on the bed, and watches me for a moment before saying, “I can’t thank God enough for bringing you back to me.”
“I never thought I’d see you again, let alone I’d be happy and in love,” I tell him.
“Have you told Dante you love him?” my brother asks as he arches a brow.
I know he’s still concerned about Dante’s personality. They grew up together, yet my brother never warmed to Dante when they were young.
“Yes,” I say, my brows furrowing as I stare at River. “He’s not the cold and closed off person you get to see. There’s a kindness and warmth to him. I promise.”
“I mean Drake isn’t overly affectionate, but Dante has always been a loner,” he explains. “When were growing up, we all knew what was going on in the house, but Dante was more like Malcolm. He seemed completely shut off to all human emotions.”
“I can vouch that he’s nothing like his father. Yes, he’ll kill without mercy, but when he’s with me and Harper, there’s a softer side to him that no one else gets to witness.”
River looks at me in a way that tells me he’s considering how to respond, but then he smiles. “That’s all I wanted to know. As long as he’s looking after my sister, nothing else matters.”
“I promise you,” I reassure him. “He’s an amazing man. He’s good to me and Harper, and he loves us both in his own way.”
It’s true. Even though he’s not the gentle, affectionate type, I know he loves us. He might have a gruff exterior, but I wouldn’t want him to change. He’ll do anything to protect us and keep us safe. He’ll kill for us if he must, and I know this for a fact because he already has.
I hear the front door click as it opens, and I know they’re home. My stomach clenches for a split second, and that’s when my water breaks. Struggling to move, I shove the laptop away from me.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” River is at my side immediately.
“Baby’s coming,” I mumble as I take his hand and squeeze it with mine.
Just then, the doorway is filled with Dante. The leather jacket, white tee, and blue jeans he’s wearing are all caked in blood.
“What’s going on?” he asks as he races to the bed.
Those piercing orbs hold mine hostage, and I can see the worry in his eyes when he realizes I’m in pain.
The contractions have started.
“The baby is coming,” River says as I try to breathe through the pain that’s causing me to cry out.
This isn’t what I thought it would be like, but then again, I didn’t know what to expect.
Dante lifts me in his arms, but I slap his chest.
“Get cleaned up,” I admonish him. “I’m not going to the hospital with you wearing someone else’s blood.”
Without batting an eyelid, he settles me on the edge of the bed before he shrugs out of his jacket and tugs off his top. His jeans are next, and within seconds, he’s standing in front of me in his briefs.
“Okay, soon-to-be Dad,” Harper says as she winks over at me. “Put these on.” She shoves some clean clothes into his hands, and Dante dresses while Harper crouches in front of me. “We’re going to be a family.”
I can’t help but smile. “We already are.”
It doesn’t take long for me to be bundled into the car and driven to the hospital. We don’t know if it’s a boy or girl yet. I wanted it to be a surprise. This is my first, and maybe my only pregnancy, so I was determined to experience all the nerves and excitement that comes with it.
I never thought I’d get pregnant, but it seems a miracle has found me.
I’m exhausted.
Even though it wasn’t a long labor, I feel as if I’ve not slept in days. The little prince arrived safely, kicking and screaming. Now he’s here, I know I’m not going to get much sleep. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.