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“Romero, you can’t go around terrifying all my friends. That’s not right,” I explained in a voice that didn’t sound like my own.

“We both know you don’t give a shit about––”

“Well, maybe now I do.”

“Don’t interrupt me again.”

“Don’t talk to me like that, asshole,” I snapped.

He turned away from the window and the look in his eyes almost made me flinch. I was smarter than that, though. You never showed a monster your fear; they fed off it. I was recklessly unafraid of him because, if nothing else, he was my monster.

I never claimed to be smart when it came to dealing with him. Even as my heart thudded in my chest like a thoroughbred in its final stretch and my mouth dried, I didn’t run. I let him approach me and wrap his hand tightly around my throat.

“For someone who doesn’t trust me, you’re real fucking comfy. I could snap your neck and be done with you right now.

I could slit your wrists and fuck your dying body until your heart stopped and you bled out.” His voice was normal but the threat was loud and clear.

I stared up at him and my breath caught. His eyes were like windows to the darkest pits of hell. That alone should have terrified me, but I happily breathed him in and accepted every part of himself he laid bare.

“You could, and you already told me you want to, but you’re not going to,” I said confidently. “Because you wouldn’t hurt the baby.”

He studied my face for beat and chuckled softly. “Cali, you’re fucking crazy.” His lips met my forehead and his hand fell away.

“I told you, I trust you not to hurt me like that. Just because your demented ass has fantasies about killing me, it isn’t going to change my mind.”

“And what made this come about?” he asked, cupping the back of my neck.

“I’m the queen to your king. If I go down, you’re going down with me.” I grinned and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “You’re a Savage psycho, and I fucking love that about you.” I stepped back. “Now, tell me how long you’ve known about baby S.”

“I don’t know if I want to fuck you or kill you right now.” He grabbed hold of my ass and pulled me into him. “I’ve known for a while, Cali. How could I notice everything about you and miss something that fucking important? I told you pregnancy was nothing to worry about when all our kids were either going down your throat or landing somewhere on your body. I’ve been coming inside you for a while now. How did you know I knew?”

“Um, the nasty protein drink you keep giving me, you keeping me locked in here when I’ve always been by your side, and the way you stared at me earlier. You’re okay with this? I mean, you do know what a baby is, right?”

“Cali, shut the fuck up,” he sighed. “I’m okay with it. I wanted this. The timing might not be ideal but my fucking kid is inside you so I don’t give shit.”

Oh my god.

I felt tears welling up in my eyes and scowled at his chest. “Goddamn it, Rome, look what you did.” I swiped at them, glaring when he laughed.

“Everything will be okay, baby. We’re going to take care of all this Order shit way before you’re so big I have no choice but to fuck you from the back.”

Ignoring the fucking part completely, I hon

ed in on the finer details of that proclamation. “You’re going to let me in still?” I looked at him in surprise. I thought for sure I’d have to fight for that right.

“I’m not doing it without you. You’re not fucking handicapped or suddenly made of glass. And as shitty as this is to rush, we need to go.”

“Where are we going?” I asked as he guided me towards the room door.

“I’m going to take you to see someone before we head out, and on the way, I’m going to give you the Cliff Notes version of events.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

A sweet metallic pungency assaulted my nose the minute we stepped into the room.

The smell of blood…it never got old.

Cali wrinkled her nose in disgust and eyed the man partially suspended from the ceiling. When the door clicked shut, he opened his good eye and attempted to lift his head.