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She nestled closer, if that was even possible. The weight of her against me was an anchor in a world that had always been chaos. For the first time in my life, I felt no urge to check exits, to scan for threats. In this moment, there was only Serena and the miracle growing inside her.

But that was not how it would always be. I was going to protect my family with every drop of life in my veins. And Serena deserved to know that.

“I never told you how I got my scars,” I murmured into her hair.

She winced slightly. “They don’t matter, pirate.”

I believed her, but it was still joyous to hear. “It does in this aspect. Once, I wasn’t strong enough to save my family. Our village was attacked by a warlord. What started as a blissful Sunday at church, turned into a nightmare by the time the sun set.”

Serena shivered. “Markos.”

But I continued. “My parents were slaughtered. Sisters assaulted and killed. Brother executed. Me? Well, a sick group of men thought it would be fun to tear me apart and feed to the fish.”

“Oh, madonna.” Serena sat up, clutching her mouth with her hand. I reached for her, but she pushed me gently back. “Give me a moment to breathe through this.”

I waited, hating that this story, while important to my vow, was physically upsetting her.

When she finally dropped her hand and gave me a small nod, I finished. “I swore never to have a family, never to love. It only brings heartache and pain. But then you happened, a little mermaid washed ashore. The sea knew my torment and gave me what I needed.”

“I was dropped off in an SUV with smelly men,” Serena deadpanned.

Laughing roughly, I pulled her close. “Don’t ruin the analogy, prinkípissa. That’s how I remember it, and that’s how I’ll tell the story till my dying day.”

Serena snuggled close. “Make that very,veryfar in the future, pirate. Because I’m so in love with you, I don’t want to think of a day we’re not together.”

“I love you, Serena,” I let loose the scariest words I’d ever said. I felt them with every fiber of my being, and once they were set free, they didn’t seem so terrifying. Only beautiful.

We remained that way for what felt like hours, our limbs intertwined, her heartbeat steady against mine. The weight ofher in my arms grounded me to this reality—one where I was a husband, soon to be a father. One where I had something precious to protect beyond my own interests. The world outside could burn for all I cared. In this moment, everything that mattered was right here in my arms.

Chapter 41 – Markos

“And so, Alexios was able to confirm David Parker wanted the land, but he wanted the scorpions to kill us, have the law mediate, and he would swoop in to take the remains,” Iosif explained.

Last night, I hadn’t bothered to tell Serena I came north with an extra set of hands. The long hours were just for us. Iosif brought breakfast, and we ate before starting the long drive home. I didn’t trust the airport. It would be too easy for the assassins and mercenaries hired by the businessman to catch us.

“I knew he was up to no good,” Serena muttered.

Holding Serena in the backseat, I gave her a squeeze. “It’s almost over, prinkípissa.”

She squeezed me back, a silent acknowledgment that she was happy about the turn of events.

“Right,” Iosif yawned. “We’ve brokered a temporary peace with the scorpions to defeat the threat.”

Serena shifted in her seat.

“Man, can you drive?” Iosif yawned again. “The lines are starting to blur.”

“Sure,” I grumbled. The point of an extra pair of hands was for things like this. He was supposed to drive so I could hold my precious cargo.

“There’s a fast-food joint at the next exit. I’m pretty hungry,” Iosif added. “Let’s stretch our legs and get some grub.”

“So long as we top the tank so we don’t have to stop again for a long stretch,” I compromised.

The sooner we reached home, the better.

Serena hadn’t kept her dinner down and avoided breakfast this morning. I doubted the food now would be much better.

As my cousin pulled off the highway and into the parking lot, under the shade of the double golden arches, I rubbed Serena’s shoulder.