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“You’re not a monster, Damien.”
I squeeze her tighter. “You’ve no idea how close I came.”
“I do,” she says. “And you still didn’t cross that line.”
She pulls back just enough to look at me, her eyes burning with something fierce and soft all at once.
“You saved me,” she says. “Let me save you too.”
And I do the only thing I can.
I kiss her.
33
SASHA
“I’m fine,”I try to argue as Damien carries me to the car like I weigh nothing. “I can walk.”
He doesn’t even flinch. “You’re going to the hospital.”
“But I’m not even bleeding.”
He gives me a look—the look—the one that says there is no point in fighting this man when he’s made up his mind. And right now, his mind is razor-focused on me and the small life growing inside of me.
I sigh, but don’t argue again. Because if I’m honest…I kind of want to go too.
The moment we pull into the hospital, he’s all business—directing his men, telling one to take Roman away and another to secure the perimeter. He mutters something under his breath likeI’ll deal with him later, and I believe him. I’ve never seen Damien so cold, so still with fury—but the second his hand finds mine, his voice softens like a switch flipping.
“Come on,” he says gently. “Let’s make sure the baby’s okay.”
The baby.
It hits harder than I expect. His words. His hand. His presence. I wish Damien had been here the first day when I found out.
He didn’t run.
He didn’t leave.
He came.
The ultrasound room is bright and sterile, but somehow I feel safer than I have in days. I’m lying back on the little table, my shirt rolled up over my stomach. Damien’s next to me, holding my hand like I might float away if he lets go.
The gel is cold. I shiver a little. The technician smiles and moves the probe across my belly.
And then…there it is.
That fluttering movement on the screen.
A little pulse of life.
“That’s your baby,” the technician says, turning the screen so we can both see.
Damien goes completely still.
His thumb brushes across the back of my hand, and when I glance up, his eyes are locked on the monitor.
He doesn’t blink.