Page 165 of Terror at the Gates

“Hey,” he said. “How is he?”

“Okay,” I said, sitting down beside him on the couch. “Overwhelmed.”

Zahariev nodded and then bent to kiss Liam’s covered head. It was such a sweet thing, one he did without thinking. It made my chest feel tight, and a warm flush blossomed in the pit of my stomach. I hadn’t changed my mind about having children, but my body was a fucking traitor.

Thankfully, my thoughts were turned from my awakening desire when Coco shouted from somewhere in the house.

“Cheater!” she yelled.

“All you have to say is cheat,” Cassius returned. “And youdon’thave to yell it.”

“It’scheaterbecause I’m callingyouone, dip wad!”

I looked at Zahariev. “What is happening?”

“All I know is they’ve been playing cards for about an hour and neither of them like to lose,” he said.

I bet I could guess how that started. Coco had proposed a game and taunted Cassius until he gave in to prove a point. I kind of hated that it sounded like his arrogant ass was winning.

It wasn’t long after that Cherub wandered into the room, and I felt happier just seeing her. I picked her up and dragged a blanket from the back of the couch, resting my head on Zahariev’s shoulder while Cherub curled up between us. I yawned so deep, my eyes watered.

“You should go to bed,” Zahariev said. “You’ll need more sleep if you want to stay awake for tonight.”

“What’s tonight?” Coco asked.

I met her gaze as she came into the living room. Her cheeks were a little flushed, frustrated with Cassius if I hadto guess.

“Did you give up on your game?” I asked.

“She didn’t give up,” said Cassius, joining us. “She lost.”

“I lost because you cheated!” she snapped, taking a moment to glare at Zahariev’s brother before falling into the seat beside me.

“Whatever makes you feel better, Coconut,” he said, slipping a cigarette from behind his ear. “I’m gonna go smoke. Zahariev?”

He said nothing, and when I turned to look, his eyes were closed. He’d fallen asleep. He looked so cute with Liam resting on his chest. I had it bad for this man, and I was pretty sure he knew it.

“You two had a long night,” Cassius said.

“I didn’t think you’d want details, Cassius,” I said, meeting his gaze. “But since you seem interested, it’s only right to tell you about all the mind-blowing sex we had.”

It wasn’t exactly how I planned to tell Coco, but I didn’t think she cared. She’d wanted this to happen for a long time.

“I don’t need you to tell me,” he said. “Because you woke me up this morningmoaning. If you’re going to fuck, at least give us a warningandsome earplugs.”

Given Cassius’s comments about me last night, I expected a little more anger over this, but really, he just seemed to be teasing.

“I’m not sure I can get them by the next one,” I said. “So this is your warning.”

“I’m moving to the other side of the house,” said Cassius as he left the living room.

“Oh no, you don’t!” Coco called after him. “That’smyside!”

“You don’t even live here!” he called back.

Coco looked at me.

“I’m going to murder him,” she said.