Page 116 of Between Commitment and Betrayal

“Even if it’s not, it’s going to be.” My hand spread across her belly because I knew I wouldn’t let her go even if she was having another man’s kid. “I’ll raise it as mine.”

She stared at me. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“More than I’ve meant anything else in my life,” I told her. Then I slid my wallet from my slacks and toed my shoes off. I picked her up and stepped into the tub, cradling her like a baby as I sat down in the cool water.

“Jesus,” she gasped and clung to me. “Did you put it to zero degrees?”

“It’s lukewarm,” I chuckled but sobered to realize she really must not be feeling good. “You’re burning up, so it feels freezing cold. The doc will be here soon. We’ll get you feeling better in no time.”

“Declan”—her eyes met mine as she looked up—“you’re the only person since Andy I’ve slept with.” She whispered it softly as she laid against my chest and tried to cuddle into my warmth. My whole body was on fire with her confession. Had she felt better, I would have taken her in that tub.

Instead, I stroked the waves of her hair and held her tight, knowing I would never ever let her go.

40

DECLAN

Izzy: We’re having another niece or nephew, guys!

Dimitri: What? Lilah, you knocked up again?

Cade: She’s not. My wife has no self-control and is hacking medical records.

Dom: That’s illegal, Izzy.

Izzy: My life’s illegal at this point. And you’re all a part of it. So, get over it.

Lilah: Focus. Who is having a baby?

Izzy: Declan and Evie!

Me: Do you have no self-control, Izzy?

Izzy: Literally none. You’ll see how it is once her hormones kick in.

Me: She’s sick. So leave me the fuck alone.

Dom called.Then Dimitri. Then Izzy, who I picked up to yell at.

“The whole family’s calling me. You’d better handle it,” I growled.

“I will. I will. Jeez. Can’t you be nice? I’m carrying the next gen here,” she pouted before changing subjects. “I can’t hold Mom and Dad off much longer though. They don’t even care I’m having twins. They think you’re avoiding them.”

“I am.” I shrugged as I stared at my sleeping wife.

“What for? They have to meet her sooner or later.”

“I needed to know this was real first, Izzy.” I sighed and played with the string of black around my ring finger. It was worn down now from how much I rubbed my fingers over it. She’d have to make me a new one sooner or later.

“And is it real?” my sister sneered, like she knew the answer.

“So real that I’m making sure her fucking abusive ex has no leg to stand on when I expose him for all he’s done to women over the years.”

She cackled and told me I was the best brother from this very reason. “Here, talk to my husband so you can figure that out. I’m going to go read.”

Cade rustled onto the phone and said, “I don’t want to talk.”

“Great. Me neither. I just want to make sure that prick’s family’s money won’t buy him out of any press we release about him in the next few weeks.”