Page 75 of Masked Seduction

I swallow, glancing at her thoughtfully. “I’m going to tell Abram tonight. We have a dinner date, so now’s the perfect time.”

Claire’s eyes widen a fraction, but she nods, supportive as always. “Are you nervous?”

I sigh, picking at the edge of the cookie. “A little. He’s so intense. His world is intense. I can’t even imagine how he’ll react.”

She squeezes my hand reassuringly. “He cares about you, Jenna. That much is obvious.”

“I know, but…” I trail off, uncertainty creeping back in. “A baby? That’s huge. I’m afraid it might be too much. Abram leads a dangerous life, Claire. Is it even fair to bring a kid into it?”

She pauses, the concern in her eyes softening. “Maybe it’s exactly what he needs to settle him down. You never know. Either way, you’re going to be an amazing mom, with or without him.”

Her words comfort me more than she could possibly realize. “Thank you,” I whisper, leaning my head against her shoulder. “For everything.”

“Always,” she whispers back.

For a while, we eat quietly, savoring the cookies, letting reality sink in. I picture Abram, his strength, his dominance, but also the way he can be so gentle when he holds me. The man he is beneath the power and control, the man I see glimpses of when he’s cooking dinner, the way his face lights up when he talks about his nieces and nephew.

“Do you think he’ll be happy?” I ask quietly.

Claire doesn’t hesitate. “I think he’ll be over the moon. Even if it takes him a minute to admit it.”

I nod slowly, pressing a hand to my stomach again. “Yeah. I think so too.”

She leans back, polishing off another cookie. “Besides, you’re glowing, Jenna. You’re totally in love with him. Everyone can see it.”

“I don’t know if it’s love,” I say, but as the words come out, I know they’re a lie. “Okay, maybe I do. God, Claire. I’m totally screwed, aren’t I?”

“Hopelessly,” she agrees, laughing softly. “But it looks good on you.”

I exhale deeply, my decision firming up in my chest. Tonight is the night I tell Abram. No matter how he reacts, no matter what this means for my future, I won’t face it alone. Claire’s words echo gently in my ears, reminding me I’m strong enough to handle anything.

“We should go shopping,” she says suddenly, eyes sparkling. “Get you dolled up before tonight. Give him another little taste of what his everyday life could be like.”

I laugh, warm anticipation filling me. “He’s already seen me naked, Claire.”

“Not like this,” she says confidently. “This is special. Trust me.”

I smile softly, feeling hopeful. “Okay, you win.”

As we gather our things and head toward the boutique Claire’s already gushing about, my heart pounds wildly. But this time, it’s excitement, not fear. Because tonight, my whole life is going to change.

And I’m ready for it.

CHAPTER 27

ABRAM

“You pulled a gun on Nico?” Denis asks, like he’s not sure whether to be impressed or pissed.

It’s late, the last streaks of gold slipping beneath the skyline as I sit in my work office, locked in yet another conference call with Denis and Mikail.

I lean back in my chair as I roll the crystal tumbler in my hand, watching the ice melting slowly. “I didn’t shoot him.”

“That’s not the point,” Mikail snaps. “You shoved a pistol under his chin in your own damn parking garage.”

“He brought six men. Intomyspace. Unannounced. You think I’m going to let that slide?” My voice is low, sharp. “He needs to know I’m not some bureaucrat he can posture in front of. His daddy’s still breathing, and until he’s not, Nico is nothing.”

There’s a long pause. I hear Denis exhale sharply through his nose.